Table Talk Tuesday

Cheryl at http://cmashlovestoread.blogspot.com/ has started and is hosting this great new meme. From her blog... "Welcome to the first Table Talk Tuesday meme, hosted by yours truly. I have been having so much fun with the recent memes I have found whereas you get to know a little bit more about the blogger behind the screen. I have met so many nice, funny, kind, caring people in the past 8 months and have said on many occasions, how I wish we lived closer and could meet for coffee, lunch, and yes..even dessert. That is the premise of this hop. Your 3 tidbits can be, for examples, tell us something interesting about you that we don't know, ask a question of your gal/fellow blogger that you would like to know, share something that may have been exciting that happened to you this week, or something you are looking forward to, or share a how-to, or maybe ask about a how-to, or talk about something that annoys you, your opinion about a certain issue, a comment about something that was in the news this week and your opinion, or maybe ask advice, etc., etc., the list is endless. You get the idea. Just as if you were meeting a friend over coffee. And the conversation begins.
After you post your 3 conversation tidbits, come back here and link up, start visiting other blogs, answer their questions or respond to their comments. Then meet another blogger for coffee at their place, maybe have another piece of pastry while talking (and just think...this has 0 calories!!!)
Hope you join in, tell your friends, get to know more about old friends, meet new friends (possibly even becoming a new follower of their blog...if you do...leave that in your responses so that they know and hopefully will follow you back), get to know more about old friends, meet new friends and more importantly.....HAVE FUN !!! So lets grab a table, sit down, order a coffee and start gabbing !!!!"

~~ MY THREE TIDBITS/QUESTIONS~~

1. What is your favorite part of my blog?
2. What is your favorite part of your blog?
3. What is your favorite part of Cheryl's blog...http://cmashlovestoread.blogspot.com?


Because I haven't blogged in a while, I've missed posting pictures of my purses. So, I'm going to post one. I carried my black and white peace sign bag. This was a great choice as I carried a rather large ARC of a FANTASTIC historical novel. Don't worry I will be postng a review at a later date :D

Book Blog Hop

From Jennifer's Crazy-for-Books.com blog... "ABOUT THE HOP: In the spirit of the Twitter Friday Follow, the Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and share our love of the written word! This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs to read! So, grab the logo, post about the Hop on your blog, and start HOPPING through the list of blogs that are posted in the Linky list below!!
The Hop lasts Friday-Monday every week, so if you don't have time to Hop today, come back later and join the fun! This is a weekly event! And stop back throughout the weekend to see all the new blogs that are added! We get over 300 links every week!!
Your blog should have content related to books, including, but not limited to book reviews.
RULES:
1. Enter your book blog link in the Linky List below
In your link, please state the main genre that you review: eclectic, contemp. fiction, ya, paranormal, mystery, non-fiction, etc. Please do not list every genre you review - if you are review a variety, please put eclectic! The Hop gets jumbled up if the title is too long, so please limit to one genre. I will be limiting the number of characters in the title to ensure the Hop doesn't look messy! Thank you!
Example: Crazy-for-Books (literary fiction)
NOTE: You no longer have to enter the length of time you've been blogging, but do let us know if this is your first time hopping with us!
2. Post about the Hop on your blog. Spread the word about the book party! The more the merrier! In your blog post, answer the following question (new question each week!). If you have a question that could be used in a future Hop, leave it in the comments! Thanks!

This week's question comes from Libraryscatbooks!
How many blogs do you follow?

3. Visit other blogs in the Linky List! Make new friends! Follow new book bloggers! Talk about books! Rave about authors! Take the time to make a quality visit! Check out other posts and content, make a new friend! Don't randomly follow someone if you never intend on actually following them! No spamming please! (Please do not leave your link and not visit other blogs - it's just not cool and not in the spirit of the Hop!)
And just as an FYI - this event is not something you should feel that you have to participate in every week. If you want to join in and link up once a month, GREAT! It's up to you how often you participate!
So, have fun HOPPING and enjoy your BOOK PARTY weekend!!!"

My answer... I follow A LOT of blogs! In my defense, though, they're all so interesting! I look at my Google Reader daily and catch up on new blog posts that interest me. I also follow some blogs "unofficially". I read them through my "favorites" as opposed to my Google Reader. I'm not quite sure why I don't follow "officially" but it works for me.

**And if you've found my blog, through The Book Blogger Hop... Thanks, I'm happy you found me! Please check back later as I will post my weekly meme... First Line Friday! I love new visitors! Please leave a comment for me... I'd love to visit your blog, too.**

I'd also like to thank Jennifer for featuring my question for her Crazy Talk feature. Please check out her blog (http://www.crazy-for-books.com/2010/08/crazy-talk-lure-of-ya-books.html) and take part in the discussion! I am very interested in the topic.

Book Blogger Hop & My TBR Shelf

Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books.com hosts Book Blogger Hop! From her blog...
ABOUT THE HOP: This is a weekly event, hosted by Jennifer at http://www.crazy-for-books.com/, where book bloggers and readers can connect to find new blogs to read. It's a great way to network with other bloggers and make new friends! Every day I seem to find another book blog that I start following. In the spirit of the Friday Follow, I thought it would be cool to do a Book Blogger Hop to give us all bookies a chance to connect and find new blogs that we may be missing out on! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs that they may not know existed!Your blog should have content related to books, including, but not limited to book reviews.If you start following someone through the Hop, leave a comment on their blog to let them know! Stop back during the week to see other blogs that are added! And, most importantly, the idea is to HAVE FUN!!

ABOUT THE HOP:
In the spirit of the Twitter Friday Follow, the Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and share our love of the written word! This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs to read! So, grab the logo, post about the Hop on your blog, and start HOPPING through the list of blogs that are posted in the Linky list below!!

The Hop lasts Friday-Monday every week, so if you don't have time to Hop today, come back later and join the fun! This is a weekly event! And stop back throughout the weekend to see all the new blogs that are added! We get over 200 links every week!!

Your blog should have content related to books, including, but not limited to book reviews.

RULES:
1. Enter your book blog link in the Linky List below
In your link, please state the main genre that you review: eclectic, contemp. fiction, ya, paranormal, mystery, non-fiction, etc. Please do not list every genre you review - if you are review a variety, please put eclectic! The Hop gets jumbled up if the title is too long, so please limit to one genre. I will be limiting the number of characters in the title to ensure the Hop doesn't look messy! Thank you!
Example: Crazy-for-Books (literary fiction)
NOTE: You no longer have to enter the length of time you've been blogging, but do let us know if this is your first time hopping with us!
2. Post about the Hop on your blog. Spread the word about the book party! The more the merrier! In your blog post, answer the following question (new question each week!). I have to thank my friend, Lori, for this week's question! I was drawing a blank and she came up with this fab question! If you have a question that could be used in a future Hop, leave it in the comments! Thanks!
3. Visit other blogs in the Linky List! Make new friends! Follow new book bloggers! Talk about books! Rave about authors! Take the time to make a quality visit! Check out other posts and content, make a new friend! Don't randomly follow someone if you never intend on actually following them! No spamming please! (Please do not leave your link and not visit other blogs - it's just not cool and not in the spirit of the Hop!)

**And if you've found my blog, through The Book Blogger Hop... Thanks, I'm happy you found me! Please check back later as I will post my weekly meme... First Line Friday! I love new visitors! Please leave a comment for me... I'd love to visit your blog, too.**

This week's question comes from Michelle from Michelle’s Book Blog! (waiting for her blog link!)
How many books do you have on your 'to be read shelf’?

Honestly, my TBR shelf is "layered". Let me explain... I have a bookshelf in my living room that I put all my new or new-to-me books. They stay there until I *think* I might read them soon. At that point, I'll put the book on my nightstand. Generally, if it makes it to my nightstand, I'll read it within a short time. That's not to say, though, that the nightstand books don't ever get "bumped". Oh... but they do :D It's a very "fluid" situation... I'm sure all book lovers can relate. Right now, there are probably six or so books on my nightstand and, maybe, fifty on the bookshelf.

Teaser Tuesday & New Chapters

I LOVE Teaser Tuesday.
Grab your current read.
Let the book fall open to a random page.
Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!

"DeMarco's eyelids felt coated on the inside with a layer of sand and he suspected only the odd-numbered cells in his brain were firing. It was five thirty a.m."
page 70
The Inside Ring
Michael Lawson


Great teaser, don't you agree? Who of us hasn't felt this same way at five thirty a.m.? It definitely makes me wonder who DeMarco is and why is he in such a state?

I'm not really into political thrillers but this is my mystery book club choice for September. I usually read boo club books about a week before so that it's fresh. This one, though, I'm reading early for a few reasons... it's a library book and I know a few of my book club friends are on the waiting list for it, it's a fast read and school is starting very soon and we're getting busy. Better to get it read than scramble to finish at the last minute.

Speaking of school, J and M are starting new schools this year. J will be a Freshman in high school TOMORROW!!! M will start middle school next week. Thus, the "new chapters"... lol... love the literary pun.

I seriously cannot believe that J will be in high school. I know it's SO cliche but, honestly... where did the time go?!? When did he turn into this handsome, confident young man eager to go to high school? I'm so proud of him and can't wait to watch this new chapter unfold but I still want him to be my sweet little boy who calls me "Mommy".

M and I went to her Registration today. She is attending the same middle school that J did. It's an awesome school and I know she'll have a blast! Coming into the school, she had only one friend from grade school (and two new acquaintances)so she is excited to make ne friends. She's such a social butterfly... she was introducing herself to every girl whose locker was near hers. She met K and M (twins), C and L (another set of twins), S and J. She and J were having so much fun opening their lockers that J's Dad took a few pictures of them. I have no doubt she'll be sitting at a full lunch table on the first day.


My bag today was my big black quilted tote with the chain handles. I had a bunch of regitration papers, a water bottle as well as my everyday stuff... so, the bigger, the better today. I couldn't decide between that bag and my Dooney & Bourke black satchel so I let my "Fashion Girl" decide. She chose the tote. Wise choice... it was definitely a shoulder bag kind of day.

Passages To The Past Giveaway

Amy at http://www.passagestothepast.com/ is hosting another great giveaway! Head over and check it out!

This mystery sounds amazing! Gorgeous cover, too! I can't wait to read it...
From her blog... "SYNOPSIS: It is the time of Arthur, but this is not his storied epic. Arthur is a young and powerful warrior who some would say stands on the brink of legend. Britain’s leaders have come to elect a new supreme king, and Arthur is favored. But when a young woman is brutally murdered and the blame is placed at Merlin’s feet, Arthur’s reputation is at stake and his enemies are poised to strike. Arthur turns to Malgwyn ap Cuneglas, a man whose knowledge of battle and keen insight into how the human mind works has helped Arthur come to the brink of kingship.
Malgwyn is also the man who hates Arthur most in the world.
After the death of Malgwyn's wife by Saxon hands, he became Mad Malgwyn, killer of Saxons and right-hand lieutenant to the warrior Arthur. Right hand, that is, until a Saxon cut his sword arm off and left him to die on the battlefield. Arthur rescued him. Now a one-armed scribe and a heavy drinker, Malgwyn rejects the half-life that his liege gave him. But loyalty is sometimes stronger than loathing…and Malgwyn is pulled toward a puzzle that he can’t walk away from.
Think CSI: Medieval: gritty, powerful, and with the true ring of historical perspective and a character who sees more than those around him. The Killing Way is the first in a mystery series that is sure to be a hit with both mystery readers and historical fans alike."

Book Blogger Hop

Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books.com hosts Book Blogger Hop! From her blog...
ABOUT THE HOP: This is a weekly event, hosted by Jennifer at http://www.crazy-for-books.com/, where book bloggers and readers can connect to find new blogs to read. It's a great way to network with other bloggers and make new friends! Every day I seem to find another book blog that I start following. In the spirit of the Friday Follow, I thought it would be cool to do a Book Blogger Hop to give us all bookies a chance to connect and find new blogs that we may be missing out on! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs that they may not know existed!Your blog should have content related to books, including, but not limited to book reviews.If you start following someone through the Hop, leave a comment on their blog to let them know! Stop back during the week to see other blogs that are added! And, most importantly, the idea is to HAVE FUN!!

ABOUT THE HOP:
In the spirit of the Twitter Friday Follow, the Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and share our love of the written word! This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs to read! So, grab the logo, post about the Hop on your blog, and start HOPPING through the list of blogs that are posted in the Linky list below!!

The Hop lasts Friday-Monday every week, so if you don't have time to Hop today, come back later and join the fun! This is a weekly event! And stop back throughout the weekend to see all the new blogs that are added! We get over 200 links every week!!

Your blog should have content related to books, including, but not limited to book reviews.

RULES:
1. Enter your book blog link in the Linky List below
In your link, please state the main genre that you review: eclectic, contemp. fiction, ya, paranormal, mystery, non-fiction, etc. Please do not list every genre you review - if you are review a variety, please put eclectic! The Hop gets jumbled up if the title is too long, so please limit to one genre. I will be limiting the number of characters in the title to ensure the Hop doesn't look messy! Thank you!
Example: Crazy-for-Books (literary fiction)
NOTE: You no longer have to enter the length of time you've been blogging, but do let us know if this is your first time hopping with us!
2. Post about the Hop on your blog. Spread the word about the book party! The more the merrier! In your blog post, answer the following question (new question each week!). I have to thank my friend, Lori, for this week's question! I was drawing a blank and she came up with this fab question! If you have a question that could be used in a future Hop, leave it in the comments! Thanks!

This week's question comes from Chelle from The Prairie Library!
Do you listen to music when you read? If so, what are your favorite reading tunes?

3. Visit other blogs in the Linky List! Make new friends! Follow new book bloggers! Talk about books! Rave about authors! Take the time to make a quality visit! Check out other posts and content, make a new friend! Don't randomly follow someone if you never intend on actually following them! No spamming please! (Please do not leave your link and not visit other blogs - it's just not cool and not in the spirit of the Hop!)

*** My answer...***

I don't specifically listen to music when I read. If it's on, I'll leave it on.

**And if you've found my blog, through The Book Blogger Hop... Thanks, I'm happy you found me! Please check back later as I will post my weekly meme... First Line Friday! I love new visitors! Please leave a comment for me... I'd love to visit your blog, too.**

CSN Product Review~ Sydney Love Getaway Bag

I was lucky enough to be contacted by Eileen from CSN to do a product review. I was excited be able to choose something I would love... a bag, of course!! I chose the Sydney Love Getaway Bag (http://www.csnstores.com/Sydney-Love-12001-SYV1211.html).

I was impressed with the entire process... from choosing what I wanted from a seemingly endless online catalogue to the extremely fast shipping to the bag, itself!

The first picture is from the CSN website. The second picture is my Sydney Love Getaway bag straight out of the box. It is wrapped perfectly... nothing could be scratched or ripped off during shipping. The third picture is the unwrapped bag. It looks exactly like the first picture. That's so very important to me as it's really annoying to fall in love with a picture on a website just to open the box to see something that barely resembles it. No worries, here... it was spot on!

It's definitely a Getaway Bag. It's too big to carry as a purse but absolutely perfect for a weekend "Getaway" to the mountains or maybe to Vegas! Yeah, that's right... Vegas, baby! I think I need to talk to my husband. You think he'll go for it?!? But, I'll definitely use it this winter. We ski, so, sometimes we stay up there for the weekend. This bag is just the right size for a weekend in the "hills" as my husband says :D.

I love everything about the styling. The black and gold stripe, for some reason, remind me of a Mary Poppins bag... and as a Mom, I'm always the one who ends up carrying someting from everyone! I think, though, that my favorite detail is the buckle strap. Although it purely decorative, it adds a finishing touch that I truly appreciate on bags of any price point.

It has an outside pocket on the front which, while adding to the style of the bag is big enough to be functional. There is also a full length zippered pocket on the back for travel documents, an InStyle magazine and, definitely, a book. The inside is lined with a black and gold polka dot pattern. I love lined bags... it just makes me happy to to look inside and see a pretty lining. There is also a back wall zippered pocket as well as a padded strap to carry it over the shoulder. I will probably carry this bag by the handles as I think it looks so chic. It's nice, though, to have option of a shoulder strap, if it gets too heavy. It also has four "feet" to protect it when I have no choice but to put it on the floor. The details of this bag really were thought out for the "Getaway" traveler...like me.

Thanks again to Eileen and CSN Stores(http://www.csnstores.com/) for this opportunity to review the Sydney Love (yes, I love it... sorry, couldn't resist!) Getaway Bag!