I'm still reading Beautiful Creatures.  It's such a big book, that I'm trying to savor each detail and don't want to get to the end.  Ever feel that way with books?  Thankfully most of my TV shows are going on LONG hiatuses, so I'm hoping I can get some decent reading in.  I know there are quite a few bloggers out there reading Beautiful Creatures.  How long does it take you to read such a long book?


Books Received this week:

Slow week, which was good.

Never After, Daniel Elconin.  He contacted me directly and he made such a impassioned plea for me to consider this book for review.  I'm such a huge fan of Peter Pan, that I jumped on it and thanked him immensely for giving me the chance to review this book.  The thing that really drew me to Dan is that he's a teenager!  I just read his acknowledgement and it is really kick-ass.

I'm going to be brave and announce some books here that for one reason or another, I just couldn't finish.  We've all these times, where we start a book, like the book, but for some reason, just can't seem to get through it.  It's possible because it's the wrong story at the wrong time of our lives.  Sometimes if I go back to a book later, I'm pleasantly surprised and glad that I gave it another chance.  So here goes.

1. Sprout, Dale Peck. Yep, never finished it.  Strange is that I absolutely loved the beginning, but I think the timing of when I started reading it, just wasn't right.  I'm definitely going to get back to this.

2. Wings, Aprilynne Pike.  I started it, but it seemed a bit too young for me.  I like MG books, but there was something about it, that I just couldn't stay focused on it.  I'm not sure if this is one I will go back to.

3. Models don't eat Chocolate Cookies, Erin Dionne.  I started it.  Forgot about it, and need to get back to it.  I really enjoyed the beginning, but I misplaced the book during a cleaning session in my bedroom and recently found it again!  I'm also giving this book (signed) as a Christmas gift to neighbor of mine who I think will really love it.  I'm hoping to meet up with Erin next week for coffee!

4. Radiant Darkness. Emily Whitman.  I started it, couldn't get into it.  But will try again.  Again, was at the wrong time in my reading life to get into it.

So what about you?  Ever start a book, realize that perhaps you're not in the mood for that type or style of book and decide if you'll ever go back to it?

Max's Chocolate Chicken, Rosemary Wells

From Goodreads:

How we love Max--the mischievous toddler rabbit who is often battling wits and wills with his bossy-boots older sister Ruby. Now it's time for the siblings' Easter egg hunt! Just as the festivities are about to begin, a secretive Easter Bunny places a huge chocolate chicken in the birdbath. "I love you," Max innocently declares to the edible chicken he covets. "Wait Max," warns Ruby. "First we must go on an egg hunt. If you find the most eggs then you get the chocolate chicken." But Max, who is still young enough to be distracted by mud puddles and marching ants, can't possibly focus on finding a single egg. When it becomes obvious that Ruby has collected the most (if not all) of the Easter eggs, Max takes drastic measures--as the youngest sibling often will--and steals the chicken. Rosemary Wells's expressive, giggle-funny illustrations (along with the board-book format) make this a perfect Easter story for toddlers as well as preschoolers, who will delight in Max's blatant misbehavior and relish the inevitable happy ending.


I found Max and Ruby via Nick Jr.   I loved how Max only said one word, but it was the one the word that Ruby needed to solve a problem.  I always found Max to be quite intelligent and Ruby to be very bossy and perhaps a bit dimwitted.  But these are young bunnies, so I give them a pass.


Lily absolutely adores this series, and specifically has this book in her library (aka, a messy closet with a ton of books strewn about!).  Max wants Ruby's chocolate chicken.  But the idea is whoever finds the most eggs (Easter egg hunt) will win the chocolate chicken.  But Max is too smart for that.  He just goes for the chocolate!  Luckily for us, the Easter bunny is forgiving and another chocolate chicken is left for Ruby.  A chocolate smeared Max is a sight to behold!

Okay, folks my blogoversary is in 4 days!  However, I'm taking a bit of an internet break to catch up on reading, life and just get away from toxic bloggers.  So when I come back, I should have a brand new blog (I'm still looking at blogger templates.)  If anyone knows of anyone who can create nice blog templates, please e-mail.

The holidays are coming up.  I will be back to announce the the winner of Twenty Boy Summer sometime after December 12.  I will be checking e-mail only.  I will be off twitter, blogger, facebook.

When I started this blog a year ago, I knew no one, and just did this for myself.  I seem to have lost sight of that.

I hope everyone has a great week.  I'm not sure when I'll be back, but I'll probably schedule my Picture Book Thursdays and my Waiting on Wednesdays.

But before I leave if anyone can tell me who sang the song in the title of my post will win a book. The Hollow by Jessica Verday (It is an ARC).

For those of you who are waiting for books, I promise to get them out soon.  I've been very lax getting to post office!  If anyone wants to chat, e-mail me.

Remember to be yourself and not to lose sight of that.  Blogging is not the be all or end all of life.  There are so many good things out there, like friends, family and good wine! :)

*stole the picture from Jeannine Garsee's LJ. Don't think she'll mind.