Wicked Winter Read-A-Thon

 

I've waiting for this Read-A-Thon for a loooong time! So Exited! 

My Reading Goals are kinda weird:

Finish Where She Went.

Finish Illuminate

Read Until Chapter 7 of Everneath.

Read Until Chapter 7 of Dearly, Departed.

Weird, I know.

By now we all know I am a supper slow reader, so reading 1 chapter will be a Win :D! [pathetic.]

Now If You'll excuse me I'll go read and eat.

 

*Update*

Fight For Survival Challenge

“A second Ice Age is coming on quickly! What do you do in order to prepare and how do you end up surviving it?”

 

I would set off on a journey to find the magic gnomes that take care of the weather and make them change it. If I can't do this, then there's always plan B. Beg for them to let me have a cozy home. If I succeed on this then Kudos for me. If I fail I shall look like this:

 

So then I would go beg some other superior creature to take care of me. Like one of those really hot guys in books. [If the second Ice Age is coming I sure as hell can find one of those] and then I would beg him to love me and protect me and all the other cheesy stuff that always happens in books but never to me. 

Then we shall go and find some huge library that for some weird reason is warm and I live happily ever after eating and reading until my heart's content.

Oh and, all of us survivors and Hot Guys would make the Over the Rainbow song our national anthem. you know, at least until we kind the freaking gnomes and make them change the weather.

 

Oh and this guy would be my new pet. 

 

Yup. 

I swear I don't do drugs xD

Spread Love - Not Hate.

In my Senior year of high school I did a project on Bullying and I was amazed to discover that so many people were victims of it, or had been when they were younger. Also, the fact that many of them never asked for help. Some did, but they couldn't find a solution, others were ignored, and very few were actually given help and found a solution.

I was a victim of Bullying also, all through elementary school I was teased for being really overweight. I mean, no kidding, I couldn't even walk right, I was like a chubby penguin. I couldn't get enough of the teasing.... 

Then came Junior High. where I was a really depressed kid. I had no idea it was depression. I was just sad. by the time I was in my Sophomore year I had an eating disorder and cutting problems. 

It wasn't until last year that I was diagnosed with clinical depression, and I finally started getting treatment for my problems. A few months ago I realized that I could do a lot to help others and myself by opening up, since then I've been an active member of Teens Against Bullying and I also organized an Anti-Bullying campaign for my High School. 

I stopped being bullied in Junior High. Everything else was the aftermath. Many of us don't understand this, that bullying hurts more after and it leaves a mark. heavy ones. A lot of people say it builds character, I don't think so. I remember being a scared kid wondering why I was treated so badly just because I wasn't skinny. I don't think it was fair. Bullying comes in many forms. It can be physical or verbal, it can be in our family or at school. I think every kid deserves to be safe at school and in their home. 

There are also many people right now hurting from all those scars, they deserve happiness too.

What I've done to help these people, is to be less judgmental. It took me a lot to stop being this way, and I work hard to let people be and try to understand everyone's situation. I learned to know I am worthy of being respected. I no longer let people insult me or treat me wrong, I know how to defend myself and that I don't deserve to be treated badly. I help others. If I see someone being molested, I don't doubt in helping. I used to, but now I think about how much I wanted someone to stand up for me. 

Teachers, parents, friends, strangers, many of them have the power of helping us and they don't. I won't be that kind of people. I can't change the whole world, but by changing myself and helping in my own way, I know I'm making a difference. This is why this event is so important. we are inviting You to make a difference.

Spread Love. Not Hate.

Support:

Teens Against Bullying - Love Is Louder

Incarnate - Jody Meadow

Incarnate by Jody Meadow

Date Released: January 31st 2012
Publisher: Katherine Tegen
Pages: 384 pages
Date Read: December 25 2011
Format: Hardcover
Source: Netgalley

Summary:
New soul 
Ana is new. For thousands of years in Range, a million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished, and no one knows why.

No soul
Even Ana's own mother thinks she's a nosoul, an omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her seclusion and learn whether she'll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of Heart, but its citizens are afraid of what her presence means. When dragons and sylph attack the city, is Ana to blame?

Heart
Sam believes Ana's new soul is good and worthwhile. When he stands up for her, their relationship blooms. But can he love someone who may live only once, and will Ana's enemies--human and creature alike--let them be together? Ana needs to uncover the mistake that gave her someone else's life, but will her quest threaten the peace of Heart and destroy the promise of reincarnation for all?
Jodi Meadows expertly weaves soul-deep romance, fantasy, and danger into an extraordinary tale of new life.

From Goodreads

My Review:

Incarnate blew me away. Seriously my favorite book in its genre so far. It was that good. And the cover is amazing! Now onto to the review:

I’m usually not a big fan of fantasy, they tend to lack some deep and such, so the fact that Incarnate has the best female character I have read ever is astonishing. From the summary you know that Anna is different. She’s a Nosoul, and as such she was raised to believe she was not worthy of loving things or being loved and that she should be punished, constantly and cruelty.

As soon as she’s free of her guardian, some really really bad stuff happens and she nearly dies. But do not fear, Sam is here! Oh Sam! I want him under the Christmas tree! Bringing me cake on my Birthday! He’s just…. *swoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooon* I mean, WOW, I don’t remember falling so hard for a character before x). ahem, back to the point. Sam takes care of her and he doesn’t mind that she’s a Nosoul, strange…

Sadly, not everyone agrees with Sam, and Ana is thrown into a world where people hate her and judge her for something she had no control over: her birth. I was so frustrated along with Ana, sad and angry. I understood everything, her bitterness and hurt, her want for love.

There’s also the lovely romance between Ana and Sam. Flawlessly Beautiful. As much as I would love to give some spoilers I’ll restrain myself. BUT I will give you this: I have read Chapter 21 and 22 at least 6 times today, and I just finished the book earlier.

Incarnate had the power to change my emotions in one line, incredible romance one minute and thrilling action the next.

Dragons, Burns, Dance, Music, Romance, Secrets and the constant uncertainty of whom to trust, along with the knowledge that the only way to survive is to believe in one’s self. Incarnate is a Book You Can’t Forget. Period.

I can’t wait to get my finished copy! Amazing with Major Capital A :D a HUGE Thanks to Netgally for the opportunity to read this!

Don't miss my Interview with Jody Meadow!

“There's always the option of deciding for yourself who you are and what you'll become.”

Tweet Review

Dragons, Burns, Dance, Music, Romance, Secrets and the constant uncertainty of whom to trust, along with the knowledge that the only way to survive is to believe in one’s self. Incarnate is a Book You Can’t Forget. Period.

Incarnate Interview with Jody Meadow

Incarnate by Jody Meadow

Date Released: January 31st 2012
Publisher: Katherine Tegen
Pages: 384 pages
Date Read: December 25 2011
Format: Hardcover
Source: Netgalley

Summary:


New soul 
Ana is new. For thousands of years in Range, a million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished, and no one knows why.

No soul
Even Ana's own mother thinks she's a nosoul, an omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her seclusion and learn whether she'll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of Heart, but its citizens are afraid of what her presence means. When dragons and sylph attack the city, is Ana to blame?

Heart
Sam believes Ana's new soul is good and worthwhile. When he stands up for her, their relationship blooms. But can he love someone who may live only once, and will Ana's enemies--human and creature alike--let them be together? Ana needs to uncover the mistake that gave her someone else's life, but will her quest threaten the peace of Heart and destroy the promise of reincarnation for all?
Jodi Meadows expertly weaves soul-deep romance, fantasy, and danger into an extraordinary tale of new life.

From Goodreads

The Interview:

1.- In Between Writing and Reading, what do you like to do?
I have a yarn obsession (or problem, if you ask my husband). I love spinning, knitting, and crocheting!

2.- Describe your book Twitter style. 140 Characters or less. GO!
Reincarnation! Music! Kissing! Scary Danger! Pretty masks!

3.- How was the process of creating Ana as a character? I think we've all felt like outcast at some point, but, with Ana it goes so deep and it feels so real. Where did you find those emotions that made her such a complex and unique character?
Like most of my characters, Ana arrived in my head as a whole person. It took me a while to get to know and understand her, but she was worth the effort.

As you said, we all know what it feels like to be new or an outcast. Those are universal feelings. For Ana, that's her entire existence. I spent a lot of time imagining what it might be like to know you were a mistake and that you'd replaced someone everyone else loved. I also did a lot of research into abuse victims, which was just heartbreaking.

But in spite of her less-than-ideal upbringing, I wanted her to be courageous, to seek out joy, and be ready to make changes in her life. I wanted her to be someone the reader could understand and cheer for.

4.-Did you had any say in the cover? Because honestly it is GORGEOUS and fitting to the story :)

I had nothing to do with the gorgeous cover. Well, I did drool a little and announce my undying love for the art department at Katherine Tegen Books, but that was as far as my contribution went.

5.- Is there any chance that Sam was inspired by a real someone in this world? *say yes, say yes, say yes*
Haha! Sorry. Sam is made of 100% fiction, though my husband likes to say Sam is based on him. (Sorry, husband! Sam has much better taste in music. *g*)


6.-A question you would like to be asked in an interview.
"If you had a pet sylph, would it get along with Kippy?"

Absolutely. In fact, it would probably do a better job of keeping Kippy warm than my lap and she would abandon me.


7.- and Between You and Me, what's in store for the future
Is it really between you and me if this is going on a public blog? ;)

Okay, okay. There will be more music. More sylph. More kissing. More discovery of the world and reincarnation. And lots and lots of bad things happening.

Thank You so Much To Jody Meadow for Granting Me this Interview :D! I Looooved her book and if you haven't read it: What are You Waiting For!!!! 

Blogger Lift #38

Blogger Lift:

Blogger Lift Is Hosted Here. and in Goodreads on YABC. Blogger Lift is a feature in which I'll promote blogs I follow and that I recommenced you.

Blogger Lift is Filled until next year! Thank you to all the Blogger who have participated and those who Signed Up!

More Info on Blogger Lift:
Requirements Of Blogger Lift

Featured this week

Understanding Shae's Story

The Interview

1. In Between Writing and Reading What do you like to do?

Another passion of mine, besides reading, is drawing. I'm always trying to get better and improve my skills. My older sister is an amazing artist, and I hope to be just like her! I also love action movies, and constantly bruise myself when I try to recreate them in real life. I'm a pretty active person and am currently taking dance classes that kick my butt on a regular basis, but I enjoy them... when I'm not out of breath.

2. Convince me to join your Blog Twitter Style. 140 Characters or Less. GO!

Hey! Do you like reading? Are you a fan of Young Adult books? Or just books in general? No? Well, come by Understanding Shae’s Story anyway! (140 characters on the dot. Pretty good, huh? This doesn't count lol)

3. A Color. A Fruit. A Candy.
Light Blue. Strawberry. Anything with chocolate!

4. Lets say Hypothetically that you are abducted by Aliens. And they are generous enough to let you take your favorite book. Just One book. Which book would you take?

Well... I don't think they're THAT generous if they're abducting me in the first place. Unless of course, they're taking me to an island and forcing me to live with Taylor Lautner for the rest of my life :) And hmm... probably, The Host by Stephenie Meyer because it's an awesome book, and I love irony.

5. V-day is coming soon. Biggest Book Crush?

All the brothers from the Black Dagger Brotherhood Series by J.R. Ward.

6. Upcoming Release you are most exited about?

The Golden Lily (Bloodlines #2) by Richelle Mead! Love her!

7. A detailed description of your Blog :)

Understanding Shae's Story is a completely fiction book blog. It centers mostly around YA, but I'll read anything that sounds good. It's still a relatively new blog, but I'll be hosting author interviews and giveaways soon! Come on by, and I'll give you a virtual hug! Okay, maybe not. But I'm friendly... just don't pet me :)

Blog:  http://understandingshaestory.blogspot.com/ 

Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5647105-shae

Anniversary

Yesterday was the 11-year anniversary of the day my wife and I first got together.

It was in college. We'd met only two days earlier and spent the entire day talking over coffee. She had perched herself up on a railing in the concourse of the UCD Arts Building while some of our other friends were playing around with her wheelchair. I decided to risk offering to let her lean on me for balance, which got me close enough to put my arm around her waist. She put her arms around my neck. We kept talking like that, until I took a chance and began stroking her neck. She smiled at me and I decided to go for broke. I leaned in and kissed her.

I was terrified. I'd never been so forward in my life. But she kissed me back, and we pretty much haven't stopped since.

Jen, I love you. You make every bad thing that happens easier to bear, and every good thing a hundred times better because I can share it with you. Here's to many, many more years together.

Both Jen and I have taken this Friday off work to treat ourselves. I'll also be taking the day off blogging, so my usual Friday post will be absent this week. Have a good weekend, everyone, and I'll be back on Monday.

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