Feature & Follow Friday (#13)

Want to join a really awesome meme that helps you meet other book bloggers? Feature & Follow Friday, hosted by Parajunkee's View & Alison Can Read, should be your new thing!

Q: Fight! Fight! If you could have two fictional characters battle it out (preferably from books), who would they be and who do you think would win?

I think I'd have to say Noah from Michelle Hodkin's The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer vs. Adam from Tahereh Mafi's Shatter Me. Two guy characters I felt were melt-your-heart sweet and fierce when protecting their women. I'd root for Adam (if I was being forced to root for someone), but then I'd beg them both to stop so their beautiful faces wouldn't get messed up.

And...I hate to say that even though Adam is in the army, I think Noah would win. He just has that beastly, brooding quality that would push him over the edge. The real Noah probably has more muscles than Ben Barnes down there:) Adam has more goodness in him.

Possibly what these two could look like:

Noah                                                         Adam

Any questions? :)

Who would you want to see battle it out (still feel rather violent asking that)?

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Feature & Follow Friday (#12)

Feature & Follow Friday is a blog hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read-- a chance for bloggers to hop around and discover new things about each other (plus new blogs!).

Question of the Week: Many readers/bloggers are also big music fans. Tell us about a few of your favorite bands/singers that we should listen to in 2012.

I'm very eclectic when it comes to music. Bands/artists you must check out if you haven't, even if they don't come out with a song this year:

• Adele (so young, so soulful)
• Sara Bareilles (maybe she and Adele could be best friends?)
• Lady Antebellum (sweet cross-over melodies)
• Gavin DeGraw (such catchy tunes, even if the hits come once every 4-6 years)
• Paramore (such angst, such raw emotion)
• No Doubt (where have you gone, Mrs. Stefani?)
• Alanis Morisette ('cause she's so ironic!)
• Taylor Swift (just don't get on her bad side)
• Any Glee soundtrack (AMAZING!)
• All Saints (anyone ever heard of these girls?? My idols as a teen!)
• Phantom of the Opera soundtrack (just saw this on broadway but have always adored the score; Andrew Lloyd Webber's a musical genius)

What music do you like? Maybe there's something I should be listening to that I didn't mention?

If you haven't already, check out Parajunkee's new meme, Social Hop.
You can link up your Twitter and Facebook fan page.

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Feature and Follow Friday (#10)

It's that time again (I almost forgot!). The lovely Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read host a Friday blog hop where bloggers answer a question and discover the awesome blogs of others.

Q: It’s Thanksgiving Day in the U.S. so we want to know what you are Thankful for – blogging related of course! Who has helped you out along the way? What books are you thankful for reading?

I totally started the blogging world blind. I went to a workshop at an OWFI writing conference, and one of the workshops was about how important it is to build connections through blogging. After looking at the blogs of some wonderful women I hung out at the conference with (Brandi Barnett, Sonia Gensler, and Lisa Marotta-all three very supportive ladies), I was inspired to start my own! It didn't look that hard:) After a few personal posts on Jenna's Blog, I stumbled across Sab's YA Bliss. From its design to her candid reviews, her blog was engaging, and I decided I had to change my blog's focus right away to also reflect my passion for reading.

There are two bloggers I really look up to: Kristan from Lost Amongst the Shelves and Sheree from Beckoned by Books. These two started blogging just about the same time as me. I've asked both of them for help on numerous occasions, and they are always there with a kind word and encouragement! They aren't just sweet to me; they comment on others' posts all the time and seriously spread joy in the book blogging community. I really wish we all knew each other in person because I bet we'd get along fabulously. Thank you both!

I'm thankful for all the marvelous ladies who've participated in my Must Read Monday meme (in addition to Kristan and Sheree)- you are all so creative and incredibly awesome! (Jinky @ Jinky is Reading, Aimee @ Getting Your Read On, Pam @ At Home Between the Pages, Susanne @ A Reader in Time, Hira @ Views and Reviews,  Donna @ The Happy Booker, Chrissie @ Once Upon a Series, Michelle @ Much Loved Books, Lisa @ Lisa Loves Literature, and Amy @ Amy's Book Den).

I'm thankful to all of my followers and commenters! There's nothing that will make your day like seeing you have a new comment, as we all know:) The book blogiverse is so friendly. I'm thankful for my best friend Ashley who also post reviews on this blog. We have the same taste in music, movies, and books.

Also, it's pretty cool that there are people willing to send out free copies of books in exchange for a review. Many thanks are extended to the publishers and authors who send their "babies" out and have blind faith that some readers somewhere will like it. You make our task as reviewers that much more thrilling.

Brenda Price, my high school's librarian, has done so much to promote my blog among faculty/staff and students! I love discussing books with her, and her enthusiasm about YA lit encourages me to continue. Thanks, Brenda, for being an inspiration!

As far as books go, I'm thankful for every book I've read. Whether good or bad, I have taken something away after the last page is turned. Without literature, a big chunk of our world would be flat. Most recently, I'm grateful for the books that have made me cry. For an author's words to draw that kind of response out of a person, it is a work of brilliance: The Book Thief, Delirium, Stolen, Mocking Jay.

Phew, that's a ton. I just acted like I was giving an Academy Awards speech or something:)
So what are you thankful for (blogging-related, of course!)?

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Feature & Follow Friday (#9)

Parjunkee's View and Alison Can Read host this Friday blog hop so book bloggers can get to know a little bit about each other through weekly questions.

Question: In light of 11.11.11 and Veteran's Day tell us about your favorite solider and how he or she is saving the world. Fictional or real life.

I have to say, last week's question was pretty fun, but I love my soldiers! I've been a military brat my entire life, lived on base, gone to DODDs schools overseas.

My favorite soldier is my dad. He retired after 22 years in the Air Force. He fought in Desert Storm. We were so blessed he never had any long or hard deployments. He is my  hero because he provided for my family and instilled a love of country in us. He is still helping our troops by working with a contracting company. It's his job to inspect Navy base housing to make sure it's safe for soldiers and their families before they move in. 

My other two favorite soldiers are my parents-in-law. My father-in-law is a retired Navy officer. My mother-in-law is currently a two star admiral in the Navy. She just returned home from a one year deployment to Bahrain. I'm so proud of what they do every day to serve our country. I haven't met any better leaders.

My little brother also just joined the Navy. He goes to basic in May.

Happy Veteran's Day. Thank you to all those who've served our country and defended our freedom.  

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Follow Friday (#8)

Thanks to Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read for hosting this fun blogger hop. If you want to get in on the follow fun, check out their blogs.

Q: Today’s question is something new, an activity. We want to see what you look like! Take a pic with you and your current read! Too shy? Boo! Just post a fun pic you want to share.

In my car after a massage and errands. Do not be alarmed: this is not some sort of PSA to say it's okay to read and drive:) I'm parked in the parking lot.

I'm holding an ARC of Far From the War. The concept is insteresting: a 2nd US Civil War that takes place in present day. I'll post the review soon. Almost...finished...

I can't wait to see everyone's friendly face in this blogger hop. It will be great to put faces and names together!

Now I'm off to watch Water for Elephants because we have no school today (parent-teacher conferences are to thank for this well-deserved break). I hope the movie's good and I'm not too grossed out by the romance between Rob Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon because of the age difference. I didn't get a chance to read the book yet. (UPDATE: LOVED the movie. Hardly noticed their age difference--Rob acted older, Reese looks young, so bam, chemistry).

Tonight, I think the hubby and I are going to see Puss and Boots...my phone's text predictor sucks majorly-- I accidentally texted him, "Let's go see Piss n Boots." I hope it brightened his workday at least!

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Feature and Follow Friday and Book Blogger Hop (#6)

Hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee's View, Feature and Follow Friday allows book bloggers to answer a question, leave comments, gain followers, and explore the realm of book bloggers.

Q. If you could pick one character in a book, movie or television show to swap places with, who would it be?

All the characters in the books I've read lately have crazy trials that test their faith after a family member dies. So I guess I would have to say Ariel from The Little Mermaid. She can sing underwater without choking to death AND she gets a happily ever after with Prince Eric. So what if she has to defeat an evil octupus and her voice is stolen for a while? Everything happens for a reason, right?

Jen at Crazy for Books hosts Book Blogger Hop with a new question each week.

“It’s time to spread some love beyond the borders of the Book Blogger Hop! This week, we aren’t answering a question. We are spotlighting our fellow bloggers. Find your favorite(s) author interview(s), guest post(s), book review(s), or bookish article(s) that ANOTHER BOOK BLOGGER featured on their site recently and tell us why you love it/them! As an additional challenge, find your favorite one of EACH of the categories above and spotlight all 4 (interview, guest post, review, article).”

1)  My favorite author interview is the one on I am a Reader, Not a Writer with Michael Robb Mathias. He's hilarious:
"Q: If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 things would you want with you?
 A: I would want a harem, a solar powered fishing boat, and that crazy, spike-haired chef from the food channel. I bet he could make some great meals out of the seafood I catch in my fishing boat!" 
And the book he'd most want signed is the Bible.

2)  Guest post...didn't find one I particulary enjoyed that's recent...guess I failed the challenge:(

3) Kristan from Lost Amongst the Shelves always gives honest, thorough reviews that show her personality and eye for detail, whether it be in the structure of the prose or things about a character. Her review on Stephanie Perkins' Lola and the Boy Next Door makes me want to run right out and buy it.

4)  Raindrop Reflections just posted Covers That Make People Judge. Very true words in here, people. A cover is our very first opinion of the book. If it's crap, well, I feel bad for the author because he or she doesn't always have a choice. Luckily we're all individuals and have our own thoughts on what we like to see on a cover. One man's trash is another man's treasure and all that.

I love you all and your posting brilliance. These are all great blogs, so check them out!

Check out our 100 Followers Giveaway for a chance to win a signed copy of Sonia Gensler's paranormal romance The Revenant and Alex Sokoloff's suspenseful ebook The Space Between.

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Feature and Follow Friday and Book Blogger Hop (#5)

Paranjunkee's View and Alison Can Read host Feature & Follow Friday. This is a meme where bloggers just starting out can gain followers (and so can the rest of us!).

Q. What book that hasn't been turned into a movie (yet) would you most like to see make it to the big screen, and who would you like cast as your favorite character?

Matched, of course! I believe a movie is the work, but something so good by Ally Condie should be shared with as many people as possible. I'm excited to see dystopian books played out on the big screen...can't wait for The Hunger Games!

Jen at Crazy for Books does the Book Blogger Hop so we can check out each other's blogs every weekend.

“In honor of Banned Books Week, what is your favorite “banned or frequently challenged book”?”
Click here for 2010-11 list in PDF format. You can also click HERE to view past years and choose from any of those titles!



Mine is Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. How can this book not impact your life in some way? I read it 12 years ago; I still remember it. Anderson knows how to connect with her readers. Rape is one of worst evils in the world, and it is important to let our teens know it is not okay. Also, victims of rape need a support system-- something out there that tells them they will survive this and their feelings of shame and guilt are natural ones. I can't believe my home state, Missouri, is also home to the parents that challenged this well-written and powerfully moving book for "soft pornography" and text that "glorifies drinking, cursing, and premarital sex." Have these parents lived in the 21st century lately? Are they going to write MTV to request a station ban from the air?

Check below for my 100 followers giveaway and have a great weekend!

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