Girlxoxo

2013 Audiobook Challenge {Finished}

2013-06-19T04:04:25Z

This week I'm participating in Audiobook Week hosted by Devourer of Books, which is the perfect time to share the details of my completion of the 2013 Audiobook Challenge hosted by Teresa's Reading Corner.

My Goal - Going Steady, i.e. read 12 audiobooks for the year.

Newest Releases

Requiem (Delirium #3), Lauren Oliver
Narrator: Sarah Drew ... I liked the book, but I didn't love Sarah Drew's narration of it. I felt distracted by her over-dramatization of some parts of the book. (My Discussion | Amazon | Goodreads)

Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles #2), Marissa Meyer
Narrator: Rebecca Soler ... Soler did an amazing job - especially with the slight French accent of Scarlet, and making her other characters distinct. I was 100% in the story and would listen to the audiobooks for the rest of the series if she's the narrator. (My Discussion | Amazon | Goodreads)

Longest

The Shoemaker's Wife, Adrianna Trigiani
Narrators: Annabella Sciorra and Adriana Trigiani ... Annabella Sciorra did the first half and the author, Adriana Trigiani did the second half. They switched halfway through the book, and because their voices are VERY different and it took me a while to get used to the new narrator, but I did get used to it and re-settled in to finish off this fantastic novel. Both narrators were great, especially Annabella Sciorra, who pronounced the Italian words (names & places) with an authentic flourish that made listening to this novel an unforgettable experience. (My Discussion | Amazon| Goodreads)

The Diviners, Libba Bray
Narrator: January LaVoy ... LaVoy is fantastic. She took me deep into the story with her voice and characterizations, and held me there - possibly longer than I would have been had I been reading a physical copy. She managed all the different characters EXPERTLY, complete with distinctive voices, accents and dialects. (My Discussion | Amazon | Goodreads)

Mysterious

Gone Girl, Gillian Flynn
Narrators: Julia Whelan and Kirby Heyborne ... The narrators are beyond fantastic! Julian Whelan BECAME Amy and Kirby Heyborne IS Nick. I can give no higher praise. (My Discussion | Amazon | Goodreads)

Salvation of a Saint, Keigo Higashino
Narrator: David Pittu ... I'm so glad I got to listen to the audiobook for this so I could hear the proper pronunciations of the Japanese names and places. Pittu also did a fantastic job with the male and female characters - making each character distinct and unique by changing his voice subtly.(My Discussion | Amazon | Goodreads)

Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, Robin Sloan
Narrator: Ari Fliakos ... This is THE book to read if you love audiobooks because they play an important role in the latter part of the book. Yup - I feel validated now :-) But seriously, I'm so happy I stumbled across Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, because it's beyond cute, and funny, and quirky, and just plain fun to read/ listen to. (Amazon | Goodreads)

Death Comes to Pemberley P.D. James
Narrator: Rosalyn Landor. This book itself didn't thrill me - and neither did the narration. I thought it was okay, but the voices used for the male characters could use a lot of work. This is probably my least favorite audiobook of the year so far. (Amazon | Goodreads)

Dragons ... We Have Dragons!

Seraphina, Rachel Hartman
Narrator: Mandy Williams & Justine Eyre ... Mandy Williams does the majority of the narration, and she does an excellent job of creating the characters and making each distinct - and I love the British accent. Justine Eyre has her parts interspersed within the story as recollections from Seraphina's mother. Both did an outstanding job getting us into a story full of intrigue and suspense. (My Discussion | Amazon | Goodreads)

Iron Hearted Violet, Kelly Barnhill, Iacopo Bruno (Illustrations)
Narrator: Simon Vance. Vance's narration was thrilling! He did a fantastic job with the characters and the pacing of the story. He drew me in, and made listening to this audiobook an exciting experience. (Amazon | Goodreads)

Scary & Strange

The Passage, Justin Cronin
Narrators: Scott Brick, Adenrele Ojo and Abby Craden ... Don't let the 36 hours of listening time turn you off. The narrators are incredible and really brought the characters to life. The pacing was spot on - and since this is a huge 700+ page book (long audiobook), slow pacing would have killed it! It's also really creepy, especially at the beginning. (Amazon | Goodreads)

Everyday, David Levithan
Narrator: Alex McKenna ... The narrator, Alex McKenna, is just phenomenal. She has a distinct low, raspy voice which made listening to her subtle changes for each character, an interesting experience. (My Discussion | Amazon | Goodreads)

Have you read any of these? What type of books do you normally listen to on audio?

]]>

Bloggers Recommend Summer Reads {The Audiobook Edition}

2013-06-18T04:04:46Z

There's just a few days to go until the official start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere - but I can't wait because I heart the HEAT!!! So I'm kicking off the Bloggers Recommend Summer Reads series a little early with the My Little Pocketbooks Takeover by Alysia. In her words .... I fell in love with audiobooks two years ago due to a new job with an hour commute. Yes! One hour of car time one way! That means I get some great reading/ listening in. For this summer I would highly recommend these three audiobooks (actually, they are great anytime of the year).

Funny Audiobook

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

I raved about this audiobook last year and I think it fits the summer reading genre perfectly. I mean, what could be better than listening to a book about beauty queens stranded on an island?! Listen to this one while you are hanging out on the beach and you will get a "like I was there" feeling.

(Author's website | Amazon | Goodreads)

Audiobook With An Epic Romance

The Shoemakers Wife by Adriana Trigiani

This is a great epic love story and what says summer better than love. This audiobook is wonderful for a long road trip when you have nothing but uninterrupted highways and roads ahead of you. In my review, I called it a beautiful and epic novel - everyone should have one epic love story in their library and I think this is a great pick.

(Author's website | Amazon| Goodreads)

Historical Fiction Audiobook

The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom

I know slavery is not a hot summer topic but this is a great book and a well performed audiobook. If you need a good cry this is the one for you. Don't worry though, you won't cry all summer over this one and it's the perfect length for a departure and return flight (read my full review).

(Author's website | Amazon | Goodreads)

Do you listen to audiobooks? What's the last one that blew your mind?!

]]>

Weekly Reading With Scarlet by Marissa Meyer {The Audiobook Editon}

2013-06-17T04:08:07Z

This week I'm participating in Audiobook Week hosted by Devourer of Books.

Recent Audiobook Listened To

Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles #2), Marissa Meyer.
Narrator: Rebecca Soler
Published: Feb. 2013
Duration: 11 hrs 19 mins
Genre: YA science fiction
Source: Library
Notes: Fairytale re-relling of Little Red Riding Hood

Scarlet (Lunar Chronicles #2), Marissa Meyer. Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, is trying to break out of prison even though if she succeeds, she'll be the Commonwealth's most wanted fugitive. Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit's grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn't know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother's whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.

This is clearly going to be one of my favorite books of the year. I really liked Cinder, the first book in the series (see my discussion), but at the end of my discussion I said, "My only complaint is that this book is left so thoroughly unfinished ... and really, there didn't need to be a book 2 - definitely NOT 4 books, which is unfortunately how long this series will be!" I was so WRONG! The 2nd installment thrilled me, and left me eager for the next book. I would go so far as to say you don't have to read the first book to move on to this one - although it would be beneficial.

My favorite thing about Scarlet is probably the characters. I love how Cinder is evolving to be more confident in her skills and abilities. Scarlet is a newly introduced main character with a story line all her own, and Meyer spent just the right amount of time developing her so that I was anticipating when the 2 would meet up. Even the secondary characters weren't ignored - they played a vital ole, and I love how Meyer spent just as much time fleshing out their personalities too.

And goodness, the audiobook narrator was beyond fantastic! Soler did such as amazing job - especially with the slight French accent of Scarlet, and making her other characters distinct. I was 100% in the story and would listen to the audiobooks for the rest of the series if she's the narrator. (Amazon | Goodreads)

My Audiobook History

I started listening to audiobooks in earnest early last year after I figured out what type of books work for me on audio. I can't do non-fiction or classics, but for other people, that's what works for them - so I would say, experiment! I listen every chance I get - during my hour long commute, doing the chores, when I want to tune the kids out ...

What I Listen With - I have a really OLD iPod ... that thing has to be almost 10 years old, but it works. I also mainly SOL Republic headphones (the red ones) which I love to pieces, or some Philips earbuds, which I don't recommend.

Where I Get Audiobooks 100% from the library via digital download (to Overdrive software). My library is part of a multi-county system, so they have a pretty good selection. I also belong to the library system of another (much bigger) county where I work - so I have more choice. I also need to get on board with the New York Public Library. I just found out you can join as long as you are a resident anywhere in NY.

I've listened to 23 audiobooks since Audiobook Week 2012. It's so hard to pick favorites - but 2 that come to mind are The Help, Kathryn Stockett and Some Kind of Fairytale, Graham Joyce.

What's your audiobook history like?

]]>

The Sunday Best 51 {Interesting Links to Interesting Things}

2013-06-16T04:44:03Z

Happy Father's Day to all the papas (and mamas who are also papas) out there!!! Here are some links to interesting things I found online over the past week or so.

Me, me, Me - What I Wrote

It has begun ... the Bloggers Recommend Summer Reads series - every week during the summer - 3 books / different genres & topics / (some of) my favorite bloggers!

- Using (Google) Analytics For More Than Just Looking At Number of Visitors ... if you read one thing, read this!

- 5 Fitness Goals for 2013 {Spring Check-In} ... scary to share my failure, but also liberating!

Links to Interesting Things Written By Others

Bookish - Complicated Father Relationships: A YA Reading List @ Stackced ... I haven't read any of these books, but quite a few are going on my reading list.

Around the World in 80 Books @ Amazon ... 80 Books that represent all seven continents (even Antarctica).

16 Summer & Fall First-in-Series YA Books to Watch For @ Read Breathe Relax ... although I'm trying to keep the number of non-finished series I start to a minimum, some interesting books are on this list.

Why I'll Always Read the Printed Word @ Radiant Shadows ... I actually find it hard to read books on any digital device.

What You Should Do During the TV Show Summer Hiatus @ Retreat by Random House ... books that read like shows on the tele.

Blogging - 5 Things I Wish I'd Learned My First Year of Blogging @ IFB ... Understand that you will probably never be famous. Ever. And that's okay. Also - Don't be afraid to go outside your niche etc.

24 Rules I Follow When Creating Successful Websites @ Income Diary ... " Regularly ask yourself - If in 10 years( or in one day, 6 months. I year, 5 years) you were to look back at your actions today what would you have changed? Do that."

Why Blogging Sucks: 5 Honest Tips For Bloggers ... If you want to get serious about your blog, you need to devote A LOT of your time to it.

Proven Productivity Strategies for Bloggers on Facebook @ RX Fitness Lady ... this is not a fitness related post, but gives good information that will help you if you want more of a Facebook presence.

The secret to differentiating your brand? You. @ Red Slice ... "That is how you build a breakout brand - find your uniquity and let it shine."

Blogging Block? 10 Post Types to Get You Going @ Nikki Steele ... lists, series, discussions, pairings etc.

The Most Important Social Media Sites for Growing Your Blog @ Nose Graze ... Twitter for the win!
---
Linked to The Sunday Post @ The Caffeinated Book Reviewer and The Sunday Salon (Facebook Group).

]]>

#WeekendReading and Eating {Fajitas}

2013-06-14T04:09:59Z

I LOVE summer weather - it's not officially summer yet, but the temperature is HOT and I'm in a summer frame of mind.

Reading - I've got quite a few unfinished books laying around, so I'm not starting anything new until I get through these - The Twelve, Justin Cronin - this is surely going to take me at least through the first few weeks of summer because it's LONG; Eve and Adam by Michael Grant and Katherine Applegate and Snow White Must Die by Nele Neuhaus (Steven T. Murray - Translator) ... good thing summer is coming up and I get some time off work!

Eating - The husband made fajitas ... or a fajita/ burrito combo - so I'm calling it Fabitos!

It's a mixture of chicken strips with bell peppers & onions (packet of fajita seasoning), yellow rice and black beans. The condiments we use are cheese and sour cream.

Thinking - The FREE audiobook download from SYNC this week is The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater, read by Will Patton. I enjoyed this book (see Weekly Reading With A Million Suns And The Raven Boys) - although I had a few problems with the ending - but if you're looking to try audiobooks, then I think this will be a good fast paced novel that will draw you in.

After writing my 5 Fitness Goals for 2013 {Spring Check-In}, I've been looking for races that I can sign up for to motivate me, and I'm looking at a duathlon on July 14th. It's a 1 mile run followed by an 18 mile bike ride and then a 3.5 mile run. I'm pretty darn scared but excited too.

I've done 1 duathlon before, 2 years ago and it was TOUGH but I finished and that's what I'm hoping to do this time.

Have you done anything you considered really hard lately? Or do you have something challenging coming up?

]]>

5 Fitness Goals for 2013 {Spring Check-In}

2013-06-12T04:02:12Z

At the beginning of the year, I made a list of 5 Fitness Goals For 2013. This was keeping it pretty simple as I tried get back into exercising.

The results so far (end of May): Big fat Fail! My exercise has been inconsistent and sporadic at best. It hurts to write this - but not as bad as it could because I've actually been rocking it these last few weeks.

So, with 7 months left in the year, I'm re-committing. Can't look back and pity the past. Have to move forward. And with a new motto too - "Don't Try ... DO!".

The Plan (Reminder)

1. Workout at least 5 days every week
2. Run/ walk/ jog/ bike at least 50 miles every ~~month~~ week
3. At least 5 days every 2 weeks should be focused on strength training
4. Eat a salad for lunch or dinner least 5 days a week
5. Drink at least 5 cups of water daily

I might start doing more regular check-ins to keep myself accountable. So looking at last week's workouts:

MON - OFF
TUE & WED - Run (Treadmill - 3 miles) Bike (30 mins spin bike inside)
THU - Leisurely ride on paved trail with friend - (12.5 miles/ 1.5 hours)
FRI - OFF
SAT - Ride outside on paved trail (15 miles - 1.5 hrs)
SUN - Run (treadmill - 2.5 miles) Weights (quick set legs + bicep/shoulders - 30 mins)

Total Run = 8.5 miles
Biking Time = 4 hrs - 27.5 miles outside.

Right now - riding on my road bike is my favorite way to exercise. Running feels hard, but I would really like to be able to run some races in the Fall.

Do you workout? What's your favorite exercise?

- Inspired by Readers' Workouts @ Joy's Book Blog

]]>

Using (Google) Analytics For More Than Just Looking At Number of Visitors

2013-06-11T04:09:38Z

I typically do a monthly check of Google Analytics - but I'm not just looking at how many people visited this site. Instead, I check out what the top content was for that month, and look for ways I can learn and add to future content. Here are 4 things I learned looking back at the top blog posts from Mar 1 - Apr.31, 2013.

(Photo Credit: re_birf)

What I Noticed

1/ The most popular post is from last year, 10 Creepy Books From Past Winners of Bram Stoker Awards {On My Reading List}, and it got a ton of hits because it was tweeted and linked to on Facebook by a popular author, Jonathan Maberry ... as if I wasn't already a huge fan!

What To Do - engage more with authors on social media. For example, I could have tweeted at different times to each of the authors on this list, letting them know I really liked their book covers, and linking to the article. Also - don't ignore older content - remember, this post is from October (2012), and it was linked to in April (2013).

2/ Only 1 of the 5 book discussions I wrote was included in the top content - (Weekly Reading With Nebula Award Nominees - The Diviners and Every Day {Audiobook Edition}). BUT book reviews were also on 2 other popular posts (Reading Book Award Winners {From 2012} and 10 Popular Books That Didn't Win Me Over)

What to Do - Not only write book discussions, but it's important to find other creative ways to continue the discussions.

3/ 3 items on the Top 10 list mention "Book Awards" - Bram Stoker for horror, the Nebula Awards for fantasy and science fiction and Reading Book Award Winners {From 2012}.

What to Do - Since I enjoy reading books that have won awards, do it more! And including an award name in the book discussion title might be a good way to stand out.

4/ Almost every "How To" post I wrote made the list - Plans & Schedules {Creativity Booster or Killer?} || 4 Google Reader Alternatives for Bloggers || 4 Creative Ways For Book Bloggers to Re-Use Older Content

What to Do - Write these types of posts more often!

Have you tried looking at your blog in a similar way? Here are 2 other articles (from other sites) similar to this that might also be useful - EXERCISE: Deep Dive into Your Content Analytics and 20 Must-Know Tips & Tricks To Master Google Analytics Data.

Do you have a blog? Do you use an analytics program?

]]>

Weekly Reading With Fuse by Julianna Baggott

2013-06-10T04:06:03Z

Since fantaasy books took over my reading, I've sort of neglected other genres that I read a lot of in the past. No more, I've been having a feeding frenzy on mysteries, and I'm loving it!

Recently Read

Fuse (Pure #2), Julianna Baggott
Source: Gift from Leonicka
Published: Feb., 2013
Pages: 463 (hardcover)
Genre: YA Dystopia/ Science Fiction
Notes: Loved the first book in the series, Pure (see my discussion here)

Summary: When the world ended, those who dwelled within the Dome were safe. Inside their glass world the "Pures" live on unscarred, while those outside, the Wretches, struggle to survive amidst the smoke and ash. Believing his mother was living among the Wretches, Partridge escaped from the Dome to find her. But his father, leader of the Pures, unleashes a violent new attack on the Wretches to get Partridge back. It's up to him, Pressia Belze, a young woman with her own mysterious past, and their friends, to decode a set of cryptic clues from the past and set the Wretches free.

This series has to be read in order. Period. And not with a lot of time in between each book, so that you will remember the characters. I LOVED Pure, the first book in the series, and I really liked this one too, although not quite as much. The writing is still splendid. Baggott just has a way with words - with details that describe the brutal world of "the Wretches" perfectly, and getting me into the head of the complex characters. I LOVED that there was more from El Capitan & Helmud (his younger brother fused to his back).

And the plot - ooh it took me to places I didn't think we were headed in! There was also a lot more emotional/romantic angst in this one. I'm not sure if I was cool with all the back and forth between Pressia and Bradwell (I like him .. but I don't want to .. but I like him .. but I don't want to ... and on and on it went), but it does seem to be consistent with her character from the first book, where she's torn between wanting to be normal, and wanting to accept who she and the others are.

The Pure series is fantastically dark & wonderfully complex. I can't recommend it highly enough. (Amazon | Goodreads)

Currently Reading

Snow White Must Die (Bodenstein & Kirchhoff #4), Nele Neuhaus (Steven T. Murray - Translator)

Summary: On a rainy November day police detectives Pia Kirchhoff and Oliver von Bodenstein are summoned to a mysterious traffic accident: A woman has fallen from a pedestrian bridge onto a car driving underneath. According to a witness, the woman may have been pushed. The investigation leads Pia and Oliver to a small village, and the home of the victim, Rita Cramer.

On a September evening eleven years earlier, two seventeen-year-old girls vanished from the village without a trace. In a trial based only on circumstantial evidence, twenty-year-old Tobias Sartorius, Rita Cramer's son, was sentenced to ten years in prison. Bodenstein and Kirchhoff discover that Tobias, after serving his sentence, has now returned to his home town. Did the attack on his mother have something to do with his return?

In the village, Pia and Oliver encounter a wall of silence. When another young girl disappears, the events of the past seem to be repeating themselves in a disastrous manner. The investigation turns into a race against time, because for the villagers it is soon clear who the perpetrator is--and this time they are determined to take matters into their own hands. (Amazon | Goodreads)

I decided to read this book solely based off he fact that I loved the title!

Have you ever given a book a 2nd look because of the title?

- Inspired by "It's Monday, What Are You Reading?" at Book Journey.

]]>

The Sunday Best 50 {Interesting Links to Interesting Things}

2013-06-09T04:00:38Z

Here are some links to interesting things I found online over the past week or so, including stuff I posted here and elsewhere.

Me, Me, Me

How I Plan a Monthly Blogging Schedule In Advance

Help me choose - Which Book Next? A Feast for Crows Or The Wind Through the Keyhole

Links to Interesting Things Written By Others

Bookish - June is Audiobook Month & Audiobook Week (We're Listening) @ Devourer of Books ... I'm participating - are you?!

FREE SYNC Downloads for Summer of YA and Classics @ SYNC .. I'm most looking forward to getting Rotters by Daniel Kraus .

Your mega summer reading list: 200 books recommended by TEDsters @ TED Blog ... must read some books from these recommendations.

How to Write a Great Book Review @ Book Chick City ... simple but effective advice.

Blogging - On Realizing Your Blog Isn't Popular @ Book Brats ... my 2 cents/ real talk - some people work for years to become successful, some people become overnight successes - but so what?! Be happy with who you are and where you're at. And if you're not - spend time trying to work that out instead of trying to make it "big".

15 of the Most Important Things I've Learned about Blogging @ IFB ... "Set your own expectations of success ... Negative comments aren't always bad."

10 Sites Brands Visit to Learn More About Your Blog @ IFB ... how brands, PR or creative agencies discover your blog and determine how to pitch you.

10 Maxims of Successful Blogging @ {grow} ... "The only way to stand out is to dig down deep and bring your own story to the world. Your point of differentiation is you. You have no competitors. Write a blog post that only you could write."

12 Reasons You Won't "Make It" as a Blogger @ IFB ... "you're just regurgitating what everyone else is doing on the web. ... You're focused on your own end game; you worry about competition and growth instead of building community and quality content."

---
Linked to The Sunday Post @ The Caffeinated Book Reviewer and The Sunday Salon (Facebook Group)

]]>

#Weekend Reading {Eve and Adam} Eating {Raw Corn and Cucumber Salad With Almonds}

2013-06-07T04:02:09Z

Bring on the weekend - hot weather, food on the grill, reading and relaxing!

Reading - Eve and Adam by Michael Grant and Katherine Applegate. I'm actually just about to start this, so no idea if it's good or not? Have you read it? This is actually one of the books I got from Book Expo America 2012 - last year! It's been sitting around on my shelves, unread, all this time.

Eating - Raw Corn and Cucumber Salad With Almonds. I have quite a love affair with using raw corn in salads. It's naturally sweet and since I LOVE corn to pieces, I try to get it in anyway I can.

Thinking - It sure feels like summer, even though it hasn't officially started yet. Well, that just means it's time for me to think about summer things. Like the 2013 BIG Book Summer Reading Challenge @ Book by Book. I only need to read 1 book that's 400+ pages, and I'm going with The Twelve (The Passage #2) by Justin Cronin (568 pages). The first book in the series totally creeped me out - I listened to the audiobook - but I'm doing it again.

And a few Truths about my blogging - As I was thinking about blogging during Armchair BEA last week, I realized that there were still a few things I DO that I really don't particularly care to. Like the monthly Book Release Excitement. You see, I'm not someone who reads books during the year in which they are published, so why the heck was I still posting this list? DELETED - every single one.

I also was still holding on to participating in Feature Follow Friday, although I like to Plan a Monthly Blogging Schedule In Advance ... that prompt doesn't post until the night before. I don't want to be preparing content at the last minute - so, no more.

Are you a blogger? Have you changed up the way you do things on your blog recently?

]]>

Which Book Next? A Feast for Crows Or The Wind Through the Keyhole

2013-06-05T04:02:00Z

I really want to get to more books from my , so please help me choose my next read - which of these 2 books would you read first.

A Feast For Crows (A Song of Ice and Fire, #4), George R. R. Martin. After centuries of bitter strife and fatal treachery, the seven powers dividing the land have decimated one another into an uneasy truce. But it's not long before the survivors, outlaws, renegades, and carrion eaters of the Seven Kingdoms gather. (Amazon| Goodreads)

The Wind Through the Keyhole: A Dark Tower Novel, Stephen King. I've missed King as it's been a year or 2 since I've read anything by him. Roland Deschain, Mid-World's last gunslinger, in his early days during the guilt-ridden year following his mother's death. Sent by his father to investigate evidence of a murderous shape-shifter, a "skin-man," Roland takes charge of Bill Streeter, a brave but terrified boy who is the sole surviving witness to the beast's most recent slaughter. (Amazon | Goodreads)

So, which of those books should I read next? Which sounds more interesting to you?

Let me know in the comments, and I will read and discuss the book with the most votes next month (or 2).

- Linked to What's Next? @ Icey Books

]]>

Popularity Rules {The June Edition}

2013-06-04T11:08:03Z

Looking back, here are the 4 most popular posts here on Girlxoxo over the last month.

{Book or TV Series} A Clash of Kings {Game of Thrones Season 2} ... In this case - the tv series is better!

10 Popular Books That Didn't Win Me Over ... weak endings, annoying girls, annoying dudes, annoying aliens and just plain annoying ... hope some of your favorites aren't on this list!

10 Popular Books That Wowed Me Too ... see I'm not a hater! I can love on books too ... Divergent, Delirium, Gone Girl, Ready Player One and more.

The Sunday Best 46 {Interesting Links to Interesting Things} ... this weekly series of links to interesting articles I found on the web is one of my favorite things to do.

If you've missed any of these - check them out. And I would LOVE if you would leave a comment with a link to a post/ review/ article/ discussion you were really proud of writing last month, so I can stop by.

]]>

Weekly Reading With Salvation of a Saint {The Audiobook Edition}

2013-06-03T04:01:35Z

I haven't read mystery books in ages - fantasy took over - but recently, I've been craving some crime solving genius in my life ... through books of course.

Recent Audiobook

Salvation of a Saint (Detective Galileo #2), Keigo Higashino, Alexander O. Smith (Translator)
Format: Audiobook (unabridged)
Narrator: David Pittu
Duration: 9 hours, 10 minutes
Published: October 2012
Genre: Mystery
Source: Library
Setting: Tokyo, Japan

Yoshitaka, who was about to leave his marriage and his wife, is poisoned by arsenic-laced coffee and dies. His wife, Ayane, is the logical suspect - except that she was hundreds of miles away when he was murdered. The lead detective, Tokyo Police Detective Kusanagi, is immediately smitten with her and refuses to believe that she could have had anything to do with the crime. His assistant, Kaoru Utsumi, however, is convinced Ayane is guilty. While Utsumi's instincts tell her one thing, the facts of the case are another matter. So she does what her boss has done for years when stymied--she calls upon Professor Manabu Yukawa.

The Detective Galileo series is turning out to be one of my all time favorites! I don't know how Higashino does it, but he manages to write a captivating mystery where we know who has committed the crime ... or we think we know ... yet, it's still keenly interesting, intriguing and even had me second guessing things all the time.

Salvation of a Saint hook your attention with all the details. The intricacies of the investigation were a delightful mystery - who did it wasn't as important as to how, and in this book, the "how" revealed at the end was crazy yo!!!! And the characters too were well thought out and developed. I connected easily with them, and loved all the quirky details we learned about them - good and bad - since I though Galileo was a bit more arrogant in this book than the first. Arrogant and obnoxious sometimes.

The narrator for the audiobook, David Pittu, was excellent - especially since I could hear the proper pronunciations of the Japanese names and places. He also did a fantastic job with the male and female characters - making each character distinct and unique by changing his voice subtly.

Just like with the first book of this series, The Devotion of Suspect X (see Weekly Reading with Suspect X), this book held my attention from beginning to end and I highly recommend this series to everyone - readers and non-readers alike. (Amazon | Goodreads)

Currently Listening To

The Twelve (The Passage #2), Justin Cronin

A group of survivors, led by the mysterious, charismatic Amy, go on the attack, leading an insurrection against the virals: the first offensives of the Second Viral War. To do this, they must infiltrate a dozen hives, each presided over by one of the original Twelve. Their secret weapon: Alicia, transformed at the end of book one into a half human, half viral--but whose side, in the end, is she really on? (Amazon | Goodreads)

I don't think I like to listen l to horror books on audio because they are too ... horrific! But I'm hoping this one isn't too bad.

Do you listen to audiobooks? What genre (if you do)?

- Inspired by "It's Monday, What Are You Reading?" at Book Journey.

]]>

The Sunday Best 49 {Interesting Links to Interesting Things - The Armchair BEA WrapUp Edition}

2013-06-02T04:12:00Z

Since I didn't go to Book Expo America this week, I participated in the online Armchair BEA, where book bloggers talked about blogging. It was absolutely incredibly, and I learned a lot, especially from Paths to Becoming a Better Blogger--Discussing Development. So this week's links are my favorite posts from that discussion.

Me, Me, Me

- How I Plan a Monthly Blogging Schedule In Advance ... I'm not a planner in everyday life, so I need structure for my online activities.

My Favorite Links from Armchair BEA

Roof Beam Reader - Becoming a Better Blogger: Discussing Development ... "my approach to blogging and how I have tried to develop, personally and professionally ... Honesty. My book blog is more about me than it is about any book, author, genre, etc. I read because I love it. I engage with this community because I love it. "

Bookmark to Blog - Be a Better Blogger | Stay True To Yourself ... "If straight up reviews are what you like to do, then go for it! If reading challenges make you feel constrained, then don't sign up for them ... Don't Get Caught Up in the Hype."

Cabin Goddess - Developing myself into book blogger ... "How I went from 12 to 120K hits a month: I make the post pretty even if it a simple review ... give something of me to everyone, not just the books but photos of Alaska, my cat, anecdotes about living here with Geoff (boyfriend) and more."

Sophisticated Dorkiness - Blogger Development -- Making a Little Money ... "I earn income from blog-related activities in two ways: advertising on this site and freelance writing and reviewing." And thanks for showing actual figures Kim :-)

Shelf Addiction - Armchair BEA 2013 | Paths to Becoming a Better Blogger ... "Create your own unique feature, Visit and comment on other blogs ..."

Radiant Shadows - Armchair BEA: Development & Genres ... "I started doing memes - In My Mailbox, Top Ten Tuesday/Teaser Tuesday, Waiting on Wednesday and On My Wishlist. I met a lot of bloggers this way, but I didn't really gain a readership. It must much more of a, "if you follow me, I'll follow you" mentality ... So I cut back on the memes, and worked on creating great original content. I quickly realized that my strength laid in writing discussion posts, and they were (and still are) the ones that garner the most participation from my followers ... I also spent every available free moment I had (that wasn't spent reading) commenting on other blogs."

Linked to The Sunday Post @ The Caffeinated Book Reviewer and The Sunday Salon (Facebook Group)

]]>

#WeekendRead {Monsters of Men} Eating {Raw Corn, Carrot & Bell Pepper Chopped Salad}

2013-05-31T04:02:08Z

Since I'm not at Book Expo America this weekend, I'm participating in the online Armchair BEA, learning scads about blogging, and of course, reading.

Reading: I just finished up the 2nd book in the Chaos Walking trilogy, (The Ask and the Answer) and now I'm on the final one, Monsters of Men, Patrick Ness. I haven't started it yet, so no clue how it's going to go - but since I'm already 2 books in, the 3rd is a must. I also waited a really long time to read the 2nd book in the series, and I forgot a lot, so I didn't want to make that mistake again.

Eating: Raw Corn, Carrot & Bell Pepper Chopped Salad with Feta Cheese. If there's no meat, there's gotta be cheese! That's my motto, but I wish I had used Blue Cheese instead of Feta. The salad dressing is Wish-Bone Light Sweet & Spicy French ... but it's actually not spicy at all.

Thinking: Q. Do you have recommendations to new bloggers to ensure credit is given to whom/where credit is due? (via Armchair BEA)

A. Yeah - give credit where credit is due. If you're not sure of the source, then DO NOT use the image, or content. I really do think it's that simple.

Q. Do you read non-fiction?

A. Rarely. When I do, I want to learn something from someone really smart or very experienced (i.e. old & wise). I don't really need to be "entertained" by a non-fiction book, which is why I'm not a big fan of celebrity memoirs like Bossypants, Tina Fey (my discussion) or Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns), Mindy Kaling (my discussion)

My 3 favorite non-fiction books read over the past few years -

The Glass Castle, A Memoir by Jeannette Walls - Jeannette Walls grew up with parents whose ideals and stubborn nonconformity were both their curse and their salvation. Rex and Rose Mary Walls had four children. Rex was a charismatic, brilliant man who, when sober, captured his children's imagination, teaching them physics, geology, and above all, how to embrace life fearlessly. Rose Mary, who painted and wrote and couldn't stand the responsibility of providing for her family, called herself an "excitement addict." Cooking a meal that would be consumed in fifteen minutes had no appeal when she could make a painting that might last forever. As the dysfunction of the family escalated, Jeannette and her brother and sisters had to fend for themselves, supporting one another as they weathered their parents' betrayals and, finally, found the resources and will to leave home. (Amazon | Goodreads)

The Devil & Sherlock Holmes: Tales of Murder, Madness & Obsession, David Grann. Whether he's reporting on the infiltration of the murderous Aryan Brotherhood into the U.S. prison system, tracking down a chameleon con artist in Europe, or riding in a cyclone- tossed skiff with a scientist hunting the elusive giant squid, David Grann revels in telling stories that explore the nature of obsession and that piece together true and unforgettable mysteries. (Amazon | Goodreads)

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Rebecca Skloot. Her name was Henrietta Lacks, but scientists know her as HeLa. She was a poor Southern tobacco farmer who worked the same land as her slave ancestors, yet her cells - taken without her knowledge - became the first "immortal" human cells grown in culture. HeLa cells were vital for developing the polio vaccine; uncovered secrets of cancer, viruses, and the atom bomb's effects; helped lead to important advances like in vitro fertilization, cloning, and gene mapping; and have been bought and sold by the billions. Yet Henrietta Lacks remains virtually unknown, buried in an unmarked grave. (Amazon | Goodreads)

How often do you read non-fiction books?

]]>