tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35594712078842819892019-01-24T01:13:35.498-08:00Debz BookshelfAnd She Blogged Happily Ever After...Debzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00368650126413053361noreply@blogger.comBlogger639125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559471207884281989.post-43337858786282060872014-07-18T12:10:00.001-07:002014-07-18T12:24:54.286-07:00A new design!<p>I feel like I just barely switched my design around, and yet here I am doing it again! I loved my old design, but it was just that: old. I was getting bored with it, and it was kind of young and unprofessional—not that I have anything wrong with either of those every so often—and I want to (hopefully) take this blog in a new direction!</p> <p>I personally am very proud of my lovely little tagline. I even considered just doing away with <em>Debz Bookshelf</em> in favor of <em>And She Blogged Happily Ever After</em>… but then I realized it would be really long. </p><a href="http://debzbookshelf.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; width: 250px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" src="http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd362/debzblogz/DebzBookshelfNew/button2.png"></a> <p>So, what do you think? Please leave honest feedback. Love it? Hate it? I'm open to any constructive criticism you have to offer!</p> <p>And yes, this does mean I'm going to start doing designs again soon! </p> Debzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00368650126413053361noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559471207884281989.post-74780796397887422332014-07-12T19:02:00.003-07:002014-07-12T19:02:28.965-07:00<p>Hello, world! I just got back from a week of church camp, and while it was fun (with a super cute theme!) I am exhausted. On top of that, my sister accidentally broke my laptop screen while I was gone (how many times is that, now?) </p><p>I will hopefully be popping in occasionally over the next little while, but I make no promises. Once I am back for sure, prepare for an overabundance of posts!</p>Debzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00368650126413053361noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559471207884281989.post-74851680933229391962014-07-07T14:41:00.000-07:002014-07-07T14:41:41.127-07:00{Blog Tour} Book Review + Giveaway: Wild by Alex Mallory<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xgJDMUjubqQ/U7sPfZfna7I/AAAAAAAAB_Y/D2BRL1bga4E/s1600-h/wild%25255B5%25255D.png"><img title="wild" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="wild" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fo3btatifDs/U7sPgOANmYI/AAAAAAAAB_c/oZX5_DqwXSg/wild_thumb%25255B3%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="654" height="315"></a> <br> <div align="right"><img style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 5px 10px; display: inline" alt="Wild" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1380046743l/16068974.jpg" width="215" align="right" height="325"></div> <div align="right"> </div> <div align="right"> </div> <div align="right">Publisher: HarperTeen<br>Release Date: July 8th, 2014<br>Genre: Contemporary YA Retelling<br>Source: eARC for Blog Tour<br>Find it: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wild-Alex-Mallory-ebook/dp/B00FVW3R3Y/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16068974-wild?ac=1">Goodreads</a></div> <blockquote> <div style="border-top: #ff75ae 3px dotted; border-right: #ff75ae 3px dotted; border-bottom: #ff75ae 3px dotted; padding-bottom: 5px; text-align: center; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 8px; border-left: #ff75ae 3px dotted; padding-right: 8px; background-color: #ffd2e5"> <p>The forest is full of secrets, and no one understands that better than Cade. Foraging, hunting, surviving— that’s all he knows. Alone for years, Cade believes he’s the sole survivor. At least, until he catches a glimpse of a beautiful stranger…<br></p> <p>Dara expected to find natural wonders when she set off for a spring break camping trip. Instead, she discovers a primitive boy— he’s stealthy and handsome and he might be following her. Intrigued, Dara seeks him out and sets a catastrophe in motion.<br></p> <p>Thrust back into society, Cade struggles with the realization that the life he knew was a lie. But he’s not the only one. Trying to explain life in a normal town leaves Dara questioning it.<br></p> <p>As the media swarm and the police close in, Dara and Cade risk everything to get closer. But will the truth about Cade’s past tear them apart?</p></div></blockquote> <p>Growing up, Disney's Tarzan was one of my favorite movies. Possibly because by nature, I'm very proper and reserved, and it let me discover my wild side; maybe because Jane was actually a highly intelligent and strong female lead character; or maybe Tantor was just too darn cute! For whatever reason, the mystery behind this man has always fascinated me, and Alex Mallory's Wild gives readers a fresh new look into Tarzan's tale.</p> <p>The world Mallory introduces us to is a bizarre combination of the beauty and simplicity of nature, and the terror of the thought of what may lie in the unknown. Cade has grown up hiding deep in the woods, with the warning from his parents that there's nothing left beyond, that humans are contaminated. And so he hides, and takes care of himself, until he sees others. </p> <p>I know that sounds sort of dystopian/apocalyptic, but through Cade's eyes, it is. Cade's perspective was so interesting. He was very intelligent and intense, yet so naive about all the things we take for granted. There was so much depth to his character that something so impossible to imagine as an uncivilized person in a hyper-civilized world still seemed believable. </p> <p>Dara, though, I struggled with as a character. She was so smart, and so compassionate towards Cade, but something just didn't click with her. I think some of that may be the love-triangle she created for herself between Cade and her long-time boyfriend, Jake. I understood her struggle, but I felt bad for both of the boys while she was choosing. Still, I admired her as a character and the depth she had. </p> <p>I loved Mallory's writing style, and it was evident that she had put so much research and effort into this novel. The result, Wild, is an intense and fiercely creative reimagining of Edgar Rice Burroughs' classic story that will not soon be forgotten.</p> <p align="center"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pxsyavnZQsk/UOSXiLCdWNI/AAAAAAAAELk/tg8qQyp66a4/s97/stars_thumb216.gif"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pxsyavnZQsk/UOSXiLCdWNI/AAAAAAAAELk/tg8qQyp66a4/s97/stars_thumb216.gif"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pxsyavnZQsk/UOSXiLCdWNI/AAAAAAAAELk/tg8qQyp66a4/s97/stars_thumb216.gif"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pxsyavnZQsk/UOSXiLCdWNI/AAAAAAAAELk/tg8qQyp66a4/s97/stars_thumb216.gif"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7ULuOHNVgwU/UOSXlvYtkuI/AAAAAAAAEMc/Ozf-5eRtWIo/s98/stars_thumb2_thumb14.gif"></p> <h2><font size="7">GIVEAWAY TIME!</font></h2> <p><u>DETAILS</u>: <p>A Wild Prize Pack Featuring: a signed, finished copy of WILD, a copy of Edgar Rice Burroughs' TARZAN OF THE APES, a DVD (region 1) of Greystoke: Legend of Tarzan of the Apes, bookmarks, and a stuffed plush flu microbe. (US Only) <p><u>SPECIFICS</u>: <p>- US only <br>- Must be 13 or older to enter<br>- Giveaway starts July 1st to July 9th<br>- All entries are double-checked and false entries will be disqualified<br>- Winner will be notified via email and needs to answer in 48 hours letting us know if he/she accepts the prize and send us his/her full name and address.<br>- Your personal information won't be used or be seen unless you're the winner of the giveaway. We won't sell it nor use it in a bad way.<br>- Tour Hosts are not responsible for any lost or stolen items</p> <p> <a id="rc-d9681b66" class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d9681b66/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a> <script src="//widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"></script></p> <h2>ABOUT THE AUTHOR:</h2> <p>Alex Mallory is a pen name for YA author <a href="http://www.saundramitchell.com/">Saundra Mitchell</a>. She’s a big fan of reading, history, camping and competitive M&M sorting. <p>She once crossed a dilapidated train trestle in the middle of the night, 200 feet above the Wabash River, in a futile attempt to prove her love to someone who had no idea she existed. <p>1) She lived to tell about it. 2) It didn’t work. 3) She doesn’t recommend it. <p>Find her here: <p><b><a href="http://alexmallorybooks.com/">Website</a> | </b><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6549398.Alex_Mallory?from_search=true">Goodreads</a> | </b><b><a href="https://twitter.com/Alex_Mallory">Twitter</a></b></p> <p>Thank you to the amazing team at FFBC for planning this tour! Follow the tour below!</p> <p><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zvww_grEDkvL1kR4_HA7vr_aWelENsAP7MessnJkKNM/pub"><img title="FFBC FOLLOW TOUR" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="FFBC FOLLOW TOUR" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-69rFDyrO2qc/U7sPgkzVuAI/AAAAAAAAB_k/T-GdUosV63E/FFBC%252520FOLLOW%252520TOUR%25255B4%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="354" height="214"></a></p> Debzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00368650126413053361noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559471207884281989.post-84302541941776731992014-06-28T13:00:00.000-07:002014-06-28T13:12:25.276-07:00Book Review: The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski <br> <div align="right"><img style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 5px 10px; display: inline" alt="The Winner's Curse (The Winner's Trilogy, #1)" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1377023523l/16069030.jpg" width="217" align="right" height="325"></div> <div align="right"> </div> <div align="right"> </div> <div align="right">Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux<br>Release Date: 4 March 2014<br>Genre: YA Fantasy<br>Source: ARC for Review<br>Find it: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Winners-Curse-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B00ERWUQR4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403986177&sr=8-1&keywords=the+winner%27s+curse">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16069030-the-winner-s-curse?ac=1">Goodreads</a></div> <blockquote> <div style="border-top: #ff75ae 3px dotted; border-right: #ff75ae 3px dotted; border-bottom: #ff75ae 3px dotted; padding-bottom: 5px; text-align: center; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 8px; border-left: #ff75ae 3px dotted; padding-right: 8px; background-color: #ffd2e5"> <p><strong>Winning what you want may cost you everything you love</strong><br></p> <p>As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions.<br></p> <p>One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction. Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him—with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin.<br></p> <p>But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined.<br></p> <p>Set in a richly imagined new world, <em>The Winner’s Curse</em> by Marie Rutkoski is a story of deadly games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart.</p></div></blockquote> <p>I feel like this quote from John Green's TFiOS perfectly describes my feelings towards this book: "I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once." I was just dipping my toes in, and then very slowly was pulled in until I closed the book and realized how in love I was with this book. </p> <p>First off, I must talk about the world building in this story. The depth of this world is inconceivable. There was so much richness to it that it literally felt like I was walking through Valoria. It was very evident that Rutkoski was inspired by a variety of cultures (especially Roman) and she did her research, while leaving herself plenty of room for creating a highly impressive world of her own. </p> <p>Kestrel was an awesome main character. She is so strong and independent, but still comes across as likeable. She challenges the expectations placed on her, with courage and confidence. In a lot of ways she seemed like she could've been an old friend with her nature. </p> <p>Arin was both the complete equivalent and opposite of Kestrel. He's dark and mysterious, but inside there's so much. I almost with this book had been entirely from his perspective. The way it was written, we got to see quite a bit from him, but I think there's so much more to see from him. </p> <p>The writing was spectacular. Beyond the outstanding world building, Rutkoski managed to convey emotions in such a beautiful way through her words. I could feel what Kestrel and Arin felt, and their dialogue brought the story to life with even more depth. </p> <p>There are rumors that there's a trilogy in the works, and I must say I will certainly be an avid fan! </p> <p align="center"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pxsyavnZQsk/UOSXiLCdWNI/AAAAAAAAELk/tg8qQyp66a4/s97/stars_thumb216.gif"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pxsyavnZQsk/UOSXiLCdWNI/AAAAAAAAELk/tg8qQyp66a4/s97/stars_thumb216.gif"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pxsyavnZQsk/UOSXiLCdWNI/AAAAAAAAELk/tg8qQyp66a4/s97/stars_thumb216.gif"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pxsyavnZQsk/UOSXiLCdWNI/AAAAAAAAELk/tg8qQyp66a4/s97/stars_thumb216.gif"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7ULuOHNVgwU/UOSXlvYtkuI/AAAAAAAAEMc/Ozf-5eRtWIo/s98/stars_thumb2_thumb14.gif"></p> Debzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00368650126413053361noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559471207884281989.post-57139683105396504482014-06-27T11:12:00.001-07:002014-06-27T11:12:50.942-07:00Write On Review-a-Thon {5}<a href="http://www.thebookvixen.com/2014/04/write-on-review-thon-3-sign-up.html"><img title="Write On Review-a-Thon" style="float: left; display: inline" alt="Write On Review-a-Thon" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-4ic-K46yPMs/UzixjioizRI/AAAAAAAAQho/RWZpCkAoWsE/s800/WORAT425.png" align="left"></a> <p> </p> <blockquote> <div style="border-top: #0094de 2px dotted; border-right: #0094de 2px dotted; border-bottom: #0094de 2px dotted; padding-bottom: 5px; text-align: center; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 8px; border-left: #0094de 2px dotted; padding-right: 8px; background-color: #add9ff"> <p>The <a href="http://www.thebookvixen.com/p/write-on-review-thon.html"><strong>Write On review-a-thon</strong></a> is a monthly event created and hosted by Brianna at <a href="http://www.thebookvixen.com/">The Book Vixen</a>. It’s 2 days dedicated to getting reviews done, whether you have one review to write or 30+. This edition of the review-a-thon takes place <strong>all day Friday, June 27th and Saturday, June 28th</strong>. Let’s get those reviews done!</p></div></blockquote> <p>I missed the last review-a-thon because life got in the way, but here I am now, ready to review my heart out! My goal is to review eight books from the dozens I have on my list of <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2592283?shelf=to-review">books-that-haven't-been-reviewed-for-months</a>. I'm feeling highly motivated right now, so hopefully I can get through these quickly! </p> <p>Anybody else review-a-thoning this weekend?</p> Debzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00368650126413053361noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559471207884281989.post-43288311428998017882014-06-18T02:45:00.000-07:002014-06-18T02:45:00.620-07:00Bite Sized Reviews: Golden by Cameron Dokey & The Crimson THread by Suzanne Weyn<p align="center"> <img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="Bite Sized Reviews at Debz Bookshelf" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oEGSi4wN2Mc/UjsBhswBEUI/AAAAAAAAAk8/-qan82V94z4/bitesized_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800">I think it only fitting that we have two such SWEET bite-sized reviews today! </p> <div align="right"><img style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 5px 10px; display: inline" alt="Golden (Once Upon A Time Faitytales)" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1361127435l/394724.jpg" width="196" align="right" height="325"></div> <div align="right">Publisher: Simon Pulse<br>Release Date: February 1st, 2006<br>Genre: Fairy Tale Retelling<br>Source: Purchased<br>Find it: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Going-Rogue-Also-Known-novel-ebook/dp/B00GC53DME/ref=dp_kinw_strp_1">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/394724.Golden">Goodreads</a></div> <blockquote> <div style="border-top: #ff75ae 3px dotted; border-right: #ff75ae 3px dotted; border-bottom: #ff75ae 3px dotted; padding-bottom: 5px; text-align: center; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 8px; border-left: #ff75ae 3px dotted; padding-right: 8px; background-color: #ffd2e5"> <p>"Once upon a Time" is Timeless...<br></p> <p>Before Rapunzel's birth, her mother made a dangerous deal with the sorceress Melisande: If she could not love newborn Rapunzel just as she appeared, she would surrender the child to Melisande. When Rapunzel was born completely bald and without hope of ever growing hair, her horrified mother sent her away with the sorceress to an uncertain future.<br></p> <p>After sixteen years of raising Rapunzel as her own child, Melisande reveals that she has another daughter, Rue, who was cursed by a wizard years ago and needs Rapunzel's help. Rue and Rapunzel have precisely "two nights and the day that falls between" to break the enchantment. But bitterness and envy come between the girls, and if they fail to work together, Rue will remain cursed... forever.</p> </div></blockquote> <p>Golden takes the classic fairytale of Rapunzel, full of romantic imagery, and takes away it's most iconic element--the Hair. That is the first thing you think of when you hear Rapunzel, as it is so engrained in our culture. How could this story succeed, then, with no hair? Absolutely beautifully. </p> <p>Dokey wrote a wonderfully deep story that maintains many traditional elements, while making it very much its own. The writing was rich and lyrical, and the characters had surprising depth for such a small book. </p> <p>Out of all the books I've read so far in this Once Upon a Time series, Golden is by far my favorite for interpreting a personal favorite with such freshness and creativity. </p> <p align="center"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pxsyavnZQsk/UOSXiLCdWNI/AAAAAAAAELk/tg8qQyp66a4/s97/stars_thumb216.gif"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pxsyavnZQsk/UOSXiLCdWNI/AAAAAAAAELk/tg8qQyp66a4/s97/stars_thumb216.gif"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pxsyavnZQsk/UOSXiLCdWNI/AAAAAAAAELk/tg8qQyp66a4/s97/stars_thumb216.gif"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pxsyavnZQsk/UOSXiLCdWNI/AAAAAAAAELk/tg8qQyp66a4/s97/stars_thumb216.gif"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7ULuOHNVgwU/UOSXlvYtkuI/AAAAAAAAEMc/Ozf-5eRtWIo/s98/stars_thumb2_thumb14.gif"></p> <br> <div align="right"> </div> <div align="right"> </div> <div align="right"><img style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 5px 0px; display: inline" alt="The Crimson Thread: A Retelling of "Rumpelstiltskin" (Once Upon a Time Fairytales)" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1214586317l/1932042.jpg" width="194" align="left" height="325"></div> <div align="left">Publisher: Simon Pulse<br>Release Date: June 17th, 2008<br>Genre: Fairy Tale Retelling<br>Source: Library<br>Find it: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1416959432/ref=x_gr_w_bb?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwwwgoodco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1416959432&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12988004-the-sweetest-spell?ac=1">Goodreads</a></div> <blockquote> <div style="border-top: #ff75ae 3px dotted; border-right: #ff75ae 3px dotted; border-bottom: #ff75ae 3px dotted; padding-bottom: 5px; text-align: center; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 8px; border-left: #ff75ae 3px dotted; padding-right: 8px; background-color: #ffd2e5"> <p>"ONCE UPON A TIME" IS TIMELESS<br></p> <p>The year is 1880, and Bertie, having just arrived in New York with her family, is grateful to be given work as a seamstress in the home of textile tycoon J. P. Wellington. When the Wellington family fortune is threatened, Bertie's father boasts that Bertie will save the business, that she is so skillful she can "practically spin straw into gold."<br></p> <p>Amazingly, in the course of one night, Bertie creates exquisite evening gowns--with the help of Ray Stalls, a man from her tenement who uses an old spinning wheel to create dresses that are woven with crimson thread and look as though they are spun with real gold. Indebted to Ray, Bertie asks how she can repay him. When Ray asks for her firstborn child, Bertie agrees, never dreaming that he is serious...</p></div></blockquote> <p>My favorite thing about this Once Upon a Time series is the fact that it takes these fantastical stories, and sets them in an real place and time, usually with historical significance. The Crimson Thread takes Rumpelstiltskin and places it in the completely unexpected setting of 1880's New York. </p> <p>The plot followed the structure of Rumpelstiltskin, but added so much more. You wouldn't think it would work, but now I can't imagine a better setting for the Miller's Daughter's story. Still, there were new elements that had me on the edge of my seat. </p> <p>I was so surprised by the depth of the characters. I felt like I knew all the characters well, and in such a short book (under 200 pages) that is a huge accomplishment. </p> <p>I haven't enjoyed some of Weyn's other retellings, but The Crimson Thread has shown me I certainly shouldn't discredit her as a seriously brilliant spinner of stories. </p> <p align="center"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pxsyavnZQsk/UOSXiLCdWNI/AAAAAAAAELk/tg8qQyp66a4/s97/stars_thumb216.gif"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pxsyavnZQsk/UOSXiLCdWNI/AAAAAAAAELk/tg8qQyp66a4/s97/stars_thumb216.gif"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pxsyavnZQsk/UOSXiLCdWNI/AAAAAAAAELk/tg8qQyp66a4/s97/stars_thumb216.gif"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pxsyavnZQsk/UOSXiLCdWNI/AAAAAAAAELk/tg8qQyp66a4/s97/stars_thumb216.gif"></p> Debzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00368650126413053361noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559471207884281989.post-14803640573160905852014-06-16T13:41:00.001-07:002014-06-16T14:06:14.139-07:00{Fairy Tales Retold Challenge} June Review Link Up + Giveaway<p><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="2014 Fairy Tales Retold Challenge" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5yUJrMrCUpE/Up4quO9TPfI/AAAAAAAAAqg/gkPT6yeBlYs/photo_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800"></p> <p>I deeply apologize for taking so long to realize that it is in fact June and time for another link-up and giveaway! I've been sort of out of it the past little while, but I have great plans (it'll just take a while to get those in action!) Hopefully, since the year is almost halfway over (I can't believe it), you're almost halfway done with the challenge. If that is the case, congratulations! If you're falling behind a bit, never fear! A read-a-thon is in the works! </p> <p>And now to copy and paste the instructions from March: </p> <p>There is a Linky directly below, where you can link-up any reviews which qualify for the 2014 Fairy Tales Retold Challenge (any retelling which you’ve read in 2014). Ideally have them formatted as such: <em>Debz Bookshelf: Cruel Beauty</em>. Blog name and book title. Easy peasy, right? The Linky will be open through July 15th, in order to give you time to catch up on your reviews.</p> <p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.simply-linked.com/listwidget.aspx?l=f8018c7d-438d-4dc6-bb39-e03ae9e007a5"></script></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-m6hYc12qVt4/U59WguvEr_I/AAAAAAAAB1o/99GNlOpC8A4/s1600-h/image4.png"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9NZlVgDcty0/U59WhjTi93I/AAAAAAAAB1s/DHMrmoM3Gec/image_thumb2.png?imgmax=800" width="600" height="360"></a></p> <p>And now on to the fun stuff! I’m offering a giveaway of ONE of the five following books: A TALE DARK AND GRIMM by Adam Gidwitz, ELLA ENCHANTED by Gail Carson Levine, THE PRINCESS CURSE by Merrie Haskell, THE LAND OF STORIES: THE WISHING SPELL by Chris Colfer, and RUMP: THE TRUE STORY OF RUMPELSTILTSKIN by Liesl Shurtliff to US residents, or a $10 Gift Card to International entrants!</p> <p>RULES: <ul> <li>Must be 13 or older, or have a parent’s permission <li>Must be a US resident, or be able to accept an Amazon gift card if International. <li>Must be an official participant of the 2014 Fairy Tales Retold Reading Challenge. <li>Giveaway will run from June 16th @ 12:01am to July 15th @ 11:59pm. <li>ONE winner will receive ONE book of their choice from the options presented, OR a $10 Amazon Gift Card if the winner is an international participant. (If you already own all three choices, then we can work something else out (: )</li></ul> <p>The mandatory entries are <em>Join the 2014 Fairy Tales Retold Challenge</em> (which hopefully you did back in December!) and to <em>Link Up a Review</em>. You can earn additional entries for each additional review you link-up (up to 5 reviews). You CANNOT link up reviews previously linked-up. Only reviews since then are eligible. Anybody who disregards this will be ineligible for the prize. <p><a id="rc-f9ca2f9" class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/f9ca2f9/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a> <script src="//widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"></script> <p>If you have any questions, please email, tweet, or comment. </p> Debzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00368650126413053361noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559471207884281989.post-47941769687433374602014-06-13T15:51:00.001-07:002014-06-13T15:51:20.679-07:00Book Review: RUMP: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin by Liesl Shurtliff <br> <div align="right"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RrE-N4Nz6nQ/U5uAZN2bUYI/AAAAAAAAB1Q/QMXLAgn_M2M/s1600-h/157667763.jpg"><img title="15766776" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="15766776" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QSQTlH7qLbs/U5uAZhzFohI/AAAAAAAAB1Y/O6icF3yWGQc/15766776_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="219" align="right" height="329"></a></div> <div align="right"> </div> <div align="right"> </div> <div align="right">Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf BFYR<br>Release Date: April 9th, 2013<br>Genre: Middle Grade Fairy Tale<br>Source: Library<br>Challenges: Audiobook, Fairy Tales, Quick Fix<br>Find it: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rump-The-True-Story-Rumpelstiltskin-ebook/dp/B009QJMUK4/ref=dp_kinw_strp_1">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15766776-rump">Goodreads</a></div> <blockquote> <div style="border-top: #ff75ae 3px dotted; border-right: #ff75ae 3px dotted; border-bottom: #ff75ae 3px dotted; padding-bottom: 5px; text-align: center; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 8px; border-left: #ff75ae 3px dotted; padding-right: 8px; background-color: #ffd2e5"> <p>Rump has never known his full name—his mother died before she could tell him. So all his life he's been teased for his half-a-name. But when he finds an old spinning wheel, his luck seems to change. For Rump discovers he can spin straw into gold. Magical gold.<br></p> <p>His best friend Red Riding Hood warns him that magic is dangerous—and she's right! That gold is worth its weight in trouble. And with each thread he spins, Rump weaves himself deeper into a curse.<br></p> <p>There's only one way to break the spell: Rump must go on a quest to find his true name, along the way defending himself against pixies, trolls, poison apples, and one beautiful but vile-mannered queen. The odds aren't great for a small boy in a land full of fairytale bullies, but with courage and friendship—and a cheeky sense of humor—Rump just might triumph in the end.</p></div></blockquote> <p>Rump by Liesl Shurtliff was exceptional in every way. It was the perfect blend of everything I love in a book: witty narration, memorable characters, surprising plot twists, and an irresistable fairy tale setting. </p> <p>Rump is a dejected, lonely boy who has a pretty dismal-looking fate lying ahead of him, all thanks to his less than flattering name. Yet, as he embarks on a journey through a somewhat...familiar tale he discovers there may be more to his fate than he first believed. </p> <p>I love seeing my favorite stories from new perspectives (I STILL haven't seen Maleficent!!!) and this book was especially impressive in that aspect. I've always had a <a href="http://abackwardsstory.blogspot.com/2014/05/rumpelstiltskin-mischievous-malevolent-misunderstood.html">soft spot for Rumpelstiltskin</a>, but this book presented him as a sympathetic character who genuinely wishes no ill on anybody (except for maybe a certain Miller...) and I loved that. </p> <p>Every single character was so full of life. They had distinguishing characteristics that brought them to life in a whole new way! I was so impressed with the development behind each of them, making both old and new seem like old friends (or nemesises). </p> <p>The writing was spectacular. Liesl Shurtliff has so much talent for a debut author. So many times I found myself laughing out loud, or uttering exclamations in response to the brilliant dialogue and narrative presented. </p> <p>On a deeper/cheesier level, I loved the message that we are all of value, and we can all take control of our destinies. Any book that manages to be inspiring on top of hilarious and clever is one that will wind its way into my deep, cheesy, book-loving heart. </p> <p> <p align="center"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pxsyavnZQsk/UOSXiLCdWNI/AAAAAAAAELk/tg8qQyp66a4/s97/stars_thumb216.gif"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pxsyavnZQsk/UOSXiLCdWNI/AAAAAAAAELk/tg8qQyp66a4/s97/stars_thumb216.gif"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pxsyavnZQsk/UOSXiLCdWNI/AAAAAAAAELk/tg8qQyp66a4/s97/stars_thumb216.gif"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pxsyavnZQsk/UOSXiLCdWNI/AAAAAAAAELk/tg8qQyp66a4/s97/stars_thumb216.gif"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pxsyavnZQsk/UOSXiLCdWNI/AAAAAAAAELk/tg8qQyp66a4/s97/stars_thumb216.gif"></p> Debzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00368650126413053361noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559471207884281989.post-40160347126570105952014-06-11T01:28:00.000-07:002014-06-11T01:28:00.022-07:00A BLOG SURVEY!<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_R3kgOI9y8U/U5dm0d5CITI/AAAAAAAABy4/FyUP6iVJ-M4/s1600-h/image%25255B4%25255D.png"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tmrp8WfYv6M/U5dm1YeRzdI/AAAAAAAABzA/tDzef9ou90E/image_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="600" height="298"></a> <p>Hello amazing people! I know I haven't been great so far, but luckily there's plenty of Summer ahead to make up for my less than wonderful behavior. I have big plans for this blog, but before I go ahead and (almost literally) turn this blog on his head, I figured I would consult with you faithful and immensely helpful blog readers, by way of a survey! </p> <p><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1edSHrFgozq6yex12y_yfJWRmG2Y1a2MCOgH5MfI3VaA/viewform"><img title="image" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6biLt28LSMk/U5dqXy4LWBI/AAAAAAAAB0M/5Kr12-Z7Vvc/image%25255B26%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="300" height="68"></a></p> <p>Just click that beautiful button to be taken away to a randomly random survey that will hopefully help to build my blog into something even cooler than it already is!</p> Debzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00368650126413053361noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559471207884281989.post-28061138167682082892014-06-10T11:03:00.001-07:002014-06-10T11:03:52.855-07:00Library Books Read-a-THon!<p><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt=" photo LibraryReadathon2014_zps1ebc4cdf.jpg" src="http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj595/RachaelC94/LibraryReadathon2014_zps1ebc4cdf.jpg"></p> <p>Hello world! I feel bad for promising to get back into blogging, and then real life gets in the way. Oh well. I may have missed the first day of Rachael's Library Read-a-thon, but I will do my best not the miss the rest of it! </p> <p>My goal is to read five books, including but not limited to: </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ihPtT5uUgig/U5dIaGd_bUI/AAAAAAAABxg/HbxttFhOs1c/s1600-h/%25257B2D73927F-4969-4093-B56A-875C50242DB6%25257DImg150%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="{2D73927F-4969-4093-B56A-875C50242DB6}Img150" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="{2D73927F-4969-4093-B56A-875C50242DB6}Img150" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-M3__cQb0v14/U5dIay57WzI/AAAAAAAABxo/iyVKqJPB0IA/%25257B2D73927F-4969-4093-B56A-875C50242DB6%25257DImg150_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="135" height="179"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sxp_JSG8Z84/U5dIb2gHcyI/AAAAAAAABxw/LsOPfg9JDdo/s1600-h/%25257B7DB72212-4B05-4B90-8EB4-D76BE4A8CA84%25257DImg150%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="{7DB72212-4B05-4B90-8EB4-D76BE4A8CA84}Img150" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="{7DB72212-4B05-4B90-8EB4-D76BE4A8CA84}Img150" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_FjPv_uGxjg/U5dIcYa2jBI/AAAAAAAABx4/2S7Vuwf0Hyc/%25257B7DB72212-4B05-4B90-8EB4-D76BE4A8CA84%25257DImg150_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="135" height="179"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FsJ5LqUZmbc/U5dIeJseLxI/AAAAAAAAByA/vneFZ6tlRFs/s1600-h/%25257B24F955E6-C669-4DCD-837B-57230BD5FFDB%25257DImg150%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="{24F955E6-C669-4DCD-837B-57230BD5FFDB}Img150" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="{24F955E6-C669-4DCD-837B-57230BD5FFDB}Img150" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-e-JPUBdNLKA/U5dIfb1rgyI/AAAAAAAAByI/60G9G1YV-Dw/%25257B24F955E6-C669-4DCD-837B-57230BD5FFDB%25257DImg150_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="135" height="179"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-R96s-4L-lBQ/U5dIf9i_noI/AAAAAAAAByQ/bFxx8D-JIDU/s1600-h/%25257BC894E564-D549-495E-8184-9842E103AB21%25257DImg150%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="{C894E564-D549-495E-8184-9842E103AB21}Img150" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="{C894E564-D549-495E-8184-9842E103AB21}Img150" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nXXScIAbPTw/U5dIgfM-YpI/AAAAAAAAByY/CE9pyBeWIv4/%25257BC894E564-D549-495E-8184-9842E103AB21%25257DImg150_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="135" height="179"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dQ6lddc9lC0/U5dIhFG5w2I/AAAAAAAAByg/OOsQc7kj8J4/s1600-h/%25257BF4763AC1-540D-4714-B605-B528ADC7A225%25257DImg150%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="{F4763AC1-540D-4714-B605-B528ADC7A225}Img150" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="{F4763AC1-540D-4714-B605-B528ADC7A225}Img150" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YIm_VlYMcW4/U5dIhqgHxRI/AAAAAAAAByo/Hw1c1rJXmPo/%25257BF4763AC1-540D-4714-B605-B528ADC7A225%25257DImg150_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="135" height="179"></a></p> <p>Gilded Ashes by Rosamund Hodge<br>Enders by Lissa Price<br>The Shadow Throne by Jennifer Nielsen<br>Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige<br>Prodigy by Marie Lu</p> <p>I've been on a rollercoaster of a reading schedule lately, reading two books in one day, then none for another week. Hopefully this read-a-thon will even out my reading habits. </p> <p>Thanks to Rachael for hosting this awesome read-a-thon!</p> Debzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00368650126413053361noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559471207884281989.post-26155372182476515132014-06-03T10:40:00.001-07:002014-06-03T10:40:29.575-07:00Top Ten Books That Will Be In My Beach Bag<p align="center"><font size="2"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T6ycYM15EZk/TWx5ZpS0j-I/AAAAAAAAAeA/cEIZ0CpKO-k/s1600/TTT3W.jpg"><br>A weekly meme hosted by the </font><a href="http://brokeandbookish.blogspot.com/"><font size="2">Broke and the Bookish</font></a></p> <p align="center">Well, maybe not beach bag, since I'm not at all a beach-goer and I no longer live by the beach, but for sure my wandering the woods and road-tripping to [somewhere in the Midwest] bags!<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cZ1Jd_FIm2Y/U44IhgrKAbI/AAAAAAAABxI/l_WZH52PM84/s1600-h/Top%252520Ten%252520Tuesday%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Top Ten Tuesday" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Top Ten Tuesday" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-F7yUILJ4gF0/U44IiwnvcHI/AAAAAAAABxQ/98L8FSfO9Jo/Top%252520Ten%252520Tuesday_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="604" height="604"></a><strong> <br>The One by Kiera Cass</strong> <p align="center">This series is full of fluff and drama, but I love it anyway. I can't wait to get around to finishing! <p align="center"><strong>Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaria</strong> <p align="center">This has been sitting on my review pile for months and it looks amazing! Hope I can read it soon! <p align="center"><strong>Stitching Snow by R.C. Lewis</strong> <p align="center">Out of all the upcoming retellings coming out, this is the one I'm most excited about! I doesn't come out just yet, but Hyperion and NetGalley are awfully friendly (: <p align="center"><strong>Paper Towns by John Green</strong> <p align="center">I'm trying to mentally prepare myself for The Fault in Our Stars, and how better to do that than a John Green read-a-thon (actually, that sounds like a bad idea—too many tears!) <p align="center"><strong>Something Real by Heather Demetrios</strong> <p align="center">This book sounds like a great mix of fun stuff and more serious stuff so I'm excited to get into it. <p align="center"><strong>Wild by Alex Mallory</strong> <p align="center">A modern Tarzan? It sounds like it shouldn't work, but I've actually already started it, and I'm impressed! <p align="center"><strong>Dangerous by Shannon Hale</strong> <p align="center">Again, this has been on my review pile for months and I just haven't read it! I swear that will change—it's Shannon Freakin' Hale for Pete's sake! <p align="center"><strong>Transparent by Natalie Whipple</strong> <p align="center">I've heard so many great things about this book, including that it includes the kind of fluffy romance that's perfect for Summer! <p align="center"><strong>Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige</strong> <p align="center">I've heard so many mixed things about this book, so I have to see for myself! The premise is amazing, and I'm ready to dive in! <p align="center"><strong>Destined for Doon by Carey Corp and Lorie Langdon</strong> <p align="center">Doon is literally a dream-come-true of a book for me. It's so perfectly awesome, and I cannot wait for the sequel, which you can bet I'll be reading the moment I can get my hands on it! <p align="center"><font size="5">What books are you packing in your beach bag?</font> Debzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00368650126413053361noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559471207884281989.post-72205607862930766812014-05-29T08:13:00.001-07:002014-05-29T08:13:19.490-07:00I'm back!<p>Due to some miracle, I was able to get my laptop fixed last night! What this means is I'll be joining the remainder of Armchair BEA, and then I'm going to try my best at being a SUPER BLOGGER! </p> Debzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00368650126413053361noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559471207884281989.post-71252730169621259902014-05-24T12:16:00.002-07:002014-05-24T12:16:42.278-07:00HIATUS :(Unfortunately my laptop is having some serious issues right now, and the soonest it can be fixed is next Saturday. I'm super sad because that means I'm going to miss out on Armchair BEA (<a href="http://debzbookshelf.blogspot.com/2013/05/unexpected-hiatus.html">this sounds familiar...</a>) Hopefully once it's fixed I'll be some sort of super-blogger! I have a ton of fun plans for the summer!Debzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00368650126413053361noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559471207884281989.post-50044277032478237472014-05-12T18:28:00.001-07:002014-05-12T18:28:42.605-07:00I'm still here!<p>I haven't forgotten you! I feel so bad for being so neglectful of this blog the past two weeks! I'd forgotten how crazy busy life gets when you have rehearsals all day everyday, but now the show is done and I suddenly have some time to spare, which I'm hoping to devote to catching up on both reading and blogging. </p> <p align="center"><font size="5">How do you keep up with blogging? <br>Are you looking forward to Summer?</font></p> Debzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00368650126413053361noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559471207884281989.post-65046809979242131642014-05-01T20:21:00.000-07:002014-05-02T09:05:05.603-07:00Stacking the Shelves: April<ul> <ul> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.tyngasreviews.com/"><img title="StS" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="StS" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-y35hma7F-7E/USTz1duNVtI/AAAAAAAAEmk/IN7NM6kagGs/StS_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="354"></a></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2">Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by </font><a href="http://www.tyngasreviews.com/"><font size="2">Tynga’s Reviews</font></a></span></p></ul></ul> <p align="center"><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="3"></font></span> This month has been crazy, but in a good way. My blog has been overwhelmed with fairy tale fun, and in the real world it's finally getting warm! I've missed the sun these past few months, and now it's here. The school year is almost over, and then there's an entire summer to (hopefully) sit back and relax. </p> <ul> <ul> <h2 align="center"><font style="font-weight: bold" size="7">Received This Month</font></h2> <p><font style="font-weight: bold" color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font style="font-weight: bold" color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font style="font-weight: bold" color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font style="font-weight: bold" color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font style="font-weight: bold" color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font style="font-weight: bold" color="#000000"></font></p> <h2 align="center"><font style="font-weight: bold" color="#000000">Library</font></h2> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EBl1K52sQCM/U2PBosDtuII/AAAAAAAABnU/uV0I7FPwfWk/s1600-h/17668473%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="17668473" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="17668473" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3V7TbbsWwFs/U2PBpBk1oeI/AAAAAAAABnc/w70HFBpdWjw/17668473_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="137" height="204"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TwcOrrI3vKg/U2PBpm2q5rI/AAAAAAAABnk/bF1DvB9AFEU/s1600-h/186677531%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="Popular_comp9.indd" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Popular_comp9.indd" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HBWvapCD9ig/U2PBqUWWsJI/AAAAAAAABns/P_MZdm9NUlc/186677531_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="137" height="204"></a><br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8kEv2vC_KYU/U2PBq72VcKI/AAAAAAAABn0/FqSWQnWxXQ8/s1600-h/8113512%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="8113512" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="8113512" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eCWRRMeRsjg/U2PBrbVQ4xI/AAAAAAAABn8/EN_jfJvj5jc/8113512_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="136" height="204"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-q9hIYqBf9Mg/U2PBr6zBJKI/AAAAAAAABoE/0BLmuGaP4oc/s1600-h/16039122%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="16039122" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="16039122" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fVsHU2soetQ/U2PBshxM7pI/AAAAAAAABoM/HKu1YHXEF9c/16039122_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="136" height="204"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OrJuHKOrcCc/U2PBtHdE_0I/AAAAAAAABoU/WjGMXhcgwko/s1600-h/17368138%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="17368138" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="17368138" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-o-0pWx81Ut4/U2PBtoKvyKI/AAAAAAAABoc/jFzHV0xB81I/17368138_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="136" height="204"></a><br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Otv201Wlu74/U2PBuOan_dI/AAAAAAAABok/FzrvdZPYe_Q/s1600-h/419579%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="419579" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="419579" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EmzqrjHKpCI/U2PBupViQXI/AAAAAAAABos/Xa9lPYocqWw/419579_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="137" height="204"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lGasidsfeew/U2PBvIuBzzI/AAAAAAAABo0/1ssGifvTBkg/s1600-h/7769406%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="7769406" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="7769406" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-34E-2poc_Gg/U2PBv0yUh-I/AAAAAAAABo4/ivTc3662DSE/7769406_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="153" height="204"></a></p> <p align="center">Prisoner of Night and Fog by Anne Blankman<br>Popular by Maya Van Wagenen<br>Poison by Bridget Zinn<br>Cold Spell by Jackson Pearce<br>Gilded Ashes by Rosamund Hodge<br>Stephen Sondheim: A Life by Meryle Secrest<br>Finishing the Hat by Stephen Sondheim <br><font size="2">(I'm on a Sondheim kick…)</font></p></ul></ul> <p align="center">I <em>really</em> love my library. I'll put a hold on something the day it comes out, the nearest copy at a branch 20 miles away, and it just shows up on the shelf the next day! </p> <ul> <ul> <h2 align="center"><font style="font-weight: bold" color="#000000">For Review</font></h2> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9RpP8O2DwwE/U2PBwXdjy8I/AAAAAAAABpE/yKfoj8mQeIg/s1600-h/9791892%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="9791892" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="9791892" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-I6Zw8Wi_h5Y/U2PBw4KnczI/AAAAAAAABpM/JTcIsyKBL-E/9791892_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="137" height="204"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8jAJcx7atRM/U2PBxeaIAiI/AAAAAAAABpU/ShhOaWZeueo/s1600-h/17428643%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="17428643" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="17428643" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QmbOg_hucyw/U2PByAuJ0qI/AAAAAAAABpc/wJL8W0gQUw8/17428643_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="158" height="204"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hTn0Xo4qlf0/U2PBynRUWMI/AAAAAAAABpk/TmhtviapDbU/s1600-h/cover38757-medium%25255B1%25255D.png"><img title="cover38757-medium" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="cover38757-medium" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Z6rUJSulkdM/U2PBzPXo_mI/AAAAAAAABps/DD8sZIKJKeE/cover38757-medium_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="136" height="204"></a></p> <p align="center">Unremembered by Jessica Brody<br>The Beast Within by Serena Valentino <br>The Girls at the Kingfisher Club by Genevieve Valentine</p></ul></ul> <p align="center">The AMAZING people at Macmillan sent me <em>Unremembered</em> after I heard the awesome movie news, and I heard about both The Beast Within and The Girls at Kingfisher Club during Fairy Tale Fortnight, and the publishers delivered generously through NetGalley.</p> <ul> <ul> <h2 align="center"><font style="font-weight: bold" color="#000000">Won</font></h2> <p align="center"><font size="4"></font><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8d4X6OPpOXE/U2PBzgxHQkI/AAAAAAAABp0/e9JfmYmp56I/s1600-h/15789443%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="15789443" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="15789443" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7SbaHZp5T4k/U2PB0VIsQeI/AAAAAAAABp8/TR0mfttc_Nk/15789443_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="136" height="204"></a></p> <p align="center">Something Real by Heather Demetrios</p></ul></ul> <p align="center">Inky of Book Haven Extraordinare featured a really great guest post from Heather, including a giveaway, and voila: this book is in my possession! Thanks Inky and Macmillan!</p> <ul> <ul> <h2 align="center"><font style="font-weight: bold" color="#000000">Purchased</font></h2></ul></ul> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kDNveWRfxJY/U2PB1a15guI/AAAAAAAABqE/e-zkXYhm0IM/s1600-h/image%25255B5%25255D.png"><img title="image" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-v5WLu8Lngd0/U2PB2aarGzI/AAAAAAAABqM/LGk7HnnK0f8/image_thumb%25255B3%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="535" height="450"></a></p> <p align="center">I didn't buy any <em>book</em> books, but I found the most amazing music store in the entire world. It looks like a little abandoned shack, but inside are shelves and shelves of ridiculously cheap music. Just a handful of the things I got: Frozen, Harry Potter, Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella, Pocahontas, Sweeney Todd, Beauty and the Beast, Hairspray, West Side Story, and a ton of those "best of" collections. My fingers and vocal cords are probably going to die as I attempt to master it all, but I'll have fun with it anyway! </p> <ul> <ul> <h2 align="center"><font size="7"><font style="font-weight: bold">Blogged This Month</font></font></h2></ul></ul> <p>It was FAIRY TALE FORTNIGHT! My favorite time of year! There are still a few days left to it, and in an effort to save space (it's not laziness…) I'll just link you to my <a href="http://debzbookshelf.blogspot.com/2014/04/fairy-tale-fortnight-schedule.html">MASTER SCHEDULE</a>. <em>And there are a few days left to win either <a href="http://debzbookshelf.blogspot.com/2014/04/fairytalefortnight-giveaway-scarlet-cruelbeauty-secondstar-us-only.html">Cruel Beauty, Second Star, or Scarlet</a> (It's SIGNED and may come with swag!) in ARC form.</em> I also joined <a href="http://debzbookshelf.blogspot.com/2014/04/summer-library-challenge.html">The Book Monsters Summer Library Challenge</a> and <a href="http://debzbookshelf.blogspot.com/2014/04/book-blogger-summer-reading-program.html">Katie's Book Blog's Summer Reading Program</a>, so I'm ready to jump into Summer! Oh, and I forgot <a href="http://debzbookshelf.blogspot.com/2014/04/facepalm.html">my blogoversary</a>. </p> <h2 align="center"><font size="7"><font style="font-weight: bold">Read This Month</font></font></h2> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XeTjeo_EgVE/U2PB3I76DTI/AAAAAAAABqU/5jCdVMQv6YU/s1600-h/16248113%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="16248113" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="16248113" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JF-k76uZ55s/U2PB3uwztTI/AAAAAAAABqc/e0Tcen-thr8/16248113_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="103" height="154"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4OdYiRwTv84/U2PB4UQANpI/AAAAAAAABqk/cxJnjiYe4NI/s1600-h/183715884.jpg"><img title="18371588" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="18371588" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-U3nLsL1YszQ/U2PB45VmApI/AAAAAAAABqs/J95p_DSzB70/18371588_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="107" height="154"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RjY-CgRqz3w/U2PB5pWpCqI/AAAAAAAABq0/-DVJk28sfMk/s1600-h/183715894.jpg"><img title="18371589" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="18371589" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FiMPcQREBC0/U2PB6AF3pFI/AAAAAAAABq8/-VunSeGyTg4/18371589_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="107" height="154"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8QQWZ8u1uIM/U2PB62p23JI/AAAAAAAABrE/2zFWXASEoJQ/s1600-h/135547134.jpg"><img title="13554713" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="13554713" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GcfBCi6PNyI/U2PB7bYku2I/AAAAAAAABrM/iE12SZrEqRE/13554713_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="103" height="154"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TyzQz0vA7tE/U2PB71SlLmI/AAAAAAAABrU/F0RdMuxyBCQ/s1600-h/19320424.jpg"><img title="1932042" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="1932042" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dKV9-ZYcZo0/U2PB8XrMb1I/AAAAAAAABrc/--5_eKceV9s/1932042_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="93" height="154"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xYL-YExOlEE/U2PB88prtUI/AAAAAAAABrk/lwf0FbCphus/s1600-h/160690305.jpg"><img title="16069030" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="16069030" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ws936x9wJ3E/U2PB9fPiVyI/AAAAAAAABrs/BtQ6zljLBVg/16069030_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="104" height="154"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nVZBZPCvUe4/U2PB-BhonoI/AAAAAAAABr0/Lfdkct5LcgI/s1600-h/178227884.jpg"><img title="17822788" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="17822788" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9m9Ml4CMeBs/U2PB-nsDL-I/AAAAAAAABr8/kQUYPXmGAag/17822788_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="104" height="154"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uM9Xmxqa5eM/U2PB_JJm6wI/AAAAAAAABsE/cavicl77YwI/s1600-h/186391674.jpg"><img title="18639167" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="18639167" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MYabLcL0LYw/U2PB_iGKJsI/AAAAAAAABsM/R0gfSSs47Ms/18639167_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="104" height="154"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0jqQGoqZQRI/U2PCAFRiyWI/AAAAAAAABsQ/NIo9Z2okNxk/s1600-h/18854.jpg"><img title="1885" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="1885" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-529r9hoGhPw/U2PCBbNzeCI/AAAAAAAABsc/wS5FGz9_hXs/1885_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="101" height="154"></a></p> <p align="center">The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani<br>Grimmtastic Girls: Cinderella Stays Late<br>Grimmtastic Girls: Red Riding Hood Gets Lost<br>Fairy Tales From the Brothers Grimm: A New English Version by Philip Pullman<br>The Crimson Thread by Suzanne Weyn<br>The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski<br>Rose by Holly Webb<br>Rose and the Lost Princess by Holly Webb<br>Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen</p> <p align="center"><span style="font-size: medium"><span style="font-size: medium"><span style="font-size: large"></span></span></span></p> <h2 align="center"><font size="7"><font style="font-weight: bold">To Read Next Month</font></font></h2> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AVhZPF0OX4Q/U2PCBxoGDAI/AAAAAAAABsk/7ED-m20uPjA/s1600-h/8113512%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="8113512" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="8113512" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-V_WlhW-Q7tc/U2PCCEDQsLI/AAAAAAAABss/kZq45JKRfhQ/8113512_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="103" height="154"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-I08L940Zwbs/U2PCCzANefI/AAAAAAAABs0/qJEDboFP25g/s1600-h/18667753%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Popular_comp9.indd" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Popular_comp9.indd" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-M4q7Hqm8gdg/U2PCDX5z7iI/AAAAAAAABs8/trCheIYWsyc/18667753_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="104" height="154"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-N_AAROltYcs/U2PCD7VM3mI/AAAAAAAABtE/Hu5A4I0Jfeg/s1600-h/16115038%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="16115038" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="16115038" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iobwBxpY7MY/U2PCEX7T_4I/AAAAAAAABtM/BUbRG5lUoT8/16115038_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="100" height="154"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wsqxjDpzVeo/U2PCE9UhLCI/AAAAAAAABtU/fFvBGx4al1c/s1600-h/18465577%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="18465577" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="18465577" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rjDY0akelzM/U2PCFhFdgMI/AAAAAAAABtc/QkHP1iJlgqU/18465577_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="104" height="154"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2kUkJI8L5ZE/U2PCGLV9yoI/AAAAAAAABtk/VGcEog37S3A/s1600-h/17368138%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="17368138" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="17368138" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eOOt_7aKK5U/U2PCGr7-b6I/AAAAAAAABts/aL0It_FLdsA/17368138_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="103" height="154"></a><br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8MT6wRxOYxY/U2PCHIWHB0I/AAAAAAAABt0/RT9_HATNSPA/s1600-h/17667561%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="17667561" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="17667561" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EfisZuKssSo/U2PCH00SUCI/AAAAAAAABt8/6MVT70TLrwQ/17667561_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="103" height="154"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iYKmoyE2z-E/U2PCIZAWBxI/AAAAAAAABuE/tPPCsP-ZCYU/s1600-h/17668473%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="17668473" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="17668473" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yJRVomb9Js4/U2PCIsahNNI/AAAAAAAABuM/j8q7vq2zyKw/17668473_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="104" height="154"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-d8lSHjVfnT4/U2PCJRReALI/AAAAAAAABuU/fxPh4iynPrI/s1600-h/17261183%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="17261183" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="17261183" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xkRg04SgmoE/U2PCJwVmY1I/AAAAAAAABuc/VMn4rCTXQkI/17261183_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="104" height="154"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-V1htYJPnsT4/U2PCKdJaBMI/AAAAAAAABuk/ZYxmrlYlLeg/s1600-h/18140047%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="18140047" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="18140047" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-X8I911wg-4Y/U2PCK9TxnVI/AAAAAAAABus/uxPi9TmjqWI/18140047_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="103" height="154"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JcCmQfIQZ4I/U2PCLtRZaKI/AAAAAAAABu0/gxd2psYxGr8/s1600-h/15789443%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="15789443" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="15789443" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DTFeKQddEgM/U2PCL82LDUI/AAAAAAAABu4/WNQbR72WzUU/15789443_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="103" height="154"></a></p> <p align="center">Poison by Bridget Zinn<br>Popular by Maya Van Wagenen<br>Grim, edited by Christine Johnson<br>Second by Alyssa B. Sheinmel<br>Gilded Ashes by Rosamund Hodge<br>The Shadow Throne by Jennifer A. Nielsen<br>Prisoner of Night and Fog by Anne Blankman<br>The Girl Who Soared Over Fairyland and Cut the Moon in Two by Catherynne M. Valente<br>Love Letters to the Dead by by Ava Dellaira<br>Something Real by Heather Demetrios</p> <p align="center"><span style="font-size: medium"><strong><span style="font-size: medium"><font size="5">How was your month? Leave links in the comments below!</font></span></strong></span></p> Debzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00368650126413053361noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559471207884281989.post-28197247749478983722014-04-29T10:00:00.000-07:002014-04-29T10:00:00.197-07:00Top Ten Books If You Like Once Upon a Time<p align="center"><font size="2"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T6ycYM15EZk/TWx5ZpS0j-I/AAAAAAAAAeA/cEIZ0CpKO-k/s1600/TTT3W.jpg"><br>A weekly meme hosted by the </font><a href="http://brokeandbookish.blogspot.com/"><font size="2">Broke and the Bookish</font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> As it is Fairy Tale Fortnight, I'm taking this weeks topic <em>Top Ten Books If You Like X</em> and running with it, filling in our<em> X</em> with the TV Show, Once Upon a Time. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pvR3gCaDWgk/U1_ZaNwyVYI/AAAAAAAABms/ZGZWnKAZqCs/s1600-h/Once_Upon_aTime_promo_image%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Once_Upon_aTime_promo_image" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Once_Upon_aTime_promo_image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-n64523C4PWQ/U1_ZarOw_rI/AAAAAAAABm0/5mX71AyMCc4/Once_Upon_aTime_promo_image_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="229"></a></p> <p align="center">I don't watch TV, with the exception of Once Upon a Time. I actually think the acting and writing is terrible, but the story keeps me coming back! </p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XHiH4kxtow4/U1_ZbyD1HRI/AAAAAAAABm8/FBzNqRPlXYU/s1600-h/image%25255B3%25255D.png"><img title="image" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XqbWRSkh-4I/U1_Zcy_iZRI/AAAAAAAABnE/nKXkK-bFzEg/image_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="604" height="389"></a> <p align="center"><strong>Kill Me Softly by Sarah Cross</strong></p> <p align="center">I had a lot of problems with this book, but the town of Beau Rivage is so reminiscent of Storybrooke, and the way the characters are all fairy tale characters but not quite is similar, but also distinctly different. </p> <p align="center"><strong>Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer</strong></p> <p align="center">Living in a fairytale isn't all it's cracked up to be. This book is light and fluffy, but also surprisingly deep. Those more emotional moments in Once Upon a Time that make your heart fly are a perfect match. </p> <p align="center"><strong>Enchanted by Alethea Kontis</strong></p> <p align="center">Enchanted is a brilliant mash-up of so many fairy tales. My favorite part of Once Upon a Time is seeing how the tie all the fairy tales together, and Alethea Kontis does the same thing. <br>(BONUS: She stopped by last year to <a href="http://debzbookshelf.blogspot.com/2013/09/blog-tour-hero-by-alethea-kontis-fairy.html">rant about Rumpelstiltskin</a>!)</p> <p align="center"><strong>Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson</strong></p> <p align="center">This book is something special. So, so special. It's a darker Neverland than most of us are familiar with, similar to Once's Neverland. The entire book is deep and dark and painful and beautiful. </p> <p align="center"><strong>Splintered by A.G. Howard</strong></p> <p align="center">I never got into Once Upon a Time in Wonderland. But we do venture into Wonderland a bit in Once. Splintered's Wonderland is very different, but it still captures that odd sense of mystery that can be found in Once Upon a Time. </p> <p align="center"><strong>Beastly by Alex Flinn</strong></p> <p align="center">All of Alex Flinn's books are pretty great, but I think Beastly especially captures that sort of magic we find in Once. It has the unconventional romance between a monster of a man, and a beautiful bookworm that we all love. </p> <p align="center"><strong>Doon by Carie Corp and Lorie Langdon</strong></p> <p align="center"> The premise is that special characters are able to venture into magical town trapped in time. Sound familiar? Doon is not based on a fairy tale, but instead the awesome classic musical, Brigadoon. </p> <p align="center"><strong>Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge</strong></p> <p align="center">Cruel Beauty is just what it sounds like. Cruel and Beautiful. The puzzles, the romance, the magic—they are all amazing! Nyx is similar to Emma, strong and complicated. </p> <p align="center"><strong>Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce</strong></p> <p align="center">I love love love Sisters Red. Fierce heroines, magical creatures, and a plot so good you can't believe are just a few of the things these stories have in common. </p> <p align="center"><strong>The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer</strong></p> <p align="center">Meyer is a master when it comes to tying fairytales into each other, and making us see these stories in a completely new way. She and the creators of Once Upon a Time are some of the best in this business! <p align="center"><font size="5">What are some of your favorite fairytale books?</font> Debzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00368650126413053361noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559471207884281989.post-32599653212648301582014-04-28T13:38:00.001-07:002014-04-29T10:35:08.433-07:00Book Blogger Summer Reading Program<a href="http://katiesbookblog.com/2014/04/2014-book-blogger-summer-reading-program.html"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="summer-reading-logo-clear-background" src="http://katiesbookblog.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2014/04/summer-reading-logo-clear-background-300x260.png" width="300" height="260"></a> <p>The always awesome Katie of <a href="http://katiesbookblog.com/2014/04/2014-book-blogger-summer-reading-program.html">Katie's Book Blog</a> has just announced the coolest thing ever! A Summer Reading Program (like you used to do as kids at the library) for us Book Bloggers! </p> <p>The rules are simple. Set a reading goal, read like crazy, and win prizes! </p> <p>It goes from the beginning of May to beginning of September, which is basically four months. With that time frame, I'm going to set my goal for <font size="5">25 books</font>, since I have a pretty crazy summer ahead of me! (Camp, Road Trip, Job, College-ish stuff, Family Reunion, and a bunch of other crazy stuff!) Ideally I could read closer to 40 books, but I'm going to be practical. </p> <p align="center"><font size="5">What are your summer reading goals?</font></p> Debzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00368650126413053361noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559471207884281989.post-48762411677890637292014-04-28T02:20:00.000-07:002014-04-28T02:20:00.141-07:00Bite Sized Reviews: Sweetly by Jackson Pearce & The Sweetest Spell by Suzanne Selfors<p align="center"> <img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="Bite Sized Reviews at Debz Bookshelf" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oEGSi4wN2Mc/UjsBhswBEUI/AAAAAAAAAk8/-qan82V94z4/bitesized_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800">I think it only fitting that we have two such SWEET bite-sized reviews today! </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uLn7opHsL40/U13j0Hkc6bI/AAAAAAAABmE/Ra1iQyB5JgI/s1600-h/137017204.jpg"><img title="13701720" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px 10px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="13701720" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lUpRc9Fzv-M/U13j0wfJBjI/AAAAAAAABmM/oluhDp7_Y-c/13701720_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="217" align="right" height="329"></a></p> <div align="right"> </div> <div align="right"> </div> <div align="right">Publisher: Little, Brown<br>Release Date: August 23rd, 2011<br>Genre: Paranormal Fairy Tale Retelling<br>Source: Purchased eBook<br>Find it: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Going-Rogue-Also-Known-novel-ebook/dp/B00GC53DME/ref=dp_kinw_strp_1">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9415956-sweetly?ac=1">Goodreads</a></div> <blockquote> <div style="border-top: #ff75ae 3px dotted; border-right: #ff75ae 3px dotted; border-bottom: #ff75ae 3px dotted; padding-bottom: 5px; text-align: center; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 8px; border-left: #ff75ae 3px dotted; padding-right: 8px; background-color: #ffd2e5"> <p>As a child, Gretchen's twin sister was taken by a witch in the woods. Ever since, Gretchen and her brother, Ansel, have felt the long branches of the witch's forest threatening to make them disappear, too.<br></p> <p>Years later, when their stepmother casts Gretchen and Ansel out, they find themselves in sleepy Live Oak, South Carolina. They're invited to stay with Sophia Kelly, a beautiful candy maker who molds sugary magic: coveted treats that create confidence, bravery, and passion.<br></p> <p>Life seems idyllic and Gretchen and Ansel gradually forget their haunted past -- until Gretchen meets handsome local outcast Samuel. He tells her the witch isn't gone -- it's lurking in the forest, preying on girls every year after Live Oak's infamous chocolate festival, and looking to make Gretchen its next victim. Gretchen is determined to stop running and start fighting back. Yet the further she investigates the mystery of what the witch is and how it chooses its victims, the more she wonders who the real monster is.<br></p> <p>Gretchen is certain of only one thing: a monster is coming, and it will never go away hungry.</p></div></blockquote> <p>Hansel and Gretel has become a fairly popular fairy tale to retell in the middle-grade section, but a YA Hansel and Gretel? Really? Sounds sort of weird to me. Turns out maybe I’m not the best judge, because Sweetly blew me away. </p> <p>Sweetly is set in the same universe as the first in the series, Sisters Red. Ansel and Gretchen find themselves convinced to take a short stay with the sweet candy-maker Sophia, and before they know it, they’re beginning to make themselves at home in a tiny town in South Carolina. </p> <p>I loved all the characters. They had so much depth. Gretchen in particular, as our lead character, stood out as a strong character. The supporting characters were equally complex, though, and that consistency in character development really impressed me.</p> <p>Everything about this book shouldn’t work, but it does. It’s all so brilliant in its execution. The plot was thrilling and surprising and outstanding in every way. I wish I could accurately put my feelings into words. </p> <p align="center"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pxsyavnZQsk/UOSXiLCdWNI/AAAAAAAAELk/tg8qQyp66a4/s97/stars_thumb216.gif"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pxsyavnZQsk/UOSXiLCdWNI/AAAAAAAAELk/tg8qQyp66a4/s97/stars_thumb216.gif"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pxsyavnZQsk/UOSXiLCdWNI/AAAAAAAAELk/tg8qQyp66a4/s97/stars_thumb216.gif"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pxsyavnZQsk/UOSXiLCdWNI/AAAAAAAAELk/tg8qQyp66a4/s97/stars_thumb216.gif"></p> <br> <div align="right"> </div> <div align="right"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OYHsn7Vuhcw/U13j1c4ZVrI/AAAAAAAABmU/3fDfJYCMKJw/s1600-h/129880043.jpg"><img title="12988004" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 10px 5px 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="12988004" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nIC-qPHQMgc/U13j19auhmI/AAAAAAAABmc/8MdUdTuJACg/12988004_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="221" align="left" height="329"></a></div> <div align="right"> </div> <div align="left">Publisher: Walker Children's<br>Release Date: August 21st, 2012<br>Genre: Fantasy Fairy Tale Retelling<br>Source: Purchased<br>Find it: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Going-Rogue-Also-Known-novel-ebook/dp/B00GC53DME/ref=dp_kinw_strp_1">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12988004-the-sweetest-spell?ac=1">Goodreads</a></div> <blockquote> <div style="border-top: #ff75ae 3px dotted; border-right: #ff75ae 3px dotted; border-bottom: #ff75ae 3px dotted; padding-bottom: 5px; text-align: center; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 8px; border-left: #ff75ae 3px dotted; padding-right: 8px; background-color: #ffd2e5"> <p>Emmeline Thistle, a dirt-scratcher's daughter, has escaped death twice-first, on the night she was born, and second, on the day her entire village was swept away by flood. Left with nothing and no one, Emmeline discovers her rare and mysterious ability-she can churn milk into chocolate, a delicacy more precious than gold.<br></p> <p>Suddenly, the most unwanted girl in Anglund finds herself desired by all. But Emmeline only wants one-Owen Oak, a dairyman's son, whose slow smiles and lingering glances once tempted her to believe she might someday be loved for herself. But others will stop at nothing to use her gift for their own gains-no matter what the cost to Emmeline.<br></p> <p>Magic and romance entwine in this fantastical world where true love and chocolate conquer all.</p></div></blockquote> <p>Remember last Fairy Tale Fortnight when I read this book? And then never reviewed it for an entire year? Yeah, I didn't either, until I was digging through my old Goodreads reviews and realized I NEVER reviewed it. Better late than never, right? </p> <p>The Sweetest Spell has an awesome premise (remember the original one that was hilariously bad? It has been preserved in early reviews like <a href="http://www.thebookrat.com/2012/04/review-teaser-sweetest-spell-by-suzanne.html">Misty'</a>s) with magical powers involving cows and chocolate, but also the promise of something deeper. That is just what it delivered. On the outside it seems like a fluffy fairytale, and it's exactly that. But it's also a story of acceptance, independence, love, and discovery. </p> <p>The mythology and fantastical world were a little bit far fetched (doesn't chocolate come from cocoa beans? In South America?) and admittedly funny, but in the context of the plot, I could understand and accept them. </p> <p>I initally didn't love Emmeline, but by the end she had grown on me, along with all the other characters (whose names are fuzzy…)</p> <p>Definitely a lighthearted book, but not one without purpose. It paints The Ugly Duckling into an enchanting new story that may be even more charming than the original.</p> <p align="center"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pxsyavnZQsk/UOSXiLCdWNI/AAAAAAAAELk/tg8qQyp66a4/s97/stars_thumb216.gif"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pxsyavnZQsk/UOSXiLCdWNI/AAAAAAAAELk/tg8qQyp66a4/s97/stars_thumb216.gif"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pxsyavnZQsk/UOSXiLCdWNI/AAAAAAAAELk/tg8qQyp66a4/s97/stars_thumb216.gif"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pxsyavnZQsk/UOSXiLCdWNI/AAAAAAAAELk/tg8qQyp66a4/s97/stars_thumb216.gif"></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://debzbookshelf.blogspot.com/2014/04/fairy-tale-fortnight-schedule.html"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WcMGAxwnT3Q/UwGJQFx9GsI/AAAAAAAADWE/fMoghx5MHJ8/s1600/FTF+final.jpg" width="400" height="250"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://debzbookshelf.blogspot.com/2014/04/fairy-tale-fortnight-schedule.html">See my other Fairy Tale Fortnight posts!</a></p> Debzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00368650126413053361noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559471207884281989.post-75964140482416927022014-04-26T14:30:00.000-07:002014-04-26T14:30:00.015-07:00Discussing Into the Woods… (Part One)<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-A8lQCsnpNds/U1v6AH6JNnI/AAAAAAAABls/TGBOqwKfkXg/s1600-h/Into_the_Woods_poster%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Into_the_Woods_poster" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Into_the_Woods_poster" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-smOuBqs-iGk/U1v6A_pYNcI/AAAAAAAABl0/ftZeVhPoE_I/Into_the_Woods_poster_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="194" align="left" height="304"></a>I was going to have a cheesy, dramatic opening paragraph, but then I decided to just cut to the chase. Into the Woods is the most brilliant story to grace the Broadway stage in the history of forever (sorry Les Mis!) It tells the stories of our favorite fairy tale characters, interweaving their individual stories into a beautiful mess of magic. But it's not really about the fairy tales. It examines the power of making decisions, and their subsequent consequences. It's about growing up, and relationships, and love, and power, and death, and pain, and life. </p> <p>I love Stephen Sondheim (not in a weird way—he's 84!) because he understands the power of words and music. When he talks about his work it is absolutely fascinating. And the work itself is a masterpiece. Out of all of his shows, I think Into the Woods is the most universal, both in appeal and the message itself (not that we don't love Sweeney Todd, but…) The amazing thing is that each word of lyric holds so much meaning. </p> <p><a href="http://debzbookshelf.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-book-to-broadway-challenge.html"><img title="broadway button" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline" border="0" alt="broadway button" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-p4yJDfMct78/UqYmCQ79MmI/AAAAAAAAArM/Mxk4clbCCKk/broadway%252520button_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="299" align="right" height="200"></a>Honestly I'm doing a horrible job describing them, and I CAN'T FIND A GOOD VIDEO ON YOUTUBE, so instead I'm FORCING you to go to Netflix and watch it right now! Go! Then come back two and a half hours later to thank me. </p> <p>Lucky for you I'll be returning into the woods (ha ha!) at least two more times for more in depth discussions before Fairy Tale Fortnight is through. And I'll probably do so again at least twice this year as part of the Book to Broadway Challenge. Or, y'know, life. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://debzbookshelf.blogspot.com/2014/04/fairy-tale-fortnight-schedule.html"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WcMGAxwnT3Q/UwGJQFx9GsI/AAAAAAAADWE/fMoghx5MHJ8/s1600/FTF+final.jpg" width="400" height="250"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://debzbookshelf.blogspot.com/2014/04/fairy-tale-fortnight-schedule.html">See my other Fairy Tale Fortnight posts!</a> Debzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00368650126413053361noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559471207884281989.post-142662257592399742014-04-26T10:16:00.001-07:002014-04-26T11:39:16.593-07:00Book Review: Towering by Alex Flinn<p align="center"> Stop by The Book Rat today to see my <a href="http://www.thebookrat.com/2014/04/top-ten-unfamiliar-retellings-from-debz.html">Top Ten Retellings of Unfamiliar Tales</a>! <br></p> <div align="right"> </div> <div align="right"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oaNAVJUtXOw/U1vp_ISfQTI/AAAAAAAABlQ/zCpgLnhd--w/s1600-h/158068683.jpg"><img title="15806868" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="15806868" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1HVzBCfUz7c/U1vp_mhKaKI/AAAAAAAABlY/pQ7czzl-930/15806868_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="214" align="right" height="329"></a></div> <div align="right"> </div> <div align="right"> </div> <div align="right">Publisher: HarperTeen<br>Release Date: May 14th 2013<br>Genre: Contemporary Fairy Tale Retelling<br>Source: Library<br>Find it: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Towering-Alex-Flinn-ebook/dp/B009NG2EU6/ref=dp_kinw_strp_1">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15806868-towering">Goodreads</a></div> <blockquote> <div style="border-top: #ff75ae 3px dotted; border-right: #ff75ae 3px dotted; border-bottom: #ff75ae 3px dotted; padding-bottom: 5px; text-align: center; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 8px; border-left: #ff75ae 3px dotted; padding-right: 8px; background-color: #ffd2e5"> <p>Rachel is trapped in a tower, held hostage by a woman she’s always called Mama. Her golden hair is growing rapidly, and to pass the time, she watches the snow fall and sings songs from her childhood, hoping someone, anyone, will hear her.<br></p> <p>Wyatt needs time to reflect or, better yet, forget about what happened to his best friend, Tyler. That’s why he’s been shipped off to the Adirondacks in the dead of winter to live with the oldest lady in town. Either that, or no one he knows ever wants to see him again.<br></p> <p>Dani disappeared seventeen years ago without a trace, but she left behind a journal that’s never been read, not even by her overbearing mother…until now.<br></p> <p>A #1 <em>New York Times</em> bestselling author, Alex Flinn knows her fairy tales, and <em>Towering</em> is her most mind-bending interpretation yet. Dark and mysterious, this reimagining of Rapunzel will have readers on the edge of their seats wondering where Alex will take them next!</p></div></blockquote> <p>I have a lot of mixed feelings about Towering. Alex Flinn has written several brilliant modern fairy tale retellings, and so when Towering is compared to those (which is something that can’t be helped) it falls flat. A modern Rapunzel tale has <em>so much</em> potential, and unfortunately this just couldn’t deliver. </p> <p>My biggest problem with the entire book was the remarkably dull characters. They were all pretty two-dimensional. I felt like they were cardboard cut-outs that have had fragments of personality quirks pinned onto them. I <em>wanted</em> to feel for the characters and their plights, but there was no character there! They were also just so slow. There are a handful of mysteries that need solving in the book, and I had them all solved within the first few chapters. It took all the characters the entirety of the book before they even started putting the pieces together. If the answer is staring you in the face and you can’t figure it out, then don’t be surprised if I don’t understand you. </p> <p>Of course there has to be romance in any Rapunzel story, but the nature of this particular romance was fairly close to the original tale, and that isn’t a good thing in this case. It was just completely <em>dripping</em> in insta-love. Talk of how they were meant for each other and couldn’t live without each other began after only their first meeting. Really? You can feel a special connection and attraction, but don’t go around labeling it love and making rash, dangerous decisions based on something you don’t even know is real yet. </p> <p>Despite all that, I did genuinely enjoy the book. It was well-paced and the integration of Rapunzel’s original elements was wonderfully done. Flinn obviously has experience in writing an enjoyable story, and despite its flaws it is a memorable and entertaining story.</p> <p align="center"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pxsyavnZQsk/UOSXiLCdWNI/AAAAAAAAELk/tg8qQyp66a4/s97/stars_thumb216.gif"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pxsyavnZQsk/UOSXiLCdWNI/AAAAAAAAELk/tg8qQyp66a4/s97/stars_thumb216.gif"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pxsyavnZQsk/UOSXiLCdWNI/AAAAAAAAELk/tg8qQyp66a4/s97/stars_thumb216.gif"></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://debzbookshelf.blogspot.com/2014/04/fairy-tale-fortnight-schedule.html"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WcMGAxwnT3Q/UwGJQFx9GsI/AAAAAAAADWE/fMoghx5MHJ8/s1600/FTF+final.jpg" width="400" height="250"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://debzbookshelf.blogspot.com/2014/04/fairy-tale-fortnight-schedule.html">See my other Fairy Tale Fortnight posts!</a> Debzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00368650126413053361noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559471207884281989.post-60512337471020433142014-04-25T09:58:00.001-07:002014-04-25T09:58:58.378-07:00Write On Review-a-Thon {3}<a href="http://www.thebookvixen.com/2014/04/write-on-review-thon-3-sign-up.html"><img title="Write On Review-a-Thon" style="float: left; display: inline" alt="Write On Review-a-Thon" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-4ic-K46yPMs/UzixjioizRI/AAAAAAAAQho/RWZpCkAoWsE/s800/WORAT425.png" align="left"></a> <p> </p> <blockquote> <div style="border-top: #0094de 2px dotted; border-right: #0094de 2px dotted; border-bottom: #0094de 2px dotted; padding-bottom: 5px; text-align: center; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 8px; border-left: #0094de 2px dotted; padding-right: 8px; background-color: #add9ff"> <p>The <a href="http://www.thebookvixen.com/p/write-on-review-thon.html"><strong>Write On review-a-thon</strong></a> is a monthly event created and hosted by Brianna at <a href="http://www.thebookvixen.com/">The Book Vixen</a>. It’s 2 days dedicated to getting reviews done, whether you have one review to write or 30+. This edition of the review-a-thon takes place <strong>all day Friday, April 25th and Saturday, April 26th</strong>. Let’s get those reviews done!</p></div></blockquote> <p>We’re in the midst of Fairy Tale Fortnight right now, and while I’ve been having a blast, you may have noticed I haven’t been posting all those reviews I’ve been talking about. That <em>may</em> be because they haven’t been written yet… whether or not that’s the case, I’m joining Briana’s review-a-thon this month because I desperately need to. </p> <p>My life has been pretty crazy, but my weekend looks empty enough that I can hopefully squeeze in the rest of my FTF reviews so I can spend all next week sitting back and watching all the fun instead of stressing over writing. </p> Debzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00368650126413053361noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559471207884281989.post-51194558093238463302014-04-23T08:13:00.001-07:002014-04-26T11:39:16.606-07:00Wishing on Wednesday: Fairy Tale Edition<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GNm_iIDU1AQ/UvpbiWb7HXI/AAAAAAAABAE/FjVbxL6hxE0/s1600-h/image%25255B5%25255D.png"><img title="Wishing on Wednesday @ Debz Bookshelf" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Wishing on Wednesday @ Debz Bookshelf" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4B8aOnQot5I/UvpbjGKLE3I/AAAAAAAABAI/dXHbwKoDJHc/image_thumb%25255B3%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="600" height="530"></a></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2">Wishing on Wednesday is a weekly meme to feature recent and upcoming releases that I’m wishing for!</font></span></span></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2"></font></span></span>With Fairy Tale Fortnight (and the fact that I’ve been inconsistent with this meme), both this week and next I’ll be going crazy into overdrive featuring all the amazing fairy tale books being released in the coming months! </p><span style="font-size: x-small"><span style="font-size: x-small"><font size="2"></font></span></span> <p> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="400" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="100"> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gwMmcJeB7NY/U1fYc5e7hZI/AAAAAAAABjs/BJesHPuxUuM/s1600-h/160670085.jpg"><img title="16067008" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="16067008" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_gYKktAHRg4/U1fYd6rXeCI/AAAAAAAABj0/id4NiiXZoN4/16067008_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="154" height="229"></a></p></td> <td valign="top" width="100"> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ob1l6vi-eB4/U1fYeVaiTmI/AAAAAAAABj8/Iitr6fK-IdI/s1600-h/174286435.jpg"><img title="17428643" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="17428643" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PGDdCdeB2rE/U1fYfIwQ5ZI/AAAAAAAABkE/Tz_Qamq-MSA/17428643_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="154" height="229"></a></p></td> <td valign="top" width="100"> <p align="center"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18365279-the-castle-behind-thorns"><img title="18365279" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="18365279" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Y6a21sb0KCg/U1fYfpNdkRI/AAAAAAAABkI/CBYqdOmE6mo/183652796.jpg?imgmax=800" width="154" height="229"></a></p></td> <td valign="top" width="100"> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AbASLM1Iq6o/U1fYgKu6WXI/AAAAAAAABkQ/m8quS7HJHFs/s1600-h/176176175.jpg"><img title="17617617" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="17617617" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IEsNlwjoMN8/U1fYg5aK8OI/AAAAAAAABkc/_s5-iV1OTPc/17617617_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="154" height="229"></a></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="100"> <p align="center"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16067008-stitching-snow"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QQuEv8WTCgs/U1fYhVhM7xI/AAAAAAAABkg/u8_MIpi-rUc/image28.png?imgmax=800" width="150" height="65"></a></p></td> <td valign="top" width="100"> <p align="center"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17428643-the-beast-within"><img title="image[5]" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image[5]" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yEi6BIXxWto/U1fYh4fBmdI/AAAAAAAABks/s_N_YaPHb7Q/image59.png?imgmax=800" width="150" height="65"></a></p></td> <td valign="top" width="100"> <p align="center"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18365279-the-castle-behind-thorns"><img title="image[9]" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image[9]" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FdulHuMdQ1o/U1fYipEUDhI/AAAAAAAABkw/hVmow0wal1Y/image911.png?imgmax=800" width="150" height="65"></a></p></td> <td valign="top" width="100"> <p align="center"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17617617-stray"><img title="image[13]" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image[13]" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3OhS0BIDeSE/U1fYjP5XLSI/AAAAAAAABk8/-7lFE0m0tQA/image1311.png?imgmax=800" width="150" height="65"></a></p></td></tr></tbody></table></p> <p align="center">All four of these books look super amazing! <br>Stitching Snow is a sci-fi retelling of Snow White. Sci-fi retellings are becoming more and more popular thanks to The Lunar Chronicles, which I love. The premise sounds absolutely amazing! </p> <p align="center">The Beast Within: A Tale of Beauty’s Prince is unique in that we get to see Disney’s version of Beauty and the Beast through the eyes of the Beast. It looks really great! </p> <p align="center">The Castle Behind Thorns is by Merrie Haskell, whose books I’ve previously enjoyed. This is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty, one of my favorite fairy tales, so you can bet I’m excited!</p> <p align="center">I don’t believe Stray is a direct retelling of anything, but it is inspired by several fairytales. In <strike>stalking</strike> researching the author, I learned that she loved Into the Woods. That alone is enough to make me love her and this book. (And don’t worry, the ItW raving has only just begun this FTF.)</p> <p align="center"><span style="font-size: medium"><span style="font-size: medium"><font size="5">What are you Wishing for this Wednesday?</font></span></span></p> Debzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00368650126413053361noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559471207884281989.post-34649956759217804162014-04-22T00:30:00.000-07:002014-04-26T11:39:16.603-07:00#FairyTaleFortnight #GIVEAWAY: Scarlet (SIGNED!), Cruel Beauty, and Second Star! (US only)<img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="Fairy Tale Hop" src="https://ci4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/DRZ6my7rErl8dZ9hB1amPILWbHX5NDEufue0R7vsAXWSkNMhgNVnnXJ2rQ7MTpRHkQy0Ch8bV6zAHkPP6sYPjFGpzM3deRdeZf3L4CmDBw3yXnUvKhi7foIhLp7h=s0-d-e1-ft#http://www.iamareader.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Fairy-Tale-Hop.jpg" width="392" height="496"> <p>Thank you to Kathy, Misty, and Bonnie for hosting this giveaway hop! </p> <p>If you’re an old visitor, you know that I’m obsessed with fairy tales and I’ve been with Fairy Tale Fortnight since the start. If you’re a new visitor…well, now you know! </p> <p>Today I will be offering the choice of one of three fairy tale retellings. All three are ARCs.</p> <p align="center">Second Star by Alyssa B. Sheinmel (May 2014!)<br>Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge (Worn cover)<br>Scarlet by Marissa Meyer (No cover art, <strong><em><u>SIGNED!</u></em></strong>)</p> <p align="center"><img alt="Second Star" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1383148076l/18465577.jpg" width="200" height="300"><img alt="Cruel Beauty" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1371652590l/15839984.jpg" width="198" height="300"><img alt="Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles, #2)" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1342485529l/13206760.jpg" width="200" height="300"></p> <p>RULES and OTHER IMPORTANT STUFF <ul> <li>ONE winner will receive ONE of the three books listed above <li>Entrants must have a valid email address <li>The winner must respond to email within 48 hours to claim their prize <li>Must be 13 or older, or have a parent’s permission <li>Must have a valid US mailing address. <li>Giveaway runs from April 22th to May 3rd <li>DO NOT leave your email in the comments! <li>I am not responsible if the prize is lost, stolen, or damaged. <li>NO CHEATING!</li></ul> <p><a id="rc-f9ca2f8" class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/f9ca2f8/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><script src="//widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"></script></p> <p>And if you want even more fairy tale fun, join the 2014 Fairy Tales Retold Reading Challenge, hosted by none other than moi! </p> <p><a href="http://debzbookshelf.blogspot.com/2013/12/2014-fairy-tales-retold-reading.html" target="_blank"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5yUJrMrCUpE/Up4quO9TPfI/AAAAAAAAAqg/gkPT6yeBlYs/photo_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800"></a></p> <p>Be sure to visit all the other blogs on this hop to find more magical prizes! </p> <a name='more'></a><!-- start LinkyTools script --><script src="http://www.linkytools.com/basic_linky_include.aspx?id=230815" type="text/javascript"></script><!-- end LinkyTools script --> Debzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00368650126413053361noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559471207884281989.post-19262492527893241472014-04-22T00:01:00.000-07:002014-04-26T11:39:16.597-07:00Bite Sized Reviews: Whatever After: Fairest of All & If the Shoe Fits by Sarah Mlynowski <img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="Bite Sized Reviews at Debz Bookshelf" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oEGSi4wN2Mc/UjsBhswBEUI/AAAAAAAAAk8/-qan82V94z4/bitesized_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800"><br> <div align="right"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-B4PQS8yye3o/U1a6xJm4yrI/AAAAAAAABjA/92MueOrGkL0/s1600-h/135478023.jpg"><img title="13547802" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px 10px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="13547802" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-omhyPIFbjs4/U1a6xrw5BLI/AAAAAAAABjE/EYLIj4tMQc0/13547802_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="238" align="right" height="329"></a></div> <div align="right"> </div> <div align="right"> </div> <div align="right">Publisher: Scholastic<br>Release Date: May 1st 2012<br>Genre: MG Fairy Tale Retelling<br>Source: Purchased<br>Find it: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Going-Rogue-Also-Known-novel-ebook/dp/B00GC53DME/ref=dp_kinw_strp_1">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13547802-fairest-of-all">Goodreads</a></div> <blockquote> <div style="border-top: #ff75ae 3px dotted; border-right: #ff75ae 3px dotted; border-bottom: #ff75ae 3px dotted; padding-bottom: 5px; text-align: center; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 8px; border-left: #ff75ae 3px dotted; padding-right: 8px; background-color: #ffd2e5"> <p><strong>Mirror, Mirror on the basement wall...</strong><br></p> <p>Once upon a time my brother and I were normal kids. The next minute? The mirror in our basement slurped us up and magically transported us inside Snow White's fairy tale.<br></p> <p>I know it sounds crazy, but it's true.<br></p> <p>But hey — we're heroes! We stopped Snow White from eating the poisoned apple. Hooray! Or not. If Snow White doesn't die she won't get to meet her prince. And then she won't get her happy ending. Oops.</p> <blockquote>Now it's up to us to:<br>*Avoid getting poisoned<br>*Sneak into a castle<br>*Fix Snow White's story</blockquote>And then, fingers crossed, find our way home.</div></blockquote> <p>This book is so ridiculously cute! It’s such an enjoyable, fluffy twist on Snow White. Our main characters Abby and Jonah accidentally end up in a fairy tale kingdom after discovering a magic mirror conveniently placed in their basement. Then they accidentally interfere in Snow White’s life just long enough to prevent her from being poisoned. Good, right? Well, apparently not so good. </p> <p>These books require a good amount of suspended disbelief, so as long as you don’t take it seriously, then you’re in for a treat. It was an interesting premise, and it’s adequately executed. Some of the humor got old after the same joke was used 10 times, but I still had a smile on my face as I finished. </p> <p align="center"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pxsyavnZQsk/UOSXiLCdWNI/AAAAAAAAELk/tg8qQyp66a4/s97/stars_thumb216.gif"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pxsyavnZQsk/UOSXiLCdWNI/AAAAAAAAELk/tg8qQyp66a4/s97/stars_thumb216.gif"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pxsyavnZQsk/UOSXiLCdWNI/AAAAAAAAELk/tg8qQyp66a4/s97/stars_thumb216.gif"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7ULuOHNVgwU/UOSXlvYtkuI/AAAAAAAAEMc/Ozf-5eRtWIo/s98/stars_thumb2_thumb14.gif"></p> <br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hmpSXuvVeVc/U1a6yMkwn5I/AAAAAAAABjQ/gjxj6WVeNCQ/s1600-h/147593064.jpg"><img title="jkt_9780545415675.indd" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 10px 5px 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="jkt_9780545415675.indd" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FiMOzsR4K1k/U1a6zOfsLyI/AAAAAAAABjY/nWCexem9uX4/14759306_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" align="left" height="329"></a> <div align="right"> </div>Publisher: Scholastic <br>Release Date: January 1st 2013<br>Genre: MG Fairy Tale Retelling<br>Source: NetGalley<br>Find it: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Going-Rogue-Also-Known-novel-ebook/dp/B00GC53DME/ref=dp_kinw_strp_1">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/going-rogue-robin-benway/1116534547?ean=9780802736048">B&N</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17934520-going-rogue">Goodreads</a> <blockquote> <div style="border-top: #ff75ae 3px dotted; border-right: #ff75ae 3px dotted; border-bottom: #ff75ae 3px dotted; padding-bottom: 5px; text-align: center; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 8px; border-left: #ff75ae 3px dotted; padding-right: 8px; background-color: #ffd2e5"> <p><strong>Once upon a time my brother and I found a magic mirror...</strong><br></p> <p>Tonight the mirror swept us into Cinderella's fairy tale. Now, we are NOT messing this story up. No way. Cinderella is going to marry her prince just like she's supposed to.<br></p> <p>Uh-oh.<br></p> <p>Cinderella broke her foot, and there's massive swelling. The glass slipper won't fit, the prince won't know she's the one for him, and they won't live happily ever after. And it's all our fault!<br></p> <p>To save the day we'll need to:<br>*Learn how to use a dustpan<br>*Stay out of jail<br>*Find Cinderella a job<br>*Make sure true love finds its way<br></p> <p>We just have to get it all done before the clock strikes twelve and the chance for a happy ending is gone . . . forever!</p></div></blockquote> <p>This book was even better than the first. By some magical coincidence Abby and Jonah find themselves in a fairy tale world <em>again</em>, this time encountering another fairy tale heroine. Determined to see this fairy tale through to it’s happily ever after, they work with Cinderella, helping her start up her own brownie-baking business and become self-reliant so she can take control of her own happily ever after!</p> <p>I enjoyed this book so much. It was just as cheesy and sarcastic as the first, but if you’re in the right mindset for that sort of book, then chances are you’ll be charmed by these stories. There is no depth at all, but still has something of value to offer. I highly recommend the <em>Whatever After</em> series to readers of all ages, both young and young at heart.</p> <p align="center"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pxsyavnZQsk/UOSXiLCdWNI/AAAAAAAAELk/tg8qQyp66a4/s97/stars_thumb216.gif"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pxsyavnZQsk/UOSXiLCdWNI/AAAAAAAAELk/tg8qQyp66a4/s97/stars_thumb216.gif"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pxsyavnZQsk/UOSXiLCdWNI/AAAAAAAAELk/tg8qQyp66a4/s97/stars_thumb216.gif"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pxsyavnZQsk/UOSXiLCdWNI/AAAAAAAAELk/tg8qQyp66a4/s97/stars_thumb216.gif"></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://debzbookshelf.blogspot.com/2014/04/fairy-tale-fortnight-schedule.html"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WcMGAxwnT3Q/UwGJQFx9GsI/AAAAAAAADWE/fMoghx5MHJ8/s1600/FTF+final.jpg" width="400" height="250"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://debzbookshelf.blogspot.com/2014/04/fairy-tale-fortnight-schedule.html">See my other Fairy Tale Fortnight posts!</a></p> Debzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00368650126413053361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559471207884281989.post-19848351577304511162014-04-20T02:00:00.000-07:002014-04-20T02:00:00.043-07:00Fairy Tale Fortnight Kick-off!<p><a href="http://easter.mormon.org/"><img title="image" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_X0WLuXQHU0/U1LkAjrgY_I/AAAAAAAABh4/3NRpzvQaKB0/image%25255B5%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="600" height="130"></a></p> <p align="center">Hope you’re having an amazing <a href="http://easter.mormon.org/">Easter</a> however you choose to celebrate! </p><a href="http://abackwardsstory.blogspot.com/2014/02/4th-annual-fairy-tale-fortnight.html"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UXR6jlzLXjQ/UwF8y0cYLbI/AAAAAAAAJ1I/k98xkO9nuPI/s1600/FTF+banner+size.jpg" width="550" height="226"></a> <p>And now, it’s time to switch gears and celebrate one of my other favorite things: fairy tales! <a href="http://www.thebookrat.com/2014/02/4th-annual-fairy-tale-fortnight.html">Fairy Tale Fortnight</a> and I go way back. I was an innocent, brand-new blogger when I discovered it in its first year, and I think without it I probably would’ve quit blogging. I met a ton of bloggers and learned about so many new books. It was amazing! I’ve participated in some capacity every year since, and it’s usually the highlight on my blogging year. </p> <p>HUGE shout-out to <a href="http://abackwardsstory.blogspot.com/2014/02/4th-annual-fairy-tale-fortnight.html">Bonnie</a> and <a href="http://www.thebookrat.com/2014/02/4th-annual-fairy-tale-fortnight.html">Misty</a>, who have worked so, so hard on this event, which I’m sure is going to be amazing! </p> <p>I’ve got so many things planned. I have a ton of book (and movie) reviews planned, a discussion or two, and general funness planned. Since I love collages and I finally figured out PicMonkey, here’s a little sneak preview of what to expect: </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JwEcnlepP0k/U1LkBEmVopI/AAAAAAAABiA/pbGZxPHN17E/s1600-h/PicMonkey%252520Collage%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="PicMonkey Collage" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="PicMonkey Collage" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZuQqRaOO2S0/U1LkCGnV_LI/AAAAAAAABiI/UmB6ySy7AZk/PicMonkey%252520Collage_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="650" height="355"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">Are you participating in </font><a href="http://abackwardsstory.blogspot.com/2014/02/4th-annual-fairy-tale-fortnight.html"><font size="5">Fairy Tale Fortnight</font></a><font size="5">? <br>(Hint: only one acceptable answer: YES!)</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">What are you most looking forward to this </font><a href="http://www.thebookrat.com/2014/02/4th-annual-fairy-tale-fortnight.html"><font size="5">FTF</font></a><font size="5">?</font></p> Debzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00368650126413053361noreply@blogger.com6