5th Annual Secret Santa Sign-Ups

Hello everyone!!! We are planning a Secret Santa exchange again --broke and bookish style. We did it for the past four years and it was a TON of fun, we've had SO many participants and we got great feedback from everyone! We want this to be a low key and fun Secret Santa that doesn't put too much of a damper on your wallet.

Please only sign up if you are truly interested and are committed to sending off a package. We have only had a few problems in the past 4 years but I'd like to not have to spend my time chasing people down -- seriously.  It's a bummer for the person who doesn't get a package and a bummer for me to have to hunt you down for months after.

Things You Need To Do

1. Send an email BEFORE November 14th (meaning 11:59pm EST on the 13th though if they slip in the wee hours of the morning while I'm sleeping I'm okay) to TBTBSecretSanta (at) gmail (dot) com with the answers to the following questions:

1. Full Name & Address
2. Blog URL  (also any other social media accounts you might want to share to help your secret Santa out)
3. Would you be able to send internationally if needed? Please answer with Yes, No or Would prefer not to but will if needed (if you are outside of US and Canada just know I can't guarantee that you will get somewhere even remotely close to you. I try to work it geographically for you but it all depends where people are from).
4.  Which closely resembles what kind of package you are wanting to send out (I'm trying to pair similar expectations together this year):
   a) 1 book and a small gift/candy
   b) 1-2 books and some goodies
   c) 2-3 books and goodies
5. List 10 books you'd like to read or a link to a wishlist (please mix it up with older and new releases -- aka maybe things that aren't just available in hardcover right now). DO NOT ASK FOR ARCS please. If your SS wants to throw some in there because they saw it on your Goodreads or something that's fine but once we had someone ask for mostly ARCs.
6. List of your bookish preferences (a few fave authors, your fave genres, things you WILL NOT READ, does not prefer used books, if you are okay with them not getting you something on your wishlist if they think you will like it etc.)
7. Please give a few things you like/about yourself (to help with your goodie). See below for examples in the guidelines.
8. Any questions, comments or additional things your Secret Santa should know.

2. When you receive your Secret Santa, go play Santa and buy your prezzies. Send it out no later than December 15th. The earlier the better as the mail is always slow during the holiday season.

3. After you send off your package, please email TBTBSecretSanta (at) gmail (dot) com letting us know you sent it off WITH DELIVERY CONFIRMATION (changing it this year, sorry!). Email us again when you receive your package. (Unless there are questions, I will not be responding to these emails due to time but will filing them away). If you have not received your package by January 1st please then email us and I will attempt to contact your Secret Santa. Please understand I will try my damndest to work it out but there is only so much I can do in the event someone decides to be naughty. Karma is a biotch though..maybe they'll get their toes run over by Santa's sleigh.

4. FOR EXTRA FUN: Thanks to Estelle from Rather Be Reading for this idea last year which was SOOOO fun! We are going to use the hashtag #TBTBSanta on Twitter & Instagram for this event! We'd love to hear and see through pictures and tweets your entire process -- maybe a sneak peek of your Secret Santa skills in action (a picture of something you are sending, the wrapped picture, the box) and we'd LOVE to see your goodies as you get them!

Some guidelines:

* Books can be new or used. Use your discretion as far as used books go but please be kind and don't send something you wouldn't want to receive. They should be in VERY good condition -- like you can't even tell if it was read. Please pick at least one other goody to put in the package.

                           So a typical package looks something like this:

  1 or 2 books + some sort of little goodie or two (candy, bookmarks, something bookish) & a card or note.

* Suggestions for things to add that could be helpful to tell your Secret Santa for the little gift: things like music you love, if you celebrate Christmas, hobbies you have, things you will not eat/are allergic to, Harry Potter/Star Wars/etc. fan, things you collect, favorite, would love something native to where your Secret Santa lives, tea fanatic, loves stationary, loves chocolate, etc. etc. Also maybe if you have an e-reader and would be willing to get ebooks or a gift card. That way maybe they can find something related. Just really anything relevant to your interests that could help them.

*We would love to again have this be open internationally and will make an effort to pair up people from the same countries to keep costs down. However, if anyone would like to do an international exchange, you can let us know. It was hard on some people who had to send internationally but using The Book Depository could be a good option. If you are from outside the US, be aware that you might have to send internationally due to the fact that there are significantly more US participants and we may not be able to pair you up with someone closer.



* Feel free to grab the button to put on your sidebar or make your own!

Please ask any questions in the comments!!

Also, be sure to keep an eye out for my 5th annual End of Year Book Survey. Check out the 4th annual End of Year Book Survey to see all the fun we had!

Daisy Asks for Your Recommendations!

So I just got back from Rome yesterday and it was AMAZING! It's such a beautiful city! And it's a sad day when you realise that all the lovely photos you took are on the boyfriend's phone... Well, the one you see at the top of this post was on mine, so that's what I'm sharing.

I LOVE Greek and Roman mythology and anything about the Roman empire and it was just surreal to be walking around the city, visiting what's left of this civilization (seriously, there are gorgeous buildings, statues and fountains EVERYWHERE) and taking it all in. And also eating lots of yummy food.

But, you ask yourself, why is she mentioning this on a BOOK blog? I'm getting to it, I promise.

In the past I've loved stories about ancient Rome, Gladiator is one of my favourite movies (though as I've now learned, the events in Gladiator are not entirely historically correct), but I'm a little short on novels set in Rome. Which is why I'm asking for your recommendations. And I know you're all awesome at giving those, cause I'm still making my way through the AMAZING ones I got when I asked for fantasy recs!
Give me anything set in Rome, I don't care if it's contemporary or historical fiction, I have separation issues when it comes to this city and need to have a list so I can have a fix every now and then.

So far I have:
-The Empress of Rome series by Kate Quinn (Mistress of Rome, Daughters of Rome, Empress of Rome)
-Wish You Were Italian by Kristin Rae

Which is obviously not even close to enough. So please give me lots to work with! Movie recs are welcome as well!

Top Ten Books & Movies To Get Into The Halloween Spirit

For future Top Ten Tuesday topics & info on how to participate, click here!

Tahleen's Picks:

1. Hocus Pocus. No question, this is the one movie I will make sure I watch every. single. October. Sometimes September if I'm anxious. The past few years I've made it a tradition to watch it with one of my best friends from high school, and this year will be no different! I'm also planning on watching this with my tween patrons at the library.

2. The Diviners by Libba Bray. Definitely the creepiest book I've read in a long time, this is perfect for October reading. Ghosts, special powers, serial killers, what more do you want from your fright-time book of choice? (P.S., the audiobook is well-done too.)

3. Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake. Another gruesome teen ghost tale. Not for the faint of heart, or those who don't like thinking about ghosts killing people. This one is a little different, though, because the ghost in question is not necessarily all bad and has a history our main character, Cas, does his best to uncover.

Jana's Picks:

(I'm not really the hugest fan of Halloween, but I love reading Gothic novels or creepy mysteries. I don't do horror because I'm a chicken.)

4. The Caged Graves by Dianne K. Salerni - This book is an historic tale of some caged graves in Catawissa, Pennsylvania, and why they are caged. Maybe witchcraft, perhaps? There's some paranormal feelings and the setting is so creepy. It's definitely a good mood read, but it won't give you nightmares! (My review)

5. Don't Look Back by Jennifer L. Armentrout - It's a mystery, and it's a GOOD one. And it's creepy.

6. Ten by Gretchen McNeil - This is a YA retelling(ish) of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None. A group of friends has a house party on a creepy island, and then a storm sets in that cuts them off from the outside world. They discovery a creepy DVD with a message: Vengeance is mine... and then people start dying. It's CREEPY.

Jamie's Picks:

7. Scream -- Okay I know people might consider this movie corny but it's a classic slasher flick and I LOVE IT and always watch it (and Hocus Pocus) around Halloween. I can't help it. I also loved I Know What You Did Last Summer as a teen!

8. Miss Peregrine's House For Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs: Okay I totally thought this was going to be scary based on the cover but NO it is not. It was SO good though and so amazingly written and I HIGHLY recommend it. It has the perfect tone for Halloween!

9. The Body Finder series by Kimberly Derting: This series is great! It's about a girl who can hear the echos of the murdered and so she helps solve cases! It's not super scary either! Just mysterious and a bit twisty!

10. The Exorcism of Emily Rose: THIS MOVIE. Back in the day I used to watch a lot of scary films and let me just tell you that one of the only movies that has really, really scared me is this one. I couldn't handle it! The first Paranormal Activity kind of also scared the bejeezus out of me too.

What books or movies would you recommend to us to get in the Halloween spirit??

A Giveaway Fantasy Fans Are Going To LOVE!

Happy Friday, y'all! We have an exciting giveaway to be able to offer you! I wish I could enter because some of our very own TB&TB bloggers love this author and I've been hearing A LOT of good things about this series and her Seven Realms series! If you are a fantasy fan, you are going to want this!

What can you win?

In honor of the conclusion to the Heir Chronicles series being released this week (The Sorcerer Heir), one lucky winner will receive the ENTIRE Heir Chronicles series by Cinda Williams Chima.

How To Enter:

Prizing & samples courtesy of Disney Hyperion

Giveaway open to US addresses only.
You must be 13 years of age or older to enter.

Giveaway ends October 31 at 11:59 EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ABOUT THE HEIR CHRONICLES

The Heir Chronicles series will keep readers glued to their seats through riveting fight scenes, deadly political machinations, burgeoning romance, and the unfolding intrigues of a contemporary magical world.

Series order:

The Warrior Heir
The Wizard Heir
The Dragon Heir
The Enchanter Heir
The Sorcerer Heir

Praise for the series:

"Chima offers a pitch-perfect blend of high fantasy and small-town reality..." –The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review)

"Chima uses her pen like a wand and crafts a wonderfully rich web of magic, while thankfully leaving some dangling threads for subsequent tales." –VOYA (starred review)

"A smoldering story soaked in tears, sweat and blood, constantly threatening to blaze into an inferno. Spellbinding." –Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Cinda Williams Chima is the New York Times bestselling author of The Warrior Heir, The Wizard Heir, The Dragon Heir, The Enchanter Heir, and the four books of the Seven Realms series: The Demon King, The Exiled Queen, The Gray Wolf Throne, and The Crimson Crown. Cinda is a graduate of The University of Akron and Case Western Reserve University. She lives in Ohio with her family.

Visit Cinda Williams Chima’s Official Site

Follow Cinda Williams Chima on Twitter

Follow Disney-Hyperion on Twitter and Instagram

Top Ten New Series Daisy Wants To Start

For future Top Ten Tuesday topics & info on how to participate, click here!

OMG, where to start with this topic?? I actually have a whole shelve on Goodreads dedicated to all the new series that I want to start and it has WAY more than 10 series on it...

1. The Winner's Curse (Winner's Trilogy) by Marie Rutkoski: I've heard REALLY great things about this book and should definitely get started on the first book soon!

2. Also Known As (Also Known As) by Robin Benway: This just sounds like a super fun series and I need a little light reading every now and then.

3. Falling Kingdoms (Falling Kingdoms) by Morgan Rhodes: treacherous betrayals and secret alliances sound like my kind of thing always. Also: the cover is so pretty!

4. Venom (Secrets of the Eternal Rose) by Fiona Paul: it's about Renaissance Venice!! Also, Fiona Paul is awesome, I loved The Art of Lainey she wrote under the penname Paula Stokes.

5. Grave Mercy (His Fair Assassin) by Robin LaFevers: ASSASSIN NUNS!!! Also, my friend Mel raves about this series, soooo....

6. The Lost Hero (The Heroes of Olympus) by Rick Riordan: I still can't believe I haven't started this series yet. The only good thing about it is that by the time this TTT goes live, the last book will be released and I can just BINGE my way through it. Hopefully.

7. The Warrior Heir (Heir Chronicles) by Cinda Williams Chima: I LOVED her Seven Realms series and I need more of Cinda Williams Chima's writing in my life.

8. The Lies of Locke Lamora (Gentleman Bastard) by Scott Lynch: I love a good fantasy and I've heard AMAZING things about this series, so I need in on the action.

9. Outlander (Outlander) by Diana Gabaldon: I love historical fiction and this sounds SO good! And also, I want to read the book before I can watch the TV series and I keep hearing all these things about Jamie being total eyecandy, so I need to read this obviously so I can go on to ogle him.

10. Sabriel (Abhorsen) by Garth Nix: I really want to expand my knowledge of fantasy novels beyond what has been released over the last 5 years, and I've heard this series is basically a must read.

Lori Reviews Make Your Own Rules Diet

Title:  Make Your Own Rules Diet

Author:  Tara Stiles

Publication Information:  November 11th 2014 by Hay House, Inc.

How I Got a Copy of This Book:  I was sent an abridged ebook version for review purposes...but I am totally preordering a copy!



Goodreads Synopsis:  In Make Your Own Rules Diet, Tara Stiles introduces readers to easy and fun ways to bring yoga, meditation, and healthy food into their lives.  As the designer and face of Reebok’s first yoga lifestyle line, author of Yoga Cures and Slim, Calm, Sexy Yoga, and the founder of Strala—the movement-based system that ignites freedom, known for its laid-back and unpretentious vibe—Tara has long been a proponent of creating a tension-free healthy life by tapping into the unique needs of her clients.  In this new book, she teaches readers how to apply this inward-looking philosophy to themselves.  When people understand what they need for true well-being, they can make their own rules—rules that will help them become their best selves.  In her rulebook, it’s no pain, much gain.  In fact, Tara stresses the importance of practicing with ease—leaving the discomfort and tension behind—because what you practice is what you manifest.  Readers will not only learn to create their own rules but also to understand when something isn’t working anymore, so they can update their rules as circumstances change.  Her approach takes readers from the kitchen, to the mat, to the cushion, in an effort to help them get to know themselves.  After leading them through some basic guidelines about how to write their rulebooks, Tara lays out tips, techniques, and practices, including:        

• A step-by-step goal setting process so readers can figure out where they want to focus
• Six yoga routines specifically designed to up energy levels, curb cravings, drop pounds, and enhance peace
• Eight breathing and meditation practices to soothe the soul
• 50 simple, delicious, plant-based recipes that can be made in minutes
• A 7-day kick-start program and a 30-day transformation plan to launch readers on their healthy, happy, radiant path

So join Tara today as she opens readers’ eyes to a new way of living well that anyone can do—no matter where they are now.


My Thoughts:  I have been excited about this book since I first saw it announced earlier this spring or summer.  I own a copy of Stiles's other book Slims, Calm, Sexy Yoga and really like its laid-back approach to yoga.  From what I can tell, this approach carries over not only to the yoga routines in this book, but also the meditation techniques and the recipes she provides as well.

I love that Stiles encourages readers to be true to themselves, constantly reminding them that what works for one person doesn't necessarily work for another.  We are all different.  The only way to be successful at life and weightloss is to be true to yourself or you will wind up doing more harm than good.  She encourages a self-loving approach that cuts out all of the guilt and stress that come with many other diet plans.  Actually, this isn't even really a diet plan, though she does provide a couple of templates at the end of the book to show you how to make it into a plan.

The book has three main components that Stiles believes are necessary to create a healthier person, who will lose weight as a result of these lifestyle changes--yoga, meditation, and healthy food.

So, the yoga.  Stiles includes several shorter routines to incorporate into your day.  I like that there are shorter routines.  For me this is doable.  My job requires me to be at work at 6am three days a week, so I don't have a huge amount of time before going in, but I could totally squeeze in ten minutes first thing to get my day going right.  When I come home from work I am totally ready to collapse, but I could easily squeeze in an afternoon routine.  Then before bed, I can do the Easygoing Winding Down the Evening Flow routine before collapsing into bed.  On my days off or when I go into work later, I can easily do loner routines.  Stiles provides a thorough explanation and picture of each pose in the routine so you know what you need to do and how you should breathe in or transition into the pose.  This makes the yoga accessible to beginners.

The meditation...I have never done much meditation.  So I am really excited about learning more about it with the full book.  The plans Stiles creates for readers have both a morning and an evening meditation.  The explanations that I saw encouraged readers to be comfortable.  Maybe you sit on the floor.  But maybe you'd rather sit in a cushy chair.  It's up to you.  I love that.  Comfort is key otherwise you totally won't want to do it.

As for the food, I am really excited to try many of the recipes.  Stiles encourages a plant-based diet, which is totally not me.  Plus, based on my living situation, it's not realistic for me to follow the eating plan she proposes at the end of the book.  But I can definitely make some of these recipes regularly.  Just for me at lunch or for me and my dad at supper (my mom is way too picky of an eater to try any of these).

I am really excited to try out the ideas introduced in this book and to adapt them to what works for my life.  And I would highly recommend checking out the book when it is published.

In the meantime, you can go to this website for more information, including a book trailer and information about a giveaway.

Namaste.

A View from Page Thirty: Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys

The Great Reading Slump of 2014 continues on into October for me, so I’d say that means I should take another stab at The Slumplist. This View from Page Thirty* features a selection recommended by two commenters: Rockyriverteenlibrarian and Incredibraian (I am sensing a theme here). Incredibrarian’s recommendation said, “I haven't had a truly GOOD read since Out of the Easy.” With words like that I say no? Also, Jen reviewed this back in July of 2013 if you want to check out a full review.

The Book: Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys
Release Date: February 2013
Publisher: Philomel Books
Genres: Historical Fiction, YA

Series: Surprisingly, it’s a standalone!!

Summary:

It’s 1950, and as the French Quarter of New Orleans simmers with secrets, seventeen-year-old Josie Moraine is silently stirring a pot of her own. Known among locals as the daughter of a brothel prostitute, Josie wants more out of life than the Big Easy has to offer. 
She devises a plan get out, but a mysterious death in the Quarter leaves Josie tangled in an investigation that will challenge her allegiance to her mother, her conscience, and Willie Woodley, the brusque madam on Conti Street. Josie is caught between the dream of an elite college and a clandestine underworld. New Orleans lures her in her quest for truth, dangling temptation at every turn, and escalating to the ultimate test.
With characters as captivating as those in her internationally bestselling novel Between Shades of Gray, Ruta Sepetys skillfully creates a rich story of secrets, lies, and the haunting reminder that decisions can shape our destiny.

The View From Page Thirty:

First thought after reading the summary? Hell yeah! New Orleans! A setting I can vividly picture since I was there recently and the French Quarter has such an old world feel that I doubt much has changed since the 1950s aesthetic wise.

And I just got the title. It’s late, whatever. I mean, they even call it The Big Easy in the summary. Wow. Anyway, this book starts off with a powerful first paragraph. 

“My mother’s a prostitute. Not the filthy, streetwalking kind. She’s actually quite pretty, fairly well spoken, and has lovely clothes. But she sleeps with men for money or gifts, and according to the dictionary, that makes her a prostitute.”

Nice. I like this. I like knowing where she is coming from. The whole first chapter is a flashback to arriving in New Orleans in 1940 and how her mom got her prostitute job.  Josie isn’t a conventional kid in this chapter which make me believe that the bulk of this story we won’t be dealing with a conventional 17 year old.

The rest of the first five chapters are setting up the main plot and setting up Josie as an adult. She’s not had the easiest childhood and is trying to figure out how she wants to forge her future. One thing she does know is she wants out of the Easy (ha. See that? Now that I got the reference, I had to use it again. I wonder if this is a metaphor for her growing up and “out of the easiness” of childhood as well as the literal out of New Orleans thing. Probably. I like this title a lot if you haven’t noticed).

What I am Loving:

I am really liking the turns of phrases that just keep popping up. It is really easy to get lost in the words of this story. I am liking Josie so far. It’s easy to get attached to her. I don’t know much really about the other characters yet to make any sort of assessment on them.

What I am Unsure Of:

Damn it. I think this is a love triangle. We’ve already met the boy who has all the girls following him around but could never like me. Then there is the shop owner’s son who is that bff who probably has a secret crush on her but is like her brother or whatever. Sigh. I hope I am wrong about this one. I don’t think I am. I am so over this.

I hope that this book focuses more on her growth into adulthood and the amazing New Orleans 50s vibe that I am getting.

Final Verdict:

I am definitely continuing on with this one. The prose has some beautiful turns of phrases already and it’s easy to get lost in the story. Josie, our lead, is someone that is easy to get attached to and someone who you want to see succeed. I am holding judgment on our two male love interests, but other secondary characters have already leaped out of the pages of history and into my mind. The setting is so vivid and rich in my mind is it easy to picture every location. I haven’t read much set in New Orleans, and nothing set in a historic New Orleans, so I am looking forward to this quite a bit. Let’s hope that it lives up to what I am hoping is going to be an enjoyable ride back in time into the 50s French Quarter.

EDIT: This isn’t really an edit, since I haven’t posted this yet. But I wrote this entry after chapter 5, but I didn’t stop reading. Now I am on page 147. Remember when I was gushing over that beautiful turn of phrase? I just came across this gem and it made me laugh “God I need that coffee. I feel like a bag of smashed assholes” Ha!

EDIT 2: Again not really an edit since I haven't yet posted it. But I read this book through the night and finished at four in the morning. It was one of those stories that you just get sucked into and doesn't let you go. Sine I didn't have anything to do this morning, I figured, why not stay up and read? Anyway my fears were not realized. It was a love triangle but it wasn't a normal love triangle. I really liked how it was played. Also the story doesnt focus on her love triangle. The focus is on Josie and on Josie growing up. This was a great read and it really transported me into New Orleans. I would highly recommend this to anyone who likes historical fiction and wants to read something set in a time period you dont normally read much about. Great book! I'd give it 4.5 stars! Thanks for the recommendation guys!

*For those not familiar with a View from Page Thirty, basically it is me giving my thirty page first impression of a book. I have a personal rule that every book I start gets at least thirty pages. If I am not feeling it by then, time to move on. So I figured it would make a fun feature.