Monday Memes

CMash December 20, 2010 10 Comments

MONDAY

December is being hosted by Lady Q from Let Them Read Books

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of The Printed Page 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.”

OHHHHH Myyyyy…..it was like Christmas morning last week!! Am going to have to give our mail carrier a very nicely filled Christmas card. Not even sure if I can fit it all in today. I usually hibernate in the winter because I despise the cold, which is a good thing, since it looks like I have a whole bunch of reading to do.

For Review: Mulholland Books

Meryl L. Moss Media NetGalley

NetGalley

From bloggy friends:

Amazon GC from Julie at Reading Without Restraint

From Gina at Hott Books along with delicious Xmas Cookies (gone!!)

Personally purchased for 2011 Challenges

Hosted by Java from Never Growing Old

“Meet Me On Monday!”
Blogging is a funny thing…we tell our most intimate thoughts for all to read and yet most of the time I find myself sitting and wondering, “who is this person!?” I know them…but yet I don’t know them! I want to know who the person is behind all those words so I thought of a great way for all of us to “meet” each other!
Questions:

1. What will your Christmas dinner consist of?

First we start with: Example of an Italian Christmas feast (from an email I received)

ANTIPASTO then LASAGNA or MANICOTTI (depending on what you had last year) with MEAT IN THE GRAVY then SOUP
Now we get to the Meal:
TURKEY
STUFFING
ROASTED POTATOES
BROCCOLI RABE
ROASTED RED PEPPERS
SAUTEED MUSHROOMS
SAUTEED STRINGBEANS ALMONDINE
THE BREAD (that nonna made)
and GOD FORBID YOU FORGET THE SALAD!!!
To wash it all down, we had:
HOMEMADE WINE
CHESTNUTS
MIXED NUTS
FRESH FRUIT
DRIED FIGS
and FINOCCHIO
Then we started the dessert:
ITALIAN COOKIES
SFOGLIATELLE
CANNOLIS’
and ITALIAN PASTRY (just in case we missed something)
During this feast we enjoyed a nice EXPRESSO with
MARIE BRIZARD ANISETTE or
ROMANA SAMBUCA
Then after that we needed a little something for DIGESTIVO
AVERNA

And know you know why I talk about food all the time LOL

2. Do you watch commercials or flip through the channels?

During the day, it is set to one station, cable news with no flipping and when in the rare occasion that I might watch TV at night, I make up for the “flipping”

3. How long will you leave your Christmas decorations up?

About a week.

4. What movie makes you cry every time you watch it?

Home movies from long ago and especially when my

boys were young. Never fails…get out the box of kleenex!!!!

5. Do you have a Facebook?

Yes but the bigger question is…….how do I navigate it ???!!!!!!

2011 Challenges

HELP!!! PLEASE!!

CMash December 20, 2010 7 Comments

Shhhhh! Is anyone looking? Maybe I can sneak this post by without many noticing. I know..I know…I said no more BUT…I just can’t stop. Plus the fact that I came up with so many excuses to justify me signing up for another 2011 Challenge and the challenge is:

Hosted by Miz B from Should Be Reading

So my justification: I review every book I read especially since this is a book reading and reviewing blog so this was a no brainer for me that I HAD to sign up.

Criteria:

* review each book you read between January 1st and December 31st of the current year.

* PLEASE keep your reviews clean & respectful ~ these books we read are the hard work of an author, and we don’t need to be mean. Even if you didn’t like the book, please try to find something you can say that would be encouraging to the author.
* reviews can be as short, or long, as you wish
* you MAY overlap with other challenges
* eBooks and Audiobooks ARE allowed
* if there will be spoilers in your review, please note this in the subject line of your post so that those who don’t want to read them can skip that review. Thank you.

2011 Challenges

HELP!!! PLEASE!!

CMash December 19, 2010 7 Comments

Shhhhh! Is anyone looking? Maybe I can sneak this post by without many noticing. I know..I know…I said no more BUT…I just can’t stop. Plus the fact that I came up with so many excuses to justify me signing up for another 2011 Challenge and the challenge is:

Hosted by Miz B from Should Be Reading

So my justification: I review every book I read especially since this is a book reading and reviewing blog so this was a no brainer for me that I HAD to sign up.

Criteria:

* review each book you read between January 1st and December 31st of the current year.

* PLEASE keep your reviews clean & respectful ~ these books we read are the hard work of an author, and we don’t need to be mean. Even if you didn’t like the book, please try to find something you can say that would be encouraging to the author.
* reviews can be as short, or long, as you wish
* you MAY overlap with other challenges
* eBooks and Audiobooks ARE allowed
* if there will be spoilers in your review, please note this in the subject line of your post so that those who don’t want to read them can skip that review. Thank you.

Slapdash Sunday

Slapdash Sunday (Part 1) Topic: Reflections and Blogging Etiquette

CMash December 19, 2010 4 Comments

SUNDAY

Hosted by Kayla at The Eclectic Element

Slapdash Sunday is a day for your proverbial week ‘leftovers.’ Is there something you wanted to say, but just forgot? Is there something you want to write about, but isn’t worth a whole page? Do you have a random thought, funny or otherwise that needs to be written down?

That is what Slapdash Sunday is for!

I have been reflecting a lot over the past couple of weeks as I wind down my first full year of book blogging and reviewing and gearing up for the new year. I have made so many new friends, which I am thankful for, have had so much fun visiting others and their blog’s, adding way too many tbr books to my personal bucket list because of every one’s reviews, learned a lot regarding the computer (that in itself is a miracle) and am totally amazed that people actually read my blog, and for that, you have my deepest gratitude. I have learned quite a bit and am anxious to learn more. I hope that I have conducted this blog with integrity, honesty, credibility, laughter (mainly at myself) and with proper etiquette. Which brings me to the Slapdash Sunday Discussions. Next week will be Part 2: Changes.

Today’s Topic:

I have enjoyed every minute of this new community that has accepted me. And I hope I have never offended anyone or that I did not follow proper etiquette. I tried to treat others as to how I would like to be treated. Which brings me back to Etiquette. I have had a couple of incidents this past year that have bothered me and wonder if you have ever had similar situations. One was seeing a phrase that I always use hijacked and used for someone’s creation. Now I know I don’t have a copyright on phrases, but was still taken aback. Another one, which really did a number on me, and honestly took the fun out of blogging for a few weeks and even caused a few tears. It came from another party, not a blogger, where my credibility, honesty and future intentions were questioned and had false accusations said about me, to the point of being X’d out, and bordering on slander. I know and understand that I can’t change anyone’s behavior except my own, so I want to make sure I never engage in poor blogging etiquette and to learn the how- tos of handling that type of conduct, if it occurs in the future.

So my questions are: Have you ever had similar situations? How do you handle being on the receiving end of poor etiquette? Do you have certain rules that you feel should be followed? What do you think is poor blogging etiquette? Would love to hear your thoughts on this issue. Let’s have a Slapdash Discussion!!!

Book Review

Book Review "Pathological"

CMash December 19, 2010 4 Comments

Pathological by Vincent Zandri
Published by StoneHouse Ink
ISBN-13: 2940011815508

ISBN: 0011815507

At the request of the author, an EBook edition was downloaded, purchased by me, for my honest opinion.

Synopsis (borrowed from B&N): The serial killer takes on many guises. But what happens when you unknowingly take him as your most trusted and loyal husband? Pathological is proof that even though you think you know your spouse inside and out, you might not really know him at all.

My Thoughts and Opinion: This was my 2nd introduction to a “digital short” read. However, not my first introduction to this author. I have read and reviewed his previous novels, Moonlight Falls and The Remains, both being phenomenal suspense/thriller reads. And, even though it was a short story, Pathological, didn’t disappoint this reader. It was true Vincent Zandri writing!! A short story that grabs you from the first few words to the last. Another page turner!! I honestly am having trouble describing what it was like to read this. When I finished reading the last word, I just sat, wondering if I even took a breath, while reading this chilling story. What I do know, is that Mr. Zandri is a genius at writing thrillers,even with short stories!! It left me with wanting to read more of his work!! Brilliant!!!

DISCLAIMER

This EBook was purchased by me.

ADDENDUM: Since January 2010, I have read and reviewed all books in the order received. However, I am giving myself an early Christmas present and have taken the liberty of choosing a book out of sequence for my next read, which is the The Innocent by same author, Vincent Zandri.

Slapdash Sunday

Slapdash Sunday (Part 1) Topic: Reflections and Blogging Etiquette

CMash December 19, 2010 4 Comments

SUNDAY

Hosted by Kayla at The Eclectic Element

Slapdash Sunday is a day for your proverbial week ‘leftovers.’ Is there something you wanted to say, but just forgot? Is there something you want to write about, but isn’t worth a whole page? Do you have a random thought, funny or otherwise that needs to be written down?

That is what Slapdash Sunday is for!

I have been reflecting a lot over the past couple of weeks as I wind down my first full year of book blogging and reviewing and gearing up for the new year. I have made so many new friends, which I am thankful for, have had so much fun visiting others and their blog’s, adding way too many tbr books to my personal bucket list because of every one’s reviews, learned a lot regarding the computer (that in itself is a miracle) and am totally amazed that people actually read my blog, and for that, you have my deepest gratitude. I have learned quite a bit and am anxious to learn more. I hope that I have conducted this blog with integrity, honesty, credibility, laughter (mainly at myself) and with proper etiquette. Which brings me to the Slapdash Sunday Discussions. Next week will be Part 2: Changes.

Today’s Topic:

I have enjoyed every minute of this new community that has accepted me. And I hope I have never offended anyone or that I did not follow proper etiquette. I tried to treat others as to how I would like to be treated. Which brings me back to Etiquette. I have had a couple of incidents this past year that have bothered me and wonder if you have ever had similar situations. One was seeing a phrase that I always use hijacked and used for someone’s creation. Now I know I don’t have a copyright on phrases, but was still taken aback. Another one, which really did a number on me, and honestly took the fun out of blogging for a few weeks and even caused a few tears. It came from another party, not a blogger, where my credibility, honesty and future intentions were questioned and had false accusations said about me, to the point of being X’d out, and bordering on slander. I know and understand that I can’t change anyone’s behavior except my own, so I want to make sure I never engage in poor blogging etiquette and to learn the how- tos of handling that type of conduct, if it occurs in the future.

So my questions are: Have you ever had similar situations? How do you handle being on the receiving end of poor etiquette? Do you have certain rules that you feel should be followed? What do you think is poor blogging etiquette? Would love to hear your thoughts on this issue. Let’s have a Slapdash Discussion!!!

Book Review

Book Review "Pathological"

CMash December 19, 2010 4 Comments

Pathological by Vincent Zandri
Published by StoneHouse Ink
ISBN-13: 2940011815508

ISBN: 0011815507

At the request of the author, an EBook edition was downloaded, purchased by me, for my honest opinion.

Synopsis (borrowed from B&N): The serial killer takes on many guises. But what happens when you unknowingly take him as your most trusted and loyal husband? Pathological is proof that even though you think you know your spouse inside and out, you might not really know him at all.

My Thoughts and Opinion: This was my 2nd introduction to a “digital short” read. However, not my first introduction to this author. I have read and reviewed his previous novels, Moonlight Falls and The Remains, both being phenomenal suspense/thriller reads. And, even though it was a short story, Pathological, didn’t disappoint this reader. It was true Vincent Zandri writing!! A short story that grabs you from the first few words to the last. Another page turner!! I honestly am having trouble describing what it was like to read this. When I finished reading the last word, I just sat, wondering if I even took a breath, while reading this chilling story. What I do know, is that Mr. Zandri is a genius at writing thrillers,even with short stories!! It left me with wanting to read more of his work!! Brilliant!!!

DISCLAIMER

This EBook was purchased by me.

ADDENDUM: Since January 2010, I have read and reviewed all books in the order received. However, I am giving myself an early Christmas present and have taken the liberty of choosing a book out of sequence for my next read, which is the The Innocent by same author, Vincent Zandri.

A Bit of Me

A Bit Of Me

CMash December 18, 2010 11 Comments

SATURDAY

Hosted by Danielle at There’s A Book

From Danielle’s blog:
We all leave our “footprint” on the world, in one way or another. We each, individually, do something or are someone that makes the world a little better just by being here. I created this weekly meme to get to know the blogging community I love just a bit better. To know what makes them tick, outside of books, that is. Each week I will post a question to be answered in the following week’s “A Bit of Me(Me)”. Check back each Saturday to get the info for next week’s post and link up with your current post right here.
This week’s question: What’s your favorite holiday movie? The one you could watch every year and it would always remind you of that time of year.
Read more: http://www.theresabook.com/category/a-bit-of-meme/#ixzz18CO1DQ7u

As most of you know, I am not a big TV and/or movie person….give me a book anyday. However, when my boys were younger, we did watch the following movies every year. And even getting this post ready, I remember and cherish the memories of those years!! Their favorites were: