Hi Everyone! 

Just stopping by with another Top Ten Tuesday!  This week's topic is Top Ten Tuesday is one in which you get to talk about your favorite Audio topics. This can be audiobooks, podcasts, bands, etc.  For this week's topic, I have decided to feature Top Ten Podcasts. I am always up for discovering others, so if you have any other suggestions that you think I should listen to, please let me know. 

Ones I have listened to and Enjoyed:

1) Serial
There have been two seasons so far and I am excited for the next! I love hearing details about a story and following it through week by week. 

2) Happier
This is by Gretchen Rubin and her sister. They discuss topics that make you think and give ideas for better living.

3) Magic Lessons
Liz Gilbert's (Eat, Pray, Love) podcast about creativity and all things wonderful.

4) This American Life
NPR's weekly podcast about a variety of topics. I don't always get a chance to listen, but when I do I really enjoy the conversation. 

5) The Project Management Podcast
In everyday life, I have a Project Management certification. In order to maintain that certification, I have to continuing education. This is a free and easy way to do that!

Ones I really want to listen to (but haven't yet)

6) Gilmore Guys
Two guys watch Gilmore Girls and discuss. 

7) Welcome to Night Vale
This was advertised at Book Con two years ago, but I still haven't had a chance to look into it.

8) Scholastic Reads
The topics always sound interesting, I just haven't had a chance to do listen yet!

9) Extra Pack of Peanuts Travel Podcast
I love to travel so this one sounds right up my alley!

10) Stuff You Should Know
Sounds like it would be good to know! I again just have not had a chance.

What am I missing? Do you enjoy any of these?

Happy Listening!

Bookmark Monday: Book Rug

Hi Everyone!

Just stopping today with a the new book meme that I learned about recently:  Bookmark Monday! This is hosted by: Guiltless Reading.

Here is what you do:
Do you have a bookmark you want to share? Just take a photo and link up in the linky!

Sounds pretty easy right?

I am excited to share with you this bookmark that I recently got:

It's a book rug! :) I thought it was really cute!

Have you ever heard of these?

Happy Reading!  
 

Book Review: Motorcross me and Supercross me

Author: Cheyenne Young
 
Personal Review:
A few months ago, Cheyenne Young (the author) graciously offered me the chance to read a few of her novels. I am finally happy to have gotten around to reading Motocross Me and Supercross Me. Let me just start off by saying, I shouldn't have waited so long! I guess hindsight is 20/20. If you haven't read these books yet, please go read them.

I read both of these books in the course of two days. The characters were vivid and memorable. The writing was fun to read and I enjoyed the plot very much. I loved the love triangle (of sorts) in the first one and the heartbreak in the second. Both of these books were well written and I enjoyed them very much.

I have to say I think some of the reason that I didn't approach these books right away is because the topics of racing is one that is not in my traditional comfort zone. That said, I think that those people who are enthusiasts or those who are newbies (like me) can still both get something from reading these books. I have a better understanding of the sport, as well as introduced to a cute contemporary series.

If you enjoy romance with a little bit of an edge, I think you will enjoy these books. Thanks again Cheyenne for the opportunity to check these out!


Happy Reading!

Curiousity Day 2016

Photo Credit

Hi Everyone!

Just stopping by a post to pay tribute to one of my favorite monkeys! Curious George. Today is Curiosity Day and I am excited to be here to help get the word out.

From their website: 
This is a very special day because 2016 also marks the 75th anniversary of this book.  Each year, bookstores and libraries nationwide are invited to join HMH Books for Young Readers and everyone’s favorite monkey in an event called Curiosity Day.

This initiative celebrates the magic of learning and discovery through reading as only George and The Man with the Yellow Hat can.

In honor of the special 75th anniversary of H.A. Rey’s classic tale Curious George, bookstores and libraries are once again invited to join the celebration by hosting an event around September 17th! Find an event location in your area by browsing our state by state list.

Additional Information can be found here.  

A Challenge For You:
My challenge for you today is explore your inner curiosity! Check out a book, google something you always wanted to know, learn something new!

Hope you have a great day!

Happy Reading! 

#CountdowntilGG (Gilmore Girls Readathon) Check Post #1

Hi Everyone!

Just stopping by with the first check in post regarding the Gilmore Girls Readathon! How has the first month of reading been going? Just want to leave a comment below with how you are doing or link me back to your blog post to let me know!

Here is my progress so far:

I have tried to pick books of the list of books that are mentioned in the TV show and so far I have read the following:

Rory-The Outsiders. This is in reference to when she calls herself Pony Boy.
Luke-How The Grinch Stole Christmas-How sometimes Luke a grinch, but sometimes his heart swells too.
Dave-Tuesdays with Morrie. A religious book for a religious guy :)
Christopher-Goldilocks and the 3 bears-Because it seems like he is never content.
Cinnamon the Cat-Stuart Little. Because he is a mouse and I just thought it seemed fitting :)

How is your reading going? Let me know!

Happy Reading!

Fall Bloggesita 2016

Photo Credit

Hi Everyone!

Just stopping by with a post about Bloggiesta. For those of you who don't know, this is an event that is hosted to help you spruce up your blog. This is being held from September 15-18.  

What you do is create a to-do list and then link it up to let others know you are participating!

Here is what I hope to accomplish:

1) Schedule posts ahead of time so that when I am gone (traveling abroad) there will still be new content on the blog. (At least 6 posts)1/2-3 Posts

2) Try to participate in the Twitter chat or at least comment on other people's blogs. (At least 1 chat or 5 comments)

3) Get current on my Master Review list and Good Reads lists.


Are you planning to participate?

Happy Blogging! 

Update: I am sad to report that I only made it about half way through my goals. I ended up with a bad cold and have been fighting that most of the weekend. 

Book Tour and Excerpt: Margaritas and Murder

Hi Everyone!

Just stopping by today with a quick review and excerpt for the Margaritas and Murder book tour.

Personal Review:

If there was one thing I needed when I got back from Labor Day, it was a vacation. I had so much fun returning to the ‘real world’ was hard. Luckily for me I was able to go to Mexico in Margaritas and Murder. I am not a huge mystery reader, but the cover of this book drew me in.

I enjoyed the book and the plot of this book. It seemed to flow and made you want to know what could possibly happen next. I have not read any of the others in the series, so I am not sure how it compares to the others.

As usual, the best part of this book was characters and the setting. I enjoyed that the author introduced us to a number of people who could be suspects. I also really appreciated that it was set in a small town. All in all, I have to say this was an interesting read.

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Excerpt:


MARGARITAS&MURDER: The Sunny Truly Mystery Series-Book 1

I climbed out and stepped into the street for a better view down the driveway. Yep, there it was. In the shadows, I could see a cottage in the rear. 706B. I figured it had to be a converted garage.

A light was on inside, although a bramble of bushes obscured the front window. I couldn’t really tell if there was anyone home or not. I didn’t see a car in the driveway or parked out by the curb. 

I remembered what Lila had said. Scary Carrie had been waiting for a bus when Lila picked her up. Maybe the girl didn’t have a car. My cell pinged again.

A text from Troy. She’s not on the sked tonight. Hmm. So she wasn’t working tonight. I had asked him to call The Celestial and find out if Carrie was on the schedule for tonight.

I contemplated my next move.

Of course, the smart thing to do would’ve been to call Cleve for back up, just in case. But I knew he was with Sam, and besides I just wanted to ask a few questions. Nothing to get nervous about.

Then again, what if Scary Carrie was a nutcase? Would she go into a rant? Or worse, get violent?

I grabbed my Surveillance Survival Kit and found a can of police strength pepper spray, the only weapon I had with me. I hadn’t yet qualified for a handgun. I’d been to the shooting range with Sam for a few lessons, which hadn’t exactly worked out since I tended to close my eyes when I squeezed the trigger.

I shoved the pepper spray into my pocket. “Stop being a paranoid loony. She’ll be nice. C’mon. You’re only asking questions.” 

I headed down the dark driveway. The high-pitched rasp of the cicadas put a knife to my already jittery nerves. I made myself calm down by breathing in the scent of honeysuckle from the vines surrounding the rear house.

I loved honeysuckle. The scent reminded me of my childhood. And with those memories came an image of little Joyce and little Lila, dressed like ballerinas in pink tutus, performing for me, Dad and Mom, in our back yard.

The memory dampened my fear. I had to do this for Joyce. At the front steps, my torso stiffened with apprehension as I croaked out, “Carrie?”

Seconds ticked by. I waited.

Nothing. Leaning forward, I tapped on the screen door. Nothing again, except this time I thought I saw a shadow crossing in front of a lamp inside. It was so fleeting, I couldn’t be sure. I called out again. “Hello? Carrie? Carrie Lynch?” 

I waited, with my stomach roiling. There was someone inside. I just knew it. “Carrie. I’d like to talk with you. Just talk. Could you open the door?”

Silence. I tapped the door again and tried a new tack. “I’m not selling anything. I just have a question about someone you know.”

The door cracked open. A face peeked out. 

“Howdy.” I pitched my tone high, girlish, super-friendly, hoping it would assure her I was harmless.

A sharp voice fired back at me. “Who are you?’

I couldn’t see much of her, but what I did see appeared pretty normal to me: a young woman with a long face, thin lips and intelligent brown eyes.

She had on a Hello Kitty tee-shirt. And didn’t look scary at all.

Maybe this wasn’t her?

“I need to talk to Carrie Lynch,” I cooed.

“Are you gonna tell me who you are?” she growled. Okay. Now she was a little scary.

“I need to ask Car—“

A scowl darkened her face and she slammed the door in my face.

I jumped back. “Hey!”

That ticked me off. She’d almost hit me with the door. I forced myself to calm down and put a smile on my face, hoping it would help me keep a lighter tone. “Look, it’s just a question. Please help me. I only need to…”

Someone switched off the lamp inside. The house went completely dark.

I gnawed on my lip and considered leaving. Maybe this girl was more than scary. Maybe she was dangerous. I decided on one more attempt to get her to talk, and if that didn’t work, I’d leave … in a hurry.

My hand trembled as I took out my phone and switched on the flashlight app. I aimed it at the door and called out, “Joyce is my friend. I know she’s yours, too.”

No response. I stepped back off the front porch, keeping my eye on the door, just in case she decided to open it.

After a minute of nothingness, I sighed and decided to retreat. I was on my way down the front walk when a noise made me halt. What was that?

I whipped around, searching for the source.

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Happy Reading!