Friday Memes & Iron Queen Teaser (3)

Fragment Friday, Follow Friday, & Book Blogger Hop! (Whoa, O_O) [Not to mention the Iron Queen Teaser below!]

Woohoo! It's Friday! I'm posting my entries for these friday-themed memes a little late, but *shrugs* what can you do?

First, welcome to Fragment Friday. It's an innovative, weekly meme that showcases books in a unique way. Generally what happens is every Friday James over @ Bookchicclub (who has a Cat Friday post up and a review for Blessed by Cynthia Leitich Smith posted as we speak) posts his FF vlog, where he talks a little bit about the book he has chosen for the week and then he reads a nice tidbit from said book. The idea is to get readers excited about books, all kinds of books. At the bottom of his post, he has a Mr. Linky where bloggers who participate in this meme sign up.

Onto the video...

Learn more about Solid by Shelley Workinger at Goodreads.com!

Also, read my Solid review!

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'Kay, next I'm participating in a feature called Follow Friday that centers around bringing the blogging community closer together right, which is hosted by this really neat blog Parajunkee's View (http://www.parajunkee.com/), and what happens is every Friday a blogger guest posts on Parajunkee's blog to talk about themselves and their blog (like Marie @ Mission to Read). Then, there's this super cool part where a question gets asked like this one:

What is/was your favorite subject in school?

Don't roll your eyes, but it's most definitely English.My favorite part of taking the class stems from my love of writing essays, particularly those which we students have to analyze a character in literature kind of like I do here *pokes blog*. Plus, my teacher is very straight forward and down-to-earth. She's constantly helping us make improvements in our writing, paving the way to writing success.

Care to follow the fun?

1. Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host { Parajunkee.com } and any one else you want to follow on the list
2. Follow our Featured Bloggers - http://missiontoread.blogspot.com
3. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing.
4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments
5. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don't just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don't say "HI"
6. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers
7. If you want to show the link list, just follow the link below the entries and copy and paste it within your post!
8. If you're new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!

& HAPPY FOLLOW FRIDAY, MY FELLOW BOOK LOVERS!

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And last of the super-fab friday-themed memes I'm participating in is Book Blogger Hop {http://www.crazy-for-books.com/} and here is some info + the rules:

"In the spirit of the Twitter Friday Follow, the Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and share our love of the written word! This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs to read! So, grab the logo, post about the Hop on your blog, and start HOPPING through the list of blogs that are posted in the Linky list below!!

The Hop lasts Friday-Monday every week, so if you don't have time to Hop today, come back later and join the fun! This is a weekly event! And stop back throughout the weekend to see all the new blogs that are added! We get over 200 links every week!!

RULES:
Your blog should have content related to books, including, but not limited to book reviews.

1. Enter your book blog link in the Linky List below
In your link, please state the main genre that you review: eclectic, contemp. fiction, ya, paranormal, mystery, non-fiction, etc.
Example: Crazy-for-Books (contemp. adult fiction)

2. Post about the Hop on your blog. Spread the word about the book party! The more the merrier! In your blog post, answer the following question (new question each week!)."

Anyway, a question from Aliyah who blogs at Des Absurdites (can't do the whole fancy e thingy, sorry) was asked. She was wondering, "What book are you most looking forward to seeing published in 2011? Why are you anticipating that book?"

So, I'm gonna show her:

I am a HUGE fan of the Hunger series by Jackie Morse Kessler, and this next installment, Rage, is one of the top ten on my wishlist for this year. But, it doesn't stop there. I also want to read Divergent by Veronica Roth, Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini, The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver, The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney, Secrets and Shadows by Shannon Delany, A Touch Mortal by Leah Clifford, Stolen Nights by Rebecca Maizel, Wither by Lauren DeStefano, Entwined by Heather Dixon, and finally (so far up 'til the end of Feb.) Wake Unto Me by Lisa Cach...

Summary for main pick, Rage: "Missy didn’t mean to cut so deep. But after the party where she was humiliated in front of practically everyone in school, who could blame her for wanting some comfort? Sure, most people don’t find comfort in the touch of a razor blade, but Missy always was . . . different.

That’s why she was chosen to become one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: War. Now Missy wields a new kind of blade—a big, brutal sword that can cut down anyone and anything in her path. But it’s with this weapon in her hand that Missy learns something that could help her triumph over her own pain: control.

A unique approach to the topic of self-mutilation, Rage is the story of a young woman who discovers her own power and refuses to be defeated by the world."

& That's all for the Blogger Hop!

What are you most looking forward to, my lovely readers? Smack me with your thoughts.

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Made by Julie Kagawa!

"'Ash, I'm going to need some of that salve you brought,' I muttered, dabbing away the blood. When he didn't move, I turned on him, narrowing my eyes. 'All right, I'm tired of this. I know you two don't get along, but you need to figure something out or we're never going to make it out of her alive.'
...Puck settled back on the rock, grinning as I bent over his arm. 'You're good at this, princess,' he purred, shooting Ash a smug grin over his shoulder. 'Been watching ice-boy, or are you just a natural caretaker? I could get used to--ow!'
He glared as I tied off the bandage with a jerk.
'Don't push your luck,' I warned him..." (199-200).

Thanks for reading!

Meme Spotlight: Follow Friday & Blogger Hop

Woohoo! It's Friday!

Ready for my recap of the week? No? Too bad, look anyway!

Memes/Features:

Mine- Book Lust Syndrome (3) Part II (Ft. Releases Between Jan. 7-22)
Not Mine- Top Ten Tuesday (Top Ten Bookish/Bloggish Resolutions) & "Waiting on..." Wednesday (7 picks)

Interviews:
Jackie Morse Kessler (Hunger)- Character Interview: The Pale Rider
Saundra Mitchell (The Vespertine)- Author Chat-Chit

Reviews:
Unearthly by Cynthia Hand received a rating average of ☺☺☺☺ 1/2

Latest Reads:
The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell
Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa

Upcoming:
Reviews- Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly, Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson, Annexed by Sharon Dogar, Claire de Lune by Christine Johnson, Firelight by Sophie Jordan, and Solid by Shelley Workinger

Memes/Features- Mine: BLOGOSPHERE BREAKDOWN CANCELLED (postponed 'til further notice...it's simply not ready yet *sigh*) Not Mine: In My Mailbox post

Guest Stops/Interviews- Guest Post from Shelley Workinger (Jan. 18)

ANYWAY...

Last week, I began participating in Follow Friday, which you can see my post here. Its hosted by the wonderful Parajunkee's View (http://www.parajunkee.com/), and what happens is every Friday a blogger guest posts on Parajunkee's blog to talk about themselves and their blog (like Annette@ The More You Read, The More You Will Know!). Then, there's this super cool part where a question gets asked like this one:

What makes up your non-human family??

And this week I'm going to answer with a bit of show-n-tell!

Meet Sam! 

And Josh says "... -___-"!  

Watch them sleep...

 ...because you know you want to...

 
There's also my cousin Abby, a pampered, spoiled Bichon Frise who likes to wear cute little girly dresses and play with empty water bottles, and is easily scared by balloons or her mother (my aunt). Alas, I've not been given release to display her photo on the internet.

And that concludes this week's Follow Friday!

Want to participate?

"To join the fun and make now book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

1. Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host {Parajunkee.com} and any one else you want to follow on the list
2. Follow our Featured Bloggers - http://stalkingthebookshelves.blogspot.com/
3. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing.
4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments
5. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can
6. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers
7. If you want to show the link list, just follow the link below the entries and copy and paste it within your post!
8. If your new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!"

Last but not least, I have my entry for Book Blogger Hop!

"  In the spirit of the Twitter Friday Follow, the Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and share our love of the written word! This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs to read! So, grab the logo, post about the Hop on your blog, and start HOPPING through the list of blogs that are posted in the Linky list below!!

The Hop lasts Friday-Monday every week, so if you don't have time to Hop today, come back later and join the fun! This is a weekly event! And stop back throughout the weekend to see all the new blogs that are added!"   Go visit Crazy-for-Books to see more»»

This week's featured blogger (Sugarbeat's Books) wanted to know, "Why do you read the genre that you do? What draws you to it?"

So, I'm going to explain myself to her.

Young Adult novels hold an immense amount of appeal for me because I can easily connect with the adolescents starring in these novels. Their thought process, their emotions, their circumstances, even the drama. Teens are still impressionable as far as who they become as people, as adults out in the world, and I think that's meaningful. Teenagers are so interesting to read about mainly because they've got so much growing up to do, and The Reader gets to see this development take place, witness this change in the characters.  And I think what will keep me returning to this genre again and again, no matter which aspect of it (romantic comedy, paranormal romance/fantasy, sci-fi, dystopian, etc...), will always be the characters.

Thanks Sugarbeat's Books for slapping me in the face with such a wonderful question!

Be sure to smack me with your thoughts!

Meme Spotlight: Friday-Themed Fun

/*To leave me a comment, click (#) Comments next to the labels above.*/

Fragment Friday, Follow Friday, & Book Blogger Hop! (Whoa, O_O)

 Woohoo! It's Friday!

First, welcome to Fragment Friday. It's an innovative, weekly meme that showcases books in a unique way. Generally what happens is every Friday James over @ Bookchicclub (who has a review for Tempestuous by Lesley Livingston posted as we speak) posts his FF vlog, where he talks a little bit about the book he has chosen for the week and then he reads a nice tidbit from said book. The idea is to get readers excited about books, all kinds of books. At the bottom of his post, he has a Mr. Linky where bloggers who participate in this meme sign up.

Fragment Friday will be officially starting up again January 21, 2011!

This week's vlog is rather long (so long in fact that I had to break it up into two parts), but that's because I'm reading THREE excerpts from three different books. Now, I don't expect you to sit there and watch both vlogs (the darn thing's like twenty minutes long combined)  so I've created a table of contents so to speak...

Excerpt from The Goblin Wood by Hilari Bell (Learn more»») in Part I, 1 min, 3 sec
Excerpt from Wildthorn by Jane Eagland (Learn more»») in Part I, 7 min, 17 sec
Excerpt from Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins (Learn more»») at Part II,

There, you see, now you have the choice of a) watching both vlogs in their entirety, and I promise I won't bop you over the head with a blunt instrument if you decide you won't, which brings me to choice b) where you scroll through the video to the times listed above and get to hear the excerpt from the book you've selected.

Now, put your hands together for the TOTALLY, utterly interesting and fascinating vlog that I have created... And yes, I decided to finally reveal the awesomeness that is my face. Don't be too dazzled now.

Onto the video... 

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Must be so hard to look so good...

'Kay so I finally got a whiff of this feature called Follow Friday that centers around bringing the blogging community closer together right, which is hosted by this really neat blog Parajunkee's View (http://www.parajunkee.com/), and what happens is every Friday a blogger
guest posts on Parajunkee's blog to talk about themselves and their blog (like Shannon @ Stalking the Bookshelves). Then, there's this super cool part where a question gets asked like this one:

What book(s) have you discovered lately from someone's book blog?

From there, we bloggers post our answers...

And what do you know? I have an answer:

Well, since I snuck a peek at Bibliophile Brouhaha's Follow Friday post I just now discovered Human. 4, a creepy looking yet totally intriguing novel. And, because I read her review of Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher, I now know that the book exists.

Thanks to Eleni at La Femme Readers, I recently discovered The Emerald Talisman and The Sapphire Talisman, both by Brenda Pandos, which seem like awesome vampire novels! Also, I found out a little more about Vampire Crush because of a fun interview with the author.

Sifting through the Small Review's to-read pile did some damage to my TBR pile, because I now want to read Fury by Shirley Marr, Voices of Dragons and Steel by Carrie Vaughn, and Knife by R.J. Anderson!

Due to my frequent visits to MundieMoms and my happening to see one of The Story Siren's tweets, I happened upon The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkins, which I'm thoroughly amazed by and really want to read.

"To join the fun and make now book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

1. Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host {Parajunkee.com} and any one else you want to follow on the list
2. Follow our Featured Bloggers - http://stalkingthebookshelves.blogspot.com/
3. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing.
4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments
5. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can
6. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers
7. If you want to show the link list, just follow the link below the entries and copy and paste it within your post!
8. If your new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!"

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Ah, but we're still not done! But, alas, I'm too tired to write a little suttin' suttin' about the Book Blogger Hop I've decided to participate in, but don't worry I've got you Curious Readers in mind and covered:

"In the spirit of the Twitter Friday Follow, the Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and share our love of the written word! This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs to read! So, grab the logo, post about the Hop on your blog, and start HOPPING through the list of blogs that are posted in the Linky list below!!

The Hop lasts Friday-Monday every week, so if you don't have time to Hop today, come back later and join the fun! This is a weekly event! And stop back throughout the weekend to see all the new blogs that are added!" Go visit Crazy-for-Books to see more»»

Anyway, a question from Ivan who blogs at Ivan Bookworm was asked. He was wondering, "What book influenced or changed your life? How did it influence/change you?"

So, I'm gonna tell him:  The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson.


And here's why: Lennie, the main girl, is suffering from a suffocating grief that only happens when you lose someone precious to you to Death. In this case, Lennie lost her sister. Now, being that I have two evil tormentors for little twin sisters, I can relate to her, yet I can't even fathom her pain (I can't even imagine my life without those tiny twin devils). I've never been so attuned to a character like with Lennie in this novel.. The way she perceived life after the death of her sister was so real; she seemed so agonized. Watching her slowly emerge from the shattering, heartbreaking sadness and mourning touched my heart in a way no other book had or probably ever will, at least not in the same way. And now, I'm a little more conscientious of others, more mindful of the things I say and do toward the people who matter to me. 

"In the spirit of snippets, here's one from The Sky is Everywhere:
I'm the only person in the small hilltop cemetery and I'm glad. I drop my backpack and sit down beside the gravestone, rest my head against it, wrap my hands and arms around it like I'm playing a cello...I run my fingers across my sister's name, her nineteen years, then across the words I wrote on a piece of paper months ago and handed to Gram in the funeral parlor: The Color of Extraordinary...
I try to fend off the oceanic sadness, but I can't. It's such a colossal effort not to be haunted by what's lost, but to be enchanted by what was.
I miss you, I tell her, I can't stand that you're going to miss so much.
I don't know how the heart withstands it" (274-275).

& That's all for the Book Blogger Hop!

Smack me with your thoughts, but when you do please remember "Gently, gently, gently, Watson, be gentle with me--"!