Take a Bow by Elizabeth Eulberg

 Take a Bow by Elizabeth Eulberg

Summary from GoodReads:

Emme, Sophie, Ethan, and Carter are seniors at a performing arts school, getting ready for their Senior Showcase recital, where the pressure is on to appeal to colleges, dance academies, and professionals in show business.

For Sophie, a singer, it's been great to be friends with Emme, who composes songs for her, and to date Carter, soap opera heartthrob who gets plenty of press coverage. Emme and Ethan have been in a band together through all four years of school, but wonder if they could be more than just friends and bandmates. Carter has been acting since he was a baby, and isn't sure how to admit that he'd rather paint than perform.

The Senior Showcase is going to make or break each of the four, in a funny, touching, spectacular finale that only Elizabeth Eulberg could perform.

TAB has gotten great reviews, so I was eager to read it for myself, to see if it was really as good as it sounded. It was, of course.

The story is about Sophie and Emme, two best friends at CPA (a performing arts high school in New York) and Emme and her band, the Teenage Kicks. Her bandmates are Jack, Ben, and Ethan and they all play guitar; Ethan's lead singer, and Emme also plays piano. She loves her bandmates, but is only at CPA because Sophie, her best friend, convinced her years ago to audition. Sophie who sings the songs Emme writes. Songs that Emme is good enough to sing, but has always been pushed back by Sophie. Until Emme finds her voice--and her courage--to sing and realize she is strong enough on her own.

Naturally, I loved it. Emme and the band are terrific characters and I loved the romance between Emme and Ethan! Although I will say I thought the whole Julliard thing was a little cliche...overall it was very sweet how their friendship transformed into love. They really are a bookish couple that is equal deserving of each other. I loved Ethan's struggle to tell Emme how he felt the whole way through. Also loved how ridiculous and funny the band was. Didn't get the whole Tyler thing, and didn't understand why Carter was in the novel at all, except that he was part of Sophie and Emme's lives. He wasn't, um, musical. And music defines this novel at its roots. The only thing I really wish was different was I was hoping that Sophie would change to a better person, but she doesn't.

The reason I read this book was I heard great things about it (and it didn't disapoint), I have crazy cover love for it, Elizabeth Eulberg is worth reading (Loved the Lonely Hearts Club) and I love music (obviously because I do Tuney Tuesdays). I wish I played an instrument, specifically the accordian. Because it's such a unique and quirky instrument. Have a TON of friends in BAND. Wish I was it in, but I'm not. Have always wanted to see Julliard just for the heck of it. Once sang in front of my entire 9th grade class, but have no memory of it. Must of had such an impact on my life. Love to sing, esp Taylor Swift. I am such a teenage girl, Love being me.

That's it! Love yall and have a great Friday, Rachel

Follow Friday--June 28, 2012

It is 104 degrees where I live. I've spent most of the day outside, working at day camp, walking places, or at the pool. Right now I'm inside, but it is still so so so hot.

As for the meme it is hosted by Alison Can Read at alisoncanread.com. Go to her website or click the button for the official post/link/rules. Basically they ask a question, we all answer it, link up on their websites, and check each others answers out, follow and comment, and they follow back.

Q: Birthday Wishes -- Blow out the candles and imagine what character could pop out of your cake...who is it and what book are they from?

I love this one, because my birthday is July 18th, so it's coming up soon. Less than a month!

I would choose Emme from Take a Bow, because I love music and we could write songs together and she could sing mine, because I can't sing and she cuold teach me how to play the guitar and I could be in her band. I'd also be a much better friend to her than Sophie is, because Emme would make an awesome best friend. We are both very loyal to people we love.

I'd also choose Terra Cooper (North of Beautiful), because I love art, but have never truly pursued it as a passion. I love to draw and paint, paint, paint. Esp with watercolors. I also figure Terra and I could go geocatching together and could travel all over the world. And she's smart so she could tutor me/help me in math class in college. I hate math LOL

Then there's Anna and all her running friends (Moonglass), and Quinn & all the women in the book (The Secret Life of Prince Charming). I love running (I run xc) and I just loved TSLPC and all those strong, determined, big hearted, loving women. They would make for a great group hug.

I could see myself, Emma, Terra, Anna, and Quinn being best friends if we all lived in the same neighborhood, went to the same schools, grew up together...if they were real. *sigh* I mean, they are real inside of their books, their stories, but not in my life.

All characters are real inside their own stories.

Thanks for reading; Please comment and have a great Friday! Try to stay cool:)

Cover Love Thursday--June 28, 2012

This week's cover (s):
 Take a Bow by Elizabeth Eulberg

Summary from GoodReads:

Emme, Sophie, Ethan, and Carter are seniors at a performing arts school, getting ready for their Senior Showcase recital, where the pressure is on to appeal to colleges, dance academies, and professionals in show business.

For Sophie, a singer, it's been great to be friends with Emme, who composes songs for her, and to date Carter, soap opera heartthrob who gets plenty of press coverage. Emme and Ethan have been in a band together through all four years of school, but wonder if they could be more than just friends and bandmates. Carter has been acting since he was a baby, and isn't sure how to admit that he'd rather paint than perform.

The Senior Showcase is going to make or break each of the four, in a funny, touching, spectacular finale that only Elizabeth Eulberg could perform.

Why I chose this cover:
Take a Bow is what I am currently reading, and I just love the cover. IT certainly does match the book perfectly. How beautiful the cover is matches the book, because Elizabeth's Eulberg's writing is simply beautiful. Thus far, of course, this book has turned out to be a very good read.

I already love it.

Please comment and I will check out your own CLT posts. Thanks & Love

The Literary BH Giveaway Winners

Hosted at http://leeswammes.wordpress.com. Thanks for all the people who commented or followed on my blog!

Anyways, here are your winners:

The winner of Kim is Sheila

The winner of Persuasion and The Merchant of Venice is Beth


Congratulations to them! I will send a tweet out letting yall know you are the winners, and you have by FRIDAY to respond on twitter and post a comment HERE with your email so I can get your addresses to send the books to you.

Tuney and Teaser Tuesday--June 26, 2012

Teaser: The sky reminded him of those he'd seen in Baltimore before snowstorms that tinted the world into shades of washed out gray. In the distance, he could see a pelican gliding low over teh water, its wings unmoving, floating with the wind. He wondered where it would go when the storm hit full force.

Review will be upcoming.


Happens at JAYA and Eileen Li's blog. Click the button or go to one of their websites for official rules. Don't forget to comment.

My Song: Forever Reign by Hillsong
Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMknfsWrzN8

You are good You are good
When there’s nothing good in me
You are love You are love
On display for all to see
You are light You are light
When the darkness closes in
You are hope You are hope
You have covered all my sin

You are peace You are peace
When my fear is crippling
You are true You are true
Even in my wandering
You are joy You are joy
You’re the reason that I sing
You are life You are life
In You death has lost it’s sting

[Chorus]
Oh I’m running to Your arms
I’m running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign

You are more You are more
Than my words will ever say
You are Lord You are Lord
All creation will proclaim
You are here You are here
In Your presence I’m made whole
You are God You are God
Of all else I’m letting go

[Repeat Chorus]

My heart will sing
No other Name
Jesus
Jesus

My review: This is just a song that my church has been singing this week and I really like, because it's really powerful. It's one of those songs where when we get done singing all we can do is inhale and be amazed at God's Holy Spirit. There are songs that do that. I'll write about some of them some other time. Right now I'm in a time crunch, because it's Tuesday and I took a nap so I'm doing this late. Verses I love in this song is "Nothing compares to Your embrace/Light of the world forever reign/. Because I have seen this happen in my life. I have been REEDEMED. When I was at the end of myself, God came through for me. And since then, my heart will sing no other name, Jesus, Jesus. He is my First Love and is reminding me to give up the unbelief I have and trust, love, and follow Him DAILY, to let go and let God. My First Love draws my heart into his hand and leads me in His ways. And I love him. Nothing else compares, nothing.

It's Monday! What are you reading?--June 25, 2012

Hosted at Sheila at the Book Journey. I don't normally do these  (I'm not usually on blogger on Mondays), but I like the idea of them and use them to organize my blogging shedule. Because ever since the Armchair BEA I've been doing a lot of blogging, reading books, and doing devotionals. And I don't want to take time away from God by not planning out when and how long I do stuff for my blog. Which is why I haven't gotten around to creating a header or pages for A Book Crazy, Jane Austen Lovin' Gal.

Here we go.

Just finished reading:
           

Currently Reading:
         

Will be reading NEXT:


This week's schedule:
Monday--besides this post, nothing
Tuesday--It's Tuney and there'll be a teaser (either form TAB or NIR) as well as a review of NIR
Wednesday--Winners from Literary Blog Hop Giveaway will be announced (be sure to check that out in older posts!!) This will be scheduled on Tuesday, so I will not actually be on blogger on Wednesday
Thursday--cover love thursday
Friday--Follow Friday & a review of TAB
Saturday--nothing

Okay, so that's it. PLEASE comment below on any of the above books. Thanks so much for readin' this & bye yall.

The Literary Blog Hop

So knowing how I do impulsive things, this is one of them. But I'm excited for it! I just found out about it a few days ago via twitter. It's the Literary Blog Hop hosted at http://leeswammes.wordpress.com. I'm surprised I haven't heard of this before, because it totally seems like something I would participate in.

So here are the books I'm going to give away. I made sure they were books of great literary significance!


Here's the summary for Kim by Rudyard Kipling:
Kimball O’Hara grows up an orphan in the walled city of Lahore, India. Deeply devoted to an old Tibetan lama but involved in a secret mission for the British, Kim struggles to weave the strands of his life into a single pattern. Charged with action and suspense, yet profoundly spiritual, Kim vividly expresses the sounds and smells, colors and characters, opulence and squalor of complex, contradictory India under British rule.
Was listed as one of Modern Reads Best 100 Novels, and is very good, will make you think and will make you want to go to India.


        Because yall know I just can't resist doing anything without Jane Austen. (Love Shakespeare too, Austen and Shakespeare are the best, love them both)


Here's how to enter. FOR US RESIDENTS ONLY (SORRY)

For 1 entry leave me a comment entering the giveaway.

For 2 entries, follow my blog. If you already do, thanks, and please let me know so I can pass the extra entry on to you as well.

For 3 entries, follow me on twitter @RachelRooneyr

For 4 entries, blog or tweet this giveaway to spread the world.

For 5 entries put my blog button (left sidebar) on your blog (just tell me where in your comment)

HTML Linky List for Literary Blog Hop

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 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://leeswammes.wordpress.com" target="_blank">Leeswammes</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://www.candlebeambooks.com/" target="_blank">Candle Beam Book Blog</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://musingsofabookshopgirl.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Musings of a Bookshop Girl</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://boofsbookshelf.com" target="_blank">The Book Whisperer</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://bookjourney.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Book Journey (US/CA)</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://breieninpeking.wordpress.com" target="_blank">breieninpeking (Dutch readers)</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://bibliosue.wordpress.com" target="_blank">bibliosue</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://heavenali.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">heavenali</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://ireadthatonce.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">I Read That Once...</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://parrishlantern.blogspot.com" target="_blank">The Parrish Lantern</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://www.bibliomouse.wordpress.com" target="_blank">The Bibliomouse (Europe)</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://cat-bookmagic.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Tell Me A Story</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://www.seasidebooknook.com" target="_blank">Seaside Book Nook</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://www.rikkidonovan.com" target="_blank">Rikki's Teleidoscope</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://samstillreading.wordpress.com" target="_blank">Sam Still Reading</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://nishitak.wordpress.com" target="_blank">Nishita's Rants and Raves</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://www.readerbuzz.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Readerbuzz</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://patty-adaywithme.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Books Thoughts Adventures (North America)</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://2606books.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">2,606 Books and Counting</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://www.lauriehere.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Laurie Here (US/CA)</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://literarywinner.com" target="_blank">Literary Winner (US)</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://www.dolcebellezza.net" target="_blank">Dolce Bellezza</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://homeofaimala.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The House of the Seven Tails</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://www.thebookdivasreads.com" target="_blank">The Book Diva's Reads (US)</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://www.burgandyice.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Colorimetry</a></li>
<li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://roofbeamreader.net" target="_blank">Roof Beam Reader</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://www.kateslibrary.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Kate's Library</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://mindingspot.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Minding Spot (US)</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://silversolara.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Silver's Reviews (US)</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://www.bookdout.wordpress.com" target="_blank">Book'd Out</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://www.fingersandprose.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Fingers &amp; Prose (US)</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://www.chocolateandcroissants.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Chocolate and Croissants</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://scatteredfigments.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Scattered Figments</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://lucybirdbooks.wordpress.com" target="_blank">Lucybird's Book Blog</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://thebookclubblog.co.za" target="_blank">The Book Club Blog</a></li>
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<td style="vertical-align:top;">
<ol start="36">
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://www.lizzysiddal.wordpress.com" target="_blank">Lizzy's Literary Life</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://thebookstop.wordpress.com" target="_blank">The Book Stop</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://pburt.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Reflections from the Hinterland (US)</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://lenasledgeblog.com" target="_blank">Lena Sledge's Blog</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://www.readinasinglesitting.com" target="_blank">Read in a Single Sitting</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://thelittlereaderlibrary.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Little Reader Library (UK)</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://www.thebluebookcase.blogspot.com" target="_blank">The Blue Bookcase (US)</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://www.1morechapter.com" target="_blank">1morechapter (US)</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://shelovesreading.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">The Reading and Life of a Bookworm</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://goodbooksandacupoftea.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Curled Up with a Good Book and a Cup of Tea</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://mysweepstakescity.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">My Sweepstakes City (US)</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://boekblogger.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">De Boekblogger (Europe, Dutch readers)</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://www.exurbanis.com" target="_blank">Exurbanis</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://sweepingme.com" target="_blank">Sweeping Me (US/CA)</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://www.livinglearninglovinglife.com" target="_blank">Living, Learning, and Loving Life (US)</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://bbalm.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Beauty Balm</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://uniflamecreates.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Uniflame Creates</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://www.escapewithdollycas.com/" target="_blank">Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book (US/CA)</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://curiositykilledthebookworm.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Curiosity Killed The Bookworm</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://www.noseinabook.co.uk" target="_blank">Nose in a book (Europe)</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://sharonsgardenofbookreviews.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Sharon's Garden of Book Reviews (US)</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://www.giraffedays.com" target="_blank">Giraffe Days</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://www.pageplucker.com" target="_blank">Page Plucker</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://www.spiritblog.net" target="_blank">Based on a True Story</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://www.readwriteandlive.wordpress.com" target="_blank">Read, Write &amp; Live</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://devinberglund.wordpress.com" target="_blank">Devin Berglund (N. America)</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://ephemeraldigest.com" target="_blank">Ephemeral Digest</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://undermyappletree.net" target="_blank">Under My Apple Tree (US)</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://annetteberglund.com" target="_blank">Annette Berglund (US)</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://booknympho.com" target="_blank">Book Nympho</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://www.rachelrmrblog.blogspot.com" target="_blank">A Book Crazy, Jane Austen Lovin' Gal (US)</a></li>
 <li style="padding-right:2px;"><a href="http://www.lovelaughterinsanity.com" target="_blank">Love, Laughter, and a Touch of Insanity</a></li>
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I've been Tagged!!!

I don't really know what's going on, but I tagged in one of my comments. Thanks so much to Peggy for tagging me.

Liebster is a German word which means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome. Awwwwww that's adorable. I LOVE THAT I'M DOING THIS

Here are ten things about me:
1. Right now I'm listening to One Step at a Time by Jordin Sparks on Youtube, where I spend way too much time
2. I follow Lauren Oliver and Tahereh Mafi (I have such cover love for the new cover of Shatter Me) I also just won a signed copy of PANDEMONIUM *jumps for joy continuously*
3. I will be 18 years old on July 18th 2012.
4. I'm 40% Irish and yes I love the color green.
5. Angela's Ashes was one of the saddest and BEST books I have ever read.
6. I believe in God, and I was baptized this year back in January.
7. My favorite author besides Jane Austen is Melina Marchetta
8. My two favorite books are Pride and Prejudice (Austen) and Jellicoe Road (Marchetta)
9. My top 5 places-to-travel are the UK, Canada, Israel, New Zealand/Australia, and China.  I also want to go to Antartica one day.
10. My two favorite places in the ENTIRE world are Camp Barnabas and the Ocean.

Questions for me to answer, hmmm...

1. What's the shortest amount of time it took for you to read a novel?
2. If you had to go up against a fictional monster, which one would you choose?
3. If you could live the life of any fictional character, who would it be?
4. If you could relive one event from your life, which would it be?
5. What do you do for a living?
6. What is your favorite animal?
7. What is the closest estimate of how many books you've read in your lifetime?
8. Who is the coolest person you've met in your life?
9. Do you prefer classic books or contemporary?
10. Where is your favorite place in the world?

1. 5 hours. I've read 3 books this weekend.
2. I don't read books with fictional monsters in them, but I guess I could fight a dragon.
3. I'd love to be a mermaid, so maybe Lily from the Fins books.
4. I'd like to relieve going to Disney World when I was Journey to Atlantis was awesome. My mom and I rode in the front seat and got SOAKED.
5. I'm a student, writer, blogger, reader, chore-doer, cat&dog lover, volunteer at many places, traveler, runner.
6. I love whales!
7. I have no idea and I'm really okay with not knowing or guessing at it.
8. I've met a guy who was on the radio station. As far as authors go, I've met Ally Condie. Also know some people who are missionaries. Mi tia and tio in Honduras and this woman at my church who GET THE WORD OUT ministries in Kenya/Uganda.
9. Although I love Jane Austen, most of the time I prefer contemporary. But out of all the genres, I love fantasy & dystopian with a hint of romance.
10. My favorite place in the world is the place where I am standing on the edge of beauty, stretching out and soaking it all into my skin, where my soul soars into the sky, full of peace and joy.

Follow Friday--June 22, 2012

 Hosted by and at Alison Can Read and also by Parajunkee. Click the button of go to alisoncanread.com for official rules. Basically they ask a question, we all go and answer it, link up our answers, and go see what other people said and then follow them and then they follow us back.


Q: If you could "unread" a book, which one would it be? Is it because you want to start over and experience it again for the first time? Or because it was THAT bad?

A: There's several books I would like to "unread." Mainly because, yes, they were THAT bad.

 I really would have been okay without knowing what happened to Bella/Edward/Jacob. (Although I did love Renesmee, but who didn't?) There was a lot of ewwww stuff in this book and it wasn't very climactic. I could have just stopped at Eclipse, and still wish I actually had.

AND Read my reviews on GoodReads. Then yall will understand how I feel. But right now I want to keep this meme happy (these books make me angry) so we will move on as quickly as we can to the next one.

These are just books I really felt like were a waste of time, because really really really didn't like them.

  
  

Now that I've said all that I'll say the ONE BOOK I wish I could "unread" for the purpose of experiencing it again.

 I feel like I didn't truly appreciate this book when I was reading it, and thus wish I experience it again for the first time.

Okay, I'm done now. Have a great Friday yall (and a great weekend).

Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen

Summary (from book jacket):

Will Scarlet is good at two things: stealing from the rick and keeping secrets--skills that are in high demand in Robin Hood's band of thieves, who protect the people of Nottingham from the evil sheriff. Scarlet's biggest secret of all is one only Robin and his men know...that she is posing as a thief: that the slip of a boy who is fast with sharp knives is really a girl.

The terrible events in her past that led Scarlet to hide her real identity are in danger of being exposed when the thief-taker Lord Gisbourne arrives in town to rid Nottingham of the Hood and his men once and for all. As Gisbourne closes in and puts innocent lives at risk, Scarlet must decide how much the people of Nottingham mean to her--especially John Little, a flirtatious fellow outlaw, and Robin, whose quick smiles have the rare power to unsettle her.

There is real honor among these thieves and so much more--making this a fight worth dying for.

Scarlet is part of the Debut Author Challenge hosted by the Story Siren. (Don't know how far along I am with that....)

My review:

WOW. Scarlet is an intense novel. It's dark. It's suspenseful. It's as good as everyone has said.

Scarlet is an amazing woman and character. She's tough takin' on hunger and bad guys, helping out the poor. She goes hungry so other's can eat, trained herself to fight, and tackles guards to the ground.

She's not the most trusting, but the band of thieves trusts her and they are loyal together. There's four of them: Robin, the leader, John, the lover, Much, the youth, and Scarlet, the woman. She goes by Will Scarlet and is one of the toughest women I've ever met in literature.

Scarlet is a warrior woman, for sure.

Robin, John, and Much are awesome men. I love how Much and Robin all go talking "are you with John?...you're going to get with John...you're with John." It's hilarious, because Scarlet always says "I'm not with John." The romance in this novel is complicated and subtle. The main plot is helping the poor people by getting enough money for them to pay their taxes and getting them food to eat, figuring out Scarlet's past, and keeping away from Gisbourne and trying not to get caught or killed.

As for the plot, it's well crafted. ACG obviously did her research. I liked how it was set before Robin Hood's band really became big. It flows well, is very fast paced mostly.  I'm also looking for similar books, because I liked this one so much!

Favorite Quote:
"As much as I'd like to see Will fall down Castle Rock, I'd like better for you, Fred."
"Everyone knows Will Scarlet can do anything," Fred told him.
John rolled his eyes.
I decided I'd steal Fred something extra this week for that.


Wish I could say more, but I think I'm done. Thanks for reading, and feel free to comment!

Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins

Summary from GoodReads:

Hailed as “impossible to put down,” the Hex Hall series has both critics and teens cheering. With a winning combination of romance, action, magic and humor, this third volume will leave readers enchanted.

Just as Sophie Mercer has come to accept her extraordinary magical powers as a demon, the Prodigium Council strips them away. Now Sophie is defenseless, alone, and at the mercy of her sworn enemies—the Brannicks, a family of warrior women who hunt down the Prodigium. Or at least that’s what Sophie thinks, until she makes a surprising discovery. The Brannicks know an epic war is coming, and they believe Sophie is the only one powerful enough to stop the world from ending. But without her magic, Sophie isn’t as confident.

Sophie’s bound for one hell of a ride—can she get her powers back before it’s too late?


My review: 

First off, I just want to say that I really loved the cover of SB the most out of the hex hall series covers. The purple and the green go really well. I also love how the girl in the pool is always who Sophie could be. Powerful and evil. In the first book, the background in foggy and she's at hex hall by the lake. In the second book, the background is a street and a wall (possibly London or Thorne). In SB the background is grass and a wall, probably at the Brannick's place. The covers all relate to where Sophie is at literally and figuratively. And as much as I love cats, I have never understood why there is one on every cover. LOL

On to the actually book.

In SB Sophie meets the Brannicks, warrior women who hunt Prodigium. Sophie discovers the story of her mother and of her father and of her shared identity. As she's gotten a new identity in each book, in this one Sophie is a nervous wreck without her powers, trying to defeat the evil Lara Casnoff who wants to create a demon army.

Luckily, Sophie friend's--Jenna, Cal, Archer, and her dad have all survived Thorne and are able to help her as she journeys to the underworld (interesting place) to get demonglass to fight. The fight really isn't that big. What leads up to it is better. The ending is nice, but I won't spoil that for yall.

I didn't like Demonglass, but I did like Spell Bound. It's true for some trilogies that the second book is the weakest. Although not true for Pandemonium (awesome!) or Catching Fire (okay) and Mockingjay (*punches wall*)

I liked getting to see more of Cal and what Hawkins had in store for him. Elodie, the ghost from the first series, helps Sophie out a whole lot more and I enjoyed her part in the story. I liked the Brannick's and their history, but I wanted to know more about them and more about Sophie's parents.

I also wanted Sophie to end up being a kick-but warrior Brannick! Didn't happen, but she would have made a great one. Loved her humor and sarcasm--it really does make the books worthwhile.

Summer Book Exchange

Here's my wishlist!

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford
 The Lost Wife by Alyson Richman
North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
A Love by Any Measure by Killian McRae
The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
Paper Angels by Billy Coffey
The Angel Esmeralda byDon Delillo
The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman
The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
When We were Strangers by Pamela Schoenewaldt
Seven Tears into the Sea by Terri Farley
The Sea Runners by Ivan Doig
Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote
The Map of True Places by Brunonia Barry
Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks

Teaser Tuesday & Tuney Tuesday--June 19, 2012

 Happens at the Miz B should be reading. For official rules go to her website. Don't forget to link up.

Current read: Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen




Teaser: "It were our home," I said, soft as I coul.d manage. I didn't know if the others heard. "She's a tough old tree," Rob said, his voice tough and farther away. "She might last." (page 84)

 Happens at Journey of an Aspiring Young Author (JAYA) and Eileen's blog Singing, Reading, and Writing in the Rain. Go to one of their blogs for official rules. Don't forget to leave a comment.

My Song (I choose the one Eileen did) Alone by Kelly Clarkson

When we're driving in your car it's like I'm on my own (yeahhhh)
I can't ask you how you are, you're always on the phone,
And when we kiss I feel so empty,
I really wish you knew what's been on my mind,
You're gonna miss me so get ready,
I'm about to tell you why

'Cause when I'm with you I'm alone,
No matter what you say,
I hope you know, woahh, that I'm alone,
You say you're gonna change,
But I know you won't woah-oh

When you look me in the eye it's like you're far away (yeaahh)
Some pretty legs go walking by, your gaze is wandering (yeahhh)
It's such a shame that you don't notice,
The way that everybody's looking at me,
Get off the train this love is hopeless,
Feeling like I'm gonna sing,

'Cause when I'm with you I'm alone,
No matter what you say,

I hope you know, woahh, that I'm alone,
You say you're gonna change,
But I know you won't woah-oh

Well here is something you don't know about me,
When you pushed me out I found something better, you'll see,
When you were paying no attention to me
I found somebody who can treat me right

When I'm with him I'm not alone
It gets better every day
I hope you know, ohh, I'm not alone,
It's never gonna change
I hope you know
when I'm with you I'm alone,
No matter what you say,
I hope you know, woahh, that I'm alone,
You say you're gonna change,
But I know you won't woah-oh

I'm not alone.
I'm not alone.—eLyrics.com

My review:
I liked the tempo/beat of this one; it's a fast song. It's one of those shehasaboyfriendwhodoesn'tloveheranymoreandshefindssomeoneelsewhohasbeenthereallalong type of songs. (Think Taylor Swift's you belong with me).
I love that she does find someone who truly loves her and that she truly loves, and that she's able to tell the guy that he's not lovin' her right. So many girls stay in abusive relationships or just ones that aren't good for them, and it takes a strong woman to get out.
I love how she recognizes the idea that without love, we ARE alone. Love is the basis for relationships and stability in those relationships. I'm glad Kelly Clarkson finds someone to be with, someone to love and be loved by, so she is NOT ALONE.

Please comment, leave your own links below if ya like. Have a great Tuesday, yall. Love, Rachel

Follow Friday--June 15, 2012

Happens at alisoncanread.com...click the button or go there for the official rules. Basically you answer a question, link up the post with the question, and go on other blogs and see what they said, follow their blogs, and comment telling them about your own post. The only requirements are to follow Parajunkee and Alison and the feature.


Q: Happy Father's Day! Who is your favorite dad character in a book and why?

A:Well, I grew up without a dad for most of my life. He left when I was about seven years old, and came back when I was twelve or thirteen years old. But I have a fabulous grandfather and a whole bunch of family on his side, and a missionary aunt and uncle on my dad's side whom I love. I've had godly men in my life, but I can't exactly say happy father's day.
As for favorite dad character's I've compiled a list:
Poseidon (The Lightening Thief)
Hans Hubermann (The Book Thief)
Jerry (Starcrossed)
John Grogan (Marley and Me)
Wuthering Heights (Edgar)
Miles Ryan (A Bend in the Road)
Ronnie's dad (The Last Song)
The king/Sir/Papa (Entwined)
The two dad's (Lola and the Boy Next Door)
Mr. Maguire (Tempest Rising)
Trevanion/Sir Topher (Finnikin of the Rock)
Mortimer (Inkheart/spell/death)

And that's it! Peace out, yall. Have a terrific Friday!

PS. I know a lot of people are saying James and Mr. Weasley from Harry Potter. And I would probably say them too--if I had read the books. Please refrain from asking "why on earth not" or "what's wrong with you." I'm quite normal, I just haven't gotten around to it.

Game Theory, the Prisoner's Dilemma, & Split or Steal

As of right now, at exactly 9:24 going on 25, I'm actually a bit ticked at economics, because the problem sets from the book are so darn hard. Can't something make sense? And it ticks me off, because it's so hard, I get those feelings of inferiority that I don't know how to do it, when I know how to do it, and then I'm confused about how to do it. There's only one word left to say about this; it's a FAIL. I hate problem sets.

Anyways, I wanted to talk about microeconomics, not really, I just want to share some cool videos from Youtube. But since Game Theory is so darn fascinating and the Prisoner's Dilemma has driven me crazy, it gives me some relief to know it will drive yall crazy. Consider this yall's warning. Venture forth with bravery and honor and....at your own risk. (LOL, eventuallly it will make some sense)

A Game, in its simplest form, is an interaction between individuals that has stable players, choices, and payoffs. It assumes that the interactions are continuous, that all players have perfect information, and that all players are rational (do what's in our best interest)

Game theory is economic reasoning applied to situations where decisions are interdependent
THE BASIS OF GAME THEORY IS
Strategic thinking is decisions of others play a role in our own decisions as a result of interdependency

Here is the Prisoner's Dilemma:


Here are my thoughts (hope they don't confuse you all that much!):
 It is in their best intereset to confess if they know the other person is not going to confess. Thus confessing is the RATIONAL thing to do for each prisoner,. However, if they both don't confess that is the best combined outcome for both of them, but each MUST assume the other will act in his best interest, so they both confess. Basically, instead of following the Code of Silence and doing what's in the best interest of the whole group (because not confessing helps them both jointly), they will reach the END GAME SOLUTION as soon as one person expect the other person to defect (in this cases confesses or doesn't cooperate with the other person), he will defects and cooperation between the two ends.

And now Notes from the Notebook:
It is in each prisoner's best interest no matter what the other one does. Despite the fact that they would both be better off if they both don't talk, because of incentives, they both talk.
This is known as Dominant Strategy--prefered strategy indifferent to other person's decision
In this PD, each prisoner MUST assume that the other will act in his best interest.
Tit-for-Tat strategy says that everybody should not trust one another, each individual cooperates with other perosn until they're given a reason not to, thus they mirror the other prisoner's play and defect
The End Game Solution is where both prisoner's confess, is known as the NASH EQUILIBRIUM--where each prisoner chooses what's best for them dependent on what other person will do.
If there is no dominant strategy look for what opponent is going to do and do what's best for you based on that (known as dominative strategy).

This brings us to a game show called Split or Steal (or maybe it's called Golden Balls, but call it chicken salad always works too:) It works something likes this or that.

 


It is in each player's best interest to steal if they know the other person is going to split. However, if they know that the other person is going to steal, they should also steal. This is a game based off trust. If you trust, you both end up splitting and everyone's happy. If you both steal, well at least you don't feel cheated and you don't lose anything. If, however, someone steals and someone splits, the person who splits gets nothing. So splitting really is a trust thing. Also, if you steal and they split everyone on Youtube will think you're a terrible person. But you're really not, because if you don't know if you can trust the person, you're best choice is to steal. In fact, just in general it's best to steal. The real choice isn't even  JUST split or steal? It's IF the other person splits, what do you do? What would you do? Do you trust or not trust?

And now I have some videos from Youtube (yay for getting through all that):

Try and guess who will split and who will steal!

This is the one my teacher showed us in class and gave us a "quiz" over (basically we didn't get points for it, he just said it was a quiz to get us to pay attention): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3Uos2fzIJ0

But I liked this one better:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2la85p--eo (isn't that just awesome! Wouldn't you scream and jump for joy like that if it was you?)

And I thought this one  was pretty awesome too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kuZjMf6J6g&feature=relmfu

I feel like this one best shows game theory: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrQBmGQUaHs

And this one really is "the weirdest split or steal ever" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0qjK3TWZE8&feature=related

That's all I got. Probably amount to 3 pages if I were to copy, paste it into word document. But hope you enjoyed this lesson on microeconomics, although it might not solve all your trust problems!

Tuney Tuesday--June 12, 2012

  

Hosted by JAYA and Singing, Reading, and Writing in the Rain. For rules go to one of their websites, but basically you just post the song lyrics of the song you choose this week and then you post a short review of it.

My song: Stronger by Kelly Clarkson

You know the bed feels warmer
Sleeping here alone
You know I dream in color
And do the things I want

You think you've got the best of me
Think you've had enough the last laugh
Bet you think that everything good is gone
Think you left me broken down
Think that I'd come running back
Baby, you don't know me, 'cause you're dead wrong

Chorus:
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
What doesn't kill you makes you fighter
Footsteps even lighter
Doesn't mean I'm over 'cause you're gone

Bridge:
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, stronger
Just me, myself and I
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/k/kelly_clarkson/stronger.html ]
You heard that I was starting over with someone new
{ From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/k/kelly-clarkson-lyrics/stronger-lyrics.html }
They told you I was moving on, over you

You didn't think that I'd come back
I'd come back swinging
You tried to break me, but you see

Chorus:
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
What doesn't kill you makes you fighter
Footsteps even lighter
Doesn't mean I'm over 'cause you're gone

Bridge:
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, stronger
Just me, myself and I
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone

Thanks to you I got a new thing started
Thanks to you I'm not the broken-hearted
Thanks to you I'm finally thinking 'bout me
You know in the end the day you left is just my beginning
In the end
[Repeat chorus][Repeat bridge x2]

I'm not alone

My review:

I love love love this song. Don't even know how many times I've listened to it this past month. It's really fun to dance to and it has a great message that we often forget. There is a beauty is a strong woman. Not a harsh one, not a tough one, a strong one. Strength means knowing when to fight for someone you love and when to let go of the past. When people leave us, we are changed, but we are stronger for it. Because, like the proverb says, if you love someone let them go, if they come back then they are yours; if they don't then they were never yours to begin with. If they don't love you enough to come back, then you are better without them. You are stronger for it. That's what I get from this song.

I also love how the music video shows all these people dancing and it makes me want to dance and just wriggle out of my skin into this awesomeness. The beat and rhythm plus Kelly Clarkson's voice equals awesome. Time to get up and dance to it.

PEACE OUT and HAVE A GOOD DAY, Rachel:)

Called to Controversy

Summary from GR (not my own):

"Called to Controversy" is a compelling look at the life of Moishe Rosen, the man behind the mission known as Jews for Jesus.
How did an ordinary Jewish man from Denver become an extraordinary force in missions to the Jewish people? What were his strengths and weaknesses, his successes and failures? Why did some love and trust Rosen while others despised and feared him? Discover the personality, principles, struggles and successes that made this man such a powerhouse. Radical, fanatical and indefatigable, Rosen challenged the status quo for Jews and Christians alike. In "Called to Controversy," you'll find a wealth of information layered with drama, humor, analysis and whimsy, offering a comprehensive look at the life of a controversial and complex man from beginning to end.

My thoughts:

This is the last historical book I read unless it is historical fiction. No more memoirs or autobiographies or biographies. They bore to me death, and I feel like I can't do them justice.  I respect Ruth Rosen for writing down her father's story and carrying on his legacy. But I think it would be far more interesting if Moishe had written his own story. Because Moishe's life was interesting, but not the way it was presented. And I felt like I never really got a sense of what it meant for Jews to be Jews for Jesus or how the foundation really functioned/worked. I feel like a lot of similar books have given me the same feelings, and I'm starting to realize that they all fall into the same category, and it's not a category that really suits me. I did enjoy getting to hear about Jewish culture, but overall this was a tedious read for me.  On a final last note I will say, the story of Moishe Rosen is a glorious one, dedicated to Jesus who saves, but this book is not written in such a way where the story stands out.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Armchair BEA Day 5

So it's ABEA Day 5, the final day. And I must say that as much as I loved it, I'm ready for it to be over, simply because I'm tired. I've determined I have a coffee/caffeine addiction. I drink so much coke soda and coffee, yall. Today I had two cups of joe in the morning, 2 cups two hours after, and a soda at 3. And at 5 I wanted another soda. It required so much time and energy with each post. I loved all the twitter parties. I loved meeting so many new people, authors, publishers, other book bloggers and readers like myself. I love everyone and anyone who has commented on this blog or who has taught me something about blogging. Shout-outs go to Eileen at Singing, Reading, and Writing in the Rain for making my blog button (see the right side bar) and to Lauren Oliver, Tahereh Mafi, Josephine Angelini, and @tiftalksbooks on twitter for being a host. And thanks to the hosts of the ABEA blog. Also thanks to my family for understanding why I needed to use the computer so much this week. And my incessant talking about the ABEA.
Okay on to today's topic: Ask The Experts. In your post, ask the visitors to your blog for blogging advice. What did you always want to know about blogging but were afraid to ask? Now is the time!

I've learned so much, but I still have so much I want to learn. So now I will post the Qs yall have inspired me to ask, that I have never even really considered before.

1. How can I create a header for my blog? Any suggestions for what it should look like?
2. Someone tell me about Library Thing and how to use it. Last post, someone commented saying it was a good way to get ARCS and a good place to post reviews, and I started an account but I had a hard time managing it.
3. Will you find me on GR? I'm there are Rachel Rooney, and I have a profile picture, same one that I use on my twitter account.
4. THIS IS MOST IMPORTANT How How How can I get an ARC copy of Requiem by Lauren Oliver, because she's driven me crazy!
5. Songs and Books. See my FF post. Any recommendations for music I should be listen' to?
6. How awesome is the Hunger Games? (movie and book) I haven't seen the movie yet! (that too is driving me crazy!)
7. How can I put up a list of other blogs I read? Because I see it on yall's blogs, but I don't know how to do it.
8. How can I know what times people are most likely to read my posts so I can schedule them that way?
9. How can I encourage commenting on my blog?
10. Is there are right way to host a giveaway?

Okay, that's all I got, but if I have more I'll post them here. Please comment and I will comment back on your blog. Have a great Friday and have a great weekend and happy reading!

Love, Rachel

Follow Friday--June 8, 2012

I know it's been a while since I did one of these. I took a break in August/May because I was so busy with finals and graduation and then taking sociology and microeconomics at college over the summer. Basically these hops work like this: go to alisoncanread.com, follow her and the feature (there's a new one every week), answer the Q, and link up when you're done with your post.

The Feature for this week is:

(who is a co-host of the FF)

Today's FF is "do your own thing." Mine is Songs & Books!

Answer:I love music that reminds me of book I've read or am reading. There's a lot of music out right now from the Hunger Games movie--Safe and Sound, Eyes Open, Come to the Water, Deep in the Meadow, Girl on Fire. Most often songs nowadays remind me of dystopia novels. Of women in worlds that tell them they are not strong enough to survive and live on the outside. Cassia from Matched/Crossed. Lena from Delirium/Pandemonium. Juliet from Shatter Me. Katniss, too. When it comes to who they love, I have two songs I esp LOVE: Holding on and letting go (Ross Copperfield) and Collie (Howie Day). Most importantly are the songs that remind me of Downton Abbey or Pride and Prejudice, but I won't list them all here, because there's so many! I will leave this FF with a Q: Don't ya just love LOVE?

Armchair BEA Day 4

Hey yall, it's Day 4 of the ABEA, and yes I do know I missed Day 3. I had to study microeconomics. I also had to take a placement test for math and English for college next year. I got a 100 on my writing test, and did well on the prealgebra, but not very well on algebra. So I didn't test into College Algebra, but Elementary Algebra. So if I was to to take math I'd have to do a year rather than a semester. Thus, I'm not taking math. At least not this year. I might take EA over the summer--NEXT summer. Also have to learn how to drive so I can drive myself to school next year. I also registered for classes for fall semester--Oral Communication, College Composition, Pilates (have to take a PE credit, but it's Tuesday/Thursday for an hour in the evening), Biology 101, and Cornerstone. Cornerstone is a foundation class for fall, and in the spring I'll take Capstone (which is just the foundation class for the spring). So yeah, that's why I wasn't on blogger yesterday. I had to go to school, take the test, find classes online, register, go driving, and study. But school gets out next Friday, and I am so ready to be done.

I am going to say something now and only now that some people won't like, but may understand. I feel underappreciated due to a lack of commenting on posts and a lack of followers. I've been stuck at 82 followers for a while now and about a year ago I was stuck at 16 followers. It took me forever just to get 50. I have more people following me on twitter, than on A Book Crazy Jane Austen Lovin' Gal. Is my blog like not crazy, awesome, fun? And commenting--I have 170 post and 112 comments as of today. There are some posts I don't even think some people read. Which doesn't make sense to me. Because most likely if you are reading my blog, you like to read and/or are another book blogger. Thus, wouldn't you want to read and comment on my blog?!?! I almost always comment on other people's. As you can see I'm a part of the Comment Pact (down at the bottom of the page).

It's just frustrating, because I want to know that people are reading my blog. I want to be a bigger part of the blogging community and for people to appreciate all the hard work and effort I put into each post.  And I don't always get that.
I love love love reading and blogging and all of you reading this made me love reading even more because of your blogs. You've taught me a lot about blogging.  It's more or less I am one of you, and I want to belong with yall. Yall know the semantics (Jellicoe Road lovers, right?) be. long to be. a longing to belong. long to be. long to belong. To be to long. My frustration stems from a lack of connection that I feel for some reason, and I feel the need to address it. But don't take this too hard.

Okay, so on to today, Day 4 of the ABEA. The subject is "Beyond your blog" and here's the prompt/question.

Has blogging opened up opportunities for you beyond getting free, advance copies of new books? Has it helped you get offers to write or review elsewhere (maybe even for pay)? Have you gotten invites to special events or places you might not have been to otherwise? Today, we'd like you to talk about those opportunities in you own posts, and later this morning, we'll have a guest post from one of our own Armchair BEA team members, about her freelancing experiences.

I've never gotten free ARC, only Indie books or books from my library or bookmooch. Or Booksneeze. The only ARCs I ever got were The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott, which I got long after it had come out, and Thunder and Rain. I also recently got A Chance in the World that I requested for Booksneeze over a year ago and which they now just sent me. Now that it has come out.

I have also never gotten any other offers to write or review elsewhere. I blog because I love books (esp. Delirium #deliriumchat #twitter)
I want to be a writer and write tales as intriguing as those of my favorite authors: Lauren Oliver, Kristin Cashores, Tahereh Mafi, Suzanne Collins, Nicholas Sparks, Anita Shreve. I want to be a writer. I mean, I've been journaling since I was 12 years old, writing down stories before then. Stories that I've now thrown away. Some of them were lost ideas. But there are those tales that have stuck with me, stuck in my head. And I will write them down. I will write. I am already I a writer, and one day I'll be published. It's my dream, and in a way I'm livin' it and in a way I have yet to get there. But I'll get there.

It does not matter how slowly you go, but do not stop.--Confucius


So I guess overall I haven't gotten that many opportunities beyond my blog. But I have met some awesome people who I am now friends with on twitter. And I've gotten to know other blog writers--Eileen, Molli, Darlene, Tara, Katie, Becca. I've gotten to read some awesome books and find those awesome authors on twitter. I've gotten to participate in memes--What's happening? Mondays, Teaser Tuesdays, Tuney Tuesdays, Follow Fridays. And I think I'm better off because I blog. I think I'm a better writer because of it. I don't know where my blog is going to go. Honestly I don't think it'll last beyond 2014, but we'll see. Beyond my blog is me. And I'm a college student, a writer, a daughter, a friend, a Christian, a volunteer, a lover, a runner, an optimist. I'm a woman with my whole future ahead of me. And I have to go out there and grab ahold of me and let it shake me down to my roots and fill me with purpose.

Armchair BEA Day 2

It Day 2 of the Armchair BEA, and it's all about the Best Books of 2012 (thus far!). Here's my top 12:

The Girl of Fire and Thorns

Tears of Min Brock

The Secret Life of Prince Charming

The Atonement Child

To Come and Go like Magic

Moonglass

Shatter Me

Starcrossed

Eve

Delirium

North of Beautiful

Until There Was You

So there ya have it! Please comment below. I'm out of here, Love Rachel

Armchair BEA Day 1

This year, for the first time ever, I am participating in the Armchair BEA. It's very exciting and new for me, because I've never done it, and I feel like I'm taking the next step as a reader by doing this.

For those of you who are new, here's a little bit about me.

Like my blog says I'm a book crazy, Jane Austen Lovin' Gal. Jane Austen is the reason I created this blog. It used to be called My Jane Austen Obsession, but then I figured out I wanted to blog about more than just her books. Although I still do my 1 a month "sequels" (yall will understand if you read some of my very first posts!) I've been blogging since January 2011 as a project for my junior year creative writing class. I've stuck with it for over a year! I am book obsessed and I do love Jane Austen, but I am not from the south and I do not have an accent. I volunteer at Camp Barnabas, a camp for kids with special needs and a lot of volunteers there are Texans. Although, I don't see why I can't be a Gal just because I'm not from Texas:)

I also want to be a writer, and am going to write my own book this year (so excited!) I'm a Baptist, but I'm not one of those religious-shove-it-down-your-throat-people, although I do take my faith seriously and am very intense and wise and deep. I know a lot for a my age, and I don't know a lot for my age. But I am only 17. YES I am a high school graduate!! If you haven't figured it out yet, I am not just book crazy, I am crazy as in crazy wild and also crazy about life. I am that woman who grows up but still has the heart of a little girl in a dress with two swinging braids. I believe in havin' a purpose and using the gifts God gave us. I am that woman who always laughs, always smiles, always gives hugs, is always happy and excited to see you, is forever bright and optimistic.

I'm on GoodReads as Rachel Rooney and Twitter as @RachelRooneyr. For more about me, see my profile on the side of my blog.

Now on to the Interview.

What are you currently reading, or what is your favorite book you have read so far in 2012?

Well, I'm currently reading Nights of Rodanthe when I'm not busy. Being a student is very demanding; the book sits in my backpack, and I haven't gotten past page 1. As for my favorite books (I have 3!): The Girl of Fire and Thorns, Delirium, and North of Beautiful. While I've read SO MANY GOOD BOOKS, these are the top 3.

Tell us one non-book-related thing that everyone reading your blog may not know about you.

I'm fascinated with bubbles. I've been to Eulethera, where I stood between the Atlantic and Caribbean sea. I paint with watercolors. I can't drive. I dream of having a blond and curly haired daughter named Selah. Summer is my favorite holiday, but I love spring too. I want to learn how to play the accordion. Bethany Hamilton is my hero. I want a tattoo, but I don't know where I would get it. I cannot just do "one"thing. Ever.

What is your favorite feature on your blog (i.e. author interviews, memes, something specific to your blog)?

Ummmmm I don't really have anything specific to my blog, except its craziness.

Where do you see your blog in five years?

Honestly, I don't think I'll be blogging for that long. As much as I love blogging, my goal was 2 years. I don't know if I see myself doing it for 5.

Which is your favorite post that you have written that you want everyone to read?

My recommendation is: the best books I've read in 2011.

If you could eat dinner with any author or character, who would it be and why?

I mean, obviously Jane Austen. For the obvious reasons. Other than her, Melina Marchetta. I want my stories to have as much mystery, driving force, beauty as hers. Her books are awesome, and so is she.

What literary location would you most like to visit? Why?

I'd love to visit Shakespeare and Company in Paris, France. Because I'd love to live as a writer for free, have that be my life, learn French, be in the city of light and love, and have many fabulous adventures.

What is your favorite part about the book blogging community? Is there anything that you would like to see change in the coming years?

I love the blog hops and I love being on GoodReads. I love it when people comment on my blog (hint, hint:)

Have your reading tastes changed since you started blogging? How?

I don't know if my reading tastes have really changed. I think I'm just more in the know about which books are good, ya know I'm up to date with the (book) times.

Please comment below, leave your links, love God, love everyone you know, and peace out of here. Love and laughs, Rachel