A Look Back At December

KINDLY STOLEN FROM JAMIE AT THE PERPETUAL PAGE-TURNER

IMAGE FROM December

(Left To Right) Nana, Bumpa, Me and Brandon With The Snowman We Made

December In One Word

Driving!

5 THINGS THAT HAPPENED IN December:

1. Attacha Backpacks (my company) Had their 1st photo shoot!
2. Got To Play In The Snow In Nor.Cal
3. Spent the Holidays With All 4 Families
4. Brand New Hair Cut. 
5. Husband's 23rd Birthday!

5 SONGS THAT WERE MOST POPULAR ON MY IPOD THIS MONTH:

1. Galway Girl By Steve Earle
2. Wanted By Hunter Hayes
3. I Knew You Were Trouble By Taylor Swift
4. Holy Ground By Taylor Swift
5. How Country Feels By Randy Houser

TOP 2 BOOKS I READ THIS MONTH:

1. Is Everybody Hanging Out Without Me? By Mindy Kaling

2. Spirit Bound By Richelle Mead

MOST POPULAR REVIEW THIS MONTH

(I do this based on Stats)

Don't Judge A Girl By Her Cover

MOST POPULAR 4 BLOG POSTS OVERALL THIS MONTH

1. Season's Giving!
2. Diva (Review)
3.Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Wouldn't Mind Santa Bringing Me
4. Woohoo! A Royal Pregnancy!

3 NEW OBSESSIONS IN December

1. Pitch Perfect

2. Editing My Photos

3. Attacha Backpacks

2 THINGS I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO IN January

1. Running The Disneyland 5k

2. Beginning Official Plans of 3 separate parties

3 BOOKS I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO BEING RELEASED IN DECEMBER

 

Happy New Years eve Everyone!

In My Mailbox (47)

Hosted By The Story Siren 

 For Review 

Anatomy of A Single Girl By Daria Sandowsky

 Pantomime By Laura Lam 

 Gifts 

Where She Went By Gayle Forman 

The Fault In Our Stars By John Green 

The Mermaid Chair By Sue Monk Kidd 

Campbell's Favorite Recipes Cookbook 

Barnes and Noble Leatherbound Classics Collection

$50 B&N Gift Card 

Days of Starlight and Blood By Laini Taylor 

Shiver By Maggie Stiefvater 

The Raven Boys By Maggie Stiefvater

I've Kind of Been MIA

WOW! Sorry Everyone... these past few months I have been lagging and especially in December. So I apologize for that!

1st off, I hope everyone had a great Holiday Season! I sure did! I spent a lot of it driving from family to family for the holiday season and was all over California. But Because of that, I really slacked on my reading and blogging. These last few days of December and the 1st week of January will be filled with catching up posts and rewind posts. Promise.

Perks of Being A Wallflower

Summary:

"Charlie is a freshman. And while he's not the biggest geek in the school, he is by no means popular. Shy, introspective, intelligent beyond his years yet socially awkward, he is a wallflower, caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it. 
Charlie is attempting to navigate his way through uncharted territory: the world of first dates and mix-tapes, family dramas and new friends; the world of sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, when all one requires is that perfect song on that perfect drive to feel infinite. 
But Charlie can't stay on the sideline forever. Standing on the fringes of life offers a unique perspective. But there comes a time to see what it looks like from the dance floor. 
The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a deeply affecting coming-of-age story that will spirit you back to those wild and poignant roller-coaster days known as growing up."

Okay, I understand this is a beloved "coming of age" book to many. However, I personally just couldn't finish this book. The narration by Charlie was absolutely horrendous. I felt no empathy for him. Which is hard for me. Yes, I do understand that he is most likely autistic. I picked up on this within the first few pages. I just don't think Chobosky accurately portrayed life for an autistic teen in high school. And for those who are saying "well how do you know" I know pretty well (although I am no expert) I grew up with a neighbor who had Autisum, which lead to me working we kids with Autisum and then I ended up having a relative who is on the spectrum. Anyways, which is why I stopped 30 pages in. I did, look up the rest of the plot of the book, and I feel I made the right choice for me, nothing about the rest of the plot appealed to me.

Attacha Backpacks

Hello!

Attacha Backpacks is my Mom and I's Company that we have been working on for the past year.
The Concept is "Backpacks Zipped By You." Meaning the pockets can zip on and off and are essentially customize-able. This year has been crazy for us, with getting ready to launch, marketing and our 1st photo shoot.

 Here are some photos from our photo shoot, both professional and behind the scenes...

this one is from Instagram..

We are enjoying this journey and hope to launch very soon. If you guys could spread the word and "Like" us on FB. Attacha Backpacks and/or follow us on Twitter @attachabkpks . We would greatly appreciate it. Thank you!

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Read In 2012

Hosted By The Broke and The Bookish

2012 Has been an interesting year in books for me, since I have probably had the most books I read, that I didn't like. However, I have quiet a few books I did love and if I had to pick a top ten, these would be them.

1.

 2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

 7.

8.

9.

10.

What Remains: A Memoir of Fate, Friendship and Love

Summary:

""What Remains" is a vivid and haunting memoir about a girl from a working-class town who becomes an award-winning television producer and marries a prince, Anthony Radziwill, one of a long line of Polish royals and nephew of President John F. Kennedy. Carole Radziwill's story is part fairy tale, part tragedy. She tells both with great candor and wit.Carole grew up in a small suburb with a large, eccentric cast of characters. She spent her childhood summers with her grandparents and an odd assortment of aunts and uncles in their poorly plumbed A-frame on the banks of a muddy creek in upstate New York.
At the age of nineteen, Carole struck out for New York City to find a different life. Her career at ABC News led her to the refugee camps of Cambodia, to a bunker in Tel Aviv, to the scene of the Menendez murders. Her marriage led her into the old world of European nobility and the newer world of American aristocracy.
"What Remains" begins with loss and returns to loss. A small plane plunges into the ocean, carrying John Kennedy, Anthony's cousin, and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, Carole's closest friend. Three weeks later Anthony dies of cancer. The summer of the plane crash, the four friends were meant to be cherishing Anthony's last days. Instead, Carole and Anthony mourned John and Carolyn, even as Carole planned her husband's memorial.
Carole Radziwill has an anthropologist's sensibility and a journalist's eye. She writes about families--their customs, their secrets, and their tangled intimacies-- with remarkable acuity and humanity. She explores the complexities of marriage, the importance of friendship, and the challenges of self-invention with unflinching honesty. This is acompelling story of love, loss, and, ultimately, resilience."

What Remains, is by far my favorite book, that I have read this year! Radziwill had me crying on just the 1st page and pretty much through out the book. Her writing is so unbelievably beautiful and earnest. The way she describes, death, fortune, her relationships, the Kennedy's is really just remarkable. I cannot recommend this book enough!  I will say that the beginning of the book is slower, since Radziwill is talking about her child and growing up. However, this part of the story is really important, it gives you a better understanding of who Carole really is and how being in the position she was in, was far from what she knew.

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (and other concerns)

Summary:

"Mindy Kaling has lived many lives: the obedient child of immigrant professionals, a timid chubster afraid of her own bike, a Ben Affleck–impersonating Off-Broadway performer and playwright, and, finally, a comedy writer and actress prone to starting fights with her friends and coworkers with the sentence “Can I just say one last thing about this, and then I swear I’ll shut up about it?”  Perhaps you want to know what Mindy thinks makes a great best friend (someone who will fill your prescription in the middle of the night), or what makes a great guy (one who is aware of all elderly people in any room at any time and acts accordingly), or what is the perfect amount of fame (so famous you can never get convicted of murder in a court of law), or how to maintain a trim figure (you will not find that information in these pages). If so, you’ve come to the right book, mostly! In Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?, Mindy invites readers on a tour of her life and her unscientific observations on romance, friendship, and Hollywood, with several conveniently placed stopping points for you to run errands and make phone calls. Mindy Kaling really is just a Girl Next Door—not so much literally anywhere in the continental United States, but definitely if you live in India or Sri Lanka."

WHY AREN'T MINDY AND I FRIENDS?!
Seriously, she is the perfect mix of everything I need and want in a friend. It isn't even funny. I love that this book isn't her trying to glamorize  her life or be over the top about it. She mixes the perfect amount of humility, dramazation and seriousness into her stories. This was a great read, to get my mind of life and to just relax and giggle.

The Friday Society

Summary:

"Set in turn of the century London, The Friday Society follows the stories of three very intelligent and talented young women, all of whom are assistants to powerful men: Cora, lab assistant; Michiko, Japanese fight assistant; and Nellie, magician's assistant. The three young women's lives become inexorably intertwined after a chance meeting at a ball that ends with the discovery of a murdered mystery man.
It's up to these three, in their own charming but bold way, to solve the murder–and the crimes they believe may be connected to it–without calling too much attention to themselves.
Set in the past but with a modern irreverent flare, this Steampunk whodunit introduces three unforgettable and very ladylike–well, relatively ladylike–heroines poised for more dangerous adventures."

This book started off very well. I was actually surprised. Then, it fell into the cheesy middle grade-ness, that I kind of expected from its cover. Which was fine.. until it started to drag things out. I think the book was very reminiscent of Charlie's Angels.. with a steampunk vibe to it and overall was cute. I really did like Cora and Nellie's characters, but I felt a lack of connection between Michiko and thought something better should have been done there. After awhile, I just felt that the book lacked connection all the way through and just needed a little fine tuning.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Wouldn't Mind Santa Bringing Me

Hosted By The Broke and The Bookish

I really hope I get some books for Christmas, or at least something book related... but, I doubt that will happen..

1.

NEEDS To Be Added To My Library ASAP - LOVE THIS BOOK!

2.

I have If I Stay on my Bookshelf already.. but it needs its companion.. and I need it too! I want to re-read both these books SO bad!

3.

NEED The Hard Copy!

4.

Loved Ruby Red! But I need this book in, it other cover.

5.

How Could I Not Add This To My Bookshelves?! Plus, I have yet to OWN any John Green Books!

6.

PLEASE!

7.

Would like to complete my series.

8.

Adore this book, such a beautiful cover and cute story.

9.

An essential, in every girls library.. and I don't have it in mine

10.

I have always admired Lauren Conrad and this book is such a neat hard cover. And would make a great gift and table piece for almost any girl. 

WooHoo! A Royal Pregnancy!

Look,  I Know This Isn't Book Related and I was suppose to do a review today.. BUT I am SO excited for The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to be expecting their 1st Child.  For Those Who Don't Know Me Well. I absolutely adore the Duchess and have followed her closely. (Also, Will and Kate are both my 16th Cousins) Not That I will ever meet them, or my 17th cousin.
Since, it is reported Kate is NOT at her 12 week/ 1st trimester yet. I will Assume She is about 8 weeks and that the baby was conceived sometime in October. So I predict the babies due date will Be Late July to Early August.  (Late August, Early September at the Latest).

Gender: I am going to say Girl.

Name:  If it is a girl, I highly suspect That Diana and Elizabeth will be apparent of her name. Diana (meaning - Divine) after of course his Mom and Elizabeth (meaning-God Is My Oath) for the Queen and Also, Kate's Middle Name. I am Feeling Diana Elizabeth Alexandra. (obviously, I am most likely wrong and have no REAL insight into what They are Thinking)

If my gender prediction proves wrong,  and it is a boy. For Some reason I feel like Liam (meaning - strong willed warrior) may be a name choice. It is trendy and popular in England and is also a shortened version of William.  However, I feel Charles (meaning -free man), Phillip (meaning - lover of horses) are Strong Picks in the name mix, with a possibility of Frances (meaning - from france or free) and Spencer (meaning - Butler, Steward). Both Names representing his mother.

Are You Excited For The Royal Pregnancy? What Are YOUR Predictions for the babies Gender and Name?

5 days left to Vote for The Top 4 Charities to receive donation money from my Fundraiser. Please Vote, Spread the word and help out as much as possible THANK YOU!

Big Book Survery

I saw this posted on Downright Dystopian and I thought I'd give it a try! If you'd like to join in, feel free to! I may have done this before... but whatever.

1. Favorite childhood book?

Oh WAY too hard! 

2. What are you reading right now?

The Friday Society By Adrienne Kress

3. What books do you have on request at the library?

At The Moment I Don't Have Any..

4. Bad book habit?

Returning Library Books Late? And Being A Cover Snob.. 

5. What do you currently have checked out at the library?

Surprisingly Nothing

6. Do you have an e-reader?

Yes/No... I have an IPad that has the Kindle App.

7. Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once?

I used to read only one book at a time. But Now That I have an "ereader" and a blog.. I will read on the Ipad and One actual book at the same time.

8. Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog?

Yes, I read way more often! 

9. Least favorite book you read this year (so far?)

I'm So Happy For You.. By Idk cause I already forgot and well I REALLY hated the book

10. Favorite book you’ve read this year?

SO Hard To Say.. It Is Between What Remains By Carole Radziwell and The Book Thief By Markus Zusak

11. How often do you read out of your comfort zone?

Pretty Much Never. Unless It is highly recommended 

12. What is your reading comfort zone?

Young Adult. Historical Fiction, Mysterys, Paranormal. Some contemporaries.. 

13. Can you read on the bus?

If it isn't loud I think so.. but It is hard for me to read in the car.

14. Favorite place to read?

My Bed.

15. What is your policy on book lending?

I don't. VERY RARE. People usually cannot keep the books to my insane OCD standards.

16. Do you ever dog-ear books?

NO

17. Do you ever write in the margins of your books?

NO

18. Not even with text books?

NOPE 

19. What is your favorite language to read in?

English. Since I haven't had a chance to read books in another language.

20. What makes you love a book?

So Many Things. Usually the writing, the ability to immerse me in another place. Or When something is written that really speaks to me.

21. What will inspire you to recommend a book?

If I REALLY Love something I will almost always tell anyone I can to read it. Normally, people have to ask though and from there I will make a recommendation based on what they like.

22. Favorite genre?

Historical Fiction.. YA

23. Genre you rarely read (but wish you did?)

Dystopian

24. Favorite biography?

I don't REALLY read any.

25. Have you ever read a self-help book?

Not Really Only Like Giuliana and Bill Rancics Book, and Bethenny Frankels.

26. Favorite cookbook?

I have many!

27. Most inspirational book you’ve read this year (fiction or non-fiction)?

hmm.. What Remains and Book Thief again.

28. Favorite reading snack?

Green Tea

29. Name a case in which hype ruined your reading experience.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone By Laini Taylor

30. How often do you agree with critics about a book?

Don't really pay attention to that.

31. How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews?

I don't mind it. But I try to be as nice as possible

32. If you could read in a foreign language, which language would you choose?

French and Italian. I read these langauges better than I speak them.. but I don't have any actual Books in these languages.

33. Most intimidating book you’ve ever read? 
Atlas Shrugged it is 1000 pages! I am only on 100 haha

34. Most intimidating book you’re too nervous to begin?

None that I can this of.

35. Favorite Poet?

Shakespeare?

36. How many books do you usually have checked out of the library at any given time?

10

37. How often have you returned book to the library unread?

Did for the 1st time last weekend

38. Favorite fictional character? 
You cannot do that to me! Too Many To pick 

39. Favorite fictional villain?

Voldemort?

40. Books you’re most likely to bring on vacation?

Depending on how long we are staying.. But usually I'll bring the book I am currently reading and whatever is on the top of my TBR pile

41. The longest you’ve gone without reading.

a day or two

42. Name a book that you could/would not finish.
I don't like DNF-ing but I couldn't finish Beauty Queen By Libba Bray

43. What distracts you easily when you’re reading?

Loud Noises and Interruptions 

44. Favorite film adaptation of a novel?

Harry Potter

45. Most disappointing film adaptation?

My Sister's Keeper

 46. The most money I’ve ever spent in the bookstore at one time?

$100

47. How often do you skim a book before reading it?

never

48. What would cause you to stop reading a book half-way through?

I am bored.. 

49. Do you like to keep your books organized?

Yes,  I have a whole OCD system.. 

50. Do you prefer to keep books or give them away once you’ve read them?

KEEP, to me books finishing a book and adding to my bookshelf is like a trophy to me. This was one of the reasons library books and ereaders were hard for me to want to read. 

51. Are there any books you’ve been avoiding?

No?

52. Name a book that made you angry.

I'm So Happy For You. The Main Character was just a HUGE bitch!

53. A book you didn’t expect to like but did?

Graceling by Kristin Cashore. I wasn't so sure if I'd like the whole fantasy thing because the only other fantasy books I'd read was Harry Potter. 

54. A book that you expected to like but didn’t?

Mad Love By Susanne Selfors

55. Favorite guilt-free, pleasure reading?

Oh the easy chick lit books or books written by Comedians 

         ALSO PLEASE HELP A CHARITY AND BUY SOME BOOKISH MERCH HERE!

Seasons Giving!

Hello!

I have decided that I would like to raise some money this month for charity. All you have to do is buy merchandise from my Online Store powered through Cafe Press. I have an assortment of bookish related merchandise, perfect for us book lovers and authors a like. (More Merch. To Be Added)

 How It Works..

When You Buy Something From My Store, %10 of What I Earn From Your Purchase Will Be Donated To A Charity of  "Your Choice"

What I Mean By Your Choice Is I have Selected 6 Charities That We Can Possibly Donate To. All You Have To Do Is Place Your Vote In The Poll In The Upper Right Column, You Have Until Dec. 8th to Vote For Your Favorite Until it is narrowed to the top 4 and then top 2. The Purchasing for the Charity will end on Dec. 31st.

Voting Dates
Top 6 - Now to December 8th
Top 4 - December 9th to December 22nd
Top 2 - December 23rd to December 31st

The Charities 

World Wildlife Fund- "Our Vision for the FutureWe seek to save a planet, a world of life. Reconciling the needs of human beings and the needs of others that share the Earth, we seek to practice conservation that is humane in the broadest sense. We seek to instill in people everywhere a discriminating, yet unabashed, reverence for nature and to balance that reverence with a profound belief in human possibilities. From the smallest community to the largest multinational organization, we seek to inspire others who can advance the cause of conservation.We seek to be the voice for those creatures who have no voice. We speak for their future. We seek to apply the wealth of our talents, knowledge, and passion to making the world wealthier in life, in spirit, and in living wonder of nature.Goal and StrategiesBy 2020, WWF will conserve 15 of the world’s most ecologically important regions by working in partnership with others to:

• Protect and restore species and their habitats

• Strengthen local communities' ability to conserve the natural resources they depend upon

• Transform markets and policies to reduce the impact of the production and consumption of commodities

• Ensure that the value of nature is reflected in decisions made by individuals, communities, governments and businesses

• Mobilize hundreds of millions of people to support conservation"

Autism Speaks- "Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Bob and Suzanne Wright, grandparents of a child with autism. Their longtime friend Bernie Marcus donated $25 million to help financially launch the organization. Since then, Autism Speaks has grown into the world's leading autism science and advocacy organization, dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. We are proud of what we've been able to accomplish and look forward to continued successes in the years ahead."

Smithsonian Institute- "Our MissionThe increase and diffusion of knowledge

---

Our VisionShaping the future by preserving our heritage, discovering new knowledge, and sharing our resources with the world"

Wounded Warrior Project- "To foster the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded service members in our nation's history.

• To raise awareness and enlist the public's aid for the needs of injured service members.

• To help injured service members aid and assist each other.

• To provide unique, direct programs and services to meet the needs of injured service members."

Save The Children- "

Save the Children is the leading independent organization creating lasting change in the lives of children in need in the United States and around the world. Recognized for our commitment to accountability, innovation and collaboration, our work takes us into the heart of communities, where we help children and families help themselves. We work with other organizations, governments, non-profits and a variety of local partners while maintaining our own independence without political agenda or religious orientation. When disaster strikes around the world, Save the Children is there to save lives with food, medical care and education and remains to help communities rebuild through long-term recovery programs. As quickly and as effectively as Save the Children responds to tsunamis and civil conflict, it works to resolve the ongoing struggles children face every day — poverty, hunger, illiteracy and disease — and replaces them with hope for the future."

St.Jude Children's Research Hospital- "The mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of our founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family's ability to pay."

Please Please Please Help Me Get This On A ROLL... Spread the Word and The Joy = )
Thank You! 

Link To The Online Store