Lori Talks Non-Fiction November

Hi All.  I’m embarking on an experiment for the month of November.  Non-fiction November.  I saw it elsewhere and decided to adopt it.  Pretty self-explanatory—I’m just going to read non-fiction during the month.  It really kind of fits for me because I just don’t have a lot of reading time; so if I get into a novel, I read a bit then lose the story.

A few books on my list for the month—

1.     My Life on the Road by Gloria Steinem.  I’ve been reading this one on and off for a while, but I am finally going to finish.  She is super inspiring and really interesting.  It’s made me care a lot more than I have in a while.  This one is also really special because I got an autographed copy sent to me by a friend who organized an event with Steinem.  What a lovely lady!

2.     Memoirs of a Dutiful Daughter by Simone deBeauvoir.  A week ago, one of my good friends said that she thought she totally could have fit in during the grunge era.  My response was that I would totally fit in during the postwar French existentialism era.  Then I took a Facebook quiz about what literary era I would fit into.  It said French existentialism.  And we all know that Facebook personality quizzes are infallible.  So I decided to pick up this book by the Queen of French Existentialism.  Yay for two-day shipping.  I’ve already started and I am so beyond excited.  Now that I’m done with my big appellate brief and almost done with my mock bench trial, I can sit down and ignore school for a bit.  The intro said this one would make you think, make you feel, and make you want to read and write more.  I’m down.

3.     Talking as Fast as I Can by Lauren Graham.  OK, this doesn’t come out until the end of the month, but I think I can maybe manage to make a good dent in it by the end of the month.  I am excited to hear what Lauren Graham has to say about life and Gilmore Girls before and after.  She is such a smart and funny person.  I loved her novel that came out a few years ago, so I can’t wait to hear her thoughts on other things.  Also—perfect timing with the revival coming out on the 25^th.

I haven’t finished three books in one month since this summer (oh, the days of not having anything going on--how I miss them!).  So we’ll see what actually happens.  But it’s always fun to plan…

Ten Books To Read If Your Book Club Likes To Read Super Discussable YA

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For this week's topic, we chose ten books to read if your book club likes to read totally discussable YA novels. 

Jamie's Picks

1. All the Rage by Courtney Summers: All the Rage will get your blood boiling and touched on a lot of important issues — victim-shaming, slut-shaming, rape and rape culture, etc which are sure to get your book club talking. I couldn't put this one down. 

2. Firsts by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn: This is one of those books that people have strong feelings about. I personally really liked it. Firsts is definitely a honest and provocative book that will make you uncomfortable for sure but I loved the honest and open exploration of teen sexuality in it though I felt kind of conflicted about certain aspect

3. All the Bright Things by Jennifer Niven: I read this with my book club and we had SO much to talk about with this one. It was certainly a divisive one.

4. Tease by Amanda Maciel: Tease is told from the perspective of a girl who, along with her best friend and others, bullied another girl who ended up killing herself. It goes back and forth between what started the bullying/led to the suicide and then also is in the present where she’s fighting a case against her and the others for their responsibility in the girl’s death as well as trying to live life after this event. It's definitely a book where people are going to have opinions plus it's a good discussion starter re: bullying.


Bridget's Pick

5. Tiny Pretty Things


Lauren's Picks

Short preface for my picks today... I dug deep for these picks for this week's topic. These novels are truly near and dear to me. I normally don't wear my heart on my sleeve, but let's just say I wore a damn tank top today. Enjoy!

6. Never Fall Down by Patricia McCormick: This is a YA historical fiction novel based on a true story about a child of war. You've seen it on the news, maybe read a Facebook article or two, or have just seen a monochromatic photo of a young child holding an assault rifle. This novel pulls you into the world of an innocent child facing an impossible reality... one that involves humanity diving to one of it's lowest points... all starting with the taking of an individual's childhood.

7. The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson: This novel raises one of the simplest, yet amazingly complex issues that we all may trip upon in our future... or maybe our children's future. Ethics are called into question and we all feel like we know what the right answer is, but if our life were on the line... if our child's life were at stake... what would you do?

8. Belzhar by Meg Wolitzer: Ok, I'll be honest... this novel involves a classroom setting and while reading, every time I put the novel down, I felt like I had just left the philosophy night class that I took in college. I felt mentally exhausted, but exhilarated by how I had just viewed all of life. We all see ourselves in a certain light, but in that same light, others see us differently. This book reminded me of how I am just a speck in this world, but also how this speck is meaningful and has a purpose.

9. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak: This should be on the world's top five YA novels to read. And I can almost 100% guarantee every single person who has read this book would agree. It's not another historical fiction novel with a main character we can all relate to. It's not another novel some teacher added to your reading list and you have to drag ass to figure out what is symbolic and what is a metaphor. It truly reaches deep down, grabs your heart, finds what makes you well, you... then rips it out. At least, that's how I felt when I read it the first 3 times. And each time I discover another missed detail that would've made my heart beat a little faster before it's fateful death (no death pun intended).

10. Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson: This was an early read for me... as in I can't even remember how old I was when I read this novel for the first time. But I can remember how the main character felt and consequently how I felt. When the season changed to winter, I felt cold. When news of the sickness was getting closer, I felt scared. When death was knocking at the neighbor's door, I felt complete despair. This novel will raise the hairs on the back of your neck and make you yearn to have the power to save lives.

What book club picks are on your list?

7th Annual Broke and Bookish Secret Santa

Well hello! It's that time. Time for our annual Secret Santa (I know, I know..Halloween hasn't even happened yet). THE 7th ANNUAL BROKE AND BOOKISH SECRET SANTA OMG. Last year we had 400+ people sign up and let me tell youuuuu....I (Jamie) was feeling it for daaaaays after doing the pairings and emailing. No, literally I messed up my back/spine/butt/whatever could be messed up from sitting so long and it hurt for days. I was convinced I had a blood clot and my husband was slightly annoyed with my moaning in pain. BUT SECRET SANTA-Y CHEER IS WORTH IT GUYS.

So, I guess I'll just get to what you reaaaaally care about -- signups! But before we get started, two things:

1. Please only sign up if you are truly interested and are committed to sending off a package (on time). No seriously, stop and think before you sign up. Can you commit to this? Will you have time and money for it? We have only had a few problems each year (and some got resolved) 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. And guess what....you don't get to sit with us anymore. I keep track of that stuff and no Secret Santa cheer for you if you are Naughty Santa.


2. A word for people outside of the US/Canada who want to participate: 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 (and I work realllyy hard at it) but it all depends on who signs up and where they are from. That said we typically have a decent number of signups from England and Australia and a bunch in Europe. Last year, as a courtesy, I made a note on this post, that I updated daily, wherein I listed the countries of people who had signed up so you would know where you could potentially send to. So, just be aware, if you sign up and are outside of the US/Canada...I will try my best to pair you with someone close-ish for shipping...but no guarantees. Last year I had some people not realize how much shipping costs would be, so if you are unsure, do a quick check with the countries that I list to see how much it might be.

(Countries outside of US/Canada that people have signed up from so far (as of 10/31): England, Scotland, Germany, Czech Republic, Italy, Australia, Netherlands, Sri Lanka, China)

Things You Need To Do

1. Send an email to TBTBSecretSanta (at) gmail (dot) com answering the following questions BEFORE November 13th  with the answers to the following questions: 

*BEFORE November 13th means 11:59pm EST on the 12th though if they slip in the wee hours of the morning while I'm sleeping I'm okay but please don't yell at me when you are past the deadline any later when I'm pairing and I say no...I have extended it too many times in the past but with 400+ participants last year I have to shut it down sometime, sorry)

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. List 10-15 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 wishlist or something that's fine but once we had someone ask for mostly ARCs and not everyone has access to an ARC fairy. Also, make sure your Goodreads profile or Amazon wishlist is public at least for the time this runs.
4. Genres you read the most:
5. List of your bookish preferences (a few fave authors,  things you WILL NOT READ, does not prefer used books, prefer hardback or paperback, if you are okay with them not getting you something on your wishlist if they think you will like it etc.)
6. Please give a few things you like or things about yourself (to help with your goodie). See below for examples in the guidelines.
   * Suggestions for things to add that could be helpful to tell your Secret Santa for the little gift: general info about yourself, if you celebrate Christmas, hobbies you have, your passions, music you love, things you will not eat/are allergic to,  smells or flavors you do not like, shows you watch/favorite movies, things you collect, any fandoms you are part of, if would love something native to where your Secret Santa lives, coffee/tea you like, favorite colors, foods you love, your style/aesthetic, favorite animals, things you are obsessed with, etc. etc. Also maybe if you have an e-reader and would be willing to get ebooks or a gift card.  Just really anything relevant to your interests that could help them.
    
7. Would you be able to send internationally if needed? Please answer with:
   
   A. Yes, I would actually prefer to send and receive internationally
   B. No, I cannot.
   C. 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 on who signs up and where they are from. You can check in here where I will be updating this post to see which countries are represented if you are unsure. 
8.  Are you:
   a) Under 18
   b) Over 18
9. Have you participated in this Secret Santa before or is this your first time?
10.  Which closely resembles what kind of package you will be sending out (I will be pairing people with similar answers so please understand by choosing an answer I'm expecting that to be what you send out ):
    a) 1 book and a small gift/candy
    b) 1-2 books and a couple goodies
    c) 2+ books and goodies
11. Is there somebody that your Secret Santa could contact if they have a question for you? Please ask that person before you put their twitter handle or email address here. I get a LOT of emails to me trying to figure out specific things (ie: what's their favorite color? What GoT character is their fave? Do they have this Funko pop?) to make a great package for their Secret Santa so this might be a little less work for me to be the middleman going back and forth and asking the questions and supplying the answers.
12. Any questions, comments or additional things your Secret Santa should know?
    

2. When you receive your Secret Santa match: go play Santa and buy your prezzies -- please read the guidelines below. Send it out no later than December 15th. The earlier the better as the mail is always slow during the holiday season.  IF SOMETHING COMES UP PLEASE EMAIL ME. Communication is super for me.

3. After you send off your package, please email TBTBSecretSanta (at) gmail (dot) com letting us know you sent it off WITH DELIVERY CONFIRMATION/TRACKING (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: We are going to use the hashtag #TBTBSanta again 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 VERY IMPORTANT GUIDELINES AND SUGGESTIONS

1. 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.


2. When I say "goodies" I do not mean free swag or promotional items. If you want to add that kind of stuff in AFTER you also put in some thoughtful and kind goodies that you thought your person would love...I'm all about that! But when it says books + goodies...the goodies should not JUST be stuff anyone could have picked up at a convention or something.


3. Be thoughtful: 99% of the time the gifts are really sweet and thoughtful and what you would expect but occasionally someone just throws random crap in a box and ships it off to fulfill their end. Don't be that guy. Gifts should be wrapped and there should absolutely be some sort of note in it. Please do not ship directly from Amazon or elsewhere to them (unless you talk to me first...in the past there have been issues that I totally understand where this needed to be the case).

* If you aren't sure what kinds of things to add for goodies peruse the #TBTBsanta thread on Twitter or Instagram to see pictures of packages from last year. Lots of good ideas that will probably help you!

 * If you are from outside the US or Canada, be aware that you might have to send internationally due to the fact that there are significantly more US participants and I may not be able to pair you up with someone closer.


* Be sure to thank your Secret Santa when you receive your package via social media or reach out to me for their email!


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

Please ask any questions in the comments!!

Top Ten Tuesday -- Ten of Lauren's Fave Recently Read Horror Novels

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This week's topic is a Halloween related freebie: scary books, favorite horror novels, non-scary books to get you in the Halloween/fall mood, bookish halloween costumes, scariest book covers, scary books on my TBR, etc. 

My go to reading genres have changed a few times since my reading adventures began as a kid, but a couple of years ago I decided to dive into the horror genre and I've never looked back. Here are ten horror books I've recently read that I absolutely loved, in no particular order. Yes... there two books by the same author, but sometimes you just find an author you love and devour all of their books. And no... these are not my all time faves, because I honestly wouldn't be able to narrow it down to ten. Enjoy and check them out if you're ready for a challenge! For a few of these books, the boyfriend caught me reading with one eye open because HOLY SHIT I was scared, ok? Ok.

1 -- A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

2 -- The Troop by Nick Cutter

3 -- Within These Walls by Ania Ahlborn

4 -- A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay

5 -- The Ruins by Scott Smith

6 -- The Deep by Nick Cutter

7 -- Ink and Bone by Lisa Unger

8 -- Demonologist by Andrew Pyper

9 -- The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty

10 -- House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski

Now tell me... what are some of your fave horror novels that I need to add to my TBR list? 

Daisy Asks for Your Recommendations (Once Again)!

So this is gonna be me in a little while :) My bump's not big enough to actually balance something on right now, but we're slowly going to get there!

The boyfriend and I are slowly preparing for life with a baby that will actually NEED things (as in opposed to just me needing things at the moment) and while I have the whole pregnancy information thing down with all of the sites across the interweb and What To Expect When You're Expecting, which has a TON of knowledge, and also the things I know as a doctor, I'd like to be a little more knowledgeable about the stuff that comes after the baby makes his or her grand entrance.

And I wouldn't be the little bookworm that I am if I didn't want to read up on all things baby-related and parenting tip and tricks. I mean, obviously I've already made a deal with the baby that he or she will be a bundle of joy, filled with rainbows and fairy dust. But just in case he or she decides to go back on this agreement, I'd like to know everything I need to know.
SO hit me with your best suggestions! I have a chunk of time at my disposal before my due date early March. I've already got French Children Don't Throw Food by Pamela Druckerman, which looks awesome.

And also: what are the books you loved to read to your kids in the early days? I'm determined to read him or her lots of stories :)

Ten Characters We'd Name Our Children or Pets After

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October 18: Ten Characters I'd Name A Child/Dog/Cat/Car/Etc. After -- we did this topic back in 2011 and thought it might be fun to revisit it...feel free to spin it how you need!

5 Characters We'd Name A Child After

 Jamie's Picks:

1. Jonah: I would totally name a little boy Jonah after Jonah Griggs from Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta. My sporadic reminder to READ THIS BOOK!

2. Adelina: I really love this name and the character it came from -- Adelina from The Young Elites. She's SUCH a complicated character but I love her so much. I would probably change the name from Adelina to Adeline but I would definitely be inspired by Adelina.

3. Levi: I really love the name Levi and he was THE BEST in Rainbow Rowell's Fangirl.

4. Nehemia: I don't know that I would use this as a first name personally but Nehemia from the Throne of Glass series could definitely inspire a middle name for a future child. LOVE HER.

5. Molly: I have always loved the name Molly since the American Girls days but after reading Harry Potter (for the first time) at age 30 I fell in LOVE with Mrs. Weasley and I waxed poetic about her here. She is worthy of naming a child after.

5 Characters We'd Name A Pet After

Jamie's picks:

1. Finnikin: Well, I DID name my dog Finnikin (Finn for short) after a character from one of my all time favorite series (The Lumatere Chronicles by Melina Marchetta).

2. Betsy: In one of my favorite books (Lola & the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins) the family dog's name is Heavens to Betsy. I so would name a dog Betsy in honor of Heavens to Betsy.

Kimberly's pick

 3. Cordelia (Anne of Green Gables): I've already done this! Nearly gave my aunt a heart attack. I told her she had a new grand niece... 4 months after getting married. She was happy to learn that I wasn't pregnant, and even better, giving the name to a dog and not a human baby.

Julia's pick

4. I'd name my dog Remus or Sirius from Harry Potter. I just love them but I would never stick a child with that name. 

5. Arya: My friend's dog whom is like the closest I've actually had to a dog is named Arya after the character on GoT. I always tell her that she is named after the fierce warrior especially when she gets scared when we are on a walk by a leaf...

What about you guys??

Ten Books We Read Because Of Other Bloggers

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Today's topic: All About Books You Read Because of Recommendation -- Ten Books I've Read Because Of Another  Blogger (Or Book Person) or Ten Books I Read On Recommendation From People Outside Of This Community or you could talk about recommendations of books you read from other sources -- a magazine, a podcast, a "because you read this" algorithm.

Daisy's Picks

1. The DUFF by Kody Keplinger: this came recommended by a LOT of people, but also a lot by my friend Debby, so obviously I picked it up and it was AMAZING! SO much love for this book! And the movie was fun too :)

2. Death Note Vol 1 by Tsugumi Ohba: which came recommended by our wonderful blog readers! See, I listen to you guys! I really need to continue this series. 

3. Cinder by Marissa Meyer: robots/cyborgs are not my thing. But OMG THIS BOOK! I would never have picked this up if it wasn't for everyone and their aunt being in my face all over the blogosphere telling me to read it.

Jamie's Picks

4. Saga by Brian K. Vaughn: Saga was one of the first comics I ever picked up and I wouldn't have done it had it not been for seeing bloggers rave about it and especially watching my friend Lindsey go crazy for it!  

5. My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry: I solely added this to my TBR list because of fellow blogger Hannah and she was totally right about it. 

6.  The Deal by Elle Kennedy: I'm really picky about New Adult romance books but soooo many bloggers I trusted were obsessed with this series and so I finally picked up the first book and loved it!!

Julia's Picks

7. Across the Universe by Beth Revis: I know for a fact I only heard about this amazing book series because of the Bloggerverse. Amazing cover and amazing series. 

8. Divergent by Veronica Roth: I still have yet to read the rest of this series but I remember that I felt like everyone in the book world had read this book but me. Everyone had so many opinions on Allegiant, so I knew I had to finally start so I wouldnt be left out of all the fun talking!

Tell us what books you read because of recommendations!