The Best Reader [Search results for nook] 

On Saturday, January 8th, 2011 I made the big decision to purchase a Nook. I struggled with this decision for many months but ultimately decided to jump on the band wagon. It has since been six months and I'd like to do a quick "Six Months" after post that I prefer to entitle: Why I Love My Nook.

Like many others, before choosing to invest in an eReader I questioned my "reading" habits. Would I be able to read on an electronic device? Wouldn't I miss terribly the feel of turning pages and shutting covers? Would I even use an eReader — I have loads of books on my shelves waiting to be read? Could I afford the "after cost" of an eReader? After the initial price of the device, would I go broke buying eBooks with the WiFi function? Would I be able to budget? Would I be able to resist the click to buy? After buying an eBook and loving it, wouldn't I just have to purchase a hard copy for my shelves?

Well, folks, let me answer those questions.

Would I be able to read on an electronic device?
Absolutely. But I am very glad that I got the "regular" Nook and not a Nook Color because of the screen. I'm only 24 but I can tell my eyes get tired after looking at computer screens at work, blogging, ipods, and cellphones so when I want to sit and read for a few hours I'm very thankful that my Nook is "easy on the eyes" — that and the battery life is super long.

Wouldn't I miss terribly the feel of turning pages and shutting covers?
You know, not really. Don't get me wrong, digital books will never take the place of hard copy books in my life. I still love the musky smell of an old book and I still have loads of books in my house. But when it comes to reading ARCS, I actually prefer them on my Nook because then I don't have to worry about getting rid of them afterward. I just don't have room, even in my new house, for all the ARCs, I don't have a library that accepts donations, not all the books are acceptable for my classroom, I am not a huge fan of tons of contests etc (shipping costs and all that) and the list goes on — bottom line: ARCs become a handful to get rid of.

Besides the eBooks ability to simply be deleted after reading, I also find that I don't feel that "obligation" (what an ugly word) to finish an ARC if I'm not liking it. Reading has become more fun and less stressful.

Would I even use an eReader — I have loads of books on my shelves waiting to be read?
Ah, those books are definitely still there.:) I use my Nook on a weekly basis but I also obviously still read hard copy books. If I was being honest, however, I would have to say that lately I've been using my Nook more than a physical book because of all the advance copy books that are available.

Could I afford the "after cost" of an eReader? After the initial price of the device, would I go broke buying eBooks with the WiFi function? Would I be able to budget? Would I be able to resist the click to buy?
I have yet to actually purchase an eBook. I can proudly say that I have resisted every urge that presents itself while browsing Barnes and Noble (online or in-store). I have kept my Nook stocked with books offered from NetGalley and the Galley Grab (thank you Publishers!).

After buying an eBook and loving it, wouldn't I just have to purchase a hard copy for my shelves?
This has only happened twice. I felt the need to purchase "Wither" and "The Goddess Test" after reading them online via NetGalley or the Galley Grab.

Overall, I am so happy with my eReader. This post isn't a "Why the Nook is better" post, it is simply an attempt to relieve some similar fears of anyone else considering an eReader in general! Not only has my eReader become part of my daily reading life, but it has made my life as a book blogger so much better. As a blogger who doesn't get pitched loads of book offers each day, the Nook has given me the ability to read online galley ARCS through programs like NetGalley and the Galley Grab. Just this week I showcased the 10+ galleys I've recently downloaded (Caught in the Net post). Now, as a relatively "smaller" blogger, I am given the same reviewing opportunities as many of the "big" bloggers simply because I have the necessary capabilities (ie The Nook). I feel like more of a "professional" because of my eReader and, while with or without my Nook I will always be a reader, I can't imagine book blogging without it.

Yes, you heard right. I am expecting... an eReader! I've debated long and hard and am finally ready to make the move (after discovering Net Galley). I don't think I'll purchase many books with it, but I am looking forward to having it for eGalleys and traveling.

After I made the decision of "to buy" or "not to buy" I had to decide which brand of eReader I wanted. This was an easy choice for me: I often refer to Barnes and Noble as the Motherland so there's really no way I could go anywhere else with this important decision.

Then, after deciding on the Nook brand, I had another decision: Nook or NookColor. This was the most difficult decision in this process. I tweeted all last nigh about this dilemma. I love the NookColor because it's new, it's completely touch screen, I could subscribe to magazines, I could tweet status updates, I could surf the web, etc. But I have an iPod Touch that does all of that and eventually I'll have an iPad. It wasn't until very late last night that I realized why I can't get a NookColor. I'm only 23 but my eyes hurt. I look at a computer all day then I blog for a few hours each night. And when I'm not looking at my computer I'm looking at my cell phone or Touch — it's exhausting. Last night all I wanted to do was curl up with a book and let my eyes relax; that is why I decided on a regular ole Nook. I want a device that won't take away from my reading, a device that won't allow me to get side tracked by Twitter, Facebook, Google Reader, and blogging. When I sit down to read I want to be swept away into a great adventure, not into another social networking medium.

Notice my struggle? Remember, read from the bottom up! Thanks Mitalia, Amy, and Pam for being so helpful!

After that long debacle (thanks Twitter for your patience), I had one last small detail to consider: Nook WiFi or Nook WiFi + 3G. This decision came down to the fact that I don't plan on purchasing loads of books with the Nook and really, where are you going to go that doesn't have WiFi somewhere? Michelle (@michelleball) put it perfectly last night:

So, I decided on just the regular Nook WiFi.

This is a pretty big decision for me — I was going to wait a few more months. But this week I was able to "pay off" my student loans (I found a private investor who volunteered to give me a check to pay off the bank and then I can start making payments to him AFTER the wedding at 3% interest — what a deal) and after all was said and paid for I had enough money left over to pay for the honeymoon and some change. This "change" is where my Nook will be coming from.

I, unfortunately, made this decision about 8pm last night and am leaving with my students tomorrow at 8am for an out of town Oral Interp meet. I'm judging — which basically means that I can read and hang out the entire day except for the hour or two when I'm actually listening to kids speak. Plus, I am not a chaperone — no attitude for me! So, I will not be bringing home this mysterious bundle of joy until tomorrow evening when I return (before 8pm). I've done my homework and I am so excited and ready for this next step in my life!

*If you're curious, I wrote this post at 10:38pm on Friday night (after making said big decision) and scheduled it for Saturday since I won't have "real" computer access while with the Oral Interp Team.
**If you counted the bolded words that was four decisions made in regards to my eReading adventure.
***Super SUPER huge thank you to Michelle at Hooked to Books for all her advice and help with this huge decision! Thanks for being so patient! I know I was a hot mess last night... er, tonight? Whatever.

... or should I say The Pick Up? Excuse the pizza reference.
On Saturday night I braved the snow, wind, and ice (true story, I almost died!) to travel to Barnes and Noble on my mission to obtain a precious Nook.

Upon my safe arrival to the Motherland, I was on a mission; but all great missions do need a detour, so I of course looked through the YA section but did not buy (buying ban). When I felt completely down about bidding farewell to all the beautiful books I would not be taking home with me, I went to the front of the store for one more last look-see.
This last look-see took me forty minutes. I know, it's ridiculous. I was up all night of Friday going through my decisions and I had decided on a regular Nook. But once I was there, the Color looked so fancy and nice and... worth it! Then another woman came up, a very nice woman who was also a teacher, and introduced herself. I asked her (Midwesterns aren't afraid to ask the input of strangers) how she felt about her Nook Color. She said she adored it! She used it for everything! She listed all of the amazing programs and capabilities. She vouched for it like I vouch for a good book. She was such a good voice for the Nook Color that I almost walked out with it. Almost.
I realized that all of the things I could do with a Nook Color I can do with my iPod Touch. I tried to tell myself that I could blog and check my Google Reader from the Nook Color, but the fact of the matter is... I don't want to be able to that when I'm reading. I have a hard enough time staying focused when reading what with Twitter, Google Reader, Goodreads, etc! I just want to be able to escape into a novel. I could barely read the text with all the glare in the store, I didn't want to think about the glare when reading outside. So I had to ask myself, "Do you want to be able to do everything else but read, or do you want to read?" The answer was, obviously, I want to read. Don't get me wrong, I'm pretty jealous of everyone with a Nook Color, but for me this was the best choice. With my iPod Touch and someday with my iPad, I want a reading device for reading.

So please, welcome to Miss Remmers' Review, Sam — The Nook! Who is now best buddies with Max the Mac!

In case you're wondering — the first book I downloaded was Shannon Delany's "Beasts and BFFs " and the following:

• DEAD(ish) — $0 Barnes and Noble.com
• Danger in the Shadows — $0 Barnes and Noble.com
• The Demon Girl — $0 Barnes and Noble.com
• StarWars (Lost Tribe of the Sith — #1, #2, #3, #4, #5) — $0 Barnes and Noble.com (for D)
• A World Without Heroes — Galley Grab
• One Hundred Candles — NetGalley
• Outside In — NetGalley
• Populazzi — NetGalley
• Sleeping Beauty: Vampire Slayer — NetGalley
• The Glory of Green — NetGalley

In February I bought my Nook and can proudly say that I have yet to purchase a book on it! I have a few free Nook Books from Barnes and Noble, but by far most of my Nook reading comes from NetGalley and occasionally from the S&S Galley Grab.

"Caught in the Net" is where I showcase what I've currently downloaded and am ready to read! Links are to Goodreads.

From NetGalley
Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini 5.31.11
Hereafter by Tara Hudson 6.7.11
Queen of the Dead by Stacey Kade 6.7.11
Spellbound by Cara Lynn Shultz 6.28.11
Lost Voices by Sarah Porter 7.4.11
Always a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough 8.1.11
The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab 8.2.11
Ultraviolet by R.J. Anderson 9.1
The Gray Wolf Throne by Cinda Williams Chima 9.20
Wherever You Go by Heather Davis 11.14

From S&S Galley Grab
Wrapped by Jennifer Bradbury 5.24.11
Between Here and Forever by Elizabeth Scott 5.24.11
Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma 5.27.11
William's Midsummer Dreams by Zilpha Keatley Snyder 6.7.11
All The Things You Are by Courtney Sheinmel 6.14.11
The Secret Prince by Violet Haberdasher 6.28.11
Wildefire by Karsten Knight 7.26.11

Huge thanks to the S&S Galley Grab and NetGalley for supplying my addiction.

"For some reason I am able to forgive the one dimensional characters and "too fast" of pace because of the end result: a book I couldn't put down." — Miss Remmers

Release Date: November 15th, 2011
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Challenges: Dystopia Challenge, 100+ Reading Challenge, eBook Challenge

"In the violent country of Ludania, the language you speak determines what class you are, and there are harsh punishments if you forget your place—looking a member of a higher class in the eye can result in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina (Charlie for short) can understand all languages, a dangerous ability she’s been hiding her whole life. Her only place of release is the drug-filled underground club scene, where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. There, she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy who speaks a language she’s never heard, and her secret is almost exposed. Through a series of violent upheavals, it becomes clear that Charlie herself is the key to forcing out the oppressive power structure of her kingdom…."

I began "The Pledge" with knowing nothing more than the synopsis and that it was a "pretty big deal" on Twitter when it was released via the Galley Grab; this was basically a "blind read" for me. Let me start with my initial reaction: complete and pure love. I read almost the entirety of this novel on Sunday when my husband was watching football and after our Sunday night family dinner with the in-laws we went to see "Real Steel" in theaters and I was still thinking about this book. As an exhausted new teacher, there are very few books that I "stay up for" (because, seriously, I'm usually in bed by 9:30) so when I told Dan that I wanted to stay up and read while he watched the days football highlights, he was completely shocked. An hour and a half later I finished "The Pledge" and couldn't wait to tell everyone about it.

I loved the pacing, I loved the plot, I loved the entire concept! I absolutely loved all the parallels to society today and loved analyzing the book in comparison to immigration and language barriers; I found several wonderful quotes that I have written down below to tease you. I mean, the power of words is unmistakable but Derting does such a fantastic job of highlighting and illustrating that power. I loved the twits and I loved how I never really knew which characters to trust. My initial reaction to this book was pure and complete adoration.

But within a days time I was online and reading reviews and one particular review (compliments of April from Good Books and Wine) has kept me thinking. This review brought up tons of different points that I realized I agree with but had just never thought about. I realized, after reading this thorough and fair review, that the characters aren't multidimensional — I can't tell you why I like Max or what makes Charlie so special (besides for being "plain" — which I guess has become synonymous with "the girl next door" that every protagonist lately has become). I don't understand why Max is "intrigued" by Charlie and I don't understand Charlie and Aron's relationship.

April's points about pacing also rang true for me. I couldn't put this book down because I was never bored but that probably has a lot to do with the fact that the entirety of this story really takes place in a very small time frame. Now that I think about it, I'm a bit flabbergasted that the entire plot took place in the span of a few days and that one girl's life could change so completely. But while I was reading, none of this bothered me or even occurred to me.

I think the power of the review is astonishing. April's review of this book has kept me thinking and comparing my thoughts to hers and how we agree on so much but our feelings at the end were so different. Even with all of these points, this book was still amazing for me. For some reason I am able to forgive the one dimensional characters and "too fast" of pace because of the end result: a book I couldn't put down.

Favorite Quotes:
"That was when the class system was first imposed. It was designed to discourage future uprisings, to keep people living apart so ideas of rebellion could not be co-mingled. Language became a tool, a way to complete that division... words had become the ultimate barrier" (144 — according to my Nook in the Galley).
"These Outcasts who spoke only one shared language, seemed happier than those... who were segregated by words and ruled by fear" (225 — again, my Nook in the Galley).

-Visit Lisa around the web here: Website | Blog | Goodreads | Twitter
-BUY THE BOOK: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes and Noble | Nook

To the FTC, with love: eGalley from NetGalley

"The plot isn't necessarily new and the characters aren't exactly original, but there is definitely something different about this story... somehow a generic (albeit tragic) plot with cliche characters has completely won me over. " — Miss Remmers

Release Date: September 6th, 2011
Publisher: HarperCollins
Challenges: DAC 2011, 100+ Reading Challenge, eBook Challenge

"Anyone who’s had something truly crappy happen to them will tell you: It’s all about Before and After. What I’m talking about here is the ka-pow , shake-you-to-your-core-and-turn-your-bones-to-plastic kind of crappy.

Sixteen-year-old Laurel’s world changes instantly when her parents and brother are killed in a terrible car accident. Behind the wheel is the father of her bad-boy neighbor, David Kaufman, whose mother is also killed. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Laurel navigates a new reality in which she and her best friend grow apart, boys may or may not be approaching her out of pity, overpowering memories lurk everywhere, and Mr. Kaufman is comatose but still very much alive. Through it all there is David, who swoops in and out of Laurel’s life and to whom she finds herself attracted against her better judgment. She will forever be connected to him by their mutual loss—a connection that will change them both in unexpected ways."
"The Beginning of After" starts like almost every other contemporary YA novel that revolves around tragedy. At first the "cliche-ness" of it all really bothered me — you know, the good girl who gets straight A's, super anal-retentive, and the ultimate perfectionist who, of course, suffers some huge tragedy and along with the bad boy "gang member" who also suffers some huge tragedy. They fall in love. End of story.

Right?

Sort of. About page twenty when I felt like I had this entire story figured out I was about to put it down and say "Okay, back to paranormal fiction for me!" But I didn't. Maybe I'm stubborn or maybe I am just desperate to finish a book — but I kept reading. [I read the first half of this book in the car on the way to our "mini-moon" vacation] Soon I was annoyed when the car stopped for bathroom breaks and meals and decided that it was in my best interest (and the hubby's) for me to continue reading and skip the breaks. I couldn't pull myself away from the story — not necessarily the plot (two very different things) but the story.

Once we arrived at our destination I didn't necessarily have the time to read because of all the activities planned and of course we were surrounded by family who wanted to celebrate our first two months of marriage together and Laurel's situation slowly became a subtle rhythm (rather than a loud banging drum) in my subconscious. Until the baseball game on Tuesday night (the second baseball game of our vacation). I brought my Nook only to read during the pre-game/batting practice. But page by page (or click by click) I found myself running out of time. The game was about to start at any minute and I wasn't ready to be done reading. After the "Star Spangled Banner" I put down my Nook but by half way through the first inning I was sneaking peeks at the screen. By the end of the second inning I was down right reading shamelessly. The in-laws, friends, and my amazing husband were (for the most part) very understanding and just let me finish. I just kept saying "I'm almost done. I'm almost done."

I finished after the fifth inning. There were times when my heart literally hurt — but I have a hard time explaining why. The plot isn't necessarily new and the characters aren't exactly original, but there is definitely something different, something I can't put my finger on, about this story by Jennifer Castle. Perhaps it is the way it's told, or the subtle progression of the character's grief process — I don't know. It reminded me of "If I Stay" by Gayle Forman because "The Beginning of After" challenged me to consider my own life without my loved ones. But unlike Mia, Laurel doesn't have a choice to stay or go — she must simply continue on.

Despite the genericness of it all, I somehow found Laurel to be refreshing and easy to relate to and David mysterious and more than slightly selfish. I fell in love with the American Boy Joe Lasky. I felt for Laurel and David (although with each additional animal in Laurel's house I felt like I lost more and more of my sanity). I saw and understood the different ways that Laurel, David, and Laurel's grandmother dealt with their grief. It's almost as if Castle has somehow reinvented this plot and these characters through her fantastic story telling ability and has created something entirely different and heartbreaking.

The truth is somehow a generic (albeit tragic) plot with cliche characters has completely won me over. I highly recommend this book to any one who enjoys contemporary YA if for no other reason than to give Laurel (and Castle) the opportunity to prove that the whole "parents die in a car accident" plot is not entirely washed up.

-Visit Jennifer around the web here: Website | Blog | Goodreads | Twitter
-BUY THE BOOK: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes and Noble | Nook

To the FTC, with love: Galley from NetGalley

"I read this book almost in its entirety in one day... but it feels like I've known these characters for months, years even! The journey I just got back from after reading "Wither" was an experience that every bibliophile looks forward to with every book they open. "Wither" may not fulfill this experience for everyone — but it sure did for me." — Miss Remmers

"What if you knew exactly when you would die?

Thanks to modern science, every human being has become a ticking genetic time bomb—males only live to age twenty-five, and females only live to age twenty. In this bleak landscape, young girls are kidnapped and forced into polygamous marriages to keep the population from dying out.

When sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery is taken by the Gatherers to become a bride, she enters a world of wealth and privilege. Despite her husband Linden's genuine love for her, and a tenuous trust among her sister wives, Rhine has one purpose: to escape—to find her twin brother and go home.

But Rhine has more to contend with than losing her freedom. Linden's eccentric father is bent on finding an antidote to the genetic virus that is getting closer to taking his son, even if it means collecting corpses in order to test his experiments. With the help of Gabriel, a servant Rhine is growing dangerously attracted to, Rhine attempts to break free, in the limited time she has left. "

I've read some awesome books already this year -"Delirium, " "Across the Universe, " "The Iron Queen, " and many others — but none of touched me like Lauren DeStefano's debut, "Wither."

This was one of those "surprise" reads that I had been putting off and putting off for two reasons: I hate the cover and I wasn't sure of the whole "brother" angle. Why do I hate the cover? I have no idea. I feel like I should like it, but I just don't. With the above premise I assumed that the brother was going to play a more pivotal role in this book but he didn't. I'm not sure why I was bothered by the brother bit; I think I assumed that the brother and sister would be the protagonists instead of a love interest. Boy was I wrong.

DeStefano drew me in with the first chapter and before I knew it I was racing through the pages not on purpose but by complete accident. When I finally looked at the lower status bar on my Nook I discovered that hundred pages had been covered. And worse, when I hit that last page I was at a complete stand still. That couldn't be it — could it? I want more. I need more! But we'll return to this later.

I won't lie — I'm still in shock of loving this book so entirely that I am just praying this review makes sense and does the book justice.

Despite not really knowing what was going on in the beginning chapters, I was enthralled with "Wither" and couldn't put it down. Once Rhine met Governor Linden her hatred and my hatred combined for the man could have started any number of metaphorical wars. But somehow, as his character was developed, I found myself looking for him in the novel and seeking his company out for Rhine. Why? He's supposed to be a complete polygamous misogynist! (Nothing against polygamy... it's just how I've been raised I guess.) And despite his need to "consummate" his marriages and the rest of the whole sketchy concept of this society — I like him. It's completely nonsensical and illogical — but I rooted for him and Rhine, I willed their romance to blossom. If we choose "Teams" with this novel (you know, Team Edward, Team Jacob, Team Ash, Team Puck, etc)... oddly enough I'll be the first to join Team Linden.

The setting of this novel, in a huge beautiful mansion, while creepy and imprisoning, was written so eloquently I feel like I've been there. As I feel like I know the characters. There's a saying: "You know you've read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend." by Paul Sweeney. "Wither" is one such book; when I came to the last page (even on my Nook) I felt like I was saying good bye to a female protagonist that I loved and even a half ways antagonist that I had somehow fell in love with as well!

I read this book almost in its entirety in one day — Friday's Recreational Reading in my English classroom; but it feels like I've known these characters for months, years even! The journey I just got back from was an experience that every bibliophile looks forward to with every book they open. "Wither" may not fulfill this experience for everyone — but it sure did for me.

The ending of this book, I will say, was very abrupt. Not just because it was so good that I didn't realize so many pages had been read, but the entire climax, falling action, and resolution (if you can call it that) took place during the last chapter. It seemed almost too easy of an... let's just say... ending. Too out of nowhere. Too without problems. Too... flawless. But despite that, I am LONGING for the second book to come out like I haven't longed for a book in a very long time. Many times I struggle with the second book simply because by the time it does come out I'm reading something different. I can tell that as soon as DeStefano's second book is available for pre-order it will be the first book I'll have pre-ordered since "HP 7."

"Wither" is a fantastically brilliant book that I recommend to any lover of dystopia or even romance!

Originality: 10/10
Ending: 5/10
Characters: 10/10
Plot: 10/10
My reaction/enjoyment: 10/10
Cover: 5/10
Overall: 50/60 B

Release Date: March 22nd, 2011

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Challenges: Dystopia Challenge, Debut Author Challenge, EBook Challenge, 100+ Reading Challenge
-Visit Lauren around the web here: Website | Blog | Goodreads | Twitter
-BUY THE BOOK: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes and Noble | Nook

To the FTC, with love: Review eBook from NetGalley

"There was a moment at the end where the breathe in me caught in my throat and I literally had to gasp out loud. My heart raced and my adrenaline roared. It was the quickest 100 pages of my life." — Miss Remmers

Release Date: June 28th, 2011 (TOMORROW)
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Challenges: iChallenge, 100+ Reading Challenge, eBook Challenge, DAC 2011

"Life hasn't been easy on sixteen-year-old Emma Conner, so a new start in New York may be just the change she needs. But the posh Upper East Side prep school she has to attend? Not so much. Friendly faces are few and far between, except for one that she's irresistibly drawn to—Brendan Salinger, the guy with the rock-star good looks and the richest kid in school, who might just be her very own white knight.
But even when Brendan inexplicably turns cold, Emma can't stop staring. Ever since she laid eyes on him, strange things have been happening. Streetlamps go out wherever she walks, and Emma's been having the oddest dreams: visions of herself in past lives—visions that warn her to stay away from Brendan. Or else."
While it wasn't what I expected, "Spellbound" was a novel that I enjoyed. I thought the pacing was right and I connected with the characters. I went into this novel expecting more of a "witch" book but instead found a "reincarnation" book. By the description I knew there was some kind of past life thing going on, but I didn't think it would be the entire book — which it basically was. There was very little witchcraft or "witchiness" going on until the very end.
Random Tangent — I really thought there was a reason Angelique all of a sudden and a week-long flu.
Back on track: I always base my thoughts on a book in direct correlation to how "addicted" I was to it. I wasn't addicted to "Spellbound" until the last 100 pages. I enjoyed it, but I was able to put it down and not think about it for a few days. However, last night D and I were watching some random television show and I was only going to read 50 pages and be done and go to bed (Summer School in the morning). But I couldn't stop myself from "flipping pages" (in reality — clicking the button on my Nook). There was a moment at the end (no spoiler) where the breathe in me caught in my throat and I literally had to gasp out loud. My heart raced and my adrenaline roared. It was the quickest 100 pages of my life (well, so far this summer). I thought the ending was played out very well and timed perfectly. Despite it only taking a few pages, the ending didn't seem too quickly paced.
While I had "luke-warm" feelings in the beginning, by the end of this book you'd have thought my body was in boiling water. Okay, that was absolutely a horrific metaphor. Without the metaphorically challenged insinuations: if you can read a couple hundred of pages with a mild like for characters and plot, "Spellbound" is definitely worth it in the end!
-Visit Cara Lynn around the web here: Facebook | Blog | Goodreads | Twitter
-BUY THE BOOK: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes and Noble | Nook

To the FTC, with love: eGalley received from NetGalley

"This novel was absolutely surprisingly fantastic: a book I couldn't put down, a world I didn't want to leave behind, and characters that I'll never forget." — Miss Remmers

Release Date: February 28th, 2012
Publisher: Harper Teen
Challenges: eBook Challenge, +75 Challenge, NetGalley Challenge

"The human race is all but extinct after a war with Partials--engineered organic beings identical to humans--has decimated the population. Reduced to only tens of thousands by RM, a weaponized virus to which only a fraction of humanity is immune, the survivors in North America have huddled together on Long Island while the Partials have mysteriously retreated. The threat of the Partials is still imminent, but, worse, no baby has been born immune to RM in more than a decade. Our time is running out.Kira, a sixteen-year-old medic-in-training, is on the front lines of this battle, seeing RM ravage the community while mandatory pregnancy laws have pushed what's left of humanity to the brink of civil war, and she's not content to stand by and watch. But as she makes a desperate decision to save the last of her race, she will find that the survival of humans and Partials alike rests in her attempts to uncover the connections between them--connections that humanity has forgotten, or perhaps never even knew were there."

I found myself in several different instances, in class and at the rink, taking a huge intake of breathe in a surprised fashion (does that make sense?) — loud enough so that students and hockey parents were like "What are you reading?!" At one point in class, I had to shut the Nook and say, "Goodness that was SO romantic!" There were only a few minutes left of class so I explained to the students what I was reading and I hinted at the "romance."

Speaking of romance, was anyone else rooting for Samm? Just wondering...

I know this review is a bit "everywhere" but really — just take my advice and pick up this novel! There really wasn't a single thing that bugged/irked me about it. Despite the "heavy" overtones, Marcus brought some great humor to the story that I really enjoyed; a lot of times I feel like humor in YA is so over dramatized that I get frustrated — not so with this book! In addition to the funny, there were some great surprises and twists that I never EVER saw coming — I didn't even really have an inkling that a surprise was coming (which is probably why I can't help but gasp out loud)! I was even able to somewhat understand or at least deduce what all the medical lingo meant!

This novel was absolutely surprisingly fantastic: a book I couldn't put down, a world I didn't want to leave behind, and characters that I'll never forget. There were moments that were tear-jerking sad, laugh out loud funny, and (as I mentioned) exclaim out loud surprising! How's that for adjectives!

Favorite Memorable Quotes: page numbers are in reference to the NetGalley ebook.
"The first human to communicate with another species in eleven years and he tells me to shut up" (158).
"Well thanks for not shooting anyone, I guess. My contribution was to somehow refrain from peeing myself. You can thank me later" (251).

-Connect with the Author: Blog | Goodreads | Twitter
-BUY THE BOOK: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes and Noble | Nook

To the FTC, with love: eGalley from NetGalley

Here is the brand new book trailer for the upcoming book Descended by Blood by Angeline Kace. USE GOOGLE to add it to Goodreads. It will be released August 26th, 2011.

To celebrate the book trailer, and upcoming release, Angeline is having 2 wonderful giveaways! Each blog posted the book trailer (listed below) will be giving away an ARC ebook copy of Descended by Blood. In addition, you can enter below to win an ereader skin.

Descended by Blood by Angeline Kace
Publisher: Accendo Press (August 26th, 2011)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Series: Vampire Born #1
Brooke Keller is a high school junior who has never spent much time living in one place. She is finally in a town long enough to almost snag the boy of her dreams, until her life is threatened after killing a fanged man in his attempt to kidnap her. Brooke begins a dangerous journey in an effort to find out who is after her and how to stop them. In a world with powerful and prejudiced vampires, Brooke must tap into the side of her that she never knew existed at the risk of losing her life in order to save it.
Prize:

• 1 winner will receive an ARC ebook of Descended by Blood by Angeline Kace.

• You must be at least 13 to enter.
• Name and email must be provided and counts as 1 entry.
• Extra entries are possible and links must be provided.
• Contest is International and ends June 23rd.
• Once contacted, the winner will have 48 hours to respond.
• The form must be filled out to enter.

What's cooler than winning and reading the ARC? Reading the ARC on your Kindle while it's wearing the Descended by Blood skin! The winner will get the choice of having the skin for their Kindle, Nook, Nook Color, iPad, or Kobo.

Here are the benefits of the Skin:

• Kindle skins cover the front and back of the Kindle
• 3M technology for easy application and clean removal
• Super-thin (less than 1mm) tough scratch protection

Find Angeline Kace Website | Blog | Goodreads | Twitter
Read chapter one of Descended by Blood.
Other blogs hosting the book trailer
Kristen @ Seeing Night Book Reviews Ashley @ The Bookish Burnette Amber @ Me, Myshelf, and I Jessica @ Confessions of a Bookaholic <-- You are here! Kara @ Great Imaginations Jaime @ Two Chicks on Books
Check out all of these blogs for additional chances to win the ARC ebook!

It has been FOREVER since my last post! Wow! 12.31.10! This is my first Last 20 of the year! I just can't believe it! Keeping track of what I'm reading and where I got the books from has become an important aspect of reflection for me. If you're interested in analyzing my stats (although this is mostly for me) here are my prior posts.

• Last 20 — December 2010
• Last 20 — Februar y 2010
• Last 20 — April 2010
• Last 20 — Augus t 2010

1. Glass Houses — Audiobook from Library
2. Speak — Audiobook from Library
3. The Maze Runner — Audiobook from Library
4. The Power of Six — ARC from Publisher
5. The Beginning of After — Galley from NetGalley
6. The Iron Knight — Galley from NetGalley
7. Entwined — Audiobook from Library
8. All Together Dead — Audiobook from Library
9. The Giver — Audiobook from Library
10. Forever — ARC from BEA 2011
11. Wintergirls — Audiobook from Library
12. Eragon — Audiobook from Library
13. Spellbound — Galley
14. Summer's Crossing — Free Nook Book
15. Between Here and Forever — Galley
16. Mercy — Galley
17. Shift — Galley
18. Invincible Summer — ARC Tour
19. The Goddess Test — Galley
20. Bumped — Galley

You can definitely tell when my summer Audiobook Adventure started! I'm also fully utilizing the online galley resources that I am SO entirely thankful for! But, unfortunately, I haven't read a SINGLE book that I've bought recently. This makes me sad because my goal for 2011 was to read my own books. But then I got a Nook and all of these resources became available to me. Oh well, life goes on. The good thing is that I haven't bought a lot of books recently either. So it's kind of like a stale mate right?

What about YOUR last 20? Where do your books come from that you actually get around to reading?

From Amazon

"Keep Your Head Down.
Don't Get Noticed.
Or Else.

I'm Trella. I'm a scrub. A nobody. One of thousands who work the lower levels, keeping Inside clean for the Uppers. I've got one friend, do my job and try to avoid the Pop Cops. So what if I occasionally use the pipes to sneak around the Upper levels? The only neck at risk is my own…until I accidentally start a rebellion and become the go-to girl to lead a revolution."

I'll admit it, I picked this book up because I downloaded the sequel, "Outside In," on my Nook from NetGalley. I like the dystopia genre and I could use both books towards the Dystopia Reading Challenge.

Book Trailer:
At first, I was extremely confused; Snyder jumps right into the plot and this society and offers little to no expository information. As I think about this, I guess most dystopian novels don't offer much information about the society — it's just something you pick up on. It could be that I struggled with Inside's society because it's unlike anything I've ever read. I couldn't picture the setting and for the longest time, for lack of a better idea, I assumed they were underground. This confusion kept me from becoming completely sucked into this novel because I didn't understand a lot that was going on; as I continued to read I slowly pieced together this unique society and was able to focus better.

Snyder's characters were developed well; I felt like I knew Cog and Trella and the plot was intriguing. But there was just something missing about this novel, I didn't connect to it and I don't have any emotion invested in it. I felt the neither need to keep reading nor that urge to not put the book down. As odd as this sounds, I just wasn't passionately involved with this book, but there really isn't a reason why... I just wasn't. The writing was good, the plot was well paced, the characters were believable and even likable. I just didn't connect. Definitely a good book, just not one that I'm rushing out to purchase. I definitely recommend this novel to any fan of dystopia.

Originality: 10/10
Ending: 7/10
Characters: 9/10
Plot: 7/10
My reaction/enjoyment: 8/10
Theme: 10/10
Imagery: 10/10
Setting: 5/5
Voice: 5/5
Style: 5/5
Tone: 5/5
Cover: 8/10
Overall: 89/100 B

To the FTC, with love: Library Loan

To find out more about this series and author, visit the following links: -Visit Maria around the web here: Website | Blog -BUY THE BOOK: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
| Nook Download | Kindle Download

My original Challenge Post from 1.11.11 (ironic?)
On January 11th, 2011 I joined the 2011 eBook Challenge hosted by The Ladybug Reads. Having just bought my Nook a the day I joined the challenge I set my goal at 12 books (addicted). I figured that would be one a month and that would be accomplishable (for a girl who wasn't so sure of this eReader thing). Well, it's now June 17th, a mere 5 months and a few odd days and I have officially completed this challenge. But because I am a bit of an over achiever and I completely love my Nook, I've decided to up the ante to the OBSESSED level and attempt to read 20 eBooks before New Years. Maybe I'm just over confident — but I think I can do it.:)
So far I've read —

1. Outside In
2. Cryer's Cross
3. The Iron Queen
4. Wither
5. Stay
6. Jane Austen: A Life Revealed
7. Bumped
8. The Goddess Test
9. Shift
10. Mercy
11. Between Here and Forever
12. Summer's Crossing
13. Spellbound
14. The Iron Knight
15. The Beginning of After
16. The Juliet Spell
17. Ashfall
18. The Pledge
19. Replication: The Jason Project
20. Cinder

2011 was really my first time attempting any sort of concrete reading challenge and I think I faired pretty well for myself. If you're interested in exactly what books I read to complete each challenge, merely click on the photo to be taken to the appropriate page.

Let's start with the disappointment first. I challenged myself to read 100 books last year; this, unfortunately, didn't happen. I read 53 books in 2011 which is actually about 10 books less than 2010. But, to my credit, a few life changing events occurred such as getting married, moving into a house, teaching summer school, and starting a new job in two grade levels I had never taught before.
Challenges:

The Off the Shelf Challenge was probably my biggest failure/embarrassment. I challenged myself to read 76 books from my own shelves, when in actuality I read 19. Whoops. If I wanted to make excuses for this, I would (theoretically) blame my new Nook and point to the eBook Challenge.

On January 11th, I bought a Nook and set a goal to read 12 of those unfamiliar, slightly scary, eBooks. On June 17th, I completed that goal. This year I read a total of 20 eBooks! I attribute a lot of this to NetGalley and the Galley Grab because I can honestly say I have yet to buy an eBook! So for those of you who are worried about the cost — don't be!

Along with eBooks, this year I discovered my love of audiobooks as well! Last year having never listened to an entire audiobook before, I challenged myself to read 12 audiobooks and I completed 15! I am now a firm believer in the audiobook! 2011 was really a year of reading discovery for me.

The iChallenge challenged me to read 10 "Vampy, Witchy, Fae-sih, Were-ish" throughout the year and I read 12. More than 10% of what I read this year dealt with vampires, witches, faery, or werewolves. I guess I love me some paranormal YA! Had Angels been added to this list my number would be 15!

For the Dystopian Challenge I chose to read 15 books and I'm really surprised I didn't read more. My final count was 14.

Another Challenge I was so close to was the Debut Author Challenge for 2011. The idea was to read at least 12 and I read 11.

And finally, the Challenge I set for myself in 2010: the YA List. In 2010 I read three of the books on this list and at the end of 2011 this number is 13. While I didn't complete the entire goal of reading all 25 books, I'm going to call this one a wash as I don't really want to attempt it again in 2012.

Overall, I'm really impressed with my progress this year, especially in regards to the eBook and the Audiobook Challenges. Like I mentioned, 2011 was really a year of reading discovery for me. Prior to 2011 I read books that were bound and nothing else and now I have three different mediums to read in. I'm so excited to see what 2012 brings!

"I wasn't bought at first, but now I cannot imagine my classroom without this amazing series with such depth in both plot and characters." — Miss Remmers

"My name is Meghan Chase.

I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it. This time, there will be no turning back."
Okay, so I'll admit it. I didn't really like "The Iron King " or "The Iron Daughte r." I didn't connect to the characters and I disliked Meghan.
Boy, am I eating my words. I've gone from telling my BFF book friend Button that she shouldn't "waster her time" with this series to calling her while crying and saying she MUST read it! NOW!
Why this sudden change of heart? Simply and obviously put: "The Iron Queen." This was an amazing novel whose characters and plot were both so riveting I couldn't put it down before school, during my lunch, during my plan, after school, after the work out, at dinner, and finally before bed. All I've done today is read "The Iron Queen" — well, you know, besides teaching tomorrow's supposed leaders. When I wasn't reading I couldn't stop thinking about the characters and the seemingly impossible adventure they were on.
And yes, I've warmed up to Ash. In my previous reviews I stated that Ash was basically a bully and downright mean to Meghan 95% of the time — this completely changed with "The Iron Queen." At times there was still a shadow of that icy cold Prince of Winter, but for the most part he was every girl's fantasy (no pun intended) man: a complete gentleman who cares only for you. The romance definitely heated up in this book without it becoming "overly done" or "tasteless." It was definitely the right amount — but it still had me willing for more secret kisses. I felt like Ash's character was finally developed and multi-dimensional. For this reason I am just giddy with excitement for "The Iron Knight" and completely bummed that it's release date is so far away (November 2011).
Despite my new appreciation for Ash, I still think I'm TEAM PUCK. It's nothing against Ash or Meghan... Puck is just more my type of guy and much more like my real guy.:) Puck's character was further developed in this novel as well. As were all the characters really: Meghan, Paul, Grim etc. Grim was a character I didn't necessarily like in the first two novels; he seemed to... wishy washy, like it was too easy for him to change sides. Now I trust him completely. However, I'm still unsure of Lea; we will see the part she has to play in Knight.
This book was absolutely fantastic. The last 100 pages I was glued to my Nook screen; I couldn't pull myself away! I cried more than once, felt my heart break, my body tense, and sighed a sigh of, not relief, but of hope at least. Julie Kagawa, I tip my hat to you. I wasn't bought at first, but now I cannot imagine my classroom without this amazing series with such depth in both plot and characters. This series will definitely be my next book talk.
Random: I love Razor! I want one!!

Originality: 10/10
Ending: 10/10
Characters: 10/10
Plot: 9/10
My reaction/enjoyment: 10/10
Cover: 10/10
Overall: 59/60 A

To find out more about this series and author, visit the following links:
-Visit Julie around the web here: Website | Blog | Twitter
-BUY THE BOOK: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kindle | Nook

To the FTC, with love: Hardcopy ARC and eBook via NetGalley

I am so happy to be part of #TeamDauntless. Today we are starting one of MANY giveaways to help spread the word about Insurgent and #DivergentNation.
Want to help #TeamDauntless? You can do that by tweeting, facebooking, and blogging about the team and send people to this link — http://bit.ly/choose_dauntless
People will be following the hashtags #DivergentNation and #TeamDauntless or #Dauntlessfaction. If you say you support us and include the link, I'll be sure to re-tweet you! Want to show off a Dauntless button as your avatar? Please do! Also, feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

We really appreciate the support and we will be announcing some benefits our supporters will get pretty soon.
Want to know what it means to be Team Dauntless? As you all know, Tris showed her bravery and courage by picking the Dauntless faction in Divergent. She was able to face her fears and learn how to fight. Being dauntless is to show bravery and determination. Everyone has fears but having the determination to face them is what really counts.

Now, for our first giveaway we are offering up a NOOK Simple Touch and an ebook copy of INSURGENT!
To enter just fill out the rafflecopter form below. You CAN enter multiple times a day! You just need to visit the site and tweet the link for an extra entry!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

"

"'Goddess Interrupted' whisked me away at a time when I needed it most... It was a book I knew I was going to love and therefore it was the perfect companion as I escape[d] my sorrow. " — Miss Remmers

Release Date: March 27th, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin
Challenges: eBook, 75+ Challenge, NetGalley

"Kate Winters has won immortality.
But if she wants a life in the Underworld with Henry, she’ll have to fight for it.
Becoming immortal wasn’t supposed to be the easy part. Though Kate is about to be crowned Queen of the Underworld, she’s as isolated as ever. And despite her growing love for Henry, ruler of the Underworld, he’s becoming ever more distant and secretive. Then, in the midst of Kate’s coronation, Henry is abducted by the only being powerful enough to kill him: the King of the Titans.
As the other gods prepare for a war that could end them all, it is up to Kate to save Henry from the depths of Tartarus. But in order to navigate the endless caverns of the Underworld, Kate must enlist the help of the one person who is the greatest threat to her future.
Henry’s first wife, Persephone."

"Goddess Interrupted" whisked me away at a time when I needed it most. I'm so thankful that this was the book I was in the middle of when my dad passed away last week. It was a book I knew I was going to love and therefore it was the perfect companion as I struggled to escape my sorrow. There was a moment in the beginning where I thought it was going to be pull a "Fever" and whisk my fairy-tale... err mythological hero away from me; like Kate, I wasn't feeling the love like I expected to. But by the end... let's just say I was satisfied.

What stood out the most throughout this book for me was that on my Nook there were at least four moments toward the end of the novel where I was afraid to click the button to turn the page because I was afraid that the page I was currently on was the last page. Does that make sense? Sometimes with Galleys it will say there are 299 pages but the last four pages are copyright information, acknowledgements, or other information so you just never know when that last sentence is going to appear! And for the first time, this really scared me! I was like, "NO! I'm not ready yet!" I'm so thankful I had the opportunity to read this book at this time in my life. It was the "pick me up" I've been needing for sure.

Can I just say... I LOVE HENRY!!!! I definitely need some more of him. He (and Linden) might be the only reason(s) that I would read fanfiction again.:)

-Connect with the Author: Website | Blog | Goodreads | Twitter
-BUY THE BOOK: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes and Noble | Nook

To the FTC, with love: Galley from NetGalley

"I enjoyed the audiobook and recommend it to any reader looking to return to a world of gowns, princesses, magic, and dancing" — Miss Remmers

Release Date: March 2011
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Challenges: Audiobook Challenge, DAC 2011, 100+ Reading Challenge

"Azalea is trapped. Just when she should feel that everything is before her... beautiful gowns, dashing suitors, balls filled with dancing... it's taken away. All of it.
The Keeper understands. He's trapped, too, held for centuries within the walls of the palace. And so he extends an invitation. Every night, Azalea and her eleven sisters may step through the enchanted passage in their room to dance in his silver forest. But there is a cost. The Keeper likes to keep things. Azalea may not realize how tangled she is in his web until it is too late."
I haven't read a book like this in a long time — a true fairy tale-esque story. Yes I've read loads of fantasy and paranormal books, but it's been forever since I've felt complete transported back in time to a land of princesses and magic. The audiobook was extremely helpful with this particular book in regards to setting the scene and the atmosphere of the fairy tale. The narrator was superb and excellently pulled off that "In a land far away" type of voice.
As for the plot — I did have a few frustrations. There are twelve little princesses — TWELVE! I found this a bit excessive and they all kind of mushed into one princess by the middle of the book. I just don't understand why it was necessary to have TWELVE princesses. Even now, after reading the book, I only remember Azalea, Bramble, and Clover as actually having a personality. I understand that Dixon wanted to illustrate that Azalea was the "mother figure" and that she had a lot on her plate — but honestly, with twelve sisters to remember I had a lot on MY plate!
I was also bothered by the triviality of the main concern of this story — dancing. Now, I love to dance and I never sit out a dance (not even on my wedding night!) but really, if your life basically goes down the toilet and (I'll just say it because I think we can all assume it's going to happen) your mother dies I feel like you're going to be a bit more concerned about other things than dancing. I found this preoccupation with the hobby a bit repetitive and unbelievable.
Wow. That sounds really negative. I don't mean it to be because in reality I enjoyed this audiobook. It was a great listen while walking the dog and I looked forward to those walks because of it. Those two slight annoyances were just that... annoyances. They never ruined the book for me and they didn't (obviously) make me stop listening. I enjoyed Azalea's character although some of her actions may have made me doubt her intelligence (but really, what damsel in distress do you NOT doubt the intelligence?). She was likable and headstrong and she really did have her sisters' best interests at heart. I loved the two main love interests (and the surprising third) and I especially enjoyed the King.
Random point — I felt like there were three different times this book could have ended besides the actual ending. When listening to an audiobook you can't necessarily "see" the end so this was a bit confusing (when all of the tracks are downloaded so you aren't dealing with CDs) and I actually had to go into my iPod option on my phone to make sure I was on the right track.
In short, had I attempted to read this book rather than listen to it I'm not sure if I would have been able to stick to it simply because it is harder to get used to this entirely different atmosphere and scene. The narrator did a fantastic job of whisking me away to this far away land whenever I put my ear phones in. The plot, while centered around the repetitive concept of the love of dancing, did actually fit the feeling of the book and the characters, who melded into a three characters (Azalea, Bramble, Clover, little sisters), were likable and fit well into this fairy tale-esque world that Dixon has created. I enjoyed the audiobook and recommend it to any reader looking to return to a world of gowns, princesses, magic, and dancing.
-Visit Heather around the web here: Website | Goodreads
-BUY THE BOOK: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes and Noble | Nook

To the FTC, with love: Library Loan Audiobook recommended by Michelle at Hooked to Books

As many of you know, I am a huge fan of Kristie Cook and her crazy-HOT book Promise. Tristan (the reason for crazy-HOT) happens to have a birthday today, on Halloween! So happy birthday Tristan *mmwwah!* I can't wait to snuggle up with you and jump into your … new book.; ) ha! But before that, you all need to check out the two giveaways Kristie has going on right now. One gives you the chance at winning a KINDLE 3!

Kristie is having a Mr. Beautiful's Halloween Hop & Birthday Bash contest. And here is what you can win just for helping spread the word.

1st Prize Purpose (#2 in the Soul Savers series) by Kristie Cook (ARC) Promise Bookmark Plus your choice of 2 of the following: Falling Under by Gwen Hayes (ARC) The Haunted (#2 in The Hollow trilogy) by Jessica Verday Where She Went (sequel to If I Stay) by Gayle Forman (ARC) Beyonders: A World Without Heroes by Brandon Mull (ARC) After the Kiss by Terra Elan McVoy Dead Beautiful by Yvonne Woon Dreaming in English (sequel to Veil of Roses) by Laura Fitzgerald (ARC) Learning to Breathe by Karen White The Wrong Mother by Sophie Hannah
2nd Prize Purpose (#2 in the Soul Savers series) by Kristie Cook (ARC) Promise Bookmark Dark Days and Wicked Nights (Free sampler featuring various authors)

Complete the form below to enter as many times as you'd like. You can return and enter to win every day, between now and 11/5, by tweeting and posting. Get up to 50 BONUS ENTRIES for taking a picture of you and Promise in the wild… or your home or whatever.

. Don't have Promise yet? Buy it here or here. Have the ebook? Just make sure the first page shows up on your ereader in the picture. Email the picture to kristie(at)kristiecook(dot)com for 25 extra entries or post it on your blog for 50 extra entries!

The form below is the one found on Kristie's blog.
For the question"Do you follow this blog?" it is referring to Kristie's blog HERE.

BUT that's not all. The other part of the giveaway allows you to borrow Tristan for a while. Sounds great, right??
What you could win

$25 Barnes & Noble Gift Card iPod Shuffle Kindle 3 or Nook!
How can you win?? Take the picture below and be creative!

How it works:
Take the picture above (or email kristie(at)kristiecook(dot)com for a higher resolution pic) and get creative with it. You can blow the picture up, cut it out and paste it to foam-board, then take Tristan on some outings in your corner of the world — just be sure to take pictures. Or create a video with him. Or, if you're an artist, give him a face (hint: sandy-brown hair, hazel eyes with green around the outside and gold flecks around the pupil, square jaw, full kissable lips). The sky's the limit and the more creative, the more likely you'll win.

Whatever it is, you MUST include the above picture in some form (so the judges can recognize Tristan!) and post your photo(s), image(s) or video on your blog, anytime till November 5th. (If you don't have a blog, you can post it on your Facebook page.) Give Tristan an actual post so we can find it the following week for judging.

I'm entering this contest myself and plan to post my entry early this week.

Release Date: 2003
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Challenges: Audiobook Challenge, Off the Shelf, and 100+ Reading Challenge

"Fifteen-year-old Eragon believes that he is merely a poor farm boy—until his destiny as a Dragon Rider is revealed. Gifted with only an ancient sword, a loyal dragon, and sage advice from an old storyteller, Eragon is soon swept into a dangerous tapestry of magic, glory, and power. Now his choices could save—or destroy—the Empire."

My journey with "Eragon" has been one heck of a ride. I've owned the book since probably 2005 but never really sat down to actually read it. Last spring when I was looking for a good audio, I found "Eragon" on CD at my library and picked it up simply because I couldn't find anything else and I figured "why not?" While driving to ND to visit D and apply for jobs "Eragon" definitely kept life interesting. I ended up renewing it several times because it is a longer audio book and I found that it took me a while to "feel the need" to listen to it.

It wasn't until I was making my final trek to ND with the car packed and the uHaul stuffed that my heart began to race and I hated to even stop for gas because I didn't want to be pulled out of the fictional reality that I presently found myself. When I pulled in to Bismarck I had three discs left. But then the wedding happened and all of a sudden the audiobook was due back at the library — in South Dakota. So, despite the need to finish, I had to send it back to SD with a friend who came up for the wedding.

Weeks passed. The "need to read" slowly dissolved.

But then, once I had my new license and was able to obtain a library card, I went online and interlibrary loaned the audio AGAIN! I finally finished the story in it's entirety last weekend when I travelled home (to Northern Minnesota) for the 4th of July.

I told you — what a ride.

I enjoyed "Eragon" tremendously, but like I said it did take me a few discs to get "addicted." The narrator did a fantastic job. I think part of my reluctance to just sit down and listen stems from the fact that I have seen (and enjoyed) the movie so, while there were major differences, I knew how it was going to end and the general plot line.

I'm not sure if I'll continue on with this series or not. I hear that each successive book gets better and perhaps, since there aren't other movies, I'll have a better element of surprise.

Okay, who am I kidding? Logging on to the library's site right now to request.

-Visit Christopher around the web here: Website | Goodreads | Twitter
-BUY THE BOOK: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes and Noble | Nook

To the FTC, with love: Bought and Audio borrowed from Library