Four Month Challenge

This challenge is hosted by Virginie of Virginie Says. This challenge starts in November 1, 2009. I can't wait I did not get a chance to complete the first one but I hope to complete this one.


5 Point Challenges
Read a book with a proper name in the title Kristy's Great Idea by Ann M. Martin

Read a book about a queen or king

Read a book by a Bronte

Read a book about Vampires Marked by P.C. and Kristin Cast

Read a book by V.C. Andrews

10 Point Challenges

Read a book by Canadian author

Read a book by Charles Dickens

Read a book set in France

Read a book by Georgette Heyer

Read an ‘art’ themed book.

15 Point Challenges

Read a book with a Civil War theme (any country)

Read a book with characters inspired by King Arthur or about King Arthur/Camelot

Read a biography/autobiography

Read a book related to or something by Shakespeare

Read a book by an author born in November, December, January or February

20 Point Challenges

Read a book with a wintery theme (Christmas, snow, ice, freezing etc.)

Read a book that was a winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction

Read a book that begins with A and one that begins with Z

Read a book from The Modern Library Top 100

Read a book and then write a review

10/250

What are you reading Mondays

This is a weekly meme hosted by J-Kaye.

Here is what I completed this week:


Chocolate Vol 1-3 Shin J. Sang, Geo
Nana Vol 1-2 AI Yazawa
Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Darkside by Beth Fantasky
Family Constitution by Scott Gale
Emma Vol 6 by Kaoru Mori
Fruits Basket Vol 7 by Natasuki Takaya
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
Betsy and Tacy Go Downtown by Maud Hart Lovelace
Heaven to Betsy by Maud Hart Lovelace
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
Betsy in Spite of Herself by Maud Hart Lovelace
What I am currently reading:


The Kings Grace by Anne Easter Smith
Emma Vol 8 By Kaoru Mori

What I hope to start this week:

Emma Vol 9 by Kaoru Mori
Frostbite by Richelle Mead
Shadow's Kiss by Richelle Mead
Marked by P.C. and Kristen Cast
Betrayed by P.C. and Kristen Cast

What are you reading this week?

Readathon Hour 24 and Wrap-up Post

Books I read: Nana Vol 2

#of pages read this hour: 208

Time spent reading: 40 mins

Mini-Challenges completed: 0

#of pages total read this far: 1788

Total books completed so far: 7

Snacks/Meals eaten: none

My Thoughts: I overslept because I was going to go be up to read the last to hours but I did not set my alarm right so I woke up at at 7:10 I decided to pick up a graphic novel cause I usually can whiz through those without interruption in less than an hour.

Wrap-up Post

1. Which hour was most daunting for you? Hour 18 so I went to sleep after it and woke up in hour 24

2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year? Nana Mangas helped a lot.

3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? None

4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon? Get more graphic novels and try The American Girl series

5. How many books did you read? 7

6. What were the names of the books you read? Betsy and Tacy go Downtown, Vampire Academy, Nana Vol 1-2, Heaven to Betsy, Wintergirls, Chocolat Vol 3, Betsy in Spite of Herself

7. Which book did you enjoy most? Wintergirls

8. Which did you enjoy least? Heaven to Betsy but really I enjoyed them all.

9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders?

10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time? I am going to participate in it again unless my hubby is working that weekend because I am dying of sleep deprivation right now. I will be a reader but I might try to switch and be a cheerleader.

Well that is all folks. I really enjoyed myself now I must get back to real life. 7 hours till the kids bedtime and then I can sleep because I have to work in the morning.

Readathon hours 17-18

Books I read: Wintergirls and Betsy in Spite of Herself

#of pages read this hour: 190

Time spent reading: 1hr and 45mins

Mini-Challenges completed: 0

#of pages total read this far: 1580pgs

Total books completed so far: 6

Snacks/Meals eaten: None

My Thoughts: I am gonna call it a night I have my alarm set for 6am so I will hope to finish Betsy In Spite Of Herself. Good night see ya at 6am hopefully

Readathon hours 13-16

Books I read: 1. 75

#of pages read these 4 hours: 292

Time spent reading: 3hrs

Mini-Challenges completed: 2

#of pages total read this far: 1404

Total books completed so far: 5

Snacks/Meals eaten: Turkey, stuffing. mash potatos and greenbeans(TV dinner), and scooby doo fruit snacks

My Thoughts: I had several interruptions these 4 hours and I will probably only read 2 hours next time and then get a sleeping break. In this hour I hope to complete Wintergirls and start Betsy in Spite of Herself because I am really needing a light read after the emotionally draining Wintergirls.

Readathon Midway Survey.

Mid-Event Survey:
1. What are you reading right now? Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
2. How many books have you read so far? 4
3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon? Nana Vol 2
4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day? No, I still had the children hubby is deployed
5. Have you had many interruptions? too many How did you deal with those? I just dealt kids were begging for attention
6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far? How many books that Deborah read so far
7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? None
8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year? I would make sure the kids are out of town or the hubby takes them away. Or rent a hotel room to read without interruption
9. Are you getting tired yet? No ask me around 12am eastern
10. Do you have any tips for other Readers or Cheerleaders, something you think is working well for you that others may not have discovered? If you get tired go audio.

Readathon 9-12

Books I read: Heaven to Betsy, Nana and Vampire Academy

#of pages read these hours: 435pgs

Time spent reading: 3hr 30min

Mini-Challenges completed: 0 again I just not had the time.

#of pages total read this far: 1122

Total books completed so far: 4

Snacks/Meals eaten: None

My Thoughts: This has been a decent 4 hours for me so far. My kids are starting to get antsy so I am off to fix dinner for them and get them in the bed within the next 4 hour window. Also in the next 4 hours I hope to finish Vampire Academy. I may even get to start on Nana Vol 2. I hope to get a better dent in Wintergirls since I am listening to it via audiobook while making dinner and getting the kids ready for bed. See yall again in 4 hours.
draft

Readathon hours 5-8

Books I read: Betsy and Tacy Go Downtown and Heaven to Betsy

#of pages read this hour: 359pgs

Time spent reading: 3hr30min

Mini-Challenges completed: 0 this hour

#of pages total read this far: 681pgs

Total books completed so far: 2 books

Snacks/Meals eaten: cheese, scooby gummy snacks, fries and 2 cookies

My Thoughts: We I am just about Betsy and Tacyied out for right now but I hope to finish Heaven to Betsy and then read a Manga for a break from them. I may start Vampire Academy and then go to the last Betsy and Tacy on my list for the Readathon. I think I am doing pretty good despite the interruptions of lunch and entertainment. I will try to do another mini- challenge before getting back to reading.
draft

Readathon hours 1-4

Books I read: Wintergirls and Chocolate Vol 3

#of pages read these 4 hours: 322 pages

Time spent reading: 3hrs40 mins

Mini-Challenges completed: 2

#of pages total read this far: 322pages

Total books completed so far: 1 book

Snacks/Meals eaten: Lunchables Ham, Cheddar + Mini Ritz

My Thoughts: Well I would have read more pages and completed more books but I had to go audiobook because my son had rocket day with the boy scouts. Am I disappointed with myself no because my son enjoyed him self and my daughter had fun at the playground. I will now move on to more serious reading that does not require audiobook. Chocalot was a short Manga of only 200 pages and I enjoyed it its about the trials and tribulations of groupies following their favorite band. The setting takes place in Korea. I have learned a lot about some of the Korean culture through this series.

Hour 1 mini- challenge

Where are you reading from today? In my room, the kitchen and outside of my son's school

3 facts about me … I am a mother, A cat shelter volunteer, A nursing graduate

How many books do you have in your TBR pile for the next 24 hours? 12 books

Do you have any goals for the read-a-thon (i.e. number of books, number of pages, number of hours, or number of comments on blogs)? I hope to read at least 6 books, I don't have any goals for the number of pages, I hope to read at least 18 hours and I have not goals on commenting on blogs. So to me there are no set number of comments

If you’re a veteran read-a-thoner, Any advice for people doing this for the first time? My advice for newbies is if your eyes get tired switch to an audiobook for awhile you are allowed one audiobook I think also if you have kids to cook for that helps as well.

Let The Read-a-Thon Begin

And she is off. I have now officially started the readathon. I thought I would start with the audiobook Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson. This reason I am starting with an audiobook is because I will be helping my son out with Rocket Day for his boy scout troop. So not to disappoint him we have decided to do that. Luckily I have enough memory on my blackberry to download it from audible.com. So for the first 4 hours I will be listening to Wintergirls. I will probably use it again when my eyes get tired around 12am. I am going to to do as many hours as I can stay awake.

I have decided to update my blog every 4 hours and complete one mini-challenge per 4 hours. I will be tweeting my progress every hour since its just quick flip to goodreads. My goals for this readathon is to complete at least 6 of the 12 books in my readathon pile.

Here is my readathon pile as of today:

1. Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

2.Betsy and Tacy Go Downtown by Maud Hart Lovelace

3.Heaven to Betsy by Maud Hart Lovelace

4.Betsy in Spite of Herself by Maud Hart Lovelace

5. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

6. Frostbite by Richelle Mead

7. Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead

8. Chocolate Vol 3 by Shin Jisang.Geo

9. Marked by P.C. and Kristin Cast

10. Betrayed by P.C. and Kristin Cast

11. Nana Vol 1 by Ai Yazawa

12 Nana Vol 2 by Ai Yazawa

See ya again in 4 hours.....

Friday Fill-in

1. The crickets sing, _chirp chirp____?

2. _____I am happy______ wherever you are.

3. I want to get far away from the __hell hole._________.

4. ________Winning the Lottery___; this was a dream.

5. But as for me _I am happy with my life for the most part__________.

6. ___Do you know where________ I come from

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _Relaxing____, tomorrow my plans include ___Readathon and Rocket day with my son__ and Sunday, I want to ___Relax and catch up on some sleep but I doubt it.__!

Review of The Family Constitution by Scott Gale

Product Details

Paperback: 128 pages
Publisher: Spectrum International Press (January 15, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0982296134
ISBN-13: 978-0982296134


Product Description from Amazon.com

What do you get when you cross two working professionals, two active kids and a dog? Chaos! For more than a decade, Scott Gale and his wife, Karen, juggled three bowling bowls- kids, personal needs, and careers. Clear and consistent expectations simply did not factor into their frantic lifestyle. In the wake of a Mother's Day family meltdown, Gale took time to evaluate his family's challenges and induce change, piecing together a powerful tool to restore family harmony. This 'Family Constitution' became the catalyst for clarity, consistency and commitment ('3C's), enabling his family to enjoy mutually understood boundaries and much-needed structure. Your Family Constitution shares Gale's innovative parenting tool and, more importantly, reveals the step-by-step process he went through to become a happier and more effective parent. He guides readers through the rewarding process of creating their own custom Family Constitution, while sharing many hilarious and personal accounts of parenting successes and failures. Your Family Constitution is a life-changing technique that parents can easily apply to make their own families stronger.

My Review:

This book is just what my family needs in our chaotic lives. We are constantly going through issue with discipline. Here in ths book they use the basic principles of the constitution to come up with a solution to help with the most of the common issues that families deal with on a day to day basis.

The author starts the book off by talking about the time his family hit rock bottom. For him it was a wake up call. From then he though there has got to be a better way. So one day he contemplated for a while and came up with the constitution. He figured if the founding fathers had it to help balance power in government then it shoube be adapted into the family setting as well.

He then goes on to discuss a step by step way of framing and creating your own family constitution which would be right for you family. It is divided into 4 chapters with the second part of the book. It includes an appendix at the end of the book that shows the constitution of the Gale family.

Mr. Gale is a very straight-forward he does not sugar coat the results for you. He clearly states that you will not see results right away but if you maintain consitency you will see results. The key is you must reinforce the rules.

I recommend this for any family because it has a lot of valuable tips for helping your household run as smoothly as possible. I hope to incorporate this in my family life as soon as my hubby gets home we will start using the principles in this book.

I rate this book a 4/5

Disclaimer: This book was sent to me for review.

Thursday Thunks

1. If you were to start a meme (or a second or third), what would you call it and what day would you pick? I would pick a Friday. Friday Manga. Since I have an addiction to Manga

2. When a celebrity endorses a product, do you really believe they like it/use it? No, most don't,

3. Why don't zombies ever just eat each other? I guess it kills the thrill of the kill.

4. If you were an elephant, would you rather roam free or be in a zoo? I would roam free I hate to be cooped up.
5. The doorbell rings on October 31st, do you answer it? Yes, cause I would want them to answer for my kids
6. If you see a piece of paper on the ground while out & about, do you pick it up? If so, do you look to see what it is? No, I dont
7. If Jon Gosselin and Octomom got married and then their own reality show, do you think she would try to get pregnant again for better ratings? I am sure she will.
8. If Thursday Thunks was to be put on hold or quit completely, would you be sad? Yes, I kind of like it but I realize that people have their lives.

My Tentative Reading List for the Readathon

I know I will not be able to commit to the full 24 hrs because my son has an activity to go to in the morning but I will hope to complete about 18 hours. It took me awhile to think about my list. I know I am going to do mostly series and switch it up. I will also include some Manga to relieve my eye strain.

Here is my tentative list:

1. Betsy and Tacy Go Downtown by Maud Hart Lovelace

2. Heaven to Betsy by Maud Hart Lovelace

3. Betsy in Spite of Herself

4. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

5. Shadow's Kiss by Richelle Mead

6. Nana Vol 1 by Ai Yazawa

7. Nana Vol 2 by Ai Yazawa

8. Chocolate Vol 3 by

9. Marked by P.C. and Karen Cast

10. Betrayed by P.C. and Karen Cast.

This list is subject to change. What is on your list?

Wonderous Words Wednesday

This is a weekly meme created by Bermuda Onion.

My word this week comes from The King's Grace by Anne Easter Smith.

1. addlepated- 1. being mixed up confused 2. eccentric

pg 36. "Forgive me for being addlepated, Grace"

What words did you find this week?

Tuesday Teaser

TEASER TUESDAYS is hosted by ShouldBeReading and asks you to:♠Grab your current read.♠Let the book fall open to a random page.♠Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page.♠You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!♠Please avoid spoilers!

Today's Teaser comes from The Kings Grace by Anne Easter Smith.

Grace wondered if she would ever get used to the wind in Yorkshire as she leaned into it, feeling it loosen the hair pinned beneath two cauls on either side of her head.( pg 11)

What is your teaser?

Mail Box Mondays

This is a weekly meme brought to you by Marcia of The Printed Page

I only recieved one book in the mail this week. Which is good because my house is overflowing with books. When hubby gets back from Iraq he will have a heart attack.

Here is what I recieved from Marcia of The Printed Page:

Recieve me falling by Erika Robuck



Product Description
Every slave story is a ghost story. The haunting words of an historian and former cane worker on the Caribbean island of Nevis launch Meghan Owen on her quest to unlock the secrets of an abandoned sugar plantation and its ghosts. After Meg's parents die in a car accident on the night of her engagement party, she calls off her wedding, takes leave of her job in Annapolis, and travels to land she's inherited on Nevis. A series of discoveries in an old plantation house on the property, Eden, set her on a search for the truth surrounding the shameful past of her ancestors, their slaves, and the tragedy that resulted in the fall of the plantation and its inhabitants. Through a crushing phone call with her lawyer, Meg learns that her father's estate was built on stolen money, and is being sued by multiple sources. She is faced with having to sell the land and plantation home, and deal with the betrayal she feels from her deceased father. In alternating chapters, the historical drama of the Dall family unfolds. Upon the arrival of British abolitionists to the hedonistic 19th century plantation society, Catherine Dall is forced to choose between her lifestyle and the scandal of deserting her family. An angry confrontation with Catherine's slave, Leah, results in the girl's death, but was it murder or suicide? Hidden texts, scandalous diaries, antique paintings, and confessional letters help Meghan Owen uncover the secrets of Eden and put the ghosts to rest.

Thanks Marcia.

What did you recieve in your mailbox this week?

What are you reading Mondays

This is a weekly meme hosted by J-kaye.

What I completed this week:

Kit Saves The Day by Valerie Tripp
Changes for Kit by Valerie Tripp
The Story of a Girl by Sara Zarr
Fruits Basket Vol 6 by Natasuki Takaya
Sushi for One by Camy Tang
Betsy- Tacy and Tib by Maud Hart Lovelace
Jane Eyre The Graphic Novel by Charlotte Bronte
Wild Ones by Kiyo Fujiwara

What I am currently reading:

Chocolat by Shin Ji San-Geo
Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Darkside by Beth Fanatsky

What I hope to start this week:

Chocolat Vol 2-3 Shin JiSang-Geo
Fruits Basket Vol 7 by Natasuki Takaya
Being Nikki by Meg Cabot
Emma Vol 6 by Karou Mori
Emma Vol 8 by Karou Mori
Betsy and Tacy Over the Big Hill by Maud Hart Lovelace
Misty by V.C. Andrews
Marked by P.C. Cast
The Kings Grace by Anne Easter Smith
Rumors by Anna Godberson
Vampire Academy by Rachel Mead
Frostbite by Rachel Mead.

What are you reading this week?

Review of Kit Learns a Lesson by Valerie Tripp

Product Details
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 67 pages
Publisher: American Girl Publishing Inc (September 2000)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1584850183
ISBN-13: 978-1584850182

Synopsis from Barnes and Noble.com
Kit hopes her father will find a new job soon so that things can return to the way they were before—with no boarders in the house and no long list of daily chores. But a visit to a soup kitchen shows Kit just how much the Depression has changed everything.


My Review:
In this book the focus is on Kit and her classmates. She and Ruthie sit together in school. They are getting ready for the Thanksgiving season at school. While setting up for a play, a boy in thier class insults Kit. She lashes out and she and Ruthie are punished.

Meanwhile, Kit;s father is looking for a job. He goes down to the city for job interviews but all is not s i t seems.

At the house they are getting ready for more boarders. They need more boarders to help pay bills cause they are starting to get behind.

Overall this is a good book for a young girl. It will teach her what it was like to be a child living in the depression or what some of the less fortunate go through now in this day in time. It is a fast read and is very engaging.

I rate this book a 4/5.

Friday 56

1. Grab the book nearest you right now.
2. Turn to page 56.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like).
5. Post a link with your post to Storytime with Tonya and Friends

This weeks Friday 56 comes from Sushi For One by Camy Tang.

"No Sexual immorality, impurity,and all that stuff." " That's in Ephesians too? I have to read my Bible more."


What is your Friday 56 teaser?

Friday Fill-in

1. So are we going __to the movies___?
2. ____A night with my DVR_______ is what's up ahead.
3. I love to ____Sleep_______.
4. _______A toy ____ of some sort.
5. I walk a ___mile rarely________.
6. _______Sleep____ is the true elixir of life!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to __Relaxing___, tomorrow my plans include _taking my son to the dentist and doing a boyscouts thing____ and Sunday, I want to ___ relax__!

Thursday Thunks

1. Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.All the king's horses,And all the king's men,Couldn't put Humpty together again.
Why was Humpty Dumpty sitting on that wall? He was guarding the city from intruders

2. If Mother Goose and Father Time had kids, what would they look like and what would they be named? A goose with a clock and will probably also look like Flava Flav. Goosey and Timey for names
3. Does Barbie have kankles? No but she needs some disorder she is so freaking perfect lol

4. Have you ever been featured in a magazine? No.

5. Did your parents keep a baby book for you? If so, how often have you looked through it? Yes, they did and I look at it ever so often. I wish I did a better job keeping one for my kids

6. If someone dropped off a case of candy bars at your front door, what kind of candy bar would you want? (Berleen's question from Insanity Cafe.) I don't eat candy bars. Not a big fan of chocolate

7. Rub-a-dub-dub,Three men in a tub,And how do you think they got there?The butcher, the baker,The candlestick-maker,They all jumped out of a rotten potato,'Twas enough to make a man stare. I guess they were trying to go fishing.

What happened to the rotten potato? Further more, if they jumped out of a rotten potato, do you think they stink? I am sure they don't smell fresh and I am sure the potato fell apart.

Review of Meet Kit by Valerie Tripp

Product Details
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 70 pages
Publisher: American Girl Publishing Inc (September 2000)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1584850167
ISBN-13: 978-1584850168

Synopsis from Barnes and Noble.com
Kit longs for a big story to write in her daily newspaper for her Dad—that is, until she's faced with news that's really bad. When Mother's friends lose their house and come to stay with her family, it's nothing but trouble for Kit. Then Kit's dad loses his business, and things go from bad to worse. Will life ever be the same again?

My Review:
Set in 1935, During the height of The Great Depression, Kit finds out her father has lost his job as a car salesman. She also finds out that he has used up his family savings. She now comes to realizaation that her family is poor like some of the families she has been hearing about.

Kit's friend Ruthie's family is not one of the families effect by the depression. Her father works at the bank. She does her best as freind to help her friend and her family out.

This is the first in a series written for young firls as an introduction to historical fiction of America in this series they focus on what life was like for a child during the The Great Depression.


I rate this books a 4/5.

Wonderous Words Wednesday

This weekly meme is hosted by Bermuda Onion.

This weeks words come from the The Luxe by Anna Godberson.

1. haranguee- 1. a speech addressed to public assembly. 2. a ranting speech or writing 3. lecture

pg 142 " I won't harangue you with my jealousies any more"

2. Phaeton- 1. any of various light four-wheeled horse drawn vehicle 2. touring car.

pg147-8 The phaeton came to a stop, and Buck climbed almost delicately for a man of his size down to the street so that he could assist Penelope.

3. gesticulated- to make gestures especially when speaking

pg 161 She gesticulated and laughed and pouted and generally made the dress she was sewn into and the room she inhabiting look ridiculous and constraining.

4. filigreed- to adorn with or if with filigree. ornamental work especially of fine wire of gold, silver, or copper applied chiefly to gold and silver surfaces.

" We've almost got it," Claire said as she puffed up the stairs on to the enclosed iron filigreed porch.

5.epaulet ts- something that ornaments or protects the shoulder a. an ornamental fringed shoulder pad formerly worm as part of a military uniform b. an ornamental strip or loop sewn across the shoulder of dress or coat.

pg 258 There were all the usual people- the sons and daughters of old New York families mixing with new millionaires, in black tails and skirts of tulle and spangled satin- and the naval men, with their epaulets and swords, too.

6. samovar- 1. an urn with a spigot at its base used especially in Russia to boil water for tea. 2. an urn similar to a Russian samovar with a device for heating contents.

p271 Henry went over to the desk, where elaborate samovar sat.

Review for Elizabeth and Mary Cousins, Rivals Queens by Jane Dunn

Product Details
Audio CD
Publisher: Random House Audio; Abridged edition (January 6, 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 073930982X
ISBN-13: 978-0739309827

Synopsis from Barnes and Noble.com
The political and religious conflicts between Queen Elizabeth I and the doomed Mary, Queen of Scots, have for centuries captured our imagination and inspired memorable dramas played out on stage, screen, and in opera. But few books have brought to life more vividly than Jane Dunn’s Elizabeth and Mary the exquisite texture of two women’s rivalry, spurred on by the ambitions and machinations of the forceful men who surrounded them. The drama has terrific resonance even now as women continue to struggle in their bid for executive power.Against the backdrop of sixteenth-century England, Scotland, and France, Dunn paints portraits of a pair of protagonists whose formidable strengths were placed in relentless opposition. Protestant Elizabeth, the bastard daughter of Anne Boleyn, whose legitimacy had to be vouchsafed by legal means, glowed with executive ability and a visionary energy as bright as her red hair. Mary, the Catholic successor whom England’s rivals wished to see on the throne, was charming, feminine, and deeply persuasive. That two such women, queens in their own right, should have been contemporaries and neighbours sets in motion a joint biography of rare spark and page-turning power.


My Review:

I listened to the abridged version of this book. It did not feel like I was missing a lot. It gave me the meat and potatoes of the story.

The narrator's voice was very suitable for this genre. So it was very interesting. The narrator seem really into what she was saying. The CD were about an hour long each. So you are roughly listening to 8 hours of material.

The author seemed well -researched in her topic. Her writing style seemed more like a novelist than a boring dry historian. It will definitely keep your attention.

I would recommend it to any who has the love of Tudor England and of course the infamous Mary Stuart.

I rate this a 4/5

Tuesday Teaser

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Tuesday Teaser comes from Kit Saves the Day by Valerie Tripp:

"Where have you been?" he asked. " Are you all right? Mr. Peck went down to the jungle to find you. We've been frantic! What's happened?" (pg 56)

What is your teaser?

Review of Happy Hustle High Vol 3-5

Product Details
Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: VIZ Media LLC; 1 edition (September 8, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1591169143
ISBN-13: 978-1591169147

Product Description from Amazon.com

Hanabi Oozora's always acted like a boy, but she's never actually wanted to date one, until she meets Yasuaki Garaku. Hanabi wants to discover the origin of hunky Student Council V.P. Yasuaki's dislike of women, but lately, he has been anything but forthcoming. Her solution - the ancient art of hypnosis! Through her prestigious powers of prestidigitation (and with the help of a five-yen coin), Hanabi successfully lulls Yasuaki into a deep slumber, but will this voyage into his murky, male subconscious yield proof-positive that Yasuaki's aversion is unfounded, or further drive a wedge between the dashing V.P. and all of womankind?




Product Details
Paperback: 200 pages
Publisher: VIZ Media LLC; 1 edition (December 13, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1421500833
ISBN-13: 978-1421500836


Product Description from Amazon.com

Just when Hanabi thinks that she and the dreamy Yasuaki have reached the pinnacle of romantic bliss, the cruel hand of fate throws her a wicked curveball - her childhood friend Takeru (now a marvelous specimen of teenage studliness) is back in town and wants to reminisce about the good old days. Takeru's designs on Hanabi seem more than friendly, especially when he asks her to choose between Yasuaki and himself. Who'll get kissed? Who'll get punched? Who'll get kissed and punched?! Later, Hanabi finds herself in trouble with the school administration (for, like, the gazillionth time), and now must ace her finals and become the best student in her class...or else face the horrifically hair-raising consequences!




Product Details
Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: VIZ Media LLC; 1 edition (March 14, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1421503239
ISBN-13: 978-1421503233

Product Description from Amazon.com

What happens when an all-girls' high school reigning tomboy finds out her school is about to be filled with boys!?
Hanabi Oozora is a rambunctious 16-year-old tomboy who comes to the rescue of her less assertive friends-sometimes in exchange for food. So what does she do when, all of a sudden, her all-girls' school is about to be integrated with an all-boys' school?!
She meets and falls in love-naturally-with one of the three most popular and handsome boys in the Student Council, Yasuaki Garaku! Unfortunately, Yasuaki doesn't care for girls...and when the girls' Student Council clashes head-on with the boys' Student Council, Hanabi steps in to become a member-hoping she'll change Yasuaki's mind!

My Review:

Hanabi is a girl who is in love with Yasuki Garaku, but poeple around them are coming between their love. One is her childhood friend Takeru Sonon the second is her father who comes in to town for a visit. Hanabi's character gradually develops throughout the rest of the story we learn about her childhood when she went from a crybaby to a strong and fierce teenager who will not take crap from anyone.

This is the ending books of the series and I loved it. The books in the series were page turners and I could not wait to see what happened in the end. The characters were well-developed and interesting. The storyline was fast-paced and never dull. This series had gotten me to love manga and I feel it is a great introduction to this wonderful genre.

I would recommend this for a older teenager who is a newcomer or already a fanatic because it is relatively short series.

I rate this 4.5/5

What are you reading Mondays

This is a meme hosted by J-Kaye.

What I completed this week:

Fruits Basket Vol 1- 5 by Naysuki Takaya
Betsy and Tacy by Maud Hart Lovelace
Nefertititi by Michelle Moran
Catalyst by Laurie Halse Anderson
The Luxe by Annan Godberson
Emma Vol 4-5 by Kauru Mori
Happy Birthday Kit by Valerie Tripp


What I am Currently Reading

The Story of a Girl by Sara Zarr(audiobook) Disc 1 of 4
Kit Saves the Day by Valerie Trip (pg 15 of 69)

What I hope to Start this week?

Fruits Basket Volume 6-7 Natsuki Takaya
Wild Ones Vol 1 Kiyo Fugiwara
Kit Saves the Day by Valerie Tripp
Sushi for One by Camy Tang
Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Darkside(Audiobook) by Beth Fantasky
Betsy and Tacy and Tib by Maud Hart Lovelace


What are you reading this week?

Friday Fill-in

s for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _____, tomorrow my plans include _____ and Sunday, I want to

Friday 56

Rules:* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.* Turn to page 56.* Find the fifth sentence.* Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of Storytime with Tonya and Friends.*Post a link along with your post back to Storytime with Tonya and Friends.* Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

This weeks's 56 comes from The Luxe by Anna Godbersen.

The ideal ladies' maid will be awake before her mistress, with warm water for washing the face, and will not go to sleep until she has undressed her mistress for bed. She may require a nap during the day, when her mistress does not need her. - Van Kamp's Guide to Housekeeping for ladies of High SOciety , 1899 edition.

What is your friday 56?

Tuesday Teaser

It’s that time of week again, everyone, and time for the Tuesday Teaser.Again the reminder of what this is all about. We are asked to:
Grab your current read.
Let the book fall open to a random page.
Share two teaser sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
Share the title of the book that the “teaser” comes from, so people can find the book if they like the teaser.
And again remember – avoid spoilers.

My teaser comes from a childhood classic. Betsy-Tacy by Maud Hart Lovelace.

Betsy was beaming all over her round rosy face. Her tightly bradied pigtails, with new red ribbons on the ends, stuck out behind her ears, She wore a new plaid dress which her mother had made, and new shoes with felt stiff and queer.(pg31)

What is your teaser for the week?

What are you reading Mondays

This meme is hosted by J. Kaye at J. Kaye's Book Blog.

Books I completed this week:
Nefertiti by Michelle Moran
Elizabeth and Mary by Jane Dunn
Hustle High Volume 2 by Rie Takada
Airhead by Meg Cabot
Happy Hustle High Vol 3 by Rie Takada
Happy Hustle High Vol 4 by Rie Takada
Happy Hustle High Vol 5 by Rie Takada
Meet Kit by Valerie Trapp
Kit Learns a Lesson by Valerie Trapp
Kit's Suprise by Valerie Trapp
Emma Vol 1-3 by Kaoru Mori

What I am currently reading:
Fruits Basket Vol 1

What I hope to start:
Fruits Basket Vol 2-7
Luxe by Anna Goberson
Betsy and Tacy by Maud Hart Lovelace
Story of A Girl by Sara Zarr
Happy Birthday Kit by Valerie Trapp

What are you reading this week?

Mail Box Mondays

Mailbox Monday is hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page

This week I only recieved one book in the mail. Which is fine with me since I am running out of room to store books. This what I received in the mail:





Product Description from Amazon.com
A teenage boy.A dark wizard.A mystic scroll. And the fate of a world hangs in the balance. . . When Alex "the Axeman" Logan is pulled from his world to help young princess Dara save her kingdom from the Shadow Lord, he thinks there has been a mistake. He's a teen guitar player close to failing 11th grade, not some defender of the realm. All he has are some school books, his wits, and his love of fantasy movies. Overnight his life is history. Alex must confront the Shadow Lord and his minions when he is thrust into a land that has changed from a magical paradise to a barren, hopeless, helpless realm invaded by a dark army. But Alex is not alone. He has the help of Dara, a magic scroll, and a band of unlikely companions drawn from his own history books: a hardened Roman Legionnaire, a swift Japanese Samurai, a mighty African Warrior, a fiery Amazon Archer, and a spirited Shaolin Monk. Can Alex become more than he believes and lead his small band of Defenders to the Hall of Shadows, the birthplace of the Shadow Lord? The fate of the realm and everyone in it rests on him.Winner in the Fantasy category of the 2009 National Indie Excellence AwardsFinalist in the Action-Adventure and Young Adult Fiction categories of the 2009 National Indie Excellence AwardsFinalist in the Multicultural Fiction and Best Overall Design Fiction categories of the 2009 Next Generation Indie Book AwardsHonorable Mention in the Sci-Fi category of the 2009 New York Book FestivalHonorable Mention in the Sci-Fi and Teenage categories of the 2009 Beach Book FestivalHonorable Mention in the Wild Card category of the 2009 San Francisco Book Festival

What did you get in your mailbox this week?

Review of Airhead by Meg Cabot

Product Details
Reading level: Young Adult
Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Point; Reprint edition (April 7, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 054504054X
ISBN-13: 978-0545040549

Synopsis from BarnesandNoble.com
EM WATTS IS GONE.Emerson Watts didn't even want to go to the new SoHo Stark Megastore grand opening. But someone needed to look out for her sister, Frida, whose crush, British heartthrob Gabriel Luna, would be singing and signing autographs there-along with the newly appointed Face of Stark, teen supermodel sensation Nikki Howard. How was Em to know that disaster would strike, changing her-and life as she'd known it-forever? One bizarre accident later, and Em Watts, always the tomboy, never the party princess, is no longer herself. Literally.Now getting her best friend, Christopher, to notice that she's actually a girl is the least of Em's problems. But what Em's pretty sure she'll never be able to accept might just turn out to be the one thing that's going to make her dream come true . . . .NIKKI HOWARD IS HERE TO STAY.


My Review:

At first I did not know what to think when I started reading it. I could not get into it because I did not like Emerson at first. I am still not crazy about her but she grew on me. So I ended up really like this book towards the middle on to the end.

I like the science fiction in this book and I am by no means a science fiction reader but this kept me glued to the book and once I hit the middle of this book I finished it in about a day.

You never really know the true Nikki. All you know is that she was a model who had several romantic trysts. She is also being spied on by someone.

This book is a fast read and it will hold your attention and I look forward to reading Being Nikki. This is my first book written by Ms. Cabot.

4/5 is my rating

Friday 56

Rules:* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.* Turn to page 56.* Find the fifth sentence.* Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of Storytime with Tonya and Friends.*Post a link along with your post back to Storytime with Tonya and Friends.* Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

Today's Friday 56 comes from Kit Learns a Lesson by Valerie Trapp this book is from the American Girls Series:

Mother was quiet for a thoughtful moment. Then she said, " Kit dear, it's very ingenious of you to have thought of all this, and it would be very nice of you and Ruthie to sacrifice your tree house lumber. But i'm afraid lumber for renovation is not our only problem. We don't have money to pay a carpenter. Who'd do the work?"

What is your little friday snippet for today?

Friday Fill-in

1. I have a history of __depression___.
2. ____Computer programming_______ is something I wish I knew.
3. I'm eating (or recently ate) Salmon___________.
4. ________I listen to books on tape___ on the road.
5. So that's it, that's ___how you make money________.
6. __A little money_________ better than nothing!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to __maybe driving to my mom's house___, tomorrow my plans include ___I might do the yard sale__ and Sunday, I want to ___celebrate my son's birthday__!

September wrap-up

I read about 15 books this month most of them Manga. I think I am in a Manga fix they are light and fun to read. I have also read a lot of YA. I did not update my challenges because I am not really doing them anymore.


1. Deadly Mistress by Michael Fleeman
2. Dancing with Ana by Nicole Barker
3. Fearless by Max Lucado
4. The New World by Winston Churchill
5. The Days the Fall Stood Still by Carrie Marie Buchanan
6. Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
7. As You Like It by Richard Appignanes(Manga)
8. Julius Caeser (Manga)
9. Hustle High Vol 1 by Rie Takada
10. Hustle High Vol 2 by Rie Takada
11. Hustle High Vol 3 by Rie Takada
12. Airhead by Meg Cabot
13. Vamps by Nancy A. Collins
14. Elizabeth and Mary,Queens, Rivals and Cousins by Jane Dunn
15. Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr.
What have you read this month?

Review of Happy Hustle High Vol 1-2

Product Details
Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: VIZ Media LLC; 1 edition (February 9, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1591169127
ISBN-13: 978-1591169123

Product Description from Amazon.com
What happens when an all-girls' high school reigning tomboy finds out her school is about to be filled with boys? Hanabi Oozora is a rambunctious 16-year-old tomboy who comes to the rescue of her less assertive friends - sometimes in exchange for food. So what does she do when, all of a sudden, her all-girls' school is about to be integrated with an all-boys' school? Hanabi meets and falls in love - naturally - with one of the three most popular and handsome boys in the Student Council, Yasuaki Garaku. Unfortunately, Yasuaki doesn't care for girls...and when the girls' Student Council clashes head-on with the boys' Student Council, Hanabi steps in to become a member-hoping she'll change Yasuaki's mind.




Product Details
Paperback: 200 pages
Publisher: VIZ Media LLC; 1 edition (May 31, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1591169135
ISBN-13: 978-1591169130


Product Description from Amazon.com
Hanabi Ozora never expected she'd fall for a guy, least of all Yasuaki, the Vice President of the Student Council. Now that she and the dreamy V.P. have spent some quality time together, will Hanabi finally admit to herself - and everyone else - that she has a thing for this popular member of the student body? In typical high school fashion, the rumour mill has been working overtime trying to pinpoint the exact target of Hanabi's affection. And now that the Student Council's shrewd President Yoshitomo is aware of Hanabi and Yasuaki's fledgling romance, life is about to get even messier. What's a roughneck girl to do?

My Review:

This is my first manga series. I love it. The characters are lively and fun and the storyline keeps me interested. The first 2 volumes introduce you to the characters.

Hanabi is tomboy and the leader in an all girls school that has suddenly merged with a all-boys school. At first she is not happy but then she falls in love with the President at the all boys school name Yasuaki. Her character is very likeable she has me in stitches with some of the antics she does. Yasuaki is much harder to read and we still don't much about him but hopefully in the last 3 volumes we will learn more about him. Tokihisa is not a very likeable character in fact I think I depise him as much as Hanabi.

The pictures of in this book are funny and entertaining they help to tell the story. I can say that the illustrator of this manga series is really talented. I love how each character looks different. Even the pictures without words help move the story along.


I would recommend this for manga lovers and people new to manga. I can't wait to finish this series I absolutely adore it.

I give this two 4.5/5.

Thursday Thunks

This week we will answer some crazy questions brought to you by
Kimber, the number uno and the color of the night in a moonless sky.1. What color is your mouthwash?
2. Do you remember your first phone number? No. Have you called it recently? No
3. BPD in OKC's question- Do you have a super-secret hiding place and what's in it? Yes, and I am not telling you lol
4. When was the last time you used a pay phone? About 3 yrs ago How much did it cost to make the call? I really don't recall.
5. What was that noise? My tv in the background and the sound of me typing this post lol
6. Stef H's question- how long is a woodpecker's pecker? I don't know I don't spend my time checking it out lol
7. How many comments did you receive on your last Thursday's Thunk? I think about 4