Reflections of a Bookaholic: September 2012

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Review: Legend (Audiobook)

Ya'll, I've fallen in love with reading again. I never fell out of love, mind you, but lately it has been feeling like the very first time. Corny I know! September reading has been good to me :)

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic’s wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic’s highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths—until the day June’s brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family’s survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias’s death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

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Saturday, September 29, 2012

Dewey's 24 Hour #Readathon October 13

It's that time again!! I've once again signed up for Dewey's 24 Hour Read-a-thon. Twice a year in October and April one of the best events rolls around where readers challenge themselves to read for an entire 24 hours (or as long as life allows). I love this particular challenge because there are so many people participating and cheering each other on. I always meet new bloggers every time I participate and make new friends. Last year I even made it the entire 24 hours, my mom made 21 hours, and my grandmother made it 18 hours. We had a blast!!

This year, I'm not sure where I'll be for this challenge so I don't know the extent of my participation. If I'm with mom, I'm going for the whole 24 hours once again. If I'm with the hubby... well, I'll read as much as I can. Are you participating? There are almost 200 people signed up so far! Go check it out! If you are participating, let me know in the comments. I usually create a list in my reader so I can stop in and cheer and keep track of all the fun.

Friday, September 28, 2012

Review: The Burning Bush

The Burning Bush by Kenya Wright
Series: Habitat #2
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 427 (eReader)
Source: Author
Author's Website | Twitter | Facebook
Buy it: Amazon | Kindle | B&N

Description:

After Dante Bottelli’s slaughter of Vamp-owned Mixbreeds, Lanore and Zulu execute a well-planned attack that hits Dante where it hurts the most—his pockets. But their attack triggers a chain of unfortunate events, and allows Detective Rivera to blackmail Lanore.

Rivera forces Lanore to investigate his case, the Burning Bush Murders. Someone's been tying girls to bushes and setting them on fire. Lanore must find the killer, or Rivera goes public with his information.

Meanwhile, Dante won't take his defeat without a fight. He counterattacks and the Santeria habitat, as well as Lanore’s and Zulu’s lives, are changed forever.

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Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Review: The Hunt (Audiobook)

Don’t Sweat. Don’t Laugh. Don’t draw attention to yourself. And most of all, whatever you do, do not fall in love with one of them.

Gene is different from everyone else around him. He can’t run with lightning speed, sunlight doesn’t hurt him and he doesn’t have an unquenchable lust for blood. Gene is a human, and he knows the rules. Keep the truth a secret. It’s the only way to stay alive in a world of night—a world where humans are considered a delicacy and hunted for their blood.

When he’s chosen for a once in a lifetime opportunity to hunt the last remaining humans, Gene’s carefully constructed life begins to crumble around him. He’s thrust into the path of a girl who makes him feel things he never thought possible—and into a ruthless pack of hunters whose suspicions about his true nature are growing. Now that Gene has finally found something worth fighting for, his need to survive is stronger than ever—but is it worth the cost of his humanity?

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Why I Wednesdays... Favorite Movie/TV Adaptations

I am returning with my feature... Why I love which takes place on Wednesdays. Today's proclamation of love concerns our Favorite Movie/TV Adaptations

Why I Love... BBC Series North and South

Well I'm going to surprise everybody and pick something totally unexpected, though very much true. My favorite movie/tv adaptations are slowly increasing but I wanted to bypass some of my more predictable choices (The Hunger Games, Vampire Diaries, Pride & Prejudice, and on and on).

This week I was inspired to write about my love of the North and South (the BBC series version). I found this version through Netflix online streaming. I never expected to love it but I needed some background noise while I cooked. A few hours and one lean pocket later (since I abandoned my cooking for another day), I realized that I had stumbled upon a gem. The characters slowly wormed their way into my heart and the romance made my eyes water (just a bit). This was the perfect night-in find. I even watched a couple of the episodes twice! Who does that?! Honestly, this was one of my favorite finds on Netflix to date.

Which adaptations do you love? Feel free to create your own post and link up. Don't want to create an entire post? Tell me your favorites in the comments. Thanks for stopping by for another week of Why I Love Wednesdays!!

If you want to play along, feel free to grab the image (there is a button on the right sidebar now) and link your post in the linky. Here goes.

LINKY INSTRUCTIONS:

When naming your link, please choose the name of your post. Mine would say "Why I Love...Rhett Butler."

Please link directly to your post and not your blog.

Please participate :)

Previous Why I Love Wednesday Posts

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Guest Post & Giveaway: Literary Orgasms

Today we have Kenya Wright with her Top 5 Literary Orgasms!

Literary Orgasms: The top 5 book that made my brain moan!

Guest Post by Kenya Wright

You pick up a book and read it. Boom! Suddenly, your entire perspective on life has shifted. Your mind is boggled down with philosophical questions. Days and weeks later, you're discussing the book with anyone who will listen.

This is what I call a Literary Orgasm! Hopefully, you have stumbled into a few in your lifetime. Here are mine!

1- The Carpet Makers

This story follows the many men that create carpets out of their wives' and daughters' hair. In fact, the whole planet's economy is centered on the hair carpet-making community--people choose their female mate by the texture of hair, men spend their entire life working on one carpet, and events are held around the carpet sales.

I am not a big science fiction reader, but this book is possibly the greatest novel I've read. I changed my way of life after reading this. Sadly, I don't believe there is an ebook format. I ended up grabbing mine from the library.

2- Warbreaker
A world where people who die in a glorious way return as gods and powerful individuals wield BioChromatic magic which is collected from others' breath.

Due to this book, I recreated my own novel's world. I learned that my world's only limited by my head and not a pen or paper.

3- Ready Player One
The year is 2044. All of humanity work, live, play, and communicate in a virtual utopia world called Oasis.

Eighty percent of the time I log on to my computer, I think about this story. This isn't just Geekville fun. For me, this is what our future could be!

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Saturday, September 22, 2012

How Many Bookmarks Do You Own?

Source: funnypics221.net16.net via Sierra on Pinterest

How many bookmarks do you have?
I have 1 and I don't know where it is. This one is unique and beautiful. I so want...

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Review: Foreshadow

Foreshadow by Brea Essex
Series: The Shadow Emperium
Genre: YA, Paranormal Romance, Angels
Pages: 217 (ebook)
Source: Author
Author's Website | Twitter
Buy it: Amazon | Kindle | B&N

Description:

Imagine discovering that your boyfriend was out to kill you—and that the annoying boy from school was your guardian angel.

Rae Davenport has already lost her mother. The only thing keeping her sane is her new boyfriend, Andrei—that is, until she finds out that he wants to kill her. Andrei is a devil, and he wants to use Rae as a sacrifice to get back into Heaven. The only one who can save her is Logan, her guardian angel. He’s only annoyed her in the past, but now he will be her savior.

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Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Why I Love Wednesdays... Favorite Male Lead Character

I am returning with my feature... Why I love which takes place on Wednesdays. Today's proclamation of love concerns our Favorite Male Leads!

Why I Love...Rhage

So can I pick Rhett Butler?
What's that you say?
I pick Rhett Butler for all my answers?! I do not!
I'm sure I've only mentioned him once or twice.
No, not ten. Ten would mean... well it would mean...
Well it's not my fault Rhett Butler is the Rhett Butler!
I'm not crazy and I don't lack imagination.
Well... I wasn't going to pick him anyway so there!

[You can imagine that I'm talking to myself or you can imagine that there is an empty chair beside me. Whatever floats your boat]

I have quite a few favorite male leads and I'm including co-leads. Of course Harry Potter is an awesome male lead character. I'm also feeling Day from Legend right now (more on his awesomeness later). And... maybe Rhage from the Black Dagger Brotherhood series (Did I really say that I couldn't understand the hype in this series?! Naw that wasn't me. Couldn't be.). And last, but certainly not least, Peeta. I love me some Peeta (and don't tell me that he isn't a male lead).

P.S. That little exchange up there...ya'll I'm going crazy! I'm not handling this homeless thing very well. It's so hard to cook in other people's kitchen!! Sorry for the weird post :)

Which male lead do you love? Feel free to create your own post and link up. Don't want to create an entire post? Tell me your favorites in the comments. Thanks for stopping by for another week of Why I Love Wednesdays!!

If you want to play along, feel free to grab the image (there is a button on the right sidebar now) and link your post in the linky. Here goes.

LINKY INSTRUCTIONS:

When naming your link, please choose the name of your post. Mine would say "Why I Love...Rhett Butler."

Please link directly to your post and not your blog.

Please participate :)

Previous Why I Love Wednesday Posts

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Review: Unwind (Audiobook)

Connor, Risa, and Lev are running for their lives.

The Second Civil War was fought over reproductive rights. The chilling resolution: Life is inviolable from the moment of conception until age thirteen. Between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, however, parents can have their child "unwound," whereby all of the child's organs are transplanted into different donors, so life doesn't technically end. Connor is too difficult for his parents to control. Risa, a ward of the state is not enough to be kept alive. And Lev is a tithe, a child conceived and raised to be unwound. Together, they may have a chance to escape and to survive.

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Monday, September 17, 2012

Results: Back to Books Giveaway Hop

RESULTS ARE IN!!

Congratulations to Tiffany Drew. She has won a book of her choice!

Thank you everyone who entered my giveaway : )

The winner will have 48 hours to respond with their address and book choice. If there is no response, I will choose a new winner. Thank you everyone for entering the giveaway.

P.S. The popular book choice in the comments was Onyx by Jennifer Armentrout. Does anyone know why this is so? Have you read it?

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Review: Tuesday's Child

What she doesn’t want...is exactly what he needs.

Shunned and ridiculed all her life for something she can’t control, Samantha Blair hides her psychic abilities and lives on the fringes of society. Against her will, however, she’s tapped into a killer—or rather, his victims. Each woman’s murder, blow-by-blow, ravages her mind until their death releases her back to her body. Sam knows she must go to the authorities, but will the rugged, no-nonsense detective in charge of tracking down the killer believe her?

Detective Brandt Sutherland only trusts hard evidence, yet Sam’s visions offer clues he needs to catch a killer. The more he learns about her incredible abilities, however, the clearer it becomes that Sam’s visions have put her in the killer’s line of fire. Now Brandt must save her from something he cannot see or understand…and risk losing his heart in the process.

As danger and desire collide, passion raises the stakes in a game Sam and Brandt don’t dare lose

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Friday, September 14, 2012

Foodie Fridays: Chicken Tortilla Soup & Avocado BLT

I'm back again participating in the Geeky Blogger Book Blog's new Foodie Friday's meme. She started this meme to combine her two faves--books and cooking. Seeing as how I share those loves AND cooking decreases my stress, I couldn't contain my excitement. I could kill two birds with one stone. It will be the perfect addition to Reflections of a Bookaholic as other content will slow and I can document my cooking.

I've picked my next cookbook for case study! I'm excited for a number of reasons. In case you forgot (because it has been awhile), I cook and review 3 or 4 recipes out of a cookbook each Foodie Friday and end the study with a review on the cookbook.

Our next book up is:

Cooking Light Fresh Food Fast 24/7: 5 Ingredient, 15 minute recipes

This particular cookbook advertises 5 ingredient recipes (but this is a little misleading) that can be cooked in less than 15 minutes.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Ingredients

Olive oil
chopped onion
Garlic clove
Fat-free, lower-sodium chicken broth
Water
Shredded cooked chicken
Fresh Lime Juice
Chipotle Chile Powder
Diced tomatoes and green chiles
Tortilla strips

My thoughts:
First, I think the 5 ingredient refers to 5 main ingredients or something. Clearly, there are more than five ingredients here.

Second, this recipe was a disaster. It was not good for me but I think it is because I have a different idea of chicken tortilla soup and I should have known that this wouldn't work for me. It was very watery and the tortilla strips kind of sunk quickly to the bottom. Not what I'm accustomed to!

So.... I wanted to present a second recipe because it didn't sit well with me.

Avocado BLT

Ingredients

Creamy Avocado Spread
Thin-sliced 15-grain bread
Gourmet salad greens
Tomato Slices
Center-cut bacon slices, cooked

My thoughts:
First, this book sly gets around the 5 ingredient thing by creating a different recipe for the creamy avocado spread. I didn't follow it because I had ideas for my own. But I LOVED the idea. I've heard of adding avocados to a sandwich but I'm not a fan. But I am a big fan of adding a healthy avocado spread to my sandwich.

Second, the recipe included helpful information about different types of bacon and I discovered that center-cut bacon is healthier than other cuts. I might have known this but I enjoyed the reminder.

Lastly, this was quite simple and I'm not sure you would even call it a recipe, but I absolutely loved it. It was a fresh idea for me. My lunch was fantastic this week.

That's it for this week! Ya'll don't judge me on that chicken tortilla soup. I promise I can cook :)

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Review: Phantom Evil Review (Audiobook)

A secret government unit is formed under the oversight of Adam Harrison, famed paranormal investigator. The six members he's gathered know a little of the otherworldly--each has honed a psychic talent of their own.Jackson Crow, part English, part Cheyenne, heads the group. Haunted by his experience with an ancestral ghost who saved his life as a child, and the recent murders of two previous teammates, Jackson can't tell if Adam's demoted him or given him an extraordinary opportunity. Despite his link to the realm of spirits, he's well aware that the living commit the most heinous crimes, with spiritualist charlatans existing merely to fool and seduce the unwary.
To counterbalance Jackson's careful skepticism, Adam Harrison has paired him with Angela Hawkins, a young woman who learned the painful lesson of loss at an early age. A police officer utilizing her paranormal intuition in Virginia, she already has her hands full. But Adam's call to New Orleans is strong.
The case: In a historic mansion in New Orleans's French Quarter, a senator's wife falls to her death from a balcony. Most think she jumped, distraught over the loss of her young son. Some say she was pushed. And yet others believe she was beckoned by the ghostly spirits that inhabit the house--once the site of a serial killer's grisly work.
Whether supernatural or all too human, crimes of passion, greed and desire will cast the pair into danger of losing their lives...and their immortal souls

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Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Review: The Shoemaker's Wife

The majestic and haunting beauty of the Italian Alps is the setting of the first meeting of Enza, a practical beauty, and Ciro, a strapping mountain boy, who meet as teenagers, despite growing up in villages just a few miles apart. At the turn of the last century, when Ciro catches the local priest in a scandal, he is banished from his village and sent to hide in America as an apprentice to a shoemaker in Little Italy. Without explanation, he leaves a bereft Enza behind. Soon, Enza's family faces disaster and she, too, is forced to go to America with her father to secure their future.
Unbeknownst to one another, they both build fledgling lives in America, Ciro masters shoemaking and Enza takes a factory job in Hoboken until fate intervenes and reunites them. But it is too late: Ciro has volunteered to serve in World War I and Enza, determined to forge a life without him, begins her impressive career as a seamstress at the Metropolitan Opera House that will sweep her into the glamorous salons of Manhattan and into the life of the international singing sensation, Enrico Caruso.

From the stately mansions of Carnegie Hill, to the cobblestone streets of Little Italy, over the perilous cliffs of northern Italy, to the white-capped lakes of northern Minnesota, these star-crossed lovers meet and separate, until, finally, the power of their love changes both of their lives forever.

Lush and evocative, told in tantalizing detail and enriched with lovable, unforgettable characters, The Shoemaker's Wife is a portrait of the times, the places and the people who defined the immigrant experience, claiming their portion of the American dream with ambition and resolve, cutting it to fit their needs like the finest Italian silk.

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Why I Love Wednesdays... Actor/Actress for Current Read

I am returning with my feature... Why I love which takes place on Wednesdays. Today's proclamation of love concerns our Favorite Actor/Actress for a Character in Our Current Read. (Wow that was a mouthful!)

Why I Love...Nina Dobrev

I'm currently reading Foreshadow by Brea Essex, a YA paranormal that has high school drama and seemingly a love triangle (but not really). Nina Dobrev is the girl who plays in The Vampire Diaries and I just love that show. I thought of her because she always looks like an actual High School student and wears simple ponytails and all that good stuff. Plus The Vampire Diaries obviously has paranormal elements. I know I should have better reasons than this but a new season of The Vampire Diaries is around the corner and it's on my mind. What can I say? I wish I could post a picture, but all the pictures that are free for the taking featuring her looking super sexy and not the way that she is most of the time in the show or the way that I would imagine her in this book. Here's a link to one I like.

Which actor/actress would you love to see as a character in your current read? Feel free to create your own post and link up. Don't want to create an entire post? Tell me your favorites in the comments. Thanks for stopping by for another week of Why I Love Wednesdays!!

If you want to play along, feel free to grab the image (there is a button on the right sidebar now) and link your post in the linky. Here goes.

LINKY INSTRUCTIONS:

When naming your link, please choose the name of your post. Mine would say "Why I Love...Rhett Butler."

Please link directly to your post and not your blog.

Please participate :)

Previous Why I Love Wednesday Posts

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

How Many Do You Recognize?

Source: Uploaded by user via Donna on Pinterest

Which paths have you traveled? I've traveled 5... I think.

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Review: A Wish After Midnight

A Wish After Midnight by Zetta Elliott
Genre: YA, Time Travel
Pages: 244 (Kindle)
Source: Purchased
Author's Blog | Website
Buy it: Amazon | Kindle | B&N | Book Depo

Description:

Genna Colon desperately wants to escape from a drug-infested world of poverty, and every day she wishes for a different life. One day Genna's wish is granted and she is instantly transported back to Civil War-era Brooklyn

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Friday, September 7, 2012

Foodie Fridays... New Cookbook Up

Cooking Light Fresh Food Fast 24/7: 5 Ingredient, 15 minute recipes

We'll get started with this one next week. Until then, don't forget to answer the poll. I want to make sure I prioritize the things you guys care about when reviewing.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Why I Love Wednesdays... Favorite Place to Read

I am returning with my feature... Why I love which takes place on Wednesdays. Today's proclamation of love concerns our Favorite place to read

Why I Love...My Car!

This particular topic has come up a couple of times before and each time I chose a different location. But I've found that when my life changes, so does my reading habits. Now that I've graduated from law school and I'm officially homeless while I wait for bar results (November!!), I don't have the same schedule or freedom that I once had when I had my own place and room.

Surprisingly, my car is one of my new favorite reading spots. It is where I can safely listen to audiobooks and have a bit of privacy. I've given up on saving the best books to read in paper form. If I kept doing that, I would never get any guilt-free reading done. Between visiting my brother, driving to work, I usually need a hands free reading option. I probably finish two audiobooks a week compared to one a week on paper. Audiobooks have really and truly grown on me. I could never in a millions years have predicted such a preference before now.

P.S. For those of you who listen to audios... do you listen when other people around? I never listen to audiobooks when other people are in the car with me because I feel like it is rude but I'm usually so bummed about it because I'm itching to find out what's next in my latest read.

Which reading spots do you love? Feel free to create your own post and link up. Don't want to create an entire post? Tell me your favorites in the comments. Thanks for stopping by for another week of Why I Love Wednesdays!!

If you want to play along, feel free to grab the image (there is a button on the right sidebar now) and link your post in the linky. Here goes.

LINKY INSTRUCTIONS:

When naming your link, please choose the name of your post. Mine would say "Why I Love...Rhett Butler."

Please link directly to your post and not your blog.

Please participate :)

Previous Why I Love Wednesday Posts

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Review: Beauty Queens (Audiobook)

The fifty contestants in the Miss Teen Dream pageant thought this was going to be a fun trip to the beach, where they could parade in their state-appropriate costumes and compete in front of the cameras. But sadly, their airplane had another idea, crashing on a desert island and leaving the survivors stranded with little food, little water, and practically no eyeliner.

What's a beauty queen to do? Continue to practice for the talent portion of the program - or wrestle snakes to the ground? Get a perfect tan - or learn to run wild? And what should happen when the sexy pirates show up?

Welcome to the heart of non-exfoliated darkness. Your tour guide? None other than Libba Bray, the hilarious, sensational, Printz Award-winning author of A Great and Terrible Beauty and Going Bovine. The result is a novel that will make you laugh, make you think, and make you never see beauty the same way again.

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Saturday, September 1, 2012

Review: The Mirrored World

The Mirrored World by Debra Dean
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 245 (Hardback)
Source: TLC Book Tours
Facebook
Buy it: Amazon | Kindle | B&N | Book Depo

Description:

The critically acclaimed author of The Madonnas of Leningrad ("Elegant and poetic, the rare kind of book that you want to keep but you have to share" --Isabel Allende), Debra Dean returns with The Mirrored World, a breathtaking novel of love and madness set in 18th century Russia. Transporting readers to St. Petersburg during the reign of Catherine the Great, Dean brilliantly reconstructs and reimagines the life of St. Xenia, one of Russia's most revered and mysterious holy figures, in a richly told and thought-provoking work of historical fiction that recounts the unlikely transformation of a young girl, a child of privilege, into a saint beloved by the poor.

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Sunday, September 30, 2012

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Friday, September 28, 2012

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Monday, September 17, 2012

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Friday, September 14, 2012

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Friday, September 7, 2012

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Saturday, September 1, 2012

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