What I'm Reading Now...

A richly inventive novel about a centuries-old vampire, a spellbound witch, and the mysterious manuscript that draws them together.

Deep in the stacks of Oxford's Bodleian Library, young scholar Diana Bishop unwittingly calls up a bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research. Descended from an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery; so after a furtive glance and a few notes, she banishes the book to the stacks. But her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library. Diana has stumbled upon a coveted treasure lost for centuries-and she is the only creature who can break its spell.

Debut novelist Deborah Harkness has crafted a mesmerizing and addictive read, equal parts history and magic, romance and suspense. Diana is a bold heroine who meets her equal in vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont, and gradually warms up to him as their alliance deepens into an intimacy that violates age-old taboos. This smart, sophisticated story harks back to the novels of Anne Rice, but it is as contemporary and sensual as the Twilight series-with an extra serving of historical realism.(Goodreads)

I have literally just started this book today and already I can tell it is a pageturner.

Library Issues & Taking Action

Library Issues & Taking Action

I had been hearing a lot about Texas Libraries losing much of their funding. Yesterday a wonderful friend of mine who works in the library system sent me over a link from Facebook that explained it all and showed how I as a concerned library patron, and citizen could make a difference.

Some of you may think that it has nothing to do with you. You never use the library. A couple of years ago, I might have agreed with you. After finding out all the programs the libraries in town offer, the amount of ebooks and eaudios I can check out to read for my IPad, Nookcolor and IPod, the computer training, the programs for kids...I could keep typing all day. My library is like a community center. I take free knitting classes there and honestly, I wouldn't know what to do without it. The librarians there are as much of a part of the library as the books. They care about the patrons they serve and become part of their lives. I know they have become a part of mine. With the proposed budget cuts, I can't even imagine how many librarians are going to find themselves out of a job.

Our country prides itself in education and the future. What kind of future will there be without libraries? I don't want to even image it. Where anyone, no matter their economic status, can go and check out a book. Where patrons can learn about computers to further their careers. Where social knitting types like myself can go and connect with like minded individuals in a safe environment? Yes, the library I go to is attached to a school. It may not have as many budget cuts as another branch, but maybe it will be the branch you might need to go to sometime in the near future. You just never know.

A very excellent blog with two great contests.

 Lafemmereaders.blogspot.com has a great contest. Check it out!" Head over to http://lafemmereaders.blogspot.com/

Across the Universe contest.

Author Beth Revis awesome contest! Across the Universe is her new book.
Check out her contest and giveaway! Go to http://bethrevis.blogspot.com/ Make sure you refer  Elise at Bookish Delights as the person who told you about the amazing contest. http://bookishdelights.blogspot.com/

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Check out this amazing arc contest!

An amazing arc contest at Bookish Delights! Check it out. http://bookish-delights.blogspot.com/

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Louise Knits: Crochet scarf with flowers

Louise Knits: Crochet scarf with flowers

I love the idea of this scarf. Check out her site for more creative fun.

Dog-Eared & Bookmarked: My New Obsession [Part Deux]

Dog-Eared & Bookmarked: My New Obsession [Part Deux]

L. K. Madigan's Feast of Awesome Giveaway!

L. K. Madigan's Feast of Awesome Giveaway!

Follow Friday

http://parajunkee.com/

Welcome again to Follow Friday. Please join our host at http://parajunkee.com/ to join the linky and see the featured blog of the week. I hope you will stay a moment and leave a comment and a follow.

Best wishes!

Dana

Tadpole, the superviser of my blog posts.

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My latest bookpile.

My writing desk. Well, sort of. It has become a home for all of my arcs, galleys, yarn, knitting and crochet books, tulips and yes, the bag of caramel corn you see poking out behind the flowers.

Lately, most of my writing and blogging has been supervised by my hysterical dog Tadpole. Love him to death. He, above all my other rescue dogs, is my best friend. So, I write on the bed, with him tucked next to me, fondly looking at my desk and sighing. I have tried. Over the holidays I even managed to clear some space with clear intent of working. I sat down, computer in place and even started to type. It lasted two seconds. Something scrabbled at my right leg. Then my left leg. Then I felt the wet nose poking at my kneecaps. It was Tadpole. I lifted him up and into my lap. Try to type and hold a dog. It isn't easy. Finally I gave up and planted him and myself in bed with all of my blogging and writing supplies.

Even now, here we are, huddled under quilts and blankets, listening to audio books and typing blog posts. I have one thought.

Life is good.

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The Stylish Blogger Award

A big thanks to Selena over at The Enchanted Book for giving me the Stylish blogger Award. Thanks for thinking of me!

To receive this award, I am listing seven things about myself and sharing the love to fifteen bloggers who have made an impact on me and my blogs.

About me:
1. I have five blogs.
2. Rescue dogs are my passion.
3. Crocheting has taken over my life for the past few weeks.
4. One of my favorite movies is Fido.
5. My writing table has become a giant bookpile. Pictures to follow...
6. Audio books are one of my favorite things to listen to while cleaning house, knitting or crocheting.
7. As a kid, I used to barracade myself in my room, reading. Not much has changed today.

Blogs I love:
1. The Art of Crochet by Teresa (http://crochet-mania.blogspot.com)
2. Bakerella (http://www.bakerella.com/)
3. A Friend to Knit With (http://a-friend-to-knit-with.blogspot.com/)
4. Jane Deere (http://janedeereblog.blogspot.com/)
5. Reading Without Restraint (http://readingwithoutrestraint.blogspot.com/)
6. The Book Butterfly (http://thebookbutterfly.com/)\
7. Monster Crochet (http://monstercrochet.blogspot.com/)
8. Cats and Cardigans (http://catsandcardigans.blogspot.com/)
9. Cupcake Bakeshop by Chockylit (http://cupcakeblog.com/)
10. By the Book (http://deborahannwarner.blogspot.com/)
11. Book Purring (http://www.bookpurring.com/)
12. Sniffly Kitty's Mostly Books (http://snifflykitty.blogspot.com/)
13. The Frenetic Reader (http://www.freneticreader.com/)
14. Baking Without Borders (http://www.bakingwithoutabox.com/)
15. A Cupcake Blog (http://www.acupcakeblog.com/)

Each of these blogs has given me inspiration for books, crochet or cooking. I award each of you the Stylish Blogger Award. To claim it, please list seven things about yourself and list 15 blogs you love. Then notify each of the recipients that they won.

Happy Blogging!

Dana

What I'm listening to....

What would you do if you were the last living human in a world full of hungry vampires? Sharpen your stakes, make garlic necklaces and board your house against nightly assaults? At the very least.

I checked out this audio from the Harris County Library e-branch system and am playing it while I type. What an excellent story! As a fan of World War Z, The Walking Dead and The Passage by Cronin, I love this book.

Parajunkee's View: Book Blogging 101 - Setting Up Progress Bars

Parajunkee's View: Book Blogging 101 - Setting Up Progress Bars: "Today for BB101 I would like to welcome The Book Vixen...she has kindly offered to teach everyone how to do the progress bars. Give a warm w..."

Dana's YA Bookpile: No Sticks. No Stones. No Name-Calling Week

Dana's YA Bookpile: No Sticks. No Stones. No Name-Calling Week: "Bullying. It pretty much sucks. Almost all of us have been there at one time or another. To bring fresh awareness, Barnes & Noble is pa..."

Gothic Reading Challenge

Good morning all and hoping your new year is starting off wonderfully. I am participating in the Gothic Reading Challenge, which can also share book space with the Vampire Challenge.

My first book selection that fits both categories is iDrakula by Bekka Black.

This book was sent to me from the publisher for a fair and honest review.

What I liked about it:

This is a cell phone novel, entirely written in texts, emails, IPad screens and the like. Technology brings the classic tale of Dracula into the modern age. What would we ever do without cell phones? I myself can't fathom it. My new Droid Incredible and my IPad are attached to my hands night and day. So is this net book if you want to know the truth. Don't forget my Nookcolor either. Technology. It rocks, and Bekka Black's new and amazing book showcases it to it's finest without actually having moving parts and flashing screens. That will be next.

But funny we should talk about moving screens...There is an IPad app for IDrakula too. Very awesome, I have to say. Great job Bekka. I love the concept and the delivery.

What I didn't:

It felt like it could have gone on a little longer, because I was enjoying myself so much. I can't wait to see what other cell phone novels Ms. Black has in store for us in the future.

Overall:

This book is a great melding of technology and the classic tale of Dracula. It is updated to fit our times and some of the plot is switched around as befits a girl of today. Very good!!

4 out of 5 stars.