The Best Reader [Search results for sunday salon] 

I know, I haven't done a Sunday Salon in... well for sure all of October! My last Sunday Salon was Sept 27th — I know, I can't believe it either!

This week I reviewed Lost in Austen for the Everything Austen Challenge. I spent most of my day yesterday reading blogs and doing some 'house keeping'. I caught up with a huge to do list; I wanted to read "Mr. Darcy's Dream," but I'm having a really hard time getting into it. So I started "A Duty to the Dead," which is a phenomenal book! I'm already half through! My Everything Austen Mini Challenge ended on Friday — congrats to the winner, Jennifer from Between the Lines.

I gained a follower and now have 30! Thank you!

This week's Guest Review was "Candor " by Kristen, from Bookworming in the 21st Century. If you're interested in submitting a Guest Review — please find out how.

This week I have a lot fun things planned! On Monday check back to see a book trailer that I created for an education class. I have never done anything like this before so it took me a lot of time and I'm very proud of it! On Tuesday look for a contest! Ohhh exciting!

My goal for this week is to finish "A Duty to the Dead" and "Mr. Darcy's Dream".

School has been going great. This Harry Potter class is a lot more work than I had anticipated; I find myself writing two pages a week, one on half of a book and the other on a movie. It's a bit tedious. I want to start spending more time reading and devoting to this blog, and if that means I need to get up a bit early... I also want to put more time into my reviews. I write them right after finishing them, which works for me, but I think that I need to spend more time thinking about them and start adding more things to them. So that's another goal.

Happy Sunday everyone!

What did you finish this week?

Whoo! The first Sunday Salon of the year! Late last night (the reason this Sunday Salon is being written on a Monday) I finished "Delirium" and... wow... wait until my review.

With the New Year and all of its resolutions (or should I say Reading Challenges) I'm feeling particularly motivated. I always love this time of year — the promise of a clean slate and new beginning. It's fun reading everybody's challenge posts and feeling that excitement of anticipation of the first book to read, first review, first author interview, first of everything.

2010 was an exciting year for me: found a full time teaching position (that I love), graduated from college, watched three of my best friends get married, attended BEA, went all over the US for weddings (see last summers post), moved into my first apartment, attended book festivals in Minnesota and South Dakota, began dating D, began teaching 9th grade, got engaged, etc. It was amazing.

Even more fun awaits me in 2011: BEA 2011, my wedding, my honeymoon, etc. I am so thankful to have everyone on these travels with me through life. Thank you!

After doing all the calculations, I wanted to share with the world my accomplishment of reading 65 books this... er, last year. While a small number so some, this is something I'm extremely proud of; after all my obligations, all my trips, and being employed full-time, I'm proud to say that I read 65 books last year. So I did what any of us would do, I posted on the blog, on Twitter, and on Facebook.

Now the thing about Facebook, is that I only have one account and I don't really have a lot of "book blogging" friends on that account — Facebook isn't something I utilize to advertise for my blog. I think I have four "book blogging" friends on FB. That status update received over 10 comments of "Wow, that's great" etc. And then there was this one:

Now, I should have left well enough alone and walked away. But, I didn't. Something that REALLY bugs me about my students is put downs, especially ones about being an "overachiever" and basically intelligent. Who told people that it is okay to treat someone like that. Even as an adult I was a little upset over this comment — who was he to judge me? I tried rolling it off (as you can see), but I was still upset. So I can't imagine how my students feel when it happens to them. A few comments more and I couldn't take it; I had to stand up, not only for me but for my students as well! If I can't stand up to that kind of "bullying," how can I expect them too.

World, here's the deal: Reading is cool. Successful people read. It's a fact of life. If you don't like to read that's fine, but don't put down those who do. It's unacceptable and I will call you out on it. Who gives you, an "underachiever," the right to belittle someone who succeeds?

Gah! Happy Monday!:) But really, what about you? As readers and, dare I say, "overachievers" you must have encountered this type of "bullying" at one point? Am I alone in admitting that it bugged me? That it made me feel like I was back in High School again?

What say you?

I survived the cold this week. Aberdeen was, according to CNN, the third coldest place in the nation on Friday. Brr! I spent New Years Eve at school attending a jazz dance (which was awesome) and returned to Northern Minnesota the next day. That was a lot of driving. I saw "The Blind Side" with my mom tonight — such an inspiring movie. Wow!

I just finished "Some Girls Are" and plan on writing the review later today (Monday). This week, while I didn't get a chance to formally review anything, I did have two quick giveaways (Congrats to Sharon and Esme), I posted my Privacy Policy, along with my latest Award. I also posted all of my recaps: December Wrap Up, Books Read in Fall 2009, End of Fall 2009, Guest Reviewers, and Hello 2010.

Sandy was this week's Guest Reviewer — donating her review of Hush Hush. Please share some book love and visit her at Pirate Penguin's Reads.

My holiday campaign to collect Guest Reviews ends today (my Sunday Salon was late...) — we acquired 44 reviews! Thanks to everyone who has donated! I will post later today (after I go to bed and wake up again) who won the $25 Gift Certificate.

I gained three followers this week and now have 37 amazing followers. Welcome and Thank you!

This week I am so excited to begin Bloggiesta! I've compiled a Twitter list of all the participants who have Twitter and I'm really excited about it. I spent a lot of time on it so I hope people use it. Overall, I'm just really excited to start Bloggiesta. I'll be starting a day early, as I'll be driving on Friday for five hours and unpacking everything. If you haven't joined in yet, check it out at @Maw Books, there's still time!

From my insane list that there's no way I'm going to finish, I'd like to finish "Girlfriend Material," "Sea Change," and "Jennifer Johnson is Sick of Being Single."
My list of books to read/things to do during break:

• Read "Inside Out"
• Read "Elmer, the Christmas Elf"
• Post all the Guest Reviews I've received for My Holiday Book Review Campaign
• Finish "The Source of Miracles" (Review)
  
• Read "Lucifer Rising" (Review)
  
• Read "Comfort Living" (Review)
  
• Read "I Used to Know That" (Review)
  
• Read "Some Girls Are" (ARC — Goodreads Winner)
  
• Read "The Van Alen Legacy" (Library — Momma Remmers)
  
• Read "Love You, Hate You, Miss You" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Truly, Madly: A Novel" (ARC — Goodreads Winner)
• Read "Jennifer Johnson is Sick of Being Single" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Sea Change" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Jumping off Swings" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Before I Die" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Embellish" (Review)
• Read "Gone" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Cracked Up to Be" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "How to Buy a Love of Reading" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Oh.My.Gods." (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Dark Places" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Nothing But Ghosts" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Isabelle's Boyfriend" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "The Grand Sophy" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Once Bitten, Twice Shy" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Shelter Me" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Poltergeist" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Girlfriend Material" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Wicked Lovely" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "According to Jane" (Library — Momma Remmers)

What did you finish this week?

First of all, what does everyone think of the new look?

So I skipped my Sunday Salon post last week because I was overwhelmed with everything going on. While it's only been two weeks, so much as happened!

Bloggiesta was a great success, even with all my technology difficulties. I feel as though I have a strong list of things to accomplish now.

I haven't finished/read a book since I got back to school. It's frustrating. I did, however, review "Some Girls Are, " I created an "About Me " and a "Contest Policy " page, I posted my review of my CSN organizer, and I posted TWO "In My Mailbox" posts (1.9.10 and 1.16.10) . I also posted wrap up posts for Bloggiesta and The Everything Austen Challenge.

In the past two weeks I gained five followers and now have 42 amazing followers. Welcome and Thank you!

This week I'd like to finish "Isabelle's Girlfriend."

My running "To-do" list:

• Make a Blogaversary button and link it up in the sidebar
• Decide what challenges I'm going to do this year (I know! I'm so behind)
• Finish posting all the Guest Reviews sent in from my campaign for reviews
• Read through posts to make sure that they are ready to be looked at by perspective employers (every single post) — Make them professional
  
• Look at Reviews for spelling/grammar
• Organize Reader (even though I have NO idea how)
• Review "New Moon"
• Review "A Christmas Carol"
• Order bookmarks
  
• Order business cards
• Add customized header
• Empty Old Reader — Starred Items
• Transfer contacts from old to new email address
• Add tags/labels to posts
• Create a Cheat Sheet
• Get rid of "dead" links
• Write my Disclosure Statement
• Update "Series" (Suggestions on good series?)
  
• Manage Bookmarks (Hot mess! Woa!)

Like last week, this week I've accomplished next to nothing in regards to the blog. I have, however, somehow stayed one step ahead of homework. It was a crazy week at school; I had TWO Harry Potter papers due on Monday, THREE presentations on Tuesday, ONE LARGE (12 pages) Harry Potter paper due on Wednesday, a presentation and a test on Thursday, and Friday I left for the Cities to attend "Beauty and the Beast" with my mom. I ended up starting that large HP paper on Tuesday night at 8pm and SOMEHOW finished by 3am. Like I said, "one step ahead".

I am still hosting a contest — "Thanksgiving at the Inn" is the perfect book to come out of the Halloween season with. I loved it! AND I decided to extend the deadline until November 15th! I am slightly disappointed that more people aren't interested in it — only one so far! And I have TWO copies to giveaway! Pity... (hint hint).

This week I reviewed a grammar book, posted my October Wrap Up post, photos of my bookshelf, and a Halloween Recap post.

Leslie was also this week's Guest Reviewer — donating her review of Perfect Chemistry. Please share some book love and visit her at That Chick That Reads.

Still at 30 amazing followers.:)

My goal for this week is to, again, stay ahead of the homework AND focus a bit more on my recreational reading and this blog. Hopefully next week my Sunday Salon will be a bit more exciting.:)

(Again, for the third week in a row...) Also, each week I'm going to start making a "To Do" list for blog related things — not just reading. It's soon to be the time of year when I'll be sending the HTML address for Miss Remmers' Review out to prospective school districts and I want to make sure it is "spot on". if you have any ideas as to how to make this blog more awesome — please let me know.

• Rewrite/hone my Guest Reviewer 's post.
• Rewrite/hone my Mission post.
• Proofread/Professionalize Review: "A Circle of Souls "
• Proofread/Professionalize Review: "A Vengeful Spirit "
• Proofread/Professionalize Review: "Audrey, Wait "
  

Happy Sunday everyone!

What did you finish this week?

Well it's my first Sunday Salon in... let's just say months. Not that I have anything particularly interesting to say... just felt like posting (and beware, this has nothing to do with books).

After reading this scrumptious post at Book Journey (not to mention, but I kind of miss Sheila — I called her a few days ago completely forgetting that she was out of the country), my mouth couldn't help but water at the sight of these Hershey Kiss Cookies.

I immediately went through the ingredient list and realized the only items I was missing were the mini-chocolate chip morsels and the Hersheys kisses. Within fifteen minutes I was out the door and at the grocery story getting the rest of the supplies. Now, my cookies did definitely not look these in the photo. First of all, two of the three batches burned... but that's mostly due to our stove.

Being the cook I am, it took me a while to realize that I had to get my hands dirty in order to make the dough... doughy. Once I figured that out, it was pretty much easy going. The first two batches I didn't cover the bottom of the cookies/Hershey's Kiss with dough and so it sort of burnt.

But I learned my lesson (finally), and the final batch worked out so much better: golden brown and and completely edible.

I did accidentally get "normal" size chocolate chip morsels instead of the mini (whoops) so they are a bit strong — about a bite is enough chocolate for me.:)

It definitely made a great Sunday afternoon activity! Mission accomplished.

Original recipe from Kim at Sophisticated Dorkiness:

Hershey Kiss Cookies 1 cup butter
1/3 cup white sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
1 cup mini chocolate chip morsels
14 oz bag Hershey’s kisses Cream together the butter, brown sugar and white sugar. Add vanilla. Add mini morsels. Stir in flour. Take approximately 1 tsp of dough and wrap around 1 kiss. Place on cookie sheet and bake at 375 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes.

This week was crazy! I was in DC from Tuesday to Friday. Then Saturday evening the wireless internet modem broke and I've just recently got off the phone with Qwest setting up the new modem. So my Sunday Salon post is up on Tuesday. It's my favorite meme so I couldn't just not do it!

This week I finished A Circle of Souls, Elemental Shaman, and Suspense and Sensibility. So this week wasn't as lucrative as last — but I'm still happy with what I accomplished. I also hosted an Author Interview.

This week I intend to do a lot of catching up. I have 800+ posts in my Reader to read and comment on, two book reviews to post, a movie review to post, etc. I also went to the library and checked out the Twilight Books — figure now is the time to read them all before school starts and the next movie comes out! But the parents are gone for the week so it's just me and Pippin for the week so hopefully I'll get it all accomplished.

A little bit of excitement to mention: I was with my mom in her library in the middle school and saw a Harry Potter throw blanket laying on the floor. I asked mom what was up with it and she told me that it was something that the book clubs sent her as incentive to buy books from them and their publishers. She simply told me to take it if I wanted it (which of course I did!). So I am now the new owner of a Harry Potter blanket! Exciting! It will probably have to go into storage until next year when I move out of the house with the parents and into my own house in the 'real world'.

I've also started reading "Jane Austen Ruined My Life" and wow — I'm on chapter four and... wow! I can't wait to finish it! The main character is so easy to relate too! Wow! But I feel like I have some catching up to do with the blog and summer classes before that will happen — but really, wow!

Happy Sunday/Tuesday everyone!

What did you finish this week?

Progress is still being made in relation to last week's Sunday Salon.

Winners of "Thanksgiving at the Inn" were Sheila and Esme!!

This week I reviewed Prince Harming Syndrome and The Recipe Club. This week I am listening to "Confessions of a Shopoholic" and reading the ridiculous amount of books I have checked out for my final papers.

Sheila was this week's Guest Reviewer — donating her review of Viola in REEL Life. Please share some book love and visit her at One Person's Journey Through A World of Books.

I lost a follower: ( I feel that I should say a prayer or something. Oh well, back to 31 wonderful followers.

On going bit of fun: Register to win a Kindle!

My "To Do" list for blog related things — not just reading. I finally started making a dent. I accomplished all this throughout the week:

• Rewrite/hone my Guest Reviewer 's post.
• Create a Privacy Policy
• Create a Contest Policy
• Create a Review Policy
• Rewrite/hone my Mission Post
  
• Create an About Me page

• Proofread/Professionalize Review: "A Circle of Souls "
• Proofread/Professionalize Review: "A Vengeful Spirit "
• Proofread/Professionalize Review: "Audrey, Wait "
  

Happy Sunday everyone!

What did you finish this week?

It has been a month since I've done a Sunday Salon post — I don't even know how that happened! Life has been crazy, these past couple of weeks I've been preparing to go into the classroom and finishing up with Professional Block classes. I've officially sent in two applications, both for here in town (one at the high school and one at the middle school). I know I've been absent — my Reader is taking over and I don't even care, I haven't stopped by to visit ANY one lately, but once Student Teaching starts, I will hopefully have more time.:)

Recently, I did purchase my own domain name (www.googlereview.com) — that was exciting. Equally as exciting, I purchased my own business cards for BEA! I received an award this week, I reviewed Lucifer Rising and Eternal on the Water. I am participating in "Just Write " — but I haven't had anyone else sign up so it looks like it'll just be me — which is fine. It means I have a lot less work to do!:)

I have gained a few followers and now have 45 amazing followers. Welcome and Thank you!

This week I need to finish "The Things That Keep Us Here." I'd also like to finish and start "Jumping Off Swings."

My running "To-do" list:

• Make a Blogaversary button and link it up in the sidebar
• Finish posting all the Guest Reviews sent in from my campaign for reviews
• Read through posts to make sure that they are ready to be looked at by perspective employers (every single post) — Make them professional
  
• Look at Reviews for spelling/grammar
• Organize Reader (even though I have NO idea how)
• Review "New Moon"
• Review "A Christmas Carol"
• Order bookmarks
  
• Order business cards
• Add customized header
• Empty Old Reader — Starred Items
• Transfer contacts from old to new email address
• Add tags/labels to posts
• Create a Cheat Sheet
• Get rid of "dead" links
• Write my Disclosure Statement
• Update "Series" (Suggestions on good series?)
  
• Manage Bookmarks (Hot mess! Woa!)
• Add a retweet button to posts — BIG thanks to Emily (@heynocupcake)

Quite the opposite from my last Sunday Salon — this week I did nothing but read and do nothing (confusing isn't it). My parents were gone for the week so it was Pippin, me, and a stack of books — really, what more could you ask for?

This week I finished Jane Austen Ruined My Life, Twilight, Prada and Prejudice, and New Moon. I also watched and reviewed the movie Twilight — it seems as though I've caught the bug. And, brace yourselves — very exciting news, I'm hosting my first giveaway for My Name is Will by Jess Winfield!

I am caught up with my Reader and now have only to reread and comment on the hundred posts that I starred. On a less bookish note, I am officially done with Summer School — Yay! I've also recieved four new guest reviews — I'm so excited. Sometimes I get caught up in the blogosphere and books that I forget the purpose of my mission and the purpose of this blog. I love hearing the enthusiasm for reading from other bloggers who donate their reviews (and time) to help my cause. I can never thank you enough... but not for lack of trying — Thank You! If you'd like to help reluctant readers and share your love of reading — please find out how.

Happy Sunday everyone!

What did you finish this week?

First off, I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday!

A lot has happened since last week's Sunday Salon. Most recently, like in the past three hours, my computer has, once again, crashed. I clicked on something to connected to Tweet Cloud to generate whatever and before I knew it several viruses were being pushed onto my poor computer. It's only been a few weeks since the last time this happened and I'm not sure how much of this I can take, so I may need to look into purchasing a new computer for Christmas. Exciting, but expensive. I've been looking online at Walmart to see what kind of deals I can find and it looks as though a new laptop goes for a little over/under five hundred dollars. I think I can make that happen — maybe. Unlike last time when I didn't really have anything due — this time, I do. I've continually mentioned the four research papers I need to work on along with other papers — but it could be worse, I could have lost all my work (I live via my flash drive).

But besides my computer woes, there is still a lot going on at Miss Remmers' Review.

This week I reviewed Thanksgiving at the Inn to celebrate the Thanksgiving Holiday. While I had hoped to make substantial progress on the audio book "Confessions of a Shopoholic," because I took someone home with me for the Holiday I didn't get to listen to it. But hopefully this week more progress will be made.

Leslie was this week's Guest Reviewer — donating her review of Blood Promise. Please share some book love and visit her at That Chick That Reads.

At this point, you may be thinking to yourself, "Yes, Reagan — so what's NEW!" And this is what is new — this holiday season I am going to be collecting book reviews! I know, it's very exciting — I've already collected 28 reviews! I'm so excited — this is going over way better than I thought it would! Thank you all for your outstanding support and dedication! I am very excited to begin putting these Guest Reviews together. Because of the enormous support — I'm going to try to give out some random 'thank you' gifts to Reviewers to who take part in this campaign, whether they be books or other random book swag. Stay tuned for exciting things to come! Campaign ends January 4th and is open to absolutely everyone!

On that topic, Sheila from One Person's Journey Through a World of Books, has upped the ante (if you will). Sheila is also going to be giving away a gift card — check out what you have to do. Thank you Sheila for your awesome support!

Happy Thanksgiving my 31 amazing followers (and guests!)

On going bit of fun: Register to win a Kindle!

My "To Do" list for blog related things — not just reading:

• Survive the next two weeks before finals
  

Happy Sunday everyone!

What did you finish this week?

Wow — I'm slowly but surely getting back on track to being a better blogger. Check out my last Sunday Salon.

This week I put up my very first ever book trailer — I am extremely proud of it. I am hosting another contest — make sure to check it out, "Thanksgiving at the Inn" is the perfect book to come out of the Halloween season with. I loved it! I reviewed a GREAT book — really, it is phenomenal -"The First Thirty Seconds." And to make the week complete, I received an award from Sheila at One Person's Journey Through a World of Books.

Speaking of Sheila, she was also this week's Guest Reviewer — donating her review of Dreaming Anastasia. Please share some book love and visit her at One Person's Journey Through a World of Books.

I still have not touched "Mr. Darcy's Dream," I may have to give up on it. There's no point in reading a book that I don't find compelling or interesting. But I'll give it one more day. Last Sunday I started "A Duty to the Dead" and I finished it yesterday, GREAT book. I would have finished it earlier if I didn't have this whole school thing to devote myself too. This week I want to either finish or give up "Mr. Darcy's Dream" and start another book — TBA.

Still at 30 amazing followers.:)

This week I have a lot fun things planned! On Monday check back to see a book trailer that I created for an education class. I have never done anything like this before so it took me a lot of time and I'm very proud of it! On Tuesday look for a contest! Ohhh exciting!

My goal for this week is to finish "A Duty to the Dead" and "Mr. Darcy's Dream".

Also, each week I'm going to start making a "To Do" list for blog related things — not just reading. It's soon to be the time of year when I'll be sending the HTML address for Miss Remmers' Review out to prospective school districts and I want to make sure it is "spot on". if you have any ideas as to how to make this blog more awesome — please let me know.

• Rewrite/hone my Guest Reviewer 's post.
• Rewrite/hone my Mission post.
• Proofread/Professionalize Review: "A Circle of Souls "
• Proofread/Professionalize Review: "A Vengeful Spirit "
• Proofread/Professionalize Review: "Audrey, Wait "
  

I found out this week that a new professor (the one teaching the Harry Potter course) is planning a Harry Potter trip to England for this Spring break. I really want to go, but I'll be student teaching.: ( So to make myself feel better I am determined to remind myself that if i do go abroad I don't want to only see Harry Potter things — I want to Shakespeare, Jane Austen, and Chaucer things (among others). I know — it's a sad substitution, still.

This weekend I participated in the Haunted Forest as a guide. I walked over 24 miles and lost three pounds (also sad). But overall, I just love it. I love Halloween and I wish that I would have planned further ahead and had fun Halloween reviews — but I didn't have time this year. Hopefully next year I'll be more on the ball. What am I going to be for Halloween you ask. Oh, I have no idea. I really want to go as Little Red Riding Hood (here in the midwest we have to plan our costumes around the weather, and a hood would be nice next weekend). But I've yet to find the costume — not that I've gone out looking yet.

Whew — this was a long post. I miss you all! Don't forget about my awesome giveaway!

Happy Sunday everyone!

What did you finish this week?

So this week wasn't as lucrative as last — but I'm still happy with what I accomplished. I finished reading The Man Who Loved Jane Austen, Mr. Darcy Presents His Bride, and A Vengeful Spirit. I didn't exactly meet my goals from last week's Sunday Salon because Persuasion and Jane Austen Ruined My Life didn't come into my library yet. But I did watch Emma for the Everything Austen Challenge. I went to see My Sister's Keeper and Hp 6 (still working on my review). I received an award. And I hosted my first Author Interview. So overall — I'm very happy with how I fared last week.

This week don't expect near as much fun — book wise anyway. Tomorrow I leave for a mini vacation to Washington DC. My dad needs to attend the Indian Affairs meetings so my mom and I are going to sight see. Because of this, my goals are going to be sort of sad. My goal for this week is to finish A Circle of Souls, Suspense and Sensibility, and Jane Austen Ruined My Life. Expect Reviews!

But no worries about me being gone — I've been working especially hard to make sure that I have at least one post a day while I'm gone.:)

What did you finish this week?

I had quite a week of reading.!Last week I finished Chosen, Untamed, and Hunted, the last three books from the House of Night series! (Obviously, I met the goal that I set for myself during last week's Sunday Salon.) I'm about half way through The Man Who Loved Jane Austen and hope to finish it tonight/tomorrow. I have quite a few books coming into the library this week that I've interlibrary loaned — but I made myself swear I wouldn't pick them up until I'm ready to return The Man Who Loved Jane Austen.

My goal for this week is to finish The Man Who Loved Jane Austen, Persuasion, and Jane Austen Ruined My Life. Expect Reviews!

What did you finish this week?

Well it's my first ever Sunday Salon post! Last week I finished Betrayal, the second of the House of Night series. I also inter-library loaned quite a few books for the Everything Austen Challenge. On Friday, I picked up the dvd Pride and Prejudice (1995) from my library and The Man Who Loved Jane Austen. I've also started, well I haven't really started yet — but I plan to, Chosen, the third book in the House of Night Series.

My goal for this week is to finish Chosen, start/finish The Man Who Loved Jane Austen, and finish watching P&P with Colin Firth. Expect Reviews!

What did you finish this week?

I beat the storm home last Saturday and have spent the week at home. While it seems like I haven't gotten a lot accomplished, I have. I successfully reattached my 'enter' key and reinstalled Word. I lost most of my music (about 8GB) while trying to transfer music from my iPod to my PC (I've come to terms with said loss) and had a pick me up by having Santa bring me a new iPod Touch (not that I know how to use it yet). I have seen three movies in theaters since last Sunday including: "A Christmas Carol" (let down), "The Princess and the Frog" (surprisingly amazing), and "Sherlock Holmes" (slight let down). Last Sunday my phone broke and they were sending me a new one. It was supposed to arrive on Wednesday. It is now a week later and I still do not have a working phone — but again, I've come to terms. As you can tell, I had a pretty rough week (in regards to technology). Slowly (but surely) things are starting to look up.

This week I reviewed "Inside Out, " "The Source of Miracles, " "Elmer the Christmas Elf, " "A Christmas Carol: Special Edition, " "I Used to Know That, " and "Cracked Up to Be. " As a result, this has probably been one of the most productive weeks (in regards to blogging/recreational reading) that I have had since August. I'm SO enjoying it. "The Source of Miracles " was one of the best books I've read in such a long time! I can't shut up about it! I did read/finish "Love You, Hate You, Miss You" as well — the review is coming. I did have to abandon two books that have been hanging over my head all semester. I've had both of them for months and I've continually tried to pick them up and read them — but I was forcing myself to do it. And I can't condone forcing myself to read when I have such an awesome bunch of books to read. So, I'll be passing them on (hint hint). Stay tuned.

Sadly, part of the 8GB of music lost included "Confessions of a Shopaholic." I wasn't too far into it though so I'm not too upset about it. I'll probably look for it at the library. I also didn't do an "In My Mailbox" post as I haven't received anything (not even a phone)! But I do know that I have a book or two waiting for me back at school that I will get sometime this week when I head back for New Years.

Cassie was this week's Guest Reviewer — donating her review of City of Bones. Please share some book love and visit her at Happy Book Lovers.

My new holiday campaign to collect Guest Reviews has been a great hit — we've acquired 44 reviews! Thanks to everyone who has donated! Campaign ends January 4th and is open to absolutely everyone! I have four more Guest Reviews to post (scheduled) but those are only the ones that I received via email. Many people only left a link on Mr. Linky — which I guess is okay and it is still appreciated. I just feel more like I'm plagiarizing then — but reviews are reviews and the more the better.

I gained three followers this week and now have 34 amazing followers. Welcome and Thank you!

My list of books to read/things to do during break:

• Read "Inside Out"
• Read "Elmer, the Christmas Elf"
• Post all the Guest Reviews I've received for My Holiday Book Review Campaign
• Finish "The Source of Miracles" (Review)
  
• Read "Lucifer Rising" (Review)
  
• Read "Comfort Living" (Review)
  
• Read "I Used to Know That" (Review)
  
• Read "Some Girls Are" (ARC — Goodreads Winner)
  
• Read "The Van Alen Legacy" (Library — Momma Remmers)
  
• Read "Love You, Hate You, Miss You" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Truly, Madly: A Novel" (ARC — Goodreads Winner)
• Read "Jennifer Johnson is Sick of Being Single" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Sea Change" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Jumping off Swings" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Before I Die" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Embellish" (Review)
• Read "Gone" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Cracked Up to Be" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "How to Buy a Love of Reading" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Oh.My.Gods." (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Dark Places" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Nothing But Ghosts" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Isabelle's Boyfriend" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "The Grand Sophy" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Once Bitten, Twice Shy" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Shelter Me" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Ransome's Honor" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Poltergeist" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Girlfriend Material" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Wicked Lovely" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "According to Jane" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Catching Fire" (Library — Momma Remmers)

What did you finish this week?

Compared to last week... I have finally stepped up!:) Thank you all for remaining so patient with me — I'll definitely require this patience until May. I reviewed The Night of Flames. I finished "The Lovely Bones" and "Thanksgiving at the Inn" and have just started "Everything Sucks" and I'm currently an hour into "Lost in Austen". So I hope to get a lot accomplished tomorrow. AND — this week I received TWO awards! "Let's Be Friends" from Sharon at Sharon's Garden of Book Reviews and "Who Loves You Baby" from Gofita's Page s. What a great week for awards! Thank you!

Still at 29 followers — Thank you!

To celebrate Banned Books Week 2009 I am offering 15 (now 13) "I Read Banned Books" buttons in exchange for reviews. Super simple — check it out!

This week's Guest Review was Northern Lights by Scarlett, From the Heart! If you're interested in submitting a Guest Review — please find out how.

My goal for this week is to finish "Lost in Austen", "Everything Sucks", and start "A Duty to the Dead".

This week I'll be taking off for a Texas Wedding on Thursday, but I'll try to get some posts scheduled so no one thinks I've given up on them!:) Thank you all so much! I miss our late night talks!

Happy Sunday everyone!

What did you finish this week?

Well, my computer is still down — STILL! It's extremely aggrivating.

I somehow managed to survive last week. I'm almost done. Tomorrow begins finals week and I have it pretty easy, I have my final HP paper (that should be a lot easier than all the rest) due on Monday and my Senior Thesis Paper on Milton and HP due on Tuesday. Wednesday I leave to represent the University at the Board of Regents meetings in Madison, SD — so I'll be gone the rest of finals week!

Sadly, due to pre-finals and what not, I didn't get around to reviewing anything (gasp!) I wont even lie to you, I haven't picked up "The Source of Miracles" since last week. Furthermore, I am no further along on my audiobook "Confessions of a Shopoholic" — but Christmas break is almost here! I did, however, get an award and I posted my first Project Blog post, featuring my Guest Reviewers post. I even posted a somewhat new bookshelf post.

Jasmyn was this week's Guest Reviewer — donating her review of Dragon's of Autumn Twilight. Please share some book love and visit her at Jasmyn's Stuff.

My new holiday campaign to collect Guest Reviews has been a great hit — we've aquired 40 reviews! Thanks to everyone who has donated! Campaign ends January 4th and is open to absolutely everyone! If you are interested in helping out — tomorrow would be a great day to start (HINT HINT!)

I still have 31 amazing followers. Thank you!

On going bit of fun: Register to win a Kindle!

My "To Do" list for blog related things — not just reading:

• Survive finals

What did you finish this week?

Last week was a doozy, I didn't get anything accomplished that I had set out to do. But in my defense, on Monday I woke up with a 104.5 temperature, went to the doctor and tested positive for Influenza A and was suspected to have H1N1. So you can about imagine how fun my week was. I was so delirious I couldn't even spend those days at home with a book! But... now I'm back. I can't promise I'll get a whole lot accomplished this week either though. My professors were pretty lenient when it came to extensions — but now I have last week's homework and this week's homework to do before Monday. Oh boy.

I am still hosting a contest — "Thanksgiving at the Inn" is the perfect book to come out of the Halloween season with. I loved it! AND I decided to extend the deadline until November 15th! I reviewed a GREAT book — really, it is phenomenal -" A Duty to the Dead." And to make the week complete, I received an award from Laura at Laura's Reviews.

Sharon was also this week's Guest Reviewer — donating her review of The Time it Snowed in Puerto Rico. Please share some book love and visit her at Sharon's Garden of Book Reviews.

I have decided to give up "Mr. Darcy's Dream." I just cannot force myself to finish it. I will think about doing another contest or perhaps a quick — someone send me a review and I'll give you the book — type of thing. Stay tuned this week.

Still at 30 amazing followers.:)

My goal for this week is to get 100% better and do my homework — sorry guys, this week is going to be a bit boring.

(This if from last week — I'll try to do this) Also, each week I'm going to start making a "To Do" list for blog related things — not just reading. It's soon to be the time of year when I'll be sending the HTML address for Miss Remmers' Review out to prospective school districts and I want to make sure it is "spot on". if you have any ideas as to how to make this blog more awesome — please let me know.

• Rewrite/hone my Guest Reviewer 's post.
• Rewrite/hone my Mission post.
• Proofread/Professionalize Review: "A Circle of Souls "
• Proofread/Professionalize Review: "A Vengeful Spirit "
• Proofread/Professionalize Review: "Audrey, Wait "
  

Don't forget about my awesome giveaway!

Happy Sunday everyone!

What did you finish this week?

First of all — everyone go sign up for my giveaway of "Alphatudes. " So far one person has signed up — the odds are in your favor!

Okay, now that I've got that out of the way, I've had quite a week. Monday I joined Sheila and created a Monday post. I wrote reviews of "Jumping Off Swings, " "Mia the Magnificent, " "The Bubble, " and "The Girl Made of Cool. " Carla Buckley also stopped by for an interview — that was exciting! I also finished "Confessions of a Shopaholic" and "Thirteen Reasons Why" this week — reviews to come soon! All in all, I'm pretty happy with this week's progress.

Still no word yet on the dream job. I was supposed to know LAST Friday, so any day now really. My principal from the school where I did my junior fielding called another principal and gave me an excellent recommendation so I immediately got my application in and with 24 hours later the second principal called to set up an interview for next week (Thursday). So... the job hunt continues!

Tomorrow, on my way back to school I'm going to stop in the Barnes and Noble in Fargo and purchase ONE book — I'm not sure what book yet, but I am purchasing one! Of these, which do you suggest I just cannot go without?

• "Hex Hall"
• "Hush Hush" — I've wanted this one FOREVER
• "The Hunger Games" — Read and loved. I want this for my own classroom!
• "Beastly"
• "Before I Fall"

I have gained two new followers and now have 48 amazing followers. Welcome and thank you!

This week I still need to start/finish "The Postmistress" and "Embellish." But, I may have already started "Catching Fire," I just couldn't help it. But I'm already a third of the way through so hopefully maybe I'll finish it before the middle of the week so I can address books I really really need to get too.

My running "To-do" list:

• Make a Blogaversary button and link it up in the sidebar
• Finish posting all the Guest Reviews sent in from my campaign for reviews
• Read through posts to make sure that they are ready to be looked at by perspective employers (every single post) — Make them professional
  
• Look at Reviews for spelling/grammar
• Organize Reader (even though I have NO idea how)
• Review "New Moon"
• Review "Percy Jackson" film
• Review "A Christmas Carol"
• Order bookmarks
  
• Order business cards
• Add customized header
• Empty Old Reader — Starred Items
• Transfer contacts from old to new email address
• Add tags/labels to posts
• Create a Cheat Sheet
• Get rid of "dead" links
• Write my Disclosure Statement
• Update "Series" (Suggestions on good series?)
  
• Manage Bookmarks (Hot mess! Woa!)
• Add a retweet button to posts — BIG thanks to Emily (@heynocupcake)