Logan E. Turner: TGIF

Showing posts with label TGIF. Show all posts

TGIF at GReads! (16) & Weekly Recap

Friday, February 17, 2012

This Friday blog hop is run by Ginger at GReads! (who also created this beautiful button). Every Friday you can answer a new question and recap your week. Click the button to join in!

This week's question is:

Book Blogger Pride:
What do you take pride in when it comes to blogging?
I take pride in the quality of my reviews. I try not to slap something together just to get it up on the blog. I like taking time to reflect on what I'm reading, then putting my thoughts into a format that hopefully gives people an idea of what to expect from a book. I review so that people will want to check out the books that I'm reading, and enjoy them as much as I do!

*EDIT* Okay, everyone is writing such nice things that now I feel like the asshat who didn't get the assignment. I'm the girl in Drop Dead Gorgeous who wore the Biggest Ball of Twine costume. So here's my postscript:

I also take pride in the fact that my blog paved the way for me to meet some pretty amazing people and learn SO MUCH about YA fiction. Without this blog, I wouldn't know half the stuff I do about the types of stories I like, who is publishing what books when, which authors go the extra mile, the generosity of readers, and how fawesomely individual we all can be while hanging out together in this cool little niche in the corner of the blogosphere.

That's pretty damn amazing.

TGIF at GReads! (15) & Weekly Recap

Friday, October 14, 2011

Photo credit: Carolyn Surh/MEDILL

As weird as it may seem, I actually love reading on the train. My commute is one of the few times during my day that I can spend time alone and uninterrupted. I find it much harder to concentrate on my reading when I'm at home with the husband and the dog. Plus, the train noise and rocking is kind of soothing.

TGIF at GReads! (14) & Weekly Recap

Friday, September 30, 2011

This Friday blog hop is run by Ginger at GReads! (who also created this beautiful button). Each week she posts a new question for us to ponder. Click the button to join in!

This week's question is:

Banned Books: How do you feel about the censorship of the freedom to read? Do you think the education system needs to be more strict on what children are exposed to in books?
I strongly believe that the regulation of reading material among kids is the duty of parents. If parents have objections to material available to kids, it is their job to communicate that to their kids and teachers. Parents have the right to remove their kids from educational programming that they don't agree with, but just because some parents may find material objectionable doesn't mean that nobody gets to read it.

The right to free speech is one of our greatest liberties and is not something to be taken lightly. Self-expression is so important to public discourse on societal wrongs and to the further development of society in general. Ideas, in any form, can and should be expressed, and not one person should ever feel afraid to speak their mind. People take offense to a wide variety of materials, words, and concepts, and it is because of that subjectivity that limits on expression are so dangerous. The moment we start to homogenize our thinking is the moment our society starts to crumble. Progress is born on a foundation of daring, bold thoughts. We have to take risks and listen to the very things that frighten or abhor us in order to better understand the world around us.

Help me celebrate novel and bold ideas as part of Banned Books Week, and support authors who dare to be different. The Banned Books Week Giveaway Hop ends tomorrow, so click the link at the top of the page to enter!

TGIF at GReads! (14) & Weekly Recap

Friday, September 23, 2011

This Friday blog hop is run by Ginger at GReads! (who also created this beautiful button). Each week she posts a new question for us to ponder. Click the button to join in!

This week's question is:

Reading Challenges: Did you sign up for any this year? How has your progression been?
I finished one! Finally! I'm officially done with 12 books for the Debut Author Challenge. That was by far my favorite challenge of the year, and I hope to read a few more before the year is out.

As for the other challenges, I'm progressing pretty well. I'm on track to finish by the end of the year, which was the goal, and I've narrowed down my choices to books I already own in an attempt to avoid a lot of book buying before the holiday season. I can't wait to do a big recap post in the new year for all of the cool books I read for these challenges!

TGIF at GReads! (13) & Weekly Recap

Friday, September 16, 2011

This Friday blog hop is run by Ginger at GReads! (who also created this beautiful button). Each week she posts a new question for us to ponder. Click the button to join in!

This week's question is:

Book Disappointments: Have you ever come across a book you were so stoked to read, but it failed miserably in your eyes?
Isn't that the worst feeling ever? I've definitely had some that stick out from recent memory. Between by Cynthia Tefft - I thought it would be like a young Outlander style book and I was so excited to read it...and then it offended me and I ended up not enjoying it after all. So sad.

Another big one? Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer. It was such a disappointing ending to the build up of the previous three books. Why the random shift to Jacob's perspective? It irked me to no end that the middle third of the book just jumps away from the action. And after all their chaste waiting-for-marriage crap, I found the love scene less than desirable - and then she IMMEDIATELY becomes pregnant? Ack! No! Bad bad bad! And let's not even get into the horror show that was the birth scene, or Bella's fate as super vampire who needs no training, or the creep factor of Renesmee. I was such a fan of Twilight, and to have the series reduced to this crazy whacked out soap opera mess at the end really upset me.

In all seriousness, I could have a conversation for days about that book. Hit me up in chat if you ever want to get me going.

What books have disappointed you?

Amazingly beautiful and painstakingly crafted signature courtesy of Small Review

TGIF at GReads! (12) & Weekly Recap

Friday, September 9, 2011

This Friday blog hop is run by Ginger at GReads! (who also created this beautiful button). Each week she posts a new question for us to ponder.

Click the button to join in!

This week's question is:

Books to Television: Which books would you love to see made in to a TV series? Or movie?

This may be cheating (since the rights for this one have already sold) but I would love to see Tempest by Julie Cross on the big screen. In fact, I think this one could work really well as a TV series, too. It read very cinematically, and the time travel thing always seems to play well on-screen.

I would also very, very much like to see the River of Time series made into a movie or TV show. Fingers crossed!

What books do you want to see on the big (or little) screen?

Amazingly beautiful and painstakingly crafted signature courtesy of Small Review

TGIF at GReads! (10) & Weekly Recap

Friday, August 26, 2011

This Friday blog hop is run by Ginger at GReads! (who also created this beautiful button). Each week she posts a new question for us to ponder.

Click the button to join in!

This week's question is:

Book Associations: Which genre, authors, or particular books do you think people associate with your reading style?
Well, I like to think of myself as a fairly eclectic reader, although the focus of this blog is mostly on YA fiction. I would guess most people would associate me with YA or paranormal genre fiction, or maybe even fantasy. I like almost anything with a fantasy element, though I'm not a big epic or high fantasy reader.

I don't know! This was a hard one. What do you think?

What genres or books do you associate with me? Do you think you have a reading association?

Amazingly beautiful and painstakingly crafted signature courtesy of Small Review

TGIF at GReads! (9) & Weekly Recap

Friday, August 19, 2011

This Friday blog hop is run by Ginger at GReads! (who also created this beautiful button). Each week she posts a new question for us to ponder.

Click the button to join in!

This week's question is:

The Reviews We Don't Write: Have you ever read a book and not wanted to review it? Are some books too personal that we want to keep our thoughts our own?
I think this happens the most often when I've really loved a book, though it can also happen to me when dealing with issues or topics that affect me deeply. I've hesitated reading certain books for fear that I won't be able to adequately review them because of my own personal biases. How much of myself do I want to share here? Does sharing certain events from my past help or hinder my reviews and the people who read them?

As with most art forms, I think it can be hard to explain why you love something. When I see a dance or hear a song that brings tears to my eyes, I don't know how to say I appreciated it other than "I loved it." Similarly, with books I often find myself saying, "Well, I loved it because it made me cry." That evocation of emotion is often its own indicator of a positive opinion. And sometimes, that should be enough, though I strive to be a bit more articulate in my reviews on the blog. :)

Do you find some books too personal to review?

Amazingly beautiful and painstakingly crafted signature courtesy of Small Review

TGIF at GReads! (8) & Weekly Recap

Friday, August 12, 2011

This Friday blog hop is run by Ginger at GReads! (who also created this beautiful button). Each week she posts a new question for us to ponder.

Click the button to join in!

This week's question is:

Author Block Party: If you could gather a handful of authors to hang out with, who would you choose?
EASY. Lisa Bergren, Kiersten White, Lia Habel, Carrie Harris, Stephen King, Rita Mae Brown, and Diana Gabaldon.

Which authors would you hang out with?

Amazingly beautiful and painstakingly crafted signature courtesy of Small Review

TGIF at GReads! (7) & Weekly Recap

Friday, August 5, 2011

This Friday blog hop is run by Ginger at GReads! (who also created this beautiful button). Each week she posts a new question for us to ponder.

Click the button to join in!

This week's question is:

Taking it Personal: Which books have affected you on a personal level and lingered in your mind long after you closed the pages?
I have to admit that I'm more often affected on this level by nonfiction books than I am fiction books. Some of the first books that came to mind for this question were books like Lies My Teacher Told Me, Dead Man Walking, Outliers, and How to Make Love Like a Porn Star. These were books that challenged me, outraged me, taught me. They put me in awe, put me in my place, put me in another's shoes. Compelling nonfiction grabs me because it's true. It is about real people, real lives, real truths that shed light on the human condition. That kind of knowledge impacts me far greater than fiction.

I highly recommend all four of those books, by the way. They are all 5+ stars for me.

What books have most affected you?

My weekly recap is inspired by the phenomenally talented, kind and generous Small Review. If you are not already following her, you are really missing out. Also, have I mentioned how much I love Cool Text? They're the folks that allow me to make these cool (and simple) text buttons - for FREE!

If you're a first time visitor, or just didn't get the chance to stop by this week, here's what you missed:

Giveaways
I'm giving away $25 for any book(s) of your choice from The Book Depository as part of the Summer Giveaway Hop. Open internationally. Ends Sunday! Hop on over and enter.

Memes
Waiting on Wednesday - TEMPEST by Julie Cross

Reviews
HAUNTING VIOLET by Alyxandra Harvey
5/5 stars
YA Historical Fiction Challenge
Gothic Reading Challenge
Mystery & Suspense Challenge
I Read Banned Books Tour

THE IRON KING by Julie Kagawa
4/5 stars
YA Series Challenge
Fantasy Reading Challenge

Enjoy your weekend everybody!

Amazingly beautiful and painstakingly crafted signature courtesy of Small Review

TGIF at GReads! (6) & Weekly Recap

Friday, July 29, 2011

This Friday blog hop is run by Ginger at GReads! (who also created this beautiful button). Each week she posts a new question for us to ponder.

Click the button to join in!

This week's question is:

Character Envy: If you could be one character from a book, who would you choose & why?

I was going to be very obvious and choose Claire Fraser from Outlander, but then I thought twice about it. I don't want to overtalk that book to death for fear that some of you will get sick of it. Sooooo.

I choose Sookie Stackhouse of the Southern Vampire mysteries (and now True Blood). She has a simple life (albeit occasionally complicated by life-threatening encounters with the paranormal) and can read people's minds. Sure, she thinks it's a hassle, but I would love to hear what people are thinking. Plus, everyone in her life is goodlooking and/or interesting. Sign me up!

What character would you choose to be?

My weekly recap is inspired by the phenomenally talented, kind and generous Small Review. If you are not already following her, you are really missing out. Also, have I mentioned how much I love Cool Text? They're the folks that allow me to make these cool (and simple) text buttons - for FREE!

If you're a first time visitor, or just didn't get the chance to stop by this week, here's what you missed:

Features
Writing Wednesday - Get Organized!
Want to snoop? I share pictures of my bookshelves and talk organization.

Memes
In My Mailbox

Reviews
THE MEPHISTO COVENANT by Trinity Faegen
4/5 stars
Vacation Reads Challenge
I Read Banned Books Tour

RAMPANT by Diana Peterfreund
4/5 stars
2011 Fantasy Reading Challenge

Giveaways
Last chance to win SPELLBOUND and a signed copy of THE ESPRESSOLOGIST for my July giveaway. Ends 7/31! Hop on over and enter.

Enjoy your weekend everybody!

Amazingly beautiful and painstakingly crafted signature courtesy of Small Review

TGIF at GReads! (5) & Weekly Recap

Friday, July 22, 2011

This Friday blog hop is run by Ginger at GReads! (who also created this beautiful button). Each week she posts a new question for us to ponder.

Click the button to join in!

This week's question is:

Bookshelf Tour: Where do you keep your books at home?
Are they organized?
So. I didn't realize until this morning that I hadn't actually scheduled a post for today. Whoops.

That means I don't have any pictures to show you of the chaotic disorganization that is my bookshelves. I have two IKEA bookcases that house most of my books, and some open shelving in my living room that now hosts my prized YA collection and a few other pretty adult books. It's become a de facto storage place for beautiful covers, books I really want to read, and signed copies.

The other two nightmares are crammed full in whatever way made the most sense when I unpacked. Three years ago.

Case 1:
As degree holders in the always useful theater field, the hubs and I have amassed an incredible amount of play scripts, that sit two deep on one shelf with some monologue books stacked on top. That case also houses a shelf devoted to religious material (having gone through a conversion or two we now have a range of texts and prayer books for both Jewish and Catholic faiths - it's a long story). There is also a shelf for mass market paperbacks (also two deep) and beyond what is visible I actually have no idea what books are there. Finally, it houses reference books from the hub's grad program, my grad program, and undergrad books that were too tall to fit anywhere else. It's the boring textbook shelf, and it's at the bottom.

Stacked in front of this case are my review and giveaway piles.

Case 2:
This bookcase has a mishmash of books acquired over the years, and features more of the books I'm proud of and/or am collecting. It has my still-not-complete Wizard of Oz series, the Harry Potter series, some TBR books I amassed from my university press gig during college, some of my prized nonfiction books, and other cool or interesting books I've read over the years. The bottom shelf holds lots of my anatomy coloring books (I have been collecting/coloring in them since I was a kid), old French language study books, and lots of books on vegetarianism/veganism/animal cruelty from that one time I tried to go vegan (also a long story).

Most of these shelves are CRAMMED full with other books piled on top and shoved in where they can fit. It's a mess.

I think I have a project for the weekend now.

What's your bookshelf situation?

Amazingly beautiful and painstakingly crafted signature courtesy of Small Review

TGIF at GReads! (4) & Weekly Recap

Friday, July 15, 2011

This Friday blog hop is run by Ginger at GReads! (who also created this beautiful button). Each week she posts a new question for us to ponder.

Click the button to join in!

This week's question is:

Book Blogger Appreciation: Which book blogs have inspired you or made a difference in your blogging experience?

This list could include at least 20 people, but I'm going to try and limit myself to a few.

1. Small Review. Sometimes I worry this blog is too fangirly over Smalls. I name drop that girl like no one else. Recap post? Check. Signature? Check.

Her influence is all over this blog. She gave me the idea to properly index my reviews and features, as well as create boxes around my text. Her blogging tips posts are amazing. She's sweet, funny, and helpful. Her Newbie blogger event really helped get my blog off the ground, and I'll be her diehard fan and bosom friend forever.

I mean, she made me a signature. As a joke. In response to one of my (usually snarky) comments. I bet she never thought I'd use it. Joke's on you, Smalls!

2. The Unread Reader. Talk about amazingly nice! Missie has over 1300 followers and still manages to leave comments on so many blogs every single day (including mine, yay!). She taught me that not everyone with over 1000 followers will ignore you. Sometimes, they visit your blog. And sometimes, they leave you nice comments. And sometimes, they email you and ask you to co-host events with them. Missie reminds me that having a successful blog is about putting in the time and effort to put up quality content and have meaningful interactions with people. I'm trying to incorporate that into my blogging routine, because I look up to her so darn much!

3. Ruby's Reads. Ruby puts it all out there. She doesn't hold back. Her energy is infectious and her posts make me laugh crazy hard. She inspires me to really go there with some of my content. Say what you mean, mean what you say. She hosts interesting and unique events, she leaves tons of comments, and holds the distinction of being the first blogger to ask little old me to guest post on her blog (which I still haven't done...yet). She reminds me that blogging is about connecting with people, and that you can meet people who truly become your friends while doing so.

I also have to mention that I would never have even gotten this blog put together without the help of Writer Musings and Parajunkee's View. Tabitha at Writer Musings is the person who introduced me to the world of book blogging and I will forever be grateful to her. And Parajunkee? C'mon, who hasn't learned a thing or two from her? Her Book Blogging 101 posts have been incredibly helpful and got me started on the right foot.

Okay, enough gushing!

What blogs have influenced you?

My weekly recap is inspired by the phenomenally talented, kind and generous Small Review. If you are not already following her, you are really missing out. Also, have I mentioned how much I love Cool Text? They're the folks that allow me to make these cool (and simple) text buttons - for FREE!

If you're a first time visitor, or just didn't get the chance to stop by this week, here's what you missed:

Features
TBR 911!
I whined about all of my books like an ungrateful brat.

Reviews
LEGACY by Cayla Kluver
2/5 stars

OUTLANDER by Diana Gabaldon
5/5 stars
In a special review, I talked about my love for this book and the new 20th anniversary edition.

LOVER REVEALED by J. R. Ward
4/5 stars
Book club time!
Black Dagger Brotherhood Challenge

Giveaways
I'm giving away SPELLBOUND and a signed copy of THE ESPRESSOLOGIST for my July giveaway. Hop on over and enter!

Enjoy your weekend everybody!

Amazingly beautiful and painstakingly crafted signature courtesy of Small Review

TGIF at GReads! (3) & Weekly Recap

Friday, July 8, 2011

This Friday blog hop is run by Ginger at GReads! (who also created this beautiful button). Each week she posts a new question for us to ponder.

Click the button to join in!

This week's question is:

Blogger Confession: What's the last book you could not finish?
(or had a hard time finishing?)

I really, really, really, really hate not finishing books. I avoid it if at all possible. For the first time yesterday, I had to email two (two!) authors and tell them I was declining to review their books because I just wasn't interested enough to finish them. That was hard for me to do, but at the same time, it was stressing me out having these unfinished books hanging over my head.

Ugh. Just...ugh.

What books have you struggled to finish lately?

My weekly recap is inspired by the phenomenally talented, kind and generous Small Review. If you are not already following her, you are really missing out. Also, have I mentioned how much I love Cool Text? They're the folks that allow me to make these cool (and simple) text buttons - for FREE!

If you're a first time visitor, or just didn't get the chance to stop by this week, here's what you missed:

Memes
Waiting on Wednesday
DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE by Laini Taylor

In My Mailbox
Full of win!

Reviews
LOST VOICES by Sarah Porter
3/5 stars
Morbid Romantica Challenge

THE ESPRESSOLOGIST by Kristina Springer
4/5 stars

Giveaways
My giveaway for a copy of WATCHERS by Dean Koontz as part of the My Favorite Things event at My Bookish Ways ended Tuesday and the winner was Erin L.! Her book is already on the way. Thank you to everyone who stopped over and entered!

On Saturday, I announced the winner of my June giveaway and the details for my July giveaway. Hop on over and enter!

Enjoy your weekend everybody!

Amazingly beautiful and painstakingly crafted signature courtesy of Small Review

TGIF at GReads! (2) & Weekly Recap

Friday, July 1, 2011

This Friday blog hop is run by Ginger at GReads! Each week she posts a question and we answer and recap our weeks.

Click the button to join in!

This week's question is:

Mr & Mrs: Who are your favorite book couples?

This list could go on and on, but I've decided to list my top five.

1) Jamie and Claire from the Outlander series. Jamie goes through hell and back for his beloved Claire, and Claire has to fight between two marriages in two different times to two very different men. Ladies, if you love the alpha male, there is no better specimen than this strapping red-headed Scottish warrior.

2) Cassia and Ky from the Matched trilogy. I loved their bond through language - her love of poetry and him teaching her to write. I fell for these two in a big way.

3) Stephanie and Ranger from the Stephanie Plum series. Screw Morelli. I'm Team Ranger all the way, and each book that features him significantly becomes exponentially better as a result.

4) Gabi and Marcello from the River of Time series. The thing I appreciate about this couple is that their love is built on mutual admiration for the other's abilities. Marcello doesn't want to just be a hero to a damsel in distress - he likes Gabi because she is so independent. Yes please!

5) Ash and Seth from the Wicked Lovely series. The book may have not been my favorite, but I absolutely loved this relationship. When I think about this book, I always think of these two and how perfect they are for each other. Their feelings seemed so honest that I couldn't help but fall in love with them.

Who are your favorite couples?

My weekly recap is inspired by the phenomenally talented, kind and generous Small Review. If you are not already following her, you are really missing out. Also, have I mentioned how much I love Cool Text? They're the folks that allow me to make these cool (and simple) text buttons - for FREE!

If you're a first time visitor, or just didn't get the chance to stop by this week, here's what you missed:

Reviews
WHEN YOU DARE by Lori Foster
2/5 stars

SPELLBOUND by Cara Lynn Shultz
5/5 stars
2011 Debut Author Challenge

DARK PARTIES by Sara Grant
4/5 stars
2011 Debut Author Challenge

Events
Summer Book Exchange: Thank You Baggins!
I thanked my secret Santa for a very exciting book gift!

Giveaways
My giveaway for a copy of WATCHERS by Dean Koontz as part of the My Favorite Things event at My Bookish Ways is still open. Ends Tuesday!

Check back tomorrow when I announce the winner of my June giveaway!

Enjoy your weekend everybody!

Amazingly beautiful and painstakingly crafted signature courtesy of Small Review

TGIF at GReads (1) and Weekly Recap

Friday, June 24, 2011

This Friday blog hop is run by Ginger at GReads! Each week she posts a question and we answer and recap our weeks. Click the button to join in!

This week's question was too good to pass up. Ginger got a bunch of us So You Think You Can Dance fans tweet chatting (twittering? tweeting? chatting?) this week at #SYTYCDBloggers and when shortly after the results show she tweeted this week's TGIF topic, I decided to join the cool kids' table at Thanksgiving.

Summer Love: Where's your ideal place to take a summer vacation & get lost in a book?

OH RIGHT. I did that already.

Okay, okay. So technically it wasn't summer, but you wouldn't have known it from the weather and view! Regular readers will recognize the pic I snapped from our resort balcony in Daytona Beach while attending a wedding back in March.

I spent an entire Saturday afternoon on that balcony by myself reading Wicked Lovely and sipping coffee and Diet Coke while dear husband was off doing his Best Man duties. I threw on comfy clothes, a bathrobe, and put my feet up. I got to listen to the ocean pounding without getting a sunburn.

Nobody complained that I wasn't being social (I never am, which is somehow always a disappointment) and yet I could still glance up and see miles of beach and scan the pool below to ~~spy on~~ wave at friends.

I learned an important thing about my vacation needs from this trip. I need beaches and sunshine!

What's your ideal vacation reading spot?

My weekly recap is inspired by the phenomenally talented, kind and generous Small Review. If you are not already following her, you are really missing out. Also, have I mentioned how much I love Cool Text? They're the folks that allow me to make these cool (and simple) text buttons - for FREE!

If you're a first time visitor, or just didn't get the chance to stop by this week, here's what you missed:

Features
Point Counterpoint
Announcing a new feature! I'm recruiting anyone who wants to argue/discuss books with me.

Memes
Top Ten Tuesday
A list of the reasons I love book blogging.

Events
Spring into Summer Readathon
My progress in a readathon on Friday and Saturday.

Reviews
LOVER AWAKENED by J. R. Ward
5/5 stars
Black Dagger Brotherhood Challenge and Book Club

FOREVER by Maggie Stiefvater
3/5 stars
YA Series Challenge
Shifter Challenge

Giveaways
June Giveaway and Guest Post Announcements
I'm giving away a signed copy of DIVERGENT and a copy of CASCADE this month. I also did a guest post and am giving away a copy of WATCHERS by Dean Koontz as part of the My Favorite Things event at My Bookish Ways.

Enjoy your weekend everybody!

Amazingly beautiful and painstakingly crafted signature courtesy of Small Review

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