I'd really like to win. Day 1 of ARC Contest

I'm only doing this because I really want to win. But I'll try to make it worth while.

Contest: Win Maggie Stiefvater's latest book; The Raven Boys

Synopsis from Maggie's official website;

Coming September 18, 2012. Book one of a new four-book series. Richard "Dick" Gansey has it all: family money, good looks, devoted friends. But he's on a quest for much more: Glendower, a legendary Welsh king.
Blue Sargent, the daughter of the town psychic, has been told for as long as she can remember that if she ever kisses her true love, he will die. Surrounded by the Raven Boys — the rich boys at prestigious Aglionby Academy — she never thought this prediction would be a problem. When Gansey and his Raven Boys enter her life, however, she's not so sure.

Book 1 in a 4!!! book series.

I first began to be a fan of Maggie when she released Shiver. I was a sucker for the front cover; it was different. There are certain things about Maggie that makes her stand out from the other authors.  One of them was her choices in book cover art and ink. When I first opened Shiver, I immediately noticed the ink was a blue. A dark enough blue to read comfortably, but definitely -blue- to match the cover. I thought this was was. Clearly, creativity was a mark of this author I hadn't experienced, so without even looking at what the story was about, I bought it.

I inhaled Shiver.

Going in the vein of twilight and the YA boom of books, Shiver was different. Maggie was different.  I told everyone and anyone who had the same interests as me to read this book. I lent it out to about 4 different girls. I always got the same positive feedback. Sam was Hot, Grace was awesome, and WTH HAPPENS NEXT?


Which is a small part of why I want to read The Raven Boys. Apart from the story being intriguing,  I have concrete proof Maggie will write an ending that will pleasantly torture me until the next book is out.

xox
R

Book Review: Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side

This is what I had written on GoodReads.com. It's not very.. good. But it's a start. I want my opinons to matter, sometimes.


I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick, easy, light read and held no disappointment in terms of story.

It was unpredictable. Jessica came alive in the book; I can't pinpoint it on either her quirkyness, her realism, or her language. But her thoughts, her development, you were always right there with her when she evolved, and while it was exciting, it didn't take you by surprize. There was always a purpose to her madness, and I admired Jessica for her qualities. 

I think 'Lukey' was definately out of his element when he arrived, and it showed. It was funny without being absurd. It was strange, but understandable.

One small element that did not seem to fit in was Lukey's use of modern text language in hand-written letters. That, was a little out of the norm, for me. Putting it into Lukey's perspective, I think that with his upbringing, he would not want to write to his uncles in a lighthearted manner. Even though he wasn't opposed to be insubordinate, he was supposed to be mature for his age. And while he clearly rebelled to that effect, writing in text script to his uncles didn't seem to quite 'fit'.

A tiny shortcoming to an otherwise fantastic and fun read.

Groove with Sharks

http://grooveshark.com

I can't thank this website enough for collecting my favourite songs (or songs I just want to try out) and letting me listen to it all day for free.
I followed them on twitter and they responded to me.
I also love Twitter; rarabesh

It's that dress that I want for the summer!

London

I've finally accepted it. I'm moving to London.

Not Doctor Who's London, but Justin Beiber's London.

My husband received an early acceptance to Western University for Philosophy. He's been very successful in carrying a full course load* and a full time job.

To be a good and supporting wife, I am going with him. He would do the same for me. Thankfully I'm not too attached to my job. The things I want in life are very simple; and I thank my husband for making me really think about what I want.

I want blue skies, a vegetable garden, and a purpose. I"m not sure what that purpose is, but I know that I haven't found it yet in Ottawa. Maybe I should be willing to expand my horizons and see this as an opportunity.

I don't want to leave behind the bonds I've created. Finally -- FINALLY -- have a good set of friends.  But, if they are the set of friends I believe they are, they will still be here when I return.

Maybe I'll open a home-daycare.

Maybe I'll work in a bakery.

Maybe I'll open my own listening practice**.




* That doesn't include the extra TA-ships he's taken, the extra french courses, the extra work that the student board he's on asks for, or the extra debating/shouting matches every Thursday night.

** Slowly bringing together the need for listeners. Not therapists, not psychos, not friends. A listener. How much would you pay to just have someone listen to your problems?

The Secret.. of .. The Borrowers

Last night I went to a movie with my friends K, M, E & M.  I really loved the story, the animation -- everything. It's a quick, soft, original fairy tale (or so I thought...). Apparently Disney had done a live action version called The Borrowers. I haven't heard nor seen it, but that's going to be on my radar next.

The Secret World of Arietty is beautiful. I recommend, I will watch it several times over when it's released on DVD and add to my Miyazaki collection.

Tweet

I first hopped on the twitter bandwagon for work -- to study and learn more about marketing and social media, a place we were seriously lacking. But now we have 2 more hip kids than I driving that boat. So I created another, less professional, more silly twitter account.

rrtemple
rarabesh

I hope to start making some friends there and sharing cool, hip, trendy .... stuff.  I have my opinons about twitter, but social media is fun.

Home

There is no place like home.
Home is where the heart (husband) is.
Home sweet Home.
Home on the range..

All these come to mind when I see this:

home.