Quick Pick: The Engagements, by J. Courtney Sullivan

Opening line: "Frances poured the last bitter remains of the coffeepot into her cup." Reason I picked up the book: We chose to read this book for my book club recently, but I had a hand in choosing it - I've read Maine and also Commencement by J. Courtney...

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GIVEAWAY: Sherpani Presta Large Commuter Messenger Bag ($90 value!), ends 5/9

Mother's Day Sherpani bag giveawaySponsored by Sherpani Hosted by Holyjeans & My Favorite Things Check out this contest and enter via the form below - wouldn't this be a great bag in which to tote around all your books?! It even looks big enough for a laptop - Amy says...

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Book Review: The Ring and the Crown, by Melissa de la Cruz

One is pale and thin, her eyes a waterless blue, their color fading. One is merry and bright, her eyes a vibrant hue, their color blinding. After a moment they turn back to their play, ignoring me. Except now there is no more singing - only the darkness of the room as...

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Book Review and GIVEAWAY: Love Like the Movies, by Victoria Van Tiem, ends 4/21

It's been seven years. He's like Connor Mead ... and I'm like Jennifer Garner's character, Jenny Perotti. What was his line? I quickly Google Ghosts of Girlfriends Past to find it. Here, yes ... The power in all relationships lies with whoever cares less. It's true. If I'm...

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GIVEAWAY: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty Blu-ray + tumbler + James Thurber book, ends 4/25

I reviewed The Secret Life of Walter Mitty last year and also recently did a post comparing and contrasting the film version to the short story. Now I have the opportunity for you to win a Walter Mitty prize pack, including the Blu-ray, a tumbler, and a James Thurber...

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Giveaway: S.E.C.R.E.T., S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared and S.E.C.R.E.T. Revealed, by L. Marie Adeline - ends 4/20

Back in October, I reviewed both S.E.C.R.E.T. and S.E.C.R.E.T. Shared, and gave away copies of both books. The third book in the trilogy, S.E.C.R.E.T. Revealed, will be out on May 6th, and to celebrate I have paperback copies of the entire trilogy to giveaway! Official...

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Book Review and GIVEAWAY: Above, by Isla Morley, ends 4/18

Don't panic. The electricity's gone out; give it a minute. If this were home, Mama would be feeling her way to the pantry for the lantern and the matches she keeps on top shelf. Gerhard would have the flashlight under his chin, his bottom teeth thrust outward and his eyes...

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Quick Pick: Paper Towns, by John Green

Opening line: "The way I figure it, everyone gets a miracle." Reason I picked up the book: I read and loved The Fault in Our Stars by the same author (which premieres in theaters soon) and heard that Paper Towns will be a movie soon as well, with one of the...

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The Secret Life of Walter Mitty: movie vs. short story

Ben Stiller in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty *Disclosure: I was provided with a complimentary Google Play download of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty to facilitate this post. The opinions expressed here, however, are my own. I was able to see the film version of The Secret...

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Book Review: Now and Forever

Now and Forever, by Susane Colasanti. We must look like typical teens to anyone watching us. Girlfriend sitting on the porch. Boyfriend bouncing a basketball. The sun dipping behind the trees, throwing orange streaks of light across them. Just your average American high school...

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Book Review: Allegiant (Divergent #3)

Allegiant, by Veronica Roth (Divergent series, #3). I used to think that when people fell in love, they just landed where they landed, and they had no choice in the matter afterward. And maybe that's true of beginnings, but it's not true of this, now.  I fell in love...

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Blu-ray Review: The Book Thief (based on the book by Markus Zusak)

*Disclosure: I received a copy of The Book Thief on Blu-ray to facilitate this review. The opinions expressed here, however, are my own. I reviewed The Book Thief back on my film blog in November 2013, and I enjoyed it a lot. I read the book of the same name a while...

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Book Review: A Gate of Night (A Shade of Vampire #6)

A Gate of Night, by Bella Forrest. "Just do it. All you need to know is that this time tomorrow, the real vampires take over." Fear flashed in her expression. "They will want food and drinks. Or their version of it. And, of course, plenty of entertainment." My heart...

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