My Little Pocketbooks: June 2014   
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Sunday, June 29, 2014

Sunday Delight: Pre Birthday Weekend

Happy Sunday everyone!!
And Happy Pre-Birthday to me!!
Yep another year older, wiser and happier!

This weekend has been really great.  My honey surprised me yesterday with a trip to Universal Studios.  The weather was perfect and we had a blast.  If you ever make a stop there,  get the front of the line pass and go try out the Transformer Ride.  It was AMAZING!!!
I loved it!  
Today is church and dinner at my parents house.  With birthday cake too!  Yummy!
Now back to book business.

Here and Now

Time: 11:55 am
Drinking: Green Tea with lemon and honey
Eating: Egg Taco
 Listening To: The Brand New Heavies Radio on Pandora.com
Watching: FIFA World Cup Soccer 2014.  OlĂ©

Winner! Winner!

Last week I ran a giveaway for my 42nd Birthday and today is the day to announce the two luck winners.
The first winner will receive all of the following...
1- Coach Signature Wristlet in Yellow
1 - Bag of Book Swag
1 - Box of 4 Books from BEA14
1 - $10.00 Regal Theater Movie Card
 
Congrats!  

Friday, June 27, 2014

What I Am Listening To..

 

Quicky Review #19: The Free, Not A Match and Homeland

Welcome back to another Quicky Review.  
A lot of the time I like to read short stories, prequels and free audiobooks that are short and sweet.  But why do a full review on a story that is say...80 pages long.  So I do Quicky Reviews for the shorties and children books as well.  Basically, the short stories get short reviews.
Here are just a few sentences on three audiobooks  (about 2 hours or less) I got from Audible.com. 
There are other Quicky Reviews for you to check out too and don't worry there will be more to come. I like short stories because most of them are FREE and I can get in and out of one in no time.

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Thoughtful Thursday: Favorite Genres


Hosted by Reading Is Fun Again

Pam over at Reading Is Fun Again started this meme to get a book blogger thoughts on a few bookish things. You know how much I love sharing my thoughts/opinions on stuff, so I thought it would be perfect to add my two cents in too! Stop by her blog and join in on the Thoughtful meme.
I created Thoughtful Thursday, because bookish thoughts kept popping up in my mind while reading, and I wanted to explore these questions and get your opinions too! -From Reading Is Fun Again

Thoughtful Thursday Question

What is your book of choice? Romance? Horror? Thriller? Mystery? Coming-of-age? Feel free to get as specific or as broad as possible.

Review: Girl of Nightmares

Girl of Nightmares
Author: Kendare Blake
Series: Anna Dressed in Blood (Book 2)
Genre: YA
Publisher: AudioGO
Release Date: August 7, 2012
Audiobook: 10 hours and 3 minutes
Narrator: August Ross
Source: Purchased from Audible.com
http://amzn.to/1lNfkLN

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Waiting on Wednesday: Unexpected Stories

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme, hosted by Breaking the Spine, which spotlights upcoming releases that I am eagerly anticipating.
I'm back again with another WoW post.  
And I have no idea why I am hooked on doing this meme.  It was by sheer accident that I found out about this book that just came out.  

This week's "can't wait to read" selection is...

My Love and Hate for Bookish Apps


I am a total tech geeky girl and I love my iPad and all the apps on it.  I even named my iPad "baby" and Baby goes everywhere I go.  There are so many great apps out there that combine my love of reading with all the techy stuff.  Books + iPad + Apps = PERFECT LOVE!!
Right now I have my Pandora app playing music as I write this post.  Apps make everything so much easier.

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

I Love This! #PicMonkey

http://www.picmonkey.com/
Ever since The Book Wheel posted the awesome post "5 Easy Ways to Jazz Up Your Blog" on March 20 my life has been all about the Monkey.
PicMonkey is an online software you use to give your graphics text, boarders, turn them into collages and sooo much more. 
OMG!!  I am hooked on the Monkey.
Ever since I read the post, I have been trying my hand at it and I have to say...
I'm a graphic artist now!
Just for fun while I trying to figure out the program I created some AMAZING STUFF!!
This blog is about to take it up a notch.  Get ready to have your minds blown monkyied-out!  
ARE YOU READY?!?!
Hit it Monkey Man!

Monday, June 23, 2014

42nd Birthday Giveaway

No Let's not keep CALM! Let's dance!!
Hit it Pharrell!

I Love that song!  And since my birthday on Monday (6/30) I think I should share the gifts.

Spring Sequel: Wrap Up Post

http://wordsinateacup.wordpress.com/2014/03/16/sequel-spring-%E2%80%A2-march-20th-june-20th-reading-challenge/
I have been Sequel, Series book reading for months now and I have to say...*pat on the back* Well Done Me!
In March I signed up and posted the shameful list of 19 book series I have started and not completed.  I know!  I know!  19 is a little too much to even discuss.  If you need to see the crazy long list of books I had to plow throw click here.
New Reading Challenge: Sequel Spring
So what is the pat on the back for.  Well I have completed...*drum roll*

Review: Dreams of Gods and Monsters

Dreams of Gods and Monsters
Author: Laini Taylor
Genre:YA Fantasy
Series: Daughter of Smoke & Bone Trilogy
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Release Date: April 8, 2014
Audiobook: 18 hours and 11 minutes
Narrator: Khristine Hvam
Source: Free from E-Library
http://amzn.to/1jzCL7h

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Thoughtful Thursday: Character BFF's & Crushes


Hosted by Reading Is Fun Again

Pam over at Reading Is Fun Again started this meme to get a book blogger thoughts on a few bookish things. You know how much I love sharing my thoughts/opinions on stuff, so I thought it would be perfect to add my two cents in too! Stop by her blog and join in on the Thoughtful meme.
I created Thoughtful Thursday, because bookish thoughts kept popping up in my mind while reading, and I wanted to explore these questions and get your opinions too! -From Reading Is Fun Again

Thoughtful Thursday Question

Do you have character crushes? Are there characters that you want to be your BFF?

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Quicky Review #18: Night of Cake and Puppet, Agatha Christie, and England My England

Welcome back to another Quicky Review.  
A lot of the time I like to read short stories, prequels and free audiobooks that are short and sweet.  But why do a full review on a story that is say...80 pages long.  So I do Quicky Reviews for the shorties and children books as well.  Basically, the short stories get short reviews.
Here are just a few sentences on three audiobooks  (about 2 hours or less) I got from Audible.com. 
There are other Quicky Reviews for you to check out too and don't worry there will be more to come. I like short stories because most of them are FREE and I can get in and out of one in no time.

Waiting on Wednesday: Prince Lestat

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme, hosted by Breaking the Spine, which spotlights upcoming releases that I am eagerly anticipating.
I'm back again with another WoW post. 
I think I am the last person to find out about this book.  Really!!! Why didn't anyone tell me?
Why?
This is reason #11 why I am a book reader. 
Please understand I will be in line at Barnes and Noble bookstore acting like a teenager at a Justin Beaver concert on this release day.  OMG!

This week's "can't wait to read" selection is...

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Review: This Bitter Earth

This Bitter Earth
Author: Bernice L. McFadden
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Recorded Books
Release Date: June 18, 2010
Audiobook: 8 hours 26 minutes
Narrator: Myra Lucretia Taylor 
Source: Purchased from Audible.com

http://amzn.to/1qpAzqj

June Reading Queue

I missed all of May and the reading queue post never made it up.  But I am back with my Reading Queue for the month of June.
 Reading Queue is a meme hosted by Book Tasty and Books: A True Story.  Click the covers to read more about the books I list below.
What is the reading queue all about?
Reading Queue is a monthly meme where you share what books you plan to read for the month. You can hop to other blogs and see what others are reading and maybe find someone reading the same thing as you! Or you can ask for people to vote on what you should read next if you can’t decide.
So here is what I have lined up for the rest of June.

Book Club Pick for June
http://amzn.to/1oOBe2t
The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty

Monday, June 16, 2014

Diversity on the Shelf: Approved Books pt. 5

 
All of the participates of the Diversity on the Self 2014 Reading Challenge (aka D.O.T.S.) have been keeping up and reading a wide variety of books as well as doing an amazing job of reading, reviewing, and linking up books by People of Color.  
You can see the books and linky here
  I have been trying to post helpful book links but I have missed a month (or two).  Every month I will post 12 more books in various genres and release dates that are...what I like to call "Diversity Approved Books"to promote books to you and the D.O.T.S. participants.  All of these books are by a person of color OR have a main character of color.  
Sometimes these books don't get the love they should and hearing about them is so very rare.
By the way, it's not to late to sign up.  Click the reading challenge button and link up your sign up post.  Non bloggers are welcomed too.
http://amzn.to/U4JArAhttp://amzn.to/1kZb7oL

Review: The Wolves of Midwinter

The Wolves of Midwinter
Author: Anne Rice
Genre: Fantasy/ Horror
Publisher: Random House Audio 
Release Date: October 15, 2013
Audiobook: 15 hours and 54 minutes
Narrator: Ron McLarty 
Source: Free from publisher

http://amzn.to/1qlmb2r

Sunday, June 15, 2014

Sunday Delight: Making a Come Back!

Happy Sunday every!!
I know it has been awhile and I have really missed blogging.  Well, there is miss and guilt.  Yes!  I was feeling guilty for now blogging.  Go figure!  I still have guilt for not visiting your blogs and leaving comments.  That is going to happen.  Promise.  Once I get back on schedule and finish a few of the DNF books siting on my bed side I will be comment bombing all of you.  LOL!  Look out CAPTSHA here I come.
Anywho...I have been BUSY! with a capital B.  May was book club, work, new man, Mother's Day and BEA14.

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Free Listens for June 2014

It's that time for the freebies!
After noticing most bloggers post a list of free or really close to free e-books, every week, month or just once in awhile I decided to post a few free audiobooks.  I love free books. I mean who doesn't.
Yes, there is a such thing as a free audiobooks, and they are not just boring old classics either.  I seem to run across a few new ones here and there.  Some of them are short and sweet while others are prequels to popular series. 
When I run across a couple of free audiobooks, I will post them for you to check out as well.
If you are new to audiobooks this is a great way to try one or two without spending any money.  All of these title are FREE at the time of posting.  Things could have changed but all you have to do is click the cover to go to the Amazon page.

From Amazon.com and/or Audible.com

What I Am Listening To...

Dreams of Gods & Monsters (Daughter of Smoke and Bone)
http://amzn.to/1ky5OLJ

Friday, June 13, 2014

Book Blogger Hop: Blog Personality and 4th Friday Five

 
Hosted by Coffee Addicted Writer
TGIF!  Everyone!!!  Yepppie!!!  
Welcome everyone to another post of Book Blogger Hop (hosted by Coffee Addicted Writer). Each week there will be a new topic submit by a blogger and everyone can join in with their answers. You should join us! It's quite fun!  No really it is!

This Weeks Topic/Question

Do you think your blog reflects your personality? Does it show organization, a care-free style, or some other trait? (submitted by Elizabeth)

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Review: The Interrupted Tale

The Interrupted Tale (Book #4)
Author: Maryrose Wood
Genre: Children Fiction
Age Range: 8 - 12 years
Publisher:  HarperAudio
Release Date: December 17, 2013
Audiobook: 8 hours and 19 minutes
Narrator: Katherine Kellgren

Source: Free from e-library
http://amzn.to/1ldMIeE

Thoughtful Thursday: Series Type


Hosted by Reading Is Fun Again

Pam over at Reading Is Fun Again started this meme to get a book blogger thoughts on a few bookish things. You know how much I love sharing my thoughts/opinions on stuff, so I thought it would be perfect to add my two cents in too! Stop by her blog and join in on the Thoughtful meme.
I created Thoughtful Thursday, because bookish thoughts kept popping up in my mind while reading, and I wanted to explore these questions and get your opinions too! -From Reading Is Fun Again

Thoughtful Thursday Question

There are lots of different types of series. For example, there are series that are just one long story (e.g., The Lord of the Rings), there are series that follow a character on a set of different adventures (e.g., The Dresden Files and The Sookie Stackhouse novels), and there are series that are a collection of stand alone novels all within the same universe (e.g., Star Wars Universe). What is your favorite type of series?

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Waiting on Wednesday: Blue Lily, Lily Blue

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that I am eagerly anticipating.
I'm back again with another WoW post. I am such a pack follower. LOL! 
Anyways, it's only because I found yet another book I am looking forward to reading. Since I started the Spring Sequel reading challenge I have been plowing through a few series. I am completely a series right now so I thought I would mention a new book in that series. Perfect timing!  I know everyone has done this one but I just have to jump on the band wagon too.

This week's "can't wait to read" selection is...

Quicky Review #17: Miss Moppet, Sleep Donation and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty


Welcome back to another Quicky Review.  
A lot of the time I like to read short stories, prequels and free audiobooks that are short and sweet.  But why do a full review on a story that is say...80 pages long.  So I do Quicky Reviews for the shorties and children books as well.  Basically, the short stories get short reviews.
Here are just a few sentences on an audiobook (about 2 hours or less) I got free from Audible.com.
There are other Quicky Reviews for you to check out too and don't worry there will be more to come. I like short stories because most of them are FREE and I can get in and out of one in no time.

Sunday, June 1, 2014

Diversity on the Shelf 2014: June Review Link-Up

 
Yeah it's June!  Finally hot summer weather!  Summer clothing and of course summer reads!!!
 
Welcome back to Diversity on the Shelf 2014 Reading Challenge.  This is the June review link up.
Every month I post a linky for you to add your reviews towards this challenge.  Please have a direct link to the book you are reviewing to the linky.  No links to blog home pages please.  If you don't have a blog, please link to your Goodreads, Amazon, Facebook, LibraryThing or other account where you are reviewing the books for this challenge.
Books that qualify for this challenge are by people of color or with a main character of color.  All shades and races of color are welcomed and encouraged here.  
If you still need more clarification on what a person of color is Click Here.
If you haven't signed up for the challenge yet, don't fret you still have time.  Just sign up here! 
If you need a few suggestions on what to read for this challenge check out the list of links to blogs, book list and more. Links here or the side bar menu.