Spell Bound

I finally got a chance to finish Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins.  It's been willing me to read it since I bought it.  Fine, Spell Bound...you win. ;) If you like paranormal but not too paranormally (is that a word?) then the HEX HALL series is for you.  I posted a review at YABC if you are interested.  This series is a lot of fun--and it's just downright funny.

I'm sure that Rachel Hawkins will continue to delight us with her writing for many, many years to come!  I can't wait to see what is next.

2012 Book List: Part 2

Here is the next installment of the books I've read from 2012.

21. Little Bea by Daniel Roode
22. SuperHero ABC by Bob McLeod
23. The Princess Diaries: Princess in Pink by Meg Cabot
24. Camilla, the Cupcake Fairy by Tim Bugbird
25.  If You Give a Dog a Donut by Laura Numeroff
26. You Think It's Easy Being the Tooth Fairy? by Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt
27. Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin
28. Shoe-La-La! by Karen Beaumont
29. Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally
30. The Pirate Girl's Treasure by Peyton Leung (Thanks YABC)
31. The Big Green Book of the Big Blue Sea by Helaine Becker (Thanks YABC)
32. Oscar by Jordan Troutt (Thanks YABC)
33. All by Myself! by Geraldine Collet (Thanks YABC)
34. Animal Masquerade by Marianne Dubuc (Thanks YABC)
35. Take a Bow by Elizabeth Eulberg
36. His Fair Assassin: Grave Mercy (Book One) by Robin LaFevers
37. Ballpark Mysteries 4: The Astro Outlaw by David A. Kelly (Thanks YABC)

Lots of picture books in this group.  Currently I have a big TBR pile and several things I'm reading now.  I realized after trying to organize my bookshelves, I have many books that I haven't read yet. *slaps wrist*  I also have a "I Want That Book" pile in my head.  There are some amazing books coming out soon! Stay tuned for the next list

2012 Book List: Part 1

I thought, mostly for my own benefit, that I would keep a list of books that I've read throughout the year.  Most of them are Children's and YA but I occasionally branch out.  These aren't all 2012 releases,  and if a book is highlighted, you can find a link to my YABC review.

1. The King's Speech: How One Man Saved the British Monarchy by Mark Logue and Peter Conradi
2. Prada and Prejudice by Mandy Hubbard
3. Goddess Boot Camp by Tera Lynn Childs
4. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith
5. The Snow Globe Family by Jane O'Connor
6. The Magic Tree House #9: Dolphins at Daybreak by Mary Pope Osborne
7. Jane by April Lindner
8. The Magic Tree House #1: Dinosaurs Before Dark by Mary Pope Osborne
9. The Magic Tree House #2: The Knight at Dawn by Mary Pope Osborne
10. The Princess Diaries: Princess in the Spotlight by Meg Cabot
11. The Princess Diaries: Princess in Love by Meg Cabot
12. The Princess Diaries: Princess in Waiting by Meg Cabot
13. Lovetorn by Kavita Daswani (Thanks, YABC)
14. Little Wings #1: Willa Bean's Cloud Dreams by Cecelia Galante (Thanks, YABC)
15. Little Wings #2: Be Brave, Willa Bean by Cecelia Galante (Thanks, YABC)
16. Virginia Wolf by Kyo Maclear (Thanks, YABC)
17. A Boy Called Dickens by Deborah Hopkinson (Thanks, YABC)
18. Rosie and the Wedding Day Rescue by Lynelle Woolley (Thanks, YABC)
19. We Love Our School!: A Read-Together Rebus Story by Judy Sierra (Thanks, YABC)
20. The Magic Tree House #43: Leprechaun in Late Winter by Mary Pope Osborne

Here are the first 20 on my list...stay tuned for the next installment of my list!

Review: His Fair Assassin: Grave Mercy (Book 1)

Oh my. GRAVE MERCY. What. a. book.  I heard a lot of hype about this book, so I wasn't too sure I wanted to read it....last time I followed the hype it did not go well for me.  After reading some reviews, I decided I would have to check it out.  I've been on a contemporary kick lately, so I wasn't sure how I would feel reading something in the historical fiction genre.


I started reading on Saturday and only got about 50 pages into it before I had to go to bed.  Those first 50 pages invaded my dreams.  Who doesn't want to have dreams about nun assassins?  It is lengthy but don't let that deter you.  If you are a fan of historical fiction don't miss this one.  If you like books with a strong female lead, don't miss this one.  If you like nun assassins, don't miss this one.


I can't wait for the second book...it'll be a while....but I can't wait!

You can find my 5 star review over at YABC including a summary and all of the publishing info.  I know there are some amazing books coming out this year but I have a feeling that this will make a lot of people's "best of" lists.

Go forth and read!

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight was released in January.  I can't tell you how much I loved this book.  I bought it on a whim and I think it will easily make my top of 2012 list.  My full review is available at YABC.  This book is so much more than I thought it would be.  Please, please read this book!  I think you will love it.

This is one of those books that I think everyone should read and then tell your friends so they can read it too.

Take a Bow

Do you have those authors that you are always looking forward to their next book?  Well, Elizabeth Eulberg is quickly becoming one of those authors for me.  I loved PROM AND PREJUDICE, and I was excited to see what her latest book TAKE A BOW would be like.  I certainly was not disappointed.  I can't wait to read more from Elizabeth Eulberg!

Check out my YABC review here!

2012 Goals Update

I posted some goals awhile back that I wanted to keep up this year.  Thought I would give you a little update on how I've been doing....


1. Read more- I want my students to read every night, so I need to as well. I've read A LOT!
2. Check out more books from the library. I have a sickness and I can't stay out of book stores...I keep buying!
3. Find some non-fiction books I like I FINALLY read The King's Speech. 
4. Go on vacation Going to Gulf Shores with my little family this summer.
5. Find a great face cleanser I got a recommendation for Bare Minerals face cleanser but I haven't tried it yet....
6. Do more DIY projects (thanks to pinterest, I have quite the list) I've done  a lot at school, just need to get cracking on the home front.
7. Don't leave my clean laundry folded up in baskets...put it away! FAIL.
8. Wear more dresses Since we skipped winter here in MO skirts and dresses have been my friend.
9. Fix my hair at least 4 days a week (lame I know, but I suffer from the just put it in a ponytail syndrome)  DONE!
10. Enjoy it! :) Always something I'm working on.


So I guess I've done alright so far.  Thanks for keeping up with me.  I'm looking forward to posting some fun crafty projects and more links to my YABC book reviews.  I've read some awesomesauce stuff.

By the way...here is a link to a blog that my sis-in-law and I have for all of our crafty things.  She's way craftier than I am but I try.

http://www.penguinsonthebottom.blogspot.com