Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Teaser Tuesday (July 31)


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. Here's how it works...
  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page.
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure what you share does not give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author too so other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
Here are my teasers...
Please, God, take care of my sister. Bring her back home.
p. 141, In Leah's Wake by Terri Giuliano Long 

Friday, July 27, 2012

Feature & Follow Friday #26


Q: Summer Reading - What was your favorite book that you were REQUIRED to read when you were in school?


A: I think The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald was my favorite required reading and I have read it again since. I remember enjoying To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee but I really need to re-read it for the details. I will be adding this to my list. Oh and Life of Pi by Yann Martel was good too. I have that on my nook to re-read also.


What was your favorite required reading? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Booking Through Thursday: Reading

This week's Booking Through Thursday asks...


Do you have a favorite season of the year that you read more? (example - during snow storms, rainy weather, sunny/warm weather) Where is your favorite place to read - on the beach, inside, outside?


I read all times of the year. With traveling the past couple years there has not really been a certain season that I have read more than others. I love snuggling up on a cold, rainy day and reading just as much as I love taking my book to the pool to read while I work on my tan. Favorite place ever to read would be on the beach with my toes in the sand!


What is your favorite season and place to read? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Picture Post! (July 25)

I am on my last program as a Travel Director in Ireland! I couldn't ask for a better place to end this journey my life has taken the past 2 years. Today's pictures are just a couple of the places I hope to sneak off to and read at some time this week (after getting rid of my jet leg of course).


Reading space #1 - The Library! This room is so cozy
for when the weather is dreary.

Reading space #2 - Outside on the grounds overlooking
the lake. I especially like the area with the flowers
around the tree. Everything is so bright and green even
with the grey clouds. I love it!

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Teaser Tuesday (July 24)


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. Here's how it works...
  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page.
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure what you share does not give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author too so other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
Here are my teasers...
"She has no choice. She made a commitment."
p. 1 In Leah's Wake by Terri Giuliano Long 

"Shadow of Night" by Deborah Harkness

Shadow of Night (All Souls Trilogy #2)
by Deborah Harkness
593 pages


Short Version: Diana & Matthew travel back in time to learn more about her magic and search for the missing manuscript.


Why I Read It: I loved Discovery of Witches so I had to continue on with the series.


The Book: (From Goodreads)
Deborah Harkness exploded onto the literary scene with her debut novel,A Discovery of Witches, Book One of the magical All Souls Trilogy and an international publishing phenomenon. The novel introduced Diana Bishop, Oxford scholar and reluctant witch, and the handsome geneticist and vampire Matthew Clairmont; together they found themselves at the center of a supernatural battle over an enchanted manuscript known as Ashmole 782.
Now, picking up from A Discovery of Witches’ cliffhanger ending,Shadow of Night plunges Diana and Matthew into Elizabethan London, a world of spies, subterfuge, and a coterie of Matthew’s old friends, the mysterious School of Night that includes Christopher Marlowe and Walter Raleigh. Here, Diana must locate a witch to tutor her in magic, Matthew is forced to confront a past he thought he had put to rest, and the mystery of Ashmole 782 deepens.
Deborah Harkness has crafted a gripping journey through a world of alchemy, time travel, and magical discoveries, delivering one of the most hotly anticipated novels of the season.



My Thoughts: I have to admit when I read Discovery of Witches (All Souls Triology #1) I did not know that it was part of a triology. I assumed it was a stand alone book, even when the ending was left pretty open. When I found out there was a book #2 I was so excited. Shadow of Night was very good, but I have to admit I liked Discovery of Witches just a little bit more.


I really enjoyed the historical aspect of this novel. Matthew and Diana travel back to 1590 in search of a witch to help Diana with her magic and to search for the manuscript that holds the secrets of the creation of all creatures - witches, vampires, and daemons. In 1590 Matthew de Clairmont was friends with people such as Christopher Marlowe, William Shakespeare, Queen Elizabeth and more. The way Harkness integrated their lives into the past as well as with the other creatures was very believable and creative. Matthew and Diana grow as characters as they find out more about each other. Matthew reverts back to his former self as he was the first time he lived in 1590, keeping his many secrets to himself. Diana has to learn to fit in to this time period instead of just studying it as a historian from the future. Eventually both characters grow to trust each other and share their secrets as well as blend to the lifestyle. Occasionally there is a chapter from the present about Matthew's family finding pieces that are clues to his and Diana's actions in the past. Paintings of them, letters, and slight changes in history are just a few disturbances to the past that the de Clairmont family find in the future.


One slight disappointment was the magic. In Discovery of Witches, Diana's power is exploding from her as she accepts who she is. With these outbursts she learned just how powerful she may be. In Shadow of Night she goes to the past to find a more powerful witch who can help her understand her magic. But going into the past has changed her powers; they are no longer exploding from her. I felt like it took awhile for her to find a teacher and start to learn about it. I missed the random outbursts of fire, water or glowing when Diana was upset. Eventually Diana and Matthew make progress with her magic as well as with locating the manuscript, Ashmole 782. They realize they are a huge part of life and death, and possibly the creation of creatures. 


I cannot wait for more info about Book 3 (Title and release date are TBD). I'm sure it will be an amazing ending to a wonderful story!


#15 in 2012 Ebook Challenge
Click here to see full list
















#6 in 2012 Wishlist Challenge
Click here to see full list

Friday, July 20, 2012

Feature & Follow Friday #25


Q: Christmas in July!!! Someone give you a gift card for two books (whatever that costs). What two books will you buy?


A: This is like the hardest question ever for me! I never know which book I will buy next. It depends what I feel like reading or if the next book in a series is available. I also impulsively buy books when I see deals on them, like from the Nook Lovers Daily Cheap Read. If I had to pick two I would try to pre-order Tiger's Destiny (Tiger Curse Series #4) by Colleen Houck and also pre-order The Rainbow Maker's Tale by Melanie Cousick-Jones (second book in the Ambrosia Sequence). Those are 2 books I am anxiously awaiting to come out. I'm not even sure if you can pre-order them yet but I will pretend you can.


What 2 books would you want? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Booking Through Thursday: One or Many

This week's Booking Through Thursday asks...


Series or Stand-alone?


For me it is both. A couple years ago I seemed to read more stand-alones. Now I'm in the middle of a few series, waiting for the next book to come out (that is the frustrating part about series). I like to keep it mixed up.


What do you prefer? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Picture Post! (July 18)

This Wednesday I am spending time at home so here are a couple pics from a previous trip that I stumbled across the other day...


Love taking pics of flowers!

This is one of my favorite pictures


Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Teaser Tuesday (July 17)


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. Here's how it works...
  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page.
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure what you share does not give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author too so other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
Here are my teasers...
"It is a game that Ysabeau and I play. When one of us is away, we leave messages hidden in the pages of books. So much happens in a day, it is impossible to remember everything when we see each other again. This way we can come upon little memories like this one when we least expect it, and share them."
p. 201, Shadow of Night, by Deborah Harkness 

Monday, July 16, 2012

"A Discovery of Witches" by Deborah Harkness

A Discovery of Witches
by Deborah Harness
588 pages (nook book)


Why I Read It: This is a re-read for me. I wanted to refresh my memory before reading Shadow of Night. 


The Book: (From Goodreads)
Deep in the stacks of Oxford's Bodleian Library, young scholar Diana Bishop unwittingly calls up a bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research. Descended from an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery; so after a furtive glance and a few notes, she banishes the book to the stacks. But her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library. Diana has stumbled upon a coveted treasure lost for centuries-and she is the only creature who can break its spell.


My Thoughts: SPOILER ALERT! MY REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS. YOU'VE BEEN WARNED  :o)
This book is just as good as I remembered. The first time I read it I believe it was the first book with witches that I had read and I was mesmerized. The historical references are also very interesting to me. They make the story seem more real, as if there could be vampires, witches, and daemons living in this world.


There are a lot of small details and connections in this book so I am unsure of where to go with this review. A Discovery of Witches focuses on Diana Bishop, daughter of two very powerful witches, and Matthew Clairmont, century old vampire. Diana refuses to use her magic after her parents died when she was seven. But after calling up an enchanted manuscript and falling in love with a vampire, she soon can't ignore her magic any longer if she wishes to survive what is ahead. The Congregation is made up of 3 vampires, 3 witches, and 3 daemons and act as a governing law over the three species. They want the enchanted manuscript Diana called up as well as the secret to her powers, and they will use any means to try to get what they want. With the Congregation out to get her, Diana must face the fact that she is a witch, and a powerful one. She steps up to learn her magic, which is much more powerful than anyone ever expected.


I really enjoy the relationship between Diana & Matthew. There are no immediate, love at first site feelings, especially between a witch and vampire. Of course, when love is forbidden it only seems to become stronger and eventually that does happen. Their feelings grow for each other slowly through the first few chapters before announcing their love for each other. Their relationship is a big part of the book since they are determined to change the hundred year old rules about species mixing with each other. 


Reading through the different settings is also fun. They begin in Oxford where Diana is studying for the year. Then Diana and Matthew head to France, Sept Tours to be exact. Here Diana learn more about Matthew since he is in his home with his mother. Matthew is full of a century of secrets that he is very closed off about. The descriptions may not be the most detailed but I can still picture myself in the castle settings. My favorite part is when they are in the Bishop house in New York. It is the exact image of a witches home, and is haunted too. I love being able to picture the scenes and feel like I'm watching what is happening as I read. In the end they time travel back to the year 1590 in England. I'm sure this is where Shadow of Night will pick up and I can't wait to begin reading it. The first time I read A Discovery of Witches I did not think Matthew and Diana survived their trip back in time. At the time I did not know there would be another book coming out. After re-reading I have reconsidered my previous conclusion and I am hoping they fulfill their goal in travel back in time.


5/5 Stars


#14 in 2012 Ebook Challenge
Click here to see full list

Happy Monday!

This is what my Monday consists of...


In case you were wondering, I'm finishing A Discovery of Witches
so I can begin Shadow of Night both by Deborah Harkness.


How are you spending your Monday?

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Feature & Follow Friday #24


Q: What drove you to start blogging in the first place?


A: I needed an outlet for all my bookish thoughts. For awhile I tried getting my mom to read all the books I read so we could talk about them, but she wasn't keeping up haha. I had too many book thoughts and no where to share. I had no idea there was even a book blogging community when I started. Now Reading Kelly is like a diary of my books with the occasional travel post thrown in and I love it.

Why did you start blogging? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Picture Post! (July 11)

I am a day late with this but was having some problems uploading my pictures. This week I am visiting Invermere, BC (Canada). It is absolutely gorgeous here. Of course I am working so I do not get to go hiking or rafting or camping (boo!) but I did get to enjoy the scenery yesterday while driving to the resort. It was a looong drive after flying all morning but the beauty of the landscape was totally worth it. I'm hoping to get a little time to sneak away and read with the mountains as my backdrop. But for now here is a glimpse at what I saw while driving (courtesy of my friend & coworker since I was driving).


Gorgeous mountains

The colors in this pic are amazing!

Booking Through Thursday: Guilty Pleasure

This week's Booking Through Thursday asks...

What book(s) have you read that you are secretly ashamed to admit?

This is easy. Last week I read the Fifty Shades Trilogy. They books were terribly written but I could not put them down. I was actually staying up all night to finish the books. This is not something I am willing to share with most people so Shhh! It's our secret.

What is your guilty pleasure book? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Teaser Tuesday (July 10)

I am really late in posting this, but here it is! 






Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. Here's how it works...
  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page.
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure what you share does not give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author too so other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
Here are my teasers...

"I don't know where to begin," he said shakily. (Matthew Clairmont)
"At the end, of course. Why did you pick up the phone and call me?" (Hamish Osborne)
"I needed to get away from a witch." (Matthew)

p. 104, A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness


Monday, July 9, 2012

"Fifty Shades Freed" by E L James

Fifty Shades Freed (Fifty Shades #3)
by E L James
448 pages (nook book)

Short Version:

Why I Read It: Once I started the trilogy I had to finish it.

The Book: (From Goodreads)
When unworldly student Ana Steele first encountered the driven, damaged young entrepreneur Christian Grey, it sparked a sensual affair that changed both their lives irrevocably. Shocked, intrigued, and ultimately repelled by Christian's singular sexual tastes, Ana demanded a deeper commitment; determined to keep her, Christian agreed. Now, together, they have more-love, passion, intimacy, wealth, and a world of infinite possibilities. But Ana always knew that loving her Fifty Shades would not be easy and being together poses challenges neither of them ever anticipated. Ana must somehow learn to share Christian's opulent lifestyle without sacrificing her own integrity, identity, or independence; Christian must somehow overcome his compulsion to control and lay to rest the horrors that blighted his past and haunt his present. Just when it seems that together their love can conquer any obstacle, tragedy, malice and fate combine to make Ana's worst nightmares come true.

My Thoughts: WARNING MAY CONTAIN CONTENT NOT SUITABLE FOR THOSE UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE & SPOILERS!!!
Well I think this was my least favorite book of all three of them. James should have stopped after Fifty Shades Darker. The beginning starts out good- Ana & Christian are on their honeymoon. I enjoyed how flashbacks of their wedding was incorporated so you still get the details of the wedding and beginning of their honeymoon. Once they return to life at home things start to go down hill for me. Ana and Christian seem to constantly argue about the same things. He wants to control everything about her but she wants to maintain some of her independence. Fight - makeup sex - happy couple. That is the cycle for most of the book. And there is the fact that Christian is "fifty shades" and Ana is trying to make him realize he is a good person with a heart.
I knew Jack Hyde would be involved some how since that is what Fifty Shades Darker ended with. We see nothing of him until he tries to kidnap Ana, in which case he is caught immediately. This happens fast with nothing really leading up to it and now that the bad guy is caught there is not much else to write about except their sex lives.
In the middle of the book James passes time by just showing emails back and forth between Christian and Ana about how they enjoyed what they did the night before. You have to pay attention to the dates to realize time is passing. It seems as if James ran out of things to write about. After the emails there are little problems that pop up just to keep things going, like Leila visiting Ana at work.
At the end we find out Ana is pregnant and this is like the grand finale. Christian freaks, runs to Elana, while Ana is mad at the way he handles things. Then Jack Hyde pops up again kidnapping Christian's sister and calling Ana for ransom money. This part of the story was ok but just seemed out of no where since we heard nothing of Jack Hyde since he was captured. Ana saves Mia and ends up in the hospital. Christian thought he lost Ana again so he all of a sudden realized what she has been saying the entire time - that she really does love him and he is worthy of it. He is no longer "fifty shades of fucked up."
I still enjoyed Ana's character. Being Mrs. Grey suits her. She seems to gain composure and confidence with her new lifestyle. In Fifty Shades of Grey, Ana was a clumsy innocent girl, now she is confidently, sexy, and always learning new tricks from her husband. Christian is still his same sexy character, but you slowly see him changing and learning from Ana also. He becomes romantic and patient, learning how to deal with his emotions. I knew he would eventually come to terms with himself and no longer be "fifty shades."
Overall, not my favorite in the trilogy but I am happy to have read all the books and know what all the hype is about.

2/5 Stars

#13 in 2012 Ebook Challenge
Click here to see full list

Sunday, July 8, 2012

"Fifty Shades Darker" by E L James

Fifty Shades Darker (Fifty Shades #2)
by E L James
403 pages (nook book)

Short Version: Christian and Ana further explore their relationship as Ana learns more of Christian's past.

Why I Read It: The first book, Fifty Shades of Grey, left of with a very open ending so I had to find out what was going to happen.

The Book: (From Goodreads)
Daunted by the singular sexual tastes and dark secrets of the beautiful, tormented young entrepreneur Christian Grey, Anastasia Steele has broken off their relationship to start a new career with a Seattle publishing house.

But desire for Christian still dominates her every waking thought, and when he proposes a new arrangement, Anastasia cannot resist. They rekindle their searing sensual affair, and Anastasia learns more about the harrowing past of her damaged, driven and demanding Fifty Shades.

While Christian wrestles with his inner demons, Anastasia must confront the anger and envy of the women who came before her, and make the most important decision of her life.


My Thoughts: WARNING MAY CONTAIN CONTENT THAT IS NOT SUITABLE FOR THOSE UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE!
The second book in the trilogy picks up exactly where the first left off. It was like just starting the next chapter. Again, this book was ok just like the first. The writing is still not the greatest and some of it started to get repetitious, but I still enjoyed reading it.
I have to admit some of the scenes in the book had me gripping to know what was going to happen. With Leila, Jack and Elana things always seemed to get out of control. (I'm not going in to details so I don't spoil anything!)
It seemed that all of the sex scenes started to be the same. There are so many of them! The place and time where they do it may change but the descriptions and feelings conveyed were beginning to be the exact same every time. The same is with Christian and Ana's insecurities. They are constantly questioning each other's devotion. I understand that is part of who they are but it was getting a bit old towards the end.
Speaking of the end, the books could have finished after this one and everyone would have lived happily ever after. However, James had to add just a few more paragraphs of Jack, Ana's ex boss, trying to seek revenge. I'm just going to make a wild guess and say that is what book 3 will be about. I am wondering how it will turn out since the focus has really been on Christian's issues which have now been somewhat cleared up.
I liked Christian more in this book. Maybe because he is no longer a Dom with subs. I like his bossy attitude but he is also learning to control himself. I still enjoy Ana as well. For the most part she stands up for herself even when head over heals for Mr. Grey. Any girl that can hold her own is ok in my eyes.

Well I am on to the third book of Fifty Shades to see what it is about.

3/5 Stars

#12 in 2012 Ebook Challenge
Click here to see the full list


Friday, July 6, 2012

Feature & Follow Friday #23


Q: Jumping Genres - Ever pick up a book from a genre you usually don't like and LOVE it? Tell us about it and why you picked it up in the first place.

A: I have been doing this more and more as I try to branch out with my reading. I used to only read historical fiction and sometimes contemporary. Then I picked up The Hunger Games series and fell in love. I had no idea what to expect from The Hunger Games except that someone told me they were really good books. Now I see myself going for more dystopian and paranormal books. I am also now reading the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy which is something I would not normally go for. I'm not really into romance novels. I am enjoying Fifty Shades and could possibly see myself reading a romance every now and then.

What genre did you unexpectedly fall in love with? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Fifty Shades of Grey by E L James

Fifty Shades of Grey
by E L James
391 pages (nook book)

Short Version: Innocent Anastasia Steele meets the most attractive, successful man in Seattle, Christian Grey, and ends up in an unexpected sexual relationship with him. Can she handle what he has in store for her?

Why I Read It: I had to see what all the hype was about. I heard many mixed reviews and decided to make my own judgements.

The Book: (From Goodreads)
When literature student Anastasia Steele is drafted to interview the successful young entrepreneur Christian Grey for her campus magazine, she finds him attractive, enigmatic and intimidating. Convinced their meeting went badly, she tries to put Grey out of her mind - until he happens to turn up at the out-of-town hardware store where she works part-time.

The unworldly, innocent Ana is shocked to realize she wants this man, and when he warns her to keep her distance it only makes her more desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her - but on his own terms.

Shocked yet thrilled by Grey's singular erotic tastes, Ana hesitates. For all the trappings of success – his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving adoptive family – Grey is a man tormented by demons and consumed by the need to control. When the couple embarks on a passionate, physical and daring affair, Ana learns more about her own dark desires, as well as the Christian Grey hidden away from public scrutiny.

Can their relationship transcend physical passion? Will Ana find it in herself to submit to the self-indulgent Master? And if she does, will she still love what she finds?


My Thoughts: WARNING - MAY CONTAIN CONTENT UNSUITABLE FOR THOSE UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE & SPOILERS!!!
I went into this book a little bit jaded. I had worked with some ladies who were reading it at the time and all of their comments about how bad the writing and story line was really stuck with me. In the beginning all I paid attention to was the writing. They were right, it was not the greatest, but not the worst either. I typically do not read romance/erotica books either. I think I was expecting something much worse than what I got from Fifty Shades of Grey.
Throughout most of the book I feel like I sided with Anastasia. I don't think I could wrap my mind around being a submissive. I liked that she had a smart mouth and stood up for herself most of the time. When it came to the sex though, I feel like it was a bit unrealistic that she was having orgasms so easily and got an "A" in oral sex her first time. She was so inexperienced and had a clumsy personality so I think James should have fit that in a bit more in the sex scenes. I really liked that Ana listened to her inner goddess and subconscious throughout the book.
Now Christian Grey. I did not like him at all in the beginning. He is spoiled and too rich for his own good. He has the attitude that he can do what he wants and always gets his way. As the book went on, and you see his younger playful side with Ana at times, I began to like him more. I am so curious as to what made him "fifty shades of fucked up." I kept thinking he would give in to Ana and let her touch him since she followed him to the Red Room of Pain. Of course this does not happen in the first book, so I am forced to move on to the second one.
Overall, it was not as bad as I was expecting it to be. I'm already on the second book, Fifty Shades Darker, so obviously I liked it a little.

3/5 Stars

#11 in 2012 Ebook Challenge
Click here to see full list

Booking Through Thursday: Periodically

This week's Booking Through Thursday asks...

Other than books, what periodicals do you read? Magazines? Newspapers? Newsletters? Journals? Do you subscribe or do you buy them on the newsstand when they look interesting?

I think I only have one magazine subscription (because it was free), for Island magazine. I like to look at all of the features to decide where I want to go on vacation. Other than that I tend to buy "trashy" magazines (People, US Weekly, Star) when I want something besides a book to read on the plane.

Do you read any periodicals? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Picture Post! (July 4)

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

I am lucky I get to spend this 4th of July at home with my friends and family. It is the perfect hot day for the pool and bbq. I may even get to see some fireworks, which are one of my favorite things! Today's pictures are not the greatest, but they are only firework pictures I could find to share so enjoy! And have a great holiday!



Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Teaser Tuesday (July 3)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. Here's how it works...



  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page.
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure what you share does not give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author too so other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
Here are my teasers...
"He gazes at me. He's amused, his eyes dancing with mirth."
p. 127 (nook edition), Fifty Shades of Grey by E L James


August Travels

Well normally at the first of every month when I get my schedule I post lovely pictures of where I will be going. I am a few days behind but that is a good thing because some things have changed with my schedule. Originally I was supposed to do a small program in St. Louis (where I live) which would have been really fun. But yesterday I had an interview and ended up getting a new job within my company! I start  August 1, so instead of traveling as much I will now be planning the trips that I used to travel on. This means lots more time home and only a few trips a year. It is kind of a bittersweet thing. I am excited to try something new and get into planning which is my career goal, but I am sad to be "getting off the road" as we say.

I am unsure of what my days/nights will now consist of. I hope it does not really affect my reading but we shall see what happens. If anything, I'd like to focus a little more on my blog and maybe join a book club. I have a feeling August will be a little nuts because I am in 2 weddings and starting the new job, but hopefully after that I can get into a better routine.

So, just 2 more trips in July for me and then on to newer things. My last trip happens to be Ireland so I think that is a great way to end this job!

Random Acts of Kindness: July



RAK is hosted by Book Soulmates. You can join the fun here.
For those who do not know, RAK is Random Acts of Kindness. You sign up and share your book wishlist. Then you can view other's wishlists and send them a Random Act of Kindness. Last month was a little crazy for me so I did not participate but I am excited to be a part of RAK again this month!

Here are the rules:

COMPLETE RULES RE-CAP:
Please read carefully & follow all rules! Thank you!

  • Please sign-up each month that you can participate (and by participate, we mean give as well as receive).
  • Show off your participation by grabbing our RAK button (code is in the right sidebar).
  • Create a wish list (on Amazon, Goodreads, or your blog, etc) and post it in the Google Doc located in each R.A.K post for the month.
  • If you choose to do a R.A.K for someone, check out their wish list and contact that blogger directly for their information.
  • Once you receive a RAK, send us an our new email to [rakbybooksoulmates @ gmail . com] so that we can update the Google Doc. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU SEND EMAILS TO THIS ADDRESS!
  • E-book participation is limited to files being gifted directly to a person from the e-book store. Amazon's Kindle Store is set up to allow this, as well as the Kobo store and we believe Barnes & Noble with Nook as well.
  • At the end of the month, SHOW US YOUR R.A.K by making a "RAK Wrap-Up" post. This post should include who you SENT gifts to as well who you RECEIVED gifts from :)

OPEN TO EVERYONE including all our International brethren!

Remember, there's always the Book Depository and they offer FREE shipping!

Easy peezy!!

You can view my wishlist here in my Google Docs.