Tag Archives: book

Aug 19 2013
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Top Ten Tuesday – Top Ten Things That Make My Life as a Book Blogger Easier! (8/20/2013)

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Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature where book bloggers come together to geek out about their favorite titles, network with one another, and share our love of reading with anybody who will listen. This week’s topic:

Top Ten Things That Make My Life as a Book Blogger Easier!

In no particular order:

 #1 Dragon Dictate

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About a year ago, my world was turned upside down when I sustained a crippling injury to both my wrists. As a dedicated book blogger and writer, you can imagine how devastated I was to lose the ability to type. This program gave me wings – the freedom to continue pursuing my dreams and following my passions.

#2 The Husband

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As the person who gave me that extra push I needed to pursue my dreams, my husband has always been nothing but supportive and encouraging. Not only does he let me buy books to my heart’s content, but he also is patient and understanding every time I lose myself to my blog and writing. I am one lucky girl.

#3 Barnes and Noble

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 Having been employed with them for eleven years and counting, I get to see all the new product firsthand, stare at books all day, and generally geek out with other people who like the same books I do. They even let me check out new hardcovers and take home the occasional free book. And the discounts! Let’s not forget the discounts – they are the ultimate enabler for my book obsession. It’s positively brilliant on their end: they let me play with the pretty books all week and give me money to spend on them at the end of it.

#4 WordPress

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 Despite the eight month learning curve, I’m finally at the point where almost every function appeases my aesthetic tastes. It took a ton of time to figure out how to do everything (mostly I’m a perfectionist and I wanted it to look a certain way) but now that I’ve got it the way I want it I am incredibly pleased. Everything on my blog has been free (aside from the domain name), and thus far WordPress has been a killer platform!

#5 Followers

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I appreciate both those who follow me and those I follow. You guys inspire me, whether by your support, great ideas, or your shared love for books. Hearing your great feedback makes it worth all the blood, sweat, and tears it takes to run a blog. I wouldn’t be doing this without you guys, so thank you!

 #6 Bloggers

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You guys inspire me every day with your enthusiasm and passion for books. You exude such a great energy that I can’t help but feeling happy whenever I read one of your posts. You guys make being part of the book community fun: between weekly features, challenges, and giveaways I always feel like a part of something bigger than myself. You also keep me in the know about which books are worth my time. I especially appreciate those of you who have taken the time to encourage and support me – you guys rock!

#7 Goodreads

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 Finally – a place that lets me organize all the books I’ve read, am currently reading, and want to read. I used to do this by hand in a journal. I would print out the covers of the books, tape it in the journal, and write a little synopsis next to it. Between Goodreads and my blog, I am totally digital with book organization now, and that makes me very happy! I also love how GR allows you to reference your blog with each review – it really is geared towards creating a great book-loving community.

#8 My Nook

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Yes, I am among those of you who collect and cherish hardcopy books. There is, however, something really exciting about being able to take a few hundred books on a road trip – remember when you used to pack a whole suitcase full? I sure do. I also love the fact that I can turn on the little built-in light and read in the dark. My favorite feature: the font adjustment. I have horrible eyesight and sometimes reading tiny print can affect my enjoyment of the book. Overall, if I love a book I will purchase a hardcopy for my shelf, but I very much enjoy the E-reading experience.

#9 iPhoto

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Once I figured out I could manipulate the photos, a whole slew of possibilities opened up to personalize my blog’s appearance. From creating headers for weekly features to sharing original photos for my Dragon Obsession posts, and has really allowed me to make it my own.

#10 My Notebooks

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I swear these days these notebooks go with me more often than my book. Everything they contains is 100% blog-related and I am constantly jotting down notes and impressions from the books I’m reading. If I’m not writing about the book, I am researching upcoming releases or creating a detailed plan for upcoming posts. Say what you want about me, but damn, I am organized!

What are your essentials? :)

Aug 19 2013
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Your Pick for Nik! – September’s Selection!

bbbbThank you all for your votes!

60510This month’s winner is… Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder!

A thorough review and discussion for this book will take place on Monday, September 30th, so there’s plenty of time to pick it up if you want to participate. For more information on the Your Pick for Nik! book club, click here. 

If you want to participate officially, all you have to do is answer the questionnaire at the end of the book review when it posts (which will hopefully generate some awesome discussion). If you post your own review of the book, send me the URL and I will include a personalized link at the end of the review.

Here’s a look at what the book is about:

About to be executed for murder, Yelena is offered an extraordinary reprieve. She’ll eat the best meals, have rooms in the palace—and risk assassination by anyone trying to kill the Commander of Ixia. And so Yelena chooses to become a food taster. But the chief of security, leaving nothing to chance, deliberately feeds her Butterfly’s Dust—and only by appearing for her daily antidote will she delay an agonizing death from the poison. As Yelena tries to escape her new dilemma, disasters keep mounting. Rebels plot to seize Ixia and Yelena develops magical powers she can’t control. Her life is threatened again and choices must be made. But this time the outcomes aren’t so clear…

Aug 17 2013
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Book Review: Legend by Marie Lu

13042002Title: Legend

Author: Marie Lu

Series: Legend #1

Genre: Teen Fantasy

Rating: 5/5 stars!

The Overview: What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic’s wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic’s highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem. From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths—until the day June’s brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family’s survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias’s death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

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The Review:

I’d been passing over this novel for several months before someone personally recommended it to me based on the types of books I like… and now I’m kicking myself for not having read it sooner (thank you, Rachel!). It’s probably the best book I’ve read all year and is a strong contender for the #2 spot in my all-time favorite dystopian list (following Hunger Games, of course).

With fast-paced action, two amazing protagonists, and a compelling storyline, Legend really was one of those can’t-put-down books that will have you up half the night finishing it. Sometimes when an author switches back and forth between two POV characters it can steal momentum away from the story and make it more difficult to connect with either one. That was certainly not the case here: both protagonists were complex, well-rounded characters and each switch invested me deeper into the story.

The way the plot was organized helped with this too, and I’m convinced Lu really knows how to tell a story that will keep you at the edge of your seat. Just when you feel like you can’t get more involved with the book, she hits you with something even more gut-wrenching and evoking. I even found myself holding my breath on occasion – you know a book is amazing when it can garner a physical reaction, not just an emotional one.

Another reason I think the book was so effective was the way the characters and the conflicts developed throughout the story. The two main characters are highly intelligent, which means they figure things out faster than the average person. Lu completely committed to this and never once dumbed them down for the sake of drawing out a conflict. This means her story had to keep evolving as the characters made discoveries and formed conclusions. It just speaks of brilliant storytelling, and I think it’s probably my favorite element of the book.

Recommendations: For all of you fellow dystopian fanatics – if you haven’t read this book yet, consider putting it next on your list! I might’ve even liked it a bit more than Divergent, and that’s saying something. I will definitely be rereading it within the next couple of years – and if you could see the size of my TBR pile, you’d know what a commitment that is (I really, really liked it)!

Other books you might like:

 The Fifth Wave Review   •   Divergent Review   •   Partials Review   •   Pure Review

Aug 16 2013
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Dragon Obsession – The Visual Files

IMG_3144 2  Meet Vetch, Kashet, and Tala

 Named after my second favorite dragon series of all-time (Dragon Jousters by Mercedes Lackey), these little guys have been with me for more than five years. Now, most people would see these displayed in the store and choose just one to take home. I tried to do this, I really did, but I the ones I left behind kept looking at me with those cute little faces… what’s a dragon-hoarder to do? They make me smile every time I see them, so it was totally worth it!

 Think they are as cute as I do? You can still buy them here. :-)

Aug 15 2013
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Book Review: Hexed by Kevin Hearne

9595650Title: Hexed

Author: Kevin Hearne

Series: Iron Druid #2

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Rating: 4/5 stars

The Overview: Atticus O’Sullivan, last of the Druids, doesn’t care much for witches. Still, he’s about to “make nice” with the local coven by signing a mutually beneficial non-aggression treaty—when suddenly the witch population in modern day Tempe, Arizona, quadruples overnight. The new girls are not just bad, they’re badasses with a dark history on the German side of WWII.

With a fallen angel feasting on local high school students, a horde of Bacchants blowing in from Vegas with their special brand of deadly decadence, and a dangerously sexy Celtic goddess of fire vying for his attention, Atticus is having trouble scheduling the witch-hunt. But aided by his magical sword, his neighbor’s rocket-propelled grenade launcher, and his vampire attorney, Atticus is ready to sweep the town and show the witchy women they picked the wrong Druid to hex.

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The Review:

I am happy to report that the second novel had all of the elements I loved about the first one (Hounded). The series is the unique voice in the urban fantasy genre and opens up possibilities for more than just the same old werewolf and vampire plots (as good as they may be). There are so many things done well – world building, character, pacing, adventure, and humor (to name a few) – that I almost have to get nitpick to find any fault with it.

I might be just getting a little impatient but I’m still waiting for some sort of profound character growth and development with the main protagonists. Thus far, he’s kept us readers at arm’s distance and we really haven’t seen him get overly involved emotionally in anything yet. It’s always a “just another day at the job” attitude emitting from him, and he’s such a great character that the author would need to add only a little to make him outstanding.

I think this is sort of why I’m still hoping for a love story to develop – I crave some of that internal conflict to help me really feel for this character. Heck, I would even settle for a sex scene with someone he actually, you know, gives a crap about. At the very least, I want the author to “hang a lantern” on why the protagonists isn’t seeking a mate. Whether it’s fear of losing them or just plain enjoyment of his promiscuity, I want to know. you would think someone who’s been alive for so long would have had love in his past, and I think it’s a too important element of story to continue ignoring completely.

Overall, this has been a highly entertaining series so far and I fully intend to keep recommending it to urban fantasy lovers looking for something different. The concerns in my review are really only minor ones when compared to the whole scheme of things, and the author still has plenty of time to address them in future books. For a more thorough evaluation of the series as a whole (so far), click the link above to read my thoughts on book one.

Recommendations: Hey, all you Harry Dresden fans – I think I just found your next series. :-)

by Niki Hawkes

Other books you might like: 

Aug 13 2013
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Coming Soon: Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson

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11543195Title: Words of Radiance

Author: Brandon Sanderson

Series: The Stormlight Archive #2

Genre: Fantasy

Release Date: March 4, 2014

The Overview: In that first volume, we were introduced to the remarkable world of Roshar, a world both alien and magical, where gigantic
hurricane-like storms scour the surface every few days and life has adapted accordingly. Roshar is shared by humans and the enigmatic, humanoid Parshendi, with whom they are at war. Among those caught up in the conflict are Brightlord Dalinar Kholin, who leads the human armies; his sister Jasnah, a renowned scholar; her student Shallan, a brilliant but troubled young woman; and Kaladin, a military slave who, by the book’s end, had become the first magically endowed Knight Radiant in centuries.

In Words of Radiance their intertwined stories will continue and, as Sanderson fans have come to expect, develop in unexpected, wonderfully surprising directions. The war with the Parshendi will move into a new, dangerous phase, as Dalinar leads the human armies deep into the heart of the Shattered Plains in a bold attempt to finally end it. Shallan will come along, hoping to find the legendary, perhaps mythical, city of Urithuru, which Jasnah believes holds a secret vital to mankind’s survival on Roshar. The Parshendi take a dangerous step to strengthen themselves for the human challenge, risking the return of the fearsome Voidbringers of old. To deal with it all, Kaladin must learn to how to fulfill his new role as leader of the restored Knights Radiant, while mastering the powers of a Windrunner.

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Nik’s Notes:

Hosted by Breaking the Spine, this is a weekly feature where we have a chance to look ahead at what’s new in reading. This is the second week this month that I’ve featured a forthcoming Brandon Sanderson novel. As an aspiring novelist, he is quickly becoming one of my ultimate inspirations because not only is he prolific, but his work is of the utmost quality. You are almost guaranteed an amazing read every time you pick one up. Of all the Sanderson’s on the market, none has gotten quite so much positive feedback as The Way of Kings. It is next on my reading list and I cannot wait to see what everybody is raving about. I will most assuredly be ready for the second book in the series by January.

What book are you waiting on?