Photo Credit: Goodreads
This galley was requested through Netgalley in exchange for fair and honest opinion.
Inherit the Word
It’s time for Grill Fest and the contestants are getting restless. Natalie and Lola are sparring back and forth- first over a chef, then over who will win the Grill Fest. Tempers are running high and the competition is fierce…… and deadly. When Natalie is found in the alley, all the people at Grill Fest wonder who killed her.
Well folks.. it’s that time! It’s time to run to those blogs, works those fingers to the bones to make your blog the best bloggy-blog version it can be- to get tips and advice! Bloggiesta is fun and a great way to meet other bloggers while you are working hard on the blog! For a more technical definition of what Bloggiesta is, read that article (I’ll wait and sip on a margarita while you do that- because Bloggiesta and Margarita go together like PB&J!)
Oh wow! It’s that time of year! BLOGGIESTA!!!!!
Since I have been working on the blog some lately, I’m unsure about all that I hope to accomplish- but…. I have a few things I want to do.
1. Post a Review Archive.
2. Update that darn Goodreads page
3. Work on my Pinterest page
4. Schedule at least 5 posts.
5. Work on my Facebook Blog Page
What will you be working on during Bloggiesta?
Happy Reading & have fun Bloggiesta-ing!
T @ Traveling With T
Photo Credit: Harlequin Books
This book was sent to Traveling With T in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Four Friends by Robyn Carr
Gerri- she has her life together. 3 kids, adoring husband, Gerri has a job that fulfills her- she thinks life is pretty good. Until, the day she finds out about a secret that will shake her to the core- and cause her to look at her marriage without the rose-colored glasses.
Sonja- she believes in purification, that life is just better if you eat right, exercise, and feng-shui your life. When Sonja’s husband leaves her because he’s tired of living the New Age lifestyle with her (he wants to eat red meat and have a alcoholic drink), Sonja loses her faith in the things that have defined her life for the last several years.
A few weeks ago, Notting Hill Press contacted Traveling With T about the chance to do a book spotlight on THE EXPAT DIARIES: SINGLE IN THE CITY by Michele Gorman. This book was previously released in the UK where it had great success- and now they are launching SINGLE IN THE CITY for good ole USA! Read on for book covers, blurbs, and more about the book- and be sure and check it out- especially, the chick lit fans!
Book Spotlight Blurb
The “To Be Read List”…. Does it ever decrease? No, not really. It seems to grow exponentially at my house. But Traveling With T is not going to make life any easier- I’ve got 3 more books for you, the readers of Traveling With T, to add to the TBR list!
What Nora Knew by Linda Yellin
Photo Credit: Goodreads
Molly Hallberg is a thirty-nine-year-old divorced writer living in New York City who wants her own column, a Wikipedia entry, and to never end up in her family’s Long Island upholstery business. For the past four years Molly’s been on staff for an online magazine, covering all the wacky assignments. She’s snuck vibrators through security scanners, speed-dated undercover, danced with the Rockettes, and posed nude for a Soho art studio.
Fearless in everything except love, Molly is now dating a forty-four-yearold chiropractor. He’s comfortable, but safe. When Molly is assigned to write a piece about New York City romance “in the style of Nora Ephron,” she flunks out big-time. She can’t recognize romance. And she can’t recognize the one man who can go one-on-one with her, the one man who gets her. But with wit, charm, whip-smart humor, and Nora Ephron’s romantic comedies, Molly learns to open her heart and suppress her cynicism in this bright, achingly funny novel.
Traveling With T’s Thoughts:
I was so excited about this book. I loved the cover, loved the plot. Heck, it even made Futuristic Friday! Continue reading
Photo Credit: Goodreads
The Van Ripper women have been the talk of Tarrytown, New York, for centuries. Some say they’re angels; some say they’re crooks. In their tumbledown “Stitchery,” not far from the stomping grounds of the legendary Headless Horseman, the Van Ripper sisters—Aubrey, Bitty, and Meggie—are said to knit people’s most ardent wishes into beautiful scarves and mittens, granting them health, success, or even a blossoming romance. But for the magic to work, sacrifices must be made—and no one knows that better than the Van Rippers.
When the Stitchery matriarch, Mariah, dies, she leaves the yarn shop to her three nieces. Aubrey, shy and reliable, has dedicated her life to weaving spells for the community, though her sisters have long stayed away. Bitty, pragmatic and persistent, has always been skeptical of magic and wants her children to have a normal, nonmagical life. Meggie, restless and free-spirited, follows her own set of rules. Now, after Mariah’s death forces a reunion, the sisters must reassess the state of their lives even as they decide the fate of the Stitchery. But their relationships with one another—and their beliefs in magic—are put to the test. Will the threads hold?
Traveling With T’s Thoughts:
Magical realism… Some of it works, some of it doesn’t. The summary, the cover- oh this book had such promise for me. I wanted to love this book, I wanted to devour the pages. Maybe, I set my expectations too high because of the summary and the cover; but I was very lukewarm-ish about this book.
The writing, there is nothing wrong with the writing. But, the plot just took longer to get to a point than I cared for.
If you are looking for a light read, a read with magical realism- then this book is for you!
*This book was requested through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.
Happy Reading and Bookishly Yours,
T @ Traveling With T
Photo Credit: Goodreads
So, you know at Traveling With T, books are a big focus. Like HUGE focus. I love books. I devour books. Books, books, books.
I was in college when I read THE DIVINE SECRETS OF THE YA-YA SISTERHOOD for the first time. Specifically, it was in the few weeks prior to the movie being released. Since the movie had Sandra Bullock in it, I was def going to watch it (naturally!) But upon seeing the book in my local Wal-Mart, on a whim, I picked it up. And while then I did not know what I was reading was Southern Lit, it started a lifetime of me looking for good books- with characters that were heartfelt and moving, incredibly layered and beyond interesting. Continue reading
So yesterday, I had Elizabeth Maxwell at the bloggy-blog chit-chatting about Sadie, the cover of HAPPILY EVER AFTER, and much more. Today, though, we’re going to be all relaxed (think fluffy bunny slippers relaxed) chatting about Elizabeth’s #literaryconfessions, fav books, and other things! Continue reading
Another week of AWESOME! Crystal in Bookland is a person that I met through Meredith @ Pandora’s Books (actually Crystal started following me- and I began checking her blog out!)
Crystal’s blog has a good mix of reviews and giveaways (and ya’ll know how I LOVE when blogs have giveaways!)
Bloggers Made of AWESOME: Crystal in Bookland
Crystal- when did you begin blogging?
August 4, 2013
How did you come up with the name Crystal in Bookland? Is it a play on words like Alice in Wonderland?
It is definitely a play on words like Alice in Wonderland! That is my all-time favorite book, one of the very first that got me started reading.
What are your thoughts on blogging today in an ever-changing book-ish world? Are blogs helping other readers connect with good books?
I believe so. Most of the books I add on my TBR are definitely recommended from other bloggers, whether it be something they posted about on their blog, twitter, facebook, or goodreads.
When you are not blogging (or reading!)- what do you like to do?
Mainly I’m spending time with my family and doing whatever my kids are demanding me to do….which I totally love!
Do you have any #literaryconfessions?
Ahhh I haven’t read Divergent trilogy yet.
Honestly I haven’t read a TON of old classics either. For some reason my school never made us read things like that. I haven’t read anything most people had to in high school. So when people reference them…I’m in the dark. I keep saying one day I will read them….but you know how that goes.
Do you have a #literarycrush?
ADRIAN IVASHKOV <3333 He is my numero uno book hubby for life! Yes, while everyone is claiming their book boyfriends I got serious and snagged him up for the long haul…HA! 😉
What books are you looking forward to reading in 2014?
OH MY!! I REALLY don’t think you want that list SO let me just name a FEW. I’m a HUGE Richelle Mead fan so I’m definitely looking forward to Silver Shadows (Bloodlines #5), The Immortal Crown (Age of X #2), Nil by Lynne Matson, The Murder Complex by Lindsay Cummings, Art of Lainey by Paula Stokes, & Unhinged by A.G. Howard to name a FEW!
What is a book (or 2!) that you’ve read and LOVED- but did not get positive reviews?
Oh this is a tough question….I can’t really think of any I loved that the majority of people didn’t like it. BUT I’m currently in the middle of The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey and noticed that it seems to be a toss-up between if people love or hate it…so far I’m on the loving side. Also The Host by Stephanie Meyer seemed to be a tough one for a lot of people but I loved it.
In your opinion, what book was the best book you read in 2013?
OH GOSH! I don’t even know how to begin to choose….you can’t make me choose Tamara!!! How about this….I will give you my favorite debut author read of the year….The Prophecy by Erin Albert. It is a high fantasy, fans of Game of Thrones and Falling Kingdom series will love it.
You have a beach vacation planned. What are the 3 books that you must bring?
The Golden Lily by Richele Mead, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and Crash Into You by Katie McGarry, got a little bit of mixed genres to keep me happy 🙂
Are you an e-book or tree book lover? Or does it not matter?
Definitely tree book lover! I’m pretty bad about buying both print and eBook BUT I will choose a print, hands down, every time. I just LOVE the convenience of an eBook when going somewhere.
How do you find other blogs to read? Recommendations of other bloggers?
Mainly from Twitter. I will talk to people on there then follow their blogs. I have followed several from recommendations from other bloggers also.
Crystal, what are your favorite types of books to read?
Young Adult definitely, more specific….I’ve been one a big contemp and fantasy kick lately, but I’m really not picky and if you tell me to read something 9 times out of 10 I will 🙂
What is the best thing about the book- the cover, the first line or the last line?
The cover, I’m a complete cover snob and I have no shame!
What is a book that you’ve wanted to read, but just haven’t found the time?
There are SO many, off the top of my head because it’s staring at me right now…Shadow and Bone.
In your Twitter bio, you mention you are a contributor to Fresh Fiction. What, exactly, do you write for Fresh Fiction? Reviews of books?
Yes I am a reviewer for them. Shortly after I started my blog I also filled out a form with Fresh Fiction to become a reviewer for them. It’s sometimes hard balancing between reading books for them and the blog but I enjoy it.
Traveling With T 