tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77359976352750841542024-03-12T22:34:54.058-04:002 many good books, 2 little time!Heather Thomas - advocate for changehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01113883319309174126noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735997635275084154.post-5616656762935716182013-01-04T19:23:00.001-05:002013-01-04T19:23:21.006-05:00100 Book Challenge for 2013<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Okay! So 2013 is going to be the year that I finally reach my goal of reading 100 books within one year. In the past, I only counted "fun" reads but this year I decided that it wouldn't be cheating if I include the books I read for work as well.<br />
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To be honest, I enjoy non-fiction so why not? The books I read as a school counselor, behavioral specialist, and special education consultant may be of interest to some of you out there in blog land anyway!<br />
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If you want to take a peek at some of the books I read for work, head on over to my professional blog: <a href="http://www.thehelpfulcounselor.com/" target="_blank">The Helpful Counselor </a>and check them out. You may be interested in <a href="http://www.thehelpfulcounselor.com/29-books-to-end-bullying/" target="_blank">29 Books to End Bullying</a> or <a href="http://www.thehelpfulcounselor.com/10-great-books-that-can-help-an-angry-child/" target="_blank">10 Great Books That Can Help an Angry Child</a> .<br />
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I have several...okay maybe close to 50 (or so) books, okay maybe closer to 75 books that I have collected and have vowed to read before bringing any more into the house.<br />
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One of my favorite things to do as a book addict is to discover a series of books after several (hopefully the whole series) has been published. I'm impatient and waiting for the next installment in a series is a cruel form of torture, such as <a href="http://amzn.to/Wj50KP" target="_blank">Game of Thrones</a>. I love the series but the waiting is, well a cruel form of torture. <br />
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So as I yearn for the next installment of the <a href="http://amzn.to/Wj50KP" target="_blank">Game of Thrones</a>, I will my horde of books. Maybe I'll find a few new favorites that leave me begging for more...<br />
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Follow me to follow my progress and hopefully we'll discover a few more gems!<br />
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What do you like to read? Fiction? Non-Fiction? <br />
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Happy Reading!<br />
~Heather<br />
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Check out the Game of Thrones series by George R.R. Martin; they are amazing!<br />
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Heather Thomas - advocate for changehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01113883319309174126noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735997635275084154.post-10473536850040876202012-08-28T20:34:00.000-04:002012-08-28T20:35:54.291-04:0014 Great Science Fiction Books - The Ultimate Epic Quest<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I have been a science fiction fan for over 30 years and I want to know why I am just now hearing about Terry Brooks and his Shannara Series! Well, actually...I am just now coming out of a 14 book reading binge.<br />
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As the name of my blog implies, there are too many good books out there and not enough time to read them all. I am what I describe as an emotional reader; I read books that fit my mood. Everything from Politics, Science, Classic Lit, Poetry, Short Story, Graphic Novel, you name it! I read it, if I'm in the mood. So for me to plow through thousands and thousands of pages by the same author, in a short amount of time, says a lot about that author's work!<br />
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What made my reading spree even more fantastical is that all 14 books were part of one over-arching story! Science Fiction heaven! Us Sci-Fi fans love our created worlds and rich characters and Terry Brooks' literary feat transports the reader right next to a bevy of characters.<br />
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Reviewing each one would just rob you of precious minutes that you could use to read Terry Brooks, so I will provide a real brief framework overview:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPNJ06MMfAecC2KtiktpRNoJQSM7Stx5n01wZrrkkblNz9j4F8bXJpF8NYP9_Cu-yJ_lC6-5-8Jte4vYUFtKDDJjOohoh2cifPrcghB5LpoeTBB9D39NrSmIBv0nCu-MMmQjkPXesMynk/s1600/Elfstones+of+Shannara+-+Terry+Brooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPNJ06MMfAecC2KtiktpRNoJQSM7Stx5n01wZrrkkblNz9j4F8bXJpF8NYP9_Cu-yJ_lC6-5-8Jte4vYUFtKDDJjOohoh2cifPrcghB5LpoeTBB9D39NrSmIBv0nCu-MMmQjkPXesMynk/s200/Elfstones+of+Shannara+-+Terry+Brooks.jpg" width="121" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Elfstones of Shannara</td></tr>
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All of the books follow the classic <a href="http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/smc/journey/ref/summary.html">"hero's journey"</a> formula. We have the unlikely hero who is called to take part in a quest. The hero is always a member/descendants of a character who was infused with the magic of elf stones. The power of the Elfstones manifests differently with each decedent. As with every hero's journey, the main character develops/matures as they discover their talent/ability and overcome an obstacle with the help of a mentor. In the case of the Shannara Series, the mentor is always a Druid (decedents of humans that have devoted their life to the protection of the Four Lands and the development of their magical knowledge and ability).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmElqo6jhXH8Gh_J9-fz5kxnpTlucUScCfHJlPKB2TVUdK_AOpwCZ2HsTGNhG1UahCpogo-ABL5zXf6QY4gRM4toS3O6Jwjkmhf3iqCkNDBMqwQNwOvAwdgfwig6RQuKfW-DghRrV3ZYM/s200/the-sword-of-shannara-by-terry-brooks.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="120" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Sword of Shannara</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMSmwm2ukSd-rRc7y8F4FW4LXy5Zvjj5qXnqqjOSqXmLQJEp-1jwVujzNhoKIpOKs6ude7PvZps7TjFd-nQL7hR8LSVgIbc2Y1hM2uPoACn__KJvdpv_GTXaWESsCUfX4xxmaQK4tRGo/s1600/Wishsong+of+Shannara+-+Terry+Brooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMSmwm2ukSd-rRc7y8F4FW4LXy5Zvjj5qXnqqjOSqXmLQJEp-1jwVujzNhoKIpOKs6ude7PvZps7TjFd-nQL7hR8LSVgIbc2Y1hM2uPoACn__KJvdpv_GTXaWESsCUfX4xxmaQK4tRGo/s200/Wishsong+of+Shannara+-+Terry+Brooks.jpg" width="121" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Wishsong of Shannara </td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Sword-Shannara-Terry-Brooks/dp/0345314255/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1346195312&sr=8-1&keywords=sword+of+shannara"></a></div>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
The Heritage of Shannara:</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2nAO21wVCDv4VyB8oMgTmEVVPRtQzdgMQQ0uE_uJei1edOFLEbPbvN2QC2xHyqM53Imazx0jyL24gIWSbmr1ptRxjyET_cmbyBXoFIHaqqweKMvhQb2Av6XtaDMqk2yz2XtO1ucj-dFg/s1600/Scions+Terry+Brooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2nAO21wVCDv4VyB8oMgTmEVVPRtQzdgMQQ0uE_uJei1edOFLEbPbvN2QC2xHyqM53Imazx0jyL24gIWSbmr1ptRxjyET_cmbyBXoFIHaqqweKMvhQb2Av6XtaDMqk2yz2XtO1ucj-dFg/s200/Scions+Terry+Brooks.jpg" width="121" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Scions of Shannara</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2xrr0RvuRSgoakqhOccNYQrtw1V3gOnrYF1BaT-7AFaNGti5E_uAEBEbA0QyH8m5jr6IMXFpmfBPYYGZIetrd9izX6mj59eoWmU1XQy3r2VozCHbheUI2_JYL8RHn-5WR2uDIFcgX5nA/s1600/The-Druid-of-Shannara+Terry+Brooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2xrr0RvuRSgoakqhOccNYQrtw1V3gOnrYF1BaT-7AFaNGti5E_uAEBEbA0QyH8m5jr6IMXFpmfBPYYGZIetrd9izX6mj59eoWmU1XQy3r2VozCHbheUI2_JYL8RHn-5WR2uDIFcgX5nA/s200/The-Druid-of-Shannara+Terry+Brooks.jpg" width="120" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> The Druid of Shannara</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKntcW47lyKASp7LnWGmsyolzYuYeBZzfGjgPnZJpRW6uD8pXv3vHSUaCctQhOY-6l0TmxyRyc69fSbL7_e2edbhZdSFW4E5AXvmLw7XG5Wt_A7U2UBBwyTR9E_mBhSXbzjAlGpuA4ak/s1600/The+Elf+Queen+of+Shannara+Terry+Brooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKntcW47lyKASp7LnWGmsyolzYuYeBZzfGjgPnZJpRW6uD8pXv3vHSUaCctQhOY-6l0TmxyRyc69fSbL7_e2edbhZdSFW4E5AXvmLw7XG5Wt_A7U2UBBwyTR9E_mBhSXbzjAlGpuA4ak/s200/The+Elf+Queen+of+Shannara+Terry+Brooks.jpg" width="121" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Elf Queen of Shannara</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6agPt3LVIhR7WT1a6qCPcEaFHPJuPJGUwPQ6-rB-ckmOj6RvOEh2ZwdDxgJU_kyeYORK-eDfAJaWzG5dC3s4mD_57vdn3xMRenA2qyGxkEJMTJMXtTlsfmXRij-8zenkZi6nBivOe4Y/s1600/The+Tallismans+of+Shannara+Terry+Brooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6agPt3LVIhR7WT1a6qCPcEaFHPJuPJGUwPQ6-rB-ckmOj6RvOEh2ZwdDxgJU_kyeYORK-eDfAJaWzG5dC3s4mD_57vdn3xMRenA2qyGxkEJMTJMXtTlsfmXRij-8zenkZi6nBivOe4Y/s200/The+Tallismans+of+Shannara+Terry+Brooks.jpg" width="121" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Talismans of Shannara</td></tr>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara:</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZ9v-6CbQ-hbb5p3Xdr-oxsEKb0gGOlbPV6ZumMz9jj7JNJVTw4unyNEIpMaaF6Ztr83awwWTfaCLZwBwMWkY1hgfSD5SK6SKmNriP1rIPFCwxWvz5Pt7tTd1UOFcKr7X6L_TD4ptvoY/s1600/Isle+Witch+Terry+Brooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZ9v-6CbQ-hbb5p3Xdr-oxsEKb0gGOlbPV6ZumMz9jj7JNJVTw4unyNEIpMaaF6Ztr83awwWTfaCLZwBwMWkY1hgfSD5SK6SKmNriP1rIPFCwxWvz5Pt7tTd1UOFcKr7X6L_TD4ptvoY/s200/Isle+Witch+Terry+Brooks.jpg" width="136" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ilse Witch</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48Ot8EGVzSxuH3RidjOoU1OjSvaEIXtb4ZfGCegEKes5rMVXv4ENd1jQpZxX1EGbBtxBX8-DJ-zpctxnimrfukjk3XA9mNN3CsfBoiCaR2xRU-Eul4gp31-wWzrwM47DsDpAJo60ct1U/s1600/Anthrax+by+Terry+Brooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48Ot8EGVzSxuH3RidjOoU1OjSvaEIXtb4ZfGCegEKes5rMVXv4ENd1jQpZxX1EGbBtxBX8-DJ-zpctxnimrfukjk3XA9mNN3CsfBoiCaR2xRU-Eul4gp31-wWzrwM47DsDpAJo60ct1U/s200/Anthrax+by+Terry+Brooks.jpg" width="117" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anthrax</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNO-w93RPz5i7JKQQYidayTzj-XQ0YT9-5Xsd0hRuVfuJRz512fKm3jcjQmj3xW0i-4Cebq42mB5vMWBdVWeT__R_gWO6JbTmYrxf6MClbHEbXhv_dki023USFSTxeSzGr7jBMVWjjgls/s1600/Morgawr+Terry+Brooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNO-w93RPz5i7JKQQYidayTzj-XQ0YT9-5Xsd0hRuVfuJRz512fKm3jcjQmj3xW0i-4Cebq42mB5vMWBdVWeT__R_gWO6JbTmYrxf6MClbHEbXhv_dki023USFSTxeSzGr7jBMVWjjgls/s200/Morgawr+Terry+Brooks.jpg" width="135" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morgawr</td></tr>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
High Druid of Shannara:</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipzEdma3IrFP1kpUj763IkgQY7g5VKXIW4ziuXYYEtI_ypvmhXsqxQd7ihiR0e6EFO2SD2fGN3KXur9jgi1Sk8I-cjxn-dRHfPJD3mgv2c1g00RLuARuNt3Y_rkYWLnIKL28VHzl_ZSXg/s1600/Jarkaruus+Terry+Brooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipzEdma3IrFP1kpUj763IkgQY7g5VKXIW4ziuXYYEtI_ypvmhXsqxQd7ihiR0e6EFO2SD2fGN3KXur9jgi1Sk8I-cjxn-dRHfPJD3mgv2c1g00RLuARuNt3Y_rkYWLnIKL28VHzl_ZSXg/s200/Jarkaruus+Terry+Brooks.jpg" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jarka Russ</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0xVoWvSBhu5OsuwiPrsPtGMZGCjffAUhS6rC15sSTQN1Mj7b6FbBPmnmJFxNh2t0EecORLdPyFnnk8uSUh0hrPBZOtDclOoKw8c3Pn2h0LYPZjI-J14pfcdiHv9ml88xeK-wBlJ_tE8Q/s1600/Tanequil+Terry+Brooks.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0xVoWvSBhu5OsuwiPrsPtGMZGCjffAUhS6rC15sSTQN1Mj7b6FbBPmnmJFxNh2t0EecORLdPyFnnk8uSUh0hrPBZOtDclOoKw8c3Pn2h0LYPZjI-J14pfcdiHv9ml88xeK-wBlJ_tE8Q/s200/Tanequil+Terry+Brooks.gif" width="120" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Tanequil</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU2MCxntw6WNW4R2k8s0U8HBddXAMx9de2hOknJm9uP7NRRA0RJ1YbNz2Wro03bgwOM4sWPOAH1wBSU0C1hHEYRiaUfXBfJHGnvm6Bno6ffwYBdYrabwgB3XqYkBaogA5155B_hyphenhyphenuqC9c/s1600/Straken+Terry+Brooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU2MCxntw6WNW4R2k8s0U8HBddXAMx9de2hOknJm9uP7NRRA0RJ1YbNz2Wro03bgwOM4sWPOAH1wBSU0C1hHEYRiaUfXBfJHGnvm6Bno6ffwYBdYrabwgB3XqYkBaogA5155B_hyphenhyphenuqC9c/s200/Straken+Terry+Brooks.jpg" width="134" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Straken</td></tr>
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I discovered 8 more novels, plus a graphic novel and novella, in this series as I was looking up the book jackets for this post. With that being said...I gotta get to reading!</div>
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Happy Reading!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Heather</div>
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Heather Thomas - advocate for changehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01113883319309174126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735997635275084154.post-76625723483184533292011-02-27T00:13:00.000-05:002011-02-27T00:13:24.455-05:00Total Score at a Library Book SaleI grabbed a box full of Terry Brooks books at a library sale over the summer. I sort of stumbled upon him and am loving it because I don't have to wait until his next book comes out. I have 4 full sets of his series plus Running with Demons. All of which are absolutely wonderful (so far...)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinzGIMX4OxIm8xX7eahUoNixkL4n74KNUAcnlyS_OPdtVJoEriTpNIQR7TSKDu07uYugdcjryWpzK-uIYC3q58VQvtH-tZhyLGQAIg1F1yWoKFTF1Obwc5wC88fU0EOi5RvSerM9W9mKk/s1600/sword+of+shannah.jpg" imageanchor="1" linkindex="354" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinzGIMX4OxIm8xX7eahUoNixkL4n74KNUAcnlyS_OPdtVJoEriTpNIQR7TSKDu07uYugdcjryWpzK-uIYC3q58VQvtH-tZhyLGQAIg1F1yWoKFTF1Obwc5wC88fU0EOi5RvSerM9W9mKk/s320/sword+of+shannah.jpg" width="188" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-wnVPM2J5ktd33yfD7KQmsf__0_XUUHtGZMfn4Q9o5LgMwRItcMH-RlUFk97rngady9_Ha8MHmHwgzQRIPWDGeLmy15RV9qvworqRLoDs9QHjKqkZtCBcDVarKMVFr9l9Qtzn-8VDFds/s1600/elf+stones.jpg" imageanchor="1" linkindex="355" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-wnVPM2J5ktd33yfD7KQmsf__0_XUUHtGZMfn4Q9o5LgMwRItcMH-RlUFk97rngady9_Ha8MHmHwgzQRIPWDGeLmy15RV9qvworqRLoDs9QHjKqkZtCBcDVarKMVFr9l9Qtzn-8VDFds/s320/elf+stones.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwwdXFIy40ByWsvsSr_VzQ-fS5O6RkX6FdEGojUEZxEuwgn0TF4Xx7YUUuva6P_1VVNHhbM9g-9y7ZascwGDMV0V4U1QoL7eC_QAJ-cescAgHgm4-b0nie5Z24dANlYWqErUyr-l-Up3A/s1600/wishsong.jpg" imageanchor="1" linkindex="356" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwwdXFIy40ByWsvsSr_VzQ-fS5O6RkX6FdEGojUEZxEuwgn0TF4Xx7YUUuva6P_1VVNHhbM9g-9y7ZascwGDMV0V4U1QoL7eC_QAJ-cescAgHgm4-b0nie5Z24dANlYWqErUyr-l-Up3A/s320/wishsong.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><br />
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I have read his first Shannara series and can only say that I could't get enough...hence why I am so tickled that I have that box to fullfill my need for my fix. So far I have read 7 of his books in a row and am working on my 8th.<br />
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I promise to come back with some reviews...I have spring break coming up. Hmmm....spring cleaning by the way of catching up on my reviews. The problem is that I would rather be readig, but then that's a good problem.<br />
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Have no fear fellow book lovers, I am alive and well and getting every bit of epic fantasy as possible!<br />
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Happy Reading!<br />
~HeatherHeather Thomas - advocate for changehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01113883319309174126noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735997635275084154.post-90230662842436312742010-04-07T11:32:00.000-04:002010-04-07T11:32:25.263-04:00I found another great book contest/giveaway!<a href="http://tuningintoyabooks.blogspot.com/2010/03/75-followers-contest.html">Turning Into YA Books is having a 75 follower giveaway.</a> It ends on 4/30/10. Check out what's up for grabs:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ZNLRODRTU2s0I0WoWM_HMfDgtkkxAffuQhzo4sVivUcMNOoI3Q0WN14Ekc_Ghz8d-8bKP9W-u_fg1qYPxb63kJ8MW1F5EF7Ro_5qrVIzQ7FeJahrzY-eqfmCxlogTgiwEj7Bahik336E/s1600/Picture1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ZNLRODRTU2s0I0WoWM_HMfDgtkkxAffuQhzo4sVivUcMNOoI3Q0WN14Ekc_Ghz8d-8bKP9W-u_fg1qYPxb63kJ8MW1F5EF7Ro_5qrVIzQ7FeJahrzY-eqfmCxlogTgiwEj7Bahik336E/s640/Picture1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Heather Thomas - advocate for changehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01113883319309174126noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735997635275084154.post-87579854800570323842010-03-18T10:35:00.002-04:002010-03-23T18:36:04.943-04:00Take Time for Your Life - Book Review 4 Stars<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/380047.Take_Time_for_Your_Life" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="Take Time for Your Life" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174323147m/380047.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/380047.Take_Time_for_Your_Life">Take Time for Your Life</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/57502.Cheryl_Richardson">Cheryl Richardson</a><br />
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My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/84259668">4 of 5 stars</a><br />
In all honesty, I would rather rate this a 3 1/2. However, Goodreads does not allow that option and I am leaning more towards the 4 mark. While the main principles Richardson uses to guide the readers into taking care of themselves are basic, they are practical none the less.<br />
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The biggest thing that helped me was identifying my energy drains and setting my "must do list." With a world in which faster is better and quantity often beats quality, it is nice to reaffirm yourself that you do not need to do/have it all. Taking stock and setting your priorities allow you to get the most out of life without stressing yourself to the point that you cannot enjoy it.<br />
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I recommend this book for people who feel that there life is moving to fast and have a difficult time juggling everything all at once. Set all of those balls you are juggling down, grab your spouse/partner/child/friend, and focus on them. Your relationships will give you a satisfaction that cannot be obtained by material objects (yes, I mean money too!)<br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2234836-5peasinapod-thomas">View all my reviews >></a>Heather Thomas - advocate for changehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01113883319309174126noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735997635275084154.post-83972705457571592682010-03-17T21:43:00.000-04:002010-03-17T21:43:12.939-04:00Storywings Humongo Giveaway - Go Check Out Her Blog!I probably shouldn't pass this on, cause it decreases my chances of winning, but the more followers <a href="http://storywings.blogspot.com/2010/02/49-followers-contest.html">Storywings</a> gets the more she is going to give away. This is the pile already!<br />
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* Blood Promise by Richelle Mead<br />
* Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick<br />
* Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost<br />
* Fire Study by Maria V. Snyder<br />
* Going too Far by Jennifer Echols<br />
* City of Glass by Cassandra Clare<br />
* Ballad by Maggie Steifvater<br />
* Shiver by Maggie Steifvater<br />
* Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston<br />
* Firespell by Chloe Neil<br />
* Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl<br />
* Darklight by Lesley Livingston<br />
* Fallen by Lauren Kate<br />
* Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev<br />
* Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver<br />
* The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins<br />
* The Iron King by Kagawa<br />
* Twilight of Avalon by Anna Elliot<br />
* Next of Kin by John Boyne <br />
* Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles<br />
* Hourglass by Claudia Gray<br />
* First Drop of Crimson by Jeaniene Frost<br />
* Wish by Alexandra Bullen<br />
* The Red Queens Daughter by Jacqueline Kolosov<br />
* Storm Glass by Maria V Snyder<br />
* Another Faust by Daniel and Dina Nayeri<br />
* Flirt by Laurell K Hamilton<br />
* Dragon Keeper by Robin Hobb<br />
* Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause<br />
* The Stand by Stephen King <br />
* Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs<br />
* Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella<br />
* Accidentally Demonic by Dakota Cassidy<br />
* The Stolen Child by Keith Donohue<br />
* Real Vampires Hate Their Thighs by Gerry Bartlett <br />
* Intertwined by Gena Showalter<br />
* Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves<br />
* Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson<br />
* Hate List by Jennifer Brown<br />
* The Conspiracy of Kings by Megan Whalen Turner <br />
* The Call Me Death by Missy Jane<br />
* Bad Girls Don't Die by Katie Alexander<br />
* Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore<br />
* Love You, Hate You, Miss You by Elizabeth Scott<br />
* The Good Girl's Guide to Getting Kidnapped by Yxta Maya Murray<br />
* Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan<br />
* Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder<br />
* Shadowfae by Erica Hayes<br />
* Need by Carrie Jones<br />
* The Accidental Werewolf by Dakota Cassidy<br />
* Darkborn by Alison Sinclair<br />
* Lament by Maggie Stiefvater<br />
* The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson<br />
* The Maze Runner by James Dashner<br />
* Dark Divine by Bree Despain<br />
* Incarceron by Catherine Fisher<br />
* Succubus Blues by Richelle MeadHeather Thomas - advocate for changehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01113883319309174126noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735997635275084154.post-83925790443882737442010-03-17T10:34:00.002-04:002010-03-23T18:54:15.309-04:00Edge Chronicles - Beyond The Deepwoods * 5 Stars<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/105657.Beyond_the_Deepwoods" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="Beyond the Deepwoods (Edge Chronicles, Book 1)" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171558114m/105657.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/105657.Beyond_the_Deepwoods">Beyond the Deepwoods</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/24830.Paul_Stewart">Paul Stewart</a><br />
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My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/87616750">5 of 5 stars</a><br />
All I have to say is WOW and why am I just discovering this series. One good thing about discovering a series after it has been out for awhile is that I get to plow through them all at once instead of waiting.<br />
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While structured as a classic quest story, Beyond the Deepwoods is anything but predictable. Sure we have the small insignificant Twig that find himself on a journey that leads him into peril and self discover. The familiarity of an epic quest only sets the stage for a world filled with imagination and possibilities.<br />
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I have to say that I love the characters. All of them! They are extremely unique and add to the overall story to a point where it wouldn't be the same without them.<br />
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The best thing about the story is that I read it aloud to my 7 year-old daughter. Almost everyday before we got ready for bed she would urge me to hurry so she could see "what Twig is up to."<br />
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This is a great read for all ages. I found it in the children's section of my library but don't let that fool you. I am just as excited to see what Twig is up to as my daughter!<br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2234836-5peasinapod-thomas">View all my reviews >></a>Heather Thomas - advocate for changehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01113883319309174126noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735997635275084154.post-16133567583445272742010-03-11T07:26:00.000-05:002010-03-11T07:26:22.775-05:00100 Book Challenge is within reachI was a bit leary at first when I signed up to read 100 books in 2010. I read alot, I mean I read more than alot. At times I feel like I am cheating on my husband. Is it wrong that on some nights I dream of getting under the covers with a good book?<br />
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Even with taking 2 grad courses this semester I am still able to get some decent page time in and have been enjoying a ton of good books. The tough part is that I have been reading so many at a time when my wireless card decides to go on the fritz. So now I am going to attempt to "catch up" on reviewing my books.<br />
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If you like Young Adult, Sci-Fi, Paranormal, and Epic Fantasy then you may want to bookmark me. I have read some fabulous books and am looking forward to encouraging your reading habits!!!<br />
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The reviews I have on deck include:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1705136.The_Soulless">Soulless</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1187150464l/1705136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1187150464l/1705136.jpg" width="195" /></a></div><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/346087.Captain_s_Fury">Captain's Fury</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255681795l/346087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255681795l/346087.jpg" /></a></div><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2903736.Princeps_Fury">Princeps Fury</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1219112684l/2903736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1219112684l/2903736.jpg" /></a></div><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2575572.Backup">Back Up </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1233546173l/2575572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1233546173l/2575572.jpg" width="198" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/607437.Beyond_the_Deepwoods">The Edge Chronicles</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1176249385l/607437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1176249385l/607437.jpg" width="204" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24770.Uglies">Uglies</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255574770l/24770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255574770l/24770.jpg" /></a></div><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24768.Pretties">Pretties</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255574780l/24768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255574780l/24768.jpg" /></a></div><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24765.Specials">Specials</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255885174l/24765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255885174l/24765.jpg" /></a></div><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/493456.Extras">Extras</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255885159l/493456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255885159l/493456.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I also got around to reading a few self-help books from my bookshelf. Since I am hosting a genre challege, I figure it would be a great time to knock those out as they have been collecting dust for the past 8 years (I was preggos with my daughter!). They were interesting/helpful, but mostly I would rather pick up an entertaining read. Does anyone else do that to?Heather Thomas - advocate for changehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01113883319309174126noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735997635275084154.post-66427604129899202802010-02-14T20:05:00.001-05:002010-03-23T18:49:22.687-04:00Huckleberry Finn - Social Commentary Regarding the Morality of Humanity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cmgww.com/historic/twain/images/gallery/photo25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.cmgww.com/historic/twain/images/gallery/photo25.jpg" /></a></div>I know the title sounds pretty dramatic, but Twain and I have bonded over the first half of my Major Authors: Mark Twain lit course. Given this glorious intimacy I also receive the pleasure of writing a 6-8 page paper. <br />
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Okay so I am laying it on very thick. I do lOVE the class and actually planning on taking it again on a graduate level. There will be a one week condensed grad class happening right on Twain's porch in Elmira, New York. Maybe I'll get to sit in his rocking chair. I know...I know I am a major book nerd for admitting this but I see it truly as a life time experience.<br />
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To bore you a bit more with my Twain obssesion and belief that he was a master mind, especially when it came to social commentary in Post-Reconstruction Period of the Civil War, I will come back and post my critique of <i>The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.</i> Hopefully I can crank this baby out and get back to the actual reading part!Heather Thomas - advocate for changehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01113883319309174126noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735997635275084154.post-69438507009105757342010-02-09T22:07:00.000-05:002010-02-09T22:07:18.898-05:00No such thing as too many books!I know, I know...I have posted pics of my overflowing overcrowded sagging reinforced metal bookshelves, but guess what? Yep! One of my enablers brought me a box of books. Oh happy day! The only thing better than a good book is a free good book. Oh yeah, it must be good, or else I'm putting it down and moving on.<br />
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I am hoping for a snow day tomorrow so I can clean out my home library and my goodreads account. I don't believe that I have all of the books that I own as such. My "have and need to read" category needs some serious updating. But even without updating, have a look:<br />
<br />
<style type="text/css" media="screen"> .gr_grid_container { /* customize grid container div here. eg: width: 500px; */ } .gr_grid_book_container { /* customize book cover container div here */ float: left; width: 39px; height: 60px; padding: 0px 0px; overflow: hidden; } </style><div id="gr_grid_widget_1265770717"><!-- Show static html as a placeholder in case js is not enabled - javascript include will override this if things work --> <h2><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2234836-5peasinapod-thomas?utm_medium=api&utm_source=grid_widget" style="text-decoration: none;">5peasinapod's have-and-need-to-read book montage</a></h2> <div class="gr_grid_container"> <div class="gr_grid_book_container"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/988950.Dark_Of_The_Moon" title="Dark Of The Moon (Virgil Flowers, #1)"><img alt="Dark Of The Moon" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1180030709s/988950.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="gr_grid_book_container"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1733368.Killing_Fear" title="Killing Fear (Prison Break Trilogy, #1)"><img alt="Killing Fear" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1187524060s/1733368.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="gr_grid_book_container"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/451070.The_Silence_of_the_North" title="The Silence of the North"><img alt="The Silence of the North" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174880582s/451070.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="gr_grid_book_container"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/79014.Cat_O_Nine_Tales_And_Other_Stories" title="Cat O' Nine Tales: And Other Stories"><img alt="Cat O' Nine Tales: And Other Stories" border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51EUvXcVF0L._SL75_.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="gr_grid_book_container"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1770509.Praying_Through_the_Deeper_Issues_of_Marriage_Protecting_Your_Relationship_So_It_Will_Last_a_Lifetime" title="Praying Through the Deeper Issues of Marriage: Protecting Your Relationship So It Will Last a Lifetime"><img alt="Praying Through the Deeper Issues of Marriage: Protecting Your Relationship So It Will Last a Lifetime" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1188020473s/1770509.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="gr_grid_book_container"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/182393.Ragged_Dick_and_Mark_The_Match_Boy_Two_Novels_by_Horatio_Alger" title="Ragged Dick and Mark, The Match Boy: Two Novels by Horatio Alger"><img alt="Ragged Dick and Mark, The Match Boy: Two Novels by Horatio Alger" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172513951s/182393.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="gr_grid_book_container"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/228217.Sole_Survivor" title="Sole Survivor"><img alt="Sole Survivor" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172884477s/228217.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="gr_grid_book_container"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6871398-final-target" title="Final Target"><img alt="Final Target" border="0" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-60x80.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="gr_grid_book_container"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/246277.The_Bone_Vault" title="The Bone Vault"><img alt="The Bone Vault" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173108698s/246277.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="gr_grid_book_container"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32422.Hideaway" title="Hideaway"><img alt="Hideaway" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1168390747s/32422.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="gr_grid_book_container"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4111304.Fear_Nothing" title="Fear Nothing"><img alt="Fear Nothing" border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41ETY0DXWAL._SL75_.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="gr_grid_book_container"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10567.Cell" title="Cell"><img alt="Cell" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1166254200s/10567.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="gr_grid_book_container"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/99148.No_44_The_Mysterious_Stranger" title="No. 44, The Mysterious Stranger (Mark Twain Library)"><img alt="No. 44, The Mysterious Stranger" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171433168s/99148.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="gr_grid_book_container"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2969.The_Bible_According_to_Mark_Twain" title="The Bible According to Mark Twain"><img alt="The Bible According to Mark Twain" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1161832269s/2969.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="gr_grid_book_container"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/150421.The_Adventures_of_Huckleberry_Finn" title="The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Children's Classics)"><img alt="The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172214554s/150421.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="gr_grid_book_container"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/380047.Take_Time_for_Your_Life" title="Take Time for Your Life"><img alt="Take Time for Your Life" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174323147s/380047.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="gr_grid_book_container"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/102113.The_Bottoms" title="The Bottoms"><img alt="The Bottoms" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171484466s/102113.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="gr_grid_book_container"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/46787.Uncle_Tom_s_Cabin" title="Uncle Tom's Cabin"><img alt="Uncle Tom's Cabin" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170343506s/46787.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="gr_grid_book_container"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/507157.Wuthering_Heights" title="Wuthering Heights"><img alt="Wuthering Heights" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1175353418s/507157.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="gr_grid_book_container"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/959245.The_Seance" title="The Seance"><img alt="The Seance" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255876724s/959245.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="gr_grid_book_container"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1093095.Echo_Park" title="Echo Park (Harry Bosch, #12)"><img alt="Echo Park" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1180920606s/1093095.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="gr_grid_book_container"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/84839.Gone" title="Gone (Quincy & Rainie #5)"><img alt="Gone" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171057545s/84839.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="gr_grid_book_container"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6571.The_Homing" title="The Homing"><img alt="The Homing" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1165603966s/6571.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="gr_grid_book_container"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22076.From_a_Buick_8" title="From a Buick 8"><img alt="From a Buick 8" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1167325720s/22076.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="gr_grid_book_container"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13137.1st_to_Die" title="1st to Die (Women's Murder Club #1)"><img alt="1st to Die" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1166543084s/13137.jpg" /></a></div> <br style="clear: both"/><br/><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2234836-5peasinapod-thomas" class="gr_grid_branding" style="font-size: .9em; color: #382110; text-decoration: none; float: right; clear: both">5peasinapod Thomas's favorite books »</a><br />
<noscript><br/>Share <a href="http://www.goodreads.com">book reviews</a> and ratings with 5peasinapod, and even join a <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/group/">book club</a> on Goodreads.</noscript><br />
</div></div><script src="http://www.goodreads.com/review/grid_widget/2234836.5peasinapod's%20have-and-need-to-read%20book%20montage?cover_size=small&num_books=50&order=d&shelf=have-and-need-to-read&sort=date_added&widget_id=1265770717" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"></script>Heather Thomas - advocate for changehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01113883319309174126noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735997635275084154.post-56796456007673867572010-02-07T08:50:00.001-05:002010-03-23T18:51:22.010-04:00Dear John - Nicholas Sparks - 4 Stars<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7031287-dear-john" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Dear John" border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Mw6llrjUL._SX106_.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7031287-dear-john">Dear John</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2345.Nicholas_Sparks">Nicholas Sparks</a><br />
<br />
<br />
My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/88402256">4 of 5 stars</a><br />
Tug at your heartstrings kind of books are not my typical cuppa tea. I usually go for fantasy, sci-fi, or even the occasional contemporary fiction. <br />
<br />
Give me blood, guts, chilling humanoid or even nonhumanoid creatures that threaten the common good or societies constructs. Give me blood oozing out of crypts, 30 foot poisonous spiders waiting in anticipation around the corner, vile war lords that oppress, plot, and scheme. Anyone that knows me will also attest that I am a sucker for the underdog and the unexpected.<br />
<br />
I need an escape. I deal with enough "real world" stuff to fill my day (and even beyond). Needless to say, the drama and heartbrake that I encounter as I help others leaves me drained and desiring to go far far away.<br />
<br />
So far I have ranted for 3 paragraphs about why I should not like/typically would not chose to pick up a book like Dear John. The story came into my possession through a book giveaway on one of my fellow book worshipers blogs. Having won an audio version, I figured it wouldn't hurt to pop it into my cd player on my hour and a half trip (each way) to grad school.<br />
<br />
I have never listened to a book on tape/cd (elementary school doesn't count). I wasn't sure what to expect, but thought I could at least listen to the first disc and go from there. My initial thought was that they should have gotten a female to portray Savanah. That was my only grip.<br />
<br />
I was easily dragged into the story. Wanting to hate it and chalk it up to the evil, despised "chic lit," I was left with wanting to know how it was all going to work out. <br />
<br />
While some of the story line was transparent, it was interesting. Like I said, I made it through all 8 cd's not just the first one. And yes, I admit...I cried on multiple occasions towards the end. That is precisely the reason why I tend to avoid these types of situations.<br />
<br />
Overall, I was treated with a good story line and found out that I really like books on cd.<br />
<br />
Happy Reading!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2234836-5peasinapod-thomas">View all my reviews >></a>Heather Thomas - advocate for changehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01113883319309174126noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735997635275084154.post-60354715129008021092010-02-06T20:05:00.000-05:002010-02-06T20:05:09.162-05:00Humongo Giveaway<h3 class="post-title entry-title"> <span style="color: #990000;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">This is not my contest, only sharing the fun! Check out the host site for further details!!!</span></b></span> </h3><h3 class="post-title entry-title"> </h3><h3 class="post-title entry-title"><a href="http://www.teensreadandwrite.com/2009/01/our-next-megabook-giveaway-is-finally.html">MegaBook Giveaway - The Sequel!</a> </h3><script type="text/javascript">
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</script><iframe frameborder="0" height="61" scrolling="no" src="http://api.tweetmeme.com/button.js?url=http%3A//www.teensreadandwrite.com/2009/01/our-next-megabook-giveaway-is-finally.html&style=normal" width="50"></iframe> <span style="color: red; font-size: 130%; font-style: italic;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtvWqoLsgD4UBZlMwzryk-IQvABLIbc0z7KXrw8oegt74tTw13HdITZroanRGFrsX06Zv-JCsYNzgc_sLtkszNgtXK7RWf_1vFMdlz-hCtvpgU95tN9JVfvi2ov2zYntCtDu0BnChSGmxV/s320/DarkDivine+catalog.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtvWqoLsgD4UBZlMwzryk-IQvABLIbc0z7KXrw8oegt74tTw13HdITZroanRGFrsX06Zv-JCsYNzgc_sLtkszNgtXK7RWf_1vFMdlz-hCtvpgU95tN9JVfvi2ov2zYntCtDu0BnChSGmxV/s320/DarkDivine+catalog.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 193px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 127px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRbcAmnyNxhXwbzcgXlFoW1v8JIlaIXfEDqp6trYUVEbe5wJzGWydnCP5cfbKqMpZK1gk4WCVyrTUBmHpCjQewMiaLSRr_QydirNBe8MWgx5pFDDiODfkszDPhAtIDzXqxiFDIghtUUXn0/s320/fallen.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRbcAmnyNxhXwbzcgXlFoW1v8JIlaIXfEDqp6trYUVEbe5wJzGWydnCP5cfbKqMpZK1gk4WCVyrTUBmHpCjQewMiaLSRr_QydirNBe8MWgx5pFDDiODfkszDPhAtIDzXqxiFDIghtUUXn0/s320/fallen.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 191px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 124px;" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZREQ-NFp9jw/Sn3FcLbm66I/AAAAAAAAAFo/7dxkz9AyV2Q/s320/Beatutiful+Creatures+by+Kami+Garcia+&+Margaret+Stohl.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZREQ-NFp9jw/Sn3FcLbm66I/AAAAAAAAAFo/7dxkz9AyV2Q/s320/Beatutiful+Creatures+by+Kami+Garcia+&+Margaret+Stohl.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 201px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 133px;" /></a><span style="color: red; font-style: italic;">** Contest Updates on the books we've added and the current number of winners are on the bottom of this post **</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;">Our next MegaBook Giveaway is finally here! We hit</span><span style="font-size: 130%;"> 500 Followers so it's time to giveaway some books!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;">Remember the last MegaBook Con</span><span style="font-size: 130%;">test? We had 37 winners and gave away 41 books. We're hoping to give away even more more this time around!<br />
</span><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwxy0LHFEvmkWZ8XeOrho1YtSQkYxAHrQuDy1C8bLMMUxfBLwGnAazlgrYGrmY9sa1H0P8paIukeMZLmRBmpC-bWwHQTEOcfd9VewbjsnCLiP0yf24y8D8i3uE44Z65D3TWlqHJIFST8ug/s320/DarklightHC+c.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwxy0LHFEvmkWZ8XeOrho1YtSQkYxAHrQuDy1C8bLMMUxfBLwGnAazlgrYGrmY9sa1H0P8paIukeMZLmRBmpC-bWwHQTEOcfd9VewbjsnCLiP0yf24y8D8i3uE44Z65D3TWlqHJIFST8ug/s320/DarklightHC+c.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 178px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 124px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 130%;">Here's how it works.</span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;">We start out with a list of books to choose from and 4 winners. Then </span><span style="font-size: 130%;">as we get more followers, we add more books and more winners.</span><span style="font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://www.northlakelibrary.org/upload/leviathan-by-Scott-Westerfeld.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.northlakelibrary.org/upload/leviathan-by-Scott-Westerfeld.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 206px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 126px;" /></a></span><br />
<br />
<div><span style="font-size: 130%;">To begin we'll have an initial list of books that winners can choose from.</span><div><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;">First Pl</span><span style="font-size: 130%;">ace Winner - First Choice of 4 Books</span></div><span style="font-size: 130%;">Second</span><span style="font-size: 130%;"> Place Winner - Second Choice of 3 Books</span><div><span style="font-size: 130%;">Third Place Winner - Third Choice of 2 Books<br />
Fourth </span><span style="font-size: 130%;">Place Winner - Fourth Choice of 2 Books</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em><span style="color: red;">The </span></em><em><span style="color: red;">best part is </span></em><em><span style="color: red;">that WE'LL ADD MORE WINNERS!</span></em></span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;">As we </span><span style="font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://yareads.com/wp-content/plugins/image-shadow/cache/d7b7211ade18bfc4adb471ae9ff0b8a3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://yareads.com/wp-content/plugins/image-shadow/cache/d7b7211ade18bfc4adb471ae9ff0b8a3.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 192px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 131px;" /></a></span><span style="font-size: 130%;">get more followers we will add more winners and books. We have 500 followers as of now but... </span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;">- When we hit 525 followers, we'll add more books and 2 more winners (who can choose 1 book each)</span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;">- Then for every ad</span><span style="font-size: 130%;">ditional 25 followers that a</span><span style="font-size: 130%;">re added after that, we'll add more books and 2 more winners.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"><br />
<em>For i</em><em>nstance - </em>at 525 Followers, we'll have First, Second, Third, and Fourth pl</span><span style="font-size: 130%;">ace plus 2 winners of one book each.<br />
</span><div><span style="font-size: 130%;">- at 550 Followers, well have First, Second, Third, and Fourth place, plus 4 winners of one book each</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjS1lD5TEhUyDywOkMBF_g6Sx8t809-yuDcQpK9Hc1KJ7wCUidt7Qwuz1l_W4rPsFB7_MN80kZ5VJh8WULqBgpFMRauLpcwunXvoCUYqN1Wpn9uWL-13RwKnjxmWGjFaA6ex8YvlKmdNUL/s200/wish+alexandra+bullen.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjS1lD5TEhUyDywOkMBF_g6Sx8t809-yuDcQpK9Hc1KJ7wCUidt7Qwuz1l_W4rPsFB7_MN80kZ5VJh8WULqBgpFMRauLpcwunXvoCUYqN1Wpn9uWL-13RwKnjxmWGjFaA6ex8YvlKmdNUL/s200/wish+alexandra+bullen.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 200px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 135px;" /></a></span><div><span style="font-size: 130%;">- at 575 Followers, we'll </span><span style="font-size: 130%;">have First, Second, Third and Fourth place, plus 6 winners of one book each</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"><br />
And so on, until we get to end of the contest.</span><br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 130%;"><strong><em><span style="color: #333399;"><span style="color: red;">The bottom li</span></span></em></strong></span><span style="color: red; font-size: 130%;"><strong style="color: red;"><em></em></strong><strong style="color: red;"><em><span style="color: #333399;"><span style="color: red;">ne is that as more people enter,</span> </span></em></strong><strong><em><span style="color: #333399;"><span style="color: red;">more people have a chance to win more books!</span></span></em></strong></span></div><span style="font-size: 130%;"></span></div><br />
<div><span style="font-size: 130%;"></span></div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidu7akleJBX63kplR_6JPW3R-BjJT6f7S3xPKYy1xm0XWGloZcBjFR3MKVZ0ifKRTnUrTP2XEOFej42LTkk-SOHY1eGDL1VAhU1j3x44ExiCs4TzYGzIoEp7NAUQMnEJUyjNgfy6JuaN6g/s400/35834614.JPG.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidu7akleJBX63kplR_6JPW3R-BjJT6f7S3xPKYy1xm0XWGloZcBjFR3MKVZ0ifKRTnUrTP2XEOFej42LTkk-SOHY1eGDL1VAhU1j3x44ExiCs4TzYGzIoEp7NAUQMnEJUyjNgfy6JuaN6g/s400/35834614.JPG.jpeg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 187px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 125px;" /></a></span><div><span style="font-size: 130%;">Any comment will do but if you have a book you'd like us to add to this Giv</span><span style="font-size: 130%;">ea</span><span style="font-size: 130%;">way, please tell us in the comments here. No guarantees but we </span><span style="font-size: 130%;">we'll take the vot</span><span style="font-size: 130%;">e</span><span style="font-size: 130%;">s into account when we add books, so give us your input! (Just keep in mind it must be something available by the end of this giveaway.)<br />
<br />
5) Enter by midnight PST on March 7, 2009.</span><br />
</div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em><strong></strong></em></span><span style="font-size: 130%;"><br />
</span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-size: 130%; font-style: italic;">PO</span><span style="color: red; font-size: 130%; font-style: italic;">I</span><span style="font-size: 130%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimbizsfFSOARo7dZfKzMcH0Oj8QV4ZuH9ZN1womEeRROluK2xVjFswS82jtjVnBhWm8aZZBqixAeZ8rH_nt66r42ytDELWRlCDBzjiLhrdcqP-mopXajKxgcEApbuZxpMTZvm83CL_ROU/s320/The+Everafter.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimbizsfFSOARo7dZfKzMcH0Oj8QV4ZuH9ZN1womEeRROluK2xVjFswS82jtjVnBhWm8aZZBqixAeZ8rH_nt66r42ytDELWRlCDBzjiLhrdcqP-mopXajKxgcEApbuZxpMTZvm83CL_ROU/s320/The+Everafter.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 193px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 128px;" /></a></span><span style="color: red; font-size: 130%; font-style: italic;">N</span><span style="color: red; font-size: 130%; font-style: italic;">TS FOR COMMENTING</span> </div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"></span><span style="font-size: 130%;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;">First, s</span><span style="font-size: 130%;">econd, third and fourth place winners get to choose their books and will have 48 hours to respond before we offer the prize to the next winner. The remaining winners will either get a book pulled randomly out of a grab bag or may give them a chance to choose depending on how m</span><span style="font-size: 130%;">any entries we have. We'll decide at the end of the contest. Last time everyone got to pick.</span><div align="center"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://www.victoriahanley.com/images/VioletWings-sm.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.victoriahanley.com/images/VioletWings-sm.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 183px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 122px;" /></a></span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;">So...All yo</span><span style="font-size: 130%;">u need to do to enter is:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;">1) Be</span><span style="font-size: 130%;"> a Foll</span><span style="font-size: 130%;">ower</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;">2) Fill out the form</span><span style="font-size: 130%;"><br />
3) Comment on this post -at the original site</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;">4) Enter by midnight PST 03/07/10</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">Here's </span><span style="color: red; font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">the Initial List To Choose From:</span><span style="font-size: 130%;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;">1) </span><span style="color: #333399; font-size: 130%; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #000099;">Bea</span></span><span style="font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://jkrbooks.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451af1569e20115713d634f970c-800wi" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://jkrbooks.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451af1569e20115713d634f970c-800wi" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 170px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 112px;" /></a></span><span style="color: #333399; font-size: 130%; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #000099;">uti</span></span><span style="color: #333399; font-size: 130%; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #000099;">ful Creatures</span> </span><span style="font-size: 130%;">by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl<br />
2) </span><span style="color: #000099; font-size: 130%; font-style: italic;">Th</span><span style="color: #000099; font-size: 130%; font-style: italic;">e Dark Divine</span><span style="font-size: 130%;"> by Bre</span><span style="font-size: 130%;">e Despain</span></div><span style="font-size: 130%;">3) </span><span style="color: #000099; font-size: 130%; font-style: italic;">Fallen</span><span style="font-size: 130%;"> by Lauren Kate<br />
4) </span><span style="color: #000099; font-size: 130%; font-style: italic;">Darklight</span><span style="font-size: 130%;"> by Lesley Livingston</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;">5) </span><span style="color: #000099; font-size: 130%; font-style: italic;">Leviathan</span><span style="font-size: 130%;"> by Scott Westerfeld<br />
6) </span><span style="color: #000099; font-size: 130%; font-style: italic;">City of Ashes</span><span style="font-size: 130%;"> by Cassandra Clare</span><span style="font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://www.egmontusa.com/images/dyn/cover/index.pperl?source=9781606840498&width=200" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.egmontusa.com/images/dyn/cover/index.pperl?source=9781606840498&width=200" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 183px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 121px;" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;">7) </span><span style="color: #000099; font-size: 130%; font-style: italic;">Wish</span><span style="font-size: 130%;"> by Alexandra Bullen<br />
8) </span><span style="color: #000099; font-size: 130%; font-style: italic;">Looking Glass Wars</span><span style="font-size: 130%;"> by Frank Beddor</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;">9) </span><span style="color: #000099; font-size: 130%; font-style: italic;">Sceptor of the Ancients</span><span style="font-size: 130%;"> by Derek Landy<br />
10) </span><span style="color: #000099; font-size: 130%; font-style: italic;">Candor</span><span style="font-size: 130%;"> by Pam Bachorz<br />
11) </span><span style="color: #000099; font-size: 130%; font-style: italic;">Violet Wings</span><span style="font-size: 130%;"> by Victoria Hanley<br />
12) </span><span style="color: #000099; font-size: 130%; font-style: italic;">The EverAfter</span><span style="font-size: 130%;"> by Amy Huntley<br />
13) </span><span style="color: #000099; font-size: 130%; font-style: italic;">Wish You Were Dead</span><span style="font-size: 130%;"> by Todd Strasser<br />
14) </span><span style="color: #000099; font-size: 130%; font-style: italic;">Invisible Lines</span><span style="font-size: 130%;"> by Mary Amato</span><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://www.maryamato.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/InvisibleLines-199x300.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="color: red; font-weight: bold;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.maryamato.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/InvisibleLines-199x300.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 184px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 121px;" /></a></span><span style="font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">Books We're Thinking About Adding:</span><span style="font-size: 130%;"><br />
</span><span style="color: #333399; font-size: 130%; font-style: italic;">Bleeding Violet <span style="color: black;">by Dia Reeves</span><br />
The Awakening</span><span style="font-size: 130%;"> by Kelley Armstrong</span><span style="color: #6600cc; font-size: 130%; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #333399;">Incarceron</span> </span><span style="font-size: 130%;">by Catherine Fisher</span><span style="color: #333399; font-size: 130%; font-style: italic;">The Body Finder</span><span style="font-size: 130%;"> by Kimberly Derting</span><span style="color: #333399; font-size: 130%; font-style: italic;">Firespell</span><span style="font-size: 130%;"> by Chloe Neill</span><span style="color: #333399; font-size: 130%; font-style: italic;">The Book Thief </span><span style="color: #333399; font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: black;">by Markus </span></span><span style="color: #333399; font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: black;">Zusak</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333399; font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: black;">What do you suggest?</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333399; font-size: 130%; font-style: italic;"><br />
</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrHhx13C1UmVXs-rmZsEpecv6QHaojRSlD-VqI61nMjBMO7Q-m9G19LKcCCNrIogN7qKZoWVeQlNuIwsxq6IhFu4UsTA8OIqFpmPZHt45JjSwLmKhkqqZdckgA0rHWbH_FVNm1ovZMkEFj/s320/Incarceron+by+Catherine+Fisher.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br />
</a><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">It's International so spread the word and GOOD LUCK to all!</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #330099; font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: #ff6600;">1/</span></span><a href="http://www.kimberlyderting.com/images/body-finder-200.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="color: #330099;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.kimberlyderting.com/images/body-finder-200.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 173px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 113px;" /></a><span style="color: #330099; font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: #ff6600;">24 CONTEST UPDATE</span> <span style="color: #ff6600;">We made it to 550 so quickly! That m</span></span><span style="color: #330099; font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: #ff6600;">e</span></span><span style="color: #330099; font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: #ff6600;">ans 4 </span></span><span style="color: #330099; font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: #ff6600;">more winners for a total of 8! Th</span></span><span style="color: #330099; font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: #ff6600;">e 4 books we're adding are:</span> </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrHhx13C1UmVXs-rmZsEpecv6QHaojRSlD-VqI61nMjBMO7Q-m9G19LKcCCNrIogN7qKZoWVeQlNuIwsxq6IhFu4UsTA8OIqFpmPZHt45JjSwLmKhkqqZdckgA0rHWbH_FVNm1ovZMkEFj/s320/Incarceron+by+Catherine+Fisher.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrHhx13C1UmVXs-rmZsEpecv6QHaojRSlD-VqI61nMjBMO7Q-m9G19LKcCCNrIogN7qKZoWVeQlNuIwsxq6IhFu4UsTA8OIqFpmPZHt45JjSwLmKhkqqZdckgA0rHWbH_FVNm1ovZMkEFj/s320/Incarceron+by+Catherine+Fisher.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 167px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 112px;" /></a><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: #ff6600;"><span style="color: #33cc00; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #ff6600;">1)</span> The Body Finder</span> by Kimberly Derting</span> </span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: #ff6600;"><span style="color: #33cc00; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #ff6600;">2)</span> Incarceron</span> by Catherine Fisher</span> </span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: #ff6600;"><span style="color: #33cc00; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #ff6600;">3)</span> The Awakening</span> by Kelley Armstrong</span> </span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: #ff6600;"><span style="color: #33cc00; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #ff6600;">4)</span> Ballad</span> by Maggie Steifvater</span></span></div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><br />
<span style="color: red;">Contest Update 2/3: We made it to 625 so we now have 14 winners! The added books are:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #333399;">Firespell</span> </span><span style="color: red;">by Chloe Neill</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: #333399; font-style: italic;">Stormbreaker </span>by Anthony Horowitz</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: #333399; font-style: italic;">Gifted series</span> (2 in 1 book) by Marilyn Kaye</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: #333399; font-style: italic;">Rosemary and Rue</span> by Seanan McGuire</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: #333399; font-style: italic;">Going Bovine</span> by Libba Bray</span>Heather Thomas - advocate for changehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01113883319309174126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735997635275084154.post-15290515285181864922010-02-06T18:11:00.004-05:002010-02-06T18:46:53.474-05:00This weeks goodies up for grabs<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #660000;">Warning! <span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;">Giveaways are held at their respective sites. This posting is to point you in the right direction and share in the fun!</span></span></span></span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://flippingpagesforallages.blogspot.com/2010/01/guest-post-and-contest.html">Flipping the pages</a> is giving away a book of choice from her stash. <br />
<br />
Here are the pickings:<br />
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead<br />
Frostbite by Richelle Mead<br />
Shadowkiss by Richelle Mead<br />
The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness<br />
<br />
<a href="http://flippingpagesforallages.blogspot.com/2010/01/interview-w-julie-kagawa-and-giveaway.html">Flipping Pages</a> is also having a giveaway of Iron King in honor of her recent author interview with Julie Kawaga. Anyone who adores Jim Butcher is in my good books!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcgFMsQGcZeqOIuUIsce5N9kUi3JTlf94SemlIK1TX43cNMv-MFvf8_0VEBHM6WrENjlbixGR4tAxuPLS8jR0h9esRp_F7fjZYJ85Bz7QHYpsuSKo60rzONO6bw_RIk7UQdcw0km11ksQ/s1600/The_Iron_King_Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcgFMsQGcZeqOIuUIsce5N9kUi3JTlf94SemlIK1TX43cNMv-MFvf8_0VEBHM6WrENjlbixGR4tAxuPLS8jR0h9esRp_F7fjZYJ85Bz7QHYpsuSKo60rzONO6bw_RIk7UQdcw0km11ksQ/s320/The_Iron_King_Cover.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://stackedbooks.blogspot.com/2010/02/my-soul-to-save-giveaway.html">Stacked</a> is giving away 3 copies of My Soul To Save <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbceQ-FRGNQKqUFJBDBA0Os17KFA-0sdawsCH0ucdeT8mSO1csafZWvEJ8ZU0CCBJqaJfzQmAxu9JVB-J-hkikl-zB42P1TAsjHD41atZK7ID0A-5FgSC7iY6ah6fKt3Jyux1T0W1kqdj/s1600/SoulScreamersCoversH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbceQ-FRGNQKqUFJBDBA0Os17KFA-0sdawsCH0ucdeT8mSO1csafZWvEJ8ZU0CCBJqaJfzQmAxu9JVB-J-hkikl-zB42P1TAsjHD41atZK7ID0A-5FgSC7iY6ah6fKt3Jyux1T0W1kqdj/s320/SoulScreamersCoversH.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Heather Thomas - advocate for changehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01113883319309174126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735997635275084154.post-42674159746690210242010-02-05T23:20:00.000-05:002010-02-05T23:20:25.478-05:00Princep's Fury - Jim Butcher - only 3 this time...for some really good reasons!<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2903736.Princeps_Fury" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="Princeps' Fury (Codex Alera, #5)" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1219112684m/2903736.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2903736.Princeps_Fury">Princeps' Fury</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10746.Jim_Butcher">Jim Butcher</a><br/><br/><br />
My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/87617199">3 of 5 stars</a><br />
Let me just start of by saying that I am a huge supporter of Jim Butcher. I have devoured all of the Dresden files (all eleven with in 3 weeks). So when I say the Captain's Fury and the Princep's Fury sitting their on the library shelf I was grinning ear to ear.<br />
<br />
However a sad reality of my beyond humanly possible high expectations is that every one is human and tries to please the masses by what is known and comfortable. This is a good summation of about 75-100 pages of the story. One of my worst pet peeves in a series is when the formulation behind the writing to so obvious. <br />
<br />
Don't get me wrong I love the book. I love the series. I would recommend all of them in a heart beat and I am super geeked to get the First Lord's Fury (knowing that they are gonna kick some serious butt.<br />
<br />
The comfort of staying with the main sympathetic characters was a bit flat this time around. I would have liked to seen further insight into some of the more perverse characters. Like answering what made them so whacked up.<br />
<br />
There were so many more characters that would have stirred up the intrigue during the chapters that were used to describe "how they got to where they are." I'm cool with a chapter ended with and they sailed for their destination" and then the very first line of the next chapter "As they pulled up to the shore line."<br />
<br />
Of course I am simplifying my point. <br />
<br />
Butcher's ability and adaptability to produce such satisfying and complex tales of Dresden and Alera is a testament to his genius and craft of story telling.<br />
<br />
Although he only received a 3 this go'round - God Bless Jim Butcher!!!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2234836-5peasinapod-thomas">View all my reviews >></a>Heather Thomas - advocate for changehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01113883319309174126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735997635275084154.post-91459521034115129982010-01-31T08:50:00.003-05:002010-01-31T14:15:16.675-05:00Newly Discovered Contests <span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">These are not my contests, just sharing the joy and love! Check out their websites to join!!!</span></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://b00kbound.blogspot.com/2010/01/mega-giveaway-best-ya-of-2009.html">Book Bound 2/5/10</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu324/Adaleelee/GiveawayCollage2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu324/Adaleelee/GiveawayCollage2.png" /></a></div><br />
1. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1606840576?ie=UTF8&tag=boobou-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1606840576">The Dark Divine</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=boobou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1606840576" style="border: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> by <i>Bree Despain</i><br />
2. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0545123267?ie=UTF8&tag=boobou-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0545123267">Shiver</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=boobou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0545123267" style="border: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> by <i>Maggie Stiefvater</i><br />
3. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0385738935?ie=UTF8&tag=boobou-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0385738935">Fallen</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=boobou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0385738935" style="border: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> by <i>Lauren Kate</i><br />
4. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1595142657?ie=UTF8&tag=boobou-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1595142657">The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=boobou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1595142657" style="border: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> by <i>Lauren Kate</i><br />
5. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1416989412?ie=UTF8&tag=boobou-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1416989412">Hush, Hush</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=boobou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1416989412" style="border: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> by <i>Becca Fitzpatrick</i><br />
6. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312380968?ie=UTF8&tag=boobou-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0312380968">Eyes Like Stars: Theatre Illuminata, Act I</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=boobou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0312380968" style="border: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> by <i>Lisa Mantchev</i><br />
7. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1416938397?ie=UTF8&tag=boobou-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1416938397">The Seven Rays</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=boobou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1416938397" style="border: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> by <i>Jessica Bendinger</i><br />
8. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0385736819?ie=UTF8&tag=boobou-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0385736819">The Forest of Hands and Teeth</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=boobou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0385736819" style="border: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> by <i>Carrie Ryan</i><br />
9. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1595141715?ie=UTF8&tag=boobou-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1595141715">Thirteen Reasons Why</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=boobou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1595141715" style="border: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> by <i>Jay Asher</i><br />
10. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312594410?ie=UTF8&tag=boobou-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0312594410">The Adoration of Jenna Fox</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=boobou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0312594410" style="border: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> by <i>Mary E. Pearson</i><br />
11. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0316042676?ie=UTF8&tag=boobou-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0316042676">Beautiful Creatures</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=boobou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0316042676" style="border: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> by <i>Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl</i><br />
12. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0439023491?ie=UTF8&tag=boobou-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0439023491">Catching Fire (The Second Book of the Hunger Games)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=boobou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0439023491" style="border: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> by Suzanne Collins<br />
13. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0061662763?ie=UTF8&tag=boobou-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0061662763">The Awakening (Darkest Powers, Book 2)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=boobou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0061662763" style="border: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> by <i>Kelley Armstrong</i><br />
14. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/006121471X?ie=UTF8&tag=boobou-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=006121471X">Fragile Eternity</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=boobou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=006121471X" style="border: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> by <i>Melissa Marr</i><br />
15. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1416914307?ie=UTF8&tag=boobou-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1416914307">City of Glass (Mortal Instruments)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=boobou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1416914307" style="border: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> by <i>Cassandra Clare</i><br />
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<a href="http://shutupimreading.blogspot.com/2009/12/200-follower-shin-dig.html"><i><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;">Shut Up! I'm Reading</span></span></i></a><br />
<i><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">To celebrate over 350 check out the goodies!</span></span></span></span></i><br />
<a href="http://shutupimreading.blogspot.com/2010/01/mark-review.html"><br />
The Mark by Jen Nadol </a>(ARC)<br />
<a href="http://shutupimreading.blogspot.com/2009/12/dark-divine-review.html">The Dark Divine by Bree Despain</a> (ARC)<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Faery-Rebels-R-J-Anderson/dp/006155474X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1261421900&sr=1-1">Faery Rebels: Spell Hunter by R.J. Anderson</a> (Hardcover)<br />
<a href="http://shutupimreading.blogspot.com/2009/12/author-lisa-haines-release-date-october.html">Girl In The Arena by Lisa Haines</a> (Hardcover)<br />
<a href="http://shutupimreading.blogspot.com/2009/12/candle-man-book-one-society-of.html">Candle Man Book 1: The Society of Unrelenting Vigilance by Glenn Dakin</a> (ARC)<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0802720749/ref=s9_simp_gw_s0_p14_t1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0F1D36PJ2K3RFZC5QVJM&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846">Hearts at Stake by Alyxandra Harvey</a> (ARC) (Added when I reached 250 followers.)<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1416989560/ref=s9_simz_gw_s0_p14_t2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1QG9EGMQD1QER8HJGHKH&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846">Dark Visions: The Strange Power, The Possessed, The Passion by L.J. Smith</a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.readingwithtequila.com/2010/01/300-follower-giveaway.html">Reading With Tequila</a></span><br />
<i>Celebrating 300 followers with a giveaway!</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris<br />
Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs<br />
White Witch, Black Curse by Kim Harrison<br />
Three Days to Dead by Kelly Meding<br />
Born of Fire by Sherrilyn Kenyon<br />
Soulless by Gail Carrier<br />
Kitty's House of Horrors by Carrie Vaughn<br />
Fade Out by Rachel Caine<br />
Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay<br />
Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich<br />
Covet by J.R. Ward<br />
Nice Girls Don't Live Forever by Molly Harper<br />
Street Game by Christine Feehan<br />
Heart of Darkness by Gena Showalter<br />
Ashes of Midnight by Lara Adrian<br />
Desire Unchained by Larissa Ione<br />
The Choice by Nicholas Sparks<br />
Swallowing Darkness by Laurell K. Hamilton<br />
7th Heaven by James Patterson<br />
Bitten by Cupid by Lynsay Sands</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Heather Thomas - advocate for changehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01113883319309174126noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735997635275084154.post-70417360579137241292010-01-29T10:18:00.000-05:002010-01-29T10:18:08.628-05:00Captain's Fury - Codex Alera 4 Series - 5 Stars<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/346087.Captain_s_Fury" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Captain's Fury (Codex Alera, #4)" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255681795m/346087.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/346087.Captain_s_Fury">Captain's Fury</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10746.Jim_Butcher">Jim Butcher</a><br />
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My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/87285988">5 of 5 stars</a><br />
The 4th installment of the Codex Alera did not disappoint! Some books in the middle of a series serves as a filler to bridge the first few and the last few in the series. Not the case with this one!<br />
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This book could easily be a stand alone read without a newbie to the series getting lost. An additional positive is that Butcher does not take more than a paragraph or two to give the "background" of the previous books. It is so aptly done that the seasoned Codex Alera reader's eyes don't roll in the back of their head out of sheer boredom with the recap (can you tell I hate recaps?). <br />
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More than just a "small town boy makes good" type of story. Travi's growth during this installment is not just physical but also in character. This is evident as Travi sacrifices himself in multiple ways for the benefit of the realm. Too bad the realm would rather he die.<br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2234836-5peasinapod-thomas">View all my reviews >></a>Heather Thomas - advocate for changehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01113883319309174126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735997635275084154.post-36041880239499155782010-01-29T08:57:00.001-05:002010-03-23T18:57:00.268-04:00Lords of Darkness - Soulless - 5 Stars<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1705136.The_Soulless" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="The Soulless (Lords of Darkness, #1)" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1187150464m/1705136.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1705136.The_Soulless">The Soulless</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/701863.L_G_Burbank">L.G. Burbank</a><br />
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<br />
My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/87283387">5 of 5 stars</a><br />
When I first picked this up I expected it to be filled with blood, guts, horror, etc. I was not disappointed. However, I also found deeper literary connections to the writers reflections of the human spirit and classic motifs of "a savior for mankind" I know, I know, these type of "fun reads" are supposed to be only that "fun" with no social message or intellectual connection. After all this is a "horror" book. How can we have blood and guts and a message for mankind? Seriously? Blood and guts don't go with mankind? That's a stretch you say? To say that mankind is without the blood and guts is the real fallacy. Don't get me wrong, I don't think this book will insight political change but I do think that the author has done a great job tapping into the archetypal theme of humankind's damnation and their salvation hinging one one person. Either by accident or genius, using the Jesus motif in a vampire/paranormal book is a fun take on a classic theme.<br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2234836-5peasinapod-thomas">View all my reviews >></a>Heather Thomas - advocate for changehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01113883319309174126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735997635275084154.post-73305283939722375852010-01-29T08:22:00.001-05:002012-08-29T21:42:46.258-04:00Not your momma's Tom Sawyer - Book Review - 5 Stars<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6727118-the-adventures-of-tom-sawyer" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41yDpOuslWL._SX106_.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6727118-the-adventures-of-tom-sawyer">The Adventures of Tom Sawyer</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1655.Mark_Twain">Mark Twain</a><br />
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My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/84260497">5 of 5 stars</a><br />
This book is a reread for me as I read it in Junior High. Often this book is regarded as a coming of age classic piece of nostalgic Americana. This was my initial conception when I read this 18 years ago. <br />
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I have discovered that this is not the case. Not by a long shot. <br />
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The book holds many parallels to Twain's Calvinist up bringing. I don't want to delve too much into the many layers of Twain's writing. I was a bit skeptic at first and believe that these realizations should be obtained first hand.<br />
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A few things to consider while reading or rereading Tom Sawyer (and then Huck Finn for that matter).<br />
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The town: St. Petersburg<br />
-translates into "St. Peter's city" <br />
-Peter is said to be the one that stands at the gates of Heaven to let the worthy in.<br />
-St. Petersburg Russia at the time was rife with corruption, murder, and chaos<br />
-What are the main things that happen in the town? Is there anything going on to actually be nostalgic about?<br />
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Adults:<br />
-If a town is represented by it's citizens, what do they say about St. Petersburg?<br />
-The adults are violent, irrational, pious, judgmental, etc<br />
-Take a look at their parenting and child rearing skills. While spare the rod spoil the child has been around for a long time (and still today), the Victorian philosophy incorporates motivating a child to do right out of love and not fear. This is not present in anyway in St. Petersburg. Look at their parenting practices and ask yourself if you would be nostalgic of being a child with those types of parents...<br />
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These are just some of the basic elements to argue that this is not merely a coming of age boy's book. While reading, keep an eye out for Twain's critique on Romantic Literature that was prevalent with the day and ask yourself what do Tom's trips and Injun Joe represent.<br />
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I would love to discuss this book further with anyone that is interested!<br />
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Happy Reading!<br />
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<a href="http://cymlowell.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="CymLowell" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2442/3960797566_f11cfb2f41_o.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2234836-5peasinapod-thomas">View all my reviews >></a></div>Heather Thomas - advocate for changehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01113883319309174126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735997635275084154.post-2754001982875868482010-01-16T14:03:00.001-05:002010-01-16T14:04:08.573-05:00Wicked Awesome Books is having a giveaway too!Head on over to <a href="http://ahauntofancientpeace.blogspot.com/2010/01/new-books-in-new-year-contest.html">Wicked Awesome Books</a> to check out her great giveaway. Not only are there books, but also some swag to go along with it.<br />
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My picks would be:<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I soooo want to read this!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And let us not forget (which I soooo want to read too):<br />
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</div><a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1243347999l/6186357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1243347999l/6186357.jpg" /></a>Heather Thomas - advocate for changehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01113883319309174126noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735997635275084154.post-29822814849515703522010-01-16T13:27:00.000-05:002010-01-16T13:27:44.426-05:00Another discovered series and another give away!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZnETg1JIajFKDLLm8GVKZPk7jhR3ZGvgjGUWVBbtEUURbGL6xCCXAhleLj0zC98fI8PnG0paYeDfU4bcS-YjXlNAlkmmNiZWzYqMbT2Zph4hhbPbIpjrL1uaVyRXUFCaQKeUm_kMmEmI/s1600/knife_cover_front2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZnETg1JIajFKDLLm8GVKZPk7jhR3ZGvgjGUWVBbtEUURbGL6xCCXAhleLj0zC98fI8PnG0paYeDfU4bcS-YjXlNAlkmmNiZWzYqMbT2Zph4hhbPbIpjrL1uaVyRXUFCaQKeUm_kMmEmI/s320/knife_cover_front2.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>So I am wondering around in book blog land and have discovered some really great giveaways. I just love the book blogging community! *big hug* Just a bunch of constructive addicts. Head on over to <a href="http://escapeinabook.blogspot.com/2009/12/two-lucky-winners-will-get-one-of-my.html">Escape in a Box</a> to check out her giveaway and review of Knife.Heather Thomas - advocate for changehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01113883319309174126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735997635275084154.post-32187055086731040332010-01-16T13:06:00.000-05:002010-01-16T13:06:05.738-05:00Blood Coven Giveaway at Books at MidnightI found another giveaway that has captured my interest check out your chance to win a book from the Blood Coven series over at <a href="http://booksatmidnight.blogspot.com/2010/01/interview-mari-mancusi-giveaway.html">Books at Midnight</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLqwgGjyIwCST4UG5f3ks0Y0m4yXp6h2nagP_vy2MxcMAldbtaZE8h_QVuEdXOftwRTmBkfZvEThnMlx_RFLwUITsTW-AraF1b3Q0-FFnayxW3Gj4pHIuQ-jMr9n5S544X0yzQAyDmSKOf/s1600/bad+blood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLqwgGjyIwCST4UG5f3ks0Y0m4yXp6h2nagP_vy2MxcMAldbtaZE8h_QVuEdXOftwRTmBkfZvEThnMlx_RFLwUITsTW-AraF1b3Q0-FFnayxW3Gj4pHIuQ-jMr9n5S544X0yzQAyDmSKOf/s320/bad+blood.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>Heather Thomas - advocate for changehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01113883319309174126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735997635275084154.post-1049292470034704432010-01-16T11:51:00.000-05:002010-01-16T11:51:17.029-05:00Ginormous Book Giveaway!Congratulations to Choco over at In Which a Girl Reads for amassing a huge following. Check out what's going on at In Which a Girl Reads! She is hosting a <a href="http://inwhichagirl.blogspot.com/2009/11/ginormous-100-followers-giveaway.html">huge giveaway</a> to celebrate her reaching 100 followers. 1st place gets to pick 3, yup 3 from this pile:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG4TG7VJmmRb8abyoA8n6nNgo8fqbiik_OnIk-3Ue5M3CloRcXbJ9yBo3xfA4_qHxnix6S_FkopoAewOpGuvEEG6VpXNKkLmf9smGQDr3aiGDJMpJTJXe9JHTQ7lQWqMVByxxUvAH-MbQ/s1600/bookpile1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG4TG7VJmmRb8abyoA8n6nNgo8fqbiik_OnIk-3Ue5M3CloRcXbJ9yBo3xfA4_qHxnix6S_FkopoAewOpGuvEEG6VpXNKkLmf9smGQDr3aiGDJMpJTJXe9JHTQ7lQWqMVByxxUvAH-MbQ/s320/bookpile1.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8qftG8hP6-A-J6_NbJp5fr2kfxuHoUrkq_GZZkLwZyAZI1iNREY_vxU_jYJU3bYOAUgJTrxfWw_V2kio8u20HNWPc87htQ81SjYpfPaeylIEin3uTHkxbAiXoJsMTXt8eLk6gvLxSbQ/s1600/bookpile2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8qftG8hP6-A-J6_NbJp5fr2kfxuHoUrkq_GZZkLwZyAZI1iNREY_vxU_jYJU3bYOAUgJTrxfWw_V2kio8u20HNWPc87htQ81SjYpfPaeylIEin3uTHkxbAiXoJsMTXt8eLk6gvLxSbQ/s320/bookpile2.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZW55IGRrwqUQTiivOTdh6r7GfPBazAovQdD6SROteqL_7WH8OFVOKcXag-SImGcycNQNJ5vUGCaT4xiKasIYylo_cmcaocIpd5uVmNIbE4QciCWzAIFef8jbg42YHyh2vJOFpcVQREro/s1600/bookpile3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZW55IGRrwqUQTiivOTdh6r7GfPBazAovQdD6SROteqL_7WH8OFVOKcXag-SImGcycNQNJ5vUGCaT4xiKasIYylo_cmcaocIpd5uVmNIbE4QciCWzAIFef8jbg42YHyh2vJOFpcVQREro/s320/bookpile3.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimzQ6-CioMD4AuRIBtXi1ZecZGwAk7B8SC6065lsY1D3yhNKRJafWIaA23ip5RmAoFn9d4F1i9wMFxMjrgX4map9yAb-hUjJHNCK4Yluaac4CHuQ-msrJtwc0O2TjWmumLJg6VZToM8Wk/s1600/bookpile4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimzQ6-CioMD4AuRIBtXi1ZecZGwAk7B8SC6065lsY1D3yhNKRJafWIaA23ip5RmAoFn9d4F1i9wMFxMjrgX4map9yAb-hUjJHNCK4Yluaac4CHuQ-msrJtwc0O2TjWmumLJg6VZToM8Wk/s320/bookpile4.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>This is NOT my contest, I am only the messenger. Head on over there <a href="http://inwhichagirl.blogspot.com/2009/11/ginormous-100-followers-giveaway.html">now</a>!Heather Thomas - advocate for changehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01113883319309174126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735997635275084154.post-47668335637750380312010-01-13T22:50:00.005-05:002010-03-23T18:59:07.846-04:00Masquerade by Gayle Lynds ** 2 Stars<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/82208.Masquerade" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Masquerade" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171013608m/82208.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/82208.Masquerade">Masquerade</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17526.Gayle_Lynds">Gayle Lynds</a><br />
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My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/56239441">2 of 5 stars</a><br />
In a nut shell, I would say that if you are at one of those camp grounds that has a lending library and you are without a really good book, this book is finishable.<br />
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In it's honor the last 1/3 was pretty good and did keep me coming back to the end. If a book is all out horrible I quickly move on to something better. However the good part was working to wrap up and make sense out of the first 2/3 of the book.<br />
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For me a book revolves around the characters and the plot. While the book did start off as promising, the characters seemed too random as the story tried to include them all for the big reveal at the end. To me it seemed as though the book was written with the end in mind and then the characters were worked in through out the book so they could be used later. As the ancillary characters pop up in the book, it's not very clear as to why you would even care about these people and then they get dragged into the whole conspiracy at the end.<br />
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The plot has an interesting premise, but was not fully executed in a way that builds much suspense or great intrigue. Scenes seemed a bit pat and already done and lead me to understand much of it in the first half. However, it was an easy read and I was curious to see exactly how it would work out. Although I was hoping for a surprise ending (which I didn't get) it wasn't the worst book I have ever read.<br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2234836-5peasinapod-thomas">View all my reviews >></a><br />
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Challenge Stats:<br />
<a href="http://2manygoodbooks.blogspot.com/2009/11/my-100-book-challenge-for-2010.html">100 Book Reading Challenge</a>: 1<br />
<a href="http://2manygoodbooks.blogspot.com/2009/12/read-your-bookshelf-challenge.html">Mystery/Thriller Challenge</a>: 1<br />
<a href="http://2manygoodbooks.blogspot.com/2009/12/read-your-bookshelf-challenge.html">Read Your Bookshelf Challenge</a>: 1 (gave me the inspiration to keep going, typically I would have jumped ship)<br />
<a href="http://2manygoodbooks.blogspot.com/2009/11/2010-genre-book-challenge.html">Genre Challenge</a>: 1 MysteryHeather Thomas - advocate for changehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01113883319309174126noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735997635275084154.post-49141970691193272252010-01-10T22:07:00.000-05:002010-01-10T22:07:30.842-05:00Read Your Bookshelf ChallengeI am a horrid book hoarder! I am starting with this particular challenge as many of the books over lap and I am tired of seeing them laying around on my bookshelf. Time to polish them off so that I may add new ones.<br />
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I just added a few more to my "have and need to read" shelf at good ol' good reads. As I sort through those that still need to be read that are still about the house, this collection will continue to grow.<br />
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Through out the challenge, I will update this post to include the ones that I have read and links to the reviews.<br />
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<div style="margin:0px;"> <embed width="190" height="300" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/widget/widget2.swf"
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</div><div style="margin:0px;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2234836-5peasinapod-thomas" target="_blank"><img alt="5peasinapod Thomas's have-and-need-to-read book recommendations, reviews, favorite quotes, book clubs, book trivia, book lists" border="0" height="32" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/widget/widget_logo.gif" title="5peasinapod Thomas's have-and-need-to-read book recommendations, reviews, favorite quotes, book clubs, book trivia, book lists" width="190" /></a><br />
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Happy Reading!<br />
HeatherHeather Thomas - advocate for changehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01113883319309174126noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7735997635275084154.post-82337505549128989772010-01-09T17:27:00.001-05:002010-01-09T17:27:49.983-05:00A few ideas of inspiration - Bloggiesta<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxTzJN-TwmvU13mWGFUEO_P-G9KwafmWb5c6BjTE9NDb_Fw4jR9jC7nJ01FJKMNg9imyC8DYV4n5AanvUnHPLp1u2Qm75trNehsBtlfiYkXer1o5v_2GJBfffh3r7v_mazSAwTx4GEkc/s1600-h/IMG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxTzJN-TwmvU13mWGFUEO_P-G9KwafmWb5c6BjTE9NDb_Fw4jR9jC7nJ01FJKMNg9imyC8DYV4n5AanvUnHPLp1u2Qm75trNehsBtlfiYkXer1o5v_2GJBfffh3r7v_mazSAwTx4GEkc/s320/IMG.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div>One of the mini-challenges, courtesy of <a href="http://www.jennsbookshelves.com/2010/01/08/bloggiesta-mini-challenge-come-up-with-10-post-ideas/">Jen's Bookshelves</a> is to review previous posts and come up with a few ideas on how to better new posts. Here is my visual organizer. Don't mind my chicken scratch!Heather Thomas - advocate for changehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01113883319309174126noreply@blogger.com4