Nothing Much Here

Thanks so much for the support regarding my last post, everyone. The comments and emails were discouraging.

School is still crazy busy; midterm is this week, so I have tons to do, but I'm managing.

Desipte the beaucoups of homework assignments, I've been able to cross The Chocolate War and soon The Twisted Window off my reading list. *smile* So, I have been quasi productive.

...this was just a little nothing post since I haven't been able to post lately.

**Thanks to those who have entered in my 2nd Giveaway.

Happy reading, everyone!

Hello, I am Fail

I'm absurdly positive I'm not going to have 50 novels read by January. My course load is ridiculous. *sigh*

I'm currently trying to read three books: Jane Eyre, Echoes and The Butterfly Tattoo. The first is too difficult to read in public, so I try to read it before bed -- if I manage not to pass out. The second is to kill time in between classes, but said time has mostly been used on homework. The third is on my iPod Kindle Application that I read while at work, 'cause I ain't allowed to have books at work. iPods are probably bad, too, but it's easier to hide. *wink*

Now, I'm getting information on three Lois Duncan stories for my online Young Adult class: The Twisted Window, The Third Eye, and I Know What You Did Last Summer ((yes, which the movie is based on; interesting, no?)). All of which I want to read! But I don't have time!! *defeated sigh*

How long does it take some of you to read a book? Families and work and other duties thrown in. I feel like such an epic fail.

Higher education is overrated.

I need to get back to homework. I promise to return soon with the lovely awards Misty left me; she's so nice. (:

Happy reading everyone, and I hope you have better luck than I!

PS:
Sorry I haven't visited blogs lately. I'm such a bad neighbor, but I promise to make time to do so soon!

Giveaway:: Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich

Kicking off October's Giveaway, my singing Valentine Gorilla ((affectionately named Buttercup)) would like to present you Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich:


Now, I came across this book through the Literary Guild. You know, if you don't check your email often they send you these little notices saying "please reply to your main selections!" and if you do not, well, then they send it to you anyway. I've been guilty of this countless times, but this time I thought I'd be clever and give this as a Happy Birthday gift to a friend, as I know she reads this series. This was some weeks ago, and I got a text from her after I've contrived my awesome plan that said::

I'm so excited to read my new Stephanie Plum novel!!!!!!! *smileyfacesallovertheplace*

For a moment I was confused as to how she knew I was intending to give her the novel...and then I realized...Oh.

So my awesome plan failed -- lucky for you.

I hear this is a great author and a great series. I'd keep it, but I can't just dive into a middle of a series like that. I have to start all the way back at number one. So, here's the October Giveaway!!

It's hardcover. And as you can hopefully see by Buttercup channeling his inner Vana White, it's in excellent condition. Never read. I've only recently removed it from the box. I promise to dust it off before I send it out. ;) Oh! *Also! You'll be receiving another novel by Ms. Evanovich ((just for being soo awesome!!)). I do believe this one's older but was reprinted. Love Overboard. The cover says it was originally titled as Ivan Takes a Wife. This additional novel ((in soft cover)) has been gently used, so there are slight creases around the spine but in otherwise awesome condition.

This time around, I will keep this contest open until Thursday, October 15th. It's open to U.S. Residents only, I'm sorry.

Borrowing from other bloggers as they conduct their contests, things will be different this time around. There will be more chances for your name to be entered into the drawing, which is always a good idea!

+1 Please comment here with a book you'd like to recommend me read; I love getting recommendations! ((Be sure to consult my booklist for any repeats)). Don't forget to leave an email address so I can contact the winner.

+2 If you follow me, I'll love you. (:

+3 If you give me a plug, I'll love you even more! ((Mention me in a blog post, or put it on a side bar. Be sure to give me a link!))

That's six chances to win. ;)


Well, with that said...Good luck to everyone! Enjoy!

Bronte & Binchy

I always forget what a busy time of year fall is. It's right in the beginning to the school year, and professors ((mine, anyway)) like to pile on the work. It makes them feel less slacker-ish come the end of the semester when we do nothing. But, man, I don't feel like I'm getting anything accomplished -- recreationally speaking.

I'm still plundering through Jane Eyre. It's such a great book, but it's a hard read, language wise. So I find I can't sit down and really dive into it when I'm at work ((which, I'm not supposed to be reading at work anyway, shhhh.)), or in between classes, or even while at the campus libraries. People are surprisingly noisy: talking on their cell phones, having conversations across the room. It's ridiculous. I usually have to reserve Ms. Bronte for the night, when I'm crawling beneath the covers and getting ready to fall asleep. Even then, I put in my iPod and listen to the audio version as I'm following along in the book. There's something fun about hearing the British accent live while I read. Plus, Jane Eyre has French dialogue in it occasionally, and I love to listen to the accent. The voice-actor ((I guess that's what they're called)) does an tremendous job.

When I can't read Jane Eyre, I pick up Echoes by Maeve Binchy. I thought this was a newer book by an author I've never heard of; I picked it up one day on a whim while at Target. I usually do that: pick up books whenever I go out. I'm like Rebecca Bloomwood, Shopaholic that way. I always have to buy a book when I'm out.

Anyway, Echoes was apparently written in 1985 and was just reprinted again, and Ms. Binchy has been around for a while. It has a pretty cover, that's why I got it. It takes place in Ireland and spans ten years. It's predominantly focused on the main characters, Daniel Power and Clare O'Brien, but Binchy weaves in many integral supporting characters. I'm really enjoying it so far. Kind of a thick book, though. May take me a bit.

That's all in regards to an update.

Happy reading, everyone! (:

Another Random Post

From mid-morning to about an hour-and-a-half ago, I spent mowing my lawn.

I hate mowing grass. It makes me tired and sweaty and disgusting.

For the rest of the day ((hopefully)) I plan to spend my time reading, and perhaps working on a few creative writing assignments in advance. I think I'll put off the online homework until tomorrow. *wink*

Before I go, however, I'd like to pass along a couple of awards.

This first award I mentioned in my last post, but I'm only just now getting around to passing it off. I'm not precisely sure what the criteria for this award is, so I'm just gonna go with it. (:



Dixie at A Few of my Favorite Things
Jamie at Revenge of the Book Nerds
Erica at Soon Remembered Tales
Jennifer at The Forgetful Faerie
Sheila at One Person's Journey Through a World of Books

And for this awards ((which cracks me up: Thanks Misty)), I'd like to give to the following::



Amy at My Overstuffed Bookshelf
April at Good Books & Good Wine
Dixie at A Few of my Favorite Things


Recipients of this award believe in the Tao of the zombie chicken – excellence, grace and persistence in all situations, even in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. These amazing bloggers regularly produce content so remarkable that their readers would brave a raving pack of zombie chickens just to be able to read their inspiring words. As a recipient of this world-renowned award, you now have the task of passing it on to at least 5 other worthy bloggers. Do not risk the wrath of the zombie chickens by choosing unwisely or not choosing at all.

I hope the Zombie Chickens will excuse me for not naming 2 other people, because I've noticed that pretty much everyone else has it.

If y'all don't hear from me, it's because I was pecked to death by angry zombie chickens.




PS:

I'm having a hard time believing that United Dairy's Ultra Skim milk is actually ULTRA SKIM, as it tastes exactly like 2%. That's okay though; I'm still drinking it.

Whoa

So, college has been kicking my ass...and it's only the first month. How ridiculous.

I've been distracted lately with assignments, and then the Support Stacie Auction. We raised over $20,000 dollars over a 3 day period. I think that's pretty fab, and I know it'll go along way for Stacie. So proud.

That means I'm going to be busy for a while, though, as I was one of the authors on the auctioning block. ((People actually paid money for me -- what an ego-booster.))

I completed another young adult novel for my online class. Soldier's Heart by Gary Paulsen was pretty amazing. It was really short, and I finished it in about 3 hours ((while at work)). But Paulsen did a great job at capturing the voice of a fifteen-year-old boy from the Civil War. Some scenes were surprisingly graphic, but not...startlingly so. I just hadn't expected it; I don't know why, given the subject matter.

This guy wrote Hatchet, which I was supposed to read in 9th grade, but didn't. Because I was awesome like that, back then. I think I'm going to have to check it out.

And because I'm a loser, I need to finally mention that the awesome Jessica at Despardo Penguin gave me an award...ages ago. I need to show it off, and then come back later and pass it along. Thank you, Jessica!



...This was just a post to say I'm still alive. (:

Giveaway Winner, Book Sale & Things

Allow me to get right down to business. Congratulations, Amy! Buttercup and I would like to send out High Maintence to you, ASAP. Be expecting an email from me this evening ((after I return home from work)), and then I'll get your book enroute.

Thanks, Jessica, for entering! Come back in October for the next one. (:







After class yesterday, I stopped by my local library to pick up Soldier's Heart by Gary Paulsen; it's antoher short young adult novel I'll get completed in no time.

At any rate, I headed back to the children's sections, and what do I see? Giant signs pointing down a hallway that says "Book Sale." At the risk of sounding gross: I almost peed.

I always miss book sales at the library. Never fails. They are either poorly advertised or I just can't make it due to work or school. This one caught me completely unawares, and I was so stoked.

I picked up three books ((two hard cover and one soft)) for $4.75. Heaven. All three books are by authors I'm unfamiliar with, so I'm pretty excited. My goal is to branch out, anyway.

Pink Slip Party by Cara Lockwood
The Light of Day by Graham Swift
A Perfect Day by Richard Paul Evans

The first one is going to be a fun, fluffy read, I believe. The other two, I think, will be more serious. So excited though. Anyone heard of these authors?

That's all for right now.

Amy, I'll email you ASAP. Congrats, again! And thanks! (: