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.

Follow Friday

http://parajunkee.com/

Good afternoon fellow bloggers. I hope this finds you well, and happy with all the books you got this Christmas. Do tell. What did you get?

If you want to follow along, please link up to Parajunkee and list your blog on the linky list. Please leave me a comment and a follow and I will endeavor to follow you back asap. Now that the holidays are almost over, time should be a little easier to come by. If you have followed in the last few weeks and I haven't followed you back, I will catch up with myself in the next couple of weeks. :)

Happy New Year!

Thinking about dogs tonight.

These three crazy pups are mine. On the left is Tigger, Chloe the Great Dane is in the middle. On the right is Marley, our hound. He is very much on my mind tonight as I wait to hear from the vet in the morning.

Marley, true to his name, eats everything and is a complete mischief maker. If any of you have read Marley and Me, that is who we named this dog after. He is a walking garbage disposal.

After some long nights of vomiting and other fun surprises, my husband and I had to rush him to the emergency room. He then went to our new vet and they performed surgery on him this afternoon.

Knee high pantyhose. Wow. They had to open the stomach and intestines in three places. Unbelievable.

Tomorrow we find out how he is doing. The vet says he is in critical condition. I pray he gets better soon. The house is just too quiet.

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The Week in Children's Apps: December 23, 2010

The Week in Children's Apps: December 23, 2010

Fa la la la Follow Friday...

http://parajunkee.com/

Good morning fellow book bloggers! Merry Christmas to those of you who celebrate. I hope this Follow Friday finds you in happy holiday spirits and may you find many new and fabulous blogs to follow.

Question of the week:

What are you going to do on this fabulous holiday?

I myself will be working tomorrow, Christmas Eve. The bookstore is CRAZY, and I am working a super long shift to make sure everyone finds what they need. Just think of me as your personal book elf. Sort of.

For the rest of my holiday, I will come home and bake a Chocolate Blackout cake, a corn souffle and maybe toss a salad to bring to my wonderful knitting teacher's house for Christmas dinner. Chocolate cake and knitting...what could be more fun. Maybe some egg nog! Yay! Then it's back to work at 6am on the 26th. After Christmas sales!

Merry Christmas everyone. May your day be peaceful and happy. Tell me about the books you get. :) I love to hear. (I sort of already got my present- a new IPad. Hurray!)

A festival of holiday wreaths...

I love days like today when I can lay around and make funny little things, bake and read in bed. Here is my latest assortment of holiday wreaths. So much fun!

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Follow Friday

http://parajunkee.com/

Good morning fellow book bloggers., It is time for another Follow Friday. I came close to not participating this week as the holidays ramp up, but I missed you all too much not to play.

Our question of the week:

Did your college life contribute to what you are doing now?

My answer...No. I was a book lover since I was a kid and that has never changed. I have worked in bookstores since high school and can't see myself doing anything else other than writing. Books are life.

If you want to add your blog to the linky list, click on the link above to take you to Parajunkee's View, our wonderful hostess. Enjoy the hop and hopefully you will meet lots of new friends. Leave a comment and a follow while you are here.

Blog Hop Sunday

http://crazy-for-books.com/

Good morning everyone. It's time for Blog Hop. As I sit here and drink my gallon of coffee and eat my cheerios in anticipation of another wild day at the bookstore, I contemplate the Hop and how much I enjoy talking with other bloggers and book lovers. So stop in and say hello. Would love it if you would follow.

Question of the week:

Why do you love book blogs? Reviews? Giveaways? Other reasons? Tell me all and stop by the link above to add your blog to the linky list for the Hop.

My answer of course is stated above. I love meeting new book people. :) Giveaways are nice, but being the social butterfly that I am. I just love to meet new and wonderful folks like yourself. :)

Best wishes for a great Sunday everyone!

The Holiday Reading Challenge 2010

Hello everyone. I have some final entries into the challenge, and wanted to share with you what I found.

I always enjoy Fancy Nancy, and Splendiferous Christmas  was wonderful.

What I liked:
It was Fancy Nancy making the world a fancy place and making Christmas gorgeous for all.

What I didn't:

That it ended.

Overall:

A great read for the little princess in your life who likes to dress up and make the world a fancy place, just by looking at what is around you. 5 out of 5 stars.

Merry Christmas Splat is a romp through Splat's Christmas. Was he good enough to get a big present?

What I liked:

The illustrations and storyline are so cute. I always enjoy the story lines Rob Scotton puts together.

What I didn't:

 Nothing at all.

Overall:

Awesome gift for kids or kids at heart. I just bought it for my Nookcolor. Sigh.

This book is an oldy but a goody. The Puppy Who Wanted a Boy is a great tale about pet rescue.

What I Liked:
The story about a puppy who wants a boy for Christmas is heartwarming. For someone who has rescue dogs, this is perfect.

What I didn't:
Not a thing.

Overall:
This book is a great gift to teach kids about rescuing animals. Pets are people too. Just with fur.

This book started out really great, but then got preachy.

What I liked:
The idea of a bookstore hidden away in an old district who helps to support a ball to get lonely people together was appealing.

What I didn't:
When a book gets preachy and starts lobbing huge snowballs of over the top religion, I don't like it. I felt that this book did that.

Overall;
I liked the basic storyline, but felt the religion was a little strong for a book shelved in the sci fi section.

A Darcy Christmas  was a great read.

What I Liked:

The three stories in this book bring to life the spirit of Christmas in the world of Pemberley. Wonderful.

What I didn't:

Not a thing. It was very enjoyable.

Overall:

A great read for anyone who loves Pride and Prejudice.

http://parajunkee.com/
http://anotherbookjunkie.blogspot.com/

Good evening everyone and welcome to another Follow Friday. Today we are visiting with Amanda at Another Book Junkie. Just click the above link to visit Parajunkee at her host site and Another Book Junkie's link to visit her blog.

I hope you will stay a moment and leave a comment. Even better if you become a follower. Leave the name of your blog and I will visit you.

Question of the week:

Do you have an author that you think is under recognized?
I think PC Cast's Goddess novels are even better than her House of  Night series. I just got the newest one on my Nookcolor.

In my mailbox.

I came home yesterday and these wonderful books were in my mailbox. I was very excited to see the Bird Sisters by Rebecca Rasmussen. One of my favorite things as a Blogger and book reviewer is reading a book from someone as wonderful and supportive as Rebecca.

Yay new books!

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It's Blog Hop time again!

http://parajunkee.com/
http://crazy-for-books.com/

Hello everyone. This week the questions are:

What really popular book did you just not like at all? How did you feel about reviewing it?
What are your hobbies other than reading and reviewing books?

My answers are:

Breaking Dawn and the Host. I felt that the 4th book in the Twilight series was so different from the rest, I had a hard time liking it. I guess the same reason went for the Host. It was hard because I got to meet Stephanie at a signing and wanted so badly to ask about the Host and why she wrote it, being such a departure from Twilight, which I liked by the way. (Except for some of the content of Breaking Dawn. The name of the baby about drove me over the edge. Didn't get that one at all.)  The first book of any series is usually my favorite and that is totally true of Twilight. Books here. Not the movies. :)

My hobbies are knitting, playing with my rescue puppies, movie watching with my husband, baking, writing my YA books and now I am addicted to Plants vs. Zombies and Cut the Rope.

I hope you will join me in another fun romp through the blogs this weekend. Click on the links above to take you to the home sites. Leave your blog and follow someone else. Hope you will become a follower here and share the love with an awesome comment.

A handmade Christmas.

This week has been hectic with the holidays coming. Baking, holiday book reviews, working at the bookstore, setting up the Christmas tree at the house, and all the things that make up life in general. Thursday in knitting class, I learned how to make crochet wreath pins. In all the rush, there is nothing like sitting down and making small gifts to spread the joy of giving this holiday season.

Directions:

Chain 4 to 8, depending on what size you are going for. Join the chain with a slip stitch. Either double crochet or triple crochet into the center of the ring. Proceed around the ring, pulling to space it out as you go. Finish by tucking yarn into wreath and attach beads, sequins, ribbons and a pin back. A glue gun works best for the pin back.

If you have any questions, please leave a comment.

Happy Crocheting!

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In my mailbox...

These were in my mailbox this week. Yay! Just need some more time for reading.

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A new find: Snowflake Monday

http://snowcatcher.blogspot.com/

Searching around on Monday, I came across this amazing site. There are snowflakes with patterns and many links to other sites with additional holiday projects. My knitter/crochet heart is happy. New challenges!