tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41768505573752644922024-03-05T21:09:50.699-05:00The Scattered BookshelfI'll keep the library tidy, but at home... best not to look.Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00135614217977576904noreply@blogger.comBlogger141125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4176850557375264492.post-79688472436806290592012-11-19T09:49:00.002-05:002012-11-19T09:49:35.815-05:00Monday Musings 11/19Well, I am a giant stress-ball at the moment, so I am playing catch-up a bit on my NaBloPoMo posting. I know there isn't anyone out there complaining, but I still feel guilty. Saturday and Sunday's posts will be up by the end of the day.<br />
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Today is the big day we get to talk to the relocation company and get the down-low on exactly what needs to be done by when, and where we will be and how we will get there. All good things to know. But we can't call until noon because of the time difference. Killer!<br />
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Tomorrow we're taking pictures to put up with our house listing, so we've been organizing and cleaning out the wazoo. It is hilarious to see how much clutter creeps into your life even when you think you're being good. Once we started moving it out into the garage, I remembered how nice and airy our house was initially. In our new home, I think I'll have to institute a much firmer policy on spring cleaning, and a "just because we have it doesn't mean we need to keep it" policy. Down with clutter!Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00135614217977576904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4176850557375264492.post-52702897102636498932012-11-16T10:24:00.002-05:002012-11-16T10:29:31.200-05:00Friday Ramblings 11/16So yes! Moving! I am currently neck deep in panicky thoughts about things like realtors, moving companies, and how to adjust my kids to a 3 hour time difference with a minimum of DOOOOOOM. Not exactly sexy blog fodder, amirite?<br />
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To perk things up, I did a google search. The topic? AWESOME THINGS ABOUT PORTLAND! Here is a list to help get me to see beyond the minutiae of the relocating process and into the funtimes that are coming!<br />
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<ul>
<li>Japanese Gardens! Portland is known for its awesome parks and gardens. This garden, over 5 acres and very authentic, is tops on my list to visit!</li>
<li>Portland Timbers! They have an MLS team! I love soccer, and it sounds like their fans are a lot of fun. We will definitely be checking them out.</li>
<li>Powell's City of Books! Because SERIOUSLY!</li>
<li>Food carts! A friend of a friend of a friend owns a food cart out there that sells PIE, I can't wait to hit it up! Come on, people. I'm not made of stone.</li>
</ul>
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Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00135614217977576904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4176850557375264492.post-79848208428720681002012-11-15T07:39:00.001-05:002012-11-15T07:43:42.555-05:00Thankful Thursday 11/15Well, this week I am thankful for POSSIBILITIES.<br />
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Even when they kind of scare us, seeing our world open up in new directions is an amazing thing.
My husband got the job offer. We'll be moving waaaaay across the country in about 3 weeks. Portland, watch out!
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Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00135614217977576904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4176850557375264492.post-27816050394378824712012-11-14T07:00:00.000-05:002012-11-14T07:00:07.243-05:00Waiting on Wednesday: 11/14This is another on Netgalley - I adore Ally Carter and the Gallagher Girl books, and I've heard good things about Audrey, Wait! so I'll definitely give this a whirl. It sounds like a lot of fun!<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Being a 16-year-old safecracker and active-duty daughter
of international spies has its moments, good andbad. Pros: Seeing the
world one crime-solving adventure at a time. Having parents with super
cool jobs. Cons: Never staying in one place long enough to have friends
or a boyfriend. But for Maggie Silver, the biggest perk of all has been
avoiding high school and the accompanying cliques, bad lunches, and
frustratingly simple locker combinations.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Then Maggie and her parents are sent to New York for her
first solo assignment, and all of that changes. She'll need to attend a
private school, avoid the temptation to hack the school's security
system, and befriend one aggravatingly cute Jesse Oliver to gain the
essential information she needs to crack the case . . . all while trying
not to blow her cover.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>ROBIN BENWAY</b> is the acclaimed author of Audrey, Wait! and The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May & June,
both ALA Best Books for Young Adults. Benway's books have been
published in 16 languages, won awards abroad, and been bestsellers in
several countries. Formerly a bookseller and book publicist, she lives
in Los Angeles.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Also Know<span style="font-size: small;">n As... comes out February 26, 201<span style="font-size: small;">3!</span></span></span></span><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.899999618530273px;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at <a href="http://breakingthespine.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Breaking the Spine</a>, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.</span></span><div class="p1" style="text-align: center;">
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Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00135614217977576904noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4176850557375264492.post-26892788762951070402012-11-13T10:46:00.002-05:002012-11-13T10:52:33.756-05:00Audiobook Review: The Diviners by Libba Bray<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Title: The Diviners<br />
Author: Libba Bray<br />
Publisher: Listening Library<br />
Reader: January LaVoy<br />
Source: Library<br />
Rating: 7/10<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Summary: SOMETHING DARK AND EVIL HAS AWAKENED. . . <br />Evie O’Neill has been
exiled from her boring old hometown and shipped off to the bustling
streets of New York City—and she is pos-i-tute-ly ecstatic. It’s 1926,
and New York is filled with speakeasies, Ziegfeld girls, and rakish
pickpockets. The only catch is that she has to live with her uncle Will
and his unhealthy obsession with the occult. <br /><br />Evie worries her
uncle will discover her darkest secret: a supernatural power that has
only brought her trouble so far. But when the police find a murdered
girl branded with a cryptic symbol and Will is called to the scene, Evie
realizes her gift could help catch a serial killer.<br /><br />As Evie
jumps headlong into a dance with a murderer, other stories unfold in the
city that never sleeps. A young man named Memphis is caught between two
worlds. A chorus girl named Theta is running from her past. A student
named Jericho is hiding a shocking secret. And unknown to all, something
dark and evil has awakened. . . </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">T<span style="font-size: x-small;">hings I liked:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">- Evie is an absolute peach - smart but careless, full o<span style="font-size: x-small;">f life and spunk. She can be selfish and thoughtless, but she is good at heart and I <span style="font-size: x-small;">was very fond of her.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">- T<span style="font-size: x-small;">he reader does an AMAAAAAAAZ<span style="font-size: x-small;">ING job.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">- All the 20s slang and detail<span style="font-size: x-small;"> was ju<span style="font-size: x-small;">st fabulous, and really came across well in audiobook form.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">- Naughty John was seriously creepy. Each murder scene was so horrible, it was seriously difficult to listen to at points - in the good way.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">- </span></span>The plot was very interesting, and even though it is a planne<span style="font-size: x-small;">d trilogy, th<span style="font-size: x-small;">e</span> specific plot of this book was ACTUALLY RESOLVED, with just hi<span style="font-size: x-small;">nts to the o<span style="font-size: x-small;">ver-arching plot of the trilogy <span style="font-size: x-small;">gi<span style="font-size: x-small;">ven. So satisfying!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">- The setting! <span style="font-size: x-small;">New Yo<span style="font-size: x-small;">rk <span style="font-size: x-small;">City in the 1920s, Harlem, the illegal d<span style="font-size: x-small;">rinking... <span style="font-size: x-small;">it was all so interesting! And she didn't just give <span style="font-size: x-small;">life to the shallow, glamor<span style="font-size: x-small;">ous bits - t<span style="font-size: x-small;">here was <span style="font-size: x-small;">a lot about every<span style="font-size: x-small;">day life.</span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Things I didn't like:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">-<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Well, it was very long. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">-Sometimes, the story got a little bo<span style="font-size: x-small;">gged <span style="font-size: x-small;">do<span style="font-size: x-small;">wn in detail - less of a problem in audiobooks, but it might have stalled <span style="font-size: x-small;">me out if I were reading in book form.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
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Overall: A ton of fun, great plot, inter<span style="font-size: x-small;">esting magic<span style="font-size: x-small;">al twists... I am DEFINITELY there for the sequel!</span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I can't wait to see Memphi<span style="font-size: x-small;">s get more involved wit<span style="font-size: x-small;">h the rest of the characters - his sto<span style="font-size: x-small;">ry was so se<span style="font-size: x-small;">p<span style="font-size: x-small;">arate, but I loved hi<span style="font-size: x-small;">m so!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00135614217977576904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4176850557375264492.post-69894814817411112572012-11-12T09:27:00.000-05:002012-11-12T09:27:27.176-05:00Monday Musings 11/12Good morning lovelies! I hope everyone had a stellar weekend. Sadly, despite a gorgeous last gasp of nice weather before a cold front drizzles in today, it was my weekend to work so I got up to not much. I did volunteer to take the recycling to the center just to get outside a bit on Sunday, and it was totally worth it.<br />
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Today is expected to be the big day, regarding news on my husband's job prospects and our possible move ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE COUNTRY. Sadly, the time difference means a long, stressful wait. This is all very strange for me. I lived in the house I was LITERALLY born in my entire childhood. Then I went away to college, and then I settled into our current city with my boyfriend/future husband. Moving is just not something I've ever really done! *cue panic*<br />
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But of course, there is also a lot of excitement inherent in a move. New places, new dreams, new possibilities.<br />
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We'll be fine, wherever we are. I just want to knooooooooooooooooooow!<br />
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Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00135614217977576904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4176850557375264492.post-43645537528001204732012-11-11T07:00:00.000-05:002012-11-11T07:00:09.236-05:00Around here 11/11<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="text-align: right;">I love that I'm still able to wear my summer flats. I'm not a boot girl, it is so sad in the winter, when cute shoes disappear for a while.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: right;">Basically the cutest of all time, ever.</span></div>
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A new blanket. Sooooo soft. I think I'll be under this all winter, reading or crafting.</div>
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Our buddy to help us cheer on the Cards! It is that glorious time of year, when we have a football game on Saturday and a basketball game on Sunday! Wheeeee! Go Cards!</div>
<br />Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00135614217977576904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4176850557375264492.post-15828753647639060292012-11-10T09:47:00.001-05:002012-11-10T16:13:53.696-05:00Reading Roundup 11/10<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13521501-starry-river-of-the-sky" target="_blank">Starry River of the Sky by Grace Lin</a><br />
<h3>
9/10</h3>
Even better than its companion novel, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon (which won a Newbery honor), this book takes Chinese mythology to a new audience. Its interesting language and many short tales interspersed with the main narrative make it a unique and highly enjoyable read. <br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12926804-one-for-the-murphys" target="_blank">One for the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt</a><br />
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6/10</h3>
While this story was sweet, I felt it was unrealistic that its narrator was actually 16. She felt much younger, especially as she was supposed to have grown up in a rather rough life with a mother who verged on negligent. It is listed as for grades 5 and up, which feels more appropriate, but our library has it listed as YA. Probably because of the narrator's age. Still, the foster mother was great, and I really liked Carley. Verged on sappy but held it off fairly well.<br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13455553-the-peculiar" target="_blank">The Peculiar by Stefan Bachmann</a><br />
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8/10</h3>
A middle grade story of fairies colliding with Victorian England, this was a fun tale that had great plotting. Sometimes the characters were a little overly simplistic, especially when it came to vocalizing their motivations and plans, but I really enjoyed the Steampunk-ish vibe and had a lot of fun with it. The author is only 18, and he began writing this when he was 16, which kids will love to hear and which promises growing skills in the future, I hope.<br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13056868-vessel" target="_blank">Vessel by Sarah Beth Durst</a><br />
<h3>
10/10</h3>
Amazing, beautiful, powerful. This whirlwind tale of religion, love, politics, war and tradition was just perfectly done. The characters were so well drawn, especially our heroine, Liyana. I felt her emotions so acutely, and the writing was somehow lush and spare all at once. I adored every minute of it. Highly recommended.<br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8452340-shadowfell" target="_blank">Shadowfell by Juliet Marillier</a><br />
<h3>
9/10</h3>
A high fantasy tale of fairies and a world brought under the sway of an evil king, this book was a wonderfully done traditional sort of fairy tale. I loved the different "canny folk" we meet and our main character, Neryn, was a great heroine. The love story, such as it was, was very moving and well written. <br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13546436-the-second-life-of-abigail-walker" target="_blank">The Second Life of Abigail Walker by Frances O'Roark Dowell</a><br />
<h3>
7/10</h3>
A cute, non-preachy tale that melds the bullying of a young, overweight girl and the healing wounds of a traumatized Iraq veteran, with a healthy dose of magical realism. I really enjoyed this, although I do wish we saw Abigail find some way to truly get through to her parents. I understand the author was trying for a more realistic ending rather than all ends tied up and everyone perfectly happy, but I just felt bad for her mother. Less so her father. Hmph.<br />
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A seriously good week of reading. I'm trying to get a lot in so that I don't fall short over the holidays and fail to meet my goal of 250 books! I don't think I'll aim for that number again - it is getting a little rough. 200 I can hit easily, but 250 steps over into the realm of work. Although my career is based in books, I read for pleasure and I'd like to keep it that way!Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00135614217977576904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4176850557375264492.post-3104985269716552622012-11-09T10:33:00.000-05:002012-11-09T10:55:37.981-05:00Friday RamblingsWhile listening to the audiobook of The Diviners by Libba Bray (the audio version is HIGHLY recommended, very well done!) I was struck with a thought about my personal literary taste.<br />
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There was a particularly poetic turn of phrase, and my immediate reaction was annoyance. I actually don't dislike poetry, but when it comes to my prose, flowery overdone language is one of my biggest pet peeves.<br />
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This is not a big problem in The Diviners, Libba Bray is an amazing writer and most of her setting and imagery is wonderfully done, without crossing the line in my mind. There was just one sentence that really jumped out at me. Some books, however, fling themselves over that line as if it is a starting mark for the triple jump at the Olympics.<br />
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And that is fine, of course. Everyone has different tastes, and to some people a more poetic, lyrical tone is exactly what they want from a book. Some books that had that tone, I felt, were Delirium by Lauren Olivier, Shatter Me by <span itemprop="author" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"><span itemprop="name">Tahereh Mafi, and The Wolves of Mercy Falls series by Maggie Stiefvater. All three got tons of great reviews, but I just can't get into the style. I've liked other books by Olivier and Stiefvater (in fact The Raven Boys is one of my top books of the year) but these titles were not to my personal taste.</span></span><br />
<span itemprop="author" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"><span itemprop="name"><br /></span></span>
<span itemprop="author" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"><span itemprop="name">But then again, I have often been accused of lacking romance in my soul. My husband and I flirted via kicks in the butt back in college, and flowery declarations of love are never our style. So, as with just about everything, it is a matter of taste!</span></span><br />
<span itemprop="author" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"><span itemprop="name"><br /></span></span>
<span itemprop="author" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"><span itemprop="name">What is your literary style? Are you a romantic, or a bit more pragmatic? What are some other books that belong on the romantic, poetic list - do you agree with mine?</span></span><br />
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<span itemprop="author" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"><span itemprop="name"><br /></span></span>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00135614217977576904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4176850557375264492.post-31781914406102912972012-11-08T07:43:00.001-05:002012-11-08T07:43:07.159-05:00Thankful Thursday 11/8Today I am thankful for...<br />
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The start of college basketball season! Go Cards!<br />
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My amazing job, working with children and books and crafts.<br />
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Big things coming in the future! Possibly a move, but if we don't move, a new program at work that will be a lot of fun!<br />
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My fabulous husband, without whom I would probably be a bank teller. (not that there's anything wrong with that - my mom was a bank teller for years! but he inspired and helped me to go for my dream.)<br />
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My adorable kiddos, who each day remind me who I want to be for them. They deserve the very best mom!<br />
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That's all for today, need to save a couple for the rest of the month!Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00135614217977576904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4176850557375264492.post-30287098294738656892012-11-07T07:00:00.000-05:002012-11-07T07:00:02.894-05:00Waiting on Wednesday: 11/7I've been avoiding a couple of the more recent dystopians due to genre overload, plus a couple stinkers. This sounds very intriguing, and I think I'm ready to jump back in.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Kyla has been Slated—her memory and personality erased as punishment for
committing a crime she can’t remember. The government has taught her
how to walk and talk again, given her a new identity and a new family,
and told her to be grateful for this second chance that she doesn’t
deserve. It’s also her last chance—because they’ll be watching to make
sure she plays by their rules.<br /><br /> As Kyla adjusts to her new life,
she’s plagued by fear. Who is she, really? And if only criminals are
slated, why are so many innocent people disappearing? Kyla is torn
between the need to know more and her instinct for self-preservation.
She knows a dangerous game is being played with her life, and she can’t
let anyone see her make the wrong move . . . but who can she trust when
everyone is a stranger?<br /><br /> Debut author Teri Terry has written a
brilliantly compelling, original and thought-provoking novel about an
uncomfortably plausible future.</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Slated comes out Jan. 24 2013!</span></span><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.899999618530273px;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at <a href="http://breakingthespine.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Breaking the Spine</a>, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.</span></span><div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></i></div>
Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00135614217977576904noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4176850557375264492.post-17413871283080773752012-11-06T07:00:00.000-05:002012-11-06T07:00:01.376-05:00Go Vote!I know, it's a pain to leave the house some days, there might be a line, you don't want your kids to bug people... but it is important. Go. Vote. Be an active member of your society!<br />
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<br />Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00135614217977576904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4176850557375264492.post-24538107236419168452012-11-05T08:00:00.000-05:002012-11-05T08:00:12.561-05:00Karaoke Queen<span style="font-size: small;">I am n<span style="font-size: small;">ot a pr</span></span>ofessional singer, nor would anyone, ever, confuse me for one. Despite this, I just love singing, so the fact that in the past month I've gotten to rock my brother-in-law's amazing home karaoke system fills me with great joy.<br />
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Not only do they have a huge digital karaoke collection featuring very nearly everything you could ask for, when it is at their house they have a built in stage in their basement. It is, frankly, amazing.<br />
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So, despite my entirely average voice, I busted out quite a few songs this weekend. Another benefit over a bar - you get a lot more turns at the mic. My biggest hits were<br />
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<ul>
<li>Dog Days Are Over, Florence and the Machine</li>
<li>Heart of Glass, Blondie </li>
<li>Dream a Little Dream of Me, The Mamas and the Papas</li>
<li>Shoop, Salt 'n Pepa</li>
<li>Love Fool, The Cardigans</li>
<li>Viva La Vida, Coldplay</li>
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Quite a collection, I know. I must say, there is nothing funnier than busting out Shoop in front of your father-in-law. It is a modern classic.<br />
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What is your go-to karaoke tune? Everyone should have one on stand-by in case of emergency.Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00135614217977576904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4176850557375264492.post-29521344966204360272012-11-04T12:00:00.000-05:002012-11-04T12:00:05.264-05:00Cute quote of the weekHey, we're not going to make it 30 days straight of blogging without a little fluff, folks!<br />
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We were eating fruit snacks (leftovers from those purchased for a preschool Halloween party.) After finishing Malcolm declares "I'm still hungry!"<br />
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I explain that fruit snacks are just a fun treat, and not meals that fill us up, and he pipes up "I'm still fun!"<br />
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That boy is just cute.Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00135614217977576904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4176850557375264492.post-91689287792386313652012-11-03T12:00:00.000-04:002012-11-03T12:00:05.258-04:00Reading round-upIt's been a while since I've posted about the books I'm reading, so these cover 2 weeks! Luckily, during NaBloPoMo I'll be more motivated to keep up with doing it weekly.<br />
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The Spindlers by Lauren Olivier<br />
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Cute middle grade read, very imaginative! Olivier's second novel for young readers has a smart, feisty young female protagonist and a fast-paced plot full of creative twists. I really enjoyed it.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>7/10</b></span><br />
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Strange Angels series by Lili St. Crow (Strange Angels, Betrayals, Jealousy, Defiance, Reckoning)<br />
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Definitely action-packed, and full of sarcastic humor, this series started out strong but kind of sputtered out for me in the end. You can't say Dru didn't change, because she undergoes kind of a complete transformation, but there were a lot of issues that never got addressed and really bothered me. I almost feel like the author had started out trying so hard to make it gritty and realistic (emotionally, obviously, not situationally - vampires, werewolves, zombies, OH MY) that she ended up kind of disliking some of her own characters and felt unable to give the readers a more resolved ending. That's just a vibe I got, of course. It seems like there could easily be more books, in a spin-off or continued series, so we'll see. I'll probably pick them up. <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>6.5/10</b></span><br />
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The Seven Tales of Trinket by Shelley Moore Thomas<br />
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A wonderful middle grade read full of adventure, hope, and amazing stories. Trinket is the daughter of a storyteller, and as she travels by his map to try to find him after her mother dies, she collects stories herself and works towards fulfilling her dream of becoming a storyteller in her own right. The writing is lyrical and the stories are just magical and wonderful, and I loved Trinket and her steadfast friend Thomas the Pig Boy. Just lovely. <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>8/10</b></span><br />
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The Crimson Crown by Cinda Williams Chima<br />
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I adore the Seven Realms, so I was a little sad to start the final book in the quartet, The Crimson Crown. I loved the first 3, and this one didn't disappoint, of course! Political intrigue, magic, history, love...there is so much in these stories that you feel completely immersed in this amazingly detailed world and you just want to stay there. I loved Han, and Raissa, and Dancer, and basically everyone. Chima has hinted that she has more stories to tell in the Seven Realms, and I will gladly pick up every one. <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>9/10</b></span><br />
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Beta by Rachel Cohn<br />
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Urgh, this book. Lots of potential, but in the end it just frustrated and bothered me. It's hard to review without spoilers, and I would never include spoilers! But that means a lot of what I ranted to my husband about last night after finishing has to go unsaid. Well. The treatment of clones is, of course, intended to be seen as terrible, but there is so little justification given for their use and existence that it seems improbable. There is a scientific issue that seems sketchy to me, but I can't complain about that without spoilers. I'll just say, this book really bugged me. The writing was fine, which is where it gets its few points. I've loved a lot by Rachel Cohn, but this book did not work for me. <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>3/10</b></span><br />
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<br />Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00135614217977576904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4176850557375264492.post-80304137405782150782012-11-02T13:23:00.001-04:002012-11-02T13:23:41.139-04:00Spit spot!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Mary Poppins at the library! Frankly, I was a little disappointed I didn't work during the morning storytime so I could sing at the little ones, but it did mean I could go to the kids' trunk or treat at daycare, which was aDORable. I love dressing up for Halloween, and this is one of my favorite costumes I've put together. Julie Andrews is tied with Angela Lansbury as the voice of my childhood, so I was felt it was a perfect tribute.Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00135614217977576904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4176850557375264492.post-82533712951360144002012-11-01T14:13:00.001-04:002012-11-01T14:13:21.780-04:00NaBloPoMoWell, this year, with kids at 3 and almost 2, the very thought of NaNoWriMo fills me with terror and a desire to take a nap immediately. I have never won NaNoWriMo, but I think each time I've tried has strengthened my writing and given me a better idea what I really want from a story. So, still a good thing. Just not a thing I can do this year without breaking into hives at imagining how little sleep I'd end up with.<br />
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So instead I'm going to try NaBloPoMo! It's a spin-off, which encourages blog writers to give a little extra love and attention to their blogs in November and post EVERY day. Since I've been more the 3 a week poster since I restarted, this will be hard but I'm feeling inspired.<br />
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I might just be hopped up on sugar from Halloween, though. Who can tell! Tomorrow I'll post my most excellent costume from yesterday. Though I say it myself, I make a pretty good Mary Poppins. :)Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00135614217977576904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4176850557375264492.post-56744304569049392732012-10-31T07:00:00.000-04:002012-10-31T14:48:30.905-04:00Waiting on Wednesday...Ooh, just saw it on Netgalley and am now agog. How does Brenna Yovanoff get such amazing covers? They're just exactly my cup of tea. I've loved her first two, no hesitation to snatch this one up as well. I was sold before I even read the synopsis, but here you go - it sounds great, no shock!<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>The city of Ludlow is gripped by the hottest July on record. The asphalt is melting, the birds are dying, petty crime is on the rise, and someone in Hannah Wagnor’s peaceful suburban community is killing girls.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br />For Hannah, the summer is a complicated one. Her best friend Lillian died six months ago, and Hannah just wants her life to go back to normal. But how can things be normal when Lillian’s ghost is haunting her bedroom, pushing her to investigate the mysterious string of murders? Hannah’s just trying to understand why her friend self-destructed, and where she fits now that Lillian isn’t there to save her a place among the social elite. And she must stop thinking about Finny Boone, the big, enigmatic delinquent whose main hobbies seem to include petty larceny and surprising acts of kindness.<br /><br />With the entire city in a panic, Hannah soon finds herself drawn into a world of ghost girls and horrifying secrets. She realizes that only by confronting the Valentine Killer will she be able move on with her life—and it’s up to her to put together the pieces before he strikes again.</i></span></div>
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Paper Valentine comes out January 8, 2013!<br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.899999618530273px;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at <a href="http://breakingthespine.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Breaking the Spine</a>, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.</span></span></div>
Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00135614217977576904noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4176850557375264492.post-22368162070261286002012-10-29T09:49:00.002-04:002012-10-29T09:49:53.583-04:00A question of cool...What, exactly, is cool? It's been my personal philosophy that cool is nothing to aspire to - too often it seems that cool comes at the price of mockery. Declaring cool requires something else to be inherently UNcool, and I've never liked that. It is the same as my philosophy with sports - cheer FOR your team, don't cheer AGAINST the other team. Turns out the other team consists of human beings too, not demons. Except maybe for the Pittsburgh Steelers, they test my resolve on that.<br />
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So yes, I've been all hippie about it - like what you like, but don't disdain other people for liking something else. I thought I had it down!<br />
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But recently, my husband has been applying and interviewing for jobs across the country, and after analyzing the ball of stress in my stomach, I've realized my concern.<br />
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I feel like we're not cool enough.<br />
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I know, it seems ridiculous. But having lived in KY all my life, the thought of moving to a city like Portland or Seattle had my stomach in knots. I'd have to make NEW friends. I wouldn't have 5 sisters within 100 miles to lean on. I have a southern accent and slightly crooked teeth and I feel guilty at the thought of spending more than $30 on a pair of jeans. How would all this translate to the people we'd be meeting?<br />
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Thank heaven my husband would never dream of moving to California - clearly L.A. would eat me alive.<br />
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But as the process has wound on, I've started to settle down a bit. Thank goodness for unlimited calling, so at least the sisters will still be in contact a lot. And maybe having to make new friends would get me out of my shell a bit - I've definitely been a bit lazy on the friendship front for, oh, the last 5 or 6 years.<br />
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Nothing is certain yet. But even though I have never once in my life been cool, I know I'm brave enough to handle whatever comes our way.<br />
<br />Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00135614217977576904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4176850557375264492.post-84350095714026473472012-10-27T11:08:00.001-04:002012-10-27T11:08:28.897-04:00Halloweeeeeeeen!I am super excited about Halloween this year. My kiddos are 3 1/2 and almost 2, so that means that they are old enough to know fun times are going down, but young enough that a) they don't demand difficult/expensive costumes and b) they don't notice when 2/3 of their candy disappears. Mmmm, mini-snickers...<br />
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And I get to dress up too! Last year I only dressed up for work (Annabeth from the Percy Jackson series), but this year I had a real, live, grown-up party to go to, so I needed a costume that wasn't from a children's book. Pictures are still pending, but my husband and I rocked a cheap and easy Amy and Rory Pond costume, and I karaoked basically all night. Awesome times.<br />
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For my work costume this year, and also for the kiddos' trunk or treat at daycare, I'm pulling out a Mary Poppins costume! I'm really thrilled about it as well, it started out as a long black skirt and black blazer, and I think it really came together well. It was clearly fated, because I found an $8 umbrella at Walmart with a bird head handle. CLEARLY. FATED.<br />
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I really adore having a job where I can dress up and play. Yet another reason to love being a children's librarian in October! (Another is the ability to wear Halloween socks without judgement.)<br />
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Anyone out there with costumes they're excited about? I know a lot of people have adult, boring jobs that don't encourage costumes, but if you have one I'd love to hear about it!Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00135614217977576904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4176850557375264492.post-34136402284036319732012-10-24T14:01:00.002-04:002012-10-24T14:01:56.363-04:00Jinxed myself...When I posted about my top books of the year, I mentioned I was on track to meet my goal, as long as I didn't get in a rut. When will I learn? Cue a big ol' reading rut, right on schedule. Curses! I haven't completed a book in a week, which is a SERIOUS rut for me. I was ahead of pace for my goal, and now I'm just "on track" which really means "GET ON IT!!" Because soon it'll be Thanksgiving and Christmas, and you know what all that family togetherness means? Less time for reading.<br />
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Ah well. But when I got into work today, look what was waiting for me!<br />
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Ooh, goodbye reading rut. Can't wait to get to it!Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00135614217977576904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4176850557375264492.post-26040553535705314062012-10-18T15:16:00.001-04:002012-10-18T15:16:33.306-04:00Glimpses...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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To some, this might just be a pile of scraps, but to me it is a gorgeous sign of progress. Can't wait to show you more of this quilt!Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00135614217977576904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4176850557375264492.post-61649834545036818982012-10-15T14:08:00.002-04:002012-10-15T14:08:36.153-04:00Best books of 2012, so farBarely 2 1/2 months to go until the end of the year, and I've got 50 books to go to reach my goal of 250 for the year. It seems like a lot, but Shelfari tells me I'm ahead of pace. Fingers crossed I don't get into a reading funk! <div>
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I've had a fairly good reading year, very few books I actively disliked and several that blew me away. Now that we're reaching the end (and I'm so behind on official reviewing that I'll never catch up) I wanted to share my favorites so far. These are books I rated 5 stars on Shelfari, which translates to a <b>10</b> on my blog rating scale.</div>
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The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour:<br />
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A smart, bittersweet look at the summer after high school for a boy and the girl he loves, and her terrible band. I was not expecting how much I would love this, not being a fan of bands or tattoos particularly, but the characters really got under my skin and I was completely rooting for them by the end.<br />
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Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein:<br />
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Well, everyone and their brother has posted a glowing review of this book, and for good reason. Powerful, amazing writing and characters that will break your heart combine to wonderful effect. Hard to push on the teens at the library, but worth it.<br />
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The Fault in Our Stars by John Green:<br />
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Again, not suffering from a lack of press on this one, but I do try not to let the fact that others are saying something keep me quiet. I can sometimes be contrary but the smart, funny characters in this book made me fall head over heels for them, even though I knew from the start someone would cause me pain. Amazing.<br />
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My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick:<br />
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This was a bit of a surprise! I was expecting a cute romance, fluffy and forgettable, and instead got hit in the gut with a moral quandary and a first love that knocked my socks off.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPsn7UzONyoI5MKiVu8mYbdXAmDJ5SeADhQSciN0iKD9jzIadPwkCOv1QnoxUJNPWb70l208KMNtFDGy22vPnF99qrrJYERCfHXTupbBkwCS_QjH-7I0Q3eIAWwLctThr98p0JM0TMiM/s1600/1e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPsn7UzONyoI5MKiVu8mYbdXAmDJ5SeADhQSciN0iKD9jzIadPwkCOv1QnoxUJNPWb70l208KMNtFDGy22vPnF99qrrJYERCfHXTupbBkwCS_QjH-7I0Q3eIAWwLctThr98p0JM0TMiM/s200/1e.jpg" width="132" /></a>Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas:<br />
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Ah, it's like it was written with me in <i>mind</i>, I tell you. A smart, powerful assassin? A competition to the death? Unlikely love interests? Difficult decisions about whom to trust? Oh, I loved it all, even if one angle of the love triangle was much more perfect to my mind. I can't believe this was Maas's debut, I'll definitely pick up future books from her.<br />
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The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater:</div>
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I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked this up. I adored Ballad and Lament, was utterly <i>meh</i> on the Wolves of Mercy Falls series, and while I liked The Scorio Races, I wasn't as captivated as other reviews I read. </div>
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<br />It took me about half a chapter to start bouncing and grinning. This was the Stiefvater of Ballad and Lament, powerful and beautifully written, mysterious and charming without being overbearing. I loved loved loved this book and can't wait to return to the magical quest with Blue and the Raven Boys.</div>
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So, those are the best of the best so far! I'll try and post occasional reviews for the rest of the year, although as I mentioned the blog will be broadening its view as we go. </div>
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Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00135614217977576904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4176850557375264492.post-18499631428620362852012-10-13T14:07:00.000-04:002012-10-18T15:24:18.597-04:00Wandering thoughts...1. It drives my husband bonkers when people use 4 periods instead of 3 for an ellipse. I almost did, up in my title, but my love for my husband forced me to go back and change it.<br />
2. I've been an inconsistent blogger!<br />
3. I considered just abandoning this poor sad blog, and starting over fresh, but a) quitting is lame and b) a lot of work, so consider this a reboot!<br />
4. I participated in my first 5k last weekend! It was the color run, so not timed, but tons and tons of fun.<br />
5. I started running after my miscarriage in May. My strongest memory of that terrible day is sitting, waiting for my ultrasound (already knowing what it would tell me) and watching the Today Show people do a terrible 'Call Me Maybe' dance on the tv.<br />
6. Last Saturday, as the cheerful groups around me danced and sang as the DJ played 'Call Me Maybe', I teared up just a little.<br />
7. But nobody could stay sad at a Color Run. I shook myself and had a blast, and ran, twirled and bounced through clouds of color dust, emerging a creature you wouldn't quite recognize (mostly due to an accidentally dash of blue right in the face! Glad they tell you to wear sunglasses, and I know it was an accident, Color Run volunteer! No worries!)<br />
8. This rebooted blog will feature personal posts, craft posts, and books about Adult, Teen, Juvenile and Picture books as well as random geekery. Basically, whee!<br />
9. I'm kind of losing steam. But... how can I live with myself if I don't get to 10! Incomplete list, just drifting to a close without a proper conclusion... too sad. I must soldier on!<br />
10. PHEW. Made it. Will edit at home to add a color run pic!<br />
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ETA: Here it is! </div>
Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00135614217977576904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4176850557375264492.post-65658327178957402462012-07-18T14:42:00.001-04:002012-07-18T14:42:43.657-04:00Running Notes 7/18This running schtick has been going on for almost 2 months now (go me!) and I'm still digging it. I actually haven't run in a week - I usually run MWF, and last weekend my mother-in-law took my kids for the weekend so I went on a hot date with my husband instead, and then Monday I was sick. But while at the beginning I was afraid that missing even once would lead me to lose my momentum, by now I knew it was no big. I would be back running once I felt a little better, and so I shall. Tonight.<br />
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I don't have any aspirations to run a marathon - any race based on a route that actually killed the first guy who did it, and that routinely has people discussing losing their toenails, just somehow doesn't appeal to me. I'm signed up for a 5k in October, and I'm already running about 2.5 miles each time (a 5k is about 3.1). My husband teases my for measuring my runs in miles, but I figure avoiding metric even when it's the reasonable option is ingrained somehow in my psyche.<br />
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So yes. Running! It is good for you and also really strangely fun. My butt is looking awesome these days. ;)Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00135614217977576904noreply@blogger.com0