February 2012 Reading Challenges Update

February 2012 Reading Challenges Update

Challenges signed up for: 46
Challenges Completed: 1 (0%)

2012 Challenges (All Blog Challenges)
2012 100+ Books in A Year Reading Challenge (January 1 – December 31, 2012) 48/100+
2012 100+ Books Reading Challenge (January 1 – December 31, 2012) 48/100+
2012 E-Book Reading Challenge (January 1 – December 31, 2012) 23/100
2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge (January 1 – December 31, 2012) 0/5 (94 so far 48)
2012 Read Your Own Books Reading Challenge (January 1 – December 31, 2012) 1/21+
2012 Reading Challenge Addict (January 1 – December 31, 2012) 1/46+
2012 Self-Published Reading Challenge (January 1 – December 31, 2012) 9/50
2012 Support Your Local Library Reading Challenge (January 1 – December 31, 2012) 2/37+
50 States Challenge (January 1 – December 31, 2012) 3/50
An Illustrated Year: 2012 Picture Book Reading Challenge (January 1 – December 31, 2012) 19/24
Audiobook Challenge 2012 (January 1 – December 31, 2012) 2/25
First in a Series Challenge 2012 (January 1 – December 31, 2012) 1/3
Free Reads 2012 Reading Challenge (January 1 – December 31, 2012) 17/5
Go Indie 2012 Reading Challenge (January 1 – December 31, 2012) 1/5
Mount TBR Reading Challenge 2012 (January 1 – December 31, 2012) 1/12
Pages Read Challenge (January 1 – December 31, 2012) 1797/15,000
Reading Romances Challenge 2012 (January 1 – December 31, 2012) 1/12
Why Buy The Cow? Reading Challenge 2012 (January 1 – December 31, 2012) 23/30+
2012 Cozy Mystery Reading Challenge (January 1 – December 31, 2012) 0/12
2012 Men in Uniform Reading Challenge (January 1 – December 31, 2012) 0/5
2012 Mystery & Suspense Reading Challenge (January 1 – December 31, 2012) 0/12
2012 TBR Pile Reading Challenge (January 1 – December 31, 2012) 0/6
2012 Women's Murder Club Reading Challenge (January 1 – December 31, 2012) 0/11
2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge (January 1 – December 31, 2012) 1/12
2nds Challenge 2012 (January 1 – December 31, 2012) 0/6
Crusin Thru The Cozies Reading Challenge 2012 (January 1 – December 31, 2012) 0/12
Excellence In Reading 2012 Challenge (January 1 – December 31, 2012) 0/60
Getting Lost in a Comfortable Book Challenge (January 1 – December 31, 2012) 0/5
Global Reading Challenge 2012 (January 1 – December 31, 2012) 0/7
Just For Fun Reading Challenge (January 1 – December 31, 2012) 0/12
Merely Mystery Reading Challenge (January 1 – December 31, 2012) 0/12
Narnia Reading Project 2012 (January 1 – December 31, 2012) 0/7
Off The Shelf (January 1 – December 31, 2012) 0/5
Read Your Own Name 2012 (January 1 – December 31, 2012) 0/7 (SueFitz)
Southern Literature Challenge (January 1 – December 31, 2012) 0/1
The 2012 Memorable Memoirs Reading Challenge (January 1 – December 31, 2012) 0/6
Unread Book Challenge of 2012 (January 1 – December 31, 2012) 0/6
What's in a Name 5 (January 1 – December 31, 2012) 0/6

Perpetual
The Naming Convention Challenge (October 20, 2008 - ???) 5/9
Book Around the States Challenge (October 22, 2008 - ????) 26/50
US Presidents Reading Project (November 5, 2008 - ???) 5/44
The Naming Convention Challenge (October 20, 2008 - ???) 5/9
101 Books in 1001 Days Challenge (September 28, 2010 – June 23, 2013) 101/101 – COMPLETED 1/2/12
1001 Childrens book Before I Grow Up (June 1, 2010 - ???) 43/1001
Stephanie Plum Challenge (January 1, 2012 - ???) 0/18
101 Books in 1001 Days Challenge (January 2, 2012 – September 29, 2014) 30/101

GoodReads
50 States Challenge
Maryland
New York
Washington


12x12 in 2012
1 First In A Series 1/12
2 Cozy Mysteries 1/12
3 Biography/Memoir 0/12
4 Library/Borrowed Books 1/12
5 Freebies (ebooks, gifts) 1/12
6 Romance 2/12
7 Children’s 10/12
8 Young Adult (YA) 0/12
9 Chick Lit 0/12
10 Mt. TBR from before 2010 0/12
11 Giveaway Wins 0/12
12 Harlequin/Silhouette 0/12

February 2012 Monthly Recap

February 2012 Monthly Recap

Books Read: 27
YTD: 48

Posted in February
Reviews:
Happy Birthday by Danielle Steel (audio) ,
ABC's: An Illustrated Secret Agent Josephine Alphabet Book by Brenda Ponnay (ebook),
Animal Friends ABC: A Picture Alphabet Book by Joy Diane (ebook),
Dolphin Pictures by G Alexander (ebook)
Fish Pictures Volume 1 by G Alexander (ebook)
Fish Pictures Volume 3 by G Alexander (ebook)
Lion Pictures by G Alexander (ebook)
Oink! Oink! Pig Pictures by G Alexander (ebook)
The Next Always (Inn BoonsBoro #1) by Nora Roberts
Horse Pictures by G Alexander (ebook)
< a href = http://booksbooksthemagicalfruit.blogspot.com/2012/02/book-review-mole-music-by-david-mcphail.html> Mole Music by David McPhail
Bear Picturs by G Alexander (ebook),
Animals At The Zoo – Volume 1 by G Alexander (ebook),



Discussion Posts:
What Are You Reading Monday? #06 ,
What Are You Reading Monday? #07,
What Are You Reading Monday? #08,
What Are You Reading Monday? #09,


Author Interviews:


Author Guest Posts:
Pesi Dinerstein (A Cluttered Life: Searching for God, Serenity, and My Missing Keys) (Dark Mind Book Tours) (February 3)
Krista Holle (The Lure of Shapinsay) (Dark Mind Book Tours) (February 8)

What’s coming in March?



Leap into Books Giveaway Hop (February 29 - March 5)



Lunar Love Giveaway Hop (March 8 - 13 )



Lucky Leprechan Giveaway Hop (March 17 - 22)



Kick Butt YA Characters Hop (March 23 - 28)

Leap into Books Giveaway Hop (February 29 - March 5)

Celebrate Leap Day by Joining in a Hop!


Leap into Books Giveaway Hop


February 29th to March 5th


Hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer & Jinky is Reading
Hop Rules:

•Each participating blog will host a giveaway on their site.
•The giveaway must be for something a reader, blogger or author would enjoy.
•No more than 6 possible entries per person. 1 mandatory & up to 5 optional.
•Offering a Gift Card or book of choice from The Book Depository is fine.
•Any family friendly blog or site is welcome to join.
•Your post must include the giveaway hop image, the linky or a link to the host site & must be live by 12:01 AM on February 29th.


I will be giving away a $10 Barnes and Noble Giftcard

What Are You Reading Monday? #43

Books I completed in the last week are:
*Reading a lot of children’s book – I’m going to make a challenge of the titles found in 1001 Children’s Books to Read before I Grow Up (just need help with a button)


I’ve decided to make February “Read Children’s book” month.
Bear Pictures by G Alexander (ebook)
Animals At The Zoo – Volume 1 by G Alexander (ebook)
Animals At The Zoo – Volume 4 by G Alexander (ebook)


Bookmarks are still living in the middle of:
*Reading a lot of children’s book – I’m going to make a challenge of the titles found in 1001 Children’s Books to Read before I Grow Up (just need help with a button)



The Game From Where I Stand by Doug Glanville (p100)
Frill Kill by Laura Childs (Scrapbook Mystery #5) (p200)
My Lucky Life In And Out of Show Business by Dick Van Dyke (audio) (CD4)



Up Next:


A Sweetheart for Valentine by Lorna Balian
Sergio Saves the Game by Edel Rodriguez
Ten Little Caterpillars by Bill Martin Jr
Stringbean's Trip to the Shining Sea by Vera B Williams
Pretty Woman by Fern Michaels (audio)


Reviews posted this week:


Animals At The Zoo – Volume 1 by G Alexander (ebook)
Horse Pictures by G Alexander (ebook)
Bear Pictures by G Alexander (ebook)
Mole Music by David McPhail

Author Guest Posts/Interviews:


Blog Tour (WOW)mmm: Author Guest Post – Lisa de Nikolits(West of Wawa) (March 8)
Blog Tour: Author Guest Post/Giveaway – Bryan Cohen (The Post-College Guide to Happiness) (March 9)


Special Blog Hop Giveaways



Leap into Books Giveaway Hop (February 29 - March 5)

Books still needing to have reviews written (as opposed to the ones that are simply awaiting posting):


January Brings the Snow by Sara Coldridge
Jo MacDonald Saw A Pond by Mary Quattlebaum
Hercubear vs. The Cyclops Rabbit by Lesley Williams (ebook)
Caterpillars Don’t Check Email by Calee M Lee, illustration: Jacob Lee (ebook)
My Friend the Bear by J J Ley (ebook)
Animals At The Zoo – Volume 4 by G Alexander (ebook)


Giveaways on the blog this week and in coming weeks:





Freebie Friday – (March 2 – 9) Winner –

Giveaways Winners


*Freebie Friday - Back to the Bedroom by Janet Evanovich (January 13- 20) Winner – Linda Henderson
Freebie Friday - To Catch An Heiress by Julia Quinn (January 20 - 27) Winner – Julie Witt
Author Guest Post/Giveaway – Demons’s Slave by Danielle D Smith (January 25 – Feb 1) Winner -
Freebie Friday - The Client by John Grisham (January 27 – Feb 3) Winner – Carol Wong
*Freebie Friday - A Stained White Radience by James Lee Burke (February 3 – 10) Winner – Carol Mintz
Freebie Friday – The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith (February 10 – 17) Winner
Random Acts of Kindness Day Giveaway (February 17 – 21) – Winner -

Book Review: Mole Music by David McPhail

Title: Mole Music
Author: David MacPhail
Publisher:He nry Holt and Co.
ISBN: 805067663
Release Date: October 1st 2001
Pages: 32
Genre: Children’s
Format: Hardback
Source: Library

GoodReads:
A spiritual story about the far-reaching effects of private actions.

Mole has always led a simple life, but lately he feels something is missing. When he first hears someone playing a violin, Mole realizes that he longs to make beautiful music, too.

Through practice and patience, Mole learns to play. And even though he plays alone, in the privacy of his underground home, his music has an effect on others that is more magical than Mole will ever know.

Mine:
It’s amazing how sometimes we never know how we affect others. A small token can make someones day. Mole learns to play beautiful music, but since Mole lives underground he doesn’t know is how it affect those above ground. The tree above becomes large and beautiful. The people who often fought now come to listen to the music together.

It just goes to show that we never really know the impact we make on others. Always remember to smile, open the door for others, and most of all be happy with yourself.


Reading challenges:
101 Books in 1001 Days Challenge (29/101)
2012 100+ Books in A Year Reading Challenge
2012 100+ Books Reading Challenge
2012 E-Book Reading Challenge
2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge
An Illustrated Year: 2012 Picture Book Reading Challenge
Free Reads 2012 Reading Challenge
Pages Read Challenge
Why Buy The Cow? Reading Challenge 2012

Book Review: Animals at the Zoo - Volume 1 by G Alexander

Title: Animal at the Zoo – Volume 1
Author: G Alexander
Publisher:
ASIN B0074SRTJ6
Release: February 1, 2012
Pages: 30
Genre: Children’s
Format: ebook
Source: Amazon.com

Amazon.com:
Animals at the Zoo – Volume 1 is a collection 47 zoo animals.

Lions, Tigers, Bears, Birds, etc.

Mine
This is a deliteful book of pictures of zoo animals – yes – lions, tigers, and bears oh my! But the wonderful pictures of penguins, apes, flamingos, and sharks. It’s great to see the flamingos as white and very pink birds from eating.


Reading challenges:
101 Books in 1001 Days Challenge
2012 100+ Books in A Year Reading Challenge
2012 100+ Books Reading Challenge
2012 E-Book Reading Challenge
2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge
An Illustrated Year: 2012 Picture Book Reading Challenge
Free Reads 2012 Reading Challenge
Pages Read Challenge
Why Buy The Cow? Reading Challenge 2012

Book Review:Horse Pictures by G Alexander

Title: Horse Pictures
Author: G Alexander
Publisher:
ASIN B0055PCC3I
Release: June 12, 2011
Pages: 17
Genre: Children’s
Format: ebook
Source: Amazon.com

Amazon.com:
Horse Pictures is a collection of 32 pictures of cute and wonderful horses. These cuccly horse pictures are so adorable you ‘ll wan to pet the horses right on your kindle. These little four legged animasl will warm your hearts and put a smile on your face.


Mine
This is definitely a quick view ebook. There are some nice pictures of horses, and colts. There are some wonderful looking horses, but I have to admit I like the wild horses running wild best.

Reading challenges:
101 Books in 1001 Days Challenge
2012 100+ Books in A Year Reading Challenge
2012 100+ Books Reading Challenge
2012 E-Book Reading Challenge
2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge
An Illustrated Year: 2012 Picture Book Reading Challenge
Free Reads 2012 Reading Challenge
Pages Read Challenge
Why Buy The Cow? Reading Challenge 2012

Book Review: Bear Pictures by G Alexander

Title: Bear Pictures
Author: G Alexander
Publisher:
ASIN : B0074WDJQ4
Release: February 2, 2012
Pages: 25
Genre: Children’s
Format: ebook
Source: Amazon.com

Amazon.com:
Bear Pictures is a collection of 40 bear pictures.


Mine
This is definitely a quick view ebook. There are some nice pictures of bears. Most have been taken at zoos, but boy there was a nice lens on the camera. Panda bears, brown bears, grizzly bears with their long claws, polar bears with their cute faces and my all time favorite – koala bears.



Reading challenges:
101 Books in 1001 Days Challenge
2012 100+ Books in A Year Reading Challenge
2012 100+ Books Reading Challenge
2012 E-Book Reading Challenge
2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge
An Illustrated Year: 2012 Picture Book Reading Challenge
Free Reads 2012 Reading Challenge
Pages Read Challenge
Why Buy The Cow? Reading Challenge 2012

What Are You Reading Monday? #42

Books I completed in the last week are:
*Reading a lot of children’s book – I’m going to make a challenge of the titles found in 1001 Children’s Books to Read before I Grow Up (just need help with a button)


I’ve decided to make February “Read Children’s book” month.
1225 Christmas Tree Lane (Cedar Cove #12 (final one)) by Debbie Macomber (audio)
Mole Music by David McPhail


Bookmarks are still living in the middle of:
*Reading a lot of children’s book – I’m going to make a challenge of the titles found in 1001 Children’s Books to Read before I Grow Up (just need help with a button)



The Game From Where I Stand by Doug Glanville (p65)
Frill Kill by Laura Childs (Scrapbook Mystery #5) (p85)
My Lucky Life In And Out of Show Business by Dick Van Dyke (audio)



Up Next:


A Sweetheart for Valentine by Lorna Balian
Sergio Saves the Game by Edel Rodriguez
Ten Little Caterpillars by Bill Martin Jr
Stringbean's Trip to the Shining Sea by Vera B Williams
Pretty Woman by Fern Michaels (audio)


Reviews posted this week:


The Next Always (Inn BoonsBoro #1) by Nora Roberts


Author Guest Posts/Interviews:


Blog Tour (WOW)mmm: Author Guest Post – Lisa de Nikolits(West of Wawa) (March 8)
Blog Tour: Author Guest Post/Giveaway – Bryan Cohen (The Post-College Guide to Happiness) (March 9)


Special Blog Hop Giveaways



Random Acts of Kindness Day Giveaway (February 17 – 21)
Leap into Books Giveaway Hop (February 29 - March 5)

Books still needing to have reviews written (as opposed to the ones that are simply awaiting posting):


January Brings the Snow by Sara Coldridge
Jo MacDonald Saw A Pond by Mary Quattlebaum
Hercubear vs. The Cyclops Rabbit by Lesley Williams (ebook)
Caterpillars Don’t Check Email by Calee M Lee, illustration: Jacob Lee (ebook)
My Friend the Bear by J J Ley (ebook)
Horse Pictures by G Alexander (ebook)

Giveaways on the blog this week and in coming weeks:





Freebie Friday – The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith (February 10 – 17) Winner
Freebie Friday – (February 17 – 24) Winner –
Freebie Friday – (February 24 – March 2) Winner -

Giveaways Winners


*Freebie Friday - Back to the Bedroom by Janet Evanovich (January 13- 20) Winner – Linda Henderson
Freebie Friday - To Catch An Heiress by Julia Quinn (January 20 - 27) Winner – Julie Witt
Author Guest Post/Giveaway – Demons’s Slave by Danielle D Smith (January 25 – Feb 1) Winner -
Freebie Friday - The Client by John Grisham (January 27 – Feb 3) Winner – Carol Wong
*Freebie Friday - A Stained White Radience by James Lee Burke (February 3 – 10) Winner – Carol Mintz

Book Review: The Next Always (Inn BoonsBoro #1) by Nora Roberts

Title: The Next Always (The Inn Boonsboro #1)
Author: Nora Roberts
Publisher: Berkley Books
ISBN: 978-0-425-24321-3
Release Date: November 2011
Pages: 341
Genre: Romance
Format: Paperback
Source: Loan - SIL

Good Reads:

The historic hotel in BoonsBoro, Maryland, has endured war and peace, changing hands, even rumored haunting. Now it's getting a major facelift from the Montgomery brothers and their eccentric mother. As the architect of the family, Beckett's social life consists mostly of talking shop over pizza and beer. But there's another project he's got his eye on: the girl he's been waiting to kiss since he was fifteen...

Mine:
Once again she’s done it a series that leads to you wanting more.

I can hardly wait for the next installment of the wonderful Montgomery brothers and their new B&B (Boonsboro Inn). It’s amazing how they work together to put the old house together. They pay attention to every detail, it doesn’t hurt that they are carpenters, an architect, and great project manager. Beckett the oldest can communicate with the ghost of the house.

His other project is the girl from his childhood dreams that could barely talk to, but now can’t keep away from. They are actually a good fit. Her husband was a soldier and was killed in war; she came back to her hometown and opened a book store.

Am anxiously awaiting the next installment.


Reading challenges:
101 Books in 1001 Days Challenge
2012 100+ Books in A Year Reading Challenge
2012 100+ Books Reading Challenge
2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge
Pages Read Challenge
Book Around the States Challenge
50 States Challenge (Book Obsessed)
First in a Series Challenge 2012 (A Few More Challenges)
Reading Romances Challenge 2012 (Reading Romances)
12x12 in 2012 (GOODREADS)

Random Acts of Kindness Giveaway Hop (2/17 - 21, 2012

Friday, February 17th is Random Acts of Kindness Day.

What better way to celebrate than by taking part in a giveaway hop. Read for Your Future and I Am A Reader, Not A Writer have teamed up to bring you the Random Acts of Kindness Giveaway Hop.

What Are You Reading Monday? #41

Books I completed in the last week are:
*Reading a lot of children’s book – I’m going to make a challenge of the titles found in 1001 Children’s Books to Read before I Grow Up (just need help with a button)


I’ve decided to make February “Read Children’s book” month.
Dolphin Pictures by G Alexander (ebook)
Fish Pictures Volume 1 by G Alexander (ebook)
Fish Pictures Volume 3 by G Alexander (ebook)
Lion Pictures by G Alexander (ebook)
Oink! Oink! Pig Pictures by G Alexander (ebook)
Horse Pictures by G Alexander (ebook)


Bookmarks are still living in the middle of:
*Reading a lot of children’s book – I’m going to make a challenge of the titles found in 1001 Children’s Books to Read before I Grow Up (just need help with a button)



The Game From Where I Stand by Doug Glanville (p65)
Frill Kill by Laura Childs (Scrapbook Mystery #5) (p85)
1225 Christmas Tree Lane (Ceder Lane #) by Debbie Macomber (audio) (3 CD)


Up Next:


Mole Music by David McPhail
A Sweetheart for Valentine by Lorna Balian
Sergio Saves the Game by Edel Rodriguez
Ten Little Caterpillars by Bill Martin Jr
Stringbean's Trip to the Shining Sea by Vera B Williams
Pretty Woman by Fern Michaels (audio)
My Lucky Life In And Out of Show Business by Dick Van Dyke (audio)

Reviews posted this week:


Dolphin Pictures by G Alexander (ebook)
Fish Pictures Volume 1 by G Alexander (ebook)
Fish Pictures Volume 3 by G Alexander (ebook)
Lion Pictures by G Alexander (ebook)
Oink! Oink! Pig Pictures by G Alexander (ebook)


Author Guest Posts/Interviews:


Blog Tour: Author Guest Post/Giveaway - Pesi Dinerstein (A Cluttered Life: Searching for God, Serenity, and My Missing Keys) (Dark Mind Book Tours)(February 3)
Blog Tour: Author Guest Post/Giveaway – Krista Holle (The Lure of Shapinsay) (Dark Mind Book Tours)
(February 8)
Blog Tour: Author Guest Post/Giveaway – Bryan Cohen (The Post-College Guide to Happiness) (March 9)


Special Blog Hop Giveaways



Follower Love Hop (February 7 – 13, 2012)
Random Acts of Kindness Day Giveaway (February 17 – 21)
Leap into Books Giveaway Hop (February 29 - March 5)

Books still needing to have reviews written (as opposed to the ones that are simply awaiting posting):


January Brings the Snow by Sara Coldridge
Jo MacDonald Saw A Pond by Mary Quattlebaum
Hercubear vs. The Cyclops Rabbit by Lesley Williams (ebook)
Caterpillars Don’t Check Email by Calee M Lee, illustration: Jacob Lee (ebook)
My Friend the Bear by J J Ley (ebook)
The Next Always (Inn BoonsBoro #1) by Nora Roberts
Horse Pictures by G Alexander (ebook)

Giveaways on the blog this week and in coming weeks:





Freebie Friday – The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith (February 10 – 17) Winner
Freebie Friday – (February 17 – 24) Winner –
Freebie Friday – (February 24 – March 2) Winner -

Giveaways Winners


Freebie Friday - Back to the Bedroom by Janet Evanovich (January 13- 20) Winner – Linda Henderson
Freebie Friday - To Catch An Heiress by Julia Quinn (January 20 - 27) Winner – Julie Witt
Author Guest Post/Giveaway – Demons’s Slave by Danielle D Smith (January 25 – Feb 1) Winner -
Freebie Friday - The Client by John Grisham (January 27 – Feb 3) Winner –
Freebie Friday - A Stained White Radience by James Lee Burke (February 3 – 10) Winner – Carol Mintz

Book Review:Oink! Oink! Pig Pictures by G Alexander (ebook)

Title: Oink! Oink! Pig Pictures
Author: G Alexander
Publisher:
ASIN B00746S9TW
Release: January 31, 2012
Pages: 22
Genre: Children’s
Format: ebook
Source: Amazon.com

Amazon.com:
Oink! Oink! Pig Pitures is a collection of 35 pig pictures


Mine
This is definitely a quick view ebook. There are some cute pictures of pigs (although I admit I’m not a pig fan) There are colorful pictures of baby pigs suckling.



Reading challenges:
101 Books in 1001 Days Challenge
2012 100+ Books in A Year Reading Challenge
2012 100+ Books Reading Challenge
2012 E-Book Reading Challenge
2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge
An Illustrated Year: 2012 Picture Book Reading Challenge
Free Reads 2012 Reading Challenge
Pages Read Challenge
Why Buy The Cow? Reading Challenge 2012

Book Review:Lion Pictures by G Alexander (ebook)

Title: Lion Pictures
Author: G Alexander
Publisher:
ASIN B0074B6UTI
Release: January 31, 2012
Pages: 30
Genre: Children’s
Format: ebook
Source: Amazon.com

Amazon.com:
ROAR!! Lion Pitcurtes is a collection of 50 beautiful pictures of lions and lionesses.


Mine
This is definitely a quick view ebook. There are some great close up pictures of lions I hope who ever took them had a telephoto lens.



Reading challenges:
101 Books in 1001 Days Challenge
2012 100+ Books in A Year Reading Challenge
2012 100+ Books Reading Challenge
2012 E-Book Reading Challenge
2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge
An Illustrated Year: 2012 Picture Book Reading Challenge
Free Reads 2012 Reading Challenge
Pages Read Challenge
Why Buy The Cow? Reading Challenge 2012

Book Review:Fish Pictures Volume 3 by G Alexander (ebook)

Title: Fish Pictures Volume 3
Author: G Alexander
Publisher:
ASIN B00746N6AY
Release: January 31, 2012
Pages: 31
Genre: Children’s
Format: ebook
Source: Amazon.com

Amazon.com:
Step into another world with this thris volume of fish pictures. Fish Pictures – Volume3 contains 49 pictures of fish.


Mine
This is definitely a quick view ebook. There are some nice pictures of fish. More are definitely from an aquarium this time some look like they are on display (but beautiful) and other are Koi, Beta, and others.



Reading challenges:
101 Books in 1001 Days Challenge
2012 100+ Books in A Year Reading Challenge
2012 100+ Books Reading Challenge
2012 E-Book Reading Challenge
2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge
An Illustrated Year: 2012 Picture Book Reading Challenge
Free Reads 2012 Reading Challenge
Pages Read Challenge
Why Buy The Cow? Reading Challenge 2012

Freebie Friday - The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith (Ends 2/17)

From GoodReads

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency #1)

by Alexander McCall Smith (Goodreads Author)

Working in a mystery tradition that will cause genre aficionados to think of such classic sleuths as Melville Davisson Post's Uncle Abner or Robert van Gulik's Judge Dee, Alexander McCall Smith creates an African detective, Precious Ramotswe, who's their full-fledged heir.

It's the detective as folk hero, solving crimes through an innate, self-possessed wisdom that, combined with an understanding of human nature, invariably penetrates into the heart of a puzzle. If Miss Marple were fat and jolly and lived in Botswana--and decided to go against any conventional notion of what an unmarried woman should do, spending the money she got from selling her late father's cattle to set up a Ladies' Detective Agency--then you have an idea of how Precious sets herself up as her country's first female detective.

Once the clients start showing up on her doorstep, Precious enjoys a pleasingly successful series of cases. But the edge of the Kalahari is not St. Mary Mead, and the sign Precious orders, painted in brilliant colors, is anything but discreet. Pointing in the direction of the small building she had purchased to house her new business, it reads "THE NO. 1 LADIES DETECTIVE AGENCY. FOR ALL CONFIDENTIAL MATTERS AND ENQUIRIES. SATISFACTION GUARANTEED FOR ALL PARTIES. UNDER PERSONAL MANAGEMENT."

The solutions she comes up with, whether in the case of the clinic doctor with two quite different personalities (depending on the day of the week), or the man who had joined a Christian sect and seemingly vanished, or the kidnapped boy whose bones may or may not be those in a witch doctor's magic kit, are all sensible, logical, and satisfying. Smith's gently ironic tone is full of good humor towards his lively, intelligent heroine and towards her fellow Africans, who live their lives with dignity and with cautious acceptance of the confusions to which the world submits them. Precious Ramotswe is a remarkable creation, and The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency well deserves the praise it received from London's Times Literary Supplement.

Book Review:Fish Pictures Volume 1 by G Alexander (ebook)

Title: Fish Pictures Volume 1
Author: G Alexander
Publisher:
ASIN B00746HAMY
Release: January 31, 2012
Pages: 27
Genre: Children’s
Format: ebook
Source: Amazon.com

Amazon.com:
Step into another world with this fun collection of 48 pictures of fish.


Mine
This is definitely a quick view ebook. There are some nice pictures of fish. Some are definitely from an aquariam and other are Koi, Beta, and others.



Reading challenges:
101 Books in 1001 Days Challenge
2012 100+ Books in A Year Reading Challenge
2012 100+ Books Reading Challenge
2012 E-Book Reading Challenge
2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge
An Illustrated Year: 2012 Picture Book Reading Challenge
Free Reads 2012 Reading Challenge
Pages Read Challenge
Why Buy The Cow? Reading Challenge 2012

Book Review: Dolphin Pictures by G Alexander

Title: Dolphin Pictures
Author: G Alexander
Publisher:
ASIN BOO73GOLE8:
Release: January 29, 2012
Pages: 14
Genre: Children’s
Format: ebook
Source: Amazon.com

Amazon.com:
25 Pictures of cute dolphins

Mine:
This is definitely a quick view ebook. There are some nice pictures of dolphins. Some swimming, some doing tricks.


Reading challenges:
101 Books in 1001 Days Challenge
2012 100+ Books in A Year Reading Challenge
2012 100+ Books Reading Challenge
2012 E-Book Reading Challenge
2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge
An Illustrated Year: 2012 Picture Book Reading Challenge
Free Reads 2012 Reading Challenge
Pages Read Challenge
Why Buy The Cow? Reading Challenge 2012

Blog Tour: Author Guest Post/Giveaway – Krista Holle (The Lure of Shapinsay)

1. What would you consider a perfect day for you as an author? To write undisturbed. Eat some pizza. Write undisturbed. Snorkel in the Florida Keys. Write undisturbed. Comb the beach for seashells. Eat key lime pie. Hmmmm, I sound like a hermit.

2. What sort of research (if any) did you do for this novel? Just to set the record straight, Shapinsay is one of the tiny Orkney Islands off the coast of Scotland. I actually did quite a bit of research for The Lure of Shapinsay. I wanted the “Lure” to have an almost fairy tale type feel to it. For me that meant cranking back the clock to the early 1800’s and doing a lot of homework for an authentic feel. There was a lot of research for the time period as well as studying old maps of the island. The most difficult thing for me though, was peppering the Orcaidian’s very unique dialect throughout the story without going overboard. My original draft was very true to the language but unintelligible to an outsider.

3. Is there any character in particular that you enjoyed writing about the most? All the characters were fun to write, but Kait was the most fun. She’s so spunky and full of passion, even without the Lure. I had a lot of fun looking up new Scottish insults for her to say.

4. Were any of your characters or events from the book based off real life people or experiences you have had? I knew I wanted to write a book about selkies because there’s so little written about these awesome mythical creatures. That being said, I really didn’t have anything to go on but the old legends themselves. The characters are their own, a creation from deep inside my sick cookie brain.

5. Are there any other projects you are working on that you would like to tell us about? Of course! I’m juggling several projects right now, but the closest on the publishing horizon is the release of The Wind Whisperer. It’s a young adult romance about a fifteen-year-old Native American girl with the ability to “hear” the voices of the wind spirits. While her tribe’s at war with a brother tribe, Anaii falls in love with the enemy. It’s a juicy love triangle filled with intrigue, murder, battles, and kidnappings. Even the guys will like this one.

6. Did any of your characters give you a difficult time while writing this book? Eamon my naughty selkie was the most difficult to write. It’s my challenge as an author to create a universally sexy young man who does bad things without being a jerk. He must remain mysterious while connecting to the reader at the same time. Tough stuff.

7. Cappuccino or Coffee? Water with lemon, please.

8. What do you like to do in your down time? I’m a critical care nurse and mother to four awesome daughters. Writing is my passion, but I also love to collect seashells, read, and watch lots of movies.

9. What three words would you use to describe Kait. Passionate. Contemporary. Tomboy.

10. Do you relate to any of your characters? Not in the way the question is intended. I relate to Kait, because I want my readers to relate to the heroine of the story. When you’re reading The Lure of Shapinsay, I want you to feel like you’re literally slipping into Kait’s shoes. When I’m writing, I’m the main character. There is something so magical about a new relationship—that first nervous flutter—that first inquisitive kiss. I want to experience it over and over again.

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Follower Love Giveaway Blog Hop (February 7 - 14)

Welcome to the second annual Follower Love Giveaway Hop.


Dates for this year's hop are Feb 7th to 14th.


Thanks to Rachael Renee Anderson for co-hosting.



I will be giving away a $10 Barnes and Noble Giftcard

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Wow this is a big one - hope you can enter some of the giveaways it will be hard to get through all of them in such a sort time. Enjoy!!! and good luck


Linky Code:

What Are You Reading Monday? #40

Books I completed in the last week are:
*Reading a lot of children’s book – I’m going to make a challenge of the titles found in 1001 Children’s Books to Read before I Grow Up (just need help with a button)


I’ve decided to make February read Children’s book month.
Animal Friends ABC: A Picture Alphabet Book by Joy Diane (ebook)
ABC's: An Illustrated Secret Agent Josephine Alphabet Book by Brenda Ponnay (ebook)

Bookmarks are still living in the middle of:
*Reading a lot of children’s book – I’m going to make a challenge of the titles found in 1001 Children’s Books to Read before I Grow Up (just need help with a button)



The Game From Where I Stand by Doug Glanville (p45)
Frill Kill by Laura Childs (Scrapbook Mystery #5) (p33)
1225 Christmas Tree Lane (Ceder Lane #) by Debbie Macomber (audio) (1 CD)


Up Next:


Mole Music by David McPhail
A Sweetheart for Valentine by Lorna Balian
Sergio Saves the Game by Edel Rodriguez
Ten Little Caterpillars by Bill Martin Jr
Stringbean's Trip to the Shining Sea by Vera B Williams
Pretty Woman by (audio)
My Lucky Life In And Out of Show Business by Dick Van Dyke (audio)

Reviews posted this week:


Happy Birthday by Danielle Steel (audio)
Animal Friends ABC: A Picture Alphabet Book by Joy Diane (ebook)
ABC's: An Illustrated Secret Agent Josephine Alphabet Book by Brenda Ponnay (ebook)


Author Guest Posts/Interviews:


Blog Tour: Author Guest Post/Giveaway - Pesi Dinerstein (A Cluttered Life: Searching for God, Serenity, and My Missing Keys) (Dark Mind Book Tours)(February 3)
Blog Tour: Author Guest Post/Giveaway – Krista Holle (The Lure of Shapinsay) (Dark Mind Book Tours)
(February 8)
Blog Tour: Author Guest Post/Giveaway – Bryan Cohen (The Post-College Guide to Happiness) (March 9)


Special Blog Hop Giveaways



Follower Love Hop (February 7 – 13, 2012)
Random Acts of Kindness Day Giveaway (February 17 – 21)
Leap into Books Giveaway Hop (February 29 - March 5)

Books still needing to have reviews written (as opposed to the ones that are simply awaiting posting):


January Brings the Snow by Sara Coldridge
Jo MacDonald Saw A Pond by Mary Quattlebaum
Hercubear vs. The Cyclops Rabbit by Lesley Williams (ebook)
Caterpillars Don’t Check Email by Calee M Lee, illustration: Jacob Lee (ebook)
My Friend the Bear by J J Ley (ebook)
The Next Always (Inn BoonsBoro #1) by Nora Roberts


Giveaways on the blog this week and in coming weeks:





Author Guest Post/Giveaway – Demons’s Slave by Danielle D Smith (January 25 – Feb 1) Winner -
Freebie Friday - The Client by John Grisham (January 27 – Feb 3) Winner –
Freebie Friday - A Stained White Radience by James Lee Burke (February 3 – 10) Winner –
Freebie Friday - (February 10 – 17) Winner –
Freebie Friday – (February 17 – 24) Winner –
Freebie Friday – (February 24 – March 2) Winner -

Giveaways Winners


Freebie Friday - Back to the Bedroom by Janet Evanovich (January 13- 20) Winner – Linda Henderson
Freebie Friday - To Catch An Heiress by Julia Quinn (January 20 - 27) Winner – Julie Witt

Book Review: ABC's: An Illustrated Secret Agent Josephine Alphabet Book by Brenda Ponnay

Title: ABC's: An Illustrated Secret Agent Josephine Alphabet Book
Author: Brenda Ponnay
Publisher: Xist Publishing
ISBN: 0615491537
Release Date:Ju8ly 4, 2011
Pages: 30
Genre: Children’s
Format: ebook
Source: Amazon.com

Amazon.co
The ABC’s burst brilliantly on to the page in this alphabet book by blogger Secret Agent Josephine, a.k.a. Brenda Ponnay. Children will delight in the colorful illustrations and simple text. Secret Agent Josephine’s ABC’s are an ideal introduction to the alphabet – kids will love the pictures and parents will appreciate the thoughtful details and eye-catching illustrations. Brenda Ponnay is an award-winning artist and illustrator and has been blogging since 2005 at www.Secret-Agent-Josephine.com

Mine
This is a wonderfully illuistrated book of ABCs. I have to admit I always like to see a frog for F (they had a fishy) and I think it was creative to use Jellyfish, Newt, Octopus, Pumpkin things that aren’t usually used. The colorful items that go with the letters make it a great book to share together.

Reading challenges:
101 Books in 1001 Days Challenge
2012 100+ Books in A Year Reading Challenge
2012 100+ Books Reading Challenge
2012 E-Book Reading Challenge
2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge
An Illustrated Year: 2012 Picture Book Reading Challenge
Free Reads 2012 Reading Challenge
Pages Read Challenge
Why Buy The Cow? Reading Challenge 2012

Book Review: Animal Friends ABC: A Picture Alphabet Book by Joy Diane

Title: Animal Friends ABC: A Picture Alphabet Book
Author: Joy Diane
Publisher:
ASIN: B006UGUBS4
Release Date: January 6 2012
Pages: 28
Genre: Children’s
Format: ebook
Source: Amazon.com

Amazon.com:
Animal Friends ABC brings full-color pictures and simple letter recognition to the Kindle. Help your little one learn the alphabet with these bright illustrations.

Mine
This is a nice illuistrated book of ABCs. I have to admit I always like to see a frog for F (they had a ferret) and I think it was creative to use fox for X. X is always difficult for any alphabet.

Reading challenges:
101 Books in 1001 Days Challenge
2012 100+ Books in A Year Reading Challenge
2012 100+ Books Reading Challenge
2012 E-Book Reading Challenge
2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge
An Illustrated Year: 2012 Picture Book Reading Challenge
Free Reads 2012 Reading Challenge
Pages Read Challenge
Why Buy The Cow? Reading Challenge 2012

Freebie Friday - A Stained White Radiance by James Lee Burke (Ends 2/10/12)

Cajun police detective Dave Robicheaux knows the Sonnier family of New Iberia--their connections to the CIA, the mob, and to a former Klansman now running for state office. And he knows their past, as dark and murky as a night on the Louisiana bayou.

An assassination attempt and the death of a cop draw Robicheaux into the Sonniers' dangerous web of madness, murder and incest.

But Robicheaux has devils of his own. And they've come out of hiding to destroy the tormented investigator--and the two people he holds most dear.

Blog Tour: Author Guest Post/Giveaway - Pesi Dinerstein (A Cluttered Life: Searching for God, Serenity, and My Missing Keys)

CREATING REALITY THROUGH ILLUSION: I’ll Believe It When I See It
by Pesi Dinnerstein

Change, it seems, often flows in unexpected directions.

Handwriting analysts say that a change in our personality can create a change in our handwriting; and some believe that a change in our handwriting can lead to a change in our personality as well.

It all seems connected to the larger question of whether change is more likely to occur from the inside out (thought affecting action) or from the outside in (action changing thought). Twelve Step Recovery Programs use both approaches, and they express the “outside in” model through the well-known slogans “Act as if” and “Fake it till you make it.”

The idea of faking it—even in the service of making it—has always rubbed me the wrong way. I wanted my changes to be genuine and internal from beginning to end. But, as it is with so many of my beliefs, things don’t seem to work that way in the real world.

I’ve had no shortage of breakthroughs, epiphanies, and “Aha!” moments—but it’s all led to very little change in the way I actually live my life. So, I’ve finally decided that the time has come to embrace a bit of deception in my pursuit of truth.

Like most of us, I believe what I see—even when I’m not entirely convinced that what I see is real. I silence the cognitive dissonance in my head by placing greater trust in my eyes—at least until the evidence from other sources becomes too compelling to ignore.

So, where am I going with all of this? Well, I’ve just undertaken a major act of subterfuge, and I guess this is my attempt to place it in a philosophical context.

A few former colleagues from New York called the other day to say that they were in Florida for a conference and found themselves with some free time. They wanted to know if they could drop by the following day for a little visit.

I hadn’t seen them in years and was really excited at the prospect of a reunion. But, then, I looked at the condition of my house—which, for quite some time now, had taken a back seat to the writing of my book—and I fell into an immediate panic.

There were piles everywhere—dirty clothes, clean clothes, newspapers, magazines, mail—it was endless. There was no way that I could even make a dent in one day.

But, then, it occurred to me . . . Why not act as if—fake it till I make it—create change from the outside in?
I immediately headed off to the mall to get started.

Two hours later, I returned home with a stack of wicker boxes and baskets in all sizes and shapes, several rattan hampers, and a few extra-large quilts. I began stuffing everything—unfolded, unsorted, disheveled—into the containers, which I placed in every empty corner of the house. Whatever was left over, I put in the bedroom and covered with the quilts. By the end of the day, the mess had vanished, and my little condo looked as if it were inhabited by an orderly—if somewhat eccentric—woman with a fondness for wicker and fabric.

So, thanks to this sleight of hand, my friends showed up the next afternoon, oohed and aahed over my creatively decorated home, and left for New York convinced that my life was basically well organized and under control. Meanwhile, I came away from the experience so inspired by the illusion I had created that I couldn’t wait to begin making it a reality. And, in the end, I had to admit that—for better or for worse—what we see may very well be just what we get.


About the Author:

Pesi Dinnerstein (a.k.a. Paulette Plonchak) has written selections for the best-selling series Small Miracles, by Yitta Halberstam and Judith Leventhal, and has contributed to several textbooks and an anthology of short stories.


Dinnerstein recently retired as a full-time faculty member of the City University of New York, where she taught language skills for close to thirty years. She has been an aspiring author and self-acknowledged clutterer for many years, and has spent the better part of her life trying to get organized and out from under. Despite heroic efforts, she has not yet succeeded; but she continues to push onward, and hopes that her journey will inspire others to keep trying as well.


For more information visit: www.aclutteredlife.com or www.sealpress.com


Synopsis:

Insightful, unsettling, and wildly funny, A Cluttered Life: Searching for God, Serenity, and My Missing Keys (Seal Press) is the story of Pesi Dinnerstein’s quest to create a simple and orderly life—only to discover that simplicity is not so simple and what constitutes clutter is not always perfectly clear. When a chance encounter with an old acquaintance reveals the extent to which disorder has crept into every corner of her existence, Pesi determines to free herself, once and for all, of the excess baggage she carries with her. Along the way—with the help of devoted friends, a twelve-step recovery program, and a bit of Kabbalistic wisdom—her battle with chaos is transformed into an unexpected journey of self-discovery and spiritual awakening.

A Month of Letters

Oh, alright. I’m in!

Do you want to play? Here are the rules:
1.In the month of February, mail at least one item through the post every day it runs. Write a postcard, a letter, send a picture, or a cutting from a newspaper, or a fabric swatch.
2.Write back to everyone who writes to you. This can count as one of your mailed items.

Want me to write something to you? Wouldn’t it be fun to get a letter, on paper, or a package of some kind? Email me at suefitz AT yahoo DOT com. I hoping to send a postcard to someone in every state including my own California. It will be first come first served.

That’s all you have to do. I’ll send you at least one physical correspondence of some kind. If you’re not in the US, no worries! We have this wonderful thing called Air Mail. And wouldn’t it be fun to get a letter from overseas???

And here’s a link to the person who thought this all up: http://www.maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/month-of-letters/


Thanks to Missive Maven or pointing it out. In case she thinks no one raads her posts it was actally at the tell end of a postcrossing.

I figure this is a good way to get caught up in postcrossig. I was bad and didn't sent any out in January. I also feel this is a great way to add to my autograph collection. I collect auto'd sports cards, author bookmarks and bookplates.

Good luck to you all and hope you join.

Book Review: Happy Birthday by Danielle Steel

Title: Happy Birthday

Author: Danielle Steel
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
ISBN: 1423320905
Release Date: July 12th 2011
Pages: 352
Genre: Romance
Format: CDs (9)
Source: Library

GoodReads:
Valerie Wyatt is the high priestess of elegance: She has built an empire on how to entertain, how to decorate, how to live beautifully, and is at the top of her game with licensing arrangements for fine fabrics, furniture, wallpaper; six books; and a highly rated TV show. Valerie's daughter, April, is a classically trained chef and the workaholic proprietor of a comfortable, popular downtown New York restaurant. They couldn't be happier in their chosen fields—or more different in their attitudes. Yet as each faces a major birthday milestone—Valerie her 60th and April her 30th—neither has had a significant relationship for years and both are wistful at what they've sacrificed for success. That is about to change, after a chance encounter in an elevator and one holiday weekend indiscretion...

Mine:
What a timely book I started reading on my birthday earlier in the month.

Amazing how we all seem to take stock on our birthdays every year to see where we’ve been and where we would like to go. Valerie Wyatt at age 60 (horrified that it got out) is a successful Entertainment guru. She goes for her birthday card reading and is told: there will be a man and a child. She doesn’t believe either one.

April on the other hand is turning 30 with a successful restaurant. As she goes to her massage therapist she checks her out and suggests she check to see if she might be pregnant. She is by a one night stand who happened to be a food critic.

Neither one got what they were expecting, but in the end they cherish what they got.

Reading challenges:
2012 100+ Books in A Year Reading Challenge
2012 Support Your Local Library Reading Challenge
Pages Read Challenge
50 States Challenge
Audiobook Challenge 2012
Reading Romances Challenge 2012
2012 100+ Books Reading Challenge
Book Around the States Challenge
101 Books in 1001 Days Challenge