tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42338038249565544552024-03-14T00:15:43.712-04:00It's A Hardcover LifeMarkellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713318366122900209noreply@blogger.comBlogger124125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233803824956554455.post-8833769460890971152014-05-11T15:05:00.000-04:002014-05-11T15:09:07.183-04:00How to Get Books for Cheap or Free! Part One<div style="text-align: center;">
On my new Youtube Channel: I Read Good, I just posted a video about how to get book for cheap or free. Sometimes I would rather just read about an article I'm interested in so I'll also going to write about it here.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">1. Use the Library!: </span></b></div>
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This is self-explanatory but if you are like me and are trying to limit the book you buy to only ones you really love, the library will be your best friend. How else are you going to know you love a book unless you READ it first? It's like getting a sample of steak at Costco except you get to take the whole thing home and if you like it, you can go back and get more! Win Win.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>2. Buying Used Books At the Library:</b> </span></div>
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A lot of times, libraries have a used book section. This is a great place to get cheap books (a hard cover for less than two dollars). YA sections are usually not that great but sometimes you can find real gems. </div>
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VaDOa5ct4fEx1MjwiBcuVGYpXBIuQArlxXLkAclC5cgQqQpFyAOSLlyYCJHLlyYDSkXLkCGJhXLkxEnR9ZzXtuuIxAwJGE5YL0elklXKJGsQoSrlykoVcVy5ADSo9u+7d1T5LlyYGNCRcuVFn//Z" 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<b><span style="font-size: large;">3. Book Giveaways: </span></b></div>
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Book Giveaways on blogs and vlogs are great ways to get books someone else buys FOR you. What could be better? However, there is some etiquette when it comes to book giveaways.</div>
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a. Don't use fake accounts (FB, Twitter, etc.) to enter the giveaways. It's not cool cause other people won't see your shared post. If others don't see it, what was the point?</div>
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b. Only enter for books you really want.</div>
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c. Think about why this person is doing the giveaway. Are they apart of a Giveaway Blog Hop and are just looking to increase their follower numbers? Enter as many of those as you want! But if they are trying to get genuine followers who will return and participate, think carefully about entering that giveaway if you don't plan to be a true follower.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">4. Make Book Friends!: </span></b></div>
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This ones a little tricky but if you go to book events or are apart of the book community, you can meet a lot of people and someone is always willing to give books away. I'm apart of a book club and we did a White Elephant Christmas where I got a some pretty good books. Bloggers are also usually happy to give away books they aren't interested in or they just won't get to. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>5. Get the Membership!:</b> </span></div>
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If you are like me and like to buy your books online, getting a membership to Barnes and Noble or Amazon is just the best way to go. If you always have to spend $25 to get free shipping, most likely you are going to buy books you don't want or at prices you feel are too high. I promise you will save at least $25-$75 a year if you get the membership. Also remember to compare different websites for different prices. Plus, you'll get coupons. </div>
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<img src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>6. A Regular Used Book Store:</b> </span></div>
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You won't support the author any more but you will get nice books for cheap! Most books are under $5 at a used book store, so roll up those sleeves and don't be afraid to get a little dirty. </div>
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I thought of a few more tricks after I did the video so I'm sure there will be a Part Two coming soon!</div>
Markellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713318366122900209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233803824956554455.post-62980272308560453362014-04-30T19:31:00.004-04:002014-04-30T19:31:51.732-04:00AuthorsRMyRkstars: Stephanie Perkins, Victoria Schwab, Marissa Meyer and more!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EmZsV-kzVqc/Uw-8N9OpbZI/AAAAAAAACis/wwW2pvjyAZ8/s1600/authorsrockstars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EmZsV-kzVqc/Uw-8N9OpbZI/AAAAAAAACis/wwW2pvjyAZ8/s1600/authorsrockstars.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">February 1st 2014</span></u></b></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H2fq4SHxH-Q/Uxj_smAlNZI/AAAAAAAACo4/WaqfZL3iobU/s1600/IMG_2322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H2fq4SHxH-Q/Uxj_smAlNZI/AAAAAAAACo4/WaqfZL3iobU/s1600/IMG_2322.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Megan Shephard and Jessica Spotswood<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Ellen Oh, Victoria Schwab, Megan Shephard, Stephanie Perkins and Jessica Spotswood came to the Bethesda Library in the beginning of February. It was quite the mixture of genres and styles. From mainly romance novels like those of Stephanie Perkins, to ancient Korean warriors like Ellen Oh, to retellings of classic novels like Megan Shephard, it was a great selection of authors no matter what you like to read.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vr6mLpaHZIg/Uxj_spiVL9I/AAAAAAAACo8/11-_fLXMp5w/s1600/IMG_2321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vr6mLpaHZIg/Uxj_spiVL9I/AAAAAAAACo8/11-_fLXMp5w/s1600/IMG_2321.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stephanie Perkins, Victoria Schwab, Ellen Oh</td></tr>
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I have heard of all these ladies' novels but had only read Anna and the French Kiss and Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins. I am on a book buying hiatus while I try to read the all the ones I already have, so I was determined not to buy anything unless it sounded wonderful and I had to have it signed!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CaAQz7JBB_s/Uxj_sa-xQAI/AAAAAAAACpA/ZUhauXYoKDg/s1600/IMG_2324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CaAQz7JBB_s/Uxj_sa-xQAI/AAAAAAAACpA/ZUhauXYoKDg/s1600/IMG_2324.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Megan's thinking face</td></tr>
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I was weak, however, once Victoria Schwab talked about her love for darkness in books. I knew I had to get The Archived (also it has an awesome cover). Dead people housed like books at a library? Disturbing and intriguing. Here is <a href="http://hardcoverlife.blogspot.com/2014/03/nova-teen-book-festival-recap.html">my post</a> (totally out of order) where I met Victoria for the second time at NoVa Teen Book Festival if you are interested.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YHvkQsLEAl4/Uxj_tAM6M3I/AAAAAAAACpg/R7BXJgg5bdY/s1600/IMG_2326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YHvkQsLEAl4/Uxj_tAM6M3I/AAAAAAAACpg/R7BXJgg5bdY/s1600/IMG_2326.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anyway, I knew Stephanie Perkins would have the longest line so I hopped right up to that one! She was so sweet, complimenting my fox shirt and showing me her fox necklace. During the panel portion, she talked about how she wrote Lola and the Boy Next Door for ten years then wrote Anna and the French Kiss which got published first. I told her I've been writing the same thing for 5 years and she said maybe I should set it aside and work on something new until I was inspired again.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZvUPn2y-oqQ/Uxj_teGPuYI/AAAAAAAACpU/MlMkrsnmg1E/s1600/IMG_2329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZvUPn2y-oqQ/Uxj_teGPuYI/AAAAAAAACpU/MlMkrsnmg1E/s1600/IMG_2329.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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When we went to take the picture, Stephanie had to lean over the table since she was in the middle and there was no way to get behind her. She leaned over, I put the book up and BAM. Smacked her right in the face with it. -_- Good going Markella. Author abuse.</div>
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Although I didn't get their books, I still got a picture with Megan Shephard and Jessica Spotswood. I vow to read their books one day! </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pj2EHwCSXNM/Uxj_unDc1bI/AAAAAAAACpc/a2JIF4oD6YE/s1600/IMG_2331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pj2EHwCSXNM/Uxj_unDc1bI/AAAAAAAACpc/a2JIF4oD6YE/s1600/IMG_2331.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Victoria was very nice and we had a good conversation about wanting to read darker YA. Victoria and I are actually about the same age (she might be a year or so older) which surprised me because I always think of authors as older than I am. I need to stop thinking like that since I am now on the WRONG SIDE of 25.</div>
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Last I went to talk to Ellen Oh. She asked if I come to these events often. I said I did. She said she recognized me from other things. I was surprised cause I don't think I've seen her in person before. Maybe she was just making small talk. It was still a nice thought that an author would recognize me. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l5GH3NQZnQg/Uxj_vYvxh2I/AAAAAAAACp0/hkYjqmPvIXI/s1600/IMG_2334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l5GH3NQZnQg/Uxj_vYvxh2I/AAAAAAAACp0/hkYjqmPvIXI/s1600/IMG_2334.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">February 12 2014</span></b></u></div>
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I saw Marissa Meyer in Bethesda last year when she was promoting Scarlet. This post<a href="http://hardcoverlife.blogspot.com/2013/03/authors-are-my-rockstars-author-rewind.html"> here</a> recaps that time. This time she was promoting Cress with a special guest, the narrator of the audiobook Rebecca Soler! Let me tell you, the narrator was awesome. The amount of voices she could do and they way they captured each character was great. (Sorry not talking about Marissa much because I covered a lot of what she said in my <a href="http://hardcoverlife.blogspot.com/2013/03/authors-are-my-rockstars-author-rewind.html">first post.</a>)</div>
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Rebecca talked about the most difficult scene in the book to do and she said there is a conference call with a ton of different countries in Cress and she had to do different accents for each character. She also said her favorite character voice to do is Iko, Cinder's android friend. </div>
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I made sure to tell Marissa happy birthday since she had come to the area around the same time last year and we had a birthday dinner with her. </div>
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Here's a video of the narrator I stole from someone else. Enjoy!</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/XD6_yzUKN5c" width="640"></iframe><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Next up!</span></u></b></div>
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Day Days Tour: Tahereh Mafi, Veronica Rossi, Kiersten White and Sophie Jordan</div>
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Then:</div>
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Jenny Han</div>
Markellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713318366122900209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233803824956554455.post-42160240334499755032014-04-17T11:17:00.001-04:002014-04-17T11:25:47.125-04:00How A Library Changed My Life: For National Library Week<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQAzBZyBL4SKfnbXa3y_K6vv3PQ6NYBrMbi7ByihFNiijlmz5jz" height="222" width="320" /><br />
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Before the age of 14-15, I don't think I read a book for fun once in my entire life.</div>
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My New York City library card is unusable TO THIS VERY DAY because I never returned the books on Native Americans I took out in the fifth grade. Not that I cared at the time. I remember kids talking about Harry Potter during a book report and I thought is he a gardener? (I also didn't pay much attention to my classmates). My family were TV people, not book people.</div>
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When I moved to Ohio to start High School, I met a girl who would be become my best friend; her name was Brittani. Brittani's mom was a librarian at the Warren Trumbull Public Library and had asked Brittani to join the Teen Advisory Board (TAB) to which, as any good friend would do, she then dragged me to. Once a month, we did things like write letters to soldiers to accompany the books we picked to send them and discuss books we read recently and liked. </div>
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I never had anything to say in the meetings because A. I didn't read for fun and B. I don't talk easily in groups of strangers.</div>
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However, I do remember two teenage boys regulars who were so enthusiastic and vocal about the fantasy novels they had read (and possibly Dungeons and Dragons too). Their little seen, highly unacceptable public display of love for all things geek was something I couldn't understand or fathom expressing myself. At the same time, I was jealous of how they had this thing in their lives that made them so excited and happy they didn't care what others thought. I didn't have anything like that in mine. I wanted to see if I too could find that in books.</div>
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So after a meeting where we talked about fantasy novels specifically, I went to the Young Adult and Adult sections and looked through the mixed genre books, trying to find something that interested me. This was about 2003 so the YA section is not what it is now. Lots of Young Adult books were mixed in the Adult section. The Young Adult section was filled with the Babysitter's Club and dull covers from the 1960's. Neither really appealed to me. </div>
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I just grabbed a bunch a books at random that looked interesting. I remember only one called Mother Ocean, Daughter Sea.<br />
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I never did read Mother Ocean, Daughter Sea. I don't remember what exactly I did read that made me come back for more but soon I was taking 10-15 books home every week, reading maybe 2-4 that interested me and returning the rest. I remember walking to the library in the summer heat a few times a week and staying up to 4-5 in the morning to finish a book.</div>
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I still do these things to this day. Well, except the walking part. I can drive now. And the staying up all night. I can't take a messed up sleep schedule anymore (that makes me feel old to admit).</div>
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So what am I trying to say? I'm trying to say the library made me the person I am today. That if it hadn't been for that Teen Advisory Board or my friend's librarian mother, my life would be different. Would I have started reading for fun? Would I have found my love of Young Adult? Would I known what it was like to have something you can squeal to others about even if they'll think you're a nerd or uncool? I'm not sure and that makes me sad. It makes me sad that if libraries close, other shy lonely kids won't be able to find what I did.</div>
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As an adult, I still read Young Adult. I spend weeknights reading until I'm too tired to keep my eyes open. Or working on my book blog. Or writing my own novel. I spend weekends at book events or my YA book club. Reading is a part of my life and who I am.</div>
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So thank you so much libraries and librarians for giving this girl something in life that feels like her own and makes her happy.</div>
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Markellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713318366122900209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233803824956554455.post-23763112084440899542014-04-10T15:43:00.002-04:002014-04-10T15:49:19.177-04:00Who will be at National Book Festival 2014? Ask and you shall receive<div style="text-align: center;">
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The list of authors for the National Book Festival 2014 has just been released! The Festival will be at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center (not the mall!) on August 30, 2014 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. If you don't know, the National Book Festival is a HUGE event with author talks, signings and a host of other things to do. It's usually only in the day time but this year they have extended their hours to 10 p.m. The theme is Stay Up With A Good Book so the later hours are fitting. Also, it is kid friendly!</div>
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If you are a YA lover like I am, I don't see anything to freak out about just yet but it's still months away and I'm sure they will be adding authors until then. </div>
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First, check out my recap of <a href="http://hardcoverlife.blogspot.com/2014/02/authors-are-my-rockstars-author-events_28.html">last year's festival</a> where I got to meet Veronica Roth!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eEpqMGo5tYE/Uj-JLQl1hKI/AAAAAAAACac/kI592DR5lE0/s1600/IMG_1906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eEpqMGo5tYE/Uj-JLQl1hKI/AAAAAAAACac/kI592DR5lE0/s1600/IMG_1906.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<u>Anyway, here are some YA/ MG authors to look forward too (the ones I looked up anyway):</u></div>
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<b>The one name I recognized!</b></div>
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Kendare Blare author of the Anna Series and Goddess War Series</div>
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<img alt="Anna Dressed in Blood (Anna, #1)" height="200" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1388207682l/9378297.jpg" width="137" /><img alt="Girl of Nightmares (Anna, #2)" height="200" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1344463840l/12507214.jpg" width="132" /><img alt="13246736" height="200" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1354541364l/13246736.jpg" width="139" /><img alt="Mortal Gods (Goddess War, #2)" height="200" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1393946993l/17561810.jpg" width="133" /></div>
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<b>Others that I thought YA lovers would be interested in: </b></div>
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Kate DiCamillo author of Because of Winn Dixie, The Tale of Despereaux and more</div>
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<img alt="Because of Winn-Dixie" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1391500951l/357664.jpg" /><img alt="The Tale of Despereaux" height="200" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1396750886l/37190.jpg" width="134" /></div>
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Gene Luen Yang author of American Born Chinese and Avatar Comics</div>
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<img alt="American Born Chinese" height="200" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1317066615l/118944.jpg" width="136" /><img alt="Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Promise, Part 1 (The Promise, #1)" height="200" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1335027742l/12413836.jpg" width="133" /></div>
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Meg Medica author of <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15798660-yaqui-delgado-wants-to-kick-your-ass?from_search=true">Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass </a></div>
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<b>List of all author scheduled as of today (good luck sorting this out):</b></div>
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Jonathan Allen, Amie Parnes, Peter Baker, Ishmael Beah, Kai Bird, Billy Collins, Kate DiCamillo, Francisco Goldman, Henry Hodges, Siri Hustvedt, Cynthia Kadohata, U.S. Reps. John Lewis and James Clyburn, Alice McDermott, George Packer, Lisa See, Maria Venegas, and Gene Luen Yang. Bob Adelman, Paul Auster, Andrea Beaty, Eula Biss, Kendare Blake, Paul Bogard, Jeffrey Brown, Peter Brown, Eric H. Cline, Bryan Collier, Raúl Colón, James Conaway, Ilene Cooper, Jerry Craft, H. Allen Day, Liza Donnelly, Margaret Engle, Percival Everett, Jules Feiffer, David Theodore George, Carla Hall, Molly Idle, Peniel E. Joseph, Nick Kotz, Nina Krushcheva, Louisa Lim, Eric Litwin, Adrienne Mayor, Meg Medina, Claire Messud, Anchee Min, Elizabeth Mitchell, Richard Moe, John Moeller, Bryan Lee O'Malley, Alicia Ostriker, Laura Overdeck, Dav Pilkey, Paisley Rekdal, Amanda Ripley, Cokie Roberts, Ilyasah Shabazz, Lynn Sherr, Brando Skyhorse, Vivek Tiwary, David Treuer, Ann Ursu, Lynn Weise, Rita Williams-Garcia, Natasha Wimmer, Jacqueline Woodson and Tiphanie Yanique.</div>
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Website where I got the info: <a href="http://www.prweb.com/releases/2014/04/prweb11753378.htm">http://www.prweb.com/releases/2014/04/prweb11753378.htm</a></div>
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Library of Congress website for you to look over if you want more info though there's not much on there right now :<a href="http://www.loc.gov/bookfest"> http://www.loc.gov/bookfest</a></div>
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Also, check out my TAB above for more author events in the area. </div>
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Markellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713318366122900209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233803824956554455.post-39128577434167959142014-03-27T19:15:00.001-04:002014-03-27T19:25:16.648-04:00NoVa Teen Book Festival: A Day of Panels and Attempted Witticism <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="NoVaTEEN Book Festival | March 8 2014 | Arlington" src="http://static.tumblr.com/47c2148f8562b6fee88768bee967de35/ydvgy2r/rgVmt6xlq/tumblr_static_logo.jpg" /></div>
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NoVa Teen Book Festival was on March 8th in Arlington, Virginia. Some of my book club buddies were going and the girls from<a href="http://www.booksandsensibility.com/"> Books and Sensibility</a> (link to their post about the event at bottom) Jess and Kat were too. The day promised a heaping butt load of author chats and personal time with some favorite writers.</div>
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The Festival started at 10:00 am with the opening remarks from Phyillis Reynolds Naylor, author of the "Alice" books and "Shiloh." I had seen Phyllis talk at The National Book Festival, heard of "Shiloh" but never read it and never heard of "Alice" so I wasn't too interested. It was a Saturday; my ten hours of sleep could not be compromised. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The halls of the high school transformed into a book store<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/119971984@N05/sets/72157642183824034/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/119971984@N05/sets/72157642183824034/</a></td></tr>
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When I did get there at 11:00, I caught Kat and Jess going into the first panel with Lamar Giles, Ellen Oh, Sarah Guillory as speakers and Meg Medina and Diana Peterfreud as moderators. They were talking about diversity in YA. Lamar brought up that his book was about a little seen member in YA, the young black male protagonist. He commented that he hadn't seen many YA books that were accurate for that voice. Ellen Oh also talked about wanting to see more Asian main characters. Not really sure what Sarah Guillory said about her book since I don't think it sounded like it had too much diversity in it (small town white girl wanting to get away from her...you guessed it, small town.) </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cwhprY8vhwg/UzSNrkxKfYI/AAAAAAAACqc/lZ8hCVkqDlM/s1600/IMG_2380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cwhprY8vhwg/UzSNrkxKfYI/AAAAAAAACqc/lZ8hCVkqDlM/s1600/IMG_2380.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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The role of the moderator got a bit confusing in this first panel as Diana and Meg were as large a part of the conversation as the actual panelists.</div>
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Anyway, next I went to a smaller Breakout Session with Ellen Oh and Marie Lu. Marie was the big attraction of the event so her first breakout session was full by the time I got there (damn you beauty sleep!). I knew I had to get to the next one since it was her last. Kat, Jess and I raced out of the auditorium to get a seat in the classroom the session was being held in. </div>
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We got some of the last seats in the back. That's Kat, Jess and I in the right corner of the photo!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken from <a href="http://novateenbookfestival.tumblr.com/">http://novateenbookfestival.tumblr.com/</a></td></tr>
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I didn't realize that "Legend" was so popular! I guess I got out of the loop about that somewhere. I had tried to read it a while ago but it didn't keep my attention so I was onto the next. I bought a paperback copy to get signed at the Festival since I know Marie lives in Los Angeles and I might not have the chance to meet her again if I did like the book. Also, I usually buy at least one book at events like these. </div>
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Marie just seemed like the sweetest person ever. Ellen Oh was her usual outrageous self, telling it like it is. They shared that they are critique partners; you could tell how proud they were of each other and how close they are. Definitely an interesting dynamic between them .</div>
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Marie talked about a future book set in Renaissance Italy that was like the X-men. She divulged how her main character in the book was going to turn evil (guess it's not a spoiler?). It sounded so interesting to me. I would definitely pick it up. </div>
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When the session was over, Marie was pretty much chillin' so I went up to her. I told her how young she looked compared to her author picture (Compliment? Dunno. I meant it to be though I'm not good at the whole talking to other humans thing). She seemed to take it as one. I honestly didn't recognize her from her author photo. </div>
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<img src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRNiYrgYYzacegnluuFBZXLgI-Jc6F4nkwnYdoByPt_YzD4QXit" /> vs. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oQVMn1o5gic/UzSNs-iRZvI/AAAAAAAACq4/EHJ3aKZmJ9o/s1600/IMG_2384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oQVMn1o5gic/UzSNs-iRZvI/AAAAAAAACq4/EHJ3aKZmJ9o/s1600/IMG_2384.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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I think she looks better naturally but whatever. </div>
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Here's pictures of me getting my picture taken. Thanks stranger for the picture Inception!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://library.arlingtonva.us/2014/03/24/nova-teen-book-festival-a-great-success">http://library.arlingtonva.us/2014/03/24/nova-teen-book-festival-a-great-success</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://library.arlingtonva.us/2014/03/24/nova-teen-book-festival-a-great-success">http://library.arlingtonva.us/2014/03/24/nova-teen-book-festival-a-great-success</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://library.arlingtonva.us/2014/03/24/nova-teen-book-festival-a-great-success/">http://library.arlingtonva.us/2014/03/24/nova-teen-book-festival-a-great-success/</a></td></tr>
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I ended up staying in the main auditorium for most of the Festival instead of other breakout sessions. I had heard the authors I'm interested in talk about their books at other events (except Marie Lu) so I just wanted to hear their opinions on other topics instead. </div>
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The next panel was on Survival: How dire circumstances and high-stakes situations unite and shape characters to defeat the odds with Kristen Simmons, Claudia Gray, Meagan Spooner and moderators Lisa Maxwell and Jessica Spotswood. The moderators in this panel really pushed the questions back to the panelists; it was endearing to see authors wanting to help promote other people's books. Don't ask me what was actually said at the panel. </div>
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The last panel I listened to was about Bad Boys. I like Victoria Schwab<i> a lot</i> after seeing her the last time she came to the area (only a few weeks before the festival) and thought she would be fun to listen to about this topic. And of course she was. This panel had Elisa Nader and Aimee Agresti as moderators and featured Elle Cosimano, Erica Cameron and Victoria Schwab as panelists.</div>
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Marie Lu was the last speaker of the day. She was introduced by Ellen Oh. Marie talked about the books from her childhood that affected her, the weirdly grim stories she used to write when she was younger, and about her books. </div>
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The day ended at the Arlington Library across the street from the high school the Festival was held in. I thought it was going to be really busy and crowded but it was actually really quick. Two minutes in the Marie Lu line and two in Victoria Schwab's and I was done. </div>
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When I was getting "The Unbound" signed by Victoria Schwab I said I had just seen her at the Bethesda library. She said that she remembered me because I have a memorable....</div>
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I thought she was going to say face</div>
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....name. Which is better thing to be memorable for in my opinion. I thanked her for coming back to the area because she knew I wanted my book signed. Since I got "The Achived" at her last signing (I just liked how she described it), I said she must have known I <i>now</i> wanted "The Unbound" signed. So kind of her to come back just for me. </div>
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She laughed. Oh Markella, your attempts at witty banter is even more embarrassing when recounted. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the authors<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/119971984@N05/sets/72157642183824034/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/119971984@N05/sets/72157642183824034</a></td></tr>
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Anyway, it was a great event! About 300 people came for 24 authors. This was the first all day panel event I have ever been to. I thought it might feel a bit like school. Luckily, it didn't. Hope I can go back next year!</div>
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<u>More posts about NoVa Teen Book Festival:</u></div>
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<a href="http://www.booksandsensibility.com/2014/03/novateen-book-festival-2014.html">Books and Sensibility</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/with-nova-teen-book-festival-ya-fiction-fans-get-their-own-chapter-of-literary-celebrations/2014/03/04/f9680722-a33c-11e3-b865-38b254d92063_story.html">The Washington Post</a></div>
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<a href="http://novateenbookfestival.tumblr.com/">The Official NoVa Teen Book Festival Website</a></div>
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<a href="http://library.arlingtonva.us/2014/03/24/nova-teen-book-festival-a-great-success/#">Arlington Library's Post</a></div>
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Also, I made a tab about author events coming the the Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia area. I don't promise I get everything but it's a good place to start. Email me if you hear of any others!</div>
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<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-b6zl9LGyz7k%2FUzSfLTnI0lI%2FAAAAAAAACsg%2FAoXqZyPgAJI%2Fs1600%2F13060917015_b58998bb68.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b6zl9LGyz7k/UzSfLTnI0lI/AAAAAAAACsg/AoXqZyPgAJI/s1600/13060917015_b58998bb68.jpg" -->Markellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713318366122900209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233803824956554455.post-45880214390009254242014-03-19T14:28:00.000-04:002014-03-20T09:10:32.851-04:00Divergent Movie Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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2 days ago, Sandie (thanks again!) from the YADC Facebook group posted a message to ask if anyone wanted to see the Divergent screening as a plus-one on a press pass.</div>
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1 day, 23 hours, 59 minutes and 59 seconds later, I replied:</div>
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Stephanie from the blog <a href="http://nobsbookreviews.com/">No BS Book Reviews</a> also got a ticket so we decided to meet up.</div>
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After a few issues with a guy who thought he was the movie theater's bouncer (Hey, Efff you guy! I'm a semi-VIP yo), Sandie breezed in with her press pass and Stephanie and I got to our VIP seats. And I saw no less than 3 of my fellow book-clubers there!</div>
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Now I'll be honest, I was a teeny tiny bit less excited by this movie than I had been when the Hunger Games came out. However, I was still embarrassingly, pee-my-pants, over-the-top, a-25-year-old-shouldn't-fangirl-so-hard-for-a-book-for-teens excited!!</div>
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So yeah....</div>
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On to the review!!</div>
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I think this was one of the best executed YA adaptations to screen I've seen yet! I actually got bored with the Hunger Games movie part way in (but I also get bored easily). Catching Fire is probably my number 1 adaption but this is a <i>really</i> close second. Don't get me started on some of the others.</div>
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<u>What I loved about the casting:</u></div>
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1. Shailene Woodley was awesome as Tris. I think she had the whole un-compassionate but still loving characterization down. She was weak in ways but so tough. I loved her acting in this movie.<br />
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2. Theo James was delicious as Four. I had my doubts because of how much older he looks than Tobias is supposed to be, but I think it worked. He was strong, sensitive and charismatic.<br />
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3. All the other characters, especially Peter and Christina, were cast perfectly! Peter was so absolutely hilarious that, at times, I really wanted to root for him.</div>
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4. The dynamic between Tris and her Mom was awesome and heart-breaking. </div>
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<u>What I loved about the story/plot:</u><br />
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1. It was still exciting even though I knew how it would turn out! Though I haven't reread the book since the first time, I do remember most of the story. <i>Yet still</i> I held my breath when Tris is about to choose her faction or hoping some characters make it to the end when I knew they wouldn't.</div>
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2. I think it would be easy to follow for someone who hasn't read the book.</div>
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3. The pacing was good consistently.<br />
4. Stuck very close to the book but didn't include so much info as to overwhelm (Cough* Vampire Academy* Cough)</div>
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<u>What I loved about the movie visually:</u><br />
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1. The costumes were great for each faction. I think they really represented them well.<br />
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2. The Ferris wheel scene was perfect.</div>
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3. They used the Chicago skyline and surrounding area. You had no doubt where this was set. </div>
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<u>What I loved most:</u><br />
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1. It was FUNNY! When it MEANT TO BE FUNNY. Sometimes you watch these movies and the serious scenes make you laugh. I think once or twice the audience laughed during a smexy scene with Tris and Four, but for the most part, the humor was spot on.</div>
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2. The relationship building between Tris and Four was adorable and well paced but maybe a teeny touch of insta-love. Them holding each other at the end of the movie was incredible.<br />
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" width="320" /></div>
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<u>Not my favorite things:</u><br />
<u><br /></u></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1. Some of the smexy parts with Tris and Four were awkward...but still hot so it's forgiven. There were a few cheesy lines too.<br />
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<img src="http://static2.hypable.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/divergent-movie-clip1.jpg" height="163" width="320" /><br />
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2. The science/ society explanation was lacking. If I didn't read the book, I don't know if I would have known what was going on on that front.<br />
3.Errrmmm can't think of anything else....I missed the scene with Veronica :-(((</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<u>Things they changed:</u><br />
<u><br /></u>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
1. Some of Tris' fears were cut out. It didn't bother me. </div>
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2. In one of Tris' fear landscapes, Four is in it and it was a little weird. (no spoilers). You'll see what I mean. </div>
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3. Four and Marcus didn't look similar at ALL.</div>
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4. Some characters are left out.</div>
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<b><u>Overall:</u></b></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
I give the movie a solid A! </div>
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It was heart:</div>
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pounding</div>
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breaking</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
palpitating</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
Go see it now* and bring you're non-bookish friends too! Everyone will love this one!<br />
<br />
*Okay, not NOW now since it comes out tomorrow but you know what I mean....</div>
Markellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713318366122900209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233803824956554455.post-19506120665709704542014-03-18T15:44:00.001-04:002014-03-18T15:44:43.188-04:00When are YOU seeing Divergent? Also watch the Red Carpet tonight!<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="BitWSRxCUAAEr0J" src="http://trisandfour.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/BitWSRxCUAAEr0J.jpg" /></div>
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Yahoo will be live streaming the Red Carpet at the Divergent World Premiere tonight, Tuesday March 18th at 6pm PST (9 EST) Here's the link: <a href="http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/divergent-2014/">http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/divergent-2014/</a></div>
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I was lucky enough to latch on to a plus-one press pass for the premiere at my local theater. When will you be seeing it?</div>
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Look for my review of the movie tomorrow!</div>
Markellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713318366122900209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233803824956554455.post-86781068071512809992014-03-09T17:24:00.000-04:002014-03-27T22:05:14.756-04:00Early Review of the Divergent Soundtrack -- Should you buy it?<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="http://www.filmmusicsite.com/images/covers/large/27490.jpg" height="320" style="font-family: BrandonText-Regular; font-size: 14px;" width="320" /><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><br />
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The Divergent soundtrack for the movie comes out March 11 2014! I found this website giving a free listen to all the songs until March 10th:</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><a href="http://pitchfork.com/advance/369-divergent-ost/">http://pitchfork.com/advance/369-divergent-ost/</a>. I thought it might be fun to review the album since I love to listen to what they pick for movies I'm excited about; I think it will reflect how the movie will turn out and if the movie has the mood of the book.</span><br />
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now, I am not the most discerning person when it comes to music. I find 90% of my music on the radio and the other 10% from Pandora's random picks that sound like songs I already like so I just want to say that these songs picks are my personal preference. I'm not discouraging anyone from buying this album or the songs, I'm just saying what I would or would not buy. </span></span><br />
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In general, I don't like anything too out there, if it has a good beat and I can hear what they are saying, I usually like it. </span></span><br />
<div style="text-indent: -24px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: -24px;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">On to the review:</span></u></b><br />
<b><u><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></u></b>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> I wrote notes next to the songs when I could even think what I liked or didn't like about it in italics and whether I would buy that song or not in bold. Clearly, I don't think I should count on a career as a music critic anytime soon. </span></div>
<div style="text-indent: -24px;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
</div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Zedd - Find You (ft. Matthew Koma
and Miriam Bryant)- </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;"><i>Liked it, upbeat and romantic</i></span><span style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><b style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">BUY </b></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Ellie Goulding - Beating Heart- <i>Most advertised for the soundtrack- I think it captures the feel of the book </i><b>BUY</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Pia Mia - Fight For You (ft. Chance
The Rapper) -<i>My favorite song. Loved Pia Mia's soft voice. I think the
rappin</i></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><i>g ruins the song. I don’t think it needed it. </i></span><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;">MAYBE</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ellie Goulding - H<span style="background-color: white;">anging On (I See MONSTAS Remix- <i>Dance song </i></span><b style="background-color: white;">BUY</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Snow
Patrol - I Won’t Let You Go- <i>This was just ehh to me</i> </span><b style="background-color: white;">DON’T BUY</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Woodkid
- Run Boy Run- <i> Not my style</i> </span><b style="background-color: white;">DON’T BUY</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Tame
Impala & Kendrick Lamar – Backwards - <i>Reminds me of the song from the
Twilight soundtrack </i></span><b style="background-color: white;">DON’T BUY</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">M83
- I Need You - <i>Couldn’t tell what they're saying that well</i></span><b style="background-color: white;"> </b></span><b style="background-color: white;">DON’T BUY</b></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">A$AP
Rocky - In Distress (ft. Gesaffelstein)- <i>Didn’t like at all </i> </span><b style="background-color: white;">DON’T BUY</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Pretty
Lights - Lost and Found (ODESZA Remix)- <i>Too remixy</i> </span><b style="background-color: white;">DON’T BUY</b></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Skrillex
- Stranger (with KillaGraham from Milo & Otis and Sam Dew)- </span></span><b style="background-color: white;">DON’T BUY</b></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Big
Deal - Dream Machines- <i>Just Ok</i> </span><b style="background-color: white;">MAYBE</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Ellie
Goulding - Dead In The Water- <i>Reminded me of Tris</i> </span><b style="background-color: white;">BUY</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Woodkid
- I Love You <i>Reminded me of a Halloween song.</i> </span><b style="background-color: white;">MAYBE</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Banks
- Waiting Game - </span><b style="background-color: white;">BUY</b></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ellie Goulding - My Blood - <b>MAYBE</b></span></span></li>
</ol>
<div>
There are 16 songs on this album. Most were fast paced and up tempo, which I think bodes well for the movie.<br />
<br />
<u>Who will like it: </u>Honestly, I'm not sure who would like the whole thing. It has some rap, some of what I consider emo, some pop. I really only liked the pop songs. I guess people who like a whole mix on genres. </div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So that's 5 BUYS, 7 DON'T BUYS, and 4 MAYBES. In my opinion, I wouldn't buy the album as a whole but a few songs. I choose my music based on one question: If I was in a car for 6 hours, could I listen to the whole album without getting annoyed by most of the songs? (I take long distance trips a lot.) </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">This failed that test for me.</span></div>
<div>
<u><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></u></div>
<div>
<u>What I would have made the album better for me;</u> I wish there was one slower, romantic song on the album. </div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>Favorite
Song </u>-- <span style="background-color: transparent; text-align: center; text-indent: -24px;">Zedd - Find You (ft. Matthew Koma and Miriam Bryant)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 9pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>Least
Favorite</u> -- <span style="text-align: center;">A$AP Rocky - In Distress (ft. Gesaffelstein) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>Best for
Gym </u>-- Ellie Goulding - Hanging On or Zedd - </span><span style="text-align: center; text-indent: -24px;">Find You (ft. Matthew Koma and Miriam Bryant)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 9pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>Most romantic</u> -- <span style="text-align: center; text-indent: -24px;">Zedd - Find You (ft. Matthew Koma and Miriam Bryant)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 9pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>Funnest:</u> <span style="text-align: center; text-indent: -24px;">Zedd -- Find You (ft. Matthew Koma and Miriam Bryant)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>Best
movie fit</u> -- Ellie Goulding - Dead in the Water</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Let me know what you think if you get to listen to it!</span></div>
</div>
Markellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713318366122900209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233803824956554455.post-43688997180620753282014-03-05T16:14:00.000-05:002014-03-05T17:49:10.892-05:00Will You Be There? NoVa Teen Book Festival: Arlington, Virginia on March 8th<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pp-9q3Zf9As/UxeS9mkPLAI/AAAAAAAACoo/ofkpwUvsXf4/s1600/Nova.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pp-9q3Zf9As/UxeS9mkPLAI/AAAAAAAACoo/ofkpwUvsXf4/s1600/Nova.jpg" height="255" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It's so hard to find when signings/ author events/ book festivals are without just Googling and hope for the best (which is what I spend at least a half an hour of my day doing). So I decided to create a page on my above tabs where I list all the events in the DC/ MD/ VA area that I can find. I might actually be moving to a different state soon so we'll see if I have to change the page or do both.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Anyway, this weekend is the NoVa Teen Book Festival in Arlington, Virginia. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="NoVaTEEN Book Festival | March 8 2014 | Arlington" src="http://static.tumblr.com/47c2148f8562b6fee88768bee967de35/ydvgy2r/rgVmt6xlq/tumblr_static_logo.jpg" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><u><b>Where:</b></u> </span>Washington-Lee High School, Arlington, Virginia</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>When:</u> </b>March 8 2014</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Doors Open at 9:30AM, Panels start at 10AM, Signing is at 4PM <br />
<b><u>Cost:</u></b> Free!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><u><b>Here is a list of the authors attending and the books available to buy:</b></u></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">Aimee Agresti</span></strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">__ILLUMINATE (Book 1, paperback)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">__ INFATUATE (Book 2, hardcover)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jenna Black*</span></strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">___ REPLICA (Book 1, paperback)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">___ RESISTANCE (Book 2, paperback)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hannah Barnaby</span></strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">___ WONDER SHOW (paperback)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">Erica Cameron</span></strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">___ SING SWEET NIGHTINGALE (paperback)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">Elle Cosimano</span></strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">___ NEARLY GONE (Hardcover)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lamar Giles</span></strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">__FAKE ID</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">Claudia Gray</span></strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">___ SPELLCASTER (Book 1, paperback/hardcover)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">___ STEADFAST (Book 2, hardcover)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sarah Guillory</span></strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">___ RECLAIMED (paperback)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">Marie Lu</span></strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">___ LEGEND (Book 1, paperback/hardcover)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">___ PRODIGY (Book 2, paperback/hardcover)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">___ CHAMPION (Book 3, hardcover)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">Meg Medina*</span></strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">___ YAQUI DELGADO WANTS TO KICK YOUR ASS (Hardcover)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">Elisa Nader</span></strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">___ ESCAPE FROM EDEN (Hardcover)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">Phyllis Reynolds Naylor*</span></strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">___ I LIKE HIM, HE LIKES HER (Paperback)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">___ IT’S NOT LIKE I PLANNED IT THIS WAY (Paperback)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">___ PLEASE DON’T BE TRUE (Paperback)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">___ YOU AND ME AND THE SPACE BETWEEN (Paperback)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">___ NOW I’LL TELL YOU EVERYTHING (Hardcover)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lea Nolan</span></strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">___ CONJURE (Book 1, paperback)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">___ ALLURE (Book 2, paperback)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ellen Oh</span></strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">___ PROPHECY (Book 1, paperback)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">___ WARRIOR (Book 2, hardcover)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">Diana Peterfreund*</span></strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">___ FOR DARKNESS SHOWS THE STARS (Book 1, paperback)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">___ ACROSS A STAR-SWEPT SEA (Book 2, hardcover)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jennifer Rush</span></strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">___ALTERED (Book 1, paperback)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">___ERASED (Book 2, hardcover)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">Victoria Schwab*</span></strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">___THE ARCHIVED (Book 1, paperback/hardcover)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">___THE UNBOUND (Book 2, hardcover)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">Elizabeth Scott*</span></strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">___ HEARTBEAT (Hardcover)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">___ LIVING DEAD GIRL (Paperback)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">___ LOVE YOU, HATE YOU, MISS YOU (Paperback)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kristen Simmons</span></strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">___ ARTICLE 5 (Book 1, paperback)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">___BREAKING POINT (Book 2, paperback)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">___ THREE (Book 3, hardcover)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jon Skovron</span></strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">___MAN MADE BOY (Hardcover)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">Meagan Spooner</span></strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">___THESE BROKEN STARS (Hardcover)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jessica Spotswood</span></strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">___BORN WICKED (Book 1, paperback)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">___STAR CURSED (Book 2, hardcover)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cristin Terrill</span></strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">___ALL OUR YESTERDAYS (Hardcover)</span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">Amy Brecount White</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">___FORGET HER NOTS (Hardcover)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have only read Victoria Schwab's The Archived which I really liked. I picked up the book when she was in MD last month for a book signing. I'm trying a new thing of not buying a book unless I absolutely want it, even if the author is there to sign. However, I made an exception because I loved how Victoria talked about little dead things and writing dark. As it turns out, I really liked The Archived and want to get The Unbound signed now so that worked out. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have Meagan Spooner's book Skylark which I bought at a signing without knowing anything about it (this was when I was a signing newbie), read three pages, and put it down. Haven't picked it up since. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">Anyway, what's nice about this event is that it is not only a signing but all day panels on a variety of topics such as "</span><span style="line-height: 19px;">How dire circumstances and high-stakes situations unite and shape characters to </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">defeat the odds" and "An exploration into the appeal of bad boys and the girl MCs who love them."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">Sounds awesome, right? RIGHT? </span></span></div>
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<u><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">Some </span></span><span style="line-height: 19px;">specifics</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"> about the event I learned from the website or other sources:</span></span></b></u><br />
<span style="line-height: 19px;">- Park near Door 5. It's near the auditorium where the event will take place. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 19px;">- You can bring three books from home to get signed. The rest you have to buy from there. Seems fair to me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">- Panels are from 10 to 4 and the signing FOR ALL AUTHORS is at 4 across the street at the </span><span style="line-height: 19px;">Arlington Central Library</span><span style="line-height: 19px;"> </span></span></div>
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- You can come and go from the event as you please but for some things, seating is limited. </div>
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- If you can't stay for the signing but live in the area, you can ask a bookseller there to get the books signed for you. So nice of them. </div>
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- Doors open at 9:30 AM</div>
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<b>For more info see: </b><a href="http://novateenbookfestival.tumblr.com/">http://novateenbookfestival.tumblr.com/</a> </div>
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<b>For the event schedule:</b></div>
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https://www.dropbox.com/s/ifl27c7j71wlx9w/NoVaTEEN_Full%20Event%20Schedule.pdf</div>
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Markellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713318366122900209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233803824956554455.post-9623578888688832822014-03-04T18:38:00.002-05:002014-03-27T22:01:37.347-04:00Authors Are My Rockstars: Author Events 2013-14 Part 4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EmZsV-kzVqc/Uw-8N9OpbZI/AAAAAAAACis/wwW2pvjyAZ8/s1600/authorsrockstars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EmZsV-kzVqc/Uw-8N9OpbZI/AAAAAAAACis/wwW2pvjyAZ8/s1600/authorsrockstars.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://hardcoverlife.blogspot.com/2014/02/authors-are-my-rockstars-author-events_28.html">Part 1</a> Stephanie Meyer, Kami Garcia, Lauren Oliver</div>
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<a href="http://hardcoverlife.blogspot.com/2014/02/authors-are-my-rockstars-author-events_24.html">Part 2</a> Maggie Stiefvater, Elizabeth Wein, Rainbow Rowell</div>
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<a href="http://hardcoverlife.blogspot.com/2014/02/authors-are-my-rockstars-author-events.html">Part 3</a> Veronica Roth, Patrick Ness</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">September 23 2013</span></b></div>
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This had to be the most embarrassing signing I've ever been to. I don't know what's wrong with me most of the time. It's like my mind says: NOOOOO DON'T DO THAT and my mouth says: I JUST DID. WHAT YOU GONNA DO ABOUT IT.</div>
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I swear that when I'm doing embarrassing things, I know what a bad idea it is but I either 1. want to see what's going to happen or 2. am too stupid to stop myself. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UiojjODgjv8/UxZa46CEXJI/AAAAAAAACnI/21O6flaiJyc/s1600/IMG_1925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UiojjODgjv8/UxZa46CEXJI/AAAAAAAACnI/21O6flaiJyc/s1600/IMG_1925.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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So now you're wondering what I did that was so embarrassing. As I've said before, I make it so I am at the front of the line for signings. This time was no different. I hopped up and got to be the first person in line. Now, I want to be in the beginning of the line but not the first person so I can have a little time to think. I tried to get another lady to go in front of me but she wouldn't budge. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SG16W7wPsec/UxZa4ycbEyI/AAAAAAAACnE/Cil_VbJRHgU/s1600/IMG_1936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SG16W7wPsec/UxZa4ycbEyI/AAAAAAAACnE/Cil_VbJRHgU/s1600/IMG_1936.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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So I went first. I only have one book of Holly's and haven't really fallen in love with her style so I didn't buy anymore. Anyway, I got my book signed and asked for a picture. The woman behind me said she would take it. I am crazy about pictures with authors. I would almost rather get a picture with them than a signature. </div>
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This is the first picture:</div>
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It was ok but I didn't really like it so I asked for another.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Sv0xvrHCv8/UxZcuM9kGLI/AAAAAAAACoU/2UVwAMZeSG4/s1600/IMG_1935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Sv0xvrHCv8/UxZcuM9kGLI/AAAAAAAACoU/2UVwAMZeSG4/s1600/IMG_1935.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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This was worse. Instead of saying the first was ok, my mind said: NOOOOO. Be awkward in front of this line of people and ask for another. So I did. Holly signed the woman who took my picture's book before taking a third picture with me. It was unbearably embarrassing to stand there waiting. Then the woman said she shouldn't do the next picture since she was obviously bad at it and walked away. The girl behind me said she would take it. </div>
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Third try:</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ggNaEzYhRs0/UxZa5JWbBMI/AAAAAAAACnY/HFo0XBIxxVw/s1600/IMG_1937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ggNaEzYhRs0/UxZa5JWbBMI/AAAAAAAACnY/HFo0XBIxxVw/s1600/IMG_1937.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now I love this picture but God do I wish I had been normal and not asked for it. I can't even describe the shame I had when I walked out of the room and thought about what I did. I apologized to Holly before I left like four times, saying that I just wanted a nice one because I probably would never get to meet her again. She said it was ok and she was nice about it but she was probably thinking: WHAT A WEIRDO. </div>
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And I am. A weirdo. Le sigh. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>November 11 2013</b></span></div>
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James Dashner was an interesting character. He started his talk by saying he had nothing planned to say. He might have matched me in awkwardness.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LCJyJd5ROrY/UxZbAAyn4BI/AAAAAAAACnk/_eEfoBtPV_c/s1600/IMG_2094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LCJyJd5ROrY/UxZbAAyn4BI/AAAAAAAACnk/_eEfoBtPV_c/s1600/IMG_2094.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Mostly he talked to a bunch of teenagers in the back who kept yelling things. Then there was the awkward silences. I have to say, it made me feel better about myself. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6FOJ5tsu-a4/UxZbAKC51uI/AAAAAAAACno/brKx8h1SxKo/s1600/IMG_2095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6FOJ5tsu-a4/UxZbAKC51uI/AAAAAAAACno/brKx8h1SxKo/s1600/IMG_2095.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>January 29 2014</b></span></div>
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My very first signing of 2014! Now, I never read Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children but, like I said before, I am kind of obsessed with Tahereh Mafi and wanted to see what her husband was like. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mFRDi2SEi1g/UxZbPDjEpyI/AAAAAAAACn8/e9jrRM8QFMA/s1600/IMG_2312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mFRDi2SEi1g/UxZbPDjEpyI/AAAAAAAACn8/e9jrRM8QFMA/s1600/IMG_2312.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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His story about how he got his book deal was very interesting. I'm surprised his books got as popular as they did with such an nontraditional publisher. I wanted to see what all the hoopla was about so I bought the book and got it signed. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0UGmH12-3A8/UxZbPBpd9TI/AAAAAAAACn0/pspE4bk9kh8/s1600/IMG_2315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0UGmH12-3A8/UxZbPBpd9TI/AAAAAAAACn0/pspE4bk9kh8/s1600/IMG_2315.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Now, I was there an hour early so I bought a grande coffee at Starbucks. BAD IDEA MARKELLA. By the time the signing started, I had to pee sooooo bad. I got my picture with Ransom then practically sprinted to the bathroom. </div>
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In the stall, I paused for a moment. Where was the book?!? I finished up and ran out. Luckily, a bookstore staff held it for me as I left it with Ransom. Close call there. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Next Time:</b></span></div>
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Stephanie Perkins, Megan Shepherd, Victoria Schwab, Ellen Oh, and Jessica Spotswood</div>
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Marissa Meyer</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Then:</span></b></div>
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Dark Days Tour: Tahereh Mafi, Veronica Rossi, Sophie Jordan, and Kiersten White</div>
Markellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713318366122900209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233803824956554455.post-18804888869950390972014-02-28T17:40:00.000-05:002014-03-27T22:07:49.954-04:00Authors Are My Rockstars Part 3: National Book Festival<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x6v_nJlsqoQ/Uw-76CqvqcI/AAAAAAAACik/CS1VpRoT-x0/s1600/authorsrockstars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x6v_nJlsqoQ/Uw-76CqvqcI/AAAAAAAACik/CS1VpRoT-x0/s1600/authorsrockstars.jpg" /></a></div>
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In case you missed my <a href="http://hardcoverlife.blogspot.com/2014/02/authors-are-my-rockstars-author-events.html">first</a> or <a href="http://hardcoverlife.blogspot.com/2014/02/authors-are-my-rockstars-author-events_24.html">second </a>recap.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">September 21st 2013</span></div>
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The 2013 National Book Festival hosted by The Library of Congress had many fabulous authors. The one I was most excited for was none other than Veronica Roth, author of Divergent. </div>
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But, first, let me tell you about my day. </div>
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It's a Saturday. I get up at around 8:30 -- that's early for me on a weekend. I eat breakfast, grab my already packed stuff (always double check you have your books with you), and head down to the bus. The DC metro is horrible on weekends because it's when they do track work so if your train isn't delayed for 30-40 minutes or longer, you are lucky. Anyway, I go and wait for the bus and I am waiting and waiting. Finally after 30 minutes, I see it but it's stopped at a corner. And in front of it is a car. A man gets out of the car and is looking at his fender. The bus I'm waiting for just hit a freakin' car!!!</div>
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I watch as all the buses' occupants start running out, making a bee line for another bus that goes a different route but still into DC. I run after them like a stalker. </div>
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And I get to the National Mall in tact though later than I wanted to be. I walk around a little, find the tent where Patrick Ness is speaking, and stay to listen a bit. </div>
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Then I text someone from my book club and ask if they are there. She says she's already waiting in line for V Roth. What?!? It's still about 3-4 hours before the signing even starts.</div>
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I make my way to the line starting point and there is already a good 30-40 people. I, being the pessimistic and anxious person that I am, decide to just get in line now, even if it means missing Patrick Ness' signing. </div>
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The line after about an hour or two:</div>
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Hundreds of people showed up. Luckily I was in one of the first rows of people.</div>
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So I take my seat under the trees. There is a mother and daughter in front of me and a lone woman behind. Mind you, I, too, came alone to this. I do that for most bookish things since all the people I know who like YA who live near me are only from my book club and who did not want to wait in line for 3 hours to get ONE book signed. In summation: they aren't as crazy as I am.</div>
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It was completely worth it for me.</div>
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Anyway, the three ladies and I began to talk and pretty much socialized through the entire wait, talking about books and authors we met. The lone woman behind me was obsessed with getting books signed and had hundreds of them signed. She said her bed room is FULL to the max of them, most she has never even read. Her best story was waiting 12 hours for a Harry Potter book on opening day.</div>
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The mom and daughter came on a bus from somewhere upstate with their group just for a Festival.</div>
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I recommend, if you go to these things alone, talking to the people around you. I think book lovers are some of the friendliest people because they just have this enthusiasm for a subject and luckily it's one you both share! Although I classify myself as almost a complete introvert, I am always surprised about the amount of people I meet and talk to at these types of things. And if you really knew me, you would be very surprised how social I can be.</div>
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Anyway, the ladies held my spot for me while I went to get an outrageously priced hotdog at a seedy truck close by. I was walking past the lines and saw that Patrick Ness' line was almost over and super short! I raced back to grab A Monster Calls, the only book I've read by him and one I randomly bought at a used book store.</div>
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I got in line and two minutes later I got to meet him. I exchanged my camera with a girl behind me who was also going solo (another trick: make friends in line for photos). I told him how much the book effected me because I had lost someone. It was so cute to see him a little lost for words at my personal confession. It was nice to not be the only awkward person in the conversation. </div>
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Anyway, here is Patrick and I:</div>
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Back to Veronica. After waiting for several hours, finally it is 2:00 pm and the line begins to move! It only took half an hour from that point on.<br />
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I was so nervous going up to meet her. I followed her blog when I was right out of college and obsessed over it a little. I'm not sure what it was about her story that I connected to and admired so much (other than the mega success). She is my number one author I follow because I like her personally, the second is Tahereh Mafi. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This photo is largely butt. Sorry girl.</td></tr>
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Anyway, I gave my camera to my line friend because there was no time for posed pictures since the line was so long. This is normal with big name authors. Also, as with most big name authors, Veronica only had time to sign one book. Surprisingly, she also personalized it. Usually they don't do that if they only have time for one. </div>
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Here's the pic of me gushing and telling Veronica awkward things! At least she looks like she's enjoying what I'm saying.</div>
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After the signing, which a lot of people at the end of the line didn't get to do (hey, you snooze you lose), we went over to the pavilion where Veronica was going to give her talk! Our one book line friend got separated from us and we didn't see her again. So weird spending hours with someone then POOF they are gone without even a goodbye. </div>
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Anyway, we got lucky for seating because once we entered the tent, three people left their seats in the front. Perfect! </div>
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The talk was great and I was maybe 20 feet from the stage.</div>
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Here is the video of her talk: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0Tn1dW73sM"></a></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/e0Tn1dW73sM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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It began pouring pouring pouring rain just as Veronica arrived. The tent was so full but it was raining so hard that it made everyone squeeze in even tighter. I saw Veronica's husband (see how crazy I am I knew what he looked like) waiting behind the stage. When her talk was over, I said goodbye to my new friends and tried to see where she was going, but by then it was just a sea of umbrellas. </div>
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I walked around a bit more, got completely soaked through, then went to the metro and went home.</div>
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IT WAS AN AWESOME DAY....</div>
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with a very soggy ending. </div>
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Up next!</div>
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Holly Black and James Dashner at the Bethesda Library</div>
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Ransom Riggs at Barnes and Noble</div>
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And more!</div>
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Markellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713318366122900209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233803824956554455.post-37742557829126162332014-02-24T20:21:00.000-05:002014-02-27T17:27:57.725-05:00Authors Are My Rockstars: Author Events 2013 Part 2<div style="text-align: center;">
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Without further ado, I will continue on with recapping all the wonderful authors I've met in the last year. If you missed it, here's <a href="http://hardcoverlife.blogspot.com/2014/02/authors-are-my-rockstars-author-events.html">Part One with Stephanie Meyer, Kami Garcia and Lauren Oliver</a>.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large; font-weight: normal;">May 18th 2013</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Oh the Gaithersburg Book Festival! Why oh why did you have to be on the same day as my boyfriend's graduation?? And worse yet, why did you have to tantalize me with a signing by Maggie Stiefvater. You know how weak I am when it comes to the Raven Boys!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">So I know what you're thinking. No way did she leave her boyfriend and his family to drive half an hour away to get some freakin' books signed on his graduation day. Well, honey, then you just don't know me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I had had had to get these books signed. OMG so worth it even after 5 fights with my boyfriend that went like this:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: red;"><u>Me: </u></span>You wouldn't be mad if I went would you? It would only be for an hour or two.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: blue;"><u>Him: </u></span>No, I don't care if you just leave me with my parents who drove 6 hours to see us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: red;"><u>Me:</u></span> I'll be back! I'll just miss lunch and catch up with you later. Anyway, It will be nice for you guys to spend time alone.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: blue;"><u>Him: </u></span>I said I wasn't mad that you are just going to leave us, on my graduation day, to go get a book signed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">And you can see how this would continue on and on. Can you say guilt trip? I definitely deserved it though.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">On to the signing!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I hav</span>e no idea what Maggie and I talked about. Probably my regular spiel with authors since I never have anything original to say. Usually that I love their book. I write too. I talk about how I #fail at it. They comfort me and give advice. I find it works for me. </div>
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Anyway, Maggie is known to make little doodles in her books. The one below is for the Scorpio Races. It's so adorable! The Raven Boys signature was not nearly as exciting. </div>
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September 18th 2013</h2>
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Rainbow Rowell had to be the funniest authors I've ever seen. She was like a comedian, interacting with the audience and making fun of them. If you don't like her books (or do), still go see her if you have a chance.</div>
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This was at Politics and Prose in DC. The room was pretty packed. I didn't realize she was so popular. Anyway, she was promoting Fangirl which I wasn't so sure I wanted. I read Eleanor and Park for my book club and liked it a lot but was never all that much into fanfiction (except with I had an obsession with Inuyasha and HP Ginny/ Malfoy fic) so I wasn't sure how much I would like Fangirl.</div>
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I'm still kicking myself for not buying it there and getting it signed!</div>
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Rainbow talked a lot about her social anxiety which I really related to since I also experience it a lot. She talked about how she was very shy one-on-one but could really turn it on for a crowd. And boy did she ever!</div>
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I told Rainbow about the conversation I had with other bookclubers on what a child named Rainbow would be like and said she's exactly what a child named Rainbow would be like to me. </div>
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This scenario happens often to me where I walk away from authors and feel like I said something stupid. 1. Because that didn't sound like much of a compliment and 2. Because "Rainbow" might be a pen name. Oh well. Not the first or last dumb thing I've said. </div>
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Here's a video from the talk. No idea why I taped it sideways. </div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">September 19 2013</span></h2>
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The next night Politics and Prose had Elizabeth Wein, author of Code Name Verity, promoting Rose Under Fire. She turned out to be one of the most research oriented authors in terms of what she had to do for her books. She explained she tried to get as many details about things as she could and that she tried to remain as historically accurate as she could.</div>
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I'd read Code Name Verity, again for my book club, and really liked it even though I'm not into historical fiction. I ended up buying a copy to get signed at the event. </div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Next Time:</span></h2>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">I thought I would get to National Book Festival but realized it wouldn't be possible unless this post would be super long!</span><br />
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Stay tuned for National Book Festival with Patrick Ness and Veronica Roth!!</div>
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After that:</div>
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Holly Black and James Dashner at the Bethesda Library</div>
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Ransom Rigga at Barnes and Noble</div>
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and so much more!</div>
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<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-IqfQjhBe55c%2FUwvcnSYfrDI%2FAAAAAAAACgY%2FAvNVYJDsRRs%2Fs1600%2FIMG_1723.JPG&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IqfQjhBe55c/UwvcnSYfrDI/AAAAAAAACgY/AvNVYJDsRRs/s1600/IMG_1723.JPG" -->Markellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713318366122900209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233803824956554455.post-49226193196935533302014-02-16T15:58:00.000-05:002014-02-16T15:58:24.344-05:00Authors Are My Rockstars: Author Events 2013 Part 1<div style="text-align: center;">
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Oh man, it's been a long time since I wrote one of these posts. March 10, 2013 as a matter of fact now that I look. Why can't I be better! </div>
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So I'm going to separate my author encounters into a few posts! Ha ha let's see if I come through with that... Last time I blast myself for being a bad blogger, promise. </div>
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Anyway if I haven't said so before, I live near DC and am so so lucky because a TON --no a SHIT TON of authors roll in here all the time. I try to go to almost everything that I can. Here is a recap of the last year of book signing/ author meetups I've been to:</div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">February 21st 2013</span></h2>
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When The Host came out, Stephanie Meyer came to the very popular Politics and Prose in Washington DC. I live like maybe a 15-20 minute drive from there. However, it was on a Thursday afternoon and I work M-F 8-4. Coincidentally, I had already taken that day and the next off because I was undergoing surgery for my wisdom teeth. </div>
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<u>Let me tell you what a nut I am:</u></div>
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No joke, I asked not to be put under and only have the area numbed so I could be lucid enough to go to the signing. The whole surgery took about 40 minutes, I dropped my bf at home, dropped off my prescriptions and went down to DC to stand in line for an hour or two.</div>
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I still had the bandages in my mouth on line and had to spit them out before going in!</div>
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I thought it was a good idea then and even now I'm glad I did it but I'm pretty sure it's what led to me having dry socket since I didn't rest and was very mobile for about 5 hours right after surgery. Believe me when I say you do not want dry socket! <b>Worst pain of my life. </b>But alas, I hardly remember what it actually felt like and the experience was totally worth it. </div>
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Anyway, about the signing, it was interesting because, like most big authors, they didn't allow "posed" pictures. I made friends with people on line who took some for me which turned out alright. Stephanie would only personalize your copy of The Host and sign one other book. However, the line wasn't very long at all and the signing ended like an hour or two early. If you brought the other books in your car, you could get back online to get them signed again. I brought one extra and the girl in line with me only had one book so she got mine signed.</div>
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Stephanie was very nice and was blown away when I told her what I did that morning. She hid in the back room when the line dwindled so I felt like she could have given a bit more time to everyone but what do I know about how this stuff works...</div>
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The two main guys in the movie (Max Irons and Jake Abel) were there too. If you bought something from the bookstore, they gave you a poster to get signed.</div>
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There was so much time at the end that the actors began to take individual pictures with people. I was about to get a picture with them but then they cut that short to shuffle the actors to wherever they were going. </div>
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Feeling dejected, I went through the back of the building and through the underground coffee shop. I never had gone to it and wanted to see what it was like.</div>
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I walk out into the parking lot and lo and behold, there the boys are next to their waiting SUV with girls asking them to take a picture. Like a HUGE geek, I asked if I could join in the picture with this group of strangers. They agreed, took the pic, pushed the boys back in SUV and the girl texted it to me. I have some big cajones sometimes. </div>
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The pain was totally worth it. </div>
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In the line, I met Andye from <a href="http://www.readingteen.net/">Reading Teen</a> who was there with her kids. I had never heard of the blog (because I am living out in space.) She was so nice and I've seen her at a lot of things since!</div>
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February 23rd 2013</h2>
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To continue my story of insanity, two days later (through Andye) I heard Kami Garcia was coming to a Barnes and Noble in Bethesda, Maryland. Also about 20 minutes away.</div>
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Some bloggers friends I made at Meagan Spooner's book launch for Skylark, Jess and Kat of <a href="http://www.booksandsensibility.com/">Books and Sensibility</a>, met me there for the event. </div>
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We got to pick out good seats since we were there at least an hour early. Honestly, I had never heard of Beautiful Creatures before the movie was announced but I hate to miss out on meeting an author. I bought the first two books to be signed but still haven't read them (bad Markella).</div>
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Kami did a talk and then a signing. She talked about how her and her writing partner just wrote it for fun and for their kids. She gave off a very New Yorker toughness that I didn't expect since the books are so southern. Don't ask me where she is actually from. </div>
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Kami also signed the movie poster that Barnes and Noble was giving away. I usually like to remember the bookstore's policy on signings but can't seem to recall. I know I bought the second book there but I don't remember if I had to. I think I did... anyway. </div>
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In the picture below you can see the progression of my face from normal after the surgery to a bloated mess. I was very subtle hiding it with the books. NOT. </div>
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March 5th 2013</h2>
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Next was Lauren Oliver. I can't say I remember all that much of what she talked about. </div>
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Oh here's a video with a tidbit:</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/YoS87TvRF6c?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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This was at the Bethesda library in Maryland that Politics and Prose frequently schedules authors to speak at. </div>
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Next Time:</h2>
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Maggie Stiefvater at the Gaithersburg Book Festival</div>
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Rainbow Rowell and Elizabeth Wein at Politics and Prose</div>
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Veronica Roth and Patrick Ness at The National Book Festival</div>
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..and that's just up til September 2013. </div>
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Markellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713318366122900209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233803824956554455.post-8528317320035530212014-01-21T20:22:00.004-05:002014-01-21T20:27:16.330-05:00Whatageek: Supernatural Edition: Number 1 on my Bucket List<br />
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upernatural Edition</h2>
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Supernatural. Oh how I love thee. You make me laugh and cry and sigh (and roll my eyes but only in that 7th season)... but I digress. <i>Never do anything like that again. </i>Anywoo, specifically, I love you because of one very Superficial (haha) factor. </div>
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<b>DEAN WINCHESTER AKA JENSEN ACKLES</b></div>
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I've had a giant ass crush on Dean Winchester since I first started watching the show in it's second season.</div>
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Something about that bad boy persona mixed with a wicked sense of humor and that soft, feather-down layer of vulnerability. And also the breaking shit when he's angry. And the crying while looking up to the sky. It's just all around hot.<br />
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Now, I've also watched extras on the DVD and found something weird. I don't actually like the actor Jensen Ackles. Oh his face, sure. But his personality... let's just say he's no Dean Winchester.</div>
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<u>Speeding up the story a few years:</u></div>
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My boyfriend and I were randomly talking about our Bucket Lists one day and I jokingly said the NUMBER ONE thing on my BUCKET LIST is:</div>
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<li>Meet and do unspeakable things to Dean Winchester.</li>
<li>Die happy</li>
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This is all just buildup to one extremely geeky experience that I'm not ashamed of. Nor do I regret! (Alright there is a little shame.)</div>
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I follow some Jensen Ackles <i>I Wuv You So Much, Can I Kiss Your Face?</i> Instagrams. At the same time, someone in my ForeverYA book club asked if anyone was going to go to AwesomeCon.</div>
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And an idea hit me.</div>
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What about a Supernatural Convention. Ha! HA HA! I'm a genius.</div>
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A little searching and I found it. Right near DC! </div>
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Wait...it's sold out???</div>
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Refresh, refresh, refresh.</div>
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Doesn't make a difference. Maybe one more time. Refresh.</div>
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NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO</div>
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Extreme disappointment when the dream I had on my 2.5 minute Google search led to failure. Then...hey! My Mom lives in NY and I go there all the time...wonder if there is one near there.</div>
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<u>Result:</u></div>
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2 tickets to Supernatural Con NJ and a photo op with Jensen Ackles = PRICELESS</div>
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And well...$362. And a little pity from my sister who offered to come with me. And also a happy dance that lasted for about 10 minutes until even the cats thought I was crazy. I'm sorry I'm not sorry.</div>
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I'M GOING TO TOUCH DEAN WINCHESTER.</div>
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I asked Sam and Dean if I'm going to be in their general presence and possible giggle inappropriately at them. This was their response:</div>
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THE END</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Excuse all the GIFS. I just learned how to put them in and went a wee bit cray cray, k?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So this will be a lengthy post with a lot of recap about author's I've recently had the privilege of meeting. I think I'll do this in chronological order. That seems like a good way, right? Funny story, I didn't realize, until I started this post, how long ago I stopped blogging. I was looking for the pictures from when I met <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1304470.Ally_Condie">Ally Condie</a>, author of the <u>Matched Trilogy </u>(<u><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7735333-matched">Matched</a></u>, <u><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15812814-crossed">Crossed</a></u> and <u><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13125947-reached">Reached</a></u>), but kept running into pictures from Christmas. Then I realized I met her all the way back in <i>NOVEMBER.</i> God that feels like forever ago...Okay not funny, or really interesting so I'll just move on. </span><br />
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</span> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rl_a_leSEsA/UTzNR7H94aI/AAAAAAAABqk/A2bgSXYW4co/s1600/2012-11-29_17-05-47_39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rl_a_leSEsA/UTzNR7H94aI/AAAAAAAABqk/A2bgSXYW4co/s320/2012-11-29_17-05-47_39.jpg" width="180" /></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">Anyway, Ally was great to listen to. She said we could take as many pictures as we want but not video because why else would people come to hear her speak if they could just look online for a video? Somehow I don't really think anyone thinks like that, but to each her own, I guess. Ally made it informal and was more open to questions than giving a long spiel. </span><br />
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</span> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XzJMJiWOYZ0/UTzNSRkg1SI/AAAAAAAABqs/2MuTTLDZpnw/s1600/2012-11-29_17-05-49_726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XzJMJiWOYZ0/UTzNSRkg1SI/AAAAAAAABqs/2MuTTLDZpnw/s320/2012-11-29_17-05-49_726.jpg" width="180" /></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">What I found most interesting about her explanation of the books is that she wanted to use more modern poems than the ones she ended up using in the books because of the cost to use poems "by people who are alive" vs. authors who are deceased. Meaning it cost a lot less to use copyrighted things from dead authors. It made me wonder how significant the effect was in the books.</span><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1XDi2KmRUt8/UTzNSNzMmkI/AAAAAAAABqw/x57Nfs0-Hqc/s1600/IMG_20121129_175856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1XDi2KmRUt8/UTzNSNzMmkI/AAAAAAAABqw/x57Nfs0-Hqc/s320/IMG_20121129_175856.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">She also talked about her inspiration for the setting of <u>Crossed,</u> which was Utah where she's from. She said most apocalyptic movies are shot there and that criminals like to use the mountain region because you could hide in there forever. I've never read a book that used this setting before so I thought it was cool that it was based on a real place. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">She explained her inspiration for the <u>Matched </u>world was talking to her husband about Proposition 8 (where residents of California voted on whether or not same-sex couples can marry) and the conversation made her wonder what would happen in a world where the government chose who you had to marry. Judging by the inspiration, I don't think the government allowed for same-sex marriages in her world....</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">No I haven't read <u>Reached</u> yet, still. I'm not in a hurry because the series was just Ehh for me. I think it's for a younger demographic but I'll get to it one day.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">So, there were a lot more people at this signing than the Fierce Reads Tour, surprisingly. I guess I didn't figure the books are a popular as they are. <i>My Bad</i>. Either way, I'm always at least an hour early to these things because of anxiety issues (not a terrible anxiety issue, right? What I mean is, if you had to choose one, timeliness wouldn't be so bad). I got good seats --long story short. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My review of <a href="http://hardcoverlife.blogspot.com/2012/03/book-review-matched.html">Matched</a> and <a href="http://hardcoverlife.blogspot.com/2012/05/book-review-crossed.html">Crossed</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now, I'm back more in the present. I had a busy fun filled time seeing three different authors in one week in February. IT WAS GREAT!</span><br />
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</span> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7zTa48nUBis/UTzJfT63FdI/AAAAAAAABqc/JNrmYapcEHc/s1600/e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7zTa48nUBis/UTzJfT63FdI/AAAAAAAABqc/JNrmYapcEHc/s320/e.jpg" width="180" /></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">Let me get to it. On Tuesday of my author filled week, I met <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4684322.Marissa_Meyer">Marissa Meyer</a> author of the <u>Lunar Chronicles</u> (<u><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11235712-cinder">Cinder</a></u> and <u><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13206760-scarlet">Scarlet</a></u> so far). I finished <u>Cinder </u>at the day of the signing. I've had it for a while after winning it from a giveaway so this kicked my butt in gear to read it. And...I really liked it! I don't like when the narrators in stories change so we'll see about <u>Scarlet</u>.</span><br />
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</span> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dHMsGHbMiAU/UTzJNd_jnLI/AAAAAAAABp0/vVz-l2F7Owg/s1600/a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dHMsGHbMiAU/UTzJNd_jnLI/AAAAAAAABp0/vVz-l2F7Owg/s320/a.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="180" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">On to Marissa. I have to say she was one of the nerdiest authors I've met. This is a compliment! One nerd to another. She's obsessed with Star Trek and Sailor Moon in particular.</span><br />
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</span> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dHMsGHbMiAU/UTzJNd_jnLI/AAAAAAAABp0/vVz-l2F7Owg/s1600/a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></a><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xX1UdeIkX3g/UTzJN1JLpyI/AAAAAAAABqI/GHReUdA3Zwo/s1600/d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xX1UdeIkX3g/UTzJN1JLpyI/AAAAAAAABqI/GHReUdA3Zwo/s320/d.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">She actually began writing Sailor Moon fanfiction which lead her to enter a Sailor Moon writing contest where she had to choose from two different elements for the book. She decided on science fiction and fairy tales (you can see where this is h</span>eading) about Puss in Boots because Sailor Moon has a lot of talking cats in it. She got second place out of two. However, this got her going on the science fiction/ fairy tale route. She has a dream about Cindrella where instead of Cindy's shoes falling off as she runs up the steps, it was her cyborg foot. Marissa decided to use this idea in a NaNoWriMO<span style="clear: left; color: black; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"> contest (where you write 50,000 words in a month) with the idea of Cinder in mind. In order to win a spot on an episode Star Trek, she had to have the biggest word count in a contest in her region. She got second place by only a thousand words (she wrote over 150,000. Whaaaaa), unfortunately. But good for her because she got the ideas for the first three books in the</span><u style="line-height: 21px;"> Lunar Chronicles</u><span style="line-height: 21px;">. Yes, so she's </span><i style="line-height: 21px;">that geeky</i><span style="line-height: 21px;"> and it was great! I loved her enthusiasm. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Dq6R4UGKdA/UTzJNtyBebI/AAAAAAAABqA/CtNX2m0twAg/s1600/559992_533510553360904_1696049450_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">She was the first author I've seen to read from their book. She read a section of <u>Scarlet</u> in Scarlet's POV. However, the most interesting part of the night was that I got to have dinner with her, her husband, another author from the DC area and her book tour </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">host guy (ehh?). Plus me and five girls from a book club I joined through </span><a href="http://foreveryoungadult.com/" style="font-family: inherit;">ForeverYoungAdult.com</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">. It </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">was her birthday so we went to a fancy French (to celebrate Scarlet) restaurant. She was super sweet and so was her husband who took off work to go on a two week tour with her. It was her actual birthday so it was really cool of her to spend the time with her fans. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Dq6R4UGKdA/UTzJNtyBebI/AAAAAAAABqA/CtNX2m0twAg/s1600/559992_533510553360904_1696049450_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Dq6R4UGKdA/UTzJNtyBebI/AAAAAAAABqA/CtNX2m0twAg/s320/559992_533510553360904_1696049450_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Us at dinner! I'm on the left of Marissa by two seats.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So that's two authors down, three to go! In Part Two, I'll talk about meeting Stephenie Meyer </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">(author of </span><u style="font-family: inherit;">The Host</u><span style="font-family: inherit;"> and the </span><u style="font-family: inherit;">Twilight</u><span style="font-family: inherit;"> series) </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">plus Max Irons and Jake Abel form The Host movie , Kami </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Garcia</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> (author of </span><u style="font-family: inherit;">Caster Chronicles</u><span style="font-family: inherit;">) and Lauren Oliver (author of the </span><u style="font-family: inherit;">Delirium</u><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u> </u>Series).</span></div>
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Markellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713318366122900209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233803824956554455.post-71292233330823993062012-11-07T06:00:00.000-05:002012-11-07T06:00:15.263-05:00Book Review and Giveaway: Reaction<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-78x9VgxDJO8/UJm0lptzZrI/AAAAAAAABg8/s-OE0r9T7yQ/s1600/Reaction+Blog+Tour+Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-78x9VgxDJO8/UJm0lptzZrI/AAAAAAAABg8/s-OE0r9T7yQ/s400/Reaction+Blog+Tour+Banner.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;">Author: Jessica Roberts</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"> <a href="http://www.jessicarobertsauthor.blogspot.com/" style="color: #b45f06;">Website </a></span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jessica-Roberts/174139906035619" style="color: #b45f06;">Facebook</a></span> <br />
<a href="http://jrobertsauthor/" style="color: #b45f06;">Twitter</a><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;">Series or Stand-alone: </span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"> Book Two in a Two part series</span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;">Format:</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"> Ebook Finished Copy </span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"></span><span style="color: #b45f06;"></span> <span style="color: #134f5c;">How I got it:</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"> For a Book Tour</span></div>
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Publisher: S/P</div>
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Genre: New Adult / Contemporary</div>
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First Published: November 6 2012</div>
<span style="color: #134f5c;"></span> <span style="color: #134f5c;">Buy it from:</span> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?keywords=9780615710921&index=books&linkCode=qs&tag=httpwwwgoodco-20" style="color: #b45f06;">Amazon</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16075522-reaction" style="color: #b45f06;">Add to Goodreads</a></div>
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<u style="color: #134f5c;"><b>The GIST</b> (From</u><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16075522-reaction" style="color: #134f5c;"> <span style="color: #b45f06;">Goodreads</span></a><u style="color: #134f5c;">):</u><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span id="freeText8813975638662819689">Harmony… <br />
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I’ve previously had that in my life, but only once, briefly, a while ago. It was during the time I’d started my first year of college. My own apartment, a new old car, and a life free of deadbeat stepfathers, all of which was fulfilling enough. But if it wasn’t, I also had a best friend, soul mate, and boyfriend all in one. Yes, life was near perfect.<br />
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But one stormy night can change everything… <br />
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For many months I rested in a prolonged sleep, fighting for my life. Well, more than fighting for it, also dreaming of it. Dreaming of him. Thank goodness, the dream is over and I’m back in the real world now. And all I want is for everything to return to the way it was. But nothing’s the same; most of all, us.<br />
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Once again, I find myself at the crossroads of a ruthless battle, this time not for life, but love. Do I fight for the guy I twice fell for, or do I let her take him away?</span></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #134f5c;">***Warning: Mild spoilers from Book 1:<u> Reflection</u>***</span></b></div>
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In <a href="http://hardcoverlife.blogspot.com/2012/09/book-review-and-giveaway-reflection-by.html">my review</a> of the first book <u>Reflection</u>, I talked about how the love interest was awesome but that I skipped a lot of the book because it was boring and unnecessary. In this book, both things were lessened. <b>I read more of the book overall, however, I liked the love interest less in this book.</b><br />
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<u>Reaction</u> leaves off after the first book. Heather has woken up from a coma after two years. The "love of her life" is now engaged to someone else (I say that in quotes because they only knew each other for 6 months prior to her accident). Her life is in shambles and she's trying to pick up the pieces.<br />
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<b>What was surprising about this book was the interactions between Nick and Heather.</b> Heather is just so pathetic throwing herself at Nick while his girlfriend is right there. Trying to practically stalk Nick into submission. Just like last time, I could see her attraction to him but not the other way around. Heather even thinks "Hey we were only together for six months but I love him soo much!" <b>Ugh.</b> Nick and his fiance were together for at least a year so I didn't understand his greater connection to Heather.<br />
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The things Heather said were so awkward that I wanted to slap myself from second hand embarrassment. <b>She just blurts crap out like crazy which I thought was funny and true to life until she did it for the millionth time and made herself look so absolutely fangirl for Nick. </b>I guess my problem was that Heather was so immature while Nick was the opposite. Also, their relationship was still not as deep as the circumstances warranted it had to be. <b>To want a girl you dated for 6 months after thinking she betrayed you and ran off with another guy two years ago, you really have to love her. I just feel that a substantial love was not written in this book.</b><br />
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I also didn't like how Nick's fiance is the opposite of Heather. A girlie girl with a nasty attitude. It would have been more interesting if she was somehow likable.<br />
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<u><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>OVERALL:</b></span></u><br />
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The overall pacing was better than in the last book but the love story felt flat and superficial. -- <b>3.5 out of 10. </b><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TfZ_lk4qUEg/UJm0l1YzOPI/AAAAAAAABhE/8v3LbuDxrzg/s1600/jessicarobertsauthor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TfZ_lk4qUEg/UJm0l1YzOPI/AAAAAAAABhE/8v3LbuDxrzg/s1600/jessicarobertsauthor.jpg" /></a><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">JESSICA ROBERTS grew up in the San Francisco, California Bay Area where she spent most of her time playing sports alongside her six siblings. She was crowned Miss Teen California her senior year of high school, and went on to Brigham Young University where she graduated in Human Development. Her love of family, church, writing, athletics, and singing and dancing keeps her life busy and fulfilled. She currently resides in Utah with her husband and three children.</span></b><br />
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/2348b955/" id="rc-2348b955" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br />
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<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script><br />Markellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713318366122900209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233803824956554455.post-9902891974707631822012-10-21T17:28:00.003-04:002012-10-21T17:40:25.650-04:00Authors Are My Rockstars: Fierce Reads Tour<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mMogNbHiDVA/T_nlJeEqCHI/AAAAAAAAAw4/Fm4HEnZ9ZOM/s1600/authorsrockstars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mMogNbHiDVA/T_nlJeEqCHI/AAAAAAAAAw4/Fm4HEnZ9ZOM/s320/authorsrockstars.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I went to the Fierce Reads tour at the Bethesda Library in Maryland on Wednesday and got to meet some awesome and inspiring authors.<br />
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Caragh O'Brien, author of “Promised,” book No. 3 in the Bookmarked
trilogy, Gennifer Albin, author of “Crewel,” Leigh Bardugo, author of
“Shadow and Bone,” and Marie Rutkoski, author of “The Shadow Society.”<br />
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I've never read the "Promised" Series so unfortunately I didn't get any of Caragh's books.<br />
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However, I just finished "Crewel". I have been wanting to read "Shadow and Bone" for forever. "The Shadow Society" has been on my to-read list too so I did buy some books there.</div>
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It was great meeting such a range of authors with such completely different styles and books. Also it was a small crowd. Maybe twenty or so people so there was plenty of face time with the authors.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--cIEYPqtExA/UIRhYpdBlTI/AAAAAAAABec/DL1ixefi7b0/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--cIEYPqtExA/UIRhYpdBlTI/AAAAAAAABec/DL1ixefi7b0/s400/003.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Basically each author talked a little about her book. I've never been to a signing where the authors were asked questions and had to give their own rundown of their work.<br />
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Truthfully, it was really awkward. The room was so small and quiet that it made for a lot of uncomfortable pauses. Maybe authors are just awkward anyway (could be why they spend a lot of time alone writing). Either way it was really fun.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-to-1Vw1w_MM/UIRhZgqeZEI/AAAAAAAABes/Z-qDKd8yqNQ/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-to-1Vw1w_MM/UIRhZgqeZEI/AAAAAAAABes/Z-qDKd8yqNQ/s400/005.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a funny face Leigh made</td></tr>
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There was a Q and A with the audience. The dreaded question about where they get their ideas came up. Gennifer actually had a cool answer about a painting where people are sewing a tapestry that is flowing out of the window and creating the world. In the corner is a girl sewing herself into the tapestry. It stuck with her for about nine years until she wrote Crewel.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-psRodDLux7Q/UIRhaRvkSEI/AAAAAAAABe0/5EAPfMAzuEw/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-psRodDLux7Q/UIRhaRvkSEI/AAAAAAAABe0/5EAPfMAzuEw/s400/006.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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I asked the last question about how long it took them all to get agents and for their book to sell. Each one said that it went really quick for them but that's not the norm. At the end, I got my books signed. I really felt a strong connection to Leigh, who was funny and sarcastic, and got to talk to her about the book I'm writing. I've been having the problem of getting down on my writing ability because I read so many great authors. She told me to take a break from reading and just start writing. We both expressed our general dislike of blogging. It's ironic I'm blogging about not liking to blog....Anyway....<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ToKijZcqn68/UIRm9dCtTNI/AAAAAAAABf8/LFERKbvG0Z8/s1600/IMG_20121021_170548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ToKijZcqn68/UIRm9dCtTNI/AAAAAAAABf8/LFERKbvG0Z8/s400/IMG_20121021_170548.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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She wrote something really cool in my book.<br />
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It says:<br />
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<i>Don't be afraid to free the page. Looking forward to seeing your work on the shelves one day!</i><br />
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I've actually gone back to my WIP because of this meeting. So thanks Leigh!!<br />
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Next month Ally Condie will be at the library for when "Reached" comes out and I'm planning to go to that. If you live around the area you should come too!</div>
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<b>Remember I have a Giveaway going on that ends Saturday at midnight for one Signed Obsidian and two unsigned Onyx to 3 winners.</b></div>
Markellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713318366122900209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233803824956554455.post-24614784045894269952012-10-15T01:00:00.000-04:002012-10-15T01:00:07.660-04:00New Adult Cover Reveal: The Crimson Hunt by Victoria Smith<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #134f5c;">Author: </span><span style="color: #134f5c;">Victoria H. Smith</span><span style="color: #134f5c;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;">Series or Stand-alone: </span><b>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"> Book 1 in the Eldaen Light Chronicles</span><br />
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Genre: New Adult/ Science Fiction Romance</div>
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First Published: November 12, 2012</div>
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15747587-the-crimson-hunt" style="color: #b45f06;">Add to Goodreads</a></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><u><b>The GIST:</b></u></span></div>
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</span> <span style="color: #134f5c;">College junior Ariel Richmond is working on year three of Project Normalcy.<br />
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Her house reeks of keggers past and her bestie is just a slight bit vulgar. But the thing is—they both aid in making life refreshingly uneventful. </span> <span style="color: #134f5c;"><br />
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So much for hard-earned mediocrity when Luca Grinaldi appears on the scene.<br />
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Luca’s sudden presence on campus is hard to ignore. Those bright eyes act like a beacon to unsuspecting females, and with features like his, he’s got to be moonlighting for GQ. Luca hopelessly captivates Ariel with his confidence and charisma, but the mysteries surrounding him make him nearly untouchable. And just when Ariel grows close enough to unlock his secrets, a tragic event sends her life in a downward spiral.</span> <span style="color: #134f5c;"><br />
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That steady life is no longer an option and allies quickly become scarce. The mysterious Luca seems to be the only one willing to help her—but with that trust comes the burden of his secrets. He has a dark mission of otherworldly proportions, and is willing to sacrifice as many lives as it takes to see it completed.</span> <span style="color: #134f5c;"><br />
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Gone are the days of simply maintaining normalcy, and if Ariel isn’t cautious with her trust, so soon may be her future.</span><br />
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Victoria H. <span class="il">Smith</span> has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. She puts it to good use writing romance all day. She resides in the Midwest with her Macbook on her lap and a cornfield to her right. She often draws inspiration for her stories from her own life experiences, and the twenty-something characters she writes give her an earful about it.<br />
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In her free time, she enjoys extreme couponing, blogging, reading, and sending off a few tweets on Twitter when she can. She writes new adult fiction romance in the sub-genres of science fiction, urban fantasy, and contemporary, but really, anywhere her pen takes her she goes. </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Victoria H. Smith Links:</b> <span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-family: garamond,serif;"><b><a href="http://twentysomethingfictionwriter.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Blog</a> | <a href="http://www.facebook.com/AuthorVictoriaHSmith" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/VictoriaSmith76" target="_blank">Twitt<wbr></wbr>er</a> | <span style="color: #b45f06;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6440255.Victoria_H_Smith" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></span></b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: garamond,serif;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Playlist created by the the author for the book: </span></span></span></b></span></div>
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<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:user:1238530090:playlist:3masvUGETy30XeDcUXgWhh" width="300"></iframe><br /></div>
Markellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713318366122900209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233803824956554455.post-56727790760697163682012-10-07T13:13:00.000-04:002012-10-07T17:09:10.983-04:00Why Rebel Heart by Moira Young (Blood Red Road Sequel) might be a DNF for me<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>WARNING: Spoilers from <u>Blood Red Road</u> and a tiny bit from <u>Rebel Heart</u></b></span></div>
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<b>Guys. GUYS. I am so sad. SO SAD about <u>Rebel Heart</u>. SADDDDD.</b></div>
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<u>Backstory:</u></div>
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I'll admit I was a little slow getting on the <u>Blood Red Road</u> bandwagon. I started blogging in January 2012 and hadn't heard of the book before then. Since then, I'd seen it on countless blogs but it wasn't until a few weeks ago that I actually read it. </div>
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<a href="http://hardcoverlife.blogspot.com/2012/09/book-review-blood-red-road-by-moira.html"><b>AND I LOVED IT! </b></a></div>
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<b>Kickass Saba plus cool Jack. </b>What wasn't to love? </div>
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But when Jack leaves at the end of the BRR, I worried that <u>Rebel Heart </u>was gonna suffer what I call <u>Sequel Syndrome:</u> The second book in a three part series that has a brain numbingly boring plot that only escalates at end of novel with the romance reigniting.</div>
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It must seem necessary to authors, I guess. I can see why. It makes the love between the characters that much more special after they are separated for a period of time and it really tests the bond between them. Add a love triangle and its the <u>Sequel Syndrome:</u> prognosis DEATH by CLICHE.</div>
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<b>BUT I ABSOLUTELY HATE IT!</b></div>
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<u>HATE IT!</u> I kick and scream and cry and throw the book against the wall. (Then kiss it and tell it I'm sorry because it's not its fault its so crappy.)</div>
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For visual purposes think <u>New Moon</u> if you were Team Edward. Think <u>Pandemonium</u> if you were Team Alex. I'm sure there are so many more but I'm too lazy to go looking through my brain for them.</div>
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<b> But you see what I mean, right? </b></div>
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It's an epidemic in Young Adult! On a flip side: I loved <u>Insurgent</u> (<u>Divergent </u>Sequel) for not doing it and God bless Veronica Roth for not resorting to a love triangle either. </div>
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Back to <u>Rebel Heart</u>. When I won an ARC on Goodreads, I was so freakin' estastic I almost cried. I just couldn't wait to read it.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5sPmKwqpgDQ/UHG3wI9MsWI/AAAAAAAABb0/s8kc_uIdUio/s1600/13042154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5sPmKwqpgDQ/UHG3wI9MsWI/AAAAAAAABb0/s8kc_uIdUio/s320/13042154.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
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<b>However...</b></div>
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I can't get through it. I've tried. I really have. I work at a place where I run a group called Book Club where all my clients just read a book and so do I. I run a group called Typing Skills were I can just sit and read. I bring it home. I try in the car. I even try to read it back to front. This is starting to sound like <u>Green Eggs and Ham</u>. I will not read it Sam I Am!</div>
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The beginning starts in third person point of view through Jack's experience. It gives away his whole motivation!<b> What the hell! </b>Through what I've read, which is a little less than half the book and then I skimmed the rest, Saba thinks Jack betrays her. But by having his POV as the first chapter, Young pretty much gives all the suspense away before you even get to that point! </div>
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And it's just so boring. Saba is going crazy, like delusional crazy. She lost all of her mojo. It's sad really. </div>
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<b><br />
</b> If <u>Sequel Syndrome</u> was a real disease, <u>Rebel Heart </u>would be DOA.</div>
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<b> I can't. I just can't. </b></div>
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This is going to be a Did Not Finish for me right now until I forget about my disappointment and anger and can try to pick it up again. Maybe I will by the third book.</div>
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<b>Le Sigh.</b></div>
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Sorry to disappoint those who are excited to read it. Maybe you'll like it better than me.</div>
Markellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713318366122900209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233803824956554455.post-77177938774814861162012-10-04T08:00:00.000-04:002014-02-28T17:48:25.545-05:00DIY Halloween Costume How To: Katniss Hunting and Arena (Part 2)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--re2n0GBVFw/UGzbNsUtMuI/AAAAAAAABa4/8ZIeffSrKow/s1600/Halloween+23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--re2n0GBVFw/UGzbNsUtMuI/AAAAAAAABa4/8ZIeffSrKow/s400/Halloween+23.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">In Part 1, I went over <i>possibly</i> the most important part of the costume. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b> <a href="http://hardcoverlife.blogspot.com/2012/09/halloween-costume-katniss-hunting-and.html">Click here for THE HAIR</a></b></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> In Part 2, I'm going to go over how to put together the clothing aspect that will make your Katniss costume awesome. There are two routes you can go though: really authentic or recognizable but cheap. It's your choice.</span></span><br />
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Again...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>There are three great things about this costume:</u></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1.Most of the stuff you can re-wear.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">2.You probably have some of these things in your closet.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">3. If you don't, they are mostly cheap. The distressed look is a big part of the costume so go down to your local thrift store and buy those crappy cargos. They're perfect! </span></span><br />
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<b>So after reading that list and realizing this is the costume for you, you are set on being Miss Everdeen. Congrats! Continuing on reading my tips for the perfect Katniss costume.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u><b>The List:</b></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Main elements to Hunting Katniss (before the Hunger Games):</span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1. Reverse french braid or dutch braid (same thing) over shoulder.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">2. Distressed brown leather jacket.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">3. Brown striped trousers.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">4. Lace up knee high brown leather boots.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">5. Wooden Flat Bow, Quiver, and Arrows.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">6. Long sleeved button Y t-shirt </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">7. Brown leather belt with gold buckle. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">8. Mockingjay pin (not worn in this scene but helps for people to identify who you are)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">9. Forage Bag (Not in movie) </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Main elements to the Hunger Games Arena Katniss:</span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1. Reverse french braid or dutch braid (same thing) over shoulder.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">2. Hooded long black rain resistant jacket.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">3. Olive green or brown cargo pants.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">4. Brown leather ankle boots.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">5. Dark brown Recurve Bow, Quiver, and Arrows. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">6. Dark brown belt with gold circle cutouts doubled around the waist.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">6. Black V-neck short sleeve t-shirt.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">7. Bright orange backpack.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">8. Mockingjay Pin.</span></span></div>
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<u><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hunting Katniss (before the Hunger Games)</span></span></b></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><u>Descriptions of her outfit from the book: </u></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Chapter 1: </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"I swing my legs off the bed and slide into my hunting boots. Supple leather that has molded to my feet. I pull on trousers, a shirt, tuck my long dark braid into a cap, and grab my forage bag."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"As soon as I'm in the trees, I retrieve a bow and sheath of arrows from a hollow log."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">VS.</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><u>How she looked in the movie:</u></b></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VU8s7XHYOf8/UGxQIW9-CcI/AAAAAAAABU0/mGUNb49TBxk/s1600/hunger_games_katniss_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VU8s7XHYOf8/UGxQIW9-CcI/AAAAAAAABU0/mGUNb49TBxk/s400/hunger_games_katniss_1.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yAiUc0gVxlw/UGxQI8qrvmI/AAAAAAAABU8/5bUQTBttHlg/s1600/katniss-everdeen-costume1-480x319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yAiUc0gVxlw/UGxQI8qrvmI/AAAAAAAABU8/5bUQTBttHlg/s400/katniss-everdeen-costume1-480x319.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span><u><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Differences between the Movie and Book:</span></span></u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <u>Book </u> <u>Movie </u></span></span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"> No jacket Leather Jacket</span></span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Regular Braid Around the Head Braid </span></span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Carries a Bag <span style="color: white;">No Ba g</span> No Bag </span></span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Wears Hat <span style="color: white;">Bag </span> No Hat </span></span></span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><u>The List:</u></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Main elements to Hunting Katniss (before the Hunger Games):</span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1. Reverse french braid or dutch braid (same thing) over shoulder.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">2. Distressed brown leather jacket.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">3. Brown striped trousers.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">4. Lace up knee high brown leather boots.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">5. Wooden Flat Bow, Quiver, and Arrows.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">6. Long sleeved button Y t-shirt </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">7. Brown leather belt with gold buckle. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">8. Mockingjay pin (not worn in this scene but helps for people to identify who you are)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">9. Forage Bag (Not in movie) </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Keep a look out for <b>Cheap Tricks</b> noted in <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Blue </b></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mZoqzPbzjn8/UGy0xuHsSHI/AAAAAAAABXo/tZDThx9npRI/s1600/D12_fence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mZoqzPbzjn8/UGy0xuHsSHI/AAAAAAAABXo/tZDThx9npRI/s640/D12_fence.jpg" height="640" width="356" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The book gives a lot of leniency about how Katniss is dressed. It describes trousers, a braid, leather boots, a shirt and a forage bag.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Therefore, I'm going to describe more of the movie's look of Hunting Katniss:</u></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1.<b> Reverse french braid or dutch braid (same thing) over shoulder.</b> Although the book describes a regular braid, the movie version will definitely seal your costume as Katniss.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> ---See <span style="color: #b45f06;"><a href="http://hardcoverlife.blogspot.com/2012/09/halloween-costume-katniss-hunting-and.html">Part One </a></span>for the How To</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">2. <b>A brown leather jacket </b>is an important part of this outfit so try your best to find one. She's not wearing one in the book but, again, the movie is the visual that people have of what Katniss looks like.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> ---<b>Cheap trick</b>:<span style="color: #45818e;"> It doesn't have to be a great looking jacket. Actually the more distressed, the better! So borrow your Dad's or brother's, go to the Thrift store, etc. Plus, a distressed leather jacket can be used in your everyday life too if you need to get one for the outfit.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">3. You can do <b>trousers</b>. In the movie, hers are a medium brown with a subtle vertical light colored line running throughout which you can see in the picture on the right.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> ---<b>Cheap trick: </b><span style="color: #45818e;">Wear a pair of brown or gray trousers, skinny pants or cargos which are able to be tucked into boots and aren't too baggy or too fitted. Lots of options.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0LLZfrQP0gU/UGy0I4sCW8I/AAAAAAAABXg/kjA1eJ_6dEw/s1600/KATNISS_hunting+boots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0LLZfrQP0gU/UGy0I4sCW8I/AAAAAAAABXg/kjA1eJ_6dEw/s400/KATNISS_hunting+boots.jpg" height="400" width="286" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">4. She wears <b>leather boots</b> in the movie and book. In the movie they are brown and laced. I recommend wearing brown because it's supposed to be the more earthy looking costume vs. the more bad ass Katniss in the Arena.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> ---<b>Cheap trick:</b> <span style="color: #45818e;">Knee high brown leather is the best but they aren't a focal point of the costume so if you want to wear any brown leather boots or ones that sort of look like brown knee leather boots, go for it! (Uggs not recommended).</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> 5. Katniss carries a <b>wooden flat bow</b> her Dad made her, homemade arrows and quiver.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> ---<b>Cheap Trick:</b> <span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="color: #45818e;">Let's get real here. What kind of Bow and Arrows can you get? GOOD ENOUGH! You can even make the quiver and arrows. You'll need something to keep them in if you want to carry bows. Get creative! Use a towel roll and cover it with black/ brown paper, covering the bottom completely. Use black/ brown string or belt. Glue/ tie to towel roll so it's long enough to cross your chest. Arrows can jut be long sticks with red paper glued to the tips.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r5HNagXpC_M/UGxQdQIKF9I/AAAAAAAABVI/AoNa-jgGcj8/s1600/1000px-Katniss_gale_bread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r5HNagXpC_M/UGxQdQIKF9I/AAAAAAAABVI/AoNa-jgGcj8/s400/1000px-Katniss_gale_bread.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cute Boy Optional</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">6. In the movie she wears a <b>long sleeve black button Y t-shirt </b>but I think the most important part is that it's black.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> ---<b>Cheap Trick: </b><span style="color: #45818e;">Any plain black shirt would work. Avoid anything frilly. Katniss IS NOT FRILLY!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-him76xYoFIY/UGzJ5pFPKCI/AAAAAAAABYo/eoD4iGao3Yw/s1600/Katniss-Gale2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-him76xYoFIY/UGzJ5pFPKCI/AAAAAAAABYo/eoD4iGao3Yw/s400/Katniss-Gale2.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">7. She wears a <b>brown leather belt with a gold buckle </b>in the movie that isn't holding up her pants...just around the waist. What's the point?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> ---<b>Cheap Trick:<span style="color: #45818e;"> </span></b><span style="color: #45818e;">This is completely optional.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">8. No<b> Mockingjay Pin</b>, not yet. (Evidence on Left) but if you want to wear one, it's no big deal. It will make the costume more identifiable.</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> ---<b>Cheap Trick: </b><span style="color: #45818e;">These are everywhere right now. Look at Amazon or Ebay to find one for cheap.</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sspDP0CmQDg/UGzLLXEvr6I/AAAAAAAABY4/_U3kPXMxsoM/s1600/Gold-Pin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sspDP0CmQDg/UGzLLXEvr6I/AAAAAAAABY4/_U3kPXMxsoM/s320/Gold-Pin.jpg" height="288" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">9. No idea what a <b>forage bag</b> is but I picture a burlap sack. Anyway, this is not in the movie and it is just more to lug around.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"> ---<b>Cheap Trick: </b></span>Skip it.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">____________________________________</span>______________</div>
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<u><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hunger Games Arena Katniss</span></span></b></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><u>Descriptions of her outfit from the book: </u></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Chapter 10:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Cinna
does my hair in my simple trademark braid down my back. Then the
clothes arrive, the same for every tribute. Cinna ... helps me dress in
the undergarments, simple tawny pants, light green blouse, sturdy brown
belt, and thin, hooded black jacket that falls to my thighs." <i> </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"The boots, worn over skintight socks ... have a narrow flexible rubber sole with treads."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"I feel it's sturdily made although a rather unfortunate color. This orange will practically glow in the dark."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">VS.</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><u>How she looked in the movie:</u></b></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9OoMRF1uBOA/UGxQHVS_NbI/AAAAAAAABUs/DbTTtWS_dLg/s1600/halloween11-katniss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9OoMRF1uBOA/UGxQHVS_NbI/AAAAAAAABUs/DbTTtWS_dLg/s400/halloween11-katniss.jpg" height="400" width="321" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IpseNfJrzSE/UGxQHGPh7dI/AAAAAAAABUk/4R05xtizhvQ/s1600/How-Create-Katniss-Everdeen-Halloween-Costume.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IpseNfJrzSE/UGxQHGPh7dI/AAAAAAAABUk/4R05xtizhvQ/s400/How-Create-Katniss-Everdeen-Halloween-Costume.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span><u><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Differences between the Movie and Book:</span></span></u></b></span></div>
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</span></b></u></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <u>Book </u> <u>Movie </u></span></span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: small;"> Light Green Blouse Black V-Neck T-shirt</span></span></span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Regular Braid Around the Head Braid </span></span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Bright Orange Backpack Black and Orange Backpack </span></span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><u>The List:</u></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Main elements to the Hunger Games Arena Katniss:</span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1. Reverse french braid or dutch braid (same thing) over shoulder.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">2. Hooded long black rain resistant jacket.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">3. Olive green or brown cargo pants.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">4. Brown leather ankle boots.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">5. Dark brown Recurve Bow, Quiver, and Arrows. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">6. Dark brown belt with gold circle cutouts doubled around the waist.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">6. Black V-neck short sleeve t-shirt.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">7. Bright orange backpack.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">8. Mockingjay Pin.</span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Keep a look out for <b>Cheap Tricks</b> noted in <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Blue </b></span></span></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xV9zJ0CBGx4/UGxQF4T1g2I/AAAAAAAABUY/3KU5IEvi430/s1600/041012-katnis-barbie-340+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xV9zJ0CBGx4/UGxQF4T1g2I/AAAAAAAABUY/3KU5IEvi430/s400/041012-katnis-barbie-340+(1).jpg" height="400" width="301" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best picture I can find of her total outfit lol</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1.<b> Reverse french braid or dutch braid (same thing) over shoulder.</b> Although the book describes a regular braid, the movie version will definitely seal your costume as Katniss.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> ---See <span style="color: #b45f06;"><a href="http://hardcoverlife.blogspot.com/2012/09/halloween-costume-katniss-hunting-and.html">Part One </a></span>for the How To</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2. Katniss wears a <b>black jacket </b>that hits her thighs in the book. It keeps her body temperature regulated and keeps out wind and rain. The movie makes it look like a thin black leather jacket but any shiny, black hooded jacket will do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> ---<b>Cheap Trick: </b><span style="color: #45818e;">Add silver duck tape to the sleeves and red tape around the zipper line to give the jacket a more authentic look.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">3. The pants in the movie look <b>olive green or light brown </b>in some lights. The book describes her pants as tawny so you have a lot of freedom with the kind of pants you want to wear as long as they aren't so baggy that they look weird in boots. I prefer cargos.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> ---<b>Cheap Trick: </b><span style="color: #45818e;">Brown, gray, green....cargos, skinny....you have a lot of options here. Look in your closet for something first. No jeans though.</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jEq9aENlKZQ/UGzWjgtyxHI/AAAAAAAABZw/H30ZZkNQoos/s1600/hunger-games-katniss-boots-600x251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jEq9aENlKZQ/UGzWjgtyxHI/AAAAAAAABZw/H30ZZkNQoos/s400/hunger-games-katniss-boots-600x251.jpg" height="165" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">4. Katniss definitely wears boots in the book. They're <b>brown ankle leather boots</b> in the movie.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> ---<b>Cheap trick: </b><span style="color: #45818e;">You can really wear brown or black boots with this outfit. Knee length to mid-calf to ankle, it's up to you. They aren't really important to the outfit but keep them boots.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d4R8NxvpJGM/UGzJ6CGCqGI/AAAAAAAABYw/OJglpuBrKi0/s1600/tumblr_lz394cSWsv1qizspeo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d4R8NxvpJGM/UGzJ6CGCqGI/AAAAAAAABYw/OJglpuBrKi0/s400/tumblr_lz394cSWsv1qizspeo1_500.jpg" height="400" width="296" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">5. Katniss uses a more <b>quality, sleek Recurve bow</b> in the Hunger Games vs. hunting at home.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> ---<b>Cheap Trick:</b> <span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="color: #45818e;">Like I said for the last outfit, let's get real here. What kind of Bow and Arrows can you get? GOOD ENOUGH! And lucky you, you can put the arrows in your backpack.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">8. She wears a <b>dark brown belt </b>with a lot of gold holes that goes twice around in the movie.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;"> <span style="color: black;">----<b>Cheap Trick: </b></span>The belt isn't essential at all. Don't buy it if you don't have it.</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-II9DdIJVNT8/UGzJ5GVYEDI/AAAAAAAABYg/fc8WagmiDJA/s1600/Katniss-Finds-Peeta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-II9DdIJVNT8/UGzJ5GVYEDI/AAAAAAAABYg/fc8WagmiDJA/s400/Katniss-Finds-Peeta.jpg" height="400" width="327" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">7. <b>Black simple short sleeve shirt.</b></span><br />
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<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">8. In the book she grabs <b>a bright orange backpack </b>and covers it with mud. In the movie, they tone down the backpack and make it a combo of black and orange.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> ---<b>Cheap Trick:<span style="color: #45818e;"> </span></b><span style="color: #45818e;">Using the backpack to hold arrows is okay with me! I think you should have an orange one but whatever you can get is better than nothing. Add orange using colored tape or paper. Paint it if you want to.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sspDP0CmQDg/UGzLLXEvr6I/AAAAAAAABY4/_U3kPXMxsoM/s1600/Gold-Pin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sspDP0CmQDg/UGzLLXEvr6I/AAAAAAAABY4/_U3kPXMxsoM/s320/Gold-Pin.jpg" height="288" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">9. <b>Mockingjay pin.</b> Small but important.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> ---<b>Cheap Trick: </b><span style="color: #45818e;">These are everywhere right now. Look at Amazon or Ebay to find one for cheap.</span></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Miscellaneous:</b></u></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1. Scars, blood, rips, dirt etc. are all up to you. Depends on how far into the Hunger Games your Katniss version is.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2. She doesn't wear makeup in either part so keep it simple and clean if you do!</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>MOST IMPORTANT! HAVE FUN! </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Oh and tell me if you use my tips.</b></span></div>
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Markellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713318366122900209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233803824956554455.post-20977284312902171442012-09-27T07:00:00.000-04:002012-09-27T07:00:06.670-04:00Book Review and Giveaway: Whispers in Autumn and Winter Omen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OEma-BkIywM/UGOm3rB1OWI/AAAAAAAABTg/EV4MJtnvccM/s1600/The+Last+Year+Tour+Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OEma-BkIywM/UGOm3rB1OWI/AAAAAAAABTg/EV4MJtnvccM/s400/The+Last+Year+Tour+Banner.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;">Author: Trisha Leight</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;">Series or Stand-alone: </span><br />
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"> Book One in the Last Year Series</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;">Format:</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"> Ebook Finished Copy </span></div>
<div style="clear: both;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"></span><span style="color: #b45f06;"></span> <span style="color: #134f5c;">How I got it:</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"> For a Book Tour</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;">Pages: 388</span></div>
<div style="color: #134f5c;">
Publisher: CreateSpace</div>
<div style="color: #134f5c;">
Genre: Young Adult / Aliens/ Paranormal/ Science Fiction</div>
<div style="color: #134f5c;">
<div style="color: #134f5c;">
First Published: July 21 2012</div>
<span style="color: #134f5c;"></span> <span style="color: #134f5c;">Buy it from:</span> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1475235941?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwwwgoodco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1475235941&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2" style="color: #b45f06;">Amazon</a><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"> </span><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/whispers-in-autumn-trisha-leigh/1112185846?ean=9781475235944&r=1&cm_mmc=AFFILIATES-_-Linkshare-_-GwEz7vxblVU-_-10%3a1&" style="color: #b45f06;">Barnes & Noble</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13631837-whispers-in-autumn" style="color: #b45f06;">Add to Goodreads</a></div>
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<span style="color: #bb5321;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"></span></span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span> <span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u><b>FIRST LINE(S):</b></u></span> </span>"Before my eyelids crack open I know I've traveled again."</span> <span style="color: #134f5c;"> </span><br />
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<u style="color: #134f5c;"><b>The GIST</b> (From</u><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13631837-whispers-in-autumn" style="color: #134f5c;"> <span style="color: #b45f06;">Goodreads</span></a><u style="color: #134f5c;">):</u><br />
<br />
<div style="color: #134f5c;">
<span id="freeText7833413468903213710">In 2015, a race of alien Others conquered Earth. They enslaved humanity not by force, but through an aggressive mind control that turned people into contented, unquestioning robots. <br />
<br />
Except sixteen-year-old Althea isn’t content at all, and she doesn’t need the mysterious note inside her locket to tell her she’s Something Else. It also warns her to trust no one, so she hides the pieces that make her different, even though it means being alone. <br />
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Then she meets Lucas, everything changes. <br />
<br />
Althea and Lucas are immune to the alien mind control, and together they search for the reason why. What they uncover is a stunning truth the Others never anticipated, one with the potential to free the brainwashed human race. <br />
<br />
It’s not who they are that makes them special, but what.<br />
</span><span id="freeText7833413468903213710"> </span></div>
<div style="color: #134f5c;">
<span id="freeText7833413468903213710">And what they are is a threat. One the Others are determined to eliminate for good.</span></div>
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<u style="color: #134f5c;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">OPINION:</span></b></u><br />
<br />
I never heard of this book before signing up for this tour<b> but man am I glad I read this book!</b> Let me try to convince you that you'll like it too....<br />
<br />
<b>This is what it's about: </b>Althea wakes up having just skipped a season <i>again.</i> She's been doing it her whole life --skipping between Spring, Autumn and Winter. She has a different family for each season but she knows none of them are her real parents. Althea's world is over run by cold Others, aliens that now control the population making humans empty drones. But Althea? <b>She experiences more feelings than she can deal with. So much feeling that sometimes her hands explode with heat if she gets too</b> <b>emotional</b> but she doesn't have a clue why.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Intrigued? </b></div>
<br />
<u>Whispers in Autumn </u>is set in a really interesting and creative world. <b>Aliens almost always bring a sense of the unknown and that's a large theme in this book. </b>Who is Althea? Why does she skip seasons but never goes to Summer? Why does everyone seem to ignore her absences and strange behavior?<br />
<br />
When more Others come to town to watch people in her class, she starts getting nervous. Then she meets Lucas; a boy who acts just as strangely as herself. All this stuff couldn't possibly be a coincidence, right?<br />
<br />
Well, let me say<b> I just loved Lucas. </b>He was smart, sweet and very protective. There interactions squeezed my heart. <b>However, the largest selling point for me was that I was a little more interested in the mystery behind the aliens and Althea than the romance. </b>And that says a lot because usually I want more romance.<br />
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There are some things I wasn't too sure about though. I wish the skipping of the seasons was explained better. Like where does she go during the missed season? Is she getting older in the same rate as everyone else? <b>Overall I wish the timeline was better explained. </b>Also, I just couldn't believe a child could have handled everything Althea does as a young adult without being caught by the Others. And the Others?<b> Calling someone the "Others" makes them different. </b>If the Others wanted to fit in and make the humans trust them, then answering to a name that shows how different they are is a stupid idea.<br />
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<div style="color: #134f5c;">
<u><b>OVERALL:</b></u></div>
<br />
It's been a long time since I was more interested in the plot than the romance. And the romance was great so the competition was pretty steep! I really recommend this book!--<b>-9.5 out of 10</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
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<br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;">Author: Trisha Leigh</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;">Series or Stand-alone: </span><br />
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"> Book 2 in the Last Year Series</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;">Format:</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"> Ebook ARC</span></div>
<div style="clear: both;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"></span><span style="color: #b45f06;"></span> <span style="color: #134f5c;">How I got it:</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"> For a Book Tour</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;">Pages: 398</span></div>
<div style="color: #134f5c;">
Publisher: CreateSpace</div>
<div style="color: #134f5c;">
Genre: Young Adult / Aliens/ Paranormal/ Science Fiction</div>
<div style="color: #134f5c;">
<div style="color: #134f5c;">
First Published: September 25 2012</div>
<span style="color: #134f5c;"></span> <span style="color: #134f5c;">Buy it from:</span> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1475235941?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwwwgoodco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1475235941&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2" style="color: #b45f06;">Amazon</a><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"> </span><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/whispers-in-autumn-trisha-leigh/1112185846?ean=9781475235944&r=1&cm_mmc=AFFILIATES-_-Linkshare-_-GwEz7vxblVU-_-10%3a1&" style="color: #b45f06;">Barnes & Noble</a><br />
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<span style="color: #bb5321;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"></span></span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span> <span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u><b>FIRST LINE(S):</b></u></span> </span>"I guess when we travel on our own we don't magically wake up tucked into our beds in clean pajamas."</span> <span style="color: #134f5c;"> </span><br />
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<u style="color: #134f5c;"><b>The GIST</b> (From</u><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15781952-winter-omens" style="color: #134f5c;"> <span style="color: #b45f06;">Goodreads</span></a><u style="color: #134f5c;">):</u><br />
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<span id="freeText13457302657618905966">Althea and Lucas barely escaped the Others’ clutches in the autumn, and were separated in the process. Alone and on the run from the cruel alien race determined to exterminate her, Althea struggles to adapt and survive in a world she never imagined. <br />
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When a boy named Pax appears out of nowhere, he quickly recognizes Althea for what she is – a human/Other hybrid just like him. Althea begs him to help her find Lucas, but Pax refuses, intent on following his own mysterious agenda. <br />
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The Others’ presence continues to devour the planet’s resources, and if history is an indication, they won’t leave until Earth is destroyed beyond repair. Althea and Pax sense the only way to save themselves – and maybe their home – is to understand the powers simmering inside them. <br />
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Together they push the limits of their capabilities in the quiet Wilds, but are soon confronted with a terrifying fact: no place is safe from the relentless pursuit of the Others.<br />
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Least of all their own minds.</span><br />
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<span id="freeText13457302657618905966"><u><b style="color: #134f5c;">OPINION: </b></u></span><br />
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I don't want to say too much in my review of the second book since I'm posting both reviews together. <b>However, I will say that some clues and foreshadowing in the first book made this book great!</b> The author did an awesome job putting stuff in the first book that ties with the second. I can't wait to read the third so I can see the clues I missed in this book.</div>
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I was a but worried about the romance aspect due to the ending of the other book<b> but I was not disappointed at all! </b>Wow, I didn't think the male character could get better. The new love interest is rougher but totally bad-ass hot. His tension with Althea was more sexual than lovey dovey like with Lucas which was nice. <b>So, yes, there is a love triangle brewing</b>. I would really have a hard time picking if I was Althea which is the sign of a good love triangle.</div>
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<span style="color: black;">All good things aside, the pacing was off with this book and I ended up skipping one full scene because I got bored in the second half of the book. It wasn't as interesting as the other but it kept my attention well until almost the end.</span><br />
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<span id="freeText13457302657618905966"><u><b style="color: #134f5c;">OVERALL: </b></u></span></div>
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Although not as exciting as the first book, I still can't wait to see how all the mysteries are solved and what becomes of the love triangle. I'm really anticipating the third book! ----<b>8.0 out of 10.</b><br />
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<script src="http://www.linkytools.com/basic_linky_include.aspx?id=163813" type="text/javascript"></script><br />Markellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713318366122900209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233803824956554455.post-59365881853349198642012-09-23T10:00:00.000-04:002014-02-28T17:49:01.941-05:00DIY Halloween Costume How To: Katniss Hunting and Arena (Part 1)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So you started thinking about Halloween already and you want to go as a Young Adult character. Well, considering the past year, you think Katniss would be a great identifiable costume. But how do you create it? I'm here to help!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><span style="font-size: small;">There are three great things about this costume:</span></u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1.Most of the stuff you can re-wear.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">2.You probably have some of these things in your closet.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">3. If you don't, they are mostly cheap. The distressed look is a big part of the costume so go down to your local thrift store and buy those crappy cargos. They're perfect! </span></span><br />
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</span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>So after reading that list and realizing this is the costume for you, you are set on being Miss Everdeen. Congrats! Continuing on reading my tips for the perfect Katniss costume. </b></span></span> </div>
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<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">The List:</span></b></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Main elements to Hunting Katniss (before the Hunger Games):</span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1. Reverse french braid or dutch braid (same thing) over shoulder.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">2. Distressed brown leather jacket.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">3. Brown striped trousers.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">4. Lace up knee high brown leather boots.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">5. Wooden Flat Bow, Quiver, and Arrows.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">6. Long sleeved button Y t-shirt </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">7. Brown leather belt with gold buckle.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">8. Mockingjay pin (not worn in this scene but helps for people to identify who you are)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">9. Forage Bag (Not in movie) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Main elements to the Hunger Games Arena Katniss:</span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1. Reverse french braid or dutch braid (same thing) over shoulder.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">2. Hooded long black rain resistant jacket.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">3. Olive green or brown cargo pants.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">4. Brown leather ankle boots.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">5. Dark brown Recurve Bow, Quiver, and Arrows. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">6. Dark brown belt with gold circle cutouts doubled around the waist.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">6. Black V-neck short sleeve t-shirt.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">7. Bright orange backpack.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">8. Mockingjay Pin.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Hair</b></span></u></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><u> <span style="font-size: small;">Overview:</span></u> </span></b></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We'll start with the reverse french braid, otherwise called the Dutch braid, which starts over Katniss' left ear and ends over her right shoulder. This is quintessential Katniss; other than the bow, this is the most identifiable part of her costume.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u>Here's some pictures of it for reference:</u></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J3CujHB3F2I/UFZ6ZY9vUwI/AAAAAAAABL4/KCqT9VF3vBI/s1600/katnissbraidtwo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J3CujHB3F2I/UFZ6ZY9vUwI/AAAAAAAABL4/KCqT9VF3vBI/s400/katnissbraidtwo.jpg" height="400" width="278" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IhZs7dSHKE4/UFZ3Cd2VuGI/AAAAAAAABKc/eho_2SrgAt4/s1600/Katniss-Everdeen-the-hunger-games-fan-club-30601998-530-725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IhZs7dSHKE4/UFZ3Cd2VuGI/AAAAAAAABKc/eho_2SrgAt4/s400/Katniss-Everdeen-the-hunger-games-fan-club-30601998-530-725.jpg" height="400" width="291" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front/ Right Side</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o5DE83T0TAY/UFZ58L9FPLI/AAAAAAAABLw/DXH7EGPGwrw/s1600/KatnissBraidCloseUp1-300x252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o5DE83T0TAY/UFZ58L9FPLI/AAAAAAAABLw/DXH7EGPGwrw/s1600/KatnissBraidCloseUp1-300x252.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lkCO2hn_Ts4/UFZ3DQn-OWI/AAAAAAAABKs/Cg-lL5bb4XY/s1600/katniss-everdeen-mobile-wallpaper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lkCO2hn_Ts4/UFZ3DQn-OWI/AAAAAAAABKs/Cg-lL5bb4XY/s400/katniss-everdeen-mobile-wallpaper.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Right Side</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3OkSzdD2mlo/UFZ71rFNuDI/AAAAAAAABMA/f96Q0AGQtiM/s1600/Haymitch_&_Katniss_before_arena.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3OkSzdD2mlo/UFZ71rFNuDI/AAAAAAAABMA/f96Q0AGQtiM/s400/Haymitch_&_Katniss_before_arena.jpg" height="400" width="261" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left Side</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Katniss has long bangs in the front that are wavy and long brown hair. The wispy bangs aren't necessary but the dark long hair kind of is so if you have short hair or lighter hair, maybe the best thing would be to wear a wig or get some cheap clip-on extensions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u>Here is a wig I found on Amazon but I'm sure you can find cheaper:</u></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I9oaAgeZVic/UFZ57c-tSiI/AAAAAAAABLg/-ol_UfZ1Naw/s1600/311OgP1SMqL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I9oaAgeZVic/UFZ57c-tSiI/AAAAAAAABLg/-ol_UfZ1Naw/s1600/311OgP1SMqL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yI2UNdL3P1A/UFZ57qgMSxI/AAAAAAAABLo/b6WbeefAHOA/s1600/41ng41aNt3L._AA300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yI2UNdL3P1A/UFZ57qgMSxI/AAAAAAAABLo/b6WbeefAHOA/s1600/41ng41aNt3L._AA300_.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Arena-Girl-Wig-Deluxe-Costume/dp/B007U8X4GM%3FSubscriptionId%3D19BAZMZQFZJ6G2QYGCG2%26tag%3Dsquid593266-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB007U8X4GM" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Arena Girl Wig/ Deluxe Costume Wig</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Amazon Price:</b> $49.95 (as of 09/15/2012)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This professionally styled Katniss Everdeen wig is available for free shipping and can easily be recycled for a number of different Halloween costumes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>How to: </u></span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><span style="font-size: small;">If you can do it to your hair then here are some great videos to show you how:</span></u></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I really liked this video. She makes it simple and easy without a lot of talking in the beginning. This is good if you already know how to french/ dutch braid.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If you know how to french braid then this is easy! Instead of putting the section you are braiding in over the middle section, you just put it under. It makes the braid stick out and be more obvious. If you don't know how to dutch braid,<u> here is a good tutorial to show you the difference: </u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here is the first time I tried the braid last year. It took me about five minutes without a mirror. I didn't pull it tight enough in the end which is why the right side where the braid falls over my shoulder is a little loose but not half bad of a job for the first time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Part two coming soon!</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> It will go into the costume and how to put that together for both Hunting Katniss and Arena Katniss. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>BONUS:</b></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Also, please enjoy this Bad Lip Reading video. I was laughing through the whole thing!</b></span></div>
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<br />Markellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713318366122900209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233803824956554455.post-72976776895129477432012-09-21T00:00:00.000-04:002012-09-21T00:00:03.716-04:00Cover Reveal and Contest Annoucement: Opal by Jennifer Armentrout<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_tLKRZd4tTM/UFtuBIPqIwI/AAAAAAAABPw/ivG1LFjZcjs/s1600/Opal+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_tLKRZd4tTM/UFtuBIPqIwI/AAAAAAAABPw/ivG1LFjZcjs/s320/Opal+Cover.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><strong><u><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: inherit;">THE GIST:</span></u></strong></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: inherit;">No one
is like Daemon Black.<br />
</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: inherit;">
When he set out to prove his feelings for me, he wasn’t fooling around.
Doubting him isn’t something I’ll do again, and now that we’ve made it through
the rough patches, well... There’s a lot of spontaneous combustion going on.<br />
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</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">But even he can’t protect his family from
the danger of trying to free those they love. <br />
<br />
</i>After everything, I’m no longer the same Katy. I’m different... And I’m not
sure what that will mean in the end. When each step we take in discovering the
truth puts us in the path of the secret organization responsible for torturing
and testing hybrids, the more I realize there is no end to what I’m capable of.
The death of someone close still lingers, help comes from the most unlikely
source, and friends will become the deadliest of enemies, but we won’t turn
back. Even if the outcome will shatter our worlds forever.<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Together we’re stronger... and they know
it.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13362536-opal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Goodreads</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"> | </span></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Opal-Lux-Novel-Jennifer-Armentrout/dp/1620610094"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Amazon</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"> | </span></span><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/opal-jennifer-l-armentrout/1111306819?ean=9781620610091"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Barnes
& Noble</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Follow this link to an ~~~ EPIC CONTEST ~~~ Announcement.
</span></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">You will want to bookmark this page!<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://jenniferarmentrout.blogspot.com/p/october-1-2012.html"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: inherit;">http://jenniferarmentrout.blogspot.com/p/october-1-2012.html</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w2Lcco9jNbg/UFtt_V04LFI/AAAAAAAABPo/1e46ikj3sOY/s1600/Jennifer+Armentrout+Pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w2Lcco9jNbg/UFtt_V04LFI/AAAAAAAABPo/1e46ikj3sOY/s320/Jennifer+Armentrout+Pic.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"></span> </div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">USA TODAY Bestselling
author, <strong><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Jennifer L.
Armentrout</span></strong>, lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors
you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing,
she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies,
pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell,
Loki. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class where she spent
most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in
math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and
contemporary romance. She also writes adult romance under the name <strong><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">J. Lynn</span></strong>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">Find Jennifer on</span></b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">: </span><a href="https://twitter.com/jlarmentrout"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Twitter</span></span></a><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"> | </span></span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/JenniferLArmentrout"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Facebook</span></span></a><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"> | </span></span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4476934.Jennifer_L_Armentrout"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Goodreads</span></span></a><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"> | </span></span><a href="http://www.jenniferarmentrout.com/"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Website</span></span></a><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"> | </span></span><a href="http://jenniferarmentrout.blogspot.com/"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Blog</span></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What do you think? I love the cover! I think it really reflects what we saw coming in their relationship during the second book.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Don't forget to enter my giveaway of One Signed Copy and Two Unsigned Onyx with 3 winners!</strong></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><a href="http://hardcoverlife.blogspot.com/2012/09/pre-birthday-giveaway-of-lux-series-3.html">ENTER HERE</a></span></strong><br />
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Markellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713318366122900209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233803824956554455.post-29665589987035122572012-09-19T09:58:00.001-04:002012-09-19T13:01:35.644-04:00Book Review and Giveaway: NERVE by Jeanne Ryan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2J3htHxjdxU/UFnOApIy2YI/AAAAAAAABN0/lkpcDrd0DoU/s1600/Nerve+Tour+Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2J3htHxjdxU/UFnOApIy2YI/AAAAAAAABN0/lkpcDrd0DoU/s400/Nerve+Tour+Banner.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZynyAfISABc/UFnJhds4SDI/AAAAAAAABM8/GBBpkbUN-Cw/s1600/13088498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZynyAfISABc/UFnJhds4SDI/AAAAAAAABM8/GBBpkbUN-Cw/s320/13088498.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: inherit;">Author: Jeanne Ryan</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"> <span style="color: #bf9000;"> </span><a href="http://jeanneryan.com/"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Website</span></a></span><br />
<a href="http://jeanneryan.com/ya-adenaline/"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Blog</span></a><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: inherit;">How I got it:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: inherit;"> For a Blog Tour</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: inherit;">Pages: 304</span></div>
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: inherit;">Publisher: Dial Books (Penguin)</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: inherit;">Genre: Young Adult / Thriller</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: inherit;">First Published: September 13 2012</span><br />
<div style="color: #134f5c;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: inherit;">Buy it from: </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0803738323?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwwwgoodco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0803738323&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2" style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Amazon</span></a><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: inherit;"> </span><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/nerve-jeanne-ryan/1109230138?ean=9780803738324&r=1&cm_mmc=AFFILIATES-_-Linkshare-_-GwEz7vxblVU-_-10%3a1&" style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Barnes & Noble</span></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13088498-nerve" style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Add to Goodreads</span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<u><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The GIST</b> (From</span></span></u><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13088498-nerve" style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"> </span><span style="color: #b45f06;">Goodreads</span></span></a><u><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: inherit;">):</span></u><br />
<u><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: inherit;"></span></u><br />
<span id="freeText16054589457370852777"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: inherit;">A high-stakes online game of dares turns deadly<br />
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When Vee is picked to be a player in NERVE, an anonymous game of dares broadcast live online, she discovers that the game <em>knows</em> her. They tempt her with prizes taken from her ThisIsMe page and team her up with the perfect boy, sizzling-hot Ian. At first it's exhilarating--Vee and Ian's fans cheer them on to riskier dares with higher stakes. But the game takes a twisted turn when they're directed to a secret location with five other players for the Grand Prize round. Suddenly they're playing all or nothing, with their lives on the line. Just how far will Vee go before she loses NERVE?<br />
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Debut author Jeanne Ryan delivers an un-putdownable suspense thriller.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: inherit;"><strong><u>OPINION:</u></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><strong>The game NERVE involves feats of cunning, bravery and brass-balls.</strong> Basically, it’s a game of Double Dare that earns the contestants prizes –strangely specific prizes as if the people behind NERVE are watching them. The main character, Vee, is an all around goodie-goodie. Stuck in the shadow of her best friend, Vee never has the chance to shine herself. When NERVE hosts open casting –pick a dare and perform it to get on the show—Vee decides to take the risk to show up her friend and impress a crush. The dares escalate when NERVE starts offering Vee prizes she can't say no to. She thinks, Hey why the heck not?<strong> Just one more dare…</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><strong>Well, of course, it’s never one more dare.</strong> Along the way, Vee gets paired up with super hot Ian who seems protective and nice but she’s not all too sure of his intentions. <strong>Ian is a pretty intriguing character and I really liked his interactions with Vee.</strong> Vee was a bit of a flip-flopper when it came to personality. One second she was a loyal friend, the next she was selling those friends out for shoes. This is actually a very accurate depiction of a teenag</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">er (haha, not kidding though.)</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> If you are looking for a fast-paced, kind of creepy thrill ride then NERVE is the one for you. The book was really easy and quick to read. I enjoyed it on a shallow level.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">However, it just wasn’t as creepy as I wanted it to be. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">I wanted the dares to be like holy crap! I would never do that. <strong>Alas, they were only mildly scary</strong>. I feel like the fear factor could have really been upped throughout the whole book by making the dares raise the stakes for the contestants. They have to do personally scary stuff but I wanted it to be a <strong>things will never be the same if I do this to my friend type of thing</strong>. Instead it was, oh she’ll forgive me when she finds out this is a game. I wanted it to be juicier.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The biggest problem I had with this book occurred after I had read the entire thing. There is a prologue at<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the beginning of the book that basically<strong> deflates all of the tension in the last dare</strong> because it gives away vital information from after the contest is over. The “prologue” though it’s really an epilogue doesn’t really get explained either which was frustrating.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><strong><u>OVERALL</u></strong></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A junior version of SAW, <u>NERVE</u> didn't have the creepy factor I hoped it would. However, it was fun to read and I couldn't put it down. --<strong> 6.5 out of 10.</strong></span></span></div>
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<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script><span style="font-family: inherit;">Follow the rest of the tour at :</span><br />
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<br />Markellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713318366122900209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233803824956554455.post-21968173064140068092012-09-16T11:13:00.000-04:002012-09-19T13:03:45.592-04:00Book Review: Blood Red Road by Moira Young<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V6CAYW1DYIs/UEvzhThQs1I/AAAAAAAABIw/HRaHGvA71p8/s1600/9917938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V6CAYW1DYIs/UEvzhThQs1I/AAAAAAAABIw/HRaHGvA71p8/s320/9917938.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;">Author: Moira Young</span><span style="color: #134f5c;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;">Series or Stand-alone: </span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"> Book in the Dust Land Series</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"></span><span style="color: #b45f06;"></span> <span style="color: #134f5c;">How I got it:</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"> From my local library</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;">Pages: 459</span></div>
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Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books </div>
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Genre: Young Adult / Dystopia/ Post-Apoclatic</div>
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First Published: June 7 2011</div>
<span style="color: #134f5c;"></span> <span style="color: #134f5c;">Buy it from:</span> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1442429984?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwwwgoodco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1442429984&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2" style="color: #b45f06;">Amazon</a><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"> </span><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blood-red-road-moira-young/1100215201?ean=9781442429987&r=1&cm_mmc=AFFILIATES-_-Linkshare-_-GwEz7vxblVU-_-10%3a1&" style="color: #b45f06;">Barnes & Noble</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9917938-blood-red-road" style="color: #b45f06;">Add to Goodreads</a><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;">Book Trailer: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span> <span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u><b>FIRST LINE(S):</b></u></span> </span>"Lugh got born first. On midwinter day when the sun hangs low in the sky."</span>
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<u style="color: #134f5c;"><b>The GIST</b> (From</u><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9917938-blood-red-road" style="color: #134f5c;"> <span style="color: #b45f06;">Goodreads</span></a><u style="color: #134f5c;">):</u><br />
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<span id="freeText5402657894599714603">Saba has spent her whole life in Silverlake, a dried-up wasteland ravaged by constant sandstorms. The Wrecker civilization has long been destroyed, leaving only landfills for Saba and her family to scavenge from. That's fine by her, as long as her beloved twin brother Lugh is around. But when a monster sandstorm arrives, along with four cloaked horsemen, Saba's world is shattered. Lugh is captured, and Saba embarks on an epic quest to get him back. </span><br />
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Suddenly thrown into the lawless, ugly reality of the world outside of desolate Silverlake, Saba is lost without Lugh to guide her. So perhaps the most surprising thing of all is what Saba learns about herself: she's a fierce fighter, an unbeatable survivor, and a cunning opponent. And she has the power to take down a corrupt society from the inside. Teamed up with a handsome daredevil named Jack and a gang of girl revolutionaries called the Free Hawks, Saba stages a showdown that will change the course of her own civilization.<br />
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<i>Blood Red Road</i> has a searing pace, a poetically minimal writing style, violent action, and an epic love story. Moira Young is one of the most promising and startling new voices in teen fiction.<br />
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<u><b>OPINION:</b></u>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Skimming through Blood Red Road in the library, the nearly put this awesome book right back in its place. <b>Was this English?</b> No quotation marks to indicate speech? Weird half words and conjunctions? I was getting a headache just thinking about the effort it would take to read it.... <i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>Luckily,</i> I took it anyway --just in case I didn’t like anything else I grabbed. This decision was one that deserves a giant pat on the back.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"><u><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I LOVED THIS BOOK.</span></u></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Why? <b>Well, there is a kick-ass heroine with faults but genuine growth throughout the story</b>. And she has more interest in her family than a guy. But <i>of course </i>there was a love interest with loads of personality. <i>Oh, Jack</i>....You better not be missing in the next book cause I will scream and cry.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Basically, the story starts with Saba and her family in their isolated home. No neighbors for miles and miles leaves for a lot of time of bickering between siblings (peoples be needed some counseling...just saying). When a strange storm blows in bringing some strange men with it, Saba's twin brother Lugh is kidnapped. Lugh is everything to Saba so she strikes out to save her brother. Unfortunately for Saba, she is left in charge of her younger sister who she has never quit connected with. Regardless of the problems, <b>here the journey begins to find Lugh....</b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>The plot was full of adventure and it never had a dull moment.</b> It was a little gory and rough but I really enjoy books that don’t skim the hard stuff.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> There is <i>a lot</i> of fighting. Saba is a little fireball and fights follow her around! So if you're not into that then probably skip this one. I loved the people she meets along the way. <b>There are some badass women in this novel which was awesome. Even more awesome is that there were a lot of men who appreciated their badassness.</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I have to admit, it took me the entire first chapter to get use to the language but after that I read it perfectly fine minus a few sentences that needed to be re-read. Another problem I had was I t</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">hought the reason for Saba's brother's kidnapping <b>was a little strange and not explained very well</b>. It felt like a journey was needed without Lugh so his kidnapping was thrown in to get it going but it made little sense. It wasn't a problem enough to ruin the story, however.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><u><b>OVERALL:</b></u></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">If you are already sick of dystopians, I beg you to give this book a try anyway. It was original and fun. You won't regret it!* --<b>10 out of 10.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;">*This is no guarantee. Don't sue me or yell at me ;-P </span></div>
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<u style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"> </span></u>Markellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713318366122900209noreply@blogger.com