KatterleysChatterley

What a year!

2012-01-02T01:26:00.000-06:00

I didn't accomplish a novel during Na-No-Wri-Mo, but I had a wonderful November and very busy December! This weekend was a great time to catch my breath, watch the Packers win (again! What a game! I love football, have since high school.) My teens spent the day and the night with my grown daughter. We celebrated Hoyan this morning, an Oneida New Year's celebration. Probably has Dutch roots they picked up in New York before migrating to their other settlements/now reservations around North America. You visit friends and family on New Year's Day morning (originally done at mid-winter) and they provide donuts. Life is good. My daughter makes the donuts now, and we visit her. Life is better! I'm a lousy donut maker--I can't deep fry anything, basically. I can stir fry, at least.

Said grown daughter just got a fancy coffee maker that is fun to play with when we visit. Makes hot cocoa for the teens, too. I enjoy simple things like sipping coffee in my daughter's home while the cats bat at my hubby's coat sleeves and we all complain we could go back to bed after watching the ball drop in New York with Dick Clark. Life is great. Wishing everyone a happy, safe, healthy, and prolific 2012!!

Happy!

2011-10-31T22:45:00.002-05:00

From http://dictionary.reference.com/happy:

Adjective: characterized by or indicative of pleasure, contentment, or joy: a happy mood; a happy frame of mind.
'tis me!!
Happy Katterley! Looking forward to November: Na-no-wri-mo, vacation, family, life is good.
Are you participating in Nanowrimo?

Great!

2011-09-29T09:56:00.001-05:00

as in an adjective, it is a "great" feeling to be posting again!

Wonderful; first-rate; very good: We had a great time. That's great!

Ah, wondrous! I'm inspired!

Functional blog

2011-09-29T09:44:00.002-05:00

Oh crazy, Blogger's different.
I lost Google Dictionary. It messed with my head.
I also got to the letter F in my whole "Word of the Week" deal.
And then I couldn't get past the word, "Fail."
So today, I went to Dictionary.com (my new source for definitions, but I doubt I'll remember to give credit each post) and typed in the letter "F."

Of course, dictionary.com doesn't work like a paper one, but at the bottom of "F" (after describing that it usually was symbolic for "failure") I found the word Function.

Here it is as a:

verb (used without object)

to perform a specified action or activity; work; operate: The computer isn't functioning now. He rarely functions before noon.

to have or exercise a function; serve: In earlier English the present tense often functioned as a future. This orange crate can function as a chair.

So that's what I decided to do today: function.

And I am officially past the letter F.

Funny, one of my kids' names starts with the letter F,. You wouldn't think I'd have issues with it. I also had a great-grandma whose name started with F. Frances, although on some census records, it is spelled Francis. Some of those census people! They never asked spellings, but I suppose there were plenty of people that didn't know the spelling of their name, maybe, since literacy wasn't as important (as things like eating and survival!) back in the day.

Census people would have fun spelling my name, uh, Katterley. When I play video games I'll spell it all sorts of ways.

See you at "G!!" Oh, tags are Labels now...

Effervesce

2011-08-24T07:31:00.000-05:00

Ooh, this is post 102, over 100 posts! Crazy, for as little as I feel I post, anyway. I always feel like I say too much...

from google.com/dictionary

ef·fer·vesce (fr-vs)

intr.v. ef·fer·vesced, ef·fer·vesc·ing, ef·fer·vesc·es

1. To emit small bubbles of gas, as a carbonated or fermenting liquid. (No comment.)

2. To escape from a liquid as bubbles; bubble up.

3. To show high spirits or animation. YAY!

I love this word.

This was going to be my D word: Dog

2011-08-22T02:15:00.000-05:00

But I thought that was lame and couldn't come up with a good one I liked.
But here he is--Moki.

Kittens

2011-08-22T02:11:00.000-05:00

Mom is Shade, from left to right: Oodles, BOB, Detroit, and I can barely tell the ticked tabbies apart, but I'm going with Tabbytha (Tabitha,) then Ryathan (Rye-a-than.) My younger daughter named her, she writes science fiction/fantasy and comes up with some doozies when it comes to names.
OK, I'll stop with the kitties now.

D is for Detroit. Glad I wasn't at the letter "F" or it would have to be "Fail."

2011-08-22T01:59:00.000-05:00

So did not manage a "Word a Week." It's back to more like "Mutter a Month." What a busy summer it's been! Remodeling, destruction and re-construction type; weddings--one on Thursday. I will be a mother-in-law for the third time this week, grandma fun--I became a grandma back in March, she turned 5 months old last week, what a joy she is.
There's the zoo here, too: dogs, goats, chickens, litters of kittens, both inside and out. Good news is we tamed a stray, got her into the house and she had her kittens in here. We'll be able to get her spayed now. Bad news is, she had three girls. Gets expensive. Also, the stray outside had kits, not a chance of getting near her, she's pretty wild. Two of her kittens abandoned HER, she's a lousy mom, and moved in with us (one of them is also a female, we're up to five females for the next spring breeding season, in case you're counting). One of the two kittens left outside is female as well, but she's so tiny I'm not sure she'll make it the winter. So many don't.
I think I've told you about the black stray that was dropped off here, let's see, I've worked at the library for nine years, so it had to be over ten years ago. She was very wild, came around during chick season to see if she could get any stragglers (we free range,) but otherwise we only saw her on really bad winter days, and we'd feed her. After about two years, we found out there were two black cats, but we'd been calling each of them Shadow 'til they showed up together one day--we just couldn't understand why her eyes would be yellow one day and orange the next--but several people in our family have eyes that change color (daughters and hubby) so it didn't seem that far-fetched to us.
After another year, we were back down to one black cat. Then the kittens began. Three different years there were kittens of all shapes and colors, we were unable to tame any, and most didn't make it 'til spring. One was around long enough to be named Kit, he was gray. We think he moved on and found a home. We were almost to the point of being able to pet him.
The next year she had eight. Four survived, all of whom became tame enough to pet, except for Night, so like her mom, hisses at you as you put out food for her and her kits. Her sister Shade is the one we were able to tame into the house this spring.
The boys have vanished, Splash and Ink, beautiful tuxedo boys. There are other stray toms that wander around and do damage, we make sure not to feed them, the nasties. I know you're not supposed to feed any strays, heard that about two years ago, but this is a ten-year cycle, and we can't stop now, they're family.
Shadow had kits last summer, too. Two of her boys are the background of the blog here, Owl and Cloudfoot. We lost Cloudfoot on the highway. Owl is a daily visitor, and is smart enough to come inside when the wicked toms are about--he's a lover, not a fighter. He comes in the morning for breakfast, sits around on the stuffed chair and lets the kittens wrestle with and around him like a good uncle, then heads back outside.
Last year Shadow had two litters, but only one survived. My daughter and her hubby adopted (and neutered, yay!) him. His name is Taco. I think that was too much for Shadow, two litters in one season--we don't see her anymore.
They also adopted one of the kittens from Shade's house litter this year. They named him Bob. He does look a bit like a bobcat, he's just beautiful, a silver and gray tabby, not unlike one of the nasties that comes around, I guess Shade likes the bad boys.
We visited my daughter, son-in-law, Taco, and Bob tonight. Both the boys have gotten big, Bob is already 4 months old and so different from when he left us at six weeks. He's huge. Taco will be a year old next month. He's a gorgeous, rich black color.
Oh, Tabbytha just jumped on my lap, already purring in anticipation of snuggles. Before she messes up this novella by walking across the laptop, I'll quit now. Oh, here comes Detroit! From the time he was a kitten, he would be purring if he even made eye contact with you, and he would (and still does) whip his tail around with excitement when you'd pick him up and love him. I still hold him away from me for a second or two before we snuggle, just so I get to see his tail dance. His purr was so loud, I said, "Motor City!" and from then on, he was Detroit.
Oh, Detroit can be my D word! It means "strait" and is so not pronounced like "Detroit" in French, which is how it originated, because the Detroit River connects Great Lakes.

Word a Week: Chatter

2011-07-12T00:37:00.000-05:00

Chatter
Talk rapidly or incessantly about trivial matters

Like: I changed the font to courier because it started with the letter C. Trivial.

I dunno what that says about the purpose of my blog...but I'm still game!

Another C word: Comment. heheheh. I dare ya.

A remark expressing an opinion or reaction

you asked for comments on the new proposals

Discussion, esp. of a critical nature, of an issue or event

the plans were not sent to the council for comment

An indirect expression of the views of the creator of an artistic work

their second single is a comment on the commercial nature of raves

Blog | Diversity in YA

2011-07-07T11:18:00.000-05:00

Blog | Diversity in YA

Oooh, this isn't a link to their cool contest, but this link will lead you there and I had to share! SO FUN!

Must find where to enter!

Better...

2011-07-07T11:12:00.000-05:00

I feel better already.
Better--adverb: More excellently or effectively.

This way of blogging for me will be more effective and more excellent. Oh, yes, this should do. So I couldn't resist posting my "B" word right away, and catching up to the goal amount at the same time. *sighs with inner peace.*

Better--adjective:

Of a more excellent or effective type or quality
- hoping for better weather
- the new facilities were far better
- I'm better at algebra than Alice
More appropriate, advantageous, or well advised
- there couldn't be a better time to start this job
- it might be better to borrow the money
Partly or fully recovered from illness or injury
- she's much better today
- his leg was getting better
Fitter and healthier; less unwell
- we'll feel a lot better after a decent night's sleep
  or I feel much better (and less unwell) about blogging goals.

I think it'll have to be a 26 word goal...

2011-07-07T11:05:00.000-05:00

...still doing the math...j/k...but no, I cannot keep up with a word a day for half a year, the weekdays are just a bit too hectic, and to be honest, I also feel the need to spend some time unwinding by playing a couple of Facebook games. So then I started thinking about there being 52 weeks in a year, half a year is 26, 26 letters in the alphabet, so if I spend a half a year and pick a word every weekend and do it alphabetically, then I'm still getting a regular schedule for my blog without irritating anyone on a daily basis with goofy words, and I even have a theme to it. I love themes and patterns and...and only having to attempt to be clever once a week versus every day. Ooh, so "attempt" is an A word, we'll start the alphabet of weekly word choices with attempt, and again, the words will still be defined by the Google dictionary, since I seem to value everything by Google standards. I am so just kidding again, but I do enjoy many things Google.

I'll post in Arial font in honor of the letter A.

attempt--noun: An act of trying to achieve something, typically one that is unsuccessful or not certain to succeed.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Too funny. That is all I will say on that. How about this?

attempt--verb: Make an effort to achieve or complete (something, typically a difficult task or action)

There we go, attempt as a verb--but NOT this one, yeesh!

attempt--verb: Try to take (a life)

he would not have attempted the life of a friend
I would not have thought this one would get its own definition, since it's still the action of trying something or making an effort, but there it was. Not my definition by any means.

OK, so it's still Saturday the 2nd, but

2011-07-02T21:33:00.001-05:00

The first should've been my first word day; however, I started right before midnight and kept getting distracted, so my second word of the day is coming on the same day.

I warned you I'd be a little off. I just am. A little off-center, that is.

And I'm in my charts for the kids' allowance. I chart it by week, and on weeks we make the mortgage and auto insurance payment, I chart it a little longer--teaches them flexibility or something, right? Anyway, here's the real word for today: (again, it'll always be sourced from www.google.com/dictionary)

al·low·ance Noun /əˈlou-əns/

Synonyms:

verb: ration

allowances plural

The amount of something that is permitted, esp. within a set of regulations or for a specified purpose
- a seventy-five-pound baggage allowance
A sum of money paid regularly to a person, typically to meet specified needs or expenses
A small amount of money that a parent regularly gives a child
An amount of money that can be earned or received free of tax
- a personal allowance
A reduction in price, typically for the exchange of used goods
- he made the down payment with the trade-in allowance
A deduction in the weight that a horse is required to carry in a race
Tolerance; sufferance
- the allowance of slavery in the South
  
  So their allowance is a small amount paid to them, and it is tax free, and they are learning the allowance of payments being held when there are household budgetary restrictions.
- OK, tomorrow's word might be "formatting" since I seem to be having problems with mine. I hope you will have an allowance for improper formatting and tune in tomorrow. :)

Ha! I've kept my goal for at least one day!

2011-07-02T01:00:00.000-05:00

So today's word, by its definitions only will be
"Lurk" mwahahahahaha!

(of a person or animal) Be or remain hidden so as to wait in ambush for someone or something
- a ruthless killer still lurked in the darkness
(of an unpleasant quality) Be present in a latent or barely discernible state, although still presenting a threat
- fear lurks beneath the surface
- he lives with a lurking fear of exposure as a fraud
Read communications on an electronic network without making one's presence known

When I first heard this term, I only thought of it in terms of the threat connotation, and would comment in my old Yahoogroups and on boards just to make sure no one would think I was a "lurker." That was in the last century, though, and I've adapted.

I'm pretty good at lurking now. Now it is more a goal of mine to lurk, as my blog title "Katterley's Chatterley" is no misnomer. I can ramble and chatter and spout silliness like a pro, if there was such a thing. Which there is not. Too bad. I could work the pro circuit and remodel the house with the winnings. Add a wing. Build a garden shed. And a workshop. Become a founder of a non-profit organization and inspire at-risk youth to professionally chatter.

I am doing this 180 words in the blog without any kind of photo goal, but here's a picture of a "lurker" that I took last year. I'm sure she was going to ambush a beetle or something. We had two inside/house kittens we raised and found homes for, and we let this one have a bit of outside time one day. Her name was Raven, but she lost almost all her hair, except around her face and feet and it all grew back gray, so my daughter renamed her Pigeon, and she was Pidge from that day on. She was a hero and saved the life of her cousin Oreo, but that is a story for another day. I love her happy tail.

365 Words...

2011-06-30T00:25:00.000-05:00

I like to blog, but with 4 followers it just seems kind of silly sometimes.

However, I do occasionally get comments from non-followers, so I suppose there are more readers out there than the ones who publicly declare themselves.

So...I was reading a blog post of a person that wanted to post 365 photos and words in a year. You know, a one a day type thing. I don't do much (anything!) in photos, although now it would be easy to with the changes they've made to Blogger/Blogspot. But I do love words. I started this blog to find other people that love words, although according to Wordle, by blog is more about gardening than writing, and just as much about drinking tea as writing, and the biggest word, or most used, was SHARE, which is also good: I like sharing.

Inasmuch as I started this blog for the love of words, though, methinks it might be fun if I did something like 365 words in a year, but since it's the middle of the year, it'll have to be more like a goal of 182-3 words. Eh, make it 180 words. And it may not always be one a day if I find a couple of great ones. Because this means my blogging will have to become much more frequent than my usual 1-2/month. I think that's good. I'll know for sure if I get compliments, comments, or complaints, right?

So today's word is "Share," since I use it so much, apparently.

All my definitions will be taken from http://www.google.com/dictionary since Blogger is Google, I follow blogs with Google Reader, and I appreciate all things Google provides me free of charge.

So share, the verb, by the definition I like best in reference to my blog is to, "tell someone about (something), esp. something personal." Which is what I just did, and plan to do much more. Get ready!

librarian by day: Review: Beauty Queens

2011-05-25T11:05:00.000-05:00

librarian by day: Review: Beauty Queens

I want to read this one!! :)

jennifersmusings: Splash Into Summer Blog Hop GIVEAWAY!

2011-05-25T02:06:00.000-05:00

jennifersmusings: Splash Into Summer Blog Hop GIVEAWAY!

Too cool! Three or more prizes, depending on if you friend her on FB and follow her on Twitter!

2010: A Book Odyssey - BN Bookfair code for AL disaster relief

2011-05-10T13:11:00.000-05:00

2010: A Book Odyssey - BN Bookfair code for AL disaster relief

This code is good for online sales so I wanted to share!

I just changed the design of my blog a bit...

2011-04-25T07:26:00.000-05:00

Thanx to The Bookshelf Muse . Very cool. I think this'll be nicer for my contest posts, mostly, since it's easy to share now, but we'll see.

Has anyone been able to start gardening? Where I live we don't start any major gardening 'til after the last weekend in May, or Memorial Day Weekend in the US. And my greenhouse is not functional this year. I'm just hoping it won't be so wet this summer. Last summer we had plants that drowned! I wish we could share it with the Southern Hemisphere, in the places it is too dry.

Have a tea-riffic day! I'm off to a good start with some lovely green tea and a really bad-for-you donut. Nom!

I miss Cloudfoot...

2011-04-23T23:25:00.001-05:00

One of the guys in the background on my blog, Cloudfoot, the gray tuxedo dude, was hit by a car and killed instantly (from our assessment of the scene.) He was a feral stray we adopted and had tamed him enough to where he'd stop in for a visit and even spent some cold nights inside. We considered it a milestone when he started hopping up on the couch. He had a deep purr and loved a good rub down, laying over on his side--but didn't like his tummy touched too much. He will be missed.

Goodreads | Katterley (The United States)'s review of The Neddiad: How Neddie Took the Train, Went to Hollywood, and Saved Civilization

2011-04-23T23:20:00.000-05:00

Goodreads | Katterley (The United States)'s review of The Neddiad: How Neddie Took the Train, Went to Hollywood, and Saved Civilization

Are you my friend on Goodreads?

Liz Kessler's blog

2011-03-31T10:49:00.000-05:00

Liz Kessler's blog

Ten Traits of a True Writer is a fun post!

Maybe someday I'll post pictures of some of my notebooks ;)

Guts of a Writer - In Which I am Defeated by 1905, OR, JOSEPHINE DARLY STRIKES AGAIN

2011-03-31T09:47:00.000-05:00

Guts of a Writer - In Which I am Defeated by 1905, OR, JOSEPHINE DARLY STRIKES AGAIN

Cool video and contest to boot! Enter by commenting and sharing the contest like I'm doing with you :)

Just a few reviews...

2011-03-22T21:17:00.000-05:00

Actually, two, but "a few" was more lyrical...

I recently finished Shine, Coconut Moon by Neesha Meminger. I really enjoyed the book, the characters, and the believable storyline. I liked how Sammy (Samar) grew during the story. I love books like that, character development in the truest sense of the word. Samar is East Asian and the story takes place after the World Trade Center attack. I recommend it.

Can you tell I hate spoilers? Sometimes I think the back of the book jacket tells too much, so I'm a really vague reviewer.

I'm not reading much lately as I'm taking two online college classes, and one of them is about Early Childhood and Art, Music, and Language Arts. The books I'm reading for that class are a pretty low reading level, so I don't think anyone's really interested in my take on them. And then there's the whole spoiler issue I have, and it's kind of hard not to spoil something when there may be less than 100 words in the whole book...

I also read Maddigan's Fantasia. It's dystopian fiction for a higher middle school or high school reader. It's by Margaret Mahy and I really enjoyed it. Garland Maddigan is 12 and travels with her family's troupe of acrobats and circus-type acts, but I wouldn't really call it a circus. It is a fantasia. She loses a parent and has to come to grips with that while helping people that say they're from the future. There are parts that keep you guessing throughout the book. FUN. I like predicting, but I love it when I don't get it all right. :)

Right now I'm reading A Nation within a Nation: voices of the Oneidas in Wisconsin, edited by L. Gordon McLester III and Laurence M. Hauptman. I've read some of their other books and really enjoyed them. This one is no exception thus far! I love history!

Book pack contest (book & more!)

2011-03-22T20:33:00.000-05:00

Thought I'd share this with you! Still haven't read any of Jennifer Laurens' books, but they all look so good and I hope to VERY soon!

2011-03-09T09:11:00.000-06:00

Taking college classes, going crazy.
Library got a grant. Have to spend lotsa $$ responsibly and quickly, going crazy. Getting an interactive whiteboard for summer and after-school programming. SO excited! Hope to make/find a lot of cool author games and trivia activities for it, as well as early literacy, teen technology, etc. I hope I can accomplish everything I've dreamt of doing with it once it's here--still waiting.
Kids are fine.
Health is pretty good.
Actually still finding time to read a little. Fiction read: shine, coconut moon by Neesha Meminger. Non-fiction read: aquamarine blue: Personal Stories of College Students with Autism--Edited by Dawn Prince-Hughes. Insightful.
What's with these titles not being capitalized? ;)
Take care! Enjoy Teen Tech Week if you hang out at libraries! Should be a noisy one!!

jennifersmusings: March Week 2 GIVEAWAY!

2011-03-09T09:03:00.000-06:00

jennifersmusings: March Week 2 GIVEAWAY!: "This week's HEAVENLY giveaway is for TWO winners: a signed copy of HEAVENLY and a wing/pearl necklace charm. I found the charm while shopping..." and she can't wait to share it with someone!

Heavenly sounds "Lovely!!"

Book blog and giveaway!

2011-02-21T23:33:00.000-06:00

Found a cool blog and a giveaway to boot!
Head over here and post a link to your FB, Twitter, or blog posting about the giveaway and you're entered!

Seven Miles of Steel Thistles: Fairytale Reflections (17) Jane Yolen

2011-01-21T11:17:00.000-06:00

Seven Miles of Steel Thistles: Fairytale Reflections (17) Jane Yolen

Great post. A must read.

jennifersmusings: New Year, New Giveaways!

2011-01-04T22:42:00.000-06:00

jennifersmusings: New Year, New Giveaways!

Jennifer Laurens is giving away a copy of her book, Heavenly!

I finished Lily of the Nile!

2010-12-25T16:04:00.000-06:00

I recently won a copy of Stephanie Dray's Lily of the Nile. I loved the story and recommend it to historical fiction and fantasy readers that aren't sticklers about exact timelines. I look forward to her next book about Cleopatra Selene, Marc Antony and Cleopatra VIII's daughter.

I also recommend hanging out at GoodReads and entering their giveaways! Yay!

Books to be Won!

2010-12-12T23:09:00.000-06:00

Contest to enter!!! http://cindy-pon.livejournal.com/40311.html
Cindy Pon's tgifbm is 8 books this week!
Yay!

Did you?

2010-12-10T19:06:00.002-06:00

Did you NaNoWriMo? Did you meet the challenge?

I did...and I didn't...again. I got a bit farther in this story than I did on the one I started writing last year, which I am also still writing. I really thought I'd do it this year, but life had a way of re-directing my energies.

Maybe I'll do better in May, (1st -7th) for the next NaPiBoWriWee. Where did I see that posted? I'd share a link, but...

If I had heard of it before today, I might've focused on PiBoIdMo, but, alas it is over--oh, here's the link that shows next year's dates for NaPiBoWriWee and info on what PiBoIdMo is, uh, was.

Click here or copy and paste this link: http://taralazar.wordpress.com/2010/11/30/piboidmo-day-30-2/ Here's even more info on PiBoIdMo: http://taralazar.wordpress.com/piboidmo2010/

Are You NaNoWriMo-ing?

2010-11-02T01:06:00.001-05:00

I am. See you next month ^.^

Win a Book Contest

2010-10-17T21:40:00.003-05:00

Cindy Pon, on her "a little sweet, a little sour" blog, is having another great contest I happened to catch in my Google Reader: Click here to enter or copy and paste this link in your browser: http://cindy-pon.livejournal.com/37833.html It looks like a great story! It's a teen lit ARC debut novel called Wither by Lauren DeStefano, and is the first story in the Chemical Garden Trilogy.

Cool! Even if you don't enter the contest, click on the link to check out the cover, it seems full of clues, with the circles, and makes me curious if they play out into the story or if its just art for art's sake...hmmm...

Did you Follow a Library?

2010-10-03T17:21:00.001-05:00

Kind of easy for me, since I work at one, so I was literally there, knowing what was going on all day. But did you follow a library and Twitter about it? What library did you follow?

Did you garden this year?

2010-09-20T10:43:00.001-05:00

All I did this year was container garden in our greenhouse. The mosquitoes and rain and weird weather was too much. On the sunny days, I missed it, but otherwise I was content to stay inside and harass the houseplants instead.

Scholastic Boxed Set Giveaway

2010-09-20T10:39:00.002-05:00

Find it here! Or copy and paste this link: http://onourmindsatscholastic.blogspot.com/2010/09/second-leg-of-mockingjay-tour.html
It's a cool Hunger Games boxed set!!

Book giveaway contest!

2010-06-02T10:32:00.003-05:00

OK, you only hear from me once a month and now I have 3 posts in one day. This is what happens, apparently, when I take some time off work. 3 more days, people, and I'm sure it'll go back to the once a month posting--no one's ever complained about that. *grins*

But I'm also catching up on blog reading and saw a very recent contest posting on the Authors Now! blog and wanted to let you know. So click here or copy and paste this in your browser:
http://www.authorsnow.com/author-spotlight-janet-fox-faithful-giveaway-alert-now-%E2%80%93-060810/

Did I tell you I won?

2010-06-02T10:02:00.004-05:00

There's a post I published back on April 12 about a Library Appreciation Contest in honor of National Library Week. "Contest with Two Great Prizes" didn't mention the prizes, I wanted you to click to find out, but there was a chance at a book critique--which I didn't win--and a basket of books for your local library--which I DID win!! Now, if you follow my blog, you may know I work in a library, so this was ultimately COOL.

Because I know even more than most peoples that we needed these books--our youth area has had one book order processed for the whole year. One. Budget issues. So this was a fantastic prize!!

It didn't actually come in a basket, ;) but that's OK, I have plenty--I decorate with them in the children's area--it came in 3 boxes and 2 packages. It came with swag, the little promotional goodies like bookmarks, postcards, stickers--FUN stuff! Some of the books were signed by their authors!! Some had double copies and were sent out to our branch library!! Two were given away as prizes (and I still have 3 to give away for the summer!!)

And guess what!? Most of them were for youth, there were picture books, MGs (middle grade chapter books,) and YA/teen novels---and---they came during Children's Book Week!!!! w00t!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So we partied!!!! Well, in my square, Katterley way....and gave the two books away I told you about, a whole bunch of the swag, and then other prizes like free popcorn and free computer time (we make the kiddos read first to get on the computers....)

What...fun...we...had! And one celebration became two. It was great!

The local newspaper even wrote an article about the win, but I think he made me sound a bit, well, off my rocker, so to speak--if I had a rocker to be off of. So I will still consider posting a link to that. Consider.

Enjoying the great weather!

2010-06-02T09:43:00.005-05:00

Hope to get out there and work in the gardens today. I've taken the rest of the week off work. Must remember to bring a notebook out there. When I'm alone with my thoughts (the kids disappear as soon as they see me zone out, and I always do!) I do some of my best thinking and idea garnering and gathering. Our veggie garden is on the lot we own next door, however, and sometimes, my thoughts flitting here and there, an idea I've had for an illustration, or scene in one of my novels, or a picture book to write can disappear in the time it takes to gather my things and walk back to the house.

If I ever get published, I'm thinking of building a garden shed out there, with a little shelf just big enough for my laptop to go on. I think I'd have it on a hinge, so it could fold down, and be right behind the door, with a hook and a bag above it to put the laptop in. That space is usually so un-usable anyway. Then I could just walk in, open the window(s,) and get my ideas right into where I keep them, or have instant access to info on tomato pests or whatever.

So, what have you planted/are you planting in your garden this year? Let me know, even if you don't read this post for weeks--I'm always behind in my blog reading, too. :)

Widget bliss

2010-05-21T20:40:00.002-05:00

Oooh, I just put my first widget on my blog! I could never format them correctly, but JacketFlap let me pick out my colors and then hit the +Blogger button, and bam, there it was. There is HTML at my level, w00t! 2k10 authors have representation on my blog. Life is good.

Win some ARCs from Cindy Pon!

2010-04-18T23:06:00.002-05:00

Check it out by clicking here or pasting this into your browser: http://cindypon.com/2010/tgifbm-black-hole-sun-and-paranormalcy/

More than a contest :)

2010-04-12T23:44:00.004-05:00

An inspirational festivity that I plan to partake. It does have a random contest in the end, too, however!

It's called

Nat'l Picture Book Writing Week - NaPiBoWriWee 2010! (May 1-7, 2010)!

and you can find the details about it by clicking here or posting this link into your browser address bar: http://paulayoo.com/

It's goal is to have you write seven picture books in seven days. With all the ideas I have up in my head, I think I can do it, especially since you're allowed to outline first. In fact, I'm going to go start outlining now...and researching. I think one of them will be a biography.

Contest with two great prizes!!

2010-04-12T09:18:00.002-05:00

Click here or copy and paste this in your address bar: http://faeriality.blogspot.com/2010/04/happy-library-appreciation-day.html if you are interested in the possibility of winning two prizes: one for your local library, and one for you!! Details are on the top of the blogpost, so I'll let you click to find out what they are :)

Another contest from Cindy Pon! Win an ARC!

2010-04-05T03:32:00.003-05:00

Click on this or copy and paste this link into your browser address bar: http://cindy-pon.livejournal.com/25973.html

Hope things are going well for you. I've been ill, but am hanging in there. Have three WIP I'm actively, albeit slowly, working on.

Take care, everyone.

Contest--three book giveaway! Yay, Cindy!

2010-03-24T22:31:00.002-05:00

Cindy Pon's having a great contest on her site! Click here to enter! (Or cut and paste this link into the address bar of your browser: http://cindy-pon.livejournal.com/25108.html )

Cindy is giving away signed copies of the first three books of Megan Whalen Turner's series: The Thief (A Newbery Honor,) The Queen of Attolia, and The King of Attolia.

This is in honor of the fourth novel in the series, A Conspiracy of Kings, being released yesterday, Tuesday, March 23. (Cindy announced the contest on the 21st...)

Contest with two prize packs--you choose!!

2010-03-20T08:30:00.002-05:00

Fantastic prizes at Beth's contest here: http://bethrevis.blogspot.com/2010/03/book-deal-celebration.html

You get to pick from a writer's goody basket or a reader's. Both look SO good, but I think I've figured out which one I'm going to choose...

Congrats to Beth on her contract!

Buncha books giveaway!

2010-02-28T02:27:00.001-06:00

OOh, I found this on the last day you can enter--so hopefully you'll see my post today!! But WHAT a COOL contest!! So I still had to post it.

Click here or copy and paste this link: http://blog.leeandlow.com/2010/02/12/black-history-month-book-giveaway-the-first/

Book Giveaway!

2010-02-28T00:39:00.001-06:00

Click here or copy and paste this into your address bar:
http://booksbytheircover.blogspot.com/2010/02/wherever-nina-lies-giveaway.html

Looks good, had to share it while I catch up on my blog reading!

But speaking of book giveaways...

2010-01-11T08:22:00.003-06:00

I'm a member of goodreads (and I luv it!) This morning I re-found the giveaway page for PenguinYA, (find Penguin Teen stuff here...) but there are all sorts of book giveaways there! Too many to repost here!! Some of them are ARCs (advanced reading copies--not even out yet!!) some are not, but all of the giveaways are for people that, while not required, would like to give a review of the book, that's why they do the giveaways. You can review it on goodreads, but it would be cool if you could blog it, Facebook it, Twitter how cool it is, just so these authors and publishers can get a little more word out about what they're giving you. :)

I went there because of Heidi Kling's giveaway for her upcoming book Sea. Find the link to that giveaway on her blog: http://seaheidi.livejournal.com/169343.html I'm really liking the sound of this book!

Contest! But it's not a book giveaway!

2010-01-11T08:17:00.002-06:00

This is a contest for a query--someone to check out a book you wrote! The book has to be a YA (teen) or MG (middle grade/middle school/junior high) novel that is already completed, so I don't know if I'm entering yet, as none of my books feel complete, and some of them aren't... but I wanted to let you know in case you have one. Check out the rules and all that here: (or copy and paste this-- http://kidlit.com/kidlit-contest/ if you've got a work to enter!

What a year!

2009-12-31T22:26:00.003-06:00

Had to stop in and wish everyone a great, healthy, safe new year, and thank you for being with me for this one!

Congrats to all who now have agents, publishing offers, and the like (you know who you are!) May the upcoming year be even more prolific and wonderful for you!

I haven't been reading as much lately, just so busy, but I hope to post some reviews and winter tidbits from time to time soon.

Now, in addition to our other pets, cats, dogs, rabbits, chickens, we are the proud owners of two goats. Nutty creatures. I love them.

Take care everyone!

Nano is the amount I'm getting written...

2009-11-16T02:31:00.003-06:00

OK, I've been invisible again, one of the reasons being Nanowrimo, National Novel Writing Month. Yesterday, I was supposed to be at 25,000 words, if the goal is 50,000 in a month. I'm not there. Which is why I'm not here. The ideas are floating prolifically, but the dialogue isn't formulating the way I need it to, so then it doesn't get typed, it just remains floating...

But I'm not giving up, and I'm thinking this is still possible, so I think I'll be disappearing again.

Took vacation for most of this week. Hope it helps and not distracts!

Then back to the WIP.

Crazy.

Re-entry into this layer of Atmosphere

2009-10-31T21:31:00.003-05:00

Ha! You thought I'd dropped off the face of the earth.

I did.

No. But I felt the need to step away for a bit and suddenly I couldn't step back.

I'd felt a strong need to post again, thought of several clever ideas for ice-breaking wit, but never did.

And tonight, a plant made me do it.

I just found the scientific name for the Mother-in-law's Tongue plant. It's Sansevieria trifasciata. I just really needed to know that tonight. Then I just really needed to share that with you. I have one at the library where I work. A sprout wasn't sitting firmly in the pot, so I broke it off, took it home and it survived. It's doing quite nicely.

My mom managed to kill one (it's rumored you can't.) No, my paternal grandma did not die, but my ten-year-old self was worried for her for a few weeks after my mom's plant died. I learned tonight she had probably over-watered it. I also gave thought to my being more superstitious than I thought I was when I was a child. That doesn't flow right, but I'm not editing it.

Back to re-entering the blogosphere: I want to tell you about all the great books I've read and maybe a fantastic idea or two I've had since my last blog post, but it'll have to wait for another day.

Ha, cool. I've never used the word blogosphere before. Ah, an accomplishment. I feel very part of the 21st century now. We're entering the second decade of it in a few months, but I won't go there.

Good to talk with you again. :)

Gardening!

2009-06-29T19:57:00.002-05:00

Bestest garden ever--so far! Pulling up radishes and cutting the swiss chard! Potatoes, a sweet potato vine, squash, cukes, lettuce, carrots, onions, tomato plants, sunflowers, pepper plants, peas, I'm hopeful and excited!

Blog contest for all my friends!

2009-06-26T20:18:00.002-05:00

You have to ask an intelligent question to win an ARC of All Unquiet Things, so right now, I'm out. But I wanted to let you know. Here it is or copy and paste this: http://theateamblog.wordpress.com/2009/06/25/all-unquiet-things-arc-giveaway/

Things are good for me. I'm enjoying reading other people's blogs when I'm inside, gardening when I outside. And then there's work. Which is crazy busy, but crazy fun, too.

Behind

2009-06-19T21:23:00.004-05:00

is getting bigger.
No, not exactly what you may be thinking, although even with my elliptical machine I got this winter (I LOVE tax refunds!,) that hasn't gotten smaller, either. But I mean the list of everything I'm behind in has gotten bigger.

I'm behind in blogging, blog reading, my laundry pile (but that should get better this weekend, I'm thinking--I hang my laundry outside,) and writing.

I want to be writing every day and haven't been. I've got some children's stories finished, but I know they're not there yet--so not really finished, but they have a beginning, middle, and end to them, but they have to sit there until I find out what's missing. I love one of them, but my family's not too sure about it, and the other one isn't cohesive or flowing enough. It's based on a story that happened to us in real life, but it's just "off" of being what anyone else can relate to as of yet. And then there's the other stories that are floating just out of reach. 2-3 of them are in my head, but I would actually like to describe to an artist the picture I see of it, then write the words to the story based on the illustrations made. This is also one of the weirdest things I've ever heard/read, but it's the closest way of wording what I'm thinking with the concept of these books.
And then there's the MG, or middle grader's stories that are outlines, partial chapters, even partial outlines because there's a scene in them I can't get out of my head, but want to base a book around, or a character that is so real she wants me to tell her story SO badly, etc., etc.

And now a YA has been poking it's head in the door. Strange. This one is a fantasy/sci fi novel, but it won't solidify, it just flits in and out, usually when I'm first waking up in the morning, but not awake enough to keep it in mind. I'm terrible at remembering dreams! As I wake up, I've told my hubby about a dream I'd just had, and I'll forget it as I'm telling it, even before I finish. I've had to say I can't tell him more because it vanished. Yet some of my kiddos can relate dreams perfectly that they've had years ago, telling it the same way again over a year later. Must've gotten that from their dad...

So bought a purse sized notebook so I could write ideas as I get them. I did that after I thought of an entire next chapter of my one MG novel and it was gone by the time I got home. But, alas, it has only been used for shopping lists. I have gotten a little more organized about my meal planning, though ^.^

Back to the trenches. I'm going to go write about food. Talk of meal planning made me hungry.

Are you enjoying your summer? The summer reading program has started at the library where I work. I'm going crazy, but LOVING it. Except for the moment when one of the girls told me she was bored today...*sniff*

It felt good to write to you today. Thanks. :)

Win a book!

2009-05-28T00:09:00.003-05:00

Not that such a post is new around here, yet posting in general is kinda new...as in not happening often...

But here's an epic chance to win a copy of The Chosen One: http://reviewerx.blogspot.com/2009/05/epic-contest-chosen-one.html

and here is a review of the chosen The Chosen One. ^.^ : http://reviewerx.blogspot.com/2009/05/chosen-one-by-carol-lynch-williams.html . This way you know what you're getting yourself into! ^.^

Rainy here all day today...need sun. Need to be chosen by sun's rays--but not chosen along the storyline way--nuh-uh. This looks like a great read.

Cool book contest!

2009-05-23T19:54:00.002-05:00

If you click here or copy and paste this: http://mommosttraveled.com/20-easy-ways-to-help-save-the-earth-book-giveaway/

I'm catching up on my blog reading (I'm up over 600 in my Google Reader...) and my Facebook. We've been having problems with our Internet connectivity, so I've been, like checking on my restaurant in Restaurant City (my kids and I are addicted, and love the way we can help each other with food trades and such,) and some of the games that raise monies for different charities and such, and passing the main computer onto the next family member. I don't even want to think about my email Inbox right now.

But life is good, even though I'm not posting much. I'm also out in the GREENHOUSE my darling hubby, the man is SO a DH, built me this spring, and cute little 7x7 structure made with 2 by 4 s and plastic sheeting, so no sawing necessary, 'til he got to the door and windows, anyway, he got more elaborate as he went along. I've got tomato, pepper, lettuce, radishes, and a sweet pototo plant started. The building got delayed, so the plants are not as far along as I'd like, but tomato and pepper plants shouldn't go out 'til early June here, to be safe, so there's time for them to catch up if they're willing. I'm growing them organically with a bit of our pet bunny droppings tossed in...eeuw, but so far, so good. Monday I plan on putting in more of the cold crop seeds and potato plants in the garden outright. Planted carrots, radishes, beets, turnips, peas, and swiss chard out there so far.

Fun read for elementary/early MG! Piper Reed!

2009-05-09T01:41:00.003-05:00

Have you read Kimberly Willis Holt's Piper Reed books? They remind me of the kind of stories I read and loved when I was in elementary school. Piper is a wonderful, impulsive multi-tasker with a lot of good in her heart, "fearless and full of life!" Her family is great, I love their different personalities and perspectives on things.

I also like the way Piper's friends are realisticly portrayed. Piper is closer to some than others in her group, the friend of a friend kind of thing.

I hope more will be done with Sam's budding writing career in future books--and maaaybe Piper's party planning career. Maybe Sam should have her own series of stories that could involve the triplets.

Read the Piper Reed books (Piper Reed, Navy Brat and Piper Reed, the Great Gypsy) and be sure to get Piper Reed Gets a Job when it comes out in August!

Kimberly also writes YA and picture books!

Enter this contest quickly and creatively!

2009-04-29T22:55:00.005-05:00

Work and home are getting the best of me--I don't even have a college assignment due 'til next Monday and I'm still not blogging and keeping up with my blogs, but I found this catching up on Beth's blog posts and wanted you to know!

It's here: http://elloecho.blogspot.com/2009/04/contest-to-win-autographed-copy-of.html

and it's for a copy of the newly released (as in YESTERDAY!! w00t!!) Silver Phoenix by Cindy Pon.
I've read a bunch of reviews, 'talked' to Ms. Pon on Facebook about it, and can't wait to get a copy!! I was hoping to be through the red tape of purchasing it for our library already, especially because it's available at both the local BN stores (I checked!!) but, alas, not yet...

But enter (hurry, by Saturday!) write a poem and get an extra entry, too!! Oh, and DO check out her artwork (link in Ms. Oh's blog post.) Ms. Pon had a link to it in a Facebook status update, I clicked, and WOW! I love her Orchid Dance!

Oh, and congratz to Indigo for winning a contest on the Juiciliciousss Reviews site!! I saw your name there! Cool!

Romance hardcover giveaway

2009-04-28T00:20:00.001-05:00

http://harlequin.promo.eprize.com/summeronblossomstreet/?affiliate_id=1d
The above link takes you to a chance to win a hardcover romance by Nora Roberts!!!

*sigh* I was not an instant winner, but I still have a chance at $10,000! Yay! LOL.

Followers contest!

2009-04-21T23:48:00.003-05:00

Lotsa books to win! It's all here: http://juiciliciousssreviews.blogspot.com/2009/04/100-followers-contest.html

And it's for followers, but just in case, I wanted to share it with you--cuz I already follow :)

Hey, that big assignment/file I was working on for so long? It was graded!! Full points, like 100%!! I could, like, not turn in another assignment and still get a 90% in the class!! And then, of course, get failed for not turning in so many assignments, but you get the idea...

I've gotta go dance now. Well, right after I comment on the followers contest post *cheesy grin.*

Got a new book!

2009-04-21T00:14:00.004-05:00

It's Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side. It's a YA title and I don't want to put it down! Which is funny, because I'm not too into vampire stories at all. Haven't read any of the four lunar-ly related ones yet, though I probably will at some point, but it's the humor in this story that keeps me turning the pages, I love the character's upbeat, yet with that teen cynicism, viewpoint/take on things. Anyway, READ this book. Especially if you love all the vampire stuff out right now. (But even if you don't, it's pretty cool.) The novel is by Beth Fantaskey. The book is fantastic!

Update: Stayed up 'til 3 am to finish. Good stuff. Unlike my terrible run-on sentence. Yeesh, it's beyond run-on. Heh. Oh, well, it's how I talk, too. ^.^

I like choo-choos

2009-04-21T00:10:00.002-05:00

Got my big assignment turned in for class (see all references to homework in previous posts as a cross reference... :) and found a book contest while checking up on some of the blogs I follow.

Click here or copy and paste this link: http://www.brimfulcuriosities.com/2009/04/when-whistle-blows-book-review-and-arc.html . It's a coming of age story built around steam engines. Read the blog post, it sounds cool, a lot better than I'm explaining it!!

Ha! You caught me not doing homework again...

2009-04-12T17:07:00.003-05:00

ehhh, I slipped back into my Google Reader and found this: Click here or copy and paste this: http://robyn-campbell.blogspot.com/2009/04/contest-alert-giant-neon-sign-prize.html

This contest runs 'til May 1, so if you're as behind in your blog reading as I am, you may still find this post in time ^.^

Follow Robyn's blog for extra entries!!

I'm really liking these...

2009-04-12T15:31:00.003-05:00

I've received a lot of books in the last few months, but have been so A.D.D., busy with school, work, and fam, that I haven't finished a single one!

But here are some titles that I really recommend, because they're all ones I pick up whenever I see them, and should be doing something else!!

Shine, Coconut Moon by Neesha Meminger. Just got released, and just got the copy in the mail, but had to start it quick, I've heard so much about it. So far, it's really cool. I read the first chapter, and I like the characters, and can't wait to know more.

North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley. I got an ARC of the book that was released in February. I feel really bad for the character, Terra, because of the parenting she's getting, and how her self-esteem is affected by it, amongst other things (she has a large birthmark on her face. I have rosecea, so I can relate to it a bit.) It's been frustrating as a mom to read this book, but the story itself, so far, is really good.

Secret Son by Laila Lalami (ARC) coming out April 21, 2009. Learning about this culture is cool, as, you know how it is, there's so many sub-cultures in a culture, and the main character is learning about a different sub-culture (finds his dad, a different social class in Morocco) so it's new to him, too. I'm almost done with this one and can't wait to finish!

Countdown to Summer by J. Lewis (ARC) cute school-age poetry I like reading to my children and the kids at the library, in fact, I left it at the library, so I can't tell you exactly when it will get released--I think it's in July this year, and I think the author's full name is J. Patrick Lewis, but I'm not looking at it, so...

Lucky Girl, by Mei-Ling Hopgood. (ARC) It's her memoir, but it's reading like great fiction, I'm loving it! It comes out in July. I'm about half done with this one, this is my "in the car" book right now, for when I'm stuck in it.

Two ARC's (Advanced Reading Copies, not yet officially out yet...) I haven't started yet--because they're sequels!! Is Ghostgirl: Homecoming, coming out in July (I haven't read Ghostgirl yet...) and John Flanagan's Ranger Apprentice #6 (I'm only up to 2 and part of 3...) called the Siege of Macindaw. It's coming out in August this year. Must hurry!!

Must get back to homework. Sorry, back to slacking on the blog...unit assignment due tomorrow and two due next week...

Found a contest!

2009-04-12T15:28:00.002-05:00

Book giveaway! Sounds like an uplifting one, too--the kind I like, so I thought I'd share.
It's here or copy and paste this: http://librarianbyday.blogspot.com/2009/03/contest-win-book.html

Back to homework. While I love my class, I cannot wait for May and semester end...

I didn't forget I have a blog...

2009-04-11T00:24:00.001-05:00

...I've just been REALLY busy, but most of it in good ways. More contests and some book reviews coming up soon. Got a new book in today, Shine, Coconut Moon, by Neesha Meminger. It's a YA title and looks REALLY good. I'll tell you more soon!

More book giveaways!

2009-03-19T10:02:00.003-05:00

Well, one book giveaway, but it's more than one book. I've read other interviews about the Amaranth Enchantment, and am really interested. Probably because I have a soft spot for goats...but that's a story for another day...

Here's the contest: http://myfavoriteauthor.blogspot.com/2009/03/ready-to-win-some-more-books.html

I hope to eventually actually blog here some day, instead of just posting contests. But I do love to share those, and it's much easier than writing about the crazy things I think about! heheh.

And I really need to get to my next homework assignment...

Breathing ARC giveaway!

2009-03-17T20:14:00.002-05:00

So sorry I haven't been posting! I was SO sick, and then my kids got it and something more--it's been horrible, but at least never life-threatening or anything.

But anyway, I found a giveaway in my starts back to my virtual life, and here it is:

http://blog.cherylreneeherbsman.com/ click and comment for an entry!

Carolina Harmony Giveaway

2009-03-11T23:36:00.002-05:00

Carolina sounds like a really cool girl to read about. There's a giveaway, a chance to win one of two copies click here: http://www.authorsnow.com/author-spotlight-marilyn-taylor-mcdowell-carolina-harmony-giveaway-alert-now-through-03182009/

Should still be doing homework...

2009-03-08T18:13:00.002-05:00

What kind of example am I showing my children? (I'm one of those returning adult students...) but I make the mistake of checking my Google Reader, and then...

Anyway, I found a kind of giveaway, but not one where we'll be getting a book or anything, but many of us can be winners!

Author Jennifer Hubbard is willing to donate a quarter for every comment to her blog posts to libraries, as they're really feeling the crunch in these times. So, between March 26-28, please comment on her blog. Contest/giveaway details are here. http://community.livejournal.com/10_ers/94108.html

She's hoping others will do the same thing. I can't right now, I hope to give to libraries big time someday, but for now, I've gotta stick to coming into work with snacks for the kids, or donating some of my books or movies to the library (where I work.)

I think this is a great idea, however, and hope you'll be able to comment when her blog post posts! I'll have the link in a new post here when I see it!

OK, really now, back to homework!

Elite giveaway!

2009-03-08T17:43:00.002-05:00

Okay, it's an elite giveaway, but it's for the Elite sequel, In Too Deep! A signed copy at that! Click here! Here's the link to paste if the hyperlink doesn't work: http://the-book-vault.blogspot.com/2009/03/contest-win-copy-of-in-too-deep.html

Describe your eyes!

2009-03-08T17:30:00.001-05:00

Contest here! Click to find out more! http://dogfact9.blogspot.com/2009/03/eyeball-contest.html

Got info on some new contests...

2009-03-08T14:44:00.001-05:00

...and will post soon, hopefully by tonight, but I've got homework to get done first. Priorities...

Found this book/author interview...

2009-03-08T14:41:00.000-05:00

usually I don't post about books I'm not reading about unless there's a contest for it, but this book sounds so good--but it's not coming out 'til 2010 (waaaah!)

Check out the interview with Julie Kagawa here: http://community.livejournal.com/10_ers/93546.html?view=1064042#t1064042

Ha! I was reading my own Google ads...

2009-03-06T08:09:00.003-06:00

and saw this book, Riddle of Berlin, by Cym Lowell. So I checked out his site--turns out this is his first novel, so I'm promoting it here--in part, just cuz I think his first name is cool. ^.^

Yay! I love blogging because I don't have to be logical! It looks pretty cool, though, his site, the book, and all. He's on Facebook, too.

Gargoyle romance giveaway...seriously

2009-03-06T08:04:00.003-06:00

Vickie Taylor has written romances involving gargoyles! And you can win a chance at a copy of one of her books by entering here: http://varkat.livejournal.com/70883.html

Books and Baseball--a Giveaway!

2009-03-04T09:28:00.002-06:00

Babe Ruth and the Baseball Curse, a great book to read or share with a boy! Read an interview with David Kelly and read about his book and book giveaway, all about Babe Ruth, and the Boston Red Sox of 2004!

Starting today, for the month of March!

2009-03-01T13:27:00.002-06:00

A contest--but not a book giveaway! If you're a writer, even an unpublished one, you can enter this contest with a prize worth $1000.00 !!

Find details here.

Win a free book!

2009-03-01T12:55:00.001-06:00

Contest today from a blog I just started following: TabWriter

Yay!

Shelfari, such a safari!

2009-03-01T00:56:00.004-06:00

On the bottom of my blog, there is a bookshelf called Shelfari. It's at shelfari.com and is easy to set up, and easy to utilize. I'm having a lot of fun with it, and reminiscing while I fill my shelves of books I want to read, have read, are reading! Thought I'd let you know.

Contest!!

2009-02-27T23:45:00.001-06:00

This one you get by becoming a fan of Catherine Ryan Hyde! Not hard, right? She's got some great stuff on her Facebook page, and is offering fans a chance at winning one of her books! So do it and you're entered! Here's the link to copy and paste, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Catherine-Ryan-Hyde/55974126195

You've only got 'til Monday!!

2009-02-26T22:11:00.004-06:00

Interview with a New YA Fantasy Author at Alex Moore's.

Get a chance to win an ARC of Cindy Pon's book, Silver Phoenix: Beyond the Kingdom of Xia (pronounced She-ya, if you say it really fast...)

I can't wait to read this book, I'm getting this one, for sure!

Almost a new day!

2009-02-24T23:45:00.004-06:00

But before that happens, I've found yet another giveaway and wanted to share:
http://christyscreativespace.blogspot.com/2009/02/interview-with-author-pj-hoover-and.html
Get a chance to win a copy of The Emerald Tablet by PJ Hoover!

Sounds like a great book!

Hey, if you ever win a book from one of the contests I post here, please comment and let me know, OK? That'd be SO cool!

Contest of the Night!

2009-02-24T23:13:00.001-06:00

Oooh, it's almost here! Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan!! And a contest to boot! http://carrie-me.blogspot.com/2009/02/giveaway-forest-of-hands-and-teeth.html

Contest of the Day!!

2009-02-24T22:17:00.002-06:00

http://sarahockler.com/2009/02/24/contest-win-a-signed-arc-of-twenty-boy-summer/ is the site of the latest contest I've found! Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler. Win a signed ARC (advanced reading copy)

w00t! Contest!

2009-02-21T22:06:00.002-06:00

Contest for book? Here? Yep. This time it's for a giveaway of the book The House on Tradd Street by Karen White! Sounds cool, if you like supernatural!
http://juiciliciousssreviews.blogspot.com/2009/01/januaryfebruary-giveaway.html

Yet another contest!

2009-02-21T15:32:00.002-06:00

I love being able to catch up on my blog reading on the weekends, which makes for more blog writing when wanting to share what I find!
Get a chance to win a copy of either Tantalize or Eternal by commenting here:
http://bethrevis.blogspot.com/2009/02/author-interview-and-book-giveaway-with.html

Book Giveaway Contest!

2009-02-21T15:29:00.001-06:00

Like I've never posted one before, eh? But I not only recommend this contest, I recommend this blog if you're interested in writing!!
http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/2009/02/cynsational-news-giveaways_20.html

Book contest!! 'til the end of the month!

2009-02-16T22:33:00.001-06:00

If you're into the Ranger's Apprentice series by John Flanagan, here's the contest for you!
http://thecompulsivereader.blogspot.com/2009/02/rangers-apprentice-giveaway.html
You could win one of 5 copies of the 6th volume in the series!

Found a new blog today!

2009-02-16T17:25:00.002-06:00

and wanted to share this author visit from there. Here's the link, I don't know how to embed, so you'll have to copy and paste the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXCPDmSonkw&eurl=http://donnasbooks.blogspot.com/2009/01/blog-post.html&feature=player_embedded

I LOVE children's and YA books, if you haven't guessed...

Recommended blog

2009-02-14T17:11:00.003-06:00

I love books, but I also enjoy animation. One of my Facebook 'friends' now has a blog that I recommend you check out. I know him more as an author, but he also does animation, and that's what's on his site: www.shinypear.blogspot.com

2009-02-11T10:25:00.003-06:00

Found a new blog I love. I subscribe in my Google Reader (I LOVE the blogger/reader/google compatibility!) Anyway, had to share, the posts I've read have been really cool.

http://www.sfnovelists.com/

Book Review--Children's Book

2009-02-08T16:45:00.003-06:00

I just reviews C. J. Pumpkins (sometimes spelled Pumkin) new title called The Dream Stowaway.
The book has a nice meter to it, and is something the younger children would enjoy being read to at bedtime. The illustrations are bright and colorful.
You can find out more about the book at the website, http://www.cjpumpkinsworld.com. Whoops, no, I just went there and the site has expired.

Books I Wanna Read

2009-02-05T00:57:00.005-06:00

Books I Wanna Read
Ash, by Malinda Lo
A Faerie Queen's Deception, by Maggie Stiefvater
Shadowed Summer, by Saundra Mitchell
Season, by Sarah MacLean
and about 1000 other ones I list on my Facebook app, Virtual Bookshelf.
These are the ones I could spell tonight, or copy and paste from the blogs I'm reading. It's a little past my bedtime...I'll see if I can add more another day...comment your book wish list :)

One more contest--it's on the same blog.

2009-02-05T00:42:00.001-06:00

So you may find it on your own, but, just in case, I thought I'd post it here, too:
http://bookluver-carol.blogspot.com/2009/01/free-e-book-and-contest.html .
Different genre, but still looks like a good series!

Another contest!

2009-02-05T00:32:00.002-06:00

I love contests! Can you tell? http://bookluver-carol.blogspot.com/2009/01/want-to-win.html Click on the link for a chance to win a book by Elizabeth Scott!