Mundane Mondays: Will Work For Stamina

Does stamina, or motivation for that matter, come in liquid form? Oh I know . . . caffeine. Yeah I could use some of that too. The morning has gone fast, but I feel physically like I'm creeping along at a snail's pace. Thus I'm a bit cranky. Mr. Skip* had a seizure at 12:30 this morning and like a good owner I held him so he didn't flail about and hurt himself. Where is the caffeine?!? I'm in danger of turning into a zombie sooner than I expected.

Okay. Enough, my little whine session is over.

I have news and things to share with you!

First

I opened my Etsy shop Saturday night! Check it out here. My shop name, RapaciousCurls, pays homage to the fact I have extremely curly hair. The 'rapacious'? Well that's because it is one of my favorite words and sounds as though a well educated surfer just walked in, "That's totally rapacious!"

The shop features my photography postcards right now, but I'm hopeful to add more as time goes on. I would love to get feedback or suggestions from you. I've sold stuff (books) on Etsy via the bookstore's shop, but never my own creations.

Second

If you missed the blog post Saturday, I know I don't normally post on Saturdays, then check it out! I am part of the 2012 Reading Road-Trip. My state is of course Indiana and I'm giving away 4 great books. Although it seems the most popular are the 2 YA books. Folks at least give Gene Stratton-Porter's book a chance! (insert smile)

Reading Road-Trip: Indiana

Be sure to check out other blogs participating in the Reading Road-Trip, you need to travel the country, right!?!

Third

I'm headed to Las Vegas on Thursday! This will be my first time and I'm excited. Of course my first question was "Do they have any good bookstores?" It is a business trip, though, so I'm not sure how much time there will be for fun things. I may (clearing throat) or may not be gambling . . . only a little, if I do at all.

And last for today . . .

A few things you should checkout, if you haven't already.

• Book Riot's Edd McCracken's list of Sixteen MORE Things Calvin and Hobbes Said Better Than Anyone Else Which will be sure to make you laugh. What is better than a good laugh on a Monday?
• I know I've suggested in the past to have a listen to Walk the Moon's music. I just finished listening to their entire album on Spotify and I will be purchasing it. Anna Sun was already a favorite, but I also like Shiver Shiver.
• Be sure to check out this week's Tattoo Tuesday and send me suggestions. I'm also looking for new banner art. If you are new to my blog you can view past Tattoo Tuesday's posts here.
• Last. If I have a chance I'm hopeful to post my review for Jennifer Donnelly's Revolution later this week; which is my second FFNR book from Anna. I'm way behind . . .
  

What I'm reading . . .

Too much (insert smile)

Real:

-Ascendant by Diana Peterfreund
-The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins 

(I read this a long time ago, but I'm now reading it aloud to my mum.)

-Great Philosophers Who Failed at Love by Andrew Shaffer

eBook:

-A Hidden Fire by Elizabeth Hunter

-Fortune's Rising (Outer Bounds) by Sara King

You can follow me on Goodreads too!

Quote of the Day

"I have sometimes dreamt that when the Day of Judgment dawns--the Almighty will turn to Peter and will say when he sees us coming with our books under our arms, 'Look, these need no reward. We have nothing to give them here. They have loved reading.'"
~Virginia Woolf

*My Boston Terrier

Friends Don't Let Friends NOT READ (FFNR)

A trip to a bookstore can always be sure to spark new ideas. Last month my friend and I travelled to the city for a Joann Fabrics excursion and ended up at -- where else? -- a Barnes & Nobles. Now my friend, Anna, has a 'nasty' habit of policing my book buying. You can see it in her eyes, she is most definitely a bibliophile police officer. One would question her motives, is she protecting the numerous unread books on my shelves or is she protecting my pocket book?

While there we kept reaching for books and gushing "Oh this is such a great book, have you read it?" We were more than a little put out when the other would answer "No," and even a little annoyed when the other professed doubt that they would like the other's book suggestion. Solution! Time to create book lists (or torture lists insert laugh)! Thus enters 'Friends Don't Let Friends NOT READ (FFNR)...

As a side note, I have been meaning to write about this challenge for some time, but little brother will not draw the banner art to be posted at the top of FFNR posts that I commissioned from him. I've given up waiting on him and will insert art later.

Challenge: 25 books that we have each read and feel the other MUST read. (The list started at 10...then 15...and that wasn't enough for me so I begged Anna to let us increase the number to 25. Guess what?!? She's read more of her list thus far than I have read of mine.)

Deadline: August (Me: I'm hoping we have until the end of August.)

Exceptions: If we don't like one of the books on our list, we have one alternate title. I accidently texted my alternate title to Anna and don't remember what 'out' I offered her.

I enjoy commentary with whatever list I'm working with, be it music, books, etc. Here is my list for Anna à la commentary!

1. Generation Dead by Daniel Waters - Zombies! This was the first contact I ever had with zombies, in literacy format. I was surprised how much I enjoyed it...there are 2 books after this one, but I think the third is a standalone novel.

2. I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith - Whenever someone asks for a recommendation while at the shop, I always hand them this book. Perhaps one of my favorites of all time...hey I've only lived 24 years so far! :)

3. Indiscretion by Jude Morgan - Hello! It is like a Jane Austen book only better....must read it.

4. Sorcery and Cecelia by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer - I used to describe this book to people by saying it is Harry Potter meets Jane Austen, but have come to realize that is not a very apt description. There are 2 books after this one. :)

5. The Year of Secret Assignments by Jaclyn Moriarty - Funny, Australia, and what more do I need to say?!? Elyza and I have both read this book. We laughed out loud and frequently, if not for huge to be read piles, think about reading it again.

6. Mrs. Mike by Benedict and Nancy Freedman - My grandmother read this when it was first published in the 40s during her nurses training. She said all the women passed the book around in her dorm, until they had all read it. I can understand why too. So good!

7. Seven Tears into the Sea by Terri Farley - I give this as a gift at least once a year. One, because, nearly everyone I talk to about it, has not read it or heard about it. Two, it is a good story.

8. The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner - This might be a little slow, but it sets the stage for the next 3 books. They are all great!

9. Boston Jane: An Adventure by Jennifer L. Holm - Every girl should read these books (yes book 1 of a trilogy)!

10. A Long and Fatal Love Chase by Louisa M. Alcott - Alcott's version of gothic fiction...very good!

11. Jackaroo by Cynthia Voigt - Hang with it...a Robinhood sort of story. There are more in this series (which I highly recommend), but they each can standalone.

12. First We Have Coffee by Margaret T. Jensen - Mum always says this is a book that every woman should read or own before she gets married. I agree! It is not just for marriage bound girls though, so don't think you are off the hook!

13. The Scottish Chiefs by Jane Porter - I know this book looks huge, but it is set in Scotland, it is a classic and it is about William Wallace.

14. Ascension by Kara Dalkey - Mermaids! ... don't hate me, but book 1 :)

15. The Magic Garden by Gene Stratton Porter - Everyone in Indiana should read at least one of her books; because she was born and raised here, plus she was a naturalist. This is a sweet story.

16. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater - YOU WILL READ THIS! The books get better and better. I owe my love of the poet Rilke to these books.

17. The Green Rider by Kristen Britain - Again big book, but so worth it.

18. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows - WW2, letters, and a love for books...great story.

19. Legacy by Cayla Kluver - Fantasy story by a girl who published this when she was 15! It is good and I can't wait to read books 2 and 3 :). Are we seeing a trend here?

20. Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey - YOU MUST READ THIS!

21. Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder - Isn't the title alluring enough?

22. The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke - There is no excuse for you having not read this book.

23. O'Henry Collection of Short Stories (Dover Edition) - I recommend a specific edition because he wrote so many short stories and that edition gives you a nice taste for his writings. He is one of my favorite authors.

24. Marcelo and the Real World by Francisco Stork - About an autistic teenage boy, I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book.

25. Bloody Jack by L.A. Meyer - Girl Pirate! Hello! I know there are several books in this series, but it is worth it.


That's my list. I will post my list from Anna in a follow up post. I want to offer this challenge to any book lover out there, no should be left out. If I get enough of a response, I will look into having a signup list, that way everyone can see who is participating, etc.

Let the reading begin!