Just For Fun Challenge: Little Miss Fun by Roger Hargreaves

Just for Fun Reading Challenge is a year long monthly challenge hosted by Dolly @ Dollycas thoughts.

Loved this book. If it were up to me, I'd sit down and read all twelve thousand books in this series (I might if I get really bored one day). In comparison to Mr. Happy, this one was really funny. All these ridiculous, day-ruining things were happening to Little Miss Fun during her party. People were breaking her things, not showing up, falling asleep. I mean sheesh!! If I threw a party and everyone freaking fell asleep, I would be so pissed!

I enjoyed reading it because I would imagine that if it could make an adult laugh, it would surely make a kid laugh too. This is a great short story for all ages that I highly recommend!

2011 Challenges Check-in #1

Somewhere along the way, I got behind on my challenges. This should come as no surprises as I've signed up for one million of them. I'm going to hold myself accountable and see if I can eliminate some or if I've completed the challenges and just overlooked them.

**Click here for the full list of the challenges I'm taking on!**

Monthly Challenges (these are the ones I need to read extra books for to remain current)

1. Cover Love (3 books behind: May, June, July)
2. One, Two Theme Challenge (2 books behind: June and July)
3. Just for Fun Reading Challenge (1 book behind: June)

Overlooked (and maybe finished) Challenges:

1. 350 Page Books Challenge: I've pretty much finished this one, so I'm going to put it in the done pile! W00t!

2. Hogwarts Reading Challenge: I never updated the last Mini-Challenge but I definitely finished this one! Even if I didn't win it like I wanted to :-/

Long Forgotten Challenges:

Dusty Volumes Challenge & Nicholas Sparks Challenge: UGH! It's only 4 books! I can do these! I can!!

Challenges I haven't started:

1.Take a Chance Challenge: I'm actually most excited about this one because it's so cool.

2. LOST Challenge: I started this one and I haven't done anything with it! I might cancel it and do it next year.

The bright side is that I still have 5 months (gulp...4 months and some change) to finish and I'm optimistic!

How are you guys doing on your challenges??

It's Monday! What are you reading?!

It's Monday, What are you Reading? is a fun meme hosted by Sheila @ Book Journey.

I'm currently reading In Office Hours by Lucy Kellaway. I'm only 20 pages in and I'm intrigued. Let's see how it goes!

I just finished reading The Bad Girl Guide to Getting Whatever You Want by Cameron Tuttle.

Not sure what I will read next but I'm hoping for something awesome in the Suspense Thriller category!

Any suggestions??

Book Review: The Bad Girl Guide to getting whatever you want by Cameron Tuttle

Genre: Self-help

Paperback, 191 pages

Purchased from Stoop Sale

I got this book from a random stoop sale a few Sundays ago. While I'm not into self-help for the most part, I found this short read to be laugh-out-loud funny and marginally inspirational at times.

It switches between silly, not-real advice to tangible information that gives you something to think about. You definitely have to have a great sense of humor to get through this one. One of my favorite humorous parts in the book was the section with suggestions on how to enter a meeting late. There's a list of things to pretend to say into your cellphone so you'll look "important":

"I don't care about the time difference, when i say sell, I mean sell!" (roll eyes) "Hong Kong."

"Thank you Ambassador I'll see you at the embassy at 7:30. Ciao!"

While sometimes crass (photocopying your butt at an office party or having a scavenger hunt for black lacy panties in your boss' office at work) this Bad-Girl guide is a really fun and empowering read for women and young adult ladies.

Follow Friday Time!

Lah says: I love Follow Friday for many reasons. The main ones being: I get to check out cool new blogs, their designs and how they review. Be sure to follow me and I'll follow you!! Don't be a stranger!

Check out GReads for their awesome blog and hop!

Where do you keep your books at home? Are they organized?

Since I'm at work, I don't have any cool pictures to show you guys. But I do have aspirations to have a kick ass reading room!!!!

I have the room, I've got the books, I just need the organizational/decorational (totally a word) skills to make it awesome.

Check out Jen at Crazy-For-Books.com for her awesome hop!!

What’s the ONE GENRE that you wish you could get into, but just can’t?

I'd like to say that I can't get into YA novels but that's actually not true. There are quite a few that are mindblowing. But that's the genre on the whole that I can't read mountains of. If I want to get more specific I'd say:

• Paranormal Romance - I dunno, just doesn't do it for me. Part of me wants a book to be all the way fake or all the way real.
• Horror - I'm such a scaredy cat. I've tried a few but have had too many sleepless nights as a result :-\
• Choose your own adventure - Just kidding! These are awesome! Where are they now?!?!

Book Review: Need by Carrie Jones

Need by Carrie Jones

Genre: YA/ Paranormal Romance

Paperback, 306 pages

Borrowed from NYPL Mid-Manhattan Branch

Zara collects phobias the way other girls collect Facebook friends. Little wonder, since life’s been pretty rough so far. Her father left, her stepfather just died, and her mother’s pretty much checked out. Now Zara’s living with her grandmother in sleepy, cold Maine so that she stays “safe.” Zara doesn’t think she’s in danger; she thinks her mother can’t deal.


Wrong. Turns out that guy she sees everywhere, the one leaving trails of gold glitter, isn’t a figment of her imagination. He’s a pixie—and not the cute, lovable kind with wings. He’s the kind who has dreadful, uncontrollable needs. And he’s trailing Zara.

To be completely honest, this book was very putdownable. I got to around 200 pages and started skimming. I had the same reaction with Twilight which this book is unfortunately compared to. Similar to Twilight, the idea behind the plot is captivating. I am so down with the whole mysterious town and mythical creatures vibe. I wanted to fly through this book because it was so action packed. But, I think action is what it lacked.

Any book that you can successfully skip more than a few pages without missing an story, isn't my type of book. I thirst for forward moving suspense. And if you don't have that, you better have some damn good  characters. While there were parts of Zara that I liked, most of me disliked her. Or maybe I couldn't understand her. Whatever it was, if made me start and stop reading a number of times.

I enjoyed Nick but didn't enjoy how much he was shrouded in mystery from the moment we met him. Something's up with the dude, okay, I get it! I did enjoy Devyn and Issie a lot and Betty was cool too. After reading some reviews on Captivate, I think I would enjoy that one much better.

I'm not going to give up on this series because I'm interested to see where the story goes. But I don't think you should run out and grab it if you haven't read it yet!

Library Thursday Blog Hop July 21st edition

<a href="http://lazygirlreads.blogspot.com/search/label/library%20thursday"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMUWkSff7nQ/TR_kR-1QCMI/AAAAAAAAATU/xHxlMwj55SA/s1600/LibraryThursdayButton.jpg" />

Library Thursday is a weekly blog hop that I've started to:
1. Encourage people to support their libraries when they can

2. Meet new bloggy friends and grow your following

How to participate (UPDATED):

• Create a Library Thursday post with a list, pictures or a vlog of your books. Or feature a cool picture of a library, or spotlight one of your favorite libraries.
• Grab my button if you like it and include it in your post! Make sure to shout the library out that you went to!
• Once you've created your post, link it to the linky at the bottom of my weekly post
• Hop around to the other blogs participating and check out what other people are reading. Be sure to leave them a comment to let them know you were there, this is about making friends as well!

Hey Guys!

I haven't been around for a week and have maybe started and stopped 3 books! Ugh! But I did make it to the library!! Wheee!!! Here's what I got:

Need by Carrie Jones

In Office Hours by Lucy Kellaway

How'd you guys do this week??

Library Thursday Blog Hop July 14th edition

<a href="http://lazygirlreads.blogspot.com/search/label/library%20thursday"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMUWkSff7nQ/TR_kR-1QCMI/AAAAAAAAATU/xHxlMwj55SA/s1600/LibraryThursdayButton.jpg" />

Library Thursday is a weekly blog hop that I've started to:
1. Encourage people to support their libraries when they can

2. Meet new bloggy friends and grow your following

How to participate (UPDATED):

• Create a Library Thursday post with a list, pictures or a vlog of your books. Or feature a cool picture of a library, or spotlight one of your favorite libraries.
• Grab my button if you like it and include it in your post! Make sure to shout the library out that you went to!
• Once you've created your post, link it to the linky at the bottom of my weekly post
• Hop around to the other blogs participating and check out what other people are reading. Be sure to leave them a comment to let them know you were there, this is about making friends as well!

I've been a little busy this week. Harry Potter party tonight in DUMBO!! WOOOOT! So here are some awesome pics:

from housebeautiful.com

funky and modern. from alldoing.com

love all the natural light! from newsdesigninterior.com

How did you guys do this week? Did you make it to the library?? What'd ya get???

Today is my birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TO ME!

Book Review: The Quickie by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge

The Quickie
Genre: Suspense Thriller
Paperback, 357 pages
Gift

Lauren sees her husband go into a hotel with another woman while he should've been at work. She then decides to have a fling with her work crush because hey, two can play that game...right? After a steamy evening, things take a very unsuspected turn changing Lauren's life forever.

At a quick 357 pages, I blazed through this book in a few days. I probably would've read it in one sitting if I hadn't been so busy.

In true Ledwidge/Patterson fashion, this book remained true to locations and the feel of NYC. There were colorful, realistic characters and heart pounding action.

While the ending was semi rushed and uninteresting, the story was entertaining on the whole. There were just the right amount of twists and turns keeping confusion at a minimum.

Without spoiling anything, if you do decide to read this book, be prepared to be fooled again and again.

Bottom line: 3 out of 4 stars! I would definitely read it again! Recommended for James Patterson fans.

Ten Good Things on a Monday: Birthday Edition

Lah says: My Birthday is on WEDNESDAY! So with all the planning and what not, i can't think of anything else but my birthday so here are Ten Birthday related things

1. Going to the Beach: Living in NYC, there are only about 3 months where you can go to the beach. My birthday happens to fall within this time period! I always make it my business to hit up the beach to celebrate!

2. NY Philharmonic in the park: I love to gather my friends for a picnic followed by glorious live classical music played by the amazing NY Philharmonic Orchestra. This is always followed by fireworks which I enjoy pretending are for my birthday! Unfortunately this is the first year that I can't go and enjoy this amazing NYC feature. I hope they can bring it back someday.

3. Ice Cream Cake: This is what Summer Birthdays are all about IMO!

4. Seafood Dinners: Okay, when am I not eating seafood? I don't know, but it just means more when I'm doing it for celebratory reasons. I take this time to go to the best places NY has to offer...that don't break the bank.

5. Dance Parties: I like to get on the dance floor and shake it like a Polaroid picture. I might have a party like this on Saturday

6. Flowers: You like me! You really like me! Is what I feel like screaming when I receive them. I think half the reason I'm an opera singer is so I can get flowers.

7. Additional Presents: I love presents! Who doesn't?! But on your birthday it's like your own personal holiday! Throw them, throw the gifts at me!

8. Tiara: Not even kidding you guys, I've been wearing birthday tiaras for YEARS now. I'm going to continue this practice for as long as I live.

That's me on the far left ruining this picture.

9. Taking ridiculous pictures: I love to take pictures, generally. But when there's a cool story or outing behind why I've taken them, it's like awesome times 4!

10. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME ON JULY 13TH!

Mini Review: Full Dark, No Stars: 1922 by Stephen King

There were a few short stories in this book and I could only make it through one.


1922 is a 133 page, mostly psychological thriller about a man who decides to murder his wife. He also convinces his 14 year old son that this is a good idea. It's written as his confession so he's speaking directly to us, the reader.

What made this not so short story so difficult to get through wasn't the subject matter or the gore in general - it was the long and drawn out inner thoughts of this man. While I did end up feeling terribly for the guy, I wished there was a bit more action.

On the flip-side, the story itself was incredible when King decided to tell it. The way he crafted just the right amount of words to describe the scratching sound a rat makes. Or the way he illustrated his wife's demise in just enough detail that you cringe as you imagine it! How immensely horrifying. I have thusly discovered that I'm not suited for this sort of thriller.

Had I had made it through all the short stories, I am absolutely certain I'd give it 3 out of 4 stars! Recommended for fans of horror and Stephen King.

Behind the Screen #1

Behind the Screen is a cool new meme hosted by Inga @ Me and Reading ! It's where we talk about some of the things going on "Behind the Screen" that week. Hop over to her blog to check out her first post!

Missing in Action

There are several reasons as to why you haven't seen me around:

• I'm sick as a dog (only almost getting over it now)
• I just got hired at my long term open ended temp gig (WOOT!!!)
• I have been out in the Summer sun despite my sickness

So you put that all together and you got one Lazy (Blogging) Girl! ;)

Bookshelf

Omg, I don't even want to think about the sheer AMOUNT of books that I have layin' around! I dunno between all the books I've been taking out of the library (and NOT reading, might I add) and all the books I've won/bought/stolen from people (just kidding?)...I have at least 12 books that need to be read.

Technical Difficulties

I can't make up my mind with how I want my blog to look! I want to decorate it for my birthday, but it's already a week away (July 13th) ! I hope no one gets confused with all the layout changes I've been doing!

While Reading

I've been freaked out that rats are going to eat me alive while reading. This is due to the fact that I've been reading a short story by Stephen King (in broad daylight on the train where there are zillions of people) that features rats. It's taken me at least a week and a half to read this damn story. I don't know that I'll finish.

Book Review: I'm spiritual, dammit! by Jenniffer Weigel

I checked this book out while I was perusing the New Age section in Borders (like I do), and read a chapter from the middle of the book. I had to run out really quickly but the book and the title stayed in my head. I finally bought it a few days ago and got to read everything.

From the title alone, you can tell that this book is going to be a contradiction of sorts. There's a bunch of spiritual talk in a straight forward, not too heady kind of way. While I really did love this book and found it laugh out loud funny at most parts, there's something to be said for using swear words when talking about spirituality it. I'm extremely spiritual and while I don't separate it from my daily life at all, I don't curse about it either.

All that stuff aside, I gotta say that this is a pretty good book that I would recommend to the New Age curious or New Age enthusiasts that enjoy a good laugh.

My rating: 3 out of 4 stars

Library Thursday Blog Hop July 7th edition

<a href="http://lazygirlreads.blogspot.com/search/label/library%20thursday"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OMUWkSff7nQ/TR_kR-1QCMI/AAAAAAAAATU/xHxlMwj55SA/s1600/LibraryThursdayButton.jpg" />

Library Thursday is a weekly blog hop that I've started to:
1. Encourage people to support their libraries when they can

2. Meet new bloggy friends and grow your following

How to participate (UPDATED):

• Create a Library Thursday post with a list, pictures or a vlog of your books. Or feature a cool picture of a library, or spotlight one of your favorite libraries.
• Grab my button if you like it and include it in your post! Make sure to shout the library out that you went to!
• Once you've created your post, link it to the linky at the bottom of my weekly post
• Hop around to the other blogs participating and check out what other people are reading. Be sure to leave them a comment to let them know you were there, this is about making friends as well!

Hey there! I discovered another NYPL Branch a few blocks away from my job! Whaaat!!! So here is what I got:

Big Bad Wolf by James Patterson: I actually need to get the book right before this one so I'm going to keep it on the shelf for a little while

Bossypants by Tina Fey: I haven't heard too many people say they were in love with this one. So far I'm kinda ho hum about it. We will see!

What'd ya get?!