Discussion:The Great Debate: E-books VS Real Books

Alright I'm giving you two ways here to see my discussion. One being via my video chatter. (I enjoy talking to my camera. I hope you enjoy listening and watching.) Two being my typed out version which will probably not mirror anything I say on video so yeah. :)

To join in on my discussion just start typing a comment, and I will get it and respond back of course.

Send your friends the link and have them join in to. The more the merrier. I'm always willing to hear others thoughts on subjects that are constantly on my mind.

Kindle VS THE Book

.:Harry Potter and The Nightmare Before Christmas Merchandise Haul:. (6)

Nightmare before Christmas 

Mayor Keychain

Pez Dispenser (Pumpkin and Oogie Boogie)

Shot Glasses

Alice In Wonderland

Chesire Cat

Harry Potter

Tiny Mystery Figure (Lady

Tiny Mystery Figure (Pickett)

Lil Wand (?)

Lil wand (cedric)

Figurine (Severus Snape)

Plushie (Dobby)

Funko Pop (albus)

Funko Pop (Zouwu)

Funko Pop (Nagini)

Scamanders case with niffler hands (makes sounds)

Fantastic Beasts and where to find them book

.:Harry Potter and Nightmare before Christmas Merchandise Haul:. (5)

I've become very fangirlish with my Harry Potter stuff so I have been getting a bunch of things and decided to make it a regular video.

Just in case you're not wanting to watch the video here's what I got. 

(I'm saying my reactions are fun.)

Nearly Headless Nick Pop

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets book

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Harry Potter Playing Cards

Mystery Funko Pop (3)

Lil Die-cast Wands ( 2)

Nightmare Before Christmas pop Keychains (3)

Pictures

Authors Signage (2)

Have you ever wondered what your favorite authors signature look like? I have! I always get so excited when I can go to a book signing and see all the signatures from the authors in my books (and I get to meet the authors as well.) I decided to go through each one of my books I have that's been signed for me whether it has been through a contest one, or my own experience. I have also bought a few that are just signed, and not personalized to me. To learn a little more hover over the picture for my commentary.

What I'm reading now

Hey fellow readers/bloggers! I know I've been so laxed on reviewing, but to be fair I sort of have a reason for it. I have way to many books that I'm reading that I can't finish them. I know this sounds horrible, and in a way it is because I know I need to finish one and then start a new book. I have this bad habit of starting new ones because I get easily distracted. So I'm pledging today that I will finish all the ones I have started, and to make sure I'm going to list the ones I've started here and mark them off one by one. Then after  I do that I have my review books I need to work on.

Printed copies:

Envy by Gregg Olson
Crime lives--and dies--in the deceptively picture-perfect town of Port Gamble (aka “Empty Coffin”), Washington. Evil lurks and strange things happen--and 15-year-olds Hayley and Taylor Ryan secretly use their wits and their telepathic “twin-sense” to uncover the truth about the town's victims and culprits.

Crank by Ellen Hopkin

In Crank, Ellen Hopkins chronicles the turbulent and often disturbing relationship between Kristina, a character based on her own daughter, and the "monster," the highly addictive drug crystal meth, or "crank." Kristina is introduced to the drug while visiting her largely absent and ne'er-do-well father. While under the influence of the monster, Kristina discovers her sexy alter-ego, Bree: "there is no perfect daughter, / no gifted high school junior, / no Kristina Georgia Snow. / There is only Bree." Bree will do all the things good girl Kristina won't, including attracting the attention of dangerous boys who can provide her with a steady flow of crank.

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra BrackenWhen Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something alarming enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that gets her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government “rehabilitation camp.” She might have survived the mysterious disease that’s killed most of America’s children, but she and the others have emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they cannot control.

Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones.

Notes from Ghost Town by Kate Ellison
 When sixteen-year-old artist Olivia Tithe is visited by the ghost of her first love, Lucas Stern, it’s only through scattered images and notes left behind that she can unravel the mystery of his death.

There’s a catch: Olivia has gone colorblind, and there’s a good chance she’s losing her mind completely—just like her mother did. How else to explain seeing (and falling in love all over again with) someone who isn’t really there?

Ten by Gretchen Mcneill

It was supposed to be the weekend of their lives—an exclusive house party on Henry Island. Best friends Meg and Minnie each have their reasons for being there (which involve T.J., the school’s most eligible bachelor) and look forward to three glorious days of boys, booze and fun-filled luxury.

But what they expect is definitely not what they get, and what starts out as fun turns dark and twisted after the discovery of a DVD with a sinister message: Vengeance is mine.

Ebooks

Grave Mercy by Robin Lefevers

Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.

Blood Rights by Kristen Painter
Born into a life of secrets and service, Chrysabelle's body bears the telltale marks of a comarré—a special race of humans bred to feed vampire nobility. When her patron is murdered, she becomes the prime suspect, which sends her running into the mortal world...and into the arms of Malkolm, an outcast vampire cursed to kill every being from whom he drinks.

Pictures

You'll notice that besides books I love pictures. I don't really know why. My facebook page has so many random pictures I've taken it's unreal, but I love it. Now I'm not going to go and post those random (and when I say random I mean it. We're talking pictures of the sky, snow, any and everything.) I thought it would be interesting to post my random book pictures. Pictures of me with my books, list I've made, signings I've gone too, collages, and what not.


My list of books

My Book Series I Collect

Random book places

My book collages

The Books and Myself

Random Bookish Pictures

Rachel Caine Book Signing

Weekend Lovelies (Yes this is my daily what the haps)

Alright, it is time again for another one of my ramblings. I know you all probably get sick of them, but I like to update even if there's no need to. I feel like I should have something on here to keep all of...whoever reads these in the know. I always have a way of tying it in with books...usually!

OH THE THINGS YOU BUY

 I did go to my wonderful, favorite store EVER, and bought some stuff. I bought quite a few movies this time though because who can beat 3 dollars. Some movies I've seen like The House Bunny, Jeff Dunham: Arguing with myself (hilarious comedian BTW!), and Fired Up. Then I got Catch that Kid (curious to see Kristen Stewart in it), and Step up 2 (I have the first so it's only fitting right?), and then Heroes Season 2 (3 bucks man! Although I might already own it I can't remember. If I do I'll either sell it or give it away to someone) and last Friends Season 4 (I'm slowly but surely getting my friends season. There's what like 10 I think so 6 more to go). Oh I did get a few books too. :) Those will be up in a future IMM like always. I love going to HPB to because the workers there are always friendly, and they'll talk to you about whatever it is you're buying that day. Like the movies and stuff I bought my cashier was going on about the house bunny saying how he didn't think he'd enjoy, but after watching it he did. LOL.

OFF TO SEE THE LIBRARY!

Sorry. It's sideways. Stupid Camera!

Today is the day I finally got a library card. I know right! You would have thought that being obsessive and all with books now I would have done it awhile back. I guess I was being lazy, and not wanting to drive to where it was which is stupid because I drive near when I see my brother. I also owe it to my brother because he took his kids back a week or so ago to get them one, and told me about it. (I was thrilled I want my nieces to love books like I do) I finally told him today to come with me, and a library monster was born. :) I went into the library, and I swear when I went to the YA section I just about fainted. There were all these books I have on my list for free. (I'm sure I'll end up buying them sometime because that's just me) Still I wanted like a bunch, but seeing how I just got the card I could only pick 2 books. Boy, was that a hard decision. I wanted the Wonderous strange books, the sky is everywhere, the fat vampire, Prom, Wintergirls, and so many more. I finally had to settle on two which I've been wanting Nevermore by Kelly Creagh, and North of Beautiful by Justina Headley. I think I'm liking this idea because it gives me a time frame which to read the books so maybe I'll get more reading done this way. If I just go, and buy the book I kind of set it aside and wait. No more of that...nope..nope! After I picked my books out we (my brother and two nieces Hayley 7 and Karlie 4) stayed there a bit and let the girls look around, and enjoy the computer, and other things they had, and I of course read Nevermore since it's a big book I figured I'd start.

My brother and middle niece Karlie(4) enjoying the company of those stuffed animals.

My oldest niece Hayley who is 7. I promise she wasn't as miserable as she looked in the picture. She was ready to go to the park. We had already been at the library an hour. :)

Just another snapshot I decided to take of another part of the library. :)

 The YA section of the library. Are those not awesome looking chairs!

 This is one of the walls in the childrens section. It's cute.

 My very first library books and card. :)

I actually started reading Nevermore in the library because I've wanted to read it since it came out last year. I'll probably end up buying it, but for now I'm content.
Then I got North of Beautiful because I've heard some really good things out it as well, and of course I think cover is pretty.

When we were through at the library we went to the my old Elementary school's playground to let the kids play (and me read some). I learned that I'm out of shape I raced with the girls, and it was not pretty (I guess it doesn't help if you have been coughing) The oldest one beat me, but I stayed a little behind with the younger one because she kept saying ashley wait for me. How could I just leave her? I waited and ran beside her. These children are very full of energy. Even the youngest who is almost 2 was running around non-stop. She was all her daddy's responsibility though. Haha. I mean you see the picture on the side right? Well she ran all the way to the back. Nothing but little kid energy. Oh to be young like that again. :)

A FRIENDS GIVEAWAY

Giveaway at Lady Readers Stuff!

Do you like Pride and Prejudice? Do like Zombies? Okay, I admit Zombies little creepy. Still quite intriguing though. I wonder if there is such thing as a normal, friendly, not-eating-your-brain kind of Zombie. I wonder what kind of book that would make? Off topic right! What about all rolled together? Did you answer yes to any of the above? If so this is a giveaway for you. Alright so a friend of mine is having a giveaway for an awesome Pride and Prejudice and Zombies 2011 Calendar over at her blog Lady Readers Stuff check it out and enter dudes! What could it hurt. She's a sweetheart, and would love for everyone to enter. Who wouldn't want this creeptastic looking calendar? It's a must for lovers of all scarey things. You can totally use it for writing the dates your favorite books come out, or for when your favorite authors might be visiting your surrounding area. It has many purposes. So go on and enter..now...now. Here's the link just in case you missed it. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies Calendar 2011.

Now that I have completely bored you with my Saturday off and all of my picture taking abilities. How was your Saturday? Did you have an eventful one? I know I'll have an eventful Sunday as well. I'm suppose to go to the Zoo with the nieces and brother and sis in law.

Happy Reading and Blogging
Ashley

Some Signs of Book Addiction

Some signs of Book Addiction

I definitely have a problem.... do you? If you find yourself nodding your head to any of these statements, you might suffer from Book Addiction. Don't worry you are not alone.

I got the first ten of these from Kristi @ The Story Siren, and thought they were cute.(Also the adorable picture on the  right side) So I went searching for more, and here is what I came up with.

You know you a book addict when..

1. You buy your purses based on how many books you can fit inside. 
2. The Fed Ex and UPS carriers, know you by name. 
3. Your family refuses to buy you books because they don't want to support your habit. 
4. You own multiple versions of the same book. 
5. You dream about books. (Getting them... meeting the authors that write them.) 
6. You always have at least one book on you at all times. Even if it's just a quick trip to the dollar store. 
7. You usually help shoppers at the bookstore, because you are more knowledgeable than the staff. 
8. You've been known to skip family functions or outings with friends because you can't stop reading.
9. There are books in every room of your house. 
10. If you are within five miles of a bookstore, you find yourself drawn to it like a homing device from the mothership. 
11. You trip over books walking into the living room because books are piled into every available corner!
12. You have to clear space off of the couch just to have a place to sit down and read.
13. You carry a book with you where ever you go and sometimes forget it can look strange.
14. You own over 1500 books, have 800 in your TBR pile and STILL keep checking out books from the library!
15. You resort to "storing" books everywhere: kitchen cabinets, in the freezer (it doesn't work anyway,) under the bed, etc.
16. You hide your new purchases from your spouse/family, so you don't have to hear the words, "You bought another book?!"
17. You buy so many books that you mistakenly buy the same book twice and have no idea until you put it in your bookshelf, right beside its duplicate lol.
18. Your husband encourages you to do more giveaways on your blog after he trips over one of the many random piles of books around the house.
19. You rather buy books instead of underwear, and the present underwear you are wearing has all holes in them.
20. The following quote isn't so much a joke as a way of life: "When I get a little money I buy books; and if any is left I buy food and clothes" - Erasmus
21. You sign up for double day books in your name and it feels so good when your books come in you sign up in your husbands name and then yet again in your mothers name.
22. You have book lines on your face morning after morning instead of sheet marks!
23. You get a job at Barnes and Noble just so you can get the employee discount.
24. The number of books you own is greater than the mileage on your car.
25. You name your children and or pets, after characters in your favorite books (I didn't do this, but I know people who have)
26. The first place you go to in the store is the book section just to see if something new has come out in the 48 hours since you were last there.
27. You delay going to the bathroom to finish "one more page!"
28. You forget about the bathroom completely. :P
29. Part of your monthly budget is allocated for books.
30. You successfully get your daily reading in while waiting for the Internet pages to download.
31. You can't weed out any books from your huge collection because you "just might" want to read them one day.
32. You keep a spreadsheet listing the books you've read, the books you want to read, the stats on books read each month and each year.
33. Anytime someone asks you what you want for your birthday, christmas, groundhog day, etc they MUST specify "besides a book"
34. You own the hardcover, you've read it, but you buy the paperback anyway because, "the cover is really pretty!"
35. You already have the book, but it has different covers so you buy the book if  you see a cover you don't have.
36. You read when stopped at a red light. (Sometimes not a smart idea)
37. You call work and tell them your running late, but will be there soon...When in reality your almost done with your book and can't leave the house until you finish it
38. You walk out of a bookshop with bagfuls of books, but still feel guilty about all the poor books you left behind on the shelves (lonely, ignored and only wanting a loving home).
39. Out of nowhere, you become a blogger of book reviews and become completely addicted to it. (don't you think it's a healthy addiction? reading, writing... that's a good thing... right?)
40. People who "dog ear" pages instead of using bookmarks are your mortal enemy.

Can I make it to 100?

The italicized ones are true to me. :)

Have you seen any you'd like to add, or perhaps have some of your own? Let me hear them.

HPB kind of day

Well as you know, I have a bad, BAD addiction to Half Price Books. (It something I cant help) I went there Friday with my sister in law, brother an their kids. (My brother and the kids stayed in the car. Even though I told them I would take along time) Needless to say I spent probably around 60 dollars. Hey, in my defense though I bought Gilmore Girls season 6 which was 25 dollars. :) Anyways, I got some books (of course), and those are show cased in the In my mailbox post. Then I was going to go last night to the other one, but didn't feel like driving at night so I waited until today and made my mom drive. :) I just can't say no to buying tons of books when I go. (I guess it's a good thing I have coupons) I mean I find a book that's on my good reads list , and I'm like I have to get it because I might not be able to get it again for that price. I've had a few instances when I didn't buy a book and regretted it like Wonderous Strange by Lesley Livingston I saw it a few months back, and didn't get it like I should have, and haven't found it again. (I know I can go online and buy it but to me that's no fun) I learned my lesson from that now I usually just get the books. Today I spent close to 80 dollars, but I got 11 books that are on my GR list, and Dead like me Season 2. (If you haven't seen this show it's hilarious) I was definitely a happy camper, broke a little, but happy all the way.

Just for a little fun bit I took a few pictures of the Ya section at the store, and I found some of the American Girl books. (there will be a post sometime in the future about those) Then of course I couldn't resist taking pictures of my moms cat laying by my books. :)

I caught him asleep.

Then I woke him up. I love how he's sitting.

LOL I'm not sure Edward is liking the camera now

CLOSEUP!!!

One little section. I just snapped the pictures.

The American Girls books I found. (Too bad I already had to many books)

Another little corner

That is all for now.
I promise to get some reviews up soon. I know I'm kind of slacking. :( Sorry.

Ashley