In My Mailbox (12)

 

Hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren

For Review

Wench by Dolen Perkins-ValdezThe Secrets of Stonewood Sanitarium by Linda A KrugThe Green Bronze Mirror by Lynne EllisonThe Little Giant of Aberdeen County by Tiffany BakerWhen Will There Be Good News by Kate AtkinsonNailed by Jennifer LaurensFatal Gamble by JP O'Donnell (Autographed! Thanks!)Deadly Codes by JP O'Donnell (Autographed! Thanks!)H.E.A.V.E.N. by Nan BeckleanThe Tao of Mia and Leo by Jeffra A NicholsonKings Rapids by Jim Overturff BookMoochA Great And Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray WonThe Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova (Cym Lowell's Blog) BoughtDisney's Instant Classics (Kids Books with CD)Percy Jackson & the Olympians by Rick Riordan Box Set of Books 1-3


  

Decades 2010 Challenge

This is hosted by 1morechapter and has the following rules. Must go there to sign up. :)

Decades 2010 Rules:
Read a minimum of 10 books in 10 consecutive decades in 2010.
Books published in the 2000’s do not count.
Titles may be cross-posted with any other challenge.
You may change your list at any time.


Peruse the eligible book lists and reviews from previous years (found on the sidebar). Any book from that decade is eligible; it doesn’t have to be on the list to qualify. A good source to find out when books were published is wikipedia. For example if you follow this link, you will see how easy it is to search books by a particular decade. Another resource is fantasticfiction.co.uk.

My Tentative List:
 
01) 1900's - The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
02) 1910's - The Adventures of Danny Meadow Mouse by Thornton W. Burgess
03) 1920's - The Mystery of Cabin Island by Franklin W. Dixon
04) 1930's - Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
05) 1940's - The Pearl by John Steinbeck
06) 1950's - The Magician’s Nephew by C. S. Lewis
07) 1960's - The Cat Who Turned On and Off by Lilian Jackson Braun
08) 1970's - The Terminal Man by Michael Crichton
09) 1980's - A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton
10) 1990's - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

2010 - 10-10-10 Challenge

Hosted by  Library Thing

1. Pick 10 categories
2. Read 10 books in each of those categories
3. Complete them in 2010. For a further challenge complete by 10-10-10

My Categories:

1) Debut Authors (Debuting in 2010)

01. The Good Girl's Guide to Getting Kidnapped by Yxta Maya Murray
02. Wereling by Steve Feasey
03. Wench by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
04. H.E.A.V.E.N. by Nan Becklean
05.
06.
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08.
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10.


2) New To Me Authors (Any I have never read before)

01. Nailed by Jennifer Laurens
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10.


3) Young Adult Fiction (Any)

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10.

 4)  Person/Place/Thing (Must have the name of a person, place, or thing in title)

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5) Chick-Lit (Adult or YA)

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6)  Vampire/Werewolf/Ghost (Anything Paranormal)

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7)  Non-Fiction (Cookbooks, Biographies, True-Stories)

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8)  Audio Books (Any)

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9)  Just Because ( Books Bought Not Requiring A Review But I Will Anyhow)  lol

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10)  Books in a Series (Miscellaneous Series Books)

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Flaherty's Crossing by Kaylin McFarren

OMG Ya'll Check out the trailer for an awesome book coming up on tour in February!  I can't wait to read it and tell you all about it! Synopsis: Successful yet emotionally stifled artist Kate Flaherty stands at the deathbed of her estranged father, conflicted by his morphine-induced confession exposing his part in her mother’s death. While racing home, Kate’s car mishap leads her to a soul-searching discussion with a lone diner employee, prompting Kate to confront the true reasons her marriage hangs in the balance. When her night takes an unexpected turn, however, she flees for her life, a life desperate for faith that can only be found through her ability to forgive.

 

A to Z Challenge

Hosted by
Becky's Book Reviews and Young Readers and Operation Actually Read Bible.

January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010.


How does this reading challenge work? Choose the option that works best for you...

Authors -- Read alphabetically by author. Commit to 26 books.

Titles -- Read alphabetically by title. Commit to 26 books.

Authors & Titles -- Commit to reading 52 books

How strict is the 26 or 52? I know it isn't always easy to find those difficult letters. The thought of finding the X's (for example) might scare folks away. It shouldn't! I'm a merciful host! (Ask anyone!)

If you want to give the X's a go... For authors, try to find an X in the first name, middle name, or last name. For titles, it doesn't have to be the starting word. Try to find an X somewhere in a title, and it'd count in my book.

Still can't find a book for the letter you need? I'll take your word for it. I've been there. I know. If your library doesn't see the need to order books just because it starts with an X, then I don't blame you for not wanting to special order a book that you may or may not enjoy. You gave it your best, don't feel bad. You can still make this challenge work for you.

Anish Sheth

A

B
B

C
C

Dolen Perkins- Valdez
D

E
E

F
F

G
G

H
H

I
I

J
J

K
K

L
L

M
M

Nailed by Jennifer Laurens
N

O
O

P
P

Q
Q

R
R

S
S

T
T

U
U

V
V

W
Wereling by Steve Feasey

X
X

Yxta Maya Murray

Y

Z
Z

2010 New Years Read-a-thon Update Post

 

Well it is finally here ya'll!  The 2010 New Years Read-a-thon hosted by Kristen over at Bookworming in the 21st Century The fun began at 5pm Dec 31st and lasts until Sunday. 

I won't add any reviews until Read-a-thon is over so I can get as much reading time in as possible.

 Was Shooting for 24 hours but only managed almost 16.5!Still think I knocked out quite a few of my smaller books so I'm still happy.   :) 

Completed the following 6 and got 2 more started plus I was a bad girl
and watched a movie- Meteor
4 episodes (Disk 3 season 1) of  Tru Calling
and the new BBC series premiere of Demons

***1). The Good Girls Guide to Getting Kidnapped by Yxta Maya Murray

***2). Comfort Living by Christine Eisner

***3). What's My Pee Telling Me? by Josh Richman & Anish Sheth, M.D.

***4.) Wench by Dolen Perkins-Valdez

***5). Wereling by Steve Feasey

***6). auf Wiedersehen by Christa Holder Ocker

& got started on Nailed by Jennifer Laurens  & H.E.A.V.E.N. by Nan Becklean

2010 Fantasy Reading Challenge

Royal Reviews is having a 2010 Fantasy Reading Challenge. You can choose from as little as 3 books.


The Fantasy Reading Challenge can include YA Fantasy or Historical Fantasy, Science Fiction Fantasy or any other sub genre of Fantasy. There really are no limits to this challenge as Fantasy is such a wide and varied genre. Just enjoy and have fun!

Challenge Guidelines:

1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.

--Non-Bloggers: Include your information in the comment section.

2. There are four levels:

-- Curious – Read 3 Fantasy Fiction novels.
-- Fascinated – Read 6 Fantasy Fiction novels.
-- Addicted – Read 12 Fantasy Fiction novels.
-- Obsessed – Read 20 Fantasy Fiction novels.

 3. Any book format counts.

4. You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.
5. Challenge begins January 1st thru December, 2010. Only books started on January 1st count towards this challenge.


My Obsessed List that will change and vary thru-out the year:


01). Rampant - Diana Peterfreund

02). Linger - Maggie Stiefvater

03). The Crescent - Jordan Deen

04). Ballad - Maggie Stiefvater

05). Witch & Wizard - James Patterson

06). Beautiful Creatures - Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

07). The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins

08). Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins

09). The Hunger Games: Book 3 - Suzanne Collins

10). Hush, Hush - Becca Fitzpatrick

11). Fallen - Lauren Kate

12). The Maze Runner - James Dashner

13). Coraline - Neil Gaiman

14). Wereling by Steve Feasey

15).

16).

17).

18).

19).

20).

The 10 in '10 Teen Chick Lit Challenge

Do you love chick lit? That fun, snappy voice that begs to be read and enjoyed? Then join us for:

The 10 in '10 Teen Chick Lit Challenge!

Co-hosted by teen book blogger Jessica (http://www.chicklitteens.com/) and YA author Kay Cassidy (http://www.kaycassidy.com/), the 10 in '10 Teen Chick Lit Challenge is your chance to read some fabulous teen chick lit books with other chick lit fans. The challenge runs from January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010.

Go HERE to find out how you can participate!

My list will probably change thru the year.

01) The Cinderella Society by Kay Cassidy

02) Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging  by Louise Rennison

03) The Clique by Lisi Harrison

04) Gossip Girl #1: A Novel (Gossip Girl Series) by Cecily Von Ziegesar

05) The Naughty List by Suzanne Young

06) The Real Real by Emma Mclaughlin

07) Gorgeous by Rachel Vail

08) Perfect You by Elizabeth Scott

09) Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson

10) Bad Apple by Laura Ruby

11) Beautiful by Amy Lynn Reed

12) Nailed by Jennifer Laurens

 

A-Z Wednesday

A-Z Wednesday is hosted by My Life In Not So Many Words   She chooses a letter each week and you pick a book from your stack of TBR using that letter and post what it's about.

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

"Tally Youngblood lives in a futuristic society that acculturates its citizens to believe that they are ugly until age 16 when they'll undergo an operation that will change them into pleasure-seeking "pretties." Anticipating this happy transformation, Tally meets Shay, another female ugly, who shares her enjoyment of hoverboarding and risky pranks. But Shay also disdains the false values and programmed conformity of the society and urges Tally to defect with her to the Smoke, a distant settlement of simple-living conscientious objectors. Tally declines, yet when Shay is found missing by the authorities, Tally is coerced by the cruel Dr. Cable to find her and her compatriots–or remain forever "ugly." Tally's adventuresome spirit helps her locate Shay and the Smoke. It also attracts the eye of David, the aptly named youthful rebel leader to whose attentions Tally warms. However, she knows she is living a lie, for she is a spy who wears an eye-activated locator pendant that threatens to blow the rebels' cover. Ethical concerns will provide a good source of discussion as honesty, justice, and free will are all oppressed in this well-conceived dystopia."

Holiday Break Reading Challenge Activity #12

OMG  I forgot all about this challenge (Holiday Break Reading Challenge)  and it's almost over but I am still gonna jump on and do what I can now.   :(  I have some books started that I will be able to add hopefully before it's over.  Anyhow Karin wanted us to list a few animal books we loved for Activity 12 and below are 2 that I adore the books as well as the movies for.

The first one is Babe: The Gallant Pig by Dick King-Smith  

 

The next one is Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Wednesday's Words (3)

cajole\kuh-JOHL\ , transitive verb;

1.To persuade with flattery, repeated appeals, or soothing words; to coax

 

Origin:

Cajole derives from Early Modern French cajoler, originally, "to chatter like a bird in a cage, to sing; hence, to amuse with idle talk, to flatter," from Old French gaiole, jaiole, "a cage," from Medieval Latin caveola, "a small cage," from Latin cavea, "an enclosure, a den for animals, a bird cage," from cavus, "hollow." It is related to cave, cage and jail (British gaol).

 

Quote:

 

One of Virgil's great accomplishments was his ability to charm, cajole, weasel people out of their bad moods, especially when their bads moods inconvenienced him.

-- Anthony Tommasini, Virgil Thomson: Composer on the Aisle

Teaser Tuesdays: The Good Girls Guide to Getting Kidnapped

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme hosted by Should Be Reading Choose two sentences from your current read, and add the author and title for readers.

"You got to make them fear, ya, Michelle. It's the first rule for a Queen.
Yes, Mama.
And they won't till ya make them. See? Ya gotta earn your place."

From The Good Girls Guide to Getting Kidnapped by Yxta Maya Murray

In My Mailbox (11)

 

Hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren

BookMooch
Holiday With A Vampire: Christmas Cravings\Fate Calls by Maureen Child
Never After by Laurell K. Hamilton
Angels & Demons by Dan Brown
The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart
The Boy Book by E. Lockhart

Bought
Thirst #1 by Christopher Pike
The Morganville Vampires by Rachel Caine

For Review
The Cinderella Society by Kay Cassidy {Thank you Kay!}
The Good Girl's Guide to Getting Kidnapped by Yxta Maya Murray
Undead Much by Stacey Jay
The Naughty List by Suzanne Young
Sins of the Border by Leslie Kohler
One Amazing Thing by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni {This came with a neat little pamphlet readers guide}
auf Wiedersehen by Christa Holder Ocker

Guest Post: Change Your Mindset, Not Your Man

CHANGE YOUR MINDSET NOT YOUR MAN

Learn to Love What’s Right Instead of Trying to Fix What’s Wrong(Adams Media 2009)

Many women are disappointed, frustrated, and despairing about their relationships with men. Growing up with Sleeping Beauty, Barbies and romance novels, we don’t realize how the happily-ever-after myth contributes to our relationship misery and failures. My book is the message I needed as a young woman-- that there is no substitute for growing a self and creating a full passionate life, that a man can’t possibly be your fulfillment. It’s hard on the guys when we women want what they have not been socialized to provide. They’re prepared to do the heavy lifting and make money but when we ask them to be sensitive and attuned to our many emotional needs it naturally makes them defensive and angry and they often conclude that there isn’t any way to please us. The conflict comes from trying to get happiness, validation and love from your partner when the only one you can change is yourself!

My book spells out exactly what it takes to find contentment with your normally flawed and imperfect guy the way he is. Complaining and even couples counseling can be disastrous if fixing him is the goal. Your thoughts and stories may be helping or hurting you. I show you what it takes to lead by example when you are the one with more relationship skills and needs and have been socialized for relating. Everything from the best therapies, what I’ve gained from my own life, and what my courageous and beautiful clients have taught me is here. Finding your authentic self and the power to accept the things you can’t change will make you a more confident person and a truly loving partner.

TIPS

FIND CONTENTMENT WITH YOUR NORMALLY FLAWED MAN AS HE IS

1. He doesn’t have to change for you to be happy.

Expectations of romantic love since girlhood have fueled our disappointment with men. We have been socialized to believe in and want a deep connection with a soul mate. Many men were taught to be tough, ignore their feelings, and channel energy into work, so it’s not their fault that they aren’t as attuned to us and as affectionate as we want. It’s natural for the rush of excitement and chemical attraction to wear off after the honeymoon. All relationships take work. It’s not like the movies where finding the right one is the only requirement. Believing that your happiness depends on him and his behavior makes you a victim instead of an empowered woman.

2. All attempts to fix him can make it worse.

I suggest a reminder note “let him be as he is” to help you stop the tugging and pouting that we all do to get more attention since it’s likely to make things worse. Men are highly sensitive to criticism and often tune out when they feel attacked. Couples counseling works if both partners commit to change but too often it’s the woman enlisting the help of the therapist to make him be the way she wants. If a man succumbs to his partner’s demands and lets her control him, she may lose respect for him, so it’s a good thing if he is able to maintain his sense of himself.

3. What you believe and say is powerful.

It’s not a secret that how you think about your relationship and what stories you tell about your partner will affect your attitude and your feelings and emphasize those qualities you focus on. We know that our beliefs influence our feelings and in turn our behavior. Learning to recognize your thought patterns will help you have more choices rather than function automatically.. Testing your partner’s is something all of us have done. For example, tell him it’s okay to go fishing with his buddies and leave us to handle the garage sale and then make him wrong for not choosing us. We think these test measure his love for us but they really don’t.

4. Star in your own happy life.

Men are more attracted to women when they are happy and fulfilled and seem to tune out when they are a rain cloud of negativity. This explains why when women are blue and need something from their guy he may decide to work late or spend time in the garage. When women star in their own life and make their needs more important often men get a charge from the energy she is radiating. When you value yourself he may see you the same way and be more interested in pleasing you. You will be less like a mother complaining and pointing out his problems and more like an exciting woman who gets what she wants.

5. Learn to rely on your own self support.

Men may become worn down by too much emotionally laden information coming at them on a regular basis. Some men view problems as complaints about them or your life with them and tune out. As mature women we must grow an internal resilient self to weather some of life’s stressors and not depend on our guy for everything. Learning how to support and soothe yourself makes you less needy. Not being super sensitive and taking things personally is a great way to head off hurts. Journaling, music, or exercise helps work through issues and feelings. Being in nature or with pets or treating yourself to physical comforts are other ways to sustain yourself through troubling situations.

6. Help him be more relational.

Accept that his being attuned to your feelings and needs does not come naturally to him. It’s a mistake to insist that he must figure these things out on his own for them to mean something. Prepare him for an emotional conversation by telling him what you need, e.g., I just want you to listen to me; I don’t need advice or a solution. Remind him with posted notes, coupons, and pictures hinting for what you want in the way of gifts or special events. Ask directly for things like a foot or neck rub, taking over for dinner or the kids’ homework when you need help. Avoid pouting and other drama as a way to get his attention.

BIOGRAPHY

Sally B. Watkins M.S.W., LCSW

I grew up in a Pennsylvania household with violence and deprivation. The happily-ever-after story was one I clung to in the unheated attic of my childhood room where sleep came fitfully to the sounds of my parent’s battles. I was a writer even then and imagined in poetry my prince just like the one in Cinderella. Like many women I went through much of my early adulthood searching for that perfect someone to love and care for me.

Self help books, therapy, and groups helped me find that person that I am today. I graduated from the University of Maryland at Baltimore with a master’s degree in social work and before that with a bachelor’s degree in education from Carnegie Mellon University. In addition to my twenty year psychotherapy practice I continued to be a writer-- grant writing, personal journals, short stories, essays and writing classes. My published work includes magazine articles and a regular column for a local newspaper. This is my first book, CHANGE YOUR MINDSET NOT YOUR MAN.

I now live in El Dorado Hills, California with my husband Warren. My two sons are grown. I enjoy cooking healthy food, working out, hiking, playing tennis, reading, and sailing in the Pacific Northwest.