Tons of excitement!!

So much has happened since the last time I've updated. I feel like I have a world of news to share with you all. I'd like to start with the Christmas Swap! After coming home for lunch today, I noticed that there was a package waiting for me in the mailbox. I was pretty curious about it because it was a big parcel and I wasn't expecting any big books from bookmooch any time soon. I completely forgot the fact that I should be expecting a package from a book blogger for the Christmas swap. I guess with everything that has been happening recently, it has completely left my mind. Needless to say, I was extremely surprised to see that Lisa had sent me Book Lust and More Book Lust by Nancy Pearl.

I'm not sure if Lisa just took a guess and knew that as a book lover I would adore these books, or if by some kind of Christmas magic she found out that I have had these two books on my wishlist for quite a while now. Either way, I was thrilled to death to get them. Besides the "other" gift I got recently from boyfriend (which I will mention below), this has been my favorite Christmas gift so far! Thank you so much Lisa, you're a doll! I hope you have an "old-fashioned Christmas" as well.



Now on to my next nugget of news....I'm engaged! A week or so ago, boyfriend just couldn't wait to give me my Christmas present. After asking him several times if he was sure he wanted me to open it now, I obliged and tore open the box. Inside the box was an envelope with a card taped on the inside. At the end of the card he wrote, "I never want to lose you. Close your eyes and face me." I asked him if I had to close my eyes and he quickly replied, "Yes!" When I opened my eyes, he was on his knees with a ring in his hands. "Will you marry me?" Needless to say, I was a complete mess. I'm pretty sure I cried for 5 minute before answering yes. I'm a baby, I know. I have never been so happy about anything in my life. Oh...I'm sure you'd like to see the ring.





It's so beautiful on its own, but even more so because he put his heart into picking it out for me. So that explains why I've been a bit MIA. Most of my time over the last week has been reading this wedding book I picked up at Target the day I got engaged (I just couldn't help it). As you can see, I already have it stuffed full of print-outs, post-its, and random wedding papers. It's funny how fast the wedding madness can engulf you.






I hope all is well with you all, dear readers. This time of year is one to just enjoy the "warmness" of the season. Enjoy the cheesy Christmas songs, the great old timey movies, and spend time with the ones you love. I hope you all have an "old-fashioned Christmas filled with happy traditions." :)

Spiraling...

Things just seem to be getting out of control. I haven't had the strength or energy to update lately for several reasons. My mind has been flooded with heavy thoughts about my life and where it's going. I turned 24 on November 28, and I guess you could say I'm having a bit of a quarter-life crisis. It's just a bit of a funk and I'm sure I'll be out of it in a few days.

I've also been a little under the weather the past week. It all started when I ate some bad BBQ from a local restaurant here which left me with a terrible stomach ache for the past few days.

Then there is Dewey. Like many other bloggers, I'm still not quite over her passing. It's a sad thing to have happened and I find myself thinking of her and her family often. Her death has been a shock to my system and has in a way affected my blogging. However, I have found by reading other book blogs that so many people were inspired by her, and as a result, tons of people have rallied together to make sure her projects continue to live on. In times like this, that is nice to see.

Sorry for the "blah" post. Regardless of what has happened in the past week, I have continued to keep my head in a book. I find it's the best way to clear my head and relax. When life is crazy, pick up a book.

I hope you ate lots of turkey.

I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you were all able to gather around the ones you love, stuff your face full of turkey and pumpkin pie, and crash in front of the TV watching Christmas movies.

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade was on when I woke up this morning so I was able to ring in the day right. I'm almost positive I've never missed the parade since I was around 6 years old. It's somewhat of a self-made tradition. We just got back from boyfriend's parents house where we ate deep fried turkey and lots of other goodies. I was just sad there was no pumpkin pie. :(

As for my reading, I'm having a bit of a delima (and maybe you can help me out). I just can't find a book I can get into. These spells hit me at different times and I just hate that I'm in the middle of one now, especially since I've been sent so many interesting reads. They seem interesting anyway, but when I start to read I just lose interest. I know it has nothing to do with the book really, it's just my current state of mind. I can't get into reading anything! You have any suggestions for what I can do to get out of this funk? I feel lost when I'm not immersed in a book. It rarely happens, but when it does I don't even feel like myself.

Well, anyway, I hope you all had a good day and took note of all the things you're thankful for. It's nice to take a pause once in a while and really examine what is important in your life and all the things/people to be thankful for.

Happy turkey day everyone! Now, let's all give our bellies a good rub and take a nice nap.

reading update 11/16/08

I'd like to be able to tell you I'll be posting a review later today, but honestly I'm not quite sure. I've been bouncing around from book to book, and have spent more time than I'd like to admit reading blogging books. There's just so much I still need to learn. When I'm not reading my blogging books, I'm looking around my house and realizing all that needs to be done. I skipped over spring cleaning and now my house is in dire need for an overhaul. At least I got my desk area cleaned up.

You should have seen it before. Books EVERYWHERE! I can't even begin to explain how I was functioning at all in this area.
Now that the house is decent, I plan to get my reading in order and post a review ASAP. I'm working on Unbelievable by Sara Shepard and Forever Lily by Beth Nonte Russell so be sure to check back.

Reading Update

I read the first small background chapter of Lost by Jack Ketchum and while it held my attention, I still find myself wondering if I'll be able to get through it. As of right now, it will be put to the side so I can read a book that was just sent to me by a PR rep to review.

Forever Lily by Beth Nonte Russell is the new book I've received and the subject matter looks very interesting. Russell accompanies her friend to China because her friend wants to adopt a child. When they get there, Russell's friend distances herself from the child and Russell soon takes over. She soon finds herself in love with this baby and starts on the journey of adopting this baby herself.

I'm very excited to start reading this one. We've all heard stories about chinese adoption, but I don't think I've ever heard of a story quite like this one. Of course, you all know as soon as I finish I will post a review as soon as possible. Until then, keep reading!

Long, Lean, and Lethal by Heather Graham

I bought this novel along with several others at a garage sale during the read-a-thon, and didn't really think it would be my kind of read. I frequently buy books with hopes that they will be a nice change of pace for me, and if they aren't then I can bookcross them. This one was pretty enjoyable, and it was definitely a quick read (this one was read in about 2 days).

Heather Graham is new to me and while she may be a bestseller, I had never really heard of her. Just by judging the cover I thought this one was going to be a cheesy romance novel (the hot pink cover with a man on it kind of got me), but it just reiterated the fact that you can't judge a book by its cover. Far from a cheesy romance, this novel was a who-did-it thriller that held my attention to the last page.

Jennifer Connolly, a soap opera actress, has much to fear. Her mother has received notes from an anonymous person threatening to kill her daughter. Two other Hollywood actresses are murdered and it's suspected that the killer could be someone close to her. Conar, her stepbrother and love interest in the book, has promised Jennifer's mother that he will protect her, but he can only do so much. Jennifer even has suspicion that Conar may be the killer, but out of all her acquaintances, who is it really?

I'm not a huge fan of mystery/thrillers, and I don't read a lot of them so for me to enjoy this book is saying a lot. I'm not sure if it is because I'm craving easy reads lately, or just because this novel was actually pretty good. Read it and find out for yourself. I will warn you though, it is a good book but with a cheesy ending. I found myself rolling my eyes at the end, and I'm sure you will too. Don't let that discourage you from reading though. Most books of this kind end in the exact same way, whether we like it or not.

Hour 22 and I'm done.

I read over 500 pages and stayed up 22 hours. I'm exhaused and completely non-functional right now. I'm sure I'll wake up after a nice sleep and just gasp at all my typing errors and absurd sentences.

I want to thank every person that took time to come visit me here and send me good luck messages. Your encouragement kept me going for as long as I did. I don't think I could have lasted this long without you guys. Thanks again!

I'm not off to brush my teeth and cuddle up in the bed.

Read-A-Thon: Hour 21

Title of book(s) read since last update: The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
Number of books read since you started: I'm on book 3
Pages read since last update: 11
Running total of pages read since you started: 509
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 27 min
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 12 hrs 11 min
Mini-challenges completed: 10
Other participants you’ve visited: Checked in at Dewey's page and left a comment in hopes that I will win a box of books. I also left a few comments on other readers blogs (the ones still awake) encouraging them to stay awake.
Prize you’ve won: None

I'm really about to fall asleep in my book. There are a few moment here and there that I can think clearly for a few minutes. At these times I think I may just be able to make it. However, I'm going to try my hardest to get through hour 22.

Read-A-Thon: Hour 20

Title of book(s) read since last update: The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
Number of books read since you started: I'm on book 3
Pages read since last update: 17
Running total of pages read since you started: 498
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 34 min
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 11 hrs 44 min
Mini-challenges completed: 10
Other participants you’ve visited: I visited Aerin's list of participants to see who is still reading and blogging and who has gone to bed.
Prize you’ve won: None

I had to go check out what the other bloggers are doing at this hour. Seems like more people are still up than I thought there would be. A part of me really wants to finish the 24 hours, but my body is telling me I can't last much longer. I'm trying to hang in there guys, I really am.

Read-A-Thon: Hour 19

Title of book(s) read since last update: The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin and It by Stephen King
Number of books read since you started: I'm on book 3
Pages read since last update: 19
Running total of pages read since you started: 481
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 40 min
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 11 hrs 10 min
Mini-challenges completed: 10
Other participants you’ve visited: Visited the RIP III Challenge blog. Prize you’ve won: None

Oh goodness! The word on the page are not really staying ON the page anymore, they're kind of swimming across the page as I'm reading. I finished the RIP III Challenge where I had to read a scary book for an hour (It by Stephen King), and now I'm terrified to go outside and smoke. I don't do scary books at night. I just don't. ;)

Now I'm going to continue with The Westing Game and hopefully finish it before the 24 hours is up or either I pass out-whichever comes first.

Read-A-Thon: Hour 18

Title of book(s) read since last update: The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
Number of books read since you started: I'm on book 3
Pages read since last update: 21
Running total of pages read since you started: 462
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 41 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 10 hrs 30 min
Mini-challenges completed: 9
Other participants you’ve visited: Went to Dewey's blog and answered the question for the hour.
Prize you’ve won: None

Ugh, I'm starting to get that "I don't think I can go much longer" feeling. I knew last hour when my head started to feel heavy that it was not looking good for me. I haven't had a cup of coffee in a couple hours so I'm refueling. I have to make it, I just have to!

Boyfriend went to bed and from now on I'm up alone. Now things will start to get really challenging with no one here to help keep me away. It's pure will power now...and not to mention the book I'm reading! The Westing Game is a fun book. I'm just cracking up over Turtle, she's a hoot!

Read-A-Thon: Hour 17

Title of book(s) read since last update: The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
Number of books read since you started: I'm on book 3
Pages read since last update: 24
Running total of pages read since you started: 462
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 37 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 9 hrs 49 min
Mini-challenges completed: 9
Other participants you’ve visited: I went over to Tracy's blog to participate in her mini-challenge. I had to provide a caption to a funny photo she posted.
Prize you’ve won: None

The Westing Game keeps me turning the pages. They just received the clues and are pondering over what they mean. I'm trying to get a feel for all the different characters so I can figure out who the murderer is!

Read-A-Thon: Hour 16

Title of book(s) read since last update: The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
Number of books read since you started: I'm on book 3
Pages read since last update: 8
Running total of pages read since you started: 438
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 16 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 9 hrs 12 min
Mini-challenges completed: 8
Other participants you’ve visited: None this hour. I've been too busy reading all my comments! I was reader of the hour!!
Prize you’ve won: None..although reader of the hour was prize enough!

Wow...this past hour has been crazy! I was selected as reader of the hour and I must say I was absolutely overwelmed by the inflow of comment messages I received in my inbox during this time! Thanks to everyone that left me comments and kind words! I can't say it enough; you guys are awesome!

As for my reading, I wasn't able to get too much reading done this past hour. I read all my comments left by you terrific people and boyfriend and I ran to Sonic for a late night hot fudge cake sundae. I might regret this sugar intake later in the night, but it was just so delicious.

Read-A-Thon: Hour 15

Title of book(s) read since last update: The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
Number of books read since you started: I'm on book 3
Pages read since last update:26
Running total of pages read since you started: 430
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 33 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 8 hrs 56 min
Mini-challenges completed: 8
Other participants you’ve visited: I went to softdrink's page to participate in the Top 10 challenge.
Prize you’ve won: None


I just want to say, since I didn't elaborate in my last update, that The Other Woman by Jane Green was a pretty good read. It really sheds light on the whole mother and daughter-in-law relationship. Also, it realistically portrays marriage and the work you must put into it to make it work. I'm not reading some children's literature-The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin.

Read-A-Thon: Hour 13

Title of book(s) read since last update: Same one- The Other Woman by Jane Green
Number of books read since you started: 2
Pages read since last update:10
Running total of pages read since you started: 383
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 13 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 7 hrs 53 min
Mini-challenges completed: 7
Other participants you’ve visited: I haven't visited any blogs this hour besides Dewey's to check in for the hour.
Prize you’ve won: None

Friend finally left and now it's back to reading. :) Sorry for the late update.