Tuesday, February 28, 2012



Website | Twitter
Author of middle-grade books: OLIVIA KIDNEY, SLOB, SPILLING INK, co-authored by Anne Mazer, THE KNEEBONE BOY, & THE HUMMING ROOM (coming February 2012!)

The Humming Room; Ellen Potter chats about her re-telling of The Secret Garden

In the fourth grade, I had the same teacher that my older brother had two years earlier. My older brother was one of these super-smarties. When the teacher realized that I was his kid sister, she eyeballed me with a mix of curiosity and doubt. I could just imagine her thinking, “Hmm. How will this kid measure up to the original?”

Many years later, I found myself in a similar squirmy position. I had gleefully launched into writing the middle-grade novel The Humming Room, which was based on the beloved classic The Secret Garden. I was thrilled with the challenge of making one of my favorite books more contemporary. At first. Before long, though, I realized just how scary taking on a classic could be. How does a writer honor the original . . . with originality?

I tinkered with many different scenarios: Maybe Mary could be a boy? And instead of a garden, there could be an aviary. Or an abandoned museum. In the end, though, I chucked all the fancy scenarios. The original storyline was just too lovely to mess with. Instead I decided to use a new setting in order to give The Humming Room its own flavor.

I remember sitting on a pier in The Thousand Islands region of New York, where we lived at the time, thinking, “Where should I set this book?”  I stared out at the vast and wild St Lawrence River. “Where . . . where . . .?”

I’m not always quick on the uptake.

Eventually, though, I realized the obvious. An island on the St. Lawrence River was the perfect setting. Like the Yorkshire moors, the river was changeable and moody; and sending my heroine, Roo, to live in a defunct tuberculosis sanitarium on one of the river’s many islands made her as isolated as Mary had been in Misselthwaite Manor.

The river solved another of my worries too—Dickon. Let’s face it, the original Dickon is a babe. He’s kind, his best friend is a fox, and he has a smoking-great accent. He’s a tough act to follow. I wanted to make “my Dickon” just as charismatic, yet completely different. My Dickon—named Jack—emerged right out of the St. Lawrence, like a sea creature. I imagined a mysterious, feral boy who lived on the water. The untamed St. Lawrence River was Jack’s “pet fox” in a sense, turning stormy or calm at his bidding.  But most importantly, Jack was smitten with Roo. I had always wished that Mary and Dickon had fallen in love. In my version, they do.

I must admit that I squirmed with nerves through much of the writing of The Humming Room, just as I had back in the fourth grade.  As I recall, I didn’t make all A’s on my fourth-grade report card like my brother had. Still, my teacher eventually stopped thinking of me as my brother’s kid sister. The original was unrepeatable; I was my own kind of thing . . . which is how I hope my readers will feel about The Humming Room.


a Rafflecopter giveaway
Rie
I'm a wife, student, and a dog-lover who reads when I should be folding laundry (bane of my existance), I write (rarely as academic papers consume my life), and love getting wrapped up in fiction.

Ellen Potter (Humming Room) Guest Post and Giveaway

10:00 PM Unknown


Website | Twitter
Author of middle-grade books: OLIVIA KIDNEY, SLOB, SPILLING INK, co-authored by Anne Mazer, THE KNEEBONE BOY, & THE HUMMING ROOM (coming February 2012!)

The Humming Room; Ellen Potter chats about her re-telling of The Secret Garden

In the fourth grade, I had the same teacher that my older brother had two years earlier. My older brother was one of these super-smarties. When the teacher realized that I was his kid sister, she eyeballed me with a mix of curiosity and doubt. I could just imagine her thinking, “Hmm. How will this kid measure up to the original?”

Many years later, I found myself in a similar squirmy position. I had gleefully launched into writing the middle-grade novel The Humming Room, which was based on the beloved classic The Secret Garden. I was thrilled with the challenge of making one of my favorite books more contemporary. At first. Before long, though, I realized just how scary taking on a classic could be. How does a writer honor the original . . . with originality?

I tinkered with many different scenarios: Maybe Mary could be a boy? And instead of a garden, there could be an aviary. Or an abandoned museum. In the end, though, I chucked all the fancy scenarios. The original storyline was just too lovely to mess with. Instead I decided to use a new setting in order to give The Humming Room its own flavor.

I remember sitting on a pier in The Thousand Islands region of New York, where we lived at the time, thinking, “Where should I set this book?”  I stared out at the vast and wild St Lawrence River. “Where . . . where . . .?”

I’m not always quick on the uptake.

Eventually, though, I realized the obvious. An island on the St. Lawrence River was the perfect setting. Like the Yorkshire moors, the river was changeable and moody; and sending my heroine, Roo, to live in a defunct tuberculosis sanitarium on one of the river’s many islands made her as isolated as Mary had been in Misselthwaite Manor.

The river solved another of my worries too—Dickon. Let’s face it, the original Dickon is a babe. He’s kind, his best friend is a fox, and he has a smoking-great accent. He’s a tough act to follow. I wanted to make “my Dickon” just as charismatic, yet completely different. My Dickon—named Jack—emerged right out of the St. Lawrence, like a sea creature. I imagined a mysterious, feral boy who lived on the water. The untamed St. Lawrence River was Jack’s “pet fox” in a sense, turning stormy or calm at his bidding.  But most importantly, Jack was smitten with Roo. I had always wished that Mary and Dickon had fallen in love. In my version, they do.

I must admit that I squirmed with nerves through much of the writing of The Humming Room, just as I had back in the fourth grade.  As I recall, I didn’t make all A’s on my fourth-grade report card like my brother had. Still, my teacher eventually stopped thinking of me as my brother’s kid sister. The original was unrepeatable; I was my own kind of thing . . . which is how I hope my readers will feel about The Humming Room.


a Rafflecopter giveaway
Rie
I'm a wife, student, and a dog-lover who reads when I should be folding laundry (bane of my existance), I write (rarely as academic papers consume my life), and love getting wrapped up in fiction.

Monday, February 27, 2012



Blog
To seventeen-year-old Norah Lukens, the Cobbogothians were just a myth. But after her archeologist uncle's brutal murder, and being asked to translate one of his old research journals for evidence, she begins a journey to discover the truth for herself.

Chasing the myth her uncle was obsessed with, Norah learns that his murder was a cover up for something far more sinister. If she hopes to save others from suffering the same fate he did--including the peculiarly magnetic James Riley--she must head to Iceland in order to find out the truth once and for all.

If she succeeds, she'll gain the one thing she's always longed for.
But if she fails, not even the gods can help her.
Does your interest in history stem directly from your uncle or do you think you'd be interested regardless? 

It’s actually mythology that my uncle was interested in—he was a myth-chaser.  I think he loved the idea of searching for the kernel of truth that started a myth in the first place.  As far as my interest in mythology, I’m not sure if I would still be drawn to it were it not for Uncle Jack.  He did raise me, and I suppose anyone’s life would be drastically different if they were raised by different people.  But so much of my childhood and who I am is wrapped up in Uncle Jack’s myths and legends, that I can’t really separate what I picked up on my own, from what he gave/forced me to study. 

What was your first emotion when you started to find the meaning behind the notebook?

Fear.  I’m pretty sure fear part is my first emotion for most things.  In my defense, though, I think anyone would be afraid to discover that their entire life turned out to be completely different than they always thought.   But, finding out that the one thing I’ve wanted more than anything was not only possible but probable for me—well, that made all of the fear worth it.

Was there anything you would have done differently within your journey?

No, I don’t think so.  I think it all turned out the way the Gihara meant for it to.  I don’t, however, like to think of what could’ve happened had I done things differently during the blood sum. 

What drew you to James?

The first time I noticed James was when he and Gram moved in across the street.  I spent that entire day up in my cherry tree spying on them.  But I didn’t actually meet James until last summer when Gram collapsed in the driveway because of her cancer.  From that moment on, it was almost like James and I had always been together—like we belonged together.  So I suppose it was just him that drew me in.

What was the most interesting sight you found in Iceland?

Gee, that’s a tough one.  I think flying through the giant crystals to get to Old Cobbogoth was probably the most extraordinary—that and meeting the Gihara, of course.  But really, it was all seriously insane, and I have a feeling I’ve only just gotten started.

Interview with Norah Lukens

8:08 AM Unknown


Blog
To seventeen-year-old Norah Lukens, the Cobbogothians were just a myth. But after her archeologist uncle's brutal murder, and being asked to translate one of his old research journals for evidence, she begins a journey to discover the truth for herself.

Chasing the myth her uncle was obsessed with, Norah learns that his murder was a cover up for something far more sinister. If she hopes to save others from suffering the same fate he did--including the peculiarly magnetic James Riley--she must head to Iceland in order to find out the truth once and for all.

If she succeeds, she'll gain the one thing she's always longed for.
But if she fails, not even the gods can help her.
Does your interest in history stem directly from your uncle or do you think you'd be interested regardless? 

It’s actually mythology that my uncle was interested in—he was a myth-chaser.  I think he loved the idea of searching for the kernel of truth that started a myth in the first place.  As far as my interest in mythology, I’m not sure if I would still be drawn to it were it not for Uncle Jack.  He did raise me, and I suppose anyone’s life would be drastically different if they were raised by different people.  But so much of my childhood and who I am is wrapped up in Uncle Jack’s myths and legends, that I can’t really separate what I picked up on my own, from what he gave/forced me to study. 

What was your first emotion when you started to find the meaning behind the notebook?

Fear.  I’m pretty sure fear part is my first emotion for most things.  In my defense, though, I think anyone would be afraid to discover that their entire life turned out to be completely different than they always thought.   But, finding out that the one thing I’ve wanted more than anything was not only possible but probable for me—well, that made all of the fear worth it.

Was there anything you would have done differently within your journey?

No, I don’t think so.  I think it all turned out the way the Gihara meant for it to.  I don’t, however, like to think of what could’ve happened had I done things differently during the blood sum. 

What drew you to James?

The first time I noticed James was when he and Gram moved in across the street.  I spent that entire day up in my cherry tree spying on them.  But I didn’t actually meet James until last summer when Gram collapsed in the driveway because of her cancer.  From that moment on, it was almost like James and I had always been together—like we belonged together.  So I suppose it was just him that drew me in.

What was the most interesting sight you found in Iceland?

Gee, that’s a tough one.  I think flying through the giant crystals to get to Old Cobbogoth was probably the most extraordinary—that and meeting the Gihara, of course.  But really, it was all seriously insane, and I have a feeling I’ve only just gotten started.

Thursday, February 23, 2012





TGIF is  a Friday meme hosted by Ginger at Greads. She always has the best questions.



Today’s Question:

Required Reading: Which book from your school days do you remember reading & enjoying? Is there a book published now that you'd like to see in today's curriculum for kids?

Answer:

I actually did a post the other day that answers both of these questions Top 10 Books I Want my Kids to Read, but I’d love to expound on it.

Anne Frank- It wasn’t required reading in my school. They showed us a horrible black and white film and called it good. I read this book repeatedly during middle school and so loved it. I think it’s so important to educate our kids about genocides and discrimination throughout the ages.

Bridge to Terabithia- This was my favorite book that was required reading throughout school. It was so entertaining as well as teaching me about bullies.

The Grapes of Wrath- is the worst book I have ever read. I hated it so much.

I was the odd kid who actually enjoyed required reading most of the time. My favorite time during 5th and 6th grade was “Free Reading”.


Rie
I'm a wife, student, and a dog-lover who reads when I should be folding laundry (bane of my existance), I write (rarely as academic papers consume my life), and love getting wrapped up in fiction.

TGIF: Required Reading

10:00 PM Unknown




TGIF is  a Friday meme hosted by Ginger at Greads. She always has the best questions.



Today’s Question:

Required Reading: Which book from your school days do you remember reading & enjoying? Is there a book published now that you'd like to see in today's curriculum for kids?

Answer:

I actually did a post the other day that answers both of these questions Top 10 Books I Want my Kids to Read, but I’d love to expound on it.

Anne Frank- It wasn’t required reading in my school. They showed us a horrible black and white film and called it good. I read this book repeatedly during middle school and so loved it. I think it’s so important to educate our kids about genocides and discrimination throughout the ages.

Bridge to Terabithia- This was my favorite book that was required reading throughout school. It was so entertaining as well as teaching me about bullies.

The Grapes of Wrath- is the worst book I have ever read. I hated it so much.

I was the odd kid who actually enjoyed required reading most of the time. My favorite time during 5th and 6th grade was “Free Reading”.


Rie
I'm a wife, student, and a dog-lover who reads when I should be folding laundry (bane of my existance), I write (rarely as academic papers consume my life), and love getting wrapped up in fiction.

September 27th 2011, Little, Brown & Company
418 pages, Hardcover
Received from R.A.K
First in Daughter of Smoke and Bone series
Adult Fiction


Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.
In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages—not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.

When one of the strangers—beautiful, haunted Akiva—fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?


Opinion:

Poignantly beautiful love story that I would not categorize as Young Adult and the only thing that makes it so is the age of the main protagonist. It is a bit longer than the average YA, but that’s not what made it feel adult so much as the meaning and the maturity of all the characters.

Karou is an interesting character, but at times I felt certain things were forced for the premise to work instead of flowing naturally. This wasn’t too distracting but it did at times make me lose connection with a character I truly enjoyed reading about.

Akiva was such an interesting character. He had been so wounded by previous events that he was definitely the damaged boy type which instantly drew me to him. His flashbacks were very intriguing.

The Daughter of Smoke and Bone was primarily set in Prague. A city I know very little about, but Taylor did such a good job of illustrating the city I was instantly intrigued. The setting was probably my favorite part of this book, which is highly rare. A land that holds art in esteem and morbidity is embraced.

The plot took a turn I was not seeing in the least. It was such a surprising twist. I love when books take me on a journey and then completely surprise me. For some reason I thought this book was a standalone and was surprised when I read “To be continued”. It stood up on it’s own, which is so refreshing. I’m so tired of books ending in the middle and just leaving a huge cliffhanger for you to find out about a year later.

I really enjoyed this book, but I’m not as much of a raving fan as I’ve seen on twitter. Perhaps the hype made me have too high of expectations.

Rating:





Rie
I'm a wife, student, and a dog-lover who reads when I should be folding laundry (bane of my existance), I write (rarely as academic papers consume my life), and love getting wrapped up in fiction.

Review: Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

3:14 AM Unknown

September 27th 2011, Little, Brown & Company
418 pages, Hardcover
Received from R.A.K
First in Daughter of Smoke and Bone series
Adult Fiction


Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.
In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages—not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.

When one of the strangers—beautiful, haunted Akiva—fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?


Opinion:

Poignantly beautiful love story that I would not categorize as Young Adult and the only thing that makes it so is the age of the main protagonist. It is a bit longer than the average YA, but that’s not what made it feel adult so much as the meaning and the maturity of all the characters.

Karou is an interesting character, but at times I felt certain things were forced for the premise to work instead of flowing naturally. This wasn’t too distracting but it did at times make me lose connection with a character I truly enjoyed reading about.

Akiva was such an interesting character. He had been so wounded by previous events that he was definitely the damaged boy type which instantly drew me to him. His flashbacks were very intriguing.

The Daughter of Smoke and Bone was primarily set in Prague. A city I know very little about, but Taylor did such a good job of illustrating the city I was instantly intrigued. The setting was probably my favorite part of this book, which is highly rare. A land that holds art in esteem and morbidity is embraced.

The plot took a turn I was not seeing in the least. It was such a surprising twist. I love when books take me on a journey and then completely surprise me. For some reason I thought this book was a standalone and was surprised when I read “To be continued”. It stood up on it’s own, which is so refreshing. I’m so tired of books ending in the middle and just leaving a huge cliffhanger for you to find out about a year later.

I really enjoyed this book, but I’m not as much of a raving fan as I’ve seen on twitter. Perhaps the hype made me have too high of expectations.

Rating:





Rie
I'm a wife, student, and a dog-lover who reads when I should be folding laundry (bane of my existance), I write (rarely as academic papers consume my life), and love getting wrapped up in fiction.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

We are currently looking for a house to buy and there are 3 things that are important to me.

The Master bedroom, having a second bedroom on the first floor (babies and in-laws), and the study/home library.  So currently I’m obsessed with how I’m going to decorate the home library.

So let the awesomeness commence.

Colors:


Only accent color. Flanked by white to black gradient.



Furniture:

Target ($800 for pair)

These will be perfect for a sitting area. I adore them oh so much!

Ikea ($350)

I’m still on the search for a desk I love, but this one comes first of all I’ve seen. I love the simplicity and with a quick hardware change this becomes classic and simplistic with a hint of charm.


Anthropolgie ($6 x3=$18)

I’m not a fan of the brass, but I think they’ll do spendidly despite. And add just a hint of aged-ness to the room.

image
Paper Source 20x28 ($4)

I’ll likely frame this as wrapping paper is so delicate, but it doesn’t really need it to be gorgeous. The entire house will have photographs of cities from around the world and I think this will fit in nicely.


Ikea ($50 x amount needed) $200ish

This image is from Censational Girl, who has a great tutorial on turning Billy bookcases into built-in bookcases. I dislike the different heights of shelving in the middle so I’d likely keep them all uniform.



Rie
I'm a wife, student, and a dog-lover who reads when I should be folding laundry (bane of my existance), I write (rarely as academic papers consume my life), and love getting wrapped up in fiction.

Home Library

4:48 AM Unknown
We are currently looking for a house to buy and there are 3 things that are important to me.

The Master bedroom, having a second bedroom on the first floor (babies and in-laws), and the study/home library.  So currently I’m obsessed with how I’m going to decorate the home library.

So let the awesomeness commence.

Colors:


Only accent color. Flanked by white to black gradient.



Furniture:

Target ($800 for pair)

These will be perfect for a sitting area. I adore them oh so much!

Ikea ($350)

I’m still on the search for a desk I love, but this one comes first of all I’ve seen. I love the simplicity and with a quick hardware change this becomes classic and simplistic with a hint of charm.


Anthropolgie ($6 x3=$18)

I’m not a fan of the brass, but I think they’ll do spendidly despite. And add just a hint of aged-ness to the room.

image
Paper Source 20x28 ($4)

I’ll likely frame this as wrapping paper is so delicate, but it doesn’t really need it to be gorgeous. The entire house will have photographs of cities from around the world and I think this will fit in nicely.


Ikea ($50 x amount needed) $200ish

This image is from Censational Girl, who has a great tutorial on turning Billy bookcases into built-in bookcases. I dislike the different heights of shelving in the middle so I’d likely keep them all uniform.



Rie
I'm a wife, student, and a dog-lover who reads when I should be folding laundry (bane of my existance), I write (rarely as academic papers consume my life), and love getting wrapped up in fiction.

Monday, February 20, 2012







Series Review:

I've been meaning to read this series since I began book blogging and never seemed to find the time. After I read the first book in the series I didn’t want to stop reading before I wrote the review and ended up reading the first five books in the series within three days! Yes, quite addicting this series is!

Mercy is a fierce character who reminds me of one of my good friends. She can annoy the hell out of me, but in the end I still love her. She goes through so much in these books and the events are real life changing events that have real substance and she experiences them in a completely natural way. Mercy is constantly getting herself into trouble and usually this is because someone she loves is in danger. She is more likely to throw herself into the fray of issues than allow anyone to help. This can come at huge costs.

I didn’t really root for one guy over the other. In my perfect world she’s end up in tres menage. Adam is constantly protective and truly understands Mercy. Samuel is an old love who still holds Mercy’s heart and cares deeply about her. His hurt makes him instantly easy to love.

The Marrok tribe is the reason werewolves are battling mythology for my favorite paranormal element. Family which is what tribe is all about is so close to my heart.

The many characters are fully developed and yet the plot is never ending action.



Favorite Secondary Character: Zee- even though he had a small part in the books his power and grace was overwhelming.

Favorite Cover: Bone Crossed- I don't really like any of the covers. The only tattoo I remember being mentioned is the paw print on her stomach and it annoys me that in every single cover she is covered in tattoos.

Favorite Book: I really enjoyed both the first and the fith.



Rie
I'm a wife, student, and a dog-lover who reads when I should be folding laundry (bane of my existance), I write (rarely as academic papers consume my life), and love getting wrapped up in fiction.

Series Review: Mercedes Thompson Series Books 1-5

4:40 AM Unknown






Series Review:

I've been meaning to read this series since I began book blogging and never seemed to find the time. After I read the first book in the series I didn’t want to stop reading before I wrote the review and ended up reading the first five books in the series within three days! Yes, quite addicting this series is!

Mercy is a fierce character who reminds me of one of my good friends. She can annoy the hell out of me, but in the end I still love her. She goes through so much in these books and the events are real life changing events that have real substance and she experiences them in a completely natural way. Mercy is constantly getting herself into trouble and usually this is because someone she loves is in danger. She is more likely to throw herself into the fray of issues than allow anyone to help. This can come at huge costs.

I didn’t really root for one guy over the other. In my perfect world she’s end up in tres menage. Adam is constantly protective and truly understands Mercy. Samuel is an old love who still holds Mercy’s heart and cares deeply about her. His hurt makes him instantly easy to love.

The Marrok tribe is the reason werewolves are battling mythology for my favorite paranormal element. Family which is what tribe is all about is so close to my heart.

The many characters are fully developed and yet the plot is never ending action.



Favorite Secondary Character: Zee- even though he had a small part in the books his power and grace was overwhelming.

Favorite Cover: Bone Crossed- I don't really like any of the covers. The only tattoo I remember being mentioned is the paw print on her stomach and it annoys me that in every single cover she is covered in tattoos.

Favorite Book: I really enjoyed both the first and the fith.



Rie
I'm a wife, student, and a dog-lover who reads when I should be folding laundry (bane of my existance), I write (rarely as academic papers consume my life), and love getting wrapped up in fiction.

Thursday, February 16, 2012





TGIF is  a Friday meme hosted by Ginger at Greads. She always has the best questions.


Today’s Question:

Book Blogger Pride: What do you take pride in when it comes to blogging?

Answer:

The friends I’ve made and the skills I’ve learned are the things I take most pride in when it comes to blogging.

I’ve come to love many bloggers. I can’t think of something that I’d rather do than spend hours debating, discussing, disagreeing with @basicallybooks about politics and religion. We can argue for hours and still I adore her wholeheartedly. And then reading all the contemp recs she sends my way. I can find random links after class that make me smile from @isabooksoulmate. I can randomly talk with hundreds of people and even if we are completely different we have one common thread. Our love for books makes us cohesive when the rest of world would like to pull everyone apart.

I have learned SO many marketable skills from blogging. PR, graphic design, coding, marketing, professional communication, organization, and so many other things. I cherish learning everything I have from blogging. These skills are ones that will help me in a world where technology and information is in high demand. Plus, I just love learning stuff!



Rie
I'm a wife, student, and a dog-lover who reads when I should be folding laundry (bane of my existance), I write (rarely as academic papers consume my life), and love getting wrapped up in fiction.

TGIF: Blogger Pride

10:00 PM Unknown




TGIF is  a Friday meme hosted by Ginger at Greads. She always has the best questions.


Today’s Question:

Book Blogger Pride: What do you take pride in when it comes to blogging?

Answer:

The friends I’ve made and the skills I’ve learned are the things I take most pride in when it comes to blogging.

I’ve come to love many bloggers. I can’t think of something that I’d rather do than spend hours debating, discussing, disagreeing with @basicallybooks about politics and religion. We can argue for hours and still I adore her wholeheartedly. And then reading all the contemp recs she sends my way. I can find random links after class that make me smile from @isabooksoulmate. I can randomly talk with hundreds of people and even if we are completely different we have one common thread. Our love for books makes us cohesive when the rest of world would like to pull everyone apart.

I have learned SO many marketable skills from blogging. PR, graphic design, coding, marketing, professional communication, organization, and so many other things. I cherish learning everything I have from blogging. These skills are ones that will help me in a world where technology and information is in high demand. Plus, I just love learning stuff!



Rie
I'm a wife, student, and a dog-lover who reads when I should be folding laundry (bane of my existance), I write (rarely as academic papers consume my life), and love getting wrapped up in fiction.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

With the birth of my nephew I’m a bit nostalgic and looking into the future of my family. That brings me to my favorite books. Books I read to my sister time and time again. Books I read on my own. Books that helped shape me into who I am today.

I haven’t read most of these for years, so I may be a faulted on a few details.


10. Aesop’s Fables

I hated/hate the original fairy tales. Let’s scare the bejeezus out of small children so they will do as told. Yay! But Aesop’s Fables have stories and morals I can get behind from the turtle and the hare to the grasshopper’s working diligently. My favorite is the Lion and Mouse.






9. All Dr. Seuss Books

Every single one of Dr. Seuss books has a morale I stand behind. One of acceptance of the quirky, one of fun, one of never taking one too seriously. I love them all.



8. Diary of Anne Frank

I read this book so many times as a child. I have always had an interest in the Holocaust and other genocides. This was never required reading in my school, but I wish it was. This is a book I will insist my kids read. Living, loving, growing up in a small confined place with danger all around.



7. Black Beauty

No book evoked such emotion from me before. I was so angry during this book that I wanted to commit homicide. It made me cry. It made me feel relieved. It made me happy. This is on the top of my list of wants for First Editions.






6. Anne of Green Gables

I hated this book at first. I thought it was basically a “spare the rod and spoil the child” book. Encouraging child abuse. And then I fell in love with kindred spirits, and lights in the window, and everything that made Anne “Anne”.







5. Little Men

I hated Little Women. Hated it. So bored. When I picked this one up I was not expecting to enjoy it. It had some extreme punishments that definitely stuck with me. After reading that painful lying scene I certainly thought before I spoke. It was a fun read with incorrigible boys and I enjoyed learning about their stories





4. Harry Potter
This series was my constant companion from the time I was 12 until I was graduated from high school. I went to midnight releases of the last two books and completely loved every single book. I didn’t read them at first because I thought they were boy books, but within the first chapter of the first book I was hooked. I only picked them up to impress a boy and am I so glad I did!


3. Little House on the Prairie
If any series resonated with me it was this one. I’ve always been a history lover and growing up in rural Oklahoma I understood the setting quite well. It was such a companion to me as I grew up, but I don’t really think it taught me any big lessons. My favorite book in series is actually a prequel not written by Ingalls: Little House in the Highlands









2. Bridge to Terabithia
This was required classroom reading in 4th grade. 4th grade was also the beginning of the bullying years. This book taught me how to deal with bullies, parents that seemed cruel, and how imagination can one’s biggest ally.




1. The Boxcar Children
This is the very first series of books I read on my own. I was born to a family of readers and with severe dyslexia and a want to be included my greatest wish from age 3 to 6 was to be able to read. This series set me up for a love of reading. It was a series that resonated with me unlike books like The Babysitters Club. (My gosh those books are superficial)





What were your favorite books as a child? Have you read any to your children or do you plan on encouraging them to read certain books?

Top Ten Books I Want My (future) Kids to Read

10:00 PM Unknown
With the birth of my nephew I’m a bit nostalgic and looking into the future of my family. That brings me to my favorite books. Books I read to my sister time and time again. Books I read on my own. Books that helped shape me into who I am today.

I haven’t read most of these for years, so I may be a faulted on a few details.


10. Aesop’s Fables

I hated/hate the original fairy tales. Let’s scare the bejeezus out of small children so they will do as told. Yay! But Aesop’s Fables have stories and morals I can get behind from the turtle and the hare to the grasshopper’s working diligently. My favorite is the Lion and Mouse.






9. All Dr. Seuss Books

Every single one of Dr. Seuss books has a morale I stand behind. One of acceptance of the quirky, one of fun, one of never taking one too seriously. I love them all.



8. Diary of Anne Frank

I read this book so many times as a child. I have always had an interest in the Holocaust and other genocides. This was never required reading in my school, but I wish it was. This is a book I will insist my kids read. Living, loving, growing up in a small confined place with danger all around.



7. Black Beauty

No book evoked such emotion from me before. I was so angry during this book that I wanted to commit homicide. It made me cry. It made me feel relieved. It made me happy. This is on the top of my list of wants for First Editions.






6. Anne of Green Gables

I hated this book at first. I thought it was basically a “spare the rod and spoil the child” book. Encouraging child abuse. And then I fell in love with kindred spirits, and lights in the window, and everything that made Anne “Anne”.







5. Little Men

I hated Little Women. Hated it. So bored. When I picked this one up I was not expecting to enjoy it. It had some extreme punishments that definitely stuck with me. After reading that painful lying scene I certainly thought before I spoke. It was a fun read with incorrigible boys and I enjoyed learning about their stories





4. Harry Potter
This series was my constant companion from the time I was 12 until I was graduated from high school. I went to midnight releases of the last two books and completely loved every single book. I didn’t read them at first because I thought they were boy books, but within the first chapter of the first book I was hooked. I only picked them up to impress a boy and am I so glad I did!


3. Little House on the Prairie
If any series resonated with me it was this one. I’ve always been a history lover and growing up in rural Oklahoma I understood the setting quite well. It was such a companion to me as I grew up, but I don’t really think it taught me any big lessons. My favorite book in series is actually a prequel not written by Ingalls: Little House in the Highlands









2. Bridge to Terabithia
This was required classroom reading in 4th grade. 4th grade was also the beginning of the bullying years. This book taught me how to deal with bullies, parents that seemed cruel, and how imagination can one’s biggest ally.




1. The Boxcar Children
This is the very first series of books I read on my own. I was born to a family of readers and with severe dyslexia and a want to be included my greatest wish from age 3 to 6 was to be able to read. This series set me up for a love of reading. It was a series that resonated with me unlike books like The Babysitters Club. (My gosh those books are superficial)





What were your favorite books as a child? Have you read any to your children or do you plan on encouraging them to read certain books?


February 28th 2012, St. Martin's Press
291 pages, Advanced Finished Copy
Received from Publisher
Second in Trylle trilogy
First: Switched
Young Adult Fiction


Torn - the second book in the Trylle Trilogy...

Wendy thought she finally understood who she was and what she wanted, but everything changes when the rival Vittra come after her.

She's caught between two worlds, torn between love and duty, and she must decide what life she is going to lead.
Cover Review:

Quite honestly, I think the best thing St. Martin’s did for the Trylle series is giving it a cover that people will actually want to look at. I know covers in e-books aren’t as important as they don’t go on the shelves but it still matters for most readers. You know we are all cover whores at heart! Ugh, the original cover is just so freaking DREADFUL!

Opinion:

So FREAKING EPIC!! OMG! Seriously I was waiting for this book for weeks. Checking the mailbox compulsively and when the UPS brought another book I was like sigh, fine. After reading Switched I need the next immediately! I totally get how this got to be a sensation with Indie readers.

Wendy is growing into a person I would not fear running a civilization (unlike every single one of the politicians campaigning for the White House) she is loyal, sees the “little” people as equal, and truly cares about others without trying to force her views of life on everyone else.  She gets thrown into situations that most adults wouldn’t be able to handle with poise and yet always keeps her head. She is growing more of a spine and I think will be a great ruler to the Trylle people.

She’s still head over heels in love with Finn, and starts feeling for another male. She has a duty to her people and when that duty is presented she accepts it in grace. Someone spoiled the part of the series for me on twitter. Le sigh. But now I know I’m not going to have any ill feelings toward it. She will be a do her duty, but that should not mean that she has to be miserable.

There are so many surprises within this second book. I never saw most of them coming. I seriously CANNOT wait to see what will happen in the next book. Like at all. So it’s gonna be another few weeks of compulsivly checking the mail.

If you haven’t read this series yet! Please do, so I can talk about it with you!

Rating:







Rie
I'm a wife, student, and a dog-lover who reads when I should be folding laundry (bane of my existance), I write (rarely as academic papers consume my life), and love getting wrapped up in fiction.

Review: Torn by Amanda Hocking

2:40 AM Unknown

February 28th 2012, St. Martin's Press
291 pages, Advanced Finished Copy
Received from Publisher
Second in Trylle trilogy
First: Switched
Young Adult Fiction


Torn - the second book in the Trylle Trilogy...

Wendy thought she finally understood who she was and what she wanted, but everything changes when the rival Vittra come after her.

She's caught between two worlds, torn between love and duty, and she must decide what life she is going to lead.
Cover Review:

Quite honestly, I think the best thing St. Martin’s did for the Trylle series is giving it a cover that people will actually want to look at. I know covers in e-books aren’t as important as they don’t go on the shelves but it still matters for most readers. You know we are all cover whores at heart! Ugh, the original cover is just so freaking DREADFUL!

Opinion:

So FREAKING EPIC!! OMG! Seriously I was waiting for this book for weeks. Checking the mailbox compulsively and when the UPS brought another book I was like sigh, fine. After reading Switched I need the next immediately! I totally get how this got to be a sensation with Indie readers.

Wendy is growing into a person I would not fear running a civilization (unlike every single one of the politicians campaigning for the White House) she is loyal, sees the “little” people as equal, and truly cares about others without trying to force her views of life on everyone else.  She gets thrown into situations that most adults wouldn’t be able to handle with poise and yet always keeps her head. She is growing more of a spine and I think will be a great ruler to the Trylle people.

She’s still head over heels in love with Finn, and starts feeling for another male. She has a duty to her people and when that duty is presented she accepts it in grace. Someone spoiled the part of the series for me on twitter. Le sigh. But now I know I’m not going to have any ill feelings toward it. She will be a do her duty, but that should not mean that she has to be miserable.

There are so many surprises within this second book. I never saw most of them coming. I seriously CANNOT wait to see what will happen in the next book. Like at all. So it’s gonna be another few weeks of compulsivly checking the mail.

If you haven’t read this series yet! Please do, so I can talk about it with you!

Rating:







Rie
I'm a wife, student, and a dog-lover who reads when I should be folding laundry (bane of my existance), I write (rarely as academic papers consume my life), and love getting wrapped up in fiction.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Valentine’s Day is currently one of my favorite holidays. Mainly because the next day is my anniversary. I can’t believe it’s been 3 years with my adorable sweet loving hubby!



Valentine’s Prize Pack: If I Stay by Gayle Forman, The Calling by Kelley Armstrong, and Thumped by Megan McCafferty


a Rafflecopter giveaway
So I had my 1,000 follower giveaway and for every 25 new followers over 1,000 by today equaled a new prize pack. So at 1,039 followers 2 prize packs are released! You can still pick from all 3 of the original prize packs, but only 2 will be sent out.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Plus simply because I have to share a pic of the cutest baby I have ever seen. My new nephew: Christian Daniel.


Valentine’s Day Giveaway

12:11 AM Unknown
Valentine’s Day is currently one of my favorite holidays. Mainly because the next day is my anniversary. I can’t believe it’s been 3 years with my adorable sweet loving hubby!



Valentine’s Prize Pack: If I Stay by Gayle Forman, The Calling by Kelley Armstrong, and Thumped by Megan McCafferty


a Rafflecopter giveaway
So I had my 1,000 follower giveaway and for every 25 new followers over 1,000 by today equaled a new prize pack. So at 1,039 followers 2 prize packs are released! You can still pick from all 3 of the original prize packs, but only 2 will be sent out.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Plus simply because I have to share a pic of the cutest baby I have ever seen. My new nephew: Christian Daniel.


Friday, February 10, 2012


Design





I've started a new feature. Great Design is a way for me to showcase other book bloggers that have put the effort forward to learn how to do great design work. If you would like to be considered for this feature please fill out the form!


Icey Books:

What resources have you used in your design? Is there any websites you'd recommend for resources?


I use Photoshop for everything. When I first started, I think I was about 13, the blank canvas of Photoshop was the scariest thing to me. But you can do almost anything there. I know Photoshop is a little pricey, but there is a free alternative to it, and its just as powerful: GIMP. And before you begin designing (or blogging) - I recommend using Google Chrome. Internet Explorer is good, but Chrome is the best.

What do you like most about your design?


I've had a few designs, and I'm constantly changing them, but at the moment, I think I really like the shade of pink I used in my background - and the clean layout. I'm not really into pink, but I like how this one turned out.

What has been the biggest difficulty in getting your design to be how you want it?


Nothing. Since I'm into designing, I've been working at it and playing around a lot with Blogger. In the beginning, there were times when I just couldn't get what I wanted, but now, I think the hardest thing would be coming up with a perfect design to fit my clients' requests! And of course, there are those times when something just doesn't want to work between browsers...

Have you enjoyed learning about design?


Of course! When there's a certain something that I don't know how to do, figuring it out becomes my next challenge. Overcoming that challenge gives you the best feeling ever. With designing, I'm always learning something new. And I love it.





You can view my complete portfolio here.

Thanks for being part of Great Designs today!

Great Designs: Icey Books

10:00 PM Unknown

Design





I've started a new feature. Great Design is a way for me to showcase other book bloggers that have put the effort forward to learn how to do great design work. If you would like to be considered for this feature please fill out the form!


Icey Books:

What resources have you used in your design? Is there any websites you'd recommend for resources?


I use Photoshop for everything. When I first started, I think I was about 13, the blank canvas of Photoshop was the scariest thing to me. But you can do almost anything there. I know Photoshop is a little pricey, but there is a free alternative to it, and its just as powerful: GIMP. And before you begin designing (or blogging) - I recommend using Google Chrome. Internet Explorer is good, but Chrome is the best.

What do you like most about your design?


I've had a few designs, and I'm constantly changing them, but at the moment, I think I really like the shade of pink I used in my background - and the clean layout. I'm not really into pink, but I like how this one turned out.

What has been the biggest difficulty in getting your design to be how you want it?


Nothing. Since I'm into designing, I've been working at it and playing around a lot with Blogger. In the beginning, there were times when I just couldn't get what I wanted, but now, I think the hardest thing would be coming up with a perfect design to fit my clients' requests! And of course, there are those times when something just doesn't want to work between browsers...

Have you enjoyed learning about design?


Of course! When there's a certain something that I don't know how to do, figuring it out becomes my next challenge. Overcoming that challenge gives you the best feeling ever. With designing, I'm always learning something new. And I love it.





You can view my complete portfolio here.

Thanks for being part of Great Designs today!




TGIF is  a Friday meme hosted by Ginger at Greads. She always has the best questions.


Today’s Question:

Love Stories: What are some of your favorite fictional love stories?

Answer:


Alesandra and Colin from Castles by Julie Garwood
Alesandra is head-strong and so caring. Colin is a grumpy bachelor that has a sweet side.


Judith and Ian from The Secret by Julie Garwood

Judith and Ian’s love tells us readers that one whisper combined with millions others because a scream that must be reckoned with.



Nikki and Jack from Everneath by @brodiashton

The perfect love story from the very beginning.
BTW, this is not a love triangle story and I am UTTERLY sick of seeing people saying TEAM COLE. No, there is no team Cole. Stop making love triangles where there is none! Seriously.

There are so many more but these are my top 3.








Rie
I'm a wife, student, and a dog-lover who reads when I should be folding laundry (bane of my existance), I write (rarely as academic papers consume my life), and love getting wrapped up in fiction.

TGIF: Love Stories

12:17 AM Unknown




TGIF is  a Friday meme hosted by Ginger at Greads. She always has the best questions.


Today’s Question:

Love Stories: What are some of your favorite fictional love stories?

Answer:


Alesandra and Colin from Castles by Julie Garwood
Alesandra is head-strong and so caring. Colin is a grumpy bachelor that has a sweet side.


Judith and Ian from The Secret by Julie Garwood

Judith and Ian’s love tells us readers that one whisper combined with millions others because a scream that must be reckoned with.



Nikki and Jack from Everneath by @brodiashton

The perfect love story from the very beginning.
BTW, this is not a love triangle story and I am UTTERLY sick of seeing people saying TEAM COLE. No, there is no team Cole. Stop making love triangles where there is none! Seriously.

There are so many more but these are my top 3.








Rie
I'm a wife, student, and a dog-lover who reads when I should be folding laundry (bane of my existance), I write (rarely as academic papers consume my life), and love getting wrapped up in fiction.
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