Because I only share the advantageous, insightful, and profound…
Thanks to my dear friend Theresa for sharing this gem. You know me too well!
So, how was your weekend? Anything exciting on your schedule in the coming days?
Category: Randomness
Class of 2011: YA Superlatives Blogfest DAY FOUR
Today is the final day of the The Class of 2011: YA Superlatives Blogfest, a fun and interactive way to highlight and share your favorite YA novels, covers, characters, and story elements, hosted by Jessica Love, Tracey Neithercott, Alison Miller, and me. The Class of 2011: YA Superlatives Blogfest spans four days, beginning December 26th and culminating today, December 30th.
Hopefully you’ve been participating throughout the week, but if not, that’s okay! Just draft today’s post (you can find the topics listed below or on the original post) and then scroll to the bottom of THIS post and add your link to the link list.
I’ve had so much fun dropping by the participants’ blogs this week, and I look forward to stopping by your blog to read about your Class of 2011 selections today!
And speaking of selections, here are mine for Day Four:
Best in Show
Again, my books published in 2011 Reading List:
Crossed, The Future of Us, Hushed, Want to Go Private?, The Scorpio Races, The Pledge, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, Daughter of Smoke and Bone, Chain Reaction, Forgotten, Notes From the Blender, The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, Ripple, Hourglass, A Need So Beautiful, Chime, The Day Before, Forever, Moonglass, Beauty Queens, Boyfriends With Girlfriends, Forbidden, Wither, Divergent, Invincible Summer, Trapped, Where She Went, We’ll Always Have Summer, Cryer’s Cross, Across the Universe, Desires of the Dead, Lola and the Boy Next Door, Imaginary Girls, and The Liar Society
And my favorites in the way of Best in Show:
Favorite Cover – I think the cover for Hourglass by Myra McIntyre is beautiful. I love the movement, the graceful point of the model’s foot, and her unusual hair color. I also love the title font. Honorable Mentions: Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children because it’s eerily intriguing, and Beauty Queens because it’s graphic and cheeky.
Cutest Couple – Luke and London from Cat Patrick’s Forgotten are so freaking sweet. Their relationship boasts mutual adoration, tons of respect, and a big dose of fun, too. While Forgotten‘s plot is engaging, it was Luke and London’s interactions that snagged my attention and kept me reading for the duration of this novel.
Most Likely to Succeed (Or, pick a Printz Winner) – Are you guys getting tired of hearing about Chime yet? Clearly Franny Billingsley’s novel had a huge impact on me. Of every book on my 2011 list, Chime is the one that, in my humble opinion, most exemplified literary excellence in young adult literature. Honorable Mentions: Divergent, The Scorpio Races, and Daughter of Smoke and Bone for their unbelievably thorough world-building and beautiful writing.
Most Likely to Make You Miss Your Bedtime – Veronica Roth’s Divergent is everything a page-turner should be. I was so connected to Tris and Four’s story, and so drawn in by their world, I could NOT put this book down. I still recommend it to anyone who asks for a great YA book or a fantastic dystopian read.
Best Repeat Performance (Favorite sequel or follow-up.) – An easy choice: Gayle Forman’s Where She Went, or My Most Anticipated Sequel EVER. Love the emotional intensity of this book, and I love how Adam and Mia’s story concluded.Honorable Mention: We’ll Always Have Summer. Belly totally ended up with who I wanted her to end up with!
Romance Most Worthy of an Ice Bath – Harlin and Charlotte from Suzanne Young’s A Need So Beautiful. These two are adorable, and they have chemistry that seeps through the page. Then there was that scene… you know, the one with the fancy dress and the–ahem–wall. Honorable Mention: Violet and Jay from Kimberly Derting’s Desires of the Dead. They’re hot too. 🙂
Pair Most Likely to Stay Best Friends Till They’re 80 – Josh and Emma from The Future of Us. We’ve seen the future (thank you, Facebook!). We KNOW they’ll stay friends!
Breakout Novel (Favorite Book by a Debut Author) – Yep, Divergent again. This book rocks. Obviously. Honorable Mentions: Moonglass and Across the Universe. I honestly had a hard time believing Jessi Kirby and Beth Revis were debut novelists after reading their first books!
Best Old-Timer (Favorite read of the year, published BEFORE 2011) – Another easy choice. I read Jellicoe Road this year and it broke me. Never have I envied another writer’s storytelling skills the way I envy Melina Marchetta’s, and never have I fallen so fully and completely for two characters as I did for Taylor and Jonah. Such an amazing book–a definite favorite!
Most Likely to Make a Grown Man Cry – I have it on good authority that “animal books” make men emotional. Take Where the Red Fern Grows, for example, or Stone Fox (hell, Stone Fox made ME cry!). That’s why I have to go with The Scorpio Races. The bond between Sean and his horse Corr is enough to make any man (anybody) weepy.
Most Pleasant Surprise (Book you didn’t think you’d like, but totally did.) – Laini Taylor’s The Daughter of Smoke and Bone, for sure. As a rule, I don’t like fantasy, and I definitely don’t like “angel” books. Plus, the mention of teeth in the back cover synopsis totally skeeved me out. I was wrong, of course. I ADORE this book.
Most Creative Use of a Love Triangle – The “triangle” in Ally Condie’s Crossed is pretty lopsided (Cassia’s not really wavering in who she wants), but there’s an element of loyalty and romance between both she and Ky, and she and Xander. What I love about this triangle is how it’s used in plot twists and in the bigger picture of what’s going on within the Society. Win.
Sleeper Hit (Book I found so awesome I wish it had been hyped more) – Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma. This book was a trip. I wasn’t quite sure what was real and what wasn’t, and I didn’t know what to think about Ruby (or Chloe or London, for that matter) until the very end. Plus, the writing was, as I’ve mentioned, gorgeous.
And now it’s MY turn to pick a superlative! Leave me a note in the comments telling me your:
Most anticipated 2012 YA release…
I’ll tell you mine next week, and I’ll post about your selections. 🙂
And if you’re participating in the Class of 2011: YA Superlative Blogfest, please click on the image below to drop your link:
Class of 2011: YA Superlative Blogfest DAY TWO
Today is Day Two of the The Class of 2011: YA Superlatives Blogfest, a fun and interactive way to highlight and share your favorite YA novels, covers, characters, and story elements, hosted by Jessica Love, Tracey Neithercott, Alison Miller, and me. The Class of 2011: YA Superlatives Blogfest spans four days, beginning yesterday and culminating this Friday, December 30th.
Hopefully you participated yesterday, but if you didn’t, that’s okay! Just draft today’s post (you can find the topics listed below or on the original post) and then scroll to the bottom of THIS post and add your link to the link list.
I had a blast dropping by the blogs of all yesterday’s participants, and I look forward to dropping by your blog to read about your Class of 2011 selections!
And speaking of selections, here are mine for Day Two:
Popularity Contest (Characters who fit each topic from ANY 2011 YA book!)
Again, my 2011 Reading List, in no particular order:
Crossed, The Future of Us, Hushed, Want to Go Private?, The Scorpio Races, The Pledge, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, Daughter of Smoke and Bone, Chain Reaction, Forgotten, Notes From the Blender, The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, Ripple, Hourglass, A Need So Beautiful, Chime, The Day Before, Forever, Moonglass, Beauty Queens, Boyfriends With Girlfriends, Forbidden, Wither, Divergent, Invincible Summer, Trapped, Where She Went, We’ll Always Have Summer, Cryer’s Cross, Across the Universe, Desires of the Dead, Lola and the Boy Next Door, Imaginary Girls, and The Liar Society
And from those, my Most Popular List:
Class Clown – I could have gone with any of the lovelies from Beauty Queens, or Declan from Notes from the Blender, but I’m choosing a more nuanced clown: Josh, from Jay Asher and Carolyn Macker’s The Future of Us. While he wasn’t particularly outgoing or boisterous, that kid had me laughing out loud on several occasions. Loved his subtle sarcasm and witty inner monologue!
Most Likely to Become a Rock Star – Sam Roth from Maggie Stiefvater’s Forever. He’s knows what an uncertain future feels like, so I think he’d do everything in his power to reach his musical goals. Plus, Grace thinks he’s really talented.
Mostly Likely to Start a Riot – Luis Fuentes from Simone Elkeles’s Chain Reaction. He’s not afraid of anything, and he’ll do whatever it takes to prove a point, dangerous or not. In fact, Luis’s reckless behavior had my heart going double-time for the last quarter of this book!
Biggest Flirt – Brooklyn, from Kimberly Derting’s The Pledge. She’s all about strutting her stuff for the guys, but there’s definitely more to Brook than meets the eye–which is why I loved her so much!
Fashion King and/or Queen – Cricket Bell and Lola Nolan from Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins. For him: narrow, pinstriped pants and an arm full of rubber bands. For her: themed outfits, colorful wigs, amazing make-up–everyday a different persona. They’re a match made in fashion heaven. ♥
Girl You’d Most Want For Your BFF – This one was hard… I almost went with Karou from Daughter of Smoke and Bone. She’s awesome, but she’s not exactly present all the time, so I’m going with Briony Larkin from Franny Billingsley’s Chime. I love her for all the reasons I love Karou (brave, clever, and loyal), plus, Briony is someone who can be counted on to drop by with a pint of ice cream (or a bottle of wine?) after a rough day.
Boy You Wish You’d Dated in High School – Adam Wilde from Gayle Forman’s Where She Went. He’s devoted and brooding and musical and he loves deeply, with everything in him. And that scene from If I Stay where he cries… Good grief! Gets me every time!
Most Likely to Become President – Four from Veronica Roth’s Divergent. He’s able to overcome the few things that scare him, he leads without evoking fear in others, and he makes decisions based on what’s best, not necessarily what’s popular. I’d vote for him!
Quirkiest Character – Harley from Across the Universe by Beth Revis. I could never quite put my finger on what it was about Harley that I appreciated, but I suppose that was part of his charm. He was eccentric and unpredictable and artistic and never played by the rules. Love that!
Villain You Love to Hate – Facebook, from The Future of Us :). One of the most inimitable antagonists I’ve encountered.
Favorite Parental Figure – This might be an unconventional choice, but I pick Brimstone from Laini Taylor’s Daughter of Smoke and Bone. Strange and distant as he is, there’s an obvious and fierce love between Brimstone and Karou that feels boundless.
(Source Unknown)
Coolest Nerd – Cricket Bell from Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins. Yes, friends, Cricket is a nerd. But it’s that bumbling awkwardness and observable intelligence that makes him so adorably charming. What girl wouldn’t find a guy like Cricket irresistible?
(Illustration by Simini Blocker)
There ya have it! My Popularity Contest selections! Thoughts?
And if you’re participating in the Class of 2011: YA Superlative Blogfest, please click on the image below to drop your link:
2011 IN REVIEW…
Lots of people do wrap-ups at the end of the year, but lovely posts by Jessica Love and Erin Bowman in particular have inspired me to do one of my own. Fair warning: This is a LONG post. It’s also full of pictures, many of which include my daughter. If you’re getting bored with those, please accept my apologies. She’s just so darn cute!
All in all, 2011 was a strange year, full of very high highs and some super low lows. Here’s what sticks out…
JANUARY
High – Revised and started querying my manuscript, Where Poppies Bloom, in hopes of snagging a fantastic literary agent.
High – Cheered on the Seahawks, a sort of last hurrah with my husband before he headed out to Ranger School.
Low AND High – Said a sad goodbye my hubby and began a year of serious bonding with my favorite girl.
February
High – Sent more Poppies queries, received some requests, then some encouraging rejections, revised, queried some more.
Low – Turned thirty… Eep! I’m old! (Though the Ben and Jerry’s was a high.)
High – Took serious inventory of my eating and lifestyle habits and decided to make some major changes. I’ve since become a healthy eater and happy runner and yoga-er. I’ve lost a significant amount of weight and feel amazing.
March
Becoming a Low – Had a few close calls with Poppies, revised, queried some more. (Are we beginning to see a pattern here?)
High – Welcomed Spring with open arms.
Low – My girlie lost her first tooth. (Okay, it was knocked out. She cried. I did too.)
High – I acquired a niece! I’d already been blessed with three nephews, so this was a VERY exciting event! Isn’t she sweet?
High – While Poppies was in the hands of several agents, I decided to give it a mental rest in favor of something shiny and new. This idea (creatively entitled Bus WiP) resulted in a detailed outline that’s still awaiting a first draft.
April
High – Celebrated Easter with my Sweet Pea.
High – Trekked across the country to watch my husband graduate from Ranger School in Georgia. So proud of him! (Also, he’s not normally this thin. Ranger School is grueling.)
High – Received an offer of representation from an amazing agent while on vacation! Notified others who were reading. Waited…
High – Visited Disney World with my parents, my husband and our girl, and my in-laws. Such a wonderful trip!
High – Visited The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Hogsmeade! Butterbeer! Rollercoasters! Dream come true. 🙂
May
High – Received a second offer of representation. Contemplated. Made a challenging but thrilling decision. Signed with Agent Vickie. Celebration ensued!
Low – Watched and worried as my dad’s health mysteriously deteriorated, culminating in TWO brain surgeries and a discouraging diagnoses. I can’t really describe what this was like, except to say that watching a man who’s appeared invincible your entire life rapidly decline is absolutely heartbreaking.
Low – Waved a tearful goodbye to my husband as he deployed to Afghanistan. Again, it’s hard to express how horrible a feeling it is to say farewell to the person you love most, especially knowing there’s a possibility he could be hurt or killed while away. It’s the very best part of yourself, ripped away.
June
High – Happily welcomed Summer!
High – Got down and dirty with the Poppies revision ideas Agent Vickie suggested. Fleshed out characters. Upped the mystery. Added detail to the setting and backstory.
High – Watched the world’s hammiest little hula girl dance the Hukilau.
High – Fell in love with my small town all over again.
July
High – Successfully completed my first 5K, and my first round of revisions.
High – Celebrated the Fourth of July with family and friends.
Low – Dealt with this hideous creature cock-a-doodle-dooing all day and night for weeks. (I found out later that my neighbor shot him. Yikes.)
High – Dove into another round of revisions. (Yes. I am freakishly pragmatic.)
Low – Said goodbye to Harry Potter. The end of an era, I tell ya!
High – My girlie and I visited my parents in Phoenix. My dad was weak but beginning to recover, thank goodness.
August
High – Celebrated my girl’s fourth birthday…
…with a very Tangled Birthday Bash!
High – Completed a second 5K, and submitted another revised version of Poppies to Agent Vickie. Getting close!
Low – Rushed my Sweet Pea to the ER after she fell face-first on the pavement. Tears all around. A terrifying night, but luckily there was no lasting damage.
High – Discovered yoga and became a total junkie.
High – Contemplated and planned for a rewrite of a previously “finished” manuscript. This one’s still in the works, and it’s one I’m really excited about.
September
High – My girlie began another year of preschool. Where has the time gone?!
High – Got our country on and traveled to the Tacoma Dome to see…
Taylor Swift!
October
Low – Begrudgingly accepted that Fall was on its way. We’re sunshine girls… What can I say?
High – Our annual trip to the local Pumpkin Patch.
High – Halloween with Rapunzel. (I was Hermione Granger, obviously.)
High – I was invited to join the Bookanistas, a group of writers who review exceptional picture, middle grade, and young adult literature.
November
High – Finished revising Poppies! Embraced my next project.
High – Lots of bonding with fantastic friends, especially this girl, who I adore!
Low – Realized that I’m a compulsive book buyer. Yeah…
High (sort of) – Had all kinds of fun with my family, cheering my beloved Cougs on to an Apple Cup… LOSS. *sigh*
High – Got all dolled up to see Cinderella at the Fifth Avenue Theater in Seattle. (Loved.)
December
Low – Accepted Winter for its frigid days and early nights. Boo. Still, with sunrises like this one, it’s not all bad. (How cool is the shadow of Mt. Rainier on the clouds?)
High – Rediscovered my love of baking. Now I just need my husband to return so he can eat all my confections!
Low – Speaking of my husband, I came to terms with the fact that my daughter and I will be spending another holiday season without him. Painful, but I’m so thankful this deployment is winding down.
High – Reconnected with old friends. I’ve known these girls since I was sixteen (one since I was ten!).
There you have it… My 2011. The highs, the lows, and everything in between. This post (while incredibly time consuming to put together!) was a fun trip down memory lane. It’s reminded me how lucky I am, how much I’ve grown in twelve months, and, most importantly, that the highs always outnumber the lows.
Tell me, what was your highest high of 2011? Your lowest low?
Monday Musings…
Ahh, the holidays. I feel like I’ve been shopping and wrapping and baking for eons! I’ve got so much crazy going on this week, it’s hard to keep it all straight in my head. Good news? It’s all fun, Christmas-y stuff. Bad news? It’s all majorly time consuming! That said, I do have a few things to share with you today. Please excuse the random nature of this post. 🙂
1. Thanks so much to everyone from the Deja Vu Blogfest who stopped by this little blog over the last few days. Your comments on my (re)post were reassuring and validating and inspiring. The YA community rocks!
2. I made November Cakes! In case you’re in the dark about these tasty little treats, November Cakes are pastries invented by Maggie Stiefvater, beautifully described in The Scorpio Races (an aMaZiNg book, by the way). Maggie recently wrote and posted a recipe for these little rolls of heaven, and of course I had to test it out. Though they took about four (FOUR!) hours to make start to finish, the effort was certainly worth it…
Now, I’m not sure Maggie would approve, but I’m thinking I might’ve come up with a shortcut for November Cakes, in case you’re not down with spending four hours in the kitchen dealing the yeast and multiple risings. Why not buy already prepared refrigerated bread dough and start with that, picking up Maggie’s recipe after the first rising, and skipping the second rising all together? I admit, I haven’t actually tried this yet so I can’t vouch for whether these shortcut November Cakes are quite as delicious, but I’m definitely down to give it a go. Also, the next time I make November Cakes I’m going to roll candied pecans into them. Because… why not?
3. YA Highway has been rocking my world lately. It almost seems as if the bloggers there are tailoring their posts to me and the specific struggles I’m having with my writing. Take this post on Getting Your Characters “In” by Veronica Roth, or the one about Asking Why by Leila Austin. Seriously awesome. I highly recommend you check out these posts (and all the rest!) if you haven’t already.
4. The Class of 2011: YA Superlative Blogfest kicks off one week from tomorrow! There’s still plenty of time to prepare and schedule your posts before the real holiday madness begins. Have you signed up yet?
5. Dexter. Season finale. Last five seconds = Jaw drop. Holy Hell.
6. Remember last week when I mentioned my daughter’s preschool Christmas Program? Well, it was predictably adorable. Nothing like 25 four-year-olds screaming Jingle Bells at the top of their lungs. Not that I’m biased or anything, but there was one four-year-old who was especially delightful…
All pretty and ready to go…
Taking her role as Mary VERY seriously…
Totally rocking her Winter Wonderland solo…
Cutest!
♥♥ Love my girl! ♥♥
How was your weekend? Who else has a crazy-busy week ahead?
Spelling Counts (even IF you’re a werewolf!)
Like many writerly types, I look forward to YA Highway‘s Field Trip Friday each week. If you’re unfamiliar, every Friday the brilliant and witty Kate Hart compiles the best publishing, entertainment, and randomly awesome links from the web and drops them in one place for our perusal. (You can check out last week’s FTF HERE.)
One of the Field Trip Friday bits that recently piqued my interest was: “Cake Wrecks has the best of the worst Twilight-themed cakes…”
Why did this particular link catch my interest? Well, um, I like cake, but mostly I find the freakish, can’t-look-away-from-a-train-wreck quality the Twilight franchise and its fans possess to be incredibly intriguing. So… I clicked.
*shudder*
The cakes were predictably repulsive. All of them. But this one caught my eye and proceeded to offend me more than all the others:
Yes, Jacob’s over-the-shoulder gaze is creepy. Yes, his pack tattoo looks like radioactive slime (Why IS it green?). And yes, the handwriting is juvenile and sloppy. But can you guess what I find MOST offensive about this cake?
Go ahead. Take a closer look…
YES!
“I’m glad YOUR on my team (no punctuation mark)”
I know I’m preaching to the choir here, but for the love of all that is holy! If you’re (see how I did that?) going to take the time to mix together a cake, bake it, frost it, and decorate it (no matter how hideously), why not take a moment to verify that your spelling and grammar are correct? I mean, we’re all allowed the occasional typo, but mistaking your for you’re on a birthday cake is just wrong.
Because images found on Pinterest always say it better than I can:
Live it. Learn it. Love it, people!
Tell me… What’s your spelling/grammar pet peeve?
Fall Book Club…
*SAD FACE*
I was so incredibly excited about today’s discussion of The Scorpio Races, a novel by Maggie Stiefvater and the third book selected for Fall Book Club, brainchild of the lovely Tracey Neithercott. But, unfortunately I’ve committed a big ol’ Book Club FAIL and neglected to actually FINISH the The Scorpio Races. You have no idea how sad and ashamed I am to admit this, especially since I’ve started the book and am loving it so far. But in my (pitiful) defense, my parents have been in town all week and I’ve been pretty busy.
*Cue dramatic violin music.*
That said, I am half way through The Scorpio Races and, as I mentioned, I’m absolutely smitten. I’ll be recommending the novel for my Bookanistas post this Thursday. If you’re so inclined, please check back then to read all about why I’m head over heels for this book.
If you’re interested in checking out my take on previous Book Club selections, you can find my thoughts on Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children HERE, and Daughter of Smoke and Bone HERE. Also, please do take a moment to check out the posts from more contentious Book Clubbers who’ve finished The Scorpio Races and posted links to their thoughts HERE.
In an effort to make up for my Book Club fail and prove that I really was a busy girl over the last several days, a few gratuitous pictures of my cutie pie and me. 🙂
Decorating the tree on Thanksgiving…
Getting our Coug on for Apple Cup 2011…
Settling in to watch Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella at the Fifth Avenue Theater in Seattle… Highly recommend!
How was your Thanksgiving (assuming you celebrated)? Do anything fun over the long weekend?
Thankful…
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
One year ago I was full of dread concerning 2011. I knew my husband would be spending the year in a war zone halfway around the world, I was frustrated with the seemingly stand-still status of my writing, and overwhelmed by family stuff that seemed too big to ever improve. In my mind, 2011 was nothing to get excited about. And, looking back, 2011 has had some incredibly trying moments. This deployment has, in fact, sucked. My writing still has its challenges. A few members of my family have gone through some very scary health scares. But, 2011 has had some amazing moments as well, and in hindsight, the good far outweighs the bad.
This last year has given my so much to be thankful for:
1) My husband, who’s brave, selfless, loving, and forever supportive of me and my writing. He’s also the world’s best daddy. And my daughter, who makes me smile every day–no matter what!–and is the sweetest, funniest, smartest little girl around.
2) My family, the people who love me no matter what and endlessly remind me that things will be okay–good even! On a daily basis, my family members reassure me that I’m capable of getting through anything, but without them, I’m not sure I would be!
3) My friends, those I’ve known for years and those who’ve come into my life more recently. You (if you’re reading this, you know who you are!) make the days go by quicker and add great heaps of fun to the most mundane activities: Project Runway, dinners at Red Robin and Los Pinos, long bike rides, shopping trips, and so much more! Thanks for being there through thick and thin!
4) My agent, who believes in my work like I do, envisions it on bookshelves in stores everywhere, and works her tail off to get it there. She also has excellent taste in books and food and accessories. 🙂
5) My generous and gracious CPs and betas, who’ve slaved over my writing with their metaphorical red pens, gracing it with their genius. I’m a better writer (and a better reader!) because of you. Thank you for your time and support and brilliance!
6) Books, because they’re equal parts professional development and escapism, and I can’t go a day without spending at least a few minutes lost in a good one.
7) My writing friends, the lovelies I’ve come to know through blogging and Twitter. I love talking books and social media and writing and healthy food and hot boys with you. You make this wild ride so much more fun, and you make me feel just a *little* less crazy. 🙂
8 ) My wonderful blog readers, who take a moment from their days to drop by, read my ramblings, and leave thoughtful comments. To echo the eloquent words of Alison Miller, I HEART you!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
I anticipate a little blogging break over the long weekend, but before I go, here’s a friendly reminder to check out the football-inspired book giveaway Sarah Enni and I are having this week! Sarah’s prize pack includes copies of The Daughter of Smoke and Bone and Shatter Me, and I have copies of Anna and the French Kiss and Lola and the Boy Next Door up for grabs. All you have to do is guess the TOTAL POINTS SCORED for Saturday’s Apple Cup football game (the combined score for both the Washington State University Cougars and the University of Washington Huskies). Sarah and I will pick a winner from our respective comments–whoever came closest to the actual final total score. (This means you don’t have to know anything about these teams or football to have a great chance to win!). Enter to win HERE!
A very COUGAR giveaway!
We’re coming up on rivalry weekend in college football, and this year I’m even more excited to watch my Washington State University Cougars play our across-the-mountain rivals, the University of Washington Huskies, because one of my very lovely and sports-literate writing friends, Sarah Enni, is a Husky herself! So to bring a little college football love to the blogs, we’ve decided to host an Apple Cup Contest!
The contest will be hosted on both our blogs, and we’re both offering prizes! Sarah’s prize pack includes copies of The Daughter of Smoke and Bone and Shatter Me, and I have copies of Anna and the French Kiss and Lola and the Boy Next Door up for grabs.
Here’s how the contest works. On either my blog or Sarah’s blog, leave a comment with what you think the TOTAL POINTS SCORED (the combined score for both teams!) for the Apple Cup will be. Both Sarah and I will pick a winner from our respective comments–whoever came closest to the actual final total score. (This means you don’t have to know anything about these teams or football to have a great chance to win!)
If the Cougs win, my prize pack will go to the first place winner, and Sarah’s prize will go to the runner-up. If the Huskies win, prizes will be awarded vice versa.
This means you can enter the contest twice if you leave a comment with a total score estimate on both our blogs!*
You have until Apple Cup kick-off (Saturday, November 26, 7:30 p.m. ET, 4:30 p.m. PT) to make your guesses! There are no extra points for Tweeting/blogging about this giveaway (because the rules are a little different and we don’t want to add any confusion) but we’d love it if you spread the word.
*Tie breaker will go to the first person to guess (according to comment time-stamp), so make your guesses early!
Best of luck!
(My hubby and I made the five-hour trek to Pullman, Washington for the game last year. The experience was just about this blurry, and tons of fun too!)
Five on a Friday…
Happy Friday!
1. Guys. I’m in over my head. May I present you with… my To-Read piles:
So intimidating, I don’t even know where to start! I’m working on The Piper’s Son now (LOVE) and up next is The Scorpio Races for Fall Book Club, but then what? How do even begin to tackle all of these books?! (Oh, and in case you’re tempted to plan an intervention, I’m not, like, a compulsive shopper or anything. Many of the books pictured above are on loan from wonderfully generous friends, and I’ve won quite a few in online giveaways.)
2. Speaking of online giveaways… I’ve been on a bit of a lucky streak lately. In the last few months, I’ve won A LOT of books. Probably around fifteen. This week alone I’ve won three books, plus a t-shirt! Though my good fortune has become a bit of a joke (How have I managed to rig random.org?!), I am nothing but grateful for my incredibly charitable blogging/writing/tweeting friends. If I haven’t said it enough, THANK YOU to everyone who’s hosted one of the giveaways I’ve been fortunate enough to win. 🙂 And, since we’re on the topic of giveaways, I’ve got one coming up RIGHT HERE very soon! Feel free to sign up for an email subscription to this blog if you haven’t already. The button is there in my right sidebar. —> Go ahead… give it a click. I wouldn’t want YOU to miss out on free books!
3. My husband recently told me that his soldiers agree: I send the BEST care packages. How cool is that? A definite point of pride for any good military wife. The key to a better-than-average care package? Theme! I’ve been focused on autumn for a while, but now I’ve moved on to Christmas. I’ve already got one big box full of Christmas-y treats ready to go, and I’ve got this in the works:
A countdown to Christmas! My husband is horrible with patience and gift-receiving and waiting out surprises (when deployed, he opens ALL packages IMMEDIATELY), so I thought this would be a fun way prolong the holiday spirit and inject a little extra cheer into his December. Each of these ten bags has a little treat with a cute coordinating card and a Why I love you… message inside. Notice: I had to write dates on the cards to indicate when he’s allowed to open each one, and I tied everything closed… he BETTER not peek! (Here’s the LINK to the printable tags if you want to do this for your loved one. So fun!)
4. Two awesome opportunities to give:
- My fellow Bookanista and agent sister Carolina Valdez Miller is going on a medical mission trip to Haiti this January and needs your help. Please consider donating to this very worthy cause!
- My longtime friend and aspiring literary agent Kari Bradley is spreading the word about a Barnes & Noble Bookfair, raising funds to benefit Curtis Junior High School’s library. If you’re planning to do any book shopping this weekend (in-store or online), please consider using Book Fair ID #10511327.
5. And, no Friday is complete without a funny…
What are you up to this weekend? Prepping for Turkey Day? NaNo-ing? Reading? Early holiday shopping? Watching Breaking Dawn Part I (eek!)? Tell me in the comments!
Katy Upperman ~ Author 