|
|
Thursday, April 15, 2010:
Blog to watch: Leontine's Book Realm
 Today I want to give a shout-out to a blog I've been visiting awhile, but have recently really started to appreciate. It's one of my favorite Tweeps, Leontine, and her place is Leontine's Book Realm (you can also follow her on Twitter - @Leontine1976). I really got to know Leontine through Twitter, and we had very similar tastes in books. She's recommended several to me over the last many months, and some I've really liked, others not so much (Shadowfae comes to mind). However one of the things I completely love about Leontine and her blog are the amazing, lyrical reviews she writes. She totally blows me away with her reviews. Using Shadowfae as an example: this was a book that just didn't suit me, though I very much wanted to enjoy it, yet Leontine wrote about it in such a way, that even though I'd already read it, I was almost convinced that I did like it, because her review was so enticing, so poignant and perceptive and beautiful, that I could have bypassed my own personal feelings and fallen in love with the book just based on her review. The girl's got serious talent. She just did a review of "Patience", the much awaited yet now much maligned book by Lisa Valdez. After reading some comments about it, I pretty much decided I wasn't going to read it. Why be disappointed when you know you're not going to like something, right? Well then yesterday I read Leontine's review, and I'm leaning towards wanting to read it. She has me utterly curious about this story now, thinking that maybe there's just something in it that I might like. That is the power that is Leontine. So if you aren't already a follower of Leontine's blog, you should be, because it's a wondrous place, and Leontine is one cool, smart chick with great taste and quite a way with words. She's also a lot of fun to follow & chat with on Twitter :)  Labels: blogs
posted by Stacy~ at 4/15/2010 06:57:00 AM
|
 
Thursday, October 22, 2009:
Blog spotlight: Sarah @ Monkey Bear Reviews
 Do y'all know Sarah? Well you should! I know I first came across her blog as I was blog-hopping, but it wasn't until I "met" her on Twitter that I really got to know her, and it's been such a pleasure chatting with her about books and other topics.
I think each blogger is different in their own interesting and unique way, and one of the things that sets Sarah apart is that she approaches what she does with an intelligent, thoughtful manner that just blows me away. I could read the same book as her, and after reading one of her reviews, come back with a totally different take on it. It's like she absorbs the work and processes it, then comes back with these amazing posts that make me so jealous that I don't have her brains. But she's so cool that I just can't hate her LOL.
Another thing I like about Sarah is that she's unafraid to tackle timely, potentially volatile subjects with a clear, concise opinion and bring forth other angles to discuss. Though I'm not intellectual by any means, I do enjoy thinking about ideas and concepts long after the conversation is over, and Sarah offers me that in spades through her posts. I've learned a lot from her and her blog is definitely one I visit on a regular basis. I might not always post, but I always come away from it with something valuable.
But my high regard for Sarah doesn't stop there. She also has this cool thing she does every once in awhile where she talks about guilty pleasures (i.e. Susan Mallery). I love that even someone who loves to discuss and debate has this fun side that proves we all enjoy books for many reasons, even if we don't always understand why. Her observations are amusing and spot-on, and I like how she doesn't apologize for her guilty pleasures, no matter how truly awful they may be. We should all be so confident in our opinions.
For a taste of the brilliance that is Sarah, check out her review post on Meljean Brook's "Demon Angel". I am so completely jealous that she "got" the book with much less difficulty than I did. This is one of those books I'm going to have to go back and re-read because I exist on a more superficial plain of reality and this is a story you need to fully let yourself sink into before you can grasp its brilliance. However Sarah got it in one. I loved her review and it gave me a renewed sense of urgency to read it again, and very soon.
So please do me a favor: if you haven't visited Sarah's blog before, take a few minutes and stop by to check the place out: Monkey Bear Reviews. She's got a lot to offer discussion-wise, and she's a book lover, just like the rest of us. I know you'll see why I'm such a fan :)
Soooo, what do you think of Sarah's blog? Pretty awesome, huh? Labels: blogs
posted by Stacy~ at 10/22/2009 07:11:00 AM
|
Wednesday, September 16, 2009:
She's bringing Smexy back...
 I didn't want to miss out on doing my part for BBAW (Book Blogger Appreciation Week), so today I'm going to give a shout out to one of my favorite new blogs, Smexy Books. Mandi over there is somethin' else, and of course I mean that in the nicest way possible *g* She's funny and seriously boy crazy (look, there's Brandon Flowers!) and one of my new favorite pimps. She's got mad pimpin' skills. Her, along with the equally fabulous Leontine, strongly recommended the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning, currently my favorite series, and Mandi also turned me on to Chloe Neill's Chicagoland Vampire series. I owe this girl big-time, and if I ever run into Brandon, I'll give him a big kiss for her.
So in honor of Ms. Smexy, and of BBAW, I'm going to have a contest and give away a copy of either "Darkfever" by Karen Marie Moning or "Some Girls Bite" by Chloe Neill. Whichever one the winner prefers. Contest will end noon CST on Friday, September 18th, and I hope to announce the winner no later than Saturday noon but it's a busy weekend, so it might not be until Sunday. All are eligible to enter as long as you can receive mail. Good luck! Labels: blogs
posted by Stacy~ at 9/16/2009 06:55:00 AM
|
Tuesday, June 02, 2009:
Literary Blogger Award :)
The Literary Blogger Award What an honor to be a recipient of this grand award, which acknowledges bloggers who energize and inspire reading by going the extra mile! These amazing bloggers make reading fun, and enhance the delight of reading! A huge thanx to Cecile, who nominated me for this award. What a sweetheart you are :)1) Put the logo on your blog/post.
2) Nominate up to 9 blogs.
3) Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4) Let them know that they have been nominated by commenting on their blog.
5) Remember to link to the person from whom you received your award.
And the award goes to....
There are so many awesome bloggers out there, and it wasn't easy to narrow it down, but I chose those inspire me in their own unique way. And while I wanted to nominate every blog I visit, because let's face it, I visit them because I love them so much, well, that would have been way more than 9.
Thanx to bloggers everywhere for creating wonderful places to visit, to make me laugh, think, squee and share my love of reading. You are all a part of my day and make it a brighter, and often times funnier, place. You all rock :) Labels: awards, blogs, friends
posted by Stacy~ at 6/02/2009 05:16:00 AM
|
Thursday, May 21, 2009:
The goings-on & a "thank you"
 First of all, I'd like to give a huge thank you to the kind and lovely Barbara over at Happily Forever After for mentioning my Toni Blake contest. I really appreciate the media attention *g* For those of you who've never been to Barbara's blog, I strongly urge you to do so. She's created a fun and interesting place to hang out, and I have to give her credit for pointing me in the direction of some really great books. So stop on by and say "hey". She totally rocks.
 I just finished reading Jennifer Haymore's "A Hint of Wicked", which will be released on June 1st. Right now I'm struggling with my review, trying to encompass all I want to say without giving too much away, but I don't want to be so skimphy that I'm not giving enough information either. Every once in awhile a book will do that to me, where I just can't find the words. For a wonderfully insightful review, definitely check out Ana's review at Booksmugglers. I'm so jealous of her LOL. Basically I agree with everything she said, but I'm reviewing it so I need to just sit down and focus. I'm thinking a re-read is in order. Because I can't go on to reading the next book until I finish this review. I don't want any distractions with this one.
Does anyone else review like that? Read the book then do the review without starting to read a new story? Or can you go from book to book and not have it be a problem to write reviews for several books at one time? Usually I try to write the review right away, while it's fresh in my mind, no matter how much I want or even need to read. I don't have the best memory, so it's better if I do it that way. The problem is, like now, when I can't find the words. And please don't take this as an indication it's a bad book, because it's not. It's just a little out of the norm. So yeah, I got homework. And don't forget that tomorrow is the last day to enter my Toni Blake contest. Remember, I want to hear about your favorite bad boy. So if you don't answer the question, you won't be in the drawing. And anyone can enter, no matter where you live. It just might take a little longer for me to send out the book, but you WILL get it. I also have another interview in the works, so once I get my questions answered, I'll post more on that. And yes, there will be another book giveaway. I haven't done interviews in awhile, and forgot how much I love doing them. So I'm going to start up again and see what happens. Any author requests? I'll see what I can do *g* And now for my burning question of the day: What are you currently reading? Labels: blogs, current reading
posted by Stacy~ at 5/21/2009 06:58:00 AM
|
Friday, February 16, 2007:
I was doing my blog-hopping this morning, and it got me wondering: what is your favorite blog or blogs? I plan on posting with more detail at a later time, giving you my preferred list, but I'm just curious what you guys like out in blogland, and why? Most of mine are on the right sidebar, and I try to visit them at least once a week if possible, but I don't always have the chance to do it. One thing is, I don't have access to blogs at work. Nope, I get a nasty "access denied" up on the screen telling me my internet useage is being monitored. So my time is rather limited for blogging. What is your favorite blog or blogs? Why do you visit? What keeps you coming back for more? Do you have your own blog? (Feel free to share the link) Labels: blogs, favorites
posted by Stacy~ at 2/16/2007 06:07:00 AM
|
Wednesday, December 27, 2006:
I'm easily bored, yet not very savvy when it comes to updating stuff. I actually had Lucy Monroe teaching me template code stuff way back when I first got my blog. (She's so sweet). Now it's been almost a year, and I think it's time to update, at least somewhat, but I don't know this stuff, and as much as I would love to ask (beg!) someone to help, maybe I should do it myself (????) So I'm looking for advice on places I can find a 3-column template. I've seen some really cool ones ( Ames and Holly for starters). 2007 is just around the corner and I am ready to start fresh, if at all possible - lots of fun stuff is planned in the new year. Any suggestions you can offer would be most appreciated. Muchos gracias. Labels: blogs, new look, templates
posted by Stacy~ at 12/27/2006 08:58:00 PM
|
|
|
