Pretty is as pretty does

SUMMER READING CHALLENGE -- START (JUNE 1ST) & END (AUGUST 31ST)

2016-05-16T18:49:23Z

Poison or Protect -- https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/442374-ebook-verification--no-print-edition--check-link-in-post-1?comment=153552813&page=114#comment_153552813

[SUMMER 2016 SRC POINT TOTALS]

[POINTS]
Points:
Total Points: 335

[5 POINT TASKS]

5.1 - A Different View
Read a book found on the Books With Multiple Perspectives list.
Required: State which page the book you chose can be found on when you post.

5.2 - Cubism -- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
#613 https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/18127835-summer-challenge-2016-completed-tasks-please-do-not-delete-any-posts-i?page=13#comment_153398254

5.3 - Action! -- The Girl From Everywhere
#247 https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/18127835-summer-challenge-2016-completed-tasks-please-do-not-delete-any-posts-i?comment=152850456&page=5#comment_152879406

5.4 - In the Shadows -- The Hired Girl
#74 https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/18127835-summer-challenge-2016-completed-tasks-please-do-not-delete-any-posts-i?comment=152545996&page=2#comment_152557332

5.5 - Abstract Nouns
Read a book with an abstract noun in the title/subtitle. For the purposes of this task, the noun must be found on this list: Examples of Abstract Nouns. Plurals and possessives will work, but no other variations. Required: State the abstract noun you used when you post.

5.6 - Abstract Design
Read a book with an abstract cover design. Covers consisting of blocks of color and/or geometric shapes will work. There should be no identifiable, naturalistic elements on the cover. Required: Include the cover when you post.

5.7 - Purple Reign -- The Chess Queen Enigma
#1063 https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/18127835-summer-challenge-2016-completed-tasks-please-do-not-delete-any-posts-i?page=22#comment_154029581

5.8 - Summer Baby
Read a book that was first published in 1958 or 1984.

5.9 - Summer Reading
Read a book found on the first 5 pages of the Popular Summer Reading List Books.
Required: List the page the book can be found on when you post.

5.10 - School's Out!
Read a book of your choice. Note: Books with the genre "children" or "kids" NOT found in AR Bookfinder MAY be used for this task. Required: If using this exemption, state that the book is not found in ARBookFinder.

[10 POINT TASKS]

10.1. Another Kind of Trip
Read a book from Best Reality Warping Fiction
REQUIRED: Specify in your post the page of the list on which your book is found.

Lagoon (page 3)

10.2. Bobble heads
Read a book set in outer space or on a planet other than Earth.

10.3. Time for vacation -- The Spiritglass Charade
#1064 https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/18127835-summer-challenge-2016-completed-tasks-please-do-not-delete-any-posts-i?page=22#comment_154029816

10.4. Don't Leave Home Without One
Read a book from the 2016 Best Genre Fiction list or the 2015 Best Genre Fiction list.
Read-alikes and short list books may be used, as well as the main selection. If a series is listed, without any particular book specified, you may read any book from that series.
NOTE: only books are allowed, even though the lists of read-alikes sometimes include movies and television shows.
REQUIRED: In your post, specify the list and category in which your book is located.

10.5.But watch out - it's hurricane season!
Read a book whose author shares a name with one of the 2016 hurricane names. Names must match EXACTLY - no variations. The hurricane name can match the first, middle or last name of the author.

Atlantic:
Alex
Bonnie
Colin
Danielle
Earl
Fiona
Gaston
Hermine
Ian
Julia
Karl
Lisa
Matthew
Nicole
Otto
Paula
Richard
Shary
Tobias
Virginie
Walter

Pacific:
Agatha
Blas
Celia
Darby
Estelle
Frank
Georgette
Howard
Ivette
Javier
Kay
Lester
Madeline
Newton
Orlene
Paine
Roslyn
Seymour
Tina
Virgil
Winifred
Xavier
Yolanda
Zeke

**READY TO POST**10.6.June 8 is "Name Your Poison" day.
Read a book with "crime" as a main page genre. Genre can be standalone or embedded.

Genre verified: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/18113369-genre-verification-thread?comment=154944834&page=4#comment_154845675
Moriarty

10.7. "Give me your tired, your poor,........"
Read a book from the Immigrant Experience Literature list.
REQUIRED: Specify in your post the page of the list on which your book is found.

10.8. Happy Birthday
#743 https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/18127835-summer-challenge-2016-completed-tasks-please-do-not-delete-any-posts-i?comment=153542678&page=15#comment_153543787

10.9. Smile -- Year Zero
#75 https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/18127835-summer-challenge-2016-completed-tasks-please-do-not-delete-any-posts-i?comment=152545996&page=2#comment_152557620

10.10. Can You Read the Top Row?
Read a book with a person wearing glasses or sunglasses (on his or her eyes) on the cover. REQUIRED: Include the cover in your post.

[15 POINT TASKS]

**ONE OF TWO COMPLETE** 15.1 - Live Your Passion - Rio 2016
Read 2 books, one book A and one book B.

Book A- Read a book set at least 50% in South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela, Falkland Islands, French Guiana, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands.

The Summer Prince

AND

Book B - Read a book with the genre Sports and Games, Sports or Sports Romance on its main book page. Genres may be stand-alone or embedded.

**ONE OF TWO COMPLETED** 15.2 - Colors and Sounds
Read 2 books, one book A and one book B.

Book A - Read a book with a color in the title or subtitle from this list of colors:
Almond, Amber, Aqua, Aquamarine, Amethyst, Azure, Beige, Bisque, Black, Blue, Blush, Bronze, Brown, Burgundy, Cadet, Carnation, Chartreuse, Chiffon, Chocolate, Coral, Cornflower, Cornsilk, Cream, Crimson, Cyan, Emerald, Forest, Fuchsia, Gold, Goldenrod, Gray, Grey, Green, Honeydew, Indigo, Ivory, Jade, Khaki, Lavender, Lawn, Lemon, Lime, Linen, Magenta, Magnolia, Maroon, Mauve, Midnight, Navy, Olive, Orange, Orchid, Papaya, Peach, Pink, Plum, Purple, Red, Rose, Rosy, Royal, Ruby, Saddle, Saffron, Salmon, Sand, Sandy, Sapphire, Sea, Sepia, Shell, Sienna, Silver, Sky, Slate, Smoke, Snow, Spring, Steel, Tan, Taupe, Teal, Thistle, Tomato, Turquoise, Vanilla, Violet, Wheat, White, Wood, Yellow

Words must match exactly, no variations.

AND

Book B - Read a book with an image of a musical instrument on the cover.

The Cat Who Had 60 Whiskers

15.3 - June, July and August -- City of Mirrors
#616 https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/18127835-summer-challenge-2016-completed-tasks-please-do-not-delete-any-posts-i?page=13#comment_153399020

15.4 - The Gift of Life- Donate Blood
Option 1: Read 2 books, one book A and one book B

Book A - Read a book with "blood" intact in a word in the title or subtitle. ex. Half-Blood, Hot Blooded, Bloodroot

AND

Book B - Blood Types: Read a book by an author whose name contains ALL the letters A B O. David Benioff, Nora Roberts
One qualifying contributor in a book by multiple authors works.

OR

Option 2: Read ONE book that fulfills both Book A and Book B, ex. Written in My Own Heart's Blood by Diana Gabaldon

15.5 - Summer in the City -- The Nightmare Garden
#288 https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/18127835-summer-challenge-2016-completed-tasks-please-do-not-delete-any-posts-i?comment=152896773&page=6#comment_152918425

15.6 - Picasso, Miro and Rothko
Read a book by an author who has a name than ENDS in O. The name may appear in any position. One qualifying contributor in a book by multiple authors works. ex. Alice Munro, Banana Yoshimoto, Leo Tolstoy

15.7 - See the Light
Read a book with the word "lighthouse" in the title, subtitle or series name OR with a lighthouse on the cover. Plurals and possessives work, but no other variations.
ex. The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman The Edge of the Earth by Christina Schwarz
Required: If using the cover option include the cover in your post.

15.8 - Commencement
Read a book with the genre "New Adult" on its main book page.

15.9 - Listen Up
#1105 https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/18127835-summer-challenge-2016-completed-tasks-please-do-not-delete-any-posts-i?page=23#comment_154088706

15.10 - Lifelong Learning
Read a book from one of YALSA's 2014 Outstanding Books for the College Bound and Lifelong Learners categories:
Arts and Humanities
History and Cultures
Literature and Language Arts
Science and Technology
Social Sciences
Required: Identify the category when you post.

[20 POINT TASKS]

20.1 - Most Improved - Sarah E's task: Periodically challenged -- Black Widow
#289 https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/18127835-summer-challenge-2016-completed-tasks-please-do-not-delete-any-posts-i?comment=152896773&page=6#comment_152919035
repost: #332 https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/18127835-summer-challenge-2016-completed-tasks-please-do-not-delete-any-posts-i?comment=152961815&page=7#comment_152999103

20.2 - Rookie at the Top - Chrissy's task: Sweet Summer -- Stars Above
#136 https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/18127835-summer-challenge-2016-completed-tasks-please-do-not-delete-any-posts-i?comment=152649349&page=3#comment_152667551

20.3 - Best Review - Terri FL's task: New house -- Jane Steele
#679 https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/18127835-summer-challenge-2016-completed-tasks-please-do-not-delete-any-posts-i?comment=153425445&page=14#comment_153458198

20.4 - Golden Oldie - Heather(Gibby)'s task: The Golden Age
This is a ONE book task. Pick one of the options below.
Required: State which option you chose when you post.

Option A. Read a book with a main page genre of "Mythology." Genre may be stand alone or embedded.
Option B. Read a book written by one of the authors who wrote during the Golden Age of Science Fiction: Prominent Golden Age Authors. Co-written books (two authors) will work as long as at least one of the authors is from the list. Book with multiple authors, such as anthologies or collections of short stories, will not work. Authors are listed in the task help thread, as well.
Option C. The Golden Age is often used to refer to a Senior Citizen. Read a book that was first published after the author's 65th birthday.
Required: State the author's birth date when you post. If the GRs author page does not include the author's birth date, provide an outside link for verification.

20.5 - Bigger is Better - TrishHartUK's task: Shakespeare 400 -- The Clockwork Scarab
#290 https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/18127835-summer-challenge-2016-completed-tasks-please-do-not-delete-any-posts-i?comment=152896773&page=6#comment_152919512

20.6 - Seasoned Reader - Tallulah A's task: Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life
To celebrate the return of the series, read ONE book from the option of your choice.
Required: Indicate the option when you post.

OPTION 3: Read a book your choice that consists of at least 360 pages (a page for each minute of the series).

OPTION 4: Read a book with the word spring, summer, autumn, fall, or winter in the title, subtitle, or series name. Plurals, possessives and compound words work.

20.7 - Shorter is Sweeter - Lauren Jodi's task: The Queen of Crime -- Too Big To Miss
#619 https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/18127835-summer-challenge-2016-completed-tasks-please-do-not-delete-any-posts-i?page=13#comment_153399814

20.8 - Nickels & Dimes - Tien's task: Authors in Real Life

2. Read a book written by one of the authors who have signed my books: Tien’s signed books

Razorhurst
A Corner of White (The Colours of Madeleine, #1)
Alanna: The First Adventure (Song of the Lioness, #1)
Dark Inside (Dark Inside, #1)
Shadow Study (Soulfinders, #1)
Touch of Power (Healer, #1)
Storm Glass (Glass, #1)

20.9 - Moderator's Pet - Wendy UK's task: Celebrate Norwich!
Help Thread
I live near Norwich, UK. In 1970 Malcolm Bradbury and Angus Wilson established the UK's first MA in Creative writing at the University of East Anglia in Norwich.

Here are ten of the UEA's well-known alumni:
Trezza Azzopardi (MA 1998), Tracy Chevalier (MA 1994), Anne Enright (MA 1987), Kazuo Ishiguro (MA 1980), Wendy Jones (MA 2000), Toby Litt (MA 1995), Ian McEwan (MA 1971), Monique Roffey (BA1987), Rose Tremain (BA 1967), Christie Watson (MA 2008).

This is a ONE book task. Read a book by one of the above listed authors, OR choose another author from this list of UEA Creative Writing Alumni. Make sure your choice meets all SRC requirements. All books must be written by a single author.

20.10 - Group Reads

Read ONE of the books selected as the Group Reads choices for the season:

Transgender Fiction -- Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides
Discussion Thread

Fiction written by a Nobel Prize for Literature winner -- Beloved by Toni Morrison
Discussion Thread

Animals (Nonfiction) -- Katie Up and Down the Hall: The True Story of How One Dog Turned Five Neighbors into a Family by Glenn Plaskin
Discussion Thread

REQUIRED: You must participate in the book's discussion thread with at least one post about the contents of the book or your reaction to the book after you have read the book.

[25 POINT TASKS]

25.1 - Andy P's Task: Pairs
This is a two book task. Read one book that fits the criteria for Book 1 and another that fulfills the requirements for Book 2.

No books with the genre "children" listed may be used for this task.

Book 1 is a Title task. Read a book that has one of the following body part pairs in the TITLE (subtitles are excluded): Eyes, Ears, Arms, Hands, Fingers, Legs, Feet, Toes, Kidneys. Please notice that the word MUST be plural because it is a pair.

Book 2 is an Author** task. Read a book that has exactly two authors listed on Goodreads. There must be two names listed in the author credits.
Examples:
The Golem of Hollywood by Jonathan Kellerman and Jesse Kellerman
The Blood Gospel by James Rollins and Rebecca Cantrell

Books written by co-authors who use a one name pseudonym such as Charles Todd will NOT work as only one name is listed in the author credits.

25.2 - Perletwo's task: I love beach music -- No Ghouls Allowed & Girl in a Band
#1112 https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/18127835-summer-challenge-2016-completed-tasks-please-do-not-delete-any-posts-i?page=23#comment_154100045

**ONE OF TWO COMPLETED** 25.3 - Maya's Task : Make it Pretty

Option One | Crazy Colors
Read a book that has ONLY colors from the rainbow on the cover. No black, white, or gray allowed. For the purposes of this task, the colors will be determined by the TinEye Color Extractor. To use the color extractor, right click on a cover image (or 2 finger pad click for Mac), choose "copy image address," and paste the URL into the box on the TinEye website. If you see the words black, white, or grey as a base color on the color palette, the book will not work for this option.

Required: If you choose option one, you must include the cover of the book when you post.

Option Two | Crazy Shapes
Read a book that has a square, circle, or heart on the cover.
Required: If you choose option two, you must also include the cover of the book when you post.

Option Three | Flowers
Read a book that has a flower name in the title.

Option Four | People
Read a book that has more than one author.

Option Five | Doodle
Read a book where the author's first and last name initials can be found in DOODLEPAINTING.

Option Six | Signature
Read a book in which the first letter of the first word in the title matches any letter in your Readerboard name. All title words count.

Morgan Faeriesfolly

School Spirits

25.4 - MegSCL's task: A pair of opposites -- Page & The Mystery of Hollow Places
#685 https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/18127835-summer-challenge-2016-completed-tasks-please-do-not-delete-any-posts-i?comment=153464875&page=14#comment_153467785

25.5 - Dakimel’s Task: An Homage to The Toast
Read 2 books, each from a different option. Required: State which option you’re using when you claim this task.

A: Mallory Ortberg – For this option, read an SRC-qualifying book by any of the authors* named in the Texts From Jane Eyre Reference List *NOTE: the author “Anonymous” DOES NOT work for this task.

B: Nicole Cliffe – For this option, read an SRC-qualifying book either from the Wilderness Accidents and Deaths List or from the first five pages of the Best Canadian Literature List.
REQUIRED: State which list you used and which page you found your title on.

C: Nicole Chung - For this option, read an SRC-qualifying book with the main page genre (alone or embedded) “Adoption.”

**READY TO POST** 25.6 - Jamie NYC's task: The Last Abstract Expressionist

Option 2: Read a book which takes place in more than one clearly defined location (different states, different countries, etc.), ie Los Angeles and Philadelphia or Georgia and Florida or New York City and Toronto or Paris and Dublin. Locations must be in separated by at least a state or country border. Fantasy worlds can work if it's clear they're different jurisdictions (ie the different Districts in The Hunger Games).
Required: If it's not clear from the book's GRs description, explain how the book fits the task when you post.

The Game of Thrones

Option 4: Read a book written by an author whose initials (first and last) can be found in JOAN MITCHELL. If the book has multiple authors, only one author's initials must be found in the artist's name.

JOAN MITCHELL => Maria ~~Dahvana~~ Headley

Magonia - Maria Dahvana Headley

**ONE OF TWO READ** 25.7 - SpiderMac's task: Get Your Run On!
For this task, choose TWO different options and read a book for each.
Required: Identify the options when you post.

Option 1: Swim
Read a book with a swimmer on the cover. The swimmer should be a human or human-like creature who is in the water (ex. swimming or treading water), entering the water in some way (ex. diving), or has been in the water (ex. climbing out of a pool). For this option, sun bathers will not work.
Required: Include the cover when you post.

Option 2: Bike
Read a book from the Best Cycling Books list.
Required: Include the page of the list where your book is found when you post.

Option 3: Run
Read a book with the word “run” in the title or subtitle. Any variation that preserves the meaning is fine (runner, runaway, running, etc).

Option 4: Sag wagon / volunteer
For this option, read a book from the Funniest Novels of All Time list.
Required: Include the page of the list where your book is found when you post.

Option 5: Spectator
Read a nonfiction book about an athlete with main page genre "Biography," "Autobiography" or "Memoir." The book you choose does not have to be about a professional athlete but it does need to be clear that the person the book is about is a dedicated athlete. Genre may be stand-alone or embedded.

Option 6: Hammock
Read a book where the first letter of each word in the title is found in “Sounds fun but I would rather chill with a good book”. The title of your book must contain three or more words. Subtitles should be ignored. Letters may only be used as often as they appear.
Required: Point out where the letters from the title can be found in the phrase when you post.
Ex: All the Light We Cannot See
A and T in rather
L and W in would
C in chill
S in sounds

The Heart Goes Last -- Margaret Atwood

T and H in Rather
G in Good
L in Chill

25.8 - Brooke TX's task: Finally, A Little Vacation
This is a TWO book task. Read two books from two different options below.
REQUIRED: State the options you chose when posting.

NOTE: Sequential Art, Comics, Comic Book, or Manga may be used provided the general SRC guidelines are met.

Option 1. Gotham City Sirens: For this option, choose a book with main page genre "Superheroes." The genre may stand alone or be embedded.

Option 2. Lisa Frank: For this option, choose a book whose cover is at least 50% pink or purple.

Option 3. Candyland: For this option, choose a book whose author's initals can be found in CANDYLAND. Middle initials may be ignored. If a book has multiple authors, only one author's initials must fit the task.

Option 4. From Chicago to Las Vegas: For this option, read a book set at least 50% in Illinois or Nevada. Required: If the setting is not clear from the Goodreads description, explain how your book fits the task when you post.

25.9 - Fandury's task: Everything is Possible in Love and Warcraft
This is a two book task. Choose two different options below and read a book for each.
Required: Identify the options you chose when you post.

Option 1: Read a book with the main page genre of War. The genre may stand alone or be embedded.

Option 2: For this option, read a book with a cover that shows at least two persons, that have a obvious difference in race or ethnicity. It can be two humans of different ethnic origin, or different races in case of fantasy or science fiction books (elves, mermaids, dwarfs, aliens etc.). The two persons have to be humanoid, so no dragons, space bugs or other magical animals.
Required: Include the cover when you post.

Option 3: As World Of Warcraft is a cooperative game where you have to work together with other people, read a book from the Different Perspective Books list or The Best Books That Change Narrators Every Chapter list. Required: Identify which list and, if the list has multiple pages, which page your book can be found on when you post.

Option 4: For this option read a book that is set in at least 2 different primary countries for significant portions of the book. More than one location must play a major role in the book and significant plot events must take place in each country.
Required: State the countries the book is set in and, if it is not clear from the GR description, explain how the book fits the task in your post.

Option 5: For this option, read a book that has been turned into a movie or read one of the Warcraft novels that Blizzard published to accompany the game. If choosing the movie option, the movie must be a theatrical release, no television mini-series.
Required: If you choose the movie option, link to the movie on IMDB.

**READY TO POST** 25.10 - M1nks's task: Give Me Some Reds, Give Me Some Blues, Give Me Some... What the heck is THAT supposed to be!?
Help Thread
This is a TWO book task. Abstract art follows few rules so, for this task, make your choice of any combination of tasks, doubling up if you wish. Graphic novels and other sequential art books are allowed so long as they conform to standard SRC rules.

Required: State the options you chose when you post.

2. Abstract Art can really be anything that you want it to be, and frankly, your guess is as good as the next persons...

For this task, choose a painting from: Famous Abstract Art. Read a book with a title which you think would make a good name for the painting.

Franz Kline's "The Chief" -- When I looked at it, I saw sort of a cartoon character with hands over it's eyes and a D: sort of "oh no" mouth beneath. The Darkest Torment would also be a fitting title for the painting.

The Darkest Torment

4. Personally I think some abstract art is crazy and people are even crazier for buying it; but there have been many artists who have genuinely struggled with their mental health.

A Carlin Home Companion

Ok'd in task thread: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/18132732-25-10---m1nks-s-task-give-me-some-reds-give-me-some-blues-give-me-so?comment=155073202&page=2#comment_form

25.11 - Amanda A's task as suggested by Karen Michele: Visit the Centre Pompidou
Help Thread
The Centre Pompidou has one of the world’s largest collections of contemporary and abstract art. It is located in Paris, France and I have been fortunate enough to visit the museum twice. I hope to go back someday, but for now please join me on a virtual visit with books!

The museum has six floors to explore and they are full of collections dating from 1905 to the present day. Here’s a link to the museum site: Centre Pompidou

This is a TWO book task. Please choose one book from two different options.

Required: State which two options you chose when you post.

NOTE: Sequential Art, Comics, Comic Book, or Manga may be used provided the general SRC guidelines are met.

I'd like to send out a special thank you to Amanda A for passing her chance to write a task on to me!

First Floor: You’re in Paris!
Read a book set at least 50% of the time in Paris.
Required: If the book's metadata or description do not make it obvious, explain how your book fits the task when you post.

Second Floor: You’re surrounded by great art!
Read a book about an art crime (for example: fraud, forgery, and/or theft). These lists might give you some ideas: Art Crime; Art Fraud and Theft
Required: If the book's metadata or description do not make it obvious, explain how your book fits the task when you post.

Third Floor: You can see collections of all kinds of modern art.
Read a collection of short stories or essays. This may be a single author collection or an anthology that includes many authors. There must be at least five stories/essays in the collection.
Required: If the number of short stories/essays is not indicated in the book's description on GRs, provide a list of at least 5 stories contained within the collection.

Fourth Floor: What a visual treat!
Read an illuminated novel or a graphic novel. These lists might give you some ideas: Illuminated Novels; Illuminated Novels. Beware, not all the books on these list fit the rules of the SRC. Choose wisely.

Fifth Floor: A Poor Art - see the summer 2016 special exhibit.
(Disclaimer - I don't know if this is really on the fifth floor)
About the exhibit: With "A poor art", multidisciplinary and innovative event, the Centre Pompidou proposes to examine artistic practices tied to the question of "poor" in the creation in the 1960s: in the visual arts, with the eminence of current Arte Povera, in the field of music, design, architecture, theater, performance and experimental film. Mindful of the traces, the reliefs, the most basic manifestations of life, artists of Arte Povera and more broadly of "poor art" claiming archaic gestures. This event builds on all components of the Centre Pompidou, the richness and breadth of his collection that preserves one of the sets Arte Povera the largest in the world. It traces the decade 1964-1974, as well as notable year 1960 and later a few exceptions. (Description from the Centre Pompidou site)

Read a book first published in the years 1960 to 1974, inclusive.

Sixth Floor: Eat at the restaurant and relax.
Read a book about a restaurant and/or a chef. This list might give you some ideas: Restaurant Reads
Required: If the book's metadata or description do not make it obvious, explain how your book fits the task when you post.

[30 POINT TASKS]

30.1 - Schatzie’s Task: North to Alaska
This is a two book task. Read a book from two different options.
Required: Identify which options you used when posting.

Option 1: Read a book with “coming of age” as a main page genre. Genre may be stand alone or embedded.

Option 2: Read a book with the word “sister” found intact in the TITLE (subtitles do not count). Sisterhood, Sisters, Sisterly, etc., all work.

Option 3: Read a book by an author whose initials can be found in MOUNTAIN MARATHON. All initials should be included and if a book has multiple authors, all of the authors must fit the task. Letters may only be used as often as they are found in the phrase.

Option 4: Read a non-fiction book about military life in the US Armed Forces. Any branch of the US military will work: Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, or Navy. The book's description should clearly indicate that the book is about US military life and experience.

30.2 - Jonquil’s Task: It looked different the last time I was here...
This is a two book task.

Book 1: Read a book set entirely in one community during just one season of the year: spring, summer, fall or winter.
Book 2: Read a book set in the same community set during a different season of the year.

The books may be from the same series or entirely unrelated to one another. The books may be fiction or nonfiction, any genre, any year, historic, present-day, or futuristic.

Required: List the community name and identify the two seasons when you post.

Example: New Orleans Winter - Cake on a Hot Tin Roof by Jacklyn Brady
New Orleans Summer - Jazz Funeral by Julie Smith

**ONE OF TWO READ** 30.3 - Dlmrose's task: Wipe Out
Read 2 books from 2 different options. Identify the options when you post.

1. The Playlist - Read a book with a word in the title or subtitle from this list of surf song titles: Best Surf Songs. And, At, Of, The may NOT be used. Words must match exactly. The list is also in post 2 of the Help Thread.
Required: State the word you used.

"Guitar Noir" - Aqua Velvets
"Church Key" - Dave Myers and The Surftones
"Let's Go Trippin'" - Dick Dale and His Del-Tones
"You And Your Heart" - Jack Johnson
"Surf City" - Jan and Dean
"Rumble At Waikiki" - Jon and The Nightriders
"My Beach" - Surf Punks
"Bombora" - The Atlantics
"Surfin' USA" - The Beach Boys
"Mr. Moto" - The Challengers
"Pipeline" - The Chantays
"Hanging Five" - The Delltones
"Shoot The Curl" - The Honeys
"Surf Rider" - The Lively Ones
"Out Of Limits" - The Marketts
"Gypsy Surfer" - The Phantom Surfers
"Apache" - The Shadows
"The Curl Rider" - The Surf Raiders
"Wipe Out" - The Surfaris
"Surfin' Bird" - The Trashmen
"Walk Don't Run" - The Ventures
"Summerland Road" - Tom Curren
"Surf Wax America" - Weezer

2. Hang 5 - Read a book that a Goodreads friend has read and rated 5 stars.
Required: State the name of your GR friend.

Fire Touched

My GR friends Joyce, Dani C., and Michelle all read it and rated it 5 stars.

3. Read a book with the word surf or a variation of a word that preserves its meaning (surfer, surf’s, surfin', surfing, etc) in the title or subtitle.

4. Read a book set in a location of the 2016 World Surf League Championship Tour: Australia, Brazil, Fiji, South Africa, Tahiti/French Polynesia, California USA, France, Portugal, Hawaii USA.
Required: Identify the setting if it is not evident in the book's Goodreads description or metadata.

30.4 - Ava Catherine's task: Summer of the Gods -- Visions & Grave Visions
#1113 https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/18127835-summer-challenge-2016-completed-tasks-please-do-not-delete-any-posts-i?page=23#comment_154102082

**ONE OF TWO COMPLETED** 30.5 - Daphne's task: A Season of growth and color
This is a two book task. Read a book from two different lists below.
Required: State which list and, if the list has more than one page, which page your books can be found on when you post.

Pomegranates on the Cover

Citrus on the Cover

Mango on the Cover

Berries on the Cover #52 Unrivaled

Apples on the Cover #28 First Frost - Sarah Addison Allen

**ONE OF TWO READ** 30.6 - Donna Jo's task: Generation Gap

I was born in 1981. Decade of birth: 80s & 30 years after birth: 2010s

Book 1. Read a book first published during the decade of your birth.

Book 2. Read a book from the decade either 30 years before your birth or 30 years after your birth.

The Fireman (published 2016)

30.7 - Sandy's Task: Forwards and Backwards
For this task, you will read 2 books. Books with the main page genre Childrens or Kids cannot be used for this task.
**Your books must have a combined total of at least 500 pages.**

Book 1. Read a book whose author's initials are alphabetically sequential - CD, RS, etc. Only the first and last initials need to be considered - middle names and initials should be ignored.

Book 2. Read a book whose author's initials are the same as those of book 1, but in the reverse order. Again, ignore middle initials.

Examples: If you read a book by Charles Dickens for book 1, you could read a book by Deborah Crombie for book 2.
If you read a book by Ruta Sepetys for book 1, you could read a book by Stella Rimington for book 2.

30.8 - Beth NC's task: Cards Against Humanity (The Book Version) -- When She Woke & Shifting Shadows
#245 https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/18127835-summer-challenge-2016-completed-tasks-please-do-not-delete-any-posts-i?comment=152850456&page=5#comment_152878031

30.9 - Catherine T's task: Should We Stay Or Should We Go?
Read two books from one of the options and complete one book A and one book B.

Option 1: Stay -- Stay campaigners claim* that the EU brings loads of benefits to the UK, and that leaving will cause all sorts of bad things to happen.

Book A: Vote Stay by reading a book set at least 70% in the UK** with a main page genre of "Horror" or "Dystopia" or "Post-apocalyptic";
AND
Book B: Read a book set at least 70% in a EU country** (excluding the UK). Your EU book should NOT have any of the genres "Horror" or "Dystopia" or "Post-apocalyptic" in its main book page.

Option 2: Go -- Leave campaigners claim* that the EU is holding the UK back from achieving its full potential, and that staying in the EU will cause all sorts of bad things to happen.

Book A: Vote Leave by reading a book set at least 70% in an EU country** (excluding the UK) with main page genre of "Horror" or "Dystopia" or "Post-apocalyptic";
AND
Book B: Read a book set at least 70% in the UK**. Your UK book should NOT have any of the genres "Horror" or "Dystopia" or "Post-apocalyptic" in its main book page.

As this is serious business, no childrens books. And of course, your reading vote won't be considered a reflection of your actual beliefs!

Required: Identify the option you used when you post.

**UK countries are: England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland
**EU countries are found here: Member state of the European Union
Genres may be stand alone or embedded.

30.10 - Robin ♥'s Task: The Dog Days of Summer -- The Last Star & Allison Hewitt is Trapped
#244 https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/18127835-summer-challenge-2016-completed-tasks-please-do-not-delete-any-posts-i?comment=152850456&page=5#comment_152877763

Winter Reading Challenge -- Start (Dec 1st) & End (Feb 28th)

2014-11-04T01:09:18Z

READ ALL THE BOOKS. GET ALL THE POINTS. flawlessglitch has created a monster.

[FALL 2014 SRC POINT TOTALS]
Total Points: 815/815
Books Read: 66
Completed Tasks: 51/51
Pages Read: 25394
Goodreads Authors: 50
Big Books: [500+: 4] [750+: 1] [1000+: 1]

[POINTS]
This Post:
Total Points: 1045/1045
Books Read: 82
Completed Tasks: 59/59
Pages Read: 27723
Goodreads Authors: 54
Big Books: [500+: 7] [750+: 0] [1000+: 0]

REQUIRED:
Selection:
Status: Unread

COMPLETED ALL 5 POINT TASKS
COMPLETED ALL 10 POINT TASKS
COMPLETED ALL 15 POINT TASKS
COMPLETED ALL 20 POINT TASKS
COMPLETED ALL 25 POINT TASKS
COMPLETED ALL 30 POINT TASKS
COMPLETED THE 50 POINT TASK

April & May :: Resolution Round-Up

2013-06-02T02:02:15Z

As far as my migraines go... no real progress. Shitty reactions to first attempt at a daily medication. A month and a half off of medication and I find that I had the same amount of migraines on the medicine as I did off of it. (One month ON: 10 migraines/4 headaches/didn't bother to count the days with "pressure") (A month and a half OFF: 15 migraines/4 headaches/again not counting the days I marked with "pressure")

Bleh.

Just started a new medicine today, so I'm not feeling super positive and some of the side effects are a bit worrying.

Have had a headache almost ever since I took it. YOU'RE DOING IT WRONG.

::CURRENT MOVIE TOTAL:: 38 (goal of 60)
30. The Host [4/4]
31. Thor [4/8]
32. Knight & Day [4/9]
33. X-Men: First Class [4/13]
34. Horrible Bosses [4/20]
35. Captain America [4/21]
36. Water for Elephants [4/21]
37. Push [4/21]
38. Your Highness [5/27]

::CURRENT COUNT:: (goal of 100+)
IN PROGRESS :: 3
FICTION :: 47
NON-FICTION/'NON-FICTION'/ESSAYS :: 1
LEFT UNFINISHED :: 6

FICTION ::
31. Paranormalcy -- Kiersten White [LIBRARY]
32. Pleasure Unbound -- Larissa Ione [LIBRARY] & [KINDLE]
33. Second Grave on the Left [Charley Davidson #2] -- Darynda Jones [LIBRARY]
34. Third Grave Dead Ahead [Charley Davidson #3] -- Darynda Jones [LIBRARY]
35. Poison Princess [Arcana Chronicles #1] -- Kresley Cole [KINDLE]
36. Immortal Ever After -- Lynsay Sands
37. Unearthly [Unearthly #1] -- Cynthia Hand [KINDLE]
38. Scarlet [Lunar Chronicles #2] -- Marissa Meyer [LIBRARY]
39. Hallowed [Unearthly #2] -- Cynthia Hand [KINDLE]
40. Radiant [Unearthly #2.5] -- Cynthia Hand [KINDLE]
41. Boundless [Unearthly #3] -- Cynthia Hand [KINDLE]
42. Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet [Charley Davidson #4] -- Darynda Jones [LIBRARY]
43. Grave Witch -- Kalayna Price [LIBRARY]
44. Grave Dancer -- Kalayna Price [LIBRARY]
45. Grave Memory -- Kalayna Price [LIBRARY]
46. Twice Tempted [Night Prince #2] -- Jeaniene Frost [KINDLE]
47. Indigo Spell [Bloodlines #3] -- Richelle Mead [KINDLE]

NON-FICTION/'NON-FICTION'/ESSAYS ::
1. The Sexy Book of Sexy Sex -- Kristen Schaal [KINDLE]

Graze.com Reviews

2013-03-10T05:20:33Z

I don't know how many of you all are in the preview of graze.com, but I would definitely recommend it to everyone else once it's open to everyone.

I figured it might be nice to put these somewhere other than just twitter (@morganryan)

Box #1
[See the box and learn more about each snack]
billionaire's shortbread -- LOVE
el picante -- LOVE
tropical sundae -- TRASH
seedsational -- LIKE

Box #2
[See the box and learn more about each snack]
toffee apple -- LOVE
my thai -- TRASH
salt and vinegar nut selection -- LOVE
pina colada -- TRASH

I am still working on Box #3 (I've only eaten half the snacks), and Box #4 is in the mail (I usually get them on Wednesdays). If you're getting boxes: what are some of your favorites? What are some of your least favorites?

Books of 2013

2013-01-01T22:39:45Z

In 2012, I read 142 books total.
For 2013, I would like to keep to 100+ books for the year. (Even if it would be nice to improve on the number...there's only so much time I can read and I read for most of that time as it is.)

Re-reads are in italics.

::CURRENT COUNT::
IN PROGRESS :: 1
FICTION :: 103
NON-FICTION/'NON-FICTION'/ESSAYS :: 1
LEFT UNFINISHED :: 8

FICTION ::
1. Spellbound [Hex Hall #3] -- Rachel Hawkins [LIBRARY]
2. The Iron King [The Iron Fey #1] -- Julie Kagawa [MINE]
3. Branded [Fall of Angels #1] -- Keary Taylor [KINDLE]
4. Revenge of the Spellmans [Spellmans #3] -- Lisa Lutz [LIBRARY]
5. The Spellmans Strike Again [Spellmans #4] -- Lisa Lutz [LIBRARY]
6. Anna Dressed in Blood [Anna #1] -- Kedare Blake [LIBRARY]
7. The Last Policeman: A Novel -- Ben H. Winters [KINDLE]
8. Here [On the Otherside #1] -- Denise Grover Swank [KINDLE]
9. 6 1/2 Body Parts [Body Movers short story] -- Stephanie Bond [KINDLE]
10. The Curiousities: A collection of stories -- Maggie Stiefvater, Tessa Gratton, and Brenna Yovanoff [LIBRARY]
11. Shadow's Claim -- Kresley Cole [KINDLE]
12. One Con Glory -- Sarah Kuhn [KINDLE]
13. The Accidental Genie [Accidentally Friends #7] -- Dakota Cassidy [KINDLE]
14. Girl of Nightmares [Anna #2] -- Kendare Blake [LIBRARY]
15. Mariana -- Susana Kearsley [KINDLE]
16. The Body Finder [#1]-- Kimberly Derting [KINDLE]
17. Heads You Lose -- Lisa Lutz [LIBRARY]
18. Alice in Zombieland -- Gena Showalter [KINDLE]
19. My Sister's Song -- Gail Carriger [KINDLE]
20. Jane Goes Batty [#2] -- Michael Thomas Ford [LIBRARY]
21. Poison Study [#1] -- Maria V. Snyder [KINDLE]
22. The Peach Keeper -- Sarah Addision Allen [LIBRARY]
23. Assassin Study [#1.5] -- Maria V. Snyder [KINDLE]
24. Magic Study [#2] -- Maria V. Snyder [KINDLE]
25. Candor -- Pam Bachorz [LIBRARY]
26. The Diviners -- Libba Bray [LIBRARY]
27. Redshirts -- John Scalzi [LIBRARY]
28. First Grave on the Right [Charley Davidson #1] -- Darynda Jones [LIBRARY]
29. Notorious Nineteen -- Janet Evanovich [LIBRARY]
30. Fire Study [#3] -- Maria V. Snyder [KINDLE]
31. Paranormalcy -- Kiersten White [LIBRARY]
32. Pleasure Unbound -- Larissa Ione [LIBRARY] & [KINDLE]
33. Second Grave on the Left [Charley Davidson #2] -- Darynda Jones [LIBRARY]
34. Third Grave Dead Ahead [Charley Davidson #3] -- Darynda Jones [LIBRARY]
35. Poison Princess [Arcana Chronicles #1] -- Kresley Cole [KINDLE]
36. Immortal Ever After -- Lynsay Sands
37. Unearthly [Unearthly #1] -- Cynthia Hand [KINDLE]
38. Scarlet [Lunar Chronicles #2] -- Marissa Meyer [LIBRARY]
39. Hallowed [Unearthly #2] -- Cynthia Hand [KINDLE]
40. Radiant [Unearthly #2.5] -- Cynthia Hand [KINDLE]
41. Boundless [Unearthly #3] -- Cynthia Hand [KINDLE]
42. Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet [Charley Davidson #4] -- Darynda Jones [LIBRARY]
43. Grave Witch -- Kalayna Price [LIBRARY]
44. Grave Dancer -- Kalayna Price [LIBRARY]
45. Grave Memory -- Kalayna Price [LIBRARY]
46. Twice Tempted [Night Prince #2] -- Jeaniene Frost [KINDLE]
47. Indigo Spell [Bloodlines #3] -- Richelle Mead [KINDLE]
48. Etiquette & Espionage [Finishing School #1] -- Gail Carriger [KINDLE]
49. A Tale of Two Vampires -- Katie MacAlister
50. Stealing Harper -- Molly McAdams
51. Darkness Unmasked -- Keri Arthur
52. A Witch's Handbook of -- Molly Harper
53. My Bluegrass Baby -- Molly Harper
54. Cursed -- Jennifer L. Armentrout
55. Carnival of Souls -- Melissa Marr
56. The Forbidden Lady -- Kerrelyn Sparks
57. Frost Burned [Mercy Thompson #] -- Patricia Briggs
58. Time Thief -- Katie MacAlister
59. Incarnate -- Jodi Meadows
60. The Raven Boys -- Maggie Stiefvater
61. Two Lines -- Melissa Marr
62. Everneath -- Brodi Ashton
63. Delirium -- Lauren Oliver
64. Guns for the Dead -- Melissa Marr
65. To Wed a Wild Lord -- Sabrina Jefferies
66. MacRieve -- Kresley Cole
67. Beautiful Redemption -- Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
68. The Hangman's Daughter -- Oliver Potzsch
69. Chosen at Nightfall -- C.C. Hunter
70. There [On The Otherside] -- Denise Grover Swank
71. In Deep Voodoo -- Stephanie Bond
72. Voodoo or Die -- Stephanie Bond
73. Under the Never Sky -- Veronica Rossi
74. Gameboard of the Gods [Age of X #1] -- Richelle Mead
75. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dreadfully Ever After -- Steve Hockensmith
76. Endless Knight [Arcana Chronicles #2] -- Kresley Cole
77. The Rising -- Kelley Armstrong
78. Through the Ever Night -- Veronica Rossi
79. Tempest Reborn -- Nicole Peeler
80. Through the Zombie Glass -- Gena Showalter
81. The Vampire with the Dragon Tattoo -- Kerrelyn Sparks
82. The Woodcutter -- Kate Danley
83. Wicked Nights -- Gena Showalter
84. Beauty Awakened -- Gena Showalter
85. The Darkest Craving -- Gena Showalter
86. The Coldest Girl in Coldtown -- Holly Black
87. What a Ghoul Wants -- Victoria Laurie
88. Awakened -- Melissa Marr
89. With All My Soul -- Rachel Vincent
90. Magic Bites -- Ilona Andrews
91. Magic Burns -- Ilona Andrews
92. Magic Strikes -- Ilona Andrews
93. Magic Bleeds -- Ilona Andrews
94. Magic Slays -- Ilona Andrews
95. Desert Tales -- Melissa Marr
96. Magic Rises -- Ilona Andrews
97. The Dead and Empty World -- Carrie Ryan
98. Hare Moon -- Carrie Ryan
99. What Once We Feared -- Carry Ryan
100. Black and Blue -- Gena Showalter
101. Oath Bound -- Rachel Vincent
102. Die for Me -- Amy Plum
103. Until I Die -- Amy Plum

NON-FICTION/'NON-FICTION'/ESSAYS ::
1. The Sexy Book of Sexy Sex -- Kristen Schaal [KINDLE]

IN PROGRESS ::
The Host -- Stephenie Meyer [KINDLE]

LEFT UNFINISHED ::
1. The Iron Thorn [#1] -- Caitlin Kittredge [LIBRARY] -- I got three chapters in and it felt like there was another book that I was missing? That I should have knowledge that I didn't? And the only parts that were explained were over-explained. It would have been better if there had been a bit of balance there.
2. The Reformed Vampire Support Group -- Catherine Jinks [LIBRARY] -- I was excited by the prospect of vampires not being some superhuman, paranormal badasses... More like addicts in a support group. What I was not excited by once I started it was how much they would whine and bore me. So much so that when the plot of the book rears its head (someone is killing them), I could not find a single fuck to give. I waved my white flag at just over five chapters, and surrendered so I could move on to something that I enjoyed.
3. A Curse as Dark as Gold -- Elizabeth C. Bunce [LIBRARY] -- I got a couple chapters in and I can't tell you what was happening other than their Dad died and there is a mill and wool... I was really excited to read this one, so it may be something I give another go sometime. Just not something I'll be finishing right now.
4. The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty [Sleeping Beauty, #1] -- A.N. Roquelaure [LIBRARY] -- juushika's review says everything I could ever say in a much more eloquent way. It was like...someone who has only a vague grasp of sex and BDSM, etc. trying to write a story and already repeating herself more than was necessary after three chapters. It should have been a short story with possibly just that first chapter. Then...it would be much more easily read and dismissed.
5. Unspoken [The Lynburn Legacy #1] -- Sarah Rees Brennan [LIBRARY] -- The synopsis sounded really good and as usual the cover grabbed me when I saw it, but it seemed to me that the conversations were disjointed and sometimes out of order almost. I had no trouble keeping up with in their heads and out loud, but both the girls sounded exactly the same to me--their personalities and that was annoying. It's just like it would be like "Oh, I'm good." "Hi. How are you?" instead of the other way around. I don't think it has anything to do with the British-ness of it, because that has never been an issue for me before. Gave it 100 pages. Sending it back to the library unfinished.
6. My Life as a White Trash Zombie -- Diana Rowland [LIBRARY] -- Couple chapters in and it just wasn't grabbing me. I was skimming and going blahblahblahblah which was unexpected because it should be right up my alley. Might be something I revisit later.
7. Chosen (The Seeker Saga) -- Sarah Swan [KINDLE] -- I TRIED SO HARD. It had lots of things that I normally like, but put together in such a way that I could not find a single fuck to give about finishing it. Gave it well over 100 pages.
8. The Eternal Highlander -- Hannah Howell, Lynsay Sands [KINDLE] -- The written accent can be tricky and it was Hannah Howell's story (placed first) that made me give up. It was the Jar Jar Binks of written Scottish accents.

Movies of 2013

2013-01-01T22:31:10Z

In 2012, I watched 55 *new to me* movies.
For 2013, I want to beat that total. Let's see how it goes...

::CURRENT TOTAL:: 49

1. Jeff, Who Lives at Home -- orangerful had it on her list of favorites from 2012 and I'm a sucker for Jason Segel. [1/1]
2. The Green Hornet [1/1]
3. Doctor Who: Planet of the Dead [1/13]
4. Hoodwinked Too: Hood vs Evil [1/14]
5. American Reunion [1/15]
6. Beastly [1/16]
7. Grown Ups -- started this back home with Mom & Dad months and months ago, but had to leave like 20 minutes in. They really liked it though, so I'm giving it another go. [1/18]
8. I am Number Four [1/19]
9. The Hangover 2 [1/19]
10. The Other Guys [1/19]
11. Scents & Sensibility [1/19]
12. Hugo [1/20]
13. Beginners [1/21]
14. District 9 [1/22]
15. Zack and Miri Make a Porno [2/2]
16. Our Idiot Brother [2/3]
17. Warm Bodies [2/6]
18. Percy Jackson & The Olympians The Lightning Thief [2/9]
19. Roman Holiday [2/11-2/12]
20. What to Expect When You're Expecting [2/12]
21. Lars and the Real Girl [2/12]
22. Friends with Kids [2/21]
23. Hotel Transylvania [2/28]
24. Safety Not Guaranteed [3/1]
25. Funny Face [3/2]
26. The Help [3/3]
27. My Super Ex-Girlfriend [3/3]
28. Paperman [3/10]
29. Iron Man 2 [3/12]
30. The Host [4/4]
31. Thor [4/8]
32. Knight & Day [4/9]
33. X-Men: First Class [4/13]
34. Horrible Bosses [4/20]
35. Captain America [4/21]
36. Water for Elephants [4/21]
37. Push [4/21]
38. Your Highness [5/27]
39. Suckerpunch [6/1]
40. How to Fall in Love [6/2]
41. Waiting for Forever [6/13]
42. Neverland [6/14]
43. Paranorman [6/20]
44. Monsters University
45. My Fake Fiance [7/27]
46. We Bought a Zoo [8/31]
47. World War Z [10/25]
48. Pacific Rim [10/25]
49. Bad News Bears [11/15]

Hockey match ((just ignore)) lol

2012-07-08T00:28:02Z

Hockeyyyyy battle of the sexes.

Hunger Games icons

2012-01-31T06:58:57Z

Did a little cap exchange with orangerful & lostacanthus. I kinda failed on several caps and didn't manage to get an icon I liked out of them. There was no deadline or anything, but we talked about doing something like this each month.

You can see orangerful's icons here, and lostacanthus's icons here.

Writer's Block: ONTD Games Giveaway

2012-01-29T19:05:36Z

It would have to be someone from Dragon Age. If I had to live in a video game world, it would be that one (yes, even with the Darkspawn and all the other stuff that goes down).

It would likely be a tie between Morrigan and DA:Awakenings Anders.

Morrigan is a snarky, ballsy, see what she wants, reach out and take it kinda chick. I like that. She'd make me be more ballsy, we could snark together, and I'd be that little voice of reason if she was going to go too far. So basically just like in the game with my Warden.

Anders before the events of DA2 is hilarious. He's just a woobie with Ser Pounce-A-Lot and his harmless flirting. In DA2, I spend a majority of the time wanting to shake him silly so that's why Morrigan wins out in the end.

Movies of 2012

2012-01-02T07:47:33Z

I failed on this from last year, but I could have beaten it if I hadn't worked so much in the last few weeks...or went to see my Grandma, so I am still counting it as a win.

I only watched 47 new to me movies in 2010 and 44 in 2011.

I want to break 50 for 2012.

::CURRENT TOTAL:: 55

1. Friends with Benefits
2. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
3. Sin City
4. Starship Troopers 3
5. You Again
6. Wake
7. Wristcutters: A Love Story
8. Sherlock -- "A Study in Pink"
9. Due Date
10. Love & Other Drugs
11. Arthur (w/Russell Brand)
12. Jane Eyre (w/Michael Fassbender)
13. Wanderlust
14. Angus, Thongs, and Perfect Snogging
15. One for the Money
16. The Cabin in the Woods
17. 10 Inch Hero
18. Something Borrowed
19. Mirrormask
20. Miss Austen Regrets
21. Magic Mike
22. The Buccaneers
23. Plunkett & MacLeane
24. Visioneers
25. Wet Hot American Summer *
26. Angel
27. Under the Greenwood Tree
28. The Decoy Bride
29. My Future Boyfriend
30. Morning Glory
31. Pitch Perfect
32. The Secret of Kells
33. OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies
34. Jonah Hex
35. Keeping up with the Randalls
36. Knocked Up
37. Grandma's Boy
38. Young Adult
39. Country Strong
40. A Christmas Wish
41. A Nanny for Christmas
42. The March Sisters at Christmas
43. A Princess for Christmas
44. The Zookeeper
45. Hitched for the Holidays
46. Bad Teacher
47. How to Train Your Dragon
48. Undercover Christmas
49. Love at the Christmas Table
50. Finding Mrs. Claus
51. Help for the Holidays
52. Snow
53. All's Faire in Love
54. Cake
55. The Rules of Attraction

* counting it because I can't actually remember if I watched it or just saw a clip or two and learned quotes.

Books of 2012

2012-01-02T07:42:53Z

This has been my resolution since 2009--reading more books than the past year. I slacked off in 2011 and only read 83 books total, but my goal is to break 100 again in 2012.

Re-reads are in italics.

::CURRENT COUNT::
IN PROGRESS :: 0
FICTION :: 141
NON-FICTION/'NON-FICTION'/ESSAYS :: 1
LEFT UNFINISHED :: 10

::FICTION::
1. Underground [#3 Greywalker] -- Kat Richardson
2. Ain't Myth-Behaving -- Katie MacAlister
3. Blood Bound -- Rachel Vincent
4. Last Sacrifice -- Richelle Mead
5. Glass Houses [#1 Morganville Vampires] -- Rachel Caine
6. Some Girls Bite [#1 Chicagoland Vampires] -- Chloe Neill
7. Friday Night Bites [#2 Chicagoland Vampires] -- Chloe Neill
8. Twice Bitten [#3 Chicagoland Vampires] -- Chloe Neill
9. Hard Bitten [#4 Chicagoland Vampires] -- Chloe Neill
10. Drink Deep [#5 Chicagoland Vampires] -- Chloe Neill
11. Bloodlines [#1 Bloodlines] -- Richelle Mead
12. Silence [#3 Hush, Hush] -- Becca Fitzpatrick
13. Lothaire [#12 Immortals After Dark] -- Kresley Cole
14. The Space Between -- Brenna Yovanoff
15. Graveminder -- Melissa Marr
16. The Corset Diaries -- Katie MacAlister
17. Gone [#1 Gone] -- Michael Grant
18. Hunger [#2 Gone] -- Michael Grant
19. Abby Cooper, Psychic Eye [#1 A Psychic Eye Mystery] -- Victoria Laurie
20. The Dark Divine [#1 The Dark Divine] -- Bree Despain
21. The Lost Saint [#2 The Dark Divine] -- Bree Despain
22. Insatiable [#1 Insatiable] -- Meg Cabot
23. Overbite [#2 Insatiable] -- Meg Cabot
24. Blood Work -- Kim Harrison
25. Hard Day's Knight -- Katie MacAlister
26. Raised by Wolves -- Jennifer Lynn Barnes
27. Sweetly [#2 Fairytale Retellings] -- Jackson Pierce
28. The Deadliest Bite [#8 Jaz Parks] -- Jennifer Rardin
29. The Dead Girls' Dance [#2 Morganville Vampires] -- Rachel Caine
30. Midnight Alley [#3 Morganville Vampires] -- Rachel Caine
31. Better Read Than Dead [#2 A Psychic Eye Mystery] -- Victoria Laurie
32. A Vision of Murder [#3 A Psychic Eye Mystery] -- Victoria Laurie
33. Killer Insight [#4 A Psychic Eye Mystery] -- Victoria Laurie
34. Crime Seen [#5 A Psychic Eye Mystery] -- Victoria Laurie
35. Death Perception [#6 A Psychic Eye Mystery] -- Victoria Laurie
36. Doom with a View [#7 A Psychic Eye Mystery] -- Victoria Laurie
37. A Glimpse of Evil [#8 A Psychic Eye Mystery] -- Victoria Laurie
38. Vision Impossible [#9 A Psychic Eye Mystery] -- Victoria Laurie
39. Shadow Heir [#4 Dark Swan] -- Richelle Mead
40. Shades of Midnight [#7 Midnight Breed] -- Lara Adrian
41. Taken by Midnight [#8 Midnight Breed] -- Lara Adrian
42. Deeper than Midnight [#9 Midnight Breed] -- Lara Adrian
43. A Taste of Midnight [#9.5 Midnight Breed Novella] -- Lara Adrian
44. Ghoul Interrupted [#6 Ghost Hunter Mystery] -- Victoria Laurie
45. Smokin' Seventeen [#17 Stephanie Plum] -- Janet Evanovich
46. Explosive Eighteen [#18 Stephanie Plum] -- Janet Evanovich
47. Body Movers [#1 Body Movers] -- Stephanie Bond
48. 2 Bodies for the Price of 1 [#2 Body Movers] -- Stephanie Bond
49. 3 Men and a Body [#3 Body Movers] -- Stephanie Bond
50. 4 Bodies and Funeral [#4 Body Movers] -- Stephanie Bond
51. 5 Bodies to Die for [#5 Body Movers] -- Stephanie Bond
52. 6 Killer Bodies [#6 Body Movers] -- Stephanie Bond
53. The Night Circus -- Erin Morgenstern
54. Succubus Revealed [#6 Georgina Kincaid] -- Richelle Mead
55. Accidentally Catty [#5 Accidentally Series] -- Dakota Cassidy
56. Darkest Powers novellas collection -- Kelley Armstrong
57. Chaotic [Women of the Otherworld novella] -- Kelley Armstrong
58. Warlord Wants Forever [#0.5 Immortals After Dark novella] -- Kresley Cole
59. Driving Mr. Dead [Jane Jameson 'verse novella] -- Molly Harper
60. Angel Burn [#1] -- L.A. Weatherly
61. Ready Player One -- Ernest Cline
62. Angel Fire [#2] -- L.A. Weatherly
63. Nice Girls Don't Bite Their Neighbors [#4 Jane Jameson]-- Molly Harper
64. Hark! A Vagrant -- Kate Beaton
65. Fables #1 Legends in Exile -- Bill Willingham
66. Fables #2 Animal Farm -- Bill Willingham
67. Fables #3 Storybook Love -- Bill Willingham
68. Beautiful Darkness [#2 Beautiful Creatures] -- Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
69. Dream Dark [#2.5 Beautiful Creatures novella] -- Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
70. The Scorpio Races -- Maggie Stiefvater
71. The Sexiest Vampire Alive [Love at Stake] -- Kerrelyn Sparks
72. Reaper [Soul Screamers novella] -- Rachel Vincent
73. Never to Sleep [Soul Screamers novella] -- Rachel Vincent
74. My Soul to Lose [Soul Screamers novella] -- Rachel Vincent
75. An Evening for Vayl and Jaz [a Jaz Parks novella] -- Jennifer Rardin
76. The Golem Hunt [a Jaz Parks novella] -- Jennifer Rardin
77. Scouting Jasmine [a Jaz Parks novella] -- Jennifer Rardin
78. Snow Glass Apples [a play for voices] -- Neil Gaiman
79. Feast of Fools [#4 Morganville Vampires] -- Rachel Caine
80. Lord of Misrule [#5 Morganville Vampires] -- Rachel Caine
81. Carpe Corpus [#6 Morganville Vampires] -- Rachel Caine
82. Fade Out [#7 Morganville Vampires] -- Rachel Caine
83. Kiss of Death[#8 Morganville Vampires] -- Rachel Caine
84. Ghost Town [#9 Morganville Vampires] -- Rachel Caine
85. Bite Club [#10 Morganville Vampires] -- Rachel Caine
86. Suffragette in the City -- Katie MacAlister
87. Ghost Town [#11 Morganville Vampires] -- Rachel Caine
88. Noble Intentions [#1 Noble History] -- Katie MacAlister
89. Noble Destiny [#2 Noble History] -- Katie MacAlister
90. The Trouble with Harry [#3 Noble History] -- Katie MacAlister
91. Halfway to the Grave [#1 Night Huntress] -- Jeaniene Frost
92. Reckoning [Prequel Night Huntress novella] -- Jeaniene Frost
93. One Foot in the Grave [#2 Night Huntress] -- Jeaniene Frost
94. At Grave's End [#3 Night Huntress] -- Jeaniene Frost
95. Destined for an Early Grave [#4 Night Huntress] -- Jeaniene Frost
96. Darkness Unbound [#1 Dark Angels] -- Keri Arthur
97. Darkness Rising [#2 Dark Angels] -- Keri Arthur
98. Darkness Devours [#3 Dark Angels] -- Keri Arthur
99. Happily Never After [A Night Huntress World novella] -- Jeaniene Frost
100. Devil to Pay [A Night Huntress World novella] -- Jeaniene Frost
101. First Drop of Crimson [#1 Night Huntress World] -- Jeaniene Frost
102. Eternal Kiss of Darkness [#2 Night Huntress World] -- Jeaniene Frost
103. This Side of the Grave [#5 Night Huntress] -- Jeaniene Frost
104. One Grave at a Time [#6 Night Huntress] -- Jeaniene Frost
105. Once Burned [#1 Night Prince] -- Jeaniene Frost
106. The Twin's Daughter -- Lauren Baratz-Logsted
107. The Adoration of Jenna Fox [#1 Jenna Fox Chronicles] -- Mary E. Pearson
108. The Golden Lily [#2 Bloodlines] -- Richelle Mead
109. Under a Vampire Moon [#16 Argeneau] -- Lynsay Sands
110. The Penelopiad -- Margaret Atwood
111. Unicorns vs Zombies -- edited by Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier
112. Before I Wake [#6 Soul Screamers] -- Rachel Vincent
113. Into the Dreaming [Highlander novella] -- Karen Marie Moning
114. The Savage Grace [#3 The Dark Divine] -- Bree Despain
115. Kiss & Hell [#1 Hell] - Dakota Cassidy
116. My Way to Hell [#2 Hell] - Dakota Cassidy
117. Cinder [#1 Cinder] -- Marissa Meyer
118. Grave Mercy [#1 His Fair Assassin] -- R.L. LaFevers
119. Beautiful Chaos [#3 Beautiful Creatures] -- Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
120. Cry Wolf [#1 Alpha & Omega] -- Patricia Briggs
121. Timeless [#5 Parasol Protectorate] -- Gail Carriger
122. Curses! -- J.A. Kazimer
123. The Calling [#2 Darkness ] -- Kelley Armstrong
124. Shadow Bound [#2 Unbound] -- Rachel Vincent
125. Something Wikkid This Way Comes [Jane True Novella] -- Nicole Peeler
126. The Care and Feeding of Stray Vampires [Half Moon Hollow] -- Molly Harper
127. Accidentally Dead, Again [Accidentally Dead series] -- Dakota Cassidy
128. Born at Midnight [Shadow Falls #1] -- CC Hunter
129. Awake at Dawn [Shadow Falls #2] -- CC Hunter
130. Taken at Dusk [Shadow Falls #3] -- CC Hunter
131. Whispers at Moonrise [Shadow Falls #4] -- CC Hunter
132. Tempest's Fury [Jane True] -- Nicole Peeler
133. Ruined: A Novel -- Paula Morris
134. Turned at Dark [Shadow Falls novella] -- CC Hunter
135. Darkness Hunts -- Keri Arthur
136. Wild About You [Love at Stake] -- Kerrelyn Sparks
137. Last Kiss Goodnight [Otherworld Assassin] -- Gena Showalter
138. Night's Darkest Embrace -- Jeaniene Frost
139. Hex Hall [Hex Hall #1] -- Rachel Hawkins
140. Demonglass [Hex Hall #2] -- Rachel Hawkins
141. Sparks Fly [Light Dragons #3] -- Katie MacAlister

::CURRENTLY READING::

::WILL FINISH EVENTUALLY::
The Passage -- Justin Cronin PAUSED. HAD TO TURN IN TO THE LIBRARY. PAGE 283.
Black Dawn [#12 Morganville Vampires] -- Rachel Caine HAD TO TURN IN TO THE LIBRARY. TO BE RESTARTED ANOTHER TIME.
Fables #4 March of the Wooden Soldiers -- Bill Willingham HAD TO TURN IN TO THE LIBRARY. TO BE RESTARTED ANOTHER TIME.
Household Tales By Brothers Grimm -- Wilhelm & Jacob Grimm
Game of Thrones -- George RR Martin

::NON-FICTION::
1. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (& Other Concerns) -- Mindy Kaling

::LEFT UNFINISHED::
1. Vanished [#4 Greywalker] -- Kat Richardson (wasn't really too into the first one. might be because I started on the 3rd novel.)
2. Paper Towns -- John Green (it wasn't bad, but it didn't really grab me either. I gave it my usual ~100 pages, but have too many other books from the library right now to waste time on something I'm not enjoying. Might come back to it later. rec'd indirectly by flawlessglitch.)
3. Trial By Fire [#2 Raised By Wolves] -- Jennifer Lynn Barnes (I had just finished the first one and while I liked/enjoyed that one...I also found myself not quite sucked in to the book. I was just standing on the fringes of the crowd listening to the cool kids talk instead of being in the circle. I'll likely come back to it at another time.)
4. Vampire Darcy's Desire -- Regina Jeffers (Oh my. I had hopes, weak ones, but they were there... I couldn't give it more than like...12 pages before giving up. The Author Note should have been a sign. If an author says they usually avoid this type of book like the plague...it doesn't bode well for them WRITING one of those books they despise. :P)
5. The Devil's Arithmetic -- Jane Yolen (Blargh. I was expecting more realism, but places like the girl goes back to didn't exist at that time due to the Nazis. The family she finds herself living with would have already been moved to a concentration camp or one of the ghettos.)
6. Mr Darcy Forever -- Victoria Connelly (I can't. The formatting of it timeline-wise is killing me. I gave it like 80 pages. I'm done.)
7. Unholy Night -- Seth Grahame-Smith (Here's the thing. I don't care about the inner monologue of an animal unless it is a whale free-falling towards earth and wondering if the ground or a flowerpot will be its friend. Okay? I gave it a couple pages after that, but I was frowning the entire time. In the interest of not getting a face full of wrinkles, I am skipping it completely.)
8. Palimpsest -- Catherynne M. Valente (It was...I was almost all the way to the end, and I just stopped caring. By the time I had passed it up for 5 other books? I knew it wasn't gonna happen.)
9. Madapple -- Christina Meldrum (I got about halfway before the swapping timelines just made me irritated, because I just wanted a story and not bits and pieces here and there. Each leap forward to the trial made me want to skip it to get back to the story that actually progressed.)
10. Deadly Little Secret -- Laurie Faria Stolarz (It began with a girl in a school parking lot almost getting hit with a car and a mysterious, attractive boy swooping in to save her at the last minute.... And then I was like, "Nope. I already read this when it was called Twilight.")

Rollback 88 poll

2011-12-23T01:34:33Z

here

Writer's Block: Bah Humbug Day!

2011-12-21T21:27:41Z

I will simply quote my comment from lj_releases:

"This is the first time EVER that I have legitimately hated a change you all have made. Not only is the new style of comment visually unpleasant, it also takes a RIDICULOUS amount of time to load. It is laggy and I never had a problem with the old style in this way. Why take something that works and make it clunky and out-dated looking?

Because, yes, it does look OLD.

It looks like a 15 year-old built their first website. It performs like that too.

The logic of the userpic selection is beyond 99% of us. Having things in alphabetical order so that icons are grouped together by type or fandom made things so much easier. What is the point of keywords when I have to wait 5 minutes just to finish scrolling through every single icon I have ever uploaded? That, in itself, is beyond laggy.

I should not be dealing with lag with a computer that is less than a year old, has no issue running anything else, and is on one of the fastest connections possible.

I should also not have to pay for a product that is getting WORSE instead of improving on things that are actually broken--which was very little in my eyes.

I've stuck by LJ through everything and took downtimes like a champ without a single complaint, and my thanks is to make the site an actual pain to use anywhere that is not my journal or somewhere with comment pages that actually FUNCTION so that I can make COMMENTS.

The majority of LJ is the social aspect of it. If you take that away, you take a majority of the money out of your pockets. I, for one, will not be purchasing the 3 extra packages of userpics that I have, because sitting around waiting for 260+ icons to let me scroll through them for 5+ minutes when I know the one I want to use before I even finish typing a comment is a waste of TIME and MONEY.

What happened to alphabetical as an order? What is this nonsensical order that things are in now? Oldest to newest at the BOTTOM? Really? Are people less likely to use new things? NO. They are more likely to use NEWER icons over older ones.

Please roll this ridiculous change back to the rock it stumbled out from under, crush it dead, and next time ask your entire userbase what they think of changes before you make uninformed decisions."

Also, you can sign a petition here: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/lj-stop-fixing-what-isnt-broken-change-the-commenting-format-back-to-the-original

Writer's Block: B.Y.O.B. Holidays

2011-12-15T22:44:22Z

I don't have any straight out holiday themed ones, but I have these:

What? It has Christmas lights!

Clearly decorated for the season. haha.

Writer's Block: B.Y.O.B. Holidays

2011-12-15T05:11:08Z

White Christmas. Nightmare Before Christmas. Star Wars (ORIGINAL TRILOGY).

I also just used my voucher for a free DVD rental with Netflix for Sabrina. ♥ Not really a holiday movie, but I watched it for the first time with my Grandma (Mom's mom) around the holidays so it makes me think of her and Christmas.

Writer's Block: B.Y.O.B. Holidays

2011-12-14T05:40:42Z

To be able to go home and see my dog and have Christmas be all normal.

Goodreads.com Reviews :: Let's play catch up

2011-10-22T06:41:03Z

::CURRENT COUNT::
IN PROGRESS :: 1
FICTION :: 45
NON-FICTION/'NON-FICTION'/ESSAYS :: 1
LEFT UNFINISHED :: 0

Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I borrowed this on my Kindle from the library. I have a couple things to say about the series:

A) Mac is super annoying here in the beginning. (She does get better, but it takes waaaay longer than it should.)

I like nail polish as much as the next girl, but I could have done with less of the whole SHE REALLY LIKES PINK AND BEING GIRLIE AND SHE PAINTS HER NAILS CONSTANTLY BUT ALWAYS IN THE SAME COLOR JUST WITH DIFFERENT NAMES! YOU SHOULD LIKE HER, BECAUSE LOOK HOW NICE AND LIKEABLE SHE IS! No. I didn't like her until she stopped with all the nonsense and focused on what she should have focused on when she came to Ireland in the first place -- figuring out what happened to her sister and stopping all of the nonsense that came after.

B) Barrons. I would have...I don't even know...he alternatively makes me want to stab him in the face and jump his bones. lol. If you want someone to help you...be slightly more forthcoming. I realize Mac is pretty dense at the beginning, but half of this is his fault. :P

C) It has its problems and maybe should be a 3 or 3.5, but the way I blasted through all 5 books in 5 days or less? That knocks it up a notch.

I'm not sharing reviews for the three books in between since they were really short and these two pretty much sum up my thoughts on all 5.

::CURRENT COUNT::
IN PROGRESS :: 1
FICTION :: 49
NON-FICTION/'NON-FICTION'/ESSAYS :: 1
LEFT UNFINISHED :: 0

Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Borrowed from the library.

Because of the ending of #4, I definitely opened randomly to see if I could keep reading. I probably wouldn't have if I didn't see the name I wanted to see.

I'll leave it at that.

That said, Mac was far less annoying in this one once, yet again, she was honest instead of making her hard life even harder than it already is at this point.

I enjoyed it, and will be excited to pick up the next few books in this world which will apparently be about Dani. (Who is a lot less annoying than Mac right off the bat. lol.)

::CURRENT COUNT::
IN PROGRESS :: 1
FICTION :: 52
NON-FICTION/'NON-FICTION'/ESSAYS :: 1
LEFT UNFINISHED :: 0

My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Borrowed from the library.

This series really surprised me. I'd say a 4.5.

Kaylee is a bean sidhe and she can sense when someone around her is going to die. She also can't really help the fact that she screams when it happens. She can't stop or speak until after the person is dead.

It's interesting to see her going from thinking she was losing her mind to learning who and what she really was.

It was a nice break from the faeries, vampires, werewolves, etc that are so prevalent in ya literature (and a good deal of adult lit). It is always nice to see something different in the paranormal genre.

I would definitely recommend it.

(I also gave 4 stars to #2 and #3. If you're curious about the other books I've picked up lately--even though I think I overlooked writing down several--there is the link in my profile to take you to the list for this year.)

Goodreads Review :: All that and a bag of chips

2011-08-27T22:42:19Z

Going back and adding some reviews that I skipped over.

::CURRENT COUNT::
IN PROGRESS :: 1
FICTION :: 39
NON-FICTION/'NON-FICTION'/ESSAYS :: 1
LEFT UNFINISHED :: 0

Forever by Maggie Stiefvater

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this trilogy as a whole. She puts her own spin on the werewolf mythos, and I really like it when authors create their own take on something that others might view as 'set in stone'.

This was a good 'end' for the trilogy, but it still left me curious about what's next. That said, it didn't leave threads hanging to make it an unsatisfying end. With everything that they've gone through we're still left with a sense of hope at the end.

I also have a love affair with the three books. The cover designs. The ink used to print each book matches the color of the covers. At first, I thought it would be a distracting novelty, but then it became an endearing quirk.

Ghouls, Ghouls, Ghouls by Victoria Laurie

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoy this series. I bought the Kindle version of the last two even though I have the first 3 books in paperback. It was just quicker/easier since they closed down all the bookstores within an hour's drive.

The main character is working on filming a television show called Ghoul Getters. They go to explore their newest location, and their producer goes missing. This was one of my favorites, because it kept the mystery aspects going for a lot longer. I kept thinking I had things figured out, but it threw me a few curve balls.

The whole series is an enjoyable read and I definitely recommend it. I was given a copy of the first book as a gift from my Uncle.

Plus, this is yet another book that I *did* judge by its cover and I wasn't disappointed.

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When I started reading this book, it was just because of the reviews of friends and the synopsis. I mean...how do you pass up a story about teen beauty queens who survive a plane crash and get stranded on an island?

I admit that I was a little concerned over what it would be like due to having read the Great & Terrible Beauty trilogy. I liked them, but I would have been okay if they had been a single book.

This book read a little like a Christopher Moore book which is a good thing. The timing and the comedy was spot on, and I loved the way things unfolded as you saw more and more of what was really going on.

Definitely recommended if you hear "dystopian society where a plane load of beauty queens is crashed on a deserted island a la Lord of the Flies" and want to know more of the story. ;)

**Kindle-Read**

View all my reviews

Goodreads Review :: Hush, Hush

2011-08-26T23:35:43Z

::CURRENT COUNT::
IN PROGRESS :: 1
FICTION :: 39
NON-FICTION/'NON-FICTION'/ESSAYS :: 1
LEFT UNFINISHED :: 0

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

While it did keep me guessing for a little bit what was really going on, the book seemed to drag a little for me. I found that odd since the whole fallen angel/nephilim thing interests me.

I'm putting a little of it down to the possibility that the fact that I am temporarily housebound due to a wrenched back had some bearing on my enjoyment of the book.

I borrowed this and the sequel from the library.

View all my reviews

Goodreads.com Review :: You had me at faeries.

2011-06-09T07:03:59Z

::CURRENT COUNT::
IN PROGRESS :: 2
FICTION :: 19
NON-FICTION/'NON-FICTION'/ESSAYS :: 1
LEFT UNFINISHED :: 0

The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am several reviews behind in relation to what I've read, but I felt I actually had things to say in regards to this book.

It held threads of several other genres, but not enough to make me place it on those 'shelves'.

The town of Gentry, even though it is "more affluent/better off" than all the towns surrounding it, still held a dystopian air. The whole book had that sort of feel to it, and that definitely appealed to me. I'm always a sucker for a good dystopian novel. haha.

It also held a slight edge of horror/thriller in some aspects. These were toned down to a YA extent, but the themes were still in place.

The idea, the pacing, and the overall book would almost make me give it a higher rating. The one thing that I would have liked a little *more* from were the characters. But Morgan, you say, characters are more than "one thing". I know, but I am grouping them all together since they all seemed to take a bit of a back seat. Even Mackie seemed to be a bit of a shadow of what he could have been.

To put it simply: It was black and white. I was looking for color.

That said? If you come across a copy of this book? It's a quick read and not a waste of time. My complaint is not a large one.

View all my reviews

Goodreads.com Review :: Bears and wolves and coyotes...oh my?

2011-05-12T06:38:26Z

Just going to post the current count with these reviews, because I'm kind of behind in posting any thoughts at all on things. So these are gonna be even quicker and more to the point.

::CURRENT COUNT::
IN PROGRESS :: 2
FICTION :: 18
NON-FICTION/'NON-FICTION'/ESSAYS :: 1
LEFT UNFINISHED :: 0

No Mercy by Sherrilyn Kenyon

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

There's a lot going on in this series lately. It's a lot to keep up with now that I am not reading them one after another. Of course, it is also like 20 books or so worth of material and events. I had been waiting for a bit to see what would happen with Dev, because I was amused by his character. I still enjoyed the character, but it kind of fell a little flat for me. However, it did serve to further the overall plot more and that was interesting to recall/see where it was heading now.

I kinda just want one huge book for Nick like Ash got. Just to wrap everything up all nicely in a bow and explain it all to me. haha.

Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I borrowed this from the library, because of the cover. I was expecting it to be a little more Snow White/Rose Red than Little Red Riding Hood, but I can't tell you *why* I thought that. One look inside the cover at the description would have confirmed that I was incorrect. A closer look at the cover should have even tipped me off, but I honestly didn't see the wolf's head at first. haha.

At the end of the book, I am curious to see this marked as "Sisters Red #1" as if there will be more along the same lines. It seemed like it came to a reasonable conclusion, but now I am going to do a little bit of digging...

Okay, it looks like it is just a name for a series of faerie tale retellings, because the second one is Hansel & Gretel-ish. Seems odd to lump them under "Sisters Red #whatever" then.

Back to the book itself:

It was interesting seeing the similarities between the sisters. The author seems to go out of their way to illustrate just how different the two girls are, but it also serves to make their similarities stand out even more clearly. On the flip side, they have both been shaped in very different ways by a brutal attack when they were both quite young.

Even though Rosie is not outwardly scarred like Scarlett, the attack cut her just as deeply. It is something that even Scarlett seems to overlook. There were some tense moments where the final outcome seemed certain and then changed back and forth.

A reasonably quick read that kept me entertained, curious, and reading until the very last page before I put it down.

How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Let's just say that I really like Molly Harper's writing. She has a way of making her heroines seem really familiar and like you literally *know* what they are going through. With her "Nice Girls" series, it was like looking into a mirror.

Well...the parts without the whole...being turned into a vampire thing.

While Mo's overly nosy hippie parents are not something I am personally familiar with, I did relate to her desire to just get away and start over somewhere else. I don't know that I would go as far as Alaska, but I did go as far as Fargo.

Six of one, half dozen of the other?

That said, this proved to be another fun and funny romance. I've already gotten the second in this series on its way to my house, and can't wait to read it.

If you're looking for a bit of romance that also makes you laugh out loud, I'd definitely suggest giving either of Molly Harper's series a try.

River Marked by Patricia Briggs

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoy the Mercedes Thompson books. This is the 6th book in the series and it kind of takes a step away from the world you've gotten familiar with over the last five books.

Adam and Mercy are alone on a honeymoon of sorts, and (of course) end up running into trouble.

We also learn a lot more about Mercy's origins through the new characters that they interact with.

I definitely didn't spend much time when reading this where it wasn't in my hands, but I will be glad to get back to the familiar with #7. Hopefully with some Stefan since he seemed to be showing up a little more on the fringes of this one. How can you not want to see more of a vampire who owns a van painted like the Mystery Machine from Scooby Doo? I mean really.

If you like the genre and haven't started this series...why? Get on it.

View all my reviews

Goodreads.com Review :: Vampires and Werewolves, oh my.

2011-03-29T11:44:29Z

::CURRENT COUNT::
IN PROGRESS :: 2
FICTION :: 7
NON-FICTION/'NON-FICTION'/ESSAYS :: 1
LEFT UNFINISHED :: 0

In the Company of Vampires by Katie MacAlister
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There was definitely a need to have read the previous Ben/Fran books (YA Dark Ones novels) before reading this one. Even having read them, it had been several years and it was difficult to recall some things.

That said, it was good to get back to that story and those characters. The Goth Faire is an interesting setting, but it was used a lot less than in the previous books. Before it seemed almost as if it were a character all on its own, and now it was mostly where they happened to be sleeping.

All in all, it was what I have come to expect from Katie MacAlister. Maybe just a little diluted this time. One thing that wasn't 'less' was the laughter it provided, and that's always welcome.

::CURRENT COUNT::
IN PROGRESS :: 2
FICTION :: 8
NON-FICTION/'NON-FICTION'/ESSAYS :: 1
LEFT UNFINISHED :: 0

Red Riding Hood by Sarah Blakley-Cartwright
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A case of the movie coming before the book. This book was written from the screenplay for the movie of the same title. I've heard mixed reviews of the movie so far--leaning a little more to the bad--but the book was pretty darn good.

I am in love with the design of the book itself. The cover, the chapter division, just everything was put together perfectly. It's just so pretty. haha.

The story itself was a very interesting take on the traditional story and kept you guessing. The only problem I had with the whole book was that it ended with much left undiscovered.

I'd still like to watch the movie to see for myself how it was translated into film, but I might wait for it to be a rental.

View all my reviews

Goodreads.com Review :: Is there a woman in the mood wallpaper? If so, I've read this before...

2011-02-28T23:48:45Z

::CURRENT COUNT::
IN PROGRESS :: 2
FICTION :: 3
NON-FICTION/'NON-FICTION'/ESSAYS :: 1
LEFT UNFINISHED :: 0

The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I got this book from winning a first reads drawing here on Goodreads. I'd signed up for this book, because the cover really grabbed my eye and the blurb sounded interesting.

I can say that I want to read more from this author AND recommend this book, so it worked out well.

It walked the fenceline between straight fiction that I might have been assigned in women's lit or contemporary southern lit class in college and the paranormal works that make up a lot of my reading choices lately. Surprisingly, it walked that line WELL.

There were only a few things that made me go more 4/4.5 than 5 stars, but nothing that should keep anyone from giving this book a try. It's a world of mood-changing wallpaper, barbeque, mystery lights, and super-sized grandfathers that I'd revisit willingly--whether in a re-read or another book.

View all my reviews

I kinda got away from writing/sharing these, so I am going to be fixing that. Hopefully, you weren't glad to see them gone. haha.

Movies of 2011

2011-01-01T20:59:05Z

I started this last year as an addition to my Resolution. This year I not only want to keep track of the new movies I watch, but also beat this past year's total. Which shouldn't be TOO difficult since I only watched 47 movies (for the first time) all year.

I just re-watch too many movies for my own good.

::CURRENT TOTAL:: 44

1. Alice in Wonderland
2. All About Steve
3. Up in the Air
4. The Bounty Hunter
5. Eagle vs Shark
6. The Mistress of Spices
7. Documentary about the "Funk Brothers" and their contributions to Motown.
8. Valentine's Day
9. The Runaways
10. Date Night
11. Tangled
12. Limitless
13. The Invention of Lying
14. The Fall
15. Bride Wars
16. Grown Ups
17. Inkheart
18. Life As We Know It
19. Young Victoria
20. For Your Consideration
21. Get Him To The Greek
22. Despicable Me
23. Dinner for Schmucks
24. Crazy Stupid Love
25. Sex & the City 2
26. Halloween 2 (Rob Zombie version)
27. Fragile
28. Tron
29. The Social Network
30. Star Trek Generations
31. Pulp Fiction
32. Immortals
33. Breaking Dawn: Part 1
34. The Muppet Movie (2011)
35. Adventureland
36. My Week with Marilyn
37. The Descendants
38. It's Kind of a Funny Story
39. Cedar Rapids
40. Bridesmaids
41. The Debt
42. The Adjustment Bureau
43. Ricky Gervais comedy special (part 2)
44. The Polar Express

Books of 2011

2011-01-01T20:46:50Z

Started this in 2009, and yet again it is my Resolution to beat the total of the year before.

I'm including first time reads as well as anything I re-read (in italics) during the year. I'll leave a link in my profile so I can refer back to it and also to try and continue this down the line. :)

I also included a list of books that I started, but could not even force myself to finish.

If the book is a link, it will take you to my review of that book in my journal.

::CURRENT COUNT::
IN PROGRESS :: 1
FICTION :: 80
NON-FICTION/'NON-FICTION'/ESSAYS :: 3
LEFT UNFINISHED :: 0

::FICTION::

1. Catching Fire -- Suzanne Collins
2. Mockingjay -- Suzanne Collins
3. The Girl Who Chased the Moon -- Sarah Addison Allen
4. Deep Kiss of Winter -- Kresley Cole/Gena Showalter
5. Tempest's Legacy (Jane True #3) -- Nicole Peeler
6. Dreams of a Dark Warrior -- Kresley Cole
7. In the Company of Vampires -- Katie MacAlister
8. Red Riding Hood -- Sarah Blakely-Cartwright
9. Mr. Darcy's Daughters -- Elizabeth Aston
10. Sister's Red -- Jackson Pierce
11. Bitten in Two -- Jennifer Rardin
12. The Darkest Secret -- Gena Showalter
13. Vampire Mine -- Kerrelyn Sparks
14. Radiant Shadows -- Melissa Marr
15. Hungry for You -- Lynsay Sands
16. No Mercy -- Sherrilyn Kenyon
17. River Marked (Mercedes Thompson #6) -- Patricia Briggs
18. How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf -- Molly Harper
19. The Replacement -- Brenna Yovanoff
20. The Unbearable Lightness of Dragons -- Katie MacAlister
21. Heart of the Dragon -- Gena Showalter
22. The Reluctant Vampire -- Lynsay Sands
23. Jewel of Atlantis -- Gena Showalter
24. The Nymph King -- Gena Showalter
25. The Vampire's Bride -- Gena Showalter
26. The Amazon's Curse -- Gena Showalter (novella)
27. Ghouls, Ghouls, Ghouls -- Victoria Laurie
28. Spirit Bound -- Richelle Mead
29. Iron Crowned -- Richelle Mead
30. Forever -- Maggie Stiefvater
31. The Gathering -- Kelley Armstrong
32. Beauty Queens -- Libba Bray
33. Wyvernhail -- Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
34. The Dark and Hollow Places -- Carrie Ryan
35. Blameless -- Gail Carriger
36. Heartless -- Gail Carriger
37. The Sweet Far Thing -- Libba Bray (out of order)
38. Fool: A Novel -- Christopher Moore
39. Hush, Hush -- Becca Fitzpatrick
40. The Art of Seducing a Naked Werewolf -- Molly Harper
41. According to Jane -- Marilyn Brant
42. Eye of the Tempest -- Nicole Peeler
43. Beautiful Creatures -- Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
44. Crescendo -- Becca Fitzpatrick
45. Darkfever -- Karen Marie Moning
46. Bloodfever -- Karen Marie Moning
47. Faefever -- Karen Marie Moning
48. Dreamfever -- Karen Marie Moning
49. Shadowfever -- Karen Marie Moning
50. The Smoke Thief -- Shanna Abe
51. The Dream Thief -- Shanna Abe
52. My Soul to Take -- Rachel Vincent
53. My Soul to Save -- Rachel Vincent
54. My Soul to Keep -- Rachel Vincent
55. The Eyre Affair -- Jasper Fforde
56. Beyond the Highland Mist -- Karen Marie Moning
57. To Tame a Highland Warrior -- Karen Marie Moning
58. The Highlander's Touch -- Karen Marie Moning
59. Kiss of the Highlander -- Karen Marie Moning
60. The Dark Highlander -- Karen Marie Moning
61. The Immortal Highlander -- Karen Marie Moning
62. Spell of the Highlander -- Karen Marie Moning
63. Sizzling Sixteen -- Janet Evanovich
64. Plum Spooky -- Janet Evanovich
65. Smokin' Seventeen -- Janet Evanovich
66. Wicked Appetite -- Janet Evanovich
67. Garden Spells -- Sarah Addison Allen
68. Once Dead, Twice Shy -- Kim Harrison
69. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children -- Ransom Riggs
70. Sugar Queen -- Sarah Addison Allen
71. The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder -- Rebecca Wells
72. Fray -- Joss Whedon
73. Much Ado About Vampires -- Katie MacAlister
74. My Soul to Steal -- Rachel Vincent
75. If I Die -- Rachel Vincent
76. Early to Death, Early to Rise -- Kim Harrison
77. Something Deadly This Way Comes -- Kim Harrison
78. Men of the Otherworld -- Kelley Armstrong (out of order)
79. Waking the Witch -- Kelley Armstrong (out of order)
80. Frostbitten -- Kelley Armstrong (out of order)

::NON-FICTION/'NON-FICTION'/ESSAYS::

1. How Did You Get This Number? -- Sloane Crosley
2. How I Write: Secrets of a Bestselling Author -- Janet Evanovich
3. Let's Play Sudoku (Take it easy) by Will Shortz FINISHED! :D