Monday Maunder: The End of Bloggiesta

As I mentioned last week in my weekly maunders, I participated in Bloggiesta over the weekend!  If you remember, my list was HUGE!  Well, here is how it looks AFTER the weekend of working on it (and maybe even adding some additional items), including my pre-list of everything I needed to complete BEFORE the event even began . . . 

THE PRE-HUGE LIST:  What I hoped to get done BEFORE Bloggiesta began on Thursday.

• Finalize and Schedule Bloggiesta Challenge (Check it out here!!)
• March Literary Link Love (Posted last week here!)
• Friday's Review
• Schedule Review of Insurgent by Veronica Roth (Scheduled for April 2, 2014)

THE HUGE LIST

• Back-up Blog 
• Back-up Template 
• Update Books Read in 2014 
• Update Review Index 
• Update Book Bloggers International Blogger Index 
• Update Book Bloggers International Guest Post Index 
• Change Graphic Novels to Graphic Novels/Comics
• Update Armchair BEA Website 
• Create Armchair BEA Sponsorship Form 
• Create Armchair BEA Participant Form 
• Email Participant Spreadsheet to Armchair BEA Participant Team
• Create Armchair BEA Prize Claim Form
• Email Prize Claim Form and Instructions to Prize Team 
• Email the Sponsorship Form to Armchair BEA Team
• Confirm Logistics for Google+ Hangout for Armchair BEA Chats (In the works!)
• Create Armchair BEA International Committee Form &Timeline
• Find and Email Commenting Committee Info
• Contact May Book Bloggers International Guest Posts
• Review of Allegiant by Veronica Roth
• March Fairy Tale Friday
• Brainstorm Additional Discussion Posts
• Participate in Twitter Chat(s) - I did 2!!
• Schedule New Armchair BEA Team Announcement (Drafted!)
• Catch-up on Reading Blogs (Only got to a handful.)
• Write Review of Chew, Vol 1

I was not able to complete everything on my list, and my list grew a bit from the start of the weekend, BUT I am so very happy with all that was completed.  I got sooooo much stuff done and I am feeling much better about everything than I was this time last week.  Overall, I consider Bloggiesta a success!!  The one downside is that I did not participate in any of the challenges, but the beauty of these online events is that I can still go back and check them out this week and get the information.  I was really excited about a number of them this time around.

I close with just a brief round-up of my reading for the week . . .

I finished Allegiant by Veronica Roth finally!  Yay!!  That review will be coming in the near future.  I also finished Chew, Volume 1:  Taster's Choice by John Layman.  And, started Enchanted Glass by Diana Wynne Jones.

How did Bloggiesta go for you?  How about your reading?

Literary Link Love: March 2014

This month has been a great one for links!

Did you see that Harry Potter is getting a new look?  Artist Jim Kay is putting his spin on the magical world that so many of us love.

Speaking of Harry Potter, he is hitting the stage!  It's a bit of old news, but still worth the share.

While I am on the Harry Potter bandwagon, how about you take a look to see what your favorite character in the stories says about you.  My favorite is very likely Ron Weasley with Hermoine Granger not far behind.

And speaking of Hermoine Granger, someone thinks that she should not have gotten married at all.  I'm not sure I agree with this, but I do believe her to be one of the strongest female characters out there!

Okay, enough on Harry Potter!  Let's move on to other things . . .

I never leave home without a book is just one of the stereotypes about book lovers that fits me!  It is far from being the only one.

I also can relate very much to these problems that only book lovers understand.  You really didn't want me to list pages of my favorites books?  You were only looking for one?!?

I love these bookish murals from around the world.

I always love hearing the story behind how bookstores got their name.  Here's a list of 11 for you!

It's been so nice to get back into listening to audiobooks over the last year.  I particularly like to listen while I am on a walk or cleaning the house, but here's a great list for you in case you were looking for more ideas of when to sneak in more audio listening.

Interested in some random facts about famous literature?  This one is for you then!  I was particularly fond of the one about Roald Dahl because ... well, it involved chocolate, need I say more?!?

Blake Shelton and Adam Levine were not the first public bromance.  Here's a great list of unforgettable bromances in literature.

Are you a little stressed and need to get your mind off of things for a while?  Try this FREE coloring book.  Oh, and the kids in your life may enjoy it too!

If you are a book lover who also loves Legos, you have got to check this out!!  My favorite is probably The Hunger Games.

Have you ever wondered how a graphic novel is made?  Author Kevin Cannon gives us a sneak peek over at The Book Snob.  This is so cool!!

Are you a speed reader?  Do you read faster than the average person?  Here's a little test to give you an idea.  I scored higher than I thought I would at 374 words/minute and 50% faster than the national average.

Book Bloggers International has been hosting March Match-Ups.  Did you see that Ashley took to the battlefield with Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones?  How about that I compared The Hunger Games with Divergent?  I won't share the winners.  You have to click on over to find out!

For the blogging crowd, Tanya shared some great blogging tasks you can do while waiting in line.

And, last but not least, I leave you with this fun little image.  I have no idea who to credit for this, but thank you to whoever shared it with the world!

Wow!  That's a lot of links this month.  I think I might need to cut back on the sharing just a little bit.  This might be a bit oversharing!  I will shoot for less next month.

Which of these links were your favorites?  Did I miss something valuable out there that I need to include this next month?

Bloggiesta Challenge: Get Organized {Evernote + More}

It is Bloggiesta challenge time!

One of the most difficult tasks as a blogger is keeping everything organized. I have participated in many conversations over the years about how to plan posts, organize a blogging calendar, maintain a list of future discussion posts, and more. This May, I will be celebrating 7 years of blogging and I finally feel like I have found a system that works for me. Allow me to share my organizational saviors . . .

CALENDAR: I use a paper calendar for my blog as well as for most of my other bookish activities, including book clubs and other blogging sites that I help to maintain. For one of my blog projects, I also use Google Calendar. I am a huge fan of Google Calendar, but I already have the max amount of colors utilized for all my other life events. For this reason, I reserve my paper calendar for main blog planning and scheduling. (Plus, I tend to be a bit old school and love the feel of the calendar in my hands.)

EVERNOTE: When I discovered this app, my life changed for the better. It is really that good! I can sync my notebooks via my laptop, mobile, and desktop computer. No matter where I am, I have my little “notebook” to jot down ideas, maintain my list of tasks, keep a running list of future discussion posts, save articles that I want to share with my readers or to save for later reading (by using the Evernote Web Clipper), and so much more. Let me show you just a few ways that I use Evernote . . .

The Big Picture

I have a notebook for everything! I have my personal notebook, one for blog projects, a specific one for special links I want to share with my readers and another for all those links that I have already shared, one for photography tips I want to reference, and so many, many more. There is really very few limits to the number of notebooks (well, if you use the FREE account, you get 100).

A Peek At My Evernote Notebooks

Breaking It Down Further 

Within each notebook, you can then break your organization down into greater detail. For example, under my Blog Projects Notebook, I have a number of separate notes: Tif Talks Books, Armchair BEA, Book Bloggers International, to name my main ones. I also have a few others for special blog projects (e.g., my journaling challenge), but you can get the idea.

A Portion Of Literary Link Love Notebook

The Dirty Details 

Within each notebook, I then break my notes and organization down even further. I keep running lists of tasks, such as my ongoing Bloggiesta To Do List. I jot down notes for future discussion posts. I track where I left off on my review indexes, so I know where I need to catch up and how long it has been since I last updated these pages. I keep lists, notes, contact information, web articles, and so much more. There really is no end to the creativity in your organization.

Tif Talks Books Never-Ending To-Do List

One thing I want to particularly address is my daily list of tasks. I keep a running list within my personal notebook of all the things I need to do. I put everything on this list, from blog updates to personal reminders and errands and so much more. I usually keep this list a month in advance, and this is the note that I use the most frequently. It is opened every single day, despite my little example below not including weekends. (I use my weekends as catch-up time, so whatever doesn’t get completed during the week, I usually make it a point to finish during the weekend.) It has been so great to help divide up my tasks throughout the week, guaranteeing that I remember to work on all the different projects that I currently have on my plate.

A Glimpse Into My Future Weekly Tasks

Now, before moving on to the challenge, let me share some additional thoughts on organization from other bloggers . . .

Other Blogger Fans of Evernote 

Kinna from Kinna Reads:  Kinna uses Evernote for everything. She uses it for monthly planning, gathering ideas for blogs posts, clipping other's reviews of books to read later as well as poems and short stories to read. In short, everything to do with her blog.

Tanya from Girlxoxo:  Tanya uses Evernote in a wide variety of ways, but in particular, she uses it for her blogging calendar. She shares details with you all about it here.

Other Blogger-Approved Organizational Tools 
Evernote has not yet found everyone and not everyone feels Evernote is the right tool for them, so here are some additional ideas and resources for you from others in the blogosphere . . .

Rebecca from Love at First Book uses the Wordpress Editorial Calendar

Suey from It’s All About Books uses Google Drive from spreadsheets for reviews to docs for listing ideas. She also uses a tiny paper calendar the old fashioned way (just like me!).

Jenn from Jenn’s Bookshelves uses Google Calendar and lots and lots of spreadsheets. She uses the latter for tracking review copies that come in, publicity contact info, etc. You can view more information here on those spreadsheets.

Bryan from Still Unfinished uses Evernote, but also the app Day Journal /Day One (depending on your device you downlowd the app to). You can find a list of all his blogging tools here for more information.

Charleen from Cheap Thrills uses Google Calendar and MS OneNote.  She prefers this resource because it's easier to navigate between tabs than lots of separate files (or one massively long one).

Brianna from The Book Vixen uses Google Calendar, Google Docs, Wunderlist app (to-do list), and Goodreads. How does she utilize Goodreads? She uses the 'private notes' field to note where she got the book and also has dedicated shelves like review queue, to be reviewed (meaning book has been read, I need to write review), etc.

THE CHALLENGE 

Now, it is your turn! If you feel you have no room to improve and you have already perfected your organizational skills, share in the comments what you use to stay organized. If there is room for improvement, explore some of these options and get organized now. And, remember to come back and share in the comments how you decided to get organized.

Questions?  You can ask those in the comments section as well!  

Happy Organizing!!  Don't forget to check back at Bloggiesta Headquarters for more challenges and information on this event.

Monday Maunder: Bloggiesta & Other News

It has been a horrible Monday!

Actually, today started out just fine.  I got the kids back to school after their spring break.  I had a great workout, ran a bunch of errands, and got all caught up on my emails.  Then, I found a wet spot in my hallway carpet.  Then, the wet spot began to grow.  Then, I opened the closet door next to the hallway and found a wet mess puddling under the hot water heater.  I immediately called our landlords and they hit the road running to get someone here to fix it.  The good news is that I am sitting on the couch this evening with my feet up, trying to relax from an exhausting day.  My house is a mess from all those closet items I had to remove, BUT the hot water heater has been replaced and I have someone coming by in the morning to clean up the carpet mess.  Tonight, I am so thankful for amazing landlords that responded so quickly!

In other news, I am still reading Allegiant by Veronica Roth.  I really do expect to finish it tonight or tomorrow.  I am really curious to chat with others about this one once I do finish.  As promised in previous weeks, the books that will be up next are Chew, Volume 1 by John Layman and Enchanted Glass by Diana Wynne Jones.

And, for the most exciting news for the week ... It's Bloggiesta time!!  On Wednesday, I will be hosting a challenge for the event, then on Thursday through Sunday, I will be working on my HUGE long list of tasks!  I have been compiling this list since the end of the last Bloggiesta and with Armchair BEA coming up, it has gotten a little out of hand.  I am really looking forward to crossing off so many of these items this week.

THE HUGE LIST

• Back-up Blog 
• Back-up Template 
• Update Books Read in 2014 
• Update Review Index 
• Update Book Bloggers International Blogger Index 
• Update Book Bloggers International Guest Post Index 
• Change Graphic Novels to Graphic Novels/Comics
• Update Armchair BEA Website 
• Create Armchair BEA Sponsorship Form 
• Create Armchair BEA Participant Form 
• Email Participant Spreadsheet to Armchair BEA Participant Team
• Create Armchair BEA Prize Claim Form
• Email Prize Claim Form and Instructions to Prize Team 
• Email the Sponsorship Form to Armchair BEA Team
• Confirm Logistics for Google+ Hangout for Armchair BEA Chats 
• Create Armchair BEA International Committee Form &Timeline
• Find and Email Commenting Committee Info
• Contact May Book Bloggers International Guest Posts
• Review of Allegiant by Veronica Roth
• March Fairy Tale Friday
• Brainstorm Additional Discussion Posts
• Participate in Twitter Chat(s)

THE PRE-HUGE LIST:  What I hope to get done BEFORE Bloggiesta begins on Thursday.

• Finalize and Schedule Bloggiesta Challenge
• March Literary Link Love
• Friday's Review
• Schedule Review of Insurgent by Veronica Roth

My goodness that list is HUGE!!  Wish me luck!!  I think I'm going to need it this time, especially with a weekend full of last minute Girl Scout cookie booths too!!

What are you reading these days?  Are you participating in Bloggiesta this weekend?  What is on your to-do list?

Unwritten #6: Tommy Taylor and the War of Words by Mike Carey

Carey's series, The Unwritten, is one that honestly has left me confused or feeling like I'm attempting to assemble a puzzle without having a sample to work from.  However, it is a story that I have been unable to abandon.

The Unwritten begins with a young man named Tom, the son of a bestselling author.  The main character of these books is named Tommy, and suspicion breaks out that Tom may just be the (not-so) fictional Tommy.  Thanks to the help of his two new friends with paranormal traits, he sets out on an adventure to find the truth behind his father's story.

In Volume 6:  Tommy Taylor and the War of Words, we finally get to learn where Tom/Tommy's powers originate and are sustained.  The pieces are beginning to come together for both the characters in the book as well as for the reader.  The stories are beginning to connect, both with the past and the present.  That puzzle I mentioned earlier is beginning to come into focus.  I can almost see the scene I am supposed to be creating, and it gives me hope for what is to come.

The Unwritten is a complex story, but one that I keep wanting to return to again and again.  It's almost as if something invisible is drawing me back, something I can't see or name, but something that has my curiosity trapped.  I simply cannot get enough and I have no idea why.

Have you read The Unwritten?  How far are you in the series?  Are you just as confused and curious as I am?!?

Journal Circle: A Challenge!

Welcome to the monthly gathering of Journal Circle!

Last month in Journal Circle, I talked about writing about family.  I have continued to do so over the last month, even deciding to go a little artsy with a family tree!  The month before in the first Journal Circle, I shared with you how I personalize my own journals.  This month, I thought I would try a little something different.

One of the things that I struggle with in the journaling realm is doing it on a regular basis.  I find myself going days and sometimes weeks without writing a single thing.  Then, I may have a writing binge.  What I really want is to be a bit more consistency.  So I thought I would start with a challenge and see if any of you would like to join me!

The details . . .

Write a minimum of 10 days over the next month.  This averages out to be at least once every three days.  You can choose to write more than 10 days, but you want to write at least 10 times between now and the next meeting of Journal Circle.

If you are new to journaling and/or simply need a little assistance, I have come up with a list of 10 prompts.  Feel free to use them or not.

1. Why do you journal?
2. Talk about your day.
3. Make a list.
4. Doodle.
5. Clip something from a newspaper.  Attach it into your journal and respond.
6. Choose one . . . my mother, my father, my daughter, my son, my grandmother, my grandfather, my spouse . . .
7. The year I was born.  (Check out this website to help you record some memories!)
8. Listen to a song.  Write about how it made you feel, where it took you, any memories you associate with it, etc.
9. Discuss a current read that has impacted you in some way.
10. Green.

Write away, and stop by throughout the month to let me know how you are doing.  Our next gathering will be on Thursday, April 17, 2014.

Will you be joining me on my challenge?  How has your journaling been going throughout the last month?  Share away in the comments section below.

Fall 2013 Releases from Arbordale Publishing

Arbordale Publishing, formerly known as Sylvan Dell Publishing publishes books twice a year ... once in the spring and once in the fall.  Last Fall, seven titles were released and the company graciously provided me with a copy of each of the books.  

For those of you not familiar with Arbordale's books, let me tell you a couple of things that I love about them:  (1)  They consistently provide children with great stories with an educational slant, each with a focus on math or science. (2) Every book is accompanied by additional educational activities, both at the end of the book and via their website, so parents can go beyond the story.  The Fall 2013 releases are no exception.  Let me share them with you.

The Perfect Pet by Samantha Bell

Bell explores the process of finding the perfect pet, starting with the Animalia kingdom and working downward through the phyla.  It's a fun read-aloud and a great way to kick off the discussion of categorization and in particular, taxonomy.  And, the end may even bring the reader a little surprise!

Click here for more information.

Anybody Home? by Marianne Berkes

Polly 'Possum is on a mission to find a home, but she has limited time. She asks for help from many animals, including a squirrel, bat, and a robin, among others, before finding the perfect home.  It's a story that leaves you with a sweet "ahhhhh" moment, but the map of her travels at the end of the book will keep the story fun going and going.

Anybody Home? wins my daughter's favorite award!  

Click here for more information.

Dino Tracks by Rhonda Lucas Donald

In Dino Tracks, we get to learn about what fossilized tracks can teach us about these extinct beasts.  Examples include the size of a dinosaur, if they traveled in flocks, how many legs they walked on, and more.  It's a fun and informative read, especially for dinosaur fans, but be sure to take your time - parts of the rhyming lines can make you tongue-tied!

Click here for more information.

Animal Helpers:  Zoos by Jennifer Keats Curtis

Curtis, author of Animal Helpers:  Wildlife Rehabilitators, brings us another story in her Animal Helpers series.  In Zoos, we get an inside look into being a zookeeper - building necessities for the animals, feeding the baby animals, and caring for the animals in general.  My favorite part is the up close and personal photographs of the animals.  It's the perfect combination to keeping this adult and her children mesmerized about zookeepers for very long periods of time.

Animal Helpers:  Zoos wins my son's favorite award!

Click here for more information.

The Fort on Fourth Street:  A Story About the Six Simple Machines by Lois Spangler

In Spangler's story, we learn about six simple machines that are used to build a fort in the backyard.  This is a story that I could read multiple times and still learn from.  It's not a common theme in books, but it is one that is perfect for all your little builders out there.

Click here for more information.

A Butterfly Called Hope by Mary Alice Monroe

A Butterfly Called Hope follows the life of a butterfly, from a small egg to a caterpillar and eventually, a beautiful butterfly.  This story reminds me of our visits to a local butterfly house.  Accompanied by photographs, we get to experience a little bit of a favorite destination in the comfort of our own home.

Click here for more information.

A Day in the Deep by Kevin Kurtz

Kurtz takes us on a tour of the ocean, from surface to the deep, deep bottom.  The facts shared in this book are fascinating and the illustrations by Erin E. Hunter are gorgeous.  The sea animals glow off each page, with the contrasting black background, just like in the depths of the ocean.

A Day in the Deep wins my favorite award!

Click here for more information.

I have shared with you a little sneak peek into the Fall 2013 releases from Arbordale Publishing, but you really need to check them out to discover their fun and lessons yourself.  Each one offers a wonderful story filled with little educational tidbits for your kids (and yourself!) to pick up along the way.

Thank you to Arbordale Publishing for review copies of each of these books.

Which book(s) from this list do you feel inclined to pick up to explore?  Have you experienced any of these for yourself yet?

Monday Maunder: At The Movies (1)

I obviously spend most of my time talking about books around here.  Afterall, it is Tif Talks Books.  However, I am also a huge fan of movies and there have been a couple of films that I have watched over this last week that I want to chat about here.

HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE

In case you missed it, last year I read Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones during DWJ March over at We Be Reading.  This book quickly stole my heart and it ended up on my growing list of favorite books of all times.  It struck a chord with me and even after a year has passed, I still frequently think about Sophie and Howl, the main characters in this story.  As March approached and Kristen from We Be Reading announced that she would be hosting DWJ March again, I knew that I had to get my hands on this movie in honor of her event.

This animated movie was directed by Hayao Miyazaki, a man well known for his animation in Japan.  He worked in conjunction with Disney and big name actors lent their voice to the picture, including Christian Bale, Lauren Bacall, Josh Hutcherson, and Billy Crystal.  I found that I quickly fell into the story, reminding myself of what I loved about DWJ's amazing story and feeling comfortable with voices that I already knew.  I loved Billy Crystal as Calcifer and even despite my dislike for Christian Bale, his voice was quite appropriate for Howl himself.  It didn't follow the book exactly, but I was not surprised.  Few movies actually do.  But, I did feel that it was an accurate representation filled with wonderful animations of the characters and worlds that I grew to love in the book.

THOR:  THE DARK WORLD

I was unfortunately not able to see the sequel to THOR in the movie theater, but we were able to get our hands on a copy over the weekend to finally catch this much anticipated film.  I really enjoyed the first version and not just because of Chris Hemsworth!

Personally, I am not a huge fan of Natalie Portman, so I could take her or leave her in this film.  Hemsworth was his wonderful self, as usual.  It was Tom Hiddleston that I think was the stand out in this one though.  Hiddleston, playing Loki, was funny and brooding and heartbreaking.

THOR:  THE DARK WORLD was a fun watch, even if I still have a preference for the first one.  Hiddleston stole the show and I cannot wait to see more of his talent in the future!!

HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE

I end with this one because I just finished reading this book to my children this afternoon.  My son and I have previously read this story, but it was my daughter's first time hearing the story in its entirety.  I probably should have waited a bit longer to read this one to her, but they both begged and pleaded and I gave in.  At this very moment, my kids are camped out on the living room floor watching the movie.  It's so magical to have them experiencing one of my favorite books.  I can almost imagine what it was like for myself experiencing it for the first time as I watch them.  (Yes, I know the movie is not as good as the book, but they are both super fun and will always hold a special place in my heart!)

I sign off this week with my reads for the week ... I finished Insurgent by Veronica Roth and am now in the midst of Allegiant.  I am not flying through the rest of this trilogy like I did the first book.  After I finish my current read, I will then move on to some library books:  Chew, Volume 1 by John Layman and Enchanted Glass by Diana Wynne Jones.

What are some of your recent reads or films?  Do you have any thoughts or comments to share on the titles I've discussed here?

Runaways, Volume 1: Pride and Joy by Brian K. Vaughan

Vaughan, author of Saga and Y: The Last Man, brings us a story for the younger crowd in Runaways.  He introduces us to six teens, all of them very different.  They have one thing in common though - their parents.  Every year, the parents get together to discuss charity events.  At the latest meeting, the kids tired of each others' company decide to go exploring, only to discover that their parents may actually be super villains!  They band together to expose their parents while new details about their families and themselves are revealed.

In the first volume, Pride and Joy, we learn about the lives of these six teens.  For the introductory volume, I found Runaways to be fun, action-packed, and a little strange, but I am definitely interested in learning more of where their adventures take them.  I just need to figure out how to get my hands on more.

Have you run away with the Runaways?  Which of the characters do you like or relate to the best?

Recommended Reads: Picture Books

I have a confession:  I adore picture books!  I started collecting picture books when I was just a child myself, adding more to my collection in the years I worked in bookstores, even before I had children of my own.  Since having children of my own, my (our) picture book selection has increased exponentially.  

I first fell in love with the beautiful graphics that accompany a wonderful story, whether that story made me laugh or smile or even had one of those hidden messages on life.  Today, that love is still there, but it is now connected with snuggle story time with my children.  As my children have gotten older, I now find that I am back to being the listener as my own children read the stories to me.  Picture books warm my heart!

I now want to share a bit of that warmth with you my passing on a list of the favorite picture books in our household, in no particular order.  Enjoy!

1.  There Is a Bird on Your Head! by Mo Willems:  If you have never met Elephant & Piggie, then you need to fix that now!  I can read this book (or any Elephant & Piggie book for that matter) over and over and over again and giggle every single time.  Hilariously good!

2.  Curious George by H.A. Rey:  This classic featuring a very curious monkey is a classic for a reason.  Which child doesn't remind you a bit of George?!?

3.  Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr.:  Martin brings us a book that you cannot read aloud; you must sing it!  We actually prefer the audio version of this one, complete with a rendition by Ray Charles.

4.  Duck! Rabbit! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal:  Is it a duck or a rabbit?  We love to debate this controversy in our home, and it helps expand our imaginations beyond the book.

5.  Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman:  Eastman's classic was one of my favorite books from my own childhood.  I cannot tell you how many copies of this book that we have owned.  The best one to start with is the fabric version, complete with a baby bird to move from page to page.

6.  Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett:  Residents of Chewandswallow never have to worry about what to have for a meal because the weather decides it for them.  That is, until the weather goes a bit wonky.  Three words:  fun, imaginative, delicious!

7.  Go, Dog. Go! by P.D. Eastman:  Another classic from my childhood and a great early reader for the younger crowd.  Do you like my hat?

8. Because a Little Bug Went Ka-Choo! by Dr. Seuss:  One little bug sneezed and the domino effect kicks in.  My kids giggle every time and love to look at the pictures at all that is going on.

9.  There Was An Old Lady . . . by Lucille Colandro:  I think we own every single one of these books.  My children love to see what this old lady is going to swallow next.  It started with a fly, but then there was a bat, then some leaves, then a bell ... and I could go on.  

10:  Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola:  Yet another classic story, this one a favorite for reading aloud and on audio.  Personally, I prefer the picture book because the detailed illustrations I can look at for hours.  After you fall in love with Strega Nona, then be sure to also check out all the other accompanying adventures that she encounters.

11.  Little Skink's Tail by Janet Halfmann:  A little skink is attacked by a bird, and the natural defense mechanism sets in ... the tail wiggles away from the body!  Little skink tries on all sorts of other tails, but not one fits just right.  My kids are fascinated with the skink's abilities and trying to figure out what might come next.  I love the lesson about feeling comfortable in your own skin.

12:  The Pigeon Wants a Puppy! by Mo Willems:  Willems appears for a second time on this list and that is because he is just plain brilliant!  If you love Elephant & Piggie, then you will have to love Pigeon.  He makes you laugh, and may even remind you a little bit of your own little.  There are a handful of Pigeon books, but this is by far our favorite.

13.  Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak:  Another classic from my own childhood that I have passed on to my children.  We love to create our own wild rumpus every single time we read it.  Sometimes, we don't even need that excuse to rumpus about!

14.  See Inside Your Body by Katie Daynes:  See Inside Your Body really does not qualify as a picture book.  It is a lift-the-flap nonfiction book about the human body.  My kids are fascinated with this book and I love that they can relate what they read to their own bodies.

15.  The Umbrella by Jan Brett:  Brett has many amazing picture books out there, but this is our favorite.  We can learn about a place that is very different from everywhere we have ever lived and it is filled with illustrations of beautiful animals.

What are some of your favorite picture books, either as a child or a parent?  Do you find that my list is lacking a book that every child should read?

The Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

I first read Clockwork Angel back in the spring/summer of 2011 and loved it.  When I read the sequel, Clockwork Prince, it made my favorites list of 2012.  Why it took me so long to read Clockwork Princess, especially considering it has been sitting on my shelf since it was released a year ago, is a complete mystery to me.  Maybe it is because I knew the end was coming to this trilogy, and I simply did not want to face it.  Maybe I was worried that the final book would not live up to the rest of the series.  Maybe I just wanted to avoid it altogether.  Whatever the reason, it no longer matters.  I finally picked it up and can now chalk up another series being completed.

Clockwork Princess, the final installment of The Infernal Devices trilogy, follows the fight between the Shadowhunters and Mortmain.  We get to enter the ultimate showdown between good and evil.  We learn more about Tessa and get to stand next to her as she prepares for her wedding day.  We get to experience the power of love and the connection of family, whether it may be by blood or something more.  We feel the pain of loss, the triumph of success, and the hope that keeps us going even in the darkest of times.

There are so many trilogies or series that have left me with mixed emotions.  Clockwork Princess took me on lots of highs and lows, but it left me satisfied in the end.  I would even venture to say it ended with perfection.  All that waiting apparently paid off.

Have you dove into The Infernal Devices trilogy?  Did you love it as much as I did?

Monday Maunder: In The Books

Hello Monday!

This week has been a pretty decent reading week.  For that reason, I thought I would just share my weekly books.  I wanted to share some pictures with you, but that will have to wait until a future week when I am actually done with them!

I finished three books this week.  The first was Ivy & Bean Break the Fossil Record, the third in the series.  I read this one with my daughter.  I have no intention of reviewing this book, but I will say that my daughter adores this series.  Myself, I honestly could take it or leave it.  As long as she wants to read them together, I'm going to continue to read them!

The second book was Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare, the final book in the Infernal Devices trilogy.  I will be writing a review on this one, but as a sneak peek, I adored this one!  I will save the details for the full review though!

The final book was Embroideries by Marjane Satrapi.  I will not be writing a review on this book either.  I was rather annoyed on so many levels that I simply do not want to devote any more of my time to it.  I think I read it with a look of disgust on my face through most of the story.

Today, you will find me in the middle of Insurgent by Veronica Roth.  I decided to pick this one up sooner rather than later thanks to a good friend pushing me to do so.  It is going quickly, so I anticipate moving on to Allegiant and finishing up that series this week.  I may even be able to dive into Chew, Volume 1 by John Layman and Enchanted Glass by Diana Wynne Jones.  Wish me luck on another great week of reading!

What's happening in the books for you this week?  

Fairy Tale Fridays: The Frog King

Fairy Tale Fridays is back!!  Just in case you missed the announcement last month, you can check out all the details and a list of my favorite tales here.  Once a month, I will be chatting about the classic fairy tales.  Today, we talk specifically about The Frog King as written by The Brothers Grimm.

I really decided to go with this story because of my love for the Frog Prince in the Fables series.  At first, the Frog Prince is only a minor character, but he eventually turns into a major character in Willingham's graphic novel series ... a character that I adore and stands as one of my favorites of the series.

My collection of fairy tales is still packed away in one of my many boxes, so I had to search out a copy at my local library.  I found The Bicentennial Edition of The Annotated Brothers Grimm with notes by Maria Tatar, and discovered so much more than I was planning for.

Many may remember The Frog King with the title of The Frog Prince, the story of a prince that was cursed, but brought back to human form thanks to a kiss from a princess.  Disney used this little tale as inspiration for The Princess and the Frog.  However, when I began to read this tale, I discovered that it is so different from my memories of the story!

The Brothers Grimm re-wrote many of their stories to add lessons or to make them flow more smoothly (from the dictated versions of oral tradition).  The beginning of this story is a prime example of how the stories have changed over time.  The original version from 1812 begins like this . . .

Once upon a time there lived a princess.  One day she went into the forest and sat down by a cool well.  A golden ball was her favorite toy.  She loved to amuse herself by throwing it up into the air and catching it when it came back down.

This is the beginning of the story that I read, dating back to 1857 . . .

Once upon a time, when wishes still came true, there lived a king who had beautiful daughters.  The youngest was so lovely that even the sun, which had seen so many things, was filled with wonder when it shone on her face.   

There was a deep, dark forest near the king's castle, and in that forest, beneath an old linden tree, was a spring.  Whenever the weather turned really hot, the king's daughter would go out into the woods and sit down at the edge of the cool spring.  And if she was bored, she would take out her golden ball, throw it up in the air, and catch it.  That was her favorite plaything.

That is quite the difference!  As an aspiring author myself, I found this change quite amazing.  The images flow more freely in the second and updated version.  They both give the same message, but the latter is really much more enjoyable to read.

As I continued to read, I also discovered another interesting difference.  The story that I grew up with and that many think of when they think of the Frog Prince, ends with a kiss from a princess.  However, that is not what happens in the original tale.  What actually happens is that the princess gets annoyed with the frog and throws him against the wall.  In fact, the princess is not a sweet little girl, but a snotty brat that breaks promises and throws innocent little frogs in the hopes of harm.  Of course, after the frog turns into a prince, the two still get married.  I am just left wondering why the marriage ever took place.  Why would the prince ever want to marry a woman who throws you across the room in her anger and frustration?!?

As I read the annotated edition, I was also quite surprised at the sexual overtones.  In the original version, after the princess throws the frog against the wall, he "falls down into her bed and lies there as a handsome young prince, and the king's daughter lies down next to him."  I won't even go into the detail about the frog being used as phallic symbol.  All this just ruins my innocent little thoughts about this story!

After reading The Frog King in its original form, I think I much prefer the more modern version.  I would rather think of the prince or princess as more of a hero, than a man that decides to marry an ungrateful woman that throws innocent animals in her rage.

I could go on in more detail regarding my thoughts about the story. . . about the importance of keeping a promise or the introduction of a character in the final paragraphs of the tale or the use of folk sayings within the story . . . but, I will not.  I will leave you with only the points that left with me the largest impact after revisiting this tale.  I now invite you to read a version of the tale here, then let me know your thoughts.

What do you remember about The Frog King (or The Frog Prince)?  What were your thoughts after you read the tale?  Was it as you remembered it?  What differences stood out to you?

Recommended Reads: Graphic Novels

I read my first graphic novel back in my college days for a literature class.  It was Maus by Art Spiegelman and it left a mark on me that I will never forget.  For some reason, it took me a decade to return to graphic novels.  A few years ago, I picked up another graphic novel and I have not set them down again.  I read them regularly and am always looking for more recommendations.

If you are looking to pick up your first graphic novel or to find a few more favorites to add to your collection, I now share my top ten current favorites, in no particular order.

1. Fables by Bill Willingham:  Fables is an on-going and longer series featuring the well-known fairy tale characters that we grew up with.  They have been exiled to our world after the adversary took over their imaginary lands, and they do what they have to in order to survive.  Willingham has created an elaborate world that I love to get lost in every single issue.
2. The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman:  You may be familiar with this one if you watch the popular show on AMC; however, the book is so much better.  The books and the television show have a similar premise, but have a multitude of differences.  A must-read for all zombie fans!
3. Bad Island by Doug TenNapel:  TenNapel is one of my favorite graphic novelists, for both his amazing imagination and story-telling skills, but also for the outstanding artwork that accompanies his tales.  In Bad Island, a family's vacation takes an unexpected turn and they must work together to escape.
4. Maus by Art Spiegelman:  Maus is a two-part memoir, written from Spiegelman's point of view about his father's time during the Holocaust.  Cats and mice represent the Germans and the Jewish respectively, and that symbolism is just the beginning.  It's a story about our world's history that we cannot forget, but it is also a very personal story about the author and his father.
5. Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon Hale:  If you are looking for a fairy tale re-telling that is fun and friendly for the younger eyes, this is the one I recommend.  It's an entertaining read, and one that I wish to someday add to my own personal collection, so I can re-visit it again and again.
6. Y - The Last Man by Brian K. Vaughan:  Vaughan explores the gendercide in this graphic novel series.  A man and his pet monkey are the only males to survive.  They embark on a journey to find answers to what happened and to figure out what can be done to help the human race survive.  Yorick (the sole remaining man) is witty and humorous, but unresistingly adorable!
7. Ghostopolis by Doug TenNapel:  TenNapel makes another appearance with probably his most famous of graphic novels, Ghostopolis.  A young dying boy is somehow transported to a ghost world.  He finds he has unexpected talents in this world, but will it be enough to return him home?!?
8. Saga by Brian K. Vaughan:  Vaughan takes us into a fantastical world through the eyes of two lovers from different worlds.  These worlds also happen to be at war with each other.  The unlikely couple set off on their own to raise their child in peace, but they encounter many obstacles along the way.  Saga is a newer graphic novel series that has completely won me over and currently sits on my list of all-time favorite reads!
9. The Good Neighbors by Holly Black:  Black won my heart with her trilogy featuring Rue, an only child of a family filled with secrets.  I don't want to give too many details away on this one, but I will say that it is a paranormal favorite.
10. Locke & Key by Joe Hill:  Hill takes us on an action-packed adventure in his Locke & Key series.  It's horrifying, yet intriguing; you simply will not be able to look away, especially once the different keys are introduced into the story.  You never know what they may unlock!

What are some of your favorite graphic novels?  Which graphic novel would you recommend to a newbie to the medium?

The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins

Wilkie Collins is a classic author that I had not heard of until I began blogging.  He was never mentioned in my high school english classes.  His works were never mentioned in my college literature courses.  (I was not an English major, however, so I only took a couple of general courses.)  Even when I took on my own personal goal to read the classics on a regular basis, Collins never graced my shelf.  Thankfully 2014 has been my year to finally discover classic Collins -- first with The Frozen Deep, then with The Woman in White.

The Woman in White has it all -- mystery, mistaken identity, murder, and mayhem.  We follow the life of Mr. Walter Hartright, an artist commissioned to teach a rich man's nieces how to draw.  The night before he is set to leave for his new job, he meets a mysterious woman.  The random encounter fades into the background, but he soon discovers that it may not all be coincidence.  After an unexpected twist, Hartright is forced to take a separate path from his students.  However, they are not to be separated for long after the mayhem ensues.

Collins' tale is very well constructed and deeply thought out.  Minute details become key aspects to his story.  His characters are thoroughly developed, creating strong emotions for the good and the bad.  Personally, my favorite was Marion Halcombe, though Walter Hartright comes in a close second.  I was left guessing at what would come next, and was seldom left distracted or bored.  My only complaint was that I felt Collins was a bit wordy in parts, though the rambling often proved to be worthwhile as I read on.

After reading the final pages, I was left with a number of questions.  Here are a few of the questions that are still floating through my mind . . .

1. Why have I not read this book before?
2. Why have I not been previously exposed to this author?
3. Why was the author or this book never discussed in my formal english or literature courses?
4. Why is Marion Halcombe never discussed when it comes to strong women in classical literature?  

The Woman in White is one of the GREAT classics.  The writing, the story, and the characters are all brilliant.  And, Marion Halcombe is a true unsung hero in classical literature.  In short, I loved it!

Have you enjoyed The Woman in White yet?  What other Wilkie Collins' novels do you recommend?

Monday Maunder: February in Review

It's the first Monday in March, and I am left wondering what the heck happened to February!  Is anyone else wondering where an entire month went?!?

Since the month has come and gone, I thought I would share a few highlights.  Maybe it will help me remember what exactly I did with the time that flew by!

The TOP POST for February (both in hits and comments) was my weekly Monday post on book series.  That was a fun conversation!  If you have more to add, please do!!

My TOP PIC from Instagram was of this adorable little library with 22 likes.  I really do want one of these of my own!

I read four books during the month, for a total of thirteen for the year so far.  It was a little light, but I was in the midst of reading quite a classic chunkster.  The good thing is that as of the last day of the month, I was still one book ahead of schedule for my Goodreads Challenge!  Here's the list of books I speak of . . .

1. Divergent by Veronica Roth
2. The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
3. Runaways, Volume 1 by Brian K. Vaughan
4. The Unwritten, Volume 6 by Mike Carey

Well, that was February in a nutshell . . . unless you count where most of my time was spent ... helping my daughter with her first year of selling Girl Scout cookies and coaching my son's basketball team.  Oh, now I know where February went!!  I wouldn't change it though.  I had a GREAT experience, particularly with coaching.  I just now have to get through the final two weeks of cookie season!

How was your February?