Hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading
What are you currently reading?
Shop Indie Bookstores
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?
Category: Meme
Hi All:
You may have noticed a couple of changes on my blog lately, and if not, I would like to bring it to your attention and give those responsible, the credit they deserve. Change is good, right? I would love to hear what you think and then I have a huge question to ask and would like your honest opinion.
First, you may have seen a different format for my reviews. I have to thank Diane from Bibliophile By The Sea. I had visited her one day and saw her format and thought it was such a clean crisp look to her reviews. I emailed her and told her what I thought and asked for her permission if I could borrow her format with some modifications. She generously said yes. Thank you Diane!
Another change that has been implemented, by my computer angel, Gina from Hott Books, has installed a calendar on the left sidebar. If you hover over a day, that is highlighted in green, you will see what events are upcoming, such as Guest Authors and giveaways. She also designed my color templates for the new book reviews. Thank you Gina!! She is awesome with blog designs, so if you are thinking of a new look or switching to wp, check out her design site here.
Talking about designs, I have been contemplating if I should go with a different header/look since I have had this one for almost 2 years. What do you think? Yes? No? Would love to hear since you are the one that looks at it. All comments welcomed!
Hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
*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!
Once upon a time, in the dark obscurity of a mid-winter morning, a writer walked away from his writing room and slipped outside by way of the back door. He was about to commit a murder.
He was in search of a story.
He left home, but not for good.
First three opening sentences.
Hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading
Today’s muse:
What is the longest book you have ever read? How long did it take you to read it?
My response:
To be honest, I can’t remember. It must have been one that was mandatory reading in HS because, what I do remember, is that I bought Cliff Notes on a couple of occasions. I do have quirks with books greater than 300+ pages. I’m sure it’s mind over matter and recently did read a book that was 438 pages that proved me wrong. I start to think anything greater than 300 will take me so much more time to read, taking away time from other books. Or what if I invest all that time and it turns out to be a soso book?
The book that proved me wrong was Love Thy Neighbor by Mark Gilleo, a book I read for a tour I booked through Partners In Crime Tours. You can see my review here. It proved me wrong on so many levels. I remember thinking it had 3 strikes when I picked it up, one being 438 pages, a storyline about terrorism (not high on my list) and a debut novel. The publisher did tell me he was “very excited about this book” so I hunkered down for a very long read. However, the plot was page turning, the debut read like it was written by a seasoned author and the 438 pages….thinking it would take me weeks to read…..turned out that I read it in a couple of days because I couldn’t put it down. Even though this book proved me wrong, I have since received some review books that are >350 pages and that little quirk is still present.
Shop Indie Bookstores
June is being hosted by Alternative Read
Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of A girl and her books and is now on tour.
According to Marcia, “Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.”
Click on text below for more information via IndieBound.
Facebook link
Welcome Saloners!! Another week has quickly flown by, at least it felt that way to me. Matter of fact, I just checked my calendar to reflect and see what I did this past week.
Reading: I only finished one book this week, which I am disappointed about. Not disappointed in the book but that I only read one book. I was on such a roll reading 2-3 books. The book read was suspense packed and I gave it a 4 star.
Shop Indie Bookstores
Blogging: As you all know, this past week was BEA. Oh how I wish I could attend especially seeing it is only a 4 hour drive from where I live. But due to my physical limitations with my back, I would never be able to walk around such a large venue and/or stand in lines. However, I did participate in Armchair BEA, which was my first time. I had heard about and seen it over the pat couple of years but had the impression that it was posts from those attending. I stumbled upon the site via another blogger (so sorry can’t remember who it was) and signed up right away. I can’t believe all the new blogs I visited and am still visiting. Now that I know more about Armchair BEA, I will be participating next year and hopefully be better with the Twitter aspect of it.
I spent a lot of time on the computer, probably why I didn’t get much reading in, because I was drafting up advance posts for guest author showcases and giveaways. I am swamped with them for June and July. Plus I am the type that likes to have them done ahead of time in case RL interferes, I don’t have to scramble at the last minute.
How was your week? Did you attend BEA and/or participate in Armchair BEA?
Hosted by An Island Life
From An Island Life:
In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response.
If you’d like to participate, visit An Island Life answer the question and then post your own question on your blog and leave your link below. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!
It is said that June is the month of Brides,
So My Question is:
How many weddings are you attending this year?
Hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading
What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?
Hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
*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!
“It’s not that, ” says the guy. “I”m sorry about this, I really am, dude. I’m actually going to kill you now.”
He looks.
“What did you say?”
“It’s the principle,” the guy says.
Then the guy hits him over the head with whatever he’s got in his hand.
page 4
I have an embarrassing issue to confess to. The BEA starts today. How I so wish I could attend one year but due to the difficulty of walking, I know that it is something I probably will never be able to do. Last year I saw Armchair BEA around bloggyland but thought that it was just bloggers relaying their experiences while they were actually present at the event.
Yesterday, via another blog that I visited, sorry can’t remember which one to give them the credit, but they had the link for the Armchair BEA. I did not realize that I could actually participate virtually so I signed up yesterday and am so excited about being part of this event. Today’s assignment is getting to know each other.
Please tell us a little bit about yourself:
Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging?
My name is Cheryl Masciarelli (pronounced Mash-a-relli, hence the nickname Mash. Have been married for 31 years with 2 phenomenal sons, who both live out of state due to jobs :(. I have been blogging for 2+ years and am now also a partner in a virtual tour company, Partners In Crime Tours, with Molly, from Reviews By Molly. I stumbled onto a book blog, never knowing they existed and for that matter, didn’t even have a clue at that time, what a blog was. I stalked a few for a month or so and it looked like so much fun that I decided to join the club.
What are you currently reading, or what is your favorite book you have read so far in 2012?
I am currently reading The Bright River by Patrick Somerville, from The Hachette Book Group. Favorite book? Tough question, since I have to say that this year there have been quite a few that were 5+.
Tell us one non-book-related thing that everyone reading your blog may not know about you.
For those who follow me, there really isn’t one thing as I tend to share my real life experiences on my blog also.
What is your favorite feature on your blog (i.e. author interviews, memes, something specific to your blog)?
Favorite? I love everything, the daily memes, guest authors, giveaways, challenges, and most importantly, the people I have met because of my blog and working with authors, publishers and publicists.
Where do you see your blog in five years?
Still here but hopefully that I will learn more about the social media sites and understanding and navigating the platform of wordpress.
Which is your favorite post that you have written that you want everyone to read?
It would have to be 2. One when my Mom passed and the other would be about the special angels that took care of her.
If you could eat dinner with any author or character, who would it be and why?
Ironically, yesterday plans were made to meet and have dinner with an author. I was contacted a while back to read and review a book, Ragdoll Redeemed by Dawn Novotny and to host a showcase through WOW Tours. The book was phenomenal and really left an impression. Since she wasn’t scheduled for the spotlight until this Thursday, June 7th, I decided to send her a copy of my review so that she wouldn’t have to wait to see it as it was her first tour. We started emailing and clicked. She is a kind, nice, genuine, amazing, strong and down to earth person. We developed a friendship and found we had some similarities in our life through emails. She is attending a conference in the state I reside and we made plans to meet. I can’t wait because I feel that I have known her for years.
What is your favorite part about the book blogging community? Is there anything that you would like to see change in the coming years?
Meeting other bloggers and forming friendships is first and foremost. The other is sharing thoughts on books read since I am not surrounded by readers in RL.
Have your reading tastes changed since you started blogging? How?
Yes. I have read books with the premise and/or genre that I wouldn’t have chosen prior to blogging.
I can’t wait to see what is next in Armchair BEA!
Hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading
This week’s question:
Do you have a reading goal for the year, such as __ books? Why or why not?
My response:
Last year was awful in the number of books that I read. Due to many personal issues/real life interference, I read a total of 50 books. This year I signed up for both Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge, which I put 75 books as my goal. I also signed up for the 100+ books Challenge, which I knew was wishful thinking on my part, but will sign up every year until I make it. As of today I am at 34 books read. I need to pick up the pace a bit to make my goal. But once again, there are a couple of issues I am dealing with but at least I am reading several books a month, whereas last year, there were months where I only read 1 book. I also need to be more disiplined and spend less time blogging and more time reading, which I hope to do for the second half of 2012.
Good luck with your goals! Do you keep track of the number of books read? If so, what is your goal and how many books have you read?
June is being hosted by Alternative Read
Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of A girl and her books and is now on tour.
According to Marcia, “Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.”
Gina from Hott Books The Hachette Book Group
Author Author
