Hi Everyone!

Just stopping by with another Top Ten Tuesday!

This week's topic is Ten Books I Enjoyed That Weren't My Typical Genre. As many of you know, these are the types of books I usually read. 

When I got to thinking about this, I could basically categorize it into three main buckets. One of those genre's actually went from not reading-- to one I enjoy very much.

Without further ado, here is my list:

Group 1: Sci Fi/Fantasy Books-I usually don't read much from this genre at all, but I feel these books have crossed the lines and have been done in a really neat way. I enjoyed them all.

1. Ready Player One

2. The Martian

3. Alan Turing

Group 2: Children's Books. I love them, always have, always will! As an adult, I don't often read them though. However, there have been a few exceptions to that rule and I have enjoyed these very much.

1. The Very Persistent Gappers of Frip

2. Hachiko: The True Story of a Loyal Dog

Group 3: Graphic Novels. I never used to read them, but now that I have started, I can't get enough! It has been fun exploring the topics out there and this has become one of my main reads.

1. LumberJanes Vol. 1 and 2

2. Rat Queens Vol 1 and 2

3. Steve Jobs: Insanely Great

What are some of your favorite cross over genres? More details about each of these books on my GoodReads page. Feel free to add me as a friend so we can compare notes!

Happy Reading!

Weekend Recap

Hi Everyone!

Just popping by quick with a short recap from the three books I finished last week. Hope you enjoy!


 Name: Game of Thrones
Author:  George RR Martin
Summary:The first book in the series, this is book about the rise of power and the various characters that are brought together through war. The Book centers on who should have the power, and the many aspects of life around the kingdoms. A fantasy book, this was a new genre to me. I found it a little confusing to keep track of who everyone was, but it was well written. An interesting book.
 
Name: The Truth About Stacey
Author: Ann M. Martin and Raina Telgemeier
Summary: 
The second graphic novel in the BSC series. This one focused on Stacey and her history in NY before coming to Stonybrook. Part of the book also focuses on how she needs to learn to deal with her diabetes. I loved these books as a child and I am enjoying the opportunity to read them again in this format! I enjoyed this book very much!


Name: The Flood Girls
Author: Richard Fifield
Summary: This book was recommended to me by fellow blogger Melissa. I enjoyed reading about the small town and the sheningans that take place. The book has alot of quirky people who do quirky things. There are parts that will make you laugh, others that will make you want to read quickly, and others that were just good. I enjoyed this book.

What have you been reading recently?


Happy Reading!

Love A Thon Book Spine Poetry

This challenge is about using the book spines to create a poem. This is hosted by the lovely Alexa over at Alexa Loves Books.

I am not very creative, but this is what I came up with:

This Raging Light,
The Stars of Summer,
Devotion,

I'll Meet You There

Sounds to me like a good ole Romance! My favorite chick flick kind of movie coming this summer. Now if I can just convince the hubby to go! :)

Happy Reading!

Love A Thon Book Bingo!

Hi Everyone!

Since I am behind in the LoveAThon posting, I am starting with the second challenge which is the Book Bingo. This one will be a list of tasks to try to make happen before the event is over. I am posting here, so that I can keep track!

Visit 5 New Blogs
1) Bruna Writes
2) Tine's Reviews
3) YA on My Mind
4) I am Shelfless 
5) Reader Rayna

Join One of the Twitter Chats
Did Sunday Night!

Participate in one of the other challenges
Book Spine Poetry


Find 3 new Instagram and follow
1) Readerrayna
2) billbrarian
3) whatbeccaread

Leave a comment on some of your favorite blogs
Melissa
Karen

 Tweet 5 of Your Favorite Authors

Watched 3 Videos from YouTube
Alexa
Kristi
Annie

Dedicate a Blog Post to Your Favorites

Color Hunt: A purple, blue and pink Design
1)  Bruna Writes (Blue!)
2) YA On My Mind (Purple!)
3) I am Shelfless (Pink!)

Love-A-Thon Introduction Post

Hi Everyone!

So I am late to the party, but I am excited to jumping on the bandwagon for the #LoveAThon! This is an awesome series of events that is hosted by the lovely's listed above in the graphic, hosted as a "February event that encourages the bookish online community to spread some positive vibes, strengthen friendships, form new relationships and have fun along the way." This is my first time participating, but now I will have a better idea of what to expect for next year!

The first post is to answer some questions about yourself. So here goes:

1. What’s your name?  Valerie
2. Where in the world are you blogging from? Northern VA/DC area
3. How did you get into blogging in the first place? I love to read and had been tracking them on our personal blog. My mother in law suggested it to me and I was off!
4. How did you come up with your blog name? My husband actually picked it. We thought it was funny :)
5. What genre do you read and review the most on your blog? YA, memoirs, graphic novels, contemporary women's lit, I like all kinds of books! 
6. What other types of posts do you do on your blog, apart from reviews? I have been trying a couple of new things this year. Readathons, Top Ten Tuesdays, Waiting on Wednesdays, promoting books and book tours!
7. Best blogging experience so far? I really enjoyed recapping Book Con last year!
8. Favorite thing about the blogging community? The people, I love getting ideas for new books!
9. Name the 5 books you’re most excited for this 2016!
1. LumberJanes Vol. 3
2. Eat Pray Love Made Me Do It
3. Here's to Us 
4. First Comes Love
5. Rat Queens Vol.3
10. Name the 5 books you want to read this 2016 that you didn’t get to in previous years!
1. Cinder
2. Newt's Emerald 
3. Illumaine
4. Yes Please
5. A Step Toward Falling 
11. What’s an underrated book or series that you think everyone should read? I am not sure it is underrated, but alot of the people that I encounter havent read The Richest Man in Town. It is so good! Go read it.
12. Which book boy or girl would be your book BFF? Stacey from the Babysitters Club!
13. Which book boy or girl would be your book boyfriend/girlfriend? I am not so sure my hubby would want me to say :)
14. Who would you recruit for your apocalypse squad (5 characters max) Katniss, Hermoine, and the Hulk maybe? (I dont know much about the Hulk, but I need someone super strong)
15. Apart from reading, what are your other hobbies or interests? I love to travel (I have been to 42 states of 50) and 6 countries so far with more to come! I also love hiking and my animals-a retired greyhound and two bengal cats.
16. Apart from book shopping, what else do you like shopping for? Is there anything else to shop for? :)
17. At a party, the DJ suddenly changes the song – and it’s your song. What song would be playing? Alot of the songs are not party songs...I am sort of a slow country music fan :)
18. Pick out either a book you want turned into a film/TV show, or a film/TV show you want turned into a book. The Happiness Project!
19. What would your dream library look like? Oh gosh...so many ideas. I think the biggest thing would be that it would have any title I want in a snap of a finger!
20. Author you want to meet and sit down to tea with? Gretchen Rubin. I have seen her speak, but I just think that she is a really interesting person and has lots of good things to say! 

Happy Reading! 

Book Review: Rising Strong

Author: Brene Brown

Summary from Goodreads:
A quick insider’s guide to what it takes to be vulnerable and how to rise strong as a result of the book. A book of short stories as examples, the author discusses the ways in which you can help to find your truest self. I recommend this book. 

Personal Review:
I liked this book! It gave me a lot to think about and was filled with a bunch of ‘golden nuggets’ of ideas. Here are a couple of my favorites:

*The most dangerous stories we make up are the narratives that diminish our inherent worthiness. We must reclaim the truth about our lovability, divinity, and creativity.
*Regret is a tough but a fair teacher. To live without regret is to believe you have nothing to learn, no amends to make, and no opportunity to be braver with your life.

In addition, the book read easily with short stories to illustrate her points. I appreciated that in each section of the book there was a reckoning, a rumble, and finally a resolution. I also appreciated that she took a few moments to discuss mindfulness and the impact it can have on your life.

I enjoyed this book.

Happy Reading!

Waiting on Wednesday: Off Centered Leadership

Photo Credit: Amazon

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. This week I am excited to feature a book that I pre-ordered:

Book: Off Centered Leadership by Sam Calagione                 Publication Date: Feb. 23, 2016


Description provided from Amazon (all credit to them): 

Find out what happens when companies stop competing and start collaborating.
Off-Centered Leadership considers an innovative approach to business by exploring what happens when companies stop competing and start collaborating — both externally in the marketplace and internally in building a culture of communication, trust and alignment. Brimming with lessons on entrepreneurship and culture from the founder of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, one of the fastest growing independent brewery in the country,members of his leadership team and external mentors from the worlds of business and art,  this game-changing text turns competition on its head by showcasing how competing organizations can work together—and with other local businesses—to reach a common goal. The text dives into how Dogfish Head has blazed a new trail through the development of a revolutionary business model that has called upon musicians, community organizations, and even other breweries to keep product development fresh and create engaging customer experiences.

This book documents and addresses the growing pains a company experiences as it evolves from the awkward early start up years into a mid-sized sustainable company with hundreds of co-workers. Calagione is candid in sharing his personal leadership challenges and success and calls on other seasoned vets inside and outside the company who inform and influence the journey of growth and creative expression Dogfish Head is on. This book is rich with practical information entrepreneurs and business people can apply to their own professional journeys.

Competition has long been the name of the game in the business world, but what if there was a different way to approach business? The collaboration over competition approach to business has been proven to foster positivity, productivity, and, ultimately, success. By partnering with your competition instead of trying to outsell them, you could actually create a memorable customer experience that will have people coming back for more!

Internally as well the dogfish approach has evolved and is not traditional org chart driven top down leadership. Calagione shared the challenges of evolving from a founder-driven entrepreneurial company where he was the sole creative and strategic director into a more collaborative collective where he is now one of many creative and strategic voices in the company.

• Discover the methods and approaches dogfish head has used to grow a rich diverse leadership team and evolve from a company basing decisions on the gut and whims of a founder to one with a more robust wholistic strategic approach in a way that allows them to stay creative and maintain their irreverent off-centered culture.
• Discover how ditching your competitive nature and embracing collaboration can allow you to better serve your customers
• Explore innovative solutions to the challenges that today's businesses face
• Consider how your company can grow through the collaboration over competition business model
• Leverage the experiences of other companies to truly understand how collaboration can contribute to your businesss success

Off-Centered Leadership is a groundbreaking book that explores the power of collaboration within the business world.