busygirl

wreck this.

I kept journals on and off again for years.  And then started blogging, so the paper version didn't really seem to fit into my life.  But blogging is somewhat censored, both in content and creativity.  And then I came across Wreck This Journal.

Unbelievable.

You want me to spill my coffee on this?  Scribble all over the cover?  Jump up and down on it?  SHOWER with this?!

 
A journal filled with ridiculous prompts, instructions and suggestions with the sole purpose of destroying the journal.

Liberating.  Completely liberating.  I'm hooked.  And cannot wait to the share the after photos of this journal that came to me so neat and put together.

oh hi there.

Remember me?  Sure hope so.  My disappearance over the last few days and in the next coming days can be attributed to what can only be described as the head cold of all head colds.  Take a large helping of seasonal allergies and add a side of sinus infection and you'll end up with sniffling, groggy ol' me.  Add in the fact that I cannot take sinus medication due to a drug allergy and you end up with one miserable little girl.

So I'm taking a slight blogging hiatus for a few days while I nurse myself back to health with season 5 and 6 of friends and a ginormous bag of pretzel m&m's.  I also have eight bazillion photos to edit.  And our wedding thank you cards that need to be sent out (they are awesome).  And well, my husband is pretty much the sweetest guy on the planet...because yesterday he bought me...

A NOOK!

I have the Kindle(courtesy of my fabulous SIL) and LOVED IT!  And am now upgraded.  It's just as easy to use as the Kindle, just more colorful and the touchscreen component is cool.  Same number of books available for free.  But I do like that you can change the font, I'm a more modern font type of girl.

So far I'm thrilled with the upgrade...and will be lost in the virtual pages of my ebooks for the next few days.  I'm convinced that the nook will nurse me back to health.  It has healing powers, right?

Ta ta for a few days on here.  Keep up to date with me on twitter - busygirlnicole - or stay tuned.  I've got a giveaway coming up and hopefully some more exciting things to share.

101010 book challenge!

Oh yes, as one of my new year's resolutions (I swear I'll keep them this year) I'm participating in LibraryThing's 101010 challenge!  The rules?  Choose 10 categories, read 10 books from each category, in the year '10!  In a nutshell - 100 books in a year.  Not too shabby.

I'm actually using this as an excuse to force myself to read something other than science fantasy and historical fiction.  Branch out.  Become a little more well-rounded.  Be able to discuss something other than vampires or Anne Boleyn.  Shocking, I know.

So without further ado, I'd like to reveal my master plan of reading categories. For the full reading list - CLICK HERE... (well, partial list.  It's a work in progress).  I'll update my list with some sort of 'star' rating as I finish each book, maybe a quick review if I'm feeling particularly wordy that day.  If you want to jump in on the challenge as well, feel free!  Just leave a comment HERE so everyone can check out your list and go for it!  I'd love to see what others are reading so I can get distracted from my own list.

Here you go:

1. Historical Fiction (what a surprise)

2. Science Fantasy (again, surprise!)

3. Books I should've read wayyyy back in high school (but was too busy flirting with boys and coming up with excuses not to do homework)

4. Books turned movies (I always love the books more than the movies)

5. Series (I always want to know more)

6. Beach read/chick lit (guilty pleasure)

7. Man Lit (I don't like to discriminate)

8. LibraryThing Reccs/Reads (either from Early Reviewers/Recommendations that pop up)

9. 1000 to Read Before You Die (why not start now?)

10. Free for all!  Recommend something for me!

Check out the list of books here - and let me know if you join in!!

sixteen2go: bookworm

I love to read.  Seriously.  LOVE LOVE LOVE it!  I'm up to about 2-3 books a week, providing that I don't have to work an insane amount of hours or have volunteer obligations that week.  Or have Adam whining that I'm paying more attention to my book than him.  Guilty.  It really does happen.

As for the books I read?  I don't really have a specific genre - I read a lot of historical fiction, and I mean TONS.  Lately I've been getting my book recommendations from sifting through my girlfriend-in-law's librarything.  It's actually pretty hard to buy a book for a bookworm unless you know the exact title of what they want.  So here's a few ideas for some book-related gifts:

1. A Book Journal to record thoughts, reviews and insightful passages as they read a book. This one also has a place to record a wish list for books they'd like to read in the future along with the books they've read organized alphabetically by author.

2. Custom Bookplates - these are ADORABLE and handmade!  I'm always lending out books to people at work, so this would be a great way to 'remind' them that 'hey, I need that back eventually'.

3. How about a reading light for when they're huddled in bed trying to read...or in case the power goes out during a really, really good book!  I love mine for when Adam is watching shoot-em-up movies in the dark and I still want to read.

4. The ultimate gift - a KINDLE!  I'm still undecided about whether I want one or not, merely because it's bound to be super-addicting!  And I'd spend a lot of money on books, and I mean A LOT.  So don't forget to bundle it with a gift card from Amazonso that your gift recipient can stock up.  And did I mention that the Kindle is the #1 bestselling, #1 most wished for and #1 most gifted product on Amazon?  You would make a book-lovers dream come true.

5. To help your bookworm find some new great reads, pick up a copy of Book Lust for them.  Written by a long-time librarian presenting her favorite novels in a way to help readers pick the right book for the right mood.

6. Don't forget the stockings!  Fill it with chocolate goodies to aid in reading, cute bookmarks and a personalized tote bag to lug all their books around in!

 

disclosure: some of the above links are affiliate links which means i will be receiving a penny or two if you click on them and purchase something.  i'd love ya for it.  seriously. (did I mention that it all gets donated to charity?)

something borrowed

Something Borrowed tells the story of Rachel, a young attorney living and working in Manhattan. Rachel has always been the consummate good girl---until her thirtieth birthday, when her best friend, Darcy, throws her a party. That night, after too many drinks, Rachel ends up in bed with Darcy's fiancé.

Although she wakes up determined to put the one-night fling behind her, Rachel is horrified to discover that she has genuine feelings for the one guy she should run from. As the September wedding date nears, Rachel knows she has to make a choice. In doing so, she discovers that the lines between right and wrong can be blurry, endings aren't always neat, and sometimes you have to risk all to win true happiness.

I picked up this book after reading Love The One You're With by Emily Griffin as well.  Even though I didn't thoroughly enjoy Love The One You're With, I usually try to give authors a chance to redeem themselves.

I was surprised when I found myself somewhat glued to this book, even though I regarded it as a quick summer read.  Rachel became a complex character as glimpses into her past with Darcy reveal a friendship anchored in loyalty, but also deceit.  And even though she brings a situation full of lies and uncertainty upon herself, you can't help rooting for her to get her happy ending.  It's a good thing I gave this another try, because it turned out to be a great, quick, light read.  I'm anxious to read Something Blue now, which is the extension of the story, but from Darcy's point of view.