Just Some Stuff

Okay, I'm finally getting around to passing out the awards that I received last week. I'm not familiar with a lot of blogs just yet, so some of you are going to be getting the same award again, but you don't mind, do you? (:

I'd like to give this one to the following::

B: Beautiful Amy at My Overstuffed Bookshelf
I: Informative April at Good Books & Good Wine
N: Neighborly Erica at Soon Remembered Tales
G: Gorgeous Dixie at A Few of My Favorite Things
O: Outstanding Jennifer at the Forgetful Faerie

This next one represents blogs that show a great attitude, and I'd like to pass it on to::

Misty at Book Rat


Moving on real quickly, as I'm supposed to be completing an English assignment *wink*...Has anyone read A Solider's Heart by Gary Paulsen? I have to read this book next for an online class. I just picked his book at random; I was in a hurry. *shrug* I hope it's good! I'll let you know.

My first giveaway ends tonight at midnight (EST). I'll have the winner announced tomorrow, and I'll contact you for your address. The beginning of next month I'll launch a new one, this time by Janet Evanovich.

I need to pretend to be a good student now.

Have a good day, everyone!

The Outsiders, Plugging & Awards

I appreciate the fact that no one warned me that The Outsiders would be a sad read. Not my sister, not my mother -- both of whom raved about what an excellent book it is, and it's true. It was wonderful; I enjoyed every minute of it. But a little forewarning would have been nice. Yeesh.

Inbetween work and babysitting a seven-year-old and a four-year-old I somehow found time to finish it. It was so difficult to put down. The tone was so real. It was easy to imagine that was how a fourteen-year-old would think. The characters were wonderful. Hinton did a really good job developing her characters. I loved how every individual of the Greasers were integral to their group. It's said a lot in novels and in real-life: how important a person is to a clique. But this was real. Everything about it was very, very believeable. I loved it.


To me, the narrator, Ponyboy, seemed so wise beyond his years. He knew he was leading a life he didn't want to live -- though he accepted it as the cards fate dealt him. He knew the things they were doing were wrong, but the sad bit of it is that he felt powerless to stop it. Until later, of course, when their group begins to dwindle.


The relationships between the characters ((not just as a group but as brothers)) was enjoyable. It was fun and sarcastic and playful and so -- as I've mentioned -- real...at times. One thing I found a bit awkward, and maybe it's because I'm not close with my own siblings, was the cuddling between Ponyboy and Soda. And the back rubs. It was odd for me. But not difficult to overlook. Every other aspect of their relationship I loved.


I can't believe I didn't read this book until now! Okay, maybe I can. I probably wouldn't have appreciated it as an 8th grader as I do now. I'm glad I waited ages.


Definitely an awesome read. It was printed in the late sixties, and while most of the time it was obvious what era it represented, I still felt that it could have transcended time a bit. At certain points it felt more modern. I love that. If you haven't read it, you should. That's all I'm saying.

With that said, I'm going to start focusing on Jane Eyre again. I've missed reading it -- sooo good. Wow.

First, though, I'd like you all to go in this direction. There is a pretty sweet, epic giveaway going down at BookMac that you should all get involved in if you're interested. ((Thanks Parajunkee for posting it in your blog this morning!!)) Loads of stuff being given away. Check it out.

And thanks again to Amy for another award. (: I appreciate it, tons! And I promise that I'm going to pass them along, too. Tomorrow, for sure, as it's my day off. Thanks again!!

...And that's all in my neck of the woods.

Good night!

Support Stacie

Dear Readers,

For those of you who are familiar with fanfiction, I'd like to point you in the direction of the Author Auction in benefit of Stacie.

Stacie's story is familiar one; we hear about it everyday. Not only is she battling cancer, but she has a mountain of hospital bills to pay back ((out of pocket, I do believe)) as she has no medical insurance. What separates her from some others is she has a large online community supporting her, but we could always use some more help. (:

I've spoken to her once, and just briefly, as we were both involved in the same fandom. She's very sweet; I'd love to do as much as I can to help her.

With that said, as I mentioned, if you're familiar with fanfiction -- or even if you're curious -- then please head over to this site ((and this one as well)) and bid on an author to your favorite fandom or even offer her a few encouraging words. Every little bit goes a long way. Bidding starts in just over a week, and the hope is to raise bunches of money for her!

Thanks so much!

Randomness, if you please

My creative writing teacher has contributed to my dislike for 1st Person narratives. Figures our first writing assignment would be a story written in -- yes -- 1st Person.

She liked it though, as did my classmates, so that's exciting! Maybe I'll be a novelist one day after all. *wink*

I finally got The Outsiders today. It's such a thin book! I'll have it finished in no time ((I hope)). I've started reading it a little before I got distracted, and I've enjoyed it so far. The tone is very much that for a fourteen-year-old boy. Very convincing; I appreciate that.

I got another award ((displaying proudly on the left-side column))!! That was sweet! So thank you to Parajunkee, and I promise to pass it around soon!

Finally, I'd like to plug another blog and giveaway. Revenge of the Book Nerds! is having a Austen-themed giveaway. I'm pretty stoked about it. Check it out, for sure!

Now, I have reading and writing to accomplish.

Good evening!

Blog Awards (Like, Whoa), New Book & Such

First, I'd like to thank Amy from My Overstuffed Bookcase for giving me my first two awards. Completely unexpected, and I'm a little giddy about it. (: Thanks so much!

Now, I'm supposed to pass along these awards to five other people. So, here goes::

Sheila from One Persons Journey Through Books
Erica from Soon Remembered Tales
April from Good Books & Wine
Dixie from A Few of My Favorite Things
& finally the blogger from Secret Forest. I have no idea his name, but he was my first comment ever, and I thought I'd give him some recognition. (:

Moving along...I'm loving Jane Eyre. It's quickly becoming one of my favorites. I've had little time to read the past week, but I keep trying -- and then I have difficulty putting it down. Reading before falling asleep is probably my favorite time. Snuggled deeply in thick covers with an engaging book for the win.

Reading Bronte's work is going to continue even slower as I've been assigned to read The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton for one of my online classes. My sister, who is now a senior in high school, mocked me because apparently she read the book in 8th grade, while I've never heard of it. Ha, ha, Sister Little, haha.

I went to the library to get it -- all three copies were checked out. Isn't that just my luck? lol. So, hopefully, my sister will remember to pick it up from her school library so that I can start on it. I have to write a paper on it as well. Doing it for a grade isn't quite as fun.

*sigh* Going back to school for a second degree probably wasn't one of my brightest moments...

Helpful Plugging!!

I'm slowly getting the hang of interacting within the blogging community. It's so much fun, and greatly addicting -- which is the last thing I need right now. *eyeroll*

While marching through the many wonderful, wonderful blogs, I discovered another blogger's giveaway for Atonement by Ian McEwan. Now, I mentioned having borrowed that book from the library -- twice -- without being able to read it; I was too embarrassed to check it out a third time. Needless to say, I'd really like to own the book, so I'm gonna try and enter. You should, too!

Check out the Book Rat's blog for details and awesomeness. It ends September 15th so be sure to get your name in before then. (:

Giveaway:: High Maintenance by Jennifer Belle

This book was published in 2001, so it's a bit dated. I don't know if you can tell, though, while reading. The timeline might be ambiguous, but I'm not sure.

Here's the blurb:

Liv Kellerman has just left her cheating husband and -- more tragically -- their
fabulous duplex with its Empire State Building views. Now Liv -- alone for the
first time in her life, with few marketable skills, and crammed into a crumbling
"fixer-upper" in Greenwich Village -- is contemplating her next move....

I'm providing a picture. This book is a little worn -- similar to that of a library book. As the arrows point, there are a few creases in the corners, on the cover. The spine is in good shape, though. Barely any creases there. And the pages seem excellent.

The best part:: it doesn't smell!! ((You can't tell me you haven't received a used book that was a little bit musty, a little bit questionable.))

I can honestly say this book is the one in the worst condition. Every other book is in better shape, if missing a dust cover.

Hope you're interested!


I'll keep this open until Tuesday, September 8th. If you're at all interested in receiving the book, just leave me a comment stating such. If I happen to get several people interested in the book, then I'll draw names from a hat. Or a bag. Or a sock, or something. Then I'll have you email me your address and your new book will be on it's way!

***Sorry, but only U.S. Residents, please.



Since this book is the most dated and not in perfect condition, I understand if no one is interested; I'll try again with a different book the following month.

Thanks!