Something New at Confessions

As you all may or may not know, I've started a tumblr that is dedicated to well, the one thing I love most dearly on the planet...books.  Yes, I've joined booklr. Starting in July, I will be participating in one of the many Book Photo Challenges that are circulating around the community.  I have chosen one in particular, and I will be working on photos through out the month.  You'll be able to see them here, on my instagram, the Confessions of a Bibliophile Facebook page,  my twitter, and of course on my tumblr page.

I encourage you to follow me on these platforms, so that way you can get the book recommendations, and see all the pictures as soon as possible.

Here is the list that I will be using for this Book Photo Challenge, as taken from Just One More Page's tumblr:

I will be setting up a page on this blog's homesite, so you can easily find a direct link to each image daily.  Also, beginning in July, expect to see regular reviews from me again.  I've been out of the loop lately, so the first few might be a bit rusty, so just please be patient.  As always, my reviews are cross-posted here, tumblr, goodreads, amazon, and new this month, Audible. 

I think that's about all the announcements I have for you today.  This month's book of the month went live earlier today, and this book has now become near and dear to my heart, because it will be one of the first audio book I do a review for, The Moon Dwellers by David Estes. 

Remember, keep reading! 

Book of the Month: June 2015: The Moon Dwellers

The Book of the Month showcase for June is....*drumroll*

The Moon Dwellers by David Estes

When I first started my blog David was one of the first authors that I interviewed, one of the first authors that I seriously started reviewing and instantly I'd come to love his writing.  Unfortunately my collection of his works is lacking, but I will be fixing that as soon as I can.  I am very fortunate to have met him, and I'm quite glad to share with you this series because it is one of my favorites. 

I am also currently re-reading this book, and continuing the series as I've the first three books, I'm missing book four.  I will probably also be re-reading his Evolution Trilogy...and the first two books in The Country Saga...which The Earth Dwellers ties into...which is the fourth book in the Dweller's Saga...as well as The Country Saga...!!!!! 

This book, the first in the Dwellers, has been included on Buzzfeed lists, and is DEFINITELY one of those books you should read if you love YA Dystopia, and if you loved The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.  Seriously...it is that good.  

David Estes is by far one of my favorite YA authors, and it is a pleasure to have gotten to know him and lose myself in the fantastic worlds he has created.  If you've never heard of him...I highly encourage you to check him out and start reading his stuff.  It is that good.  

Book of the Week: June 28-July 4: Looking For Alaska

Welcome to this week's Book of the Week.  This week, I'm featuring a book that was in last week's What's On My Kindle, Looking for Alaska by John Green.

This book is unique among all the other novels written by John Green.  If you are a Nerdfighter, then you know why.  For those that follow this blog and don't know, I'll explain it to you.  Look at the cover.  See that glimmering, golden seal with a giant P on it? That is the unique factor with this novel.  That image is the Michael L. Printz award, and it is the only novel that John Green has written that has received the award.  

The Michael L. Printz award, that gold seal, honors the "best book written for teens, based entirely on its literary merit," according to the American Literary Association.  Despite having received this award and being on several best seller lists, this book has also shown up on banned book lists - simply because of the one sex scene within its pages.  

This sex scene even has a video defending it, posted on John Green's Vlogbrothers channel.  The following is a quote from that video, 

“They think that my book is pornographic and that it will cause immoral thoughts and actions in children. … I don’t think there’s a single halfway normal person in the world who would find a single thing in my book in anyway arousing,” Green said. “There is one very frank sex scene. It is awkward, unfun, disastrous and wholly unerotic.”

It's true.  There is nothing pornographic, nothing about that scene was fun.  It was an epic disaster, but it flowed with the story, it fit the story and ultimately needed to be written.  Without it, I don't think the book would be the same.

What are your opinions if you've read the book? 

Bibliophile's Wish List: Julie Kagawa Edition

Here you'll find things that I wish I had in my hot little hands like...yesterday.  It may take me a year to get to them (*cough*or two *cough*) but eventually I will read them.  However, as the image above states...books are happiness...they are really...definitely happiness.  I want more, and chances are I will have to start dedicating my birthday and Christmas Amazon gift cards to particular authors so I can get all the books on my wish list (though I'm not sure -that- is a good idea either...but hey, whatever works right?)

Anyway!

On to my wish list...though the proper question is where to start, because I've read some of these books, but I do not own them...thus, they are still on the wish list!

I own the first three in this series.  I own a couple of the novellas in between as well.  However, I do not have book four to call my own.  That needs to change.  Seriously.  I love this series and I love Julie Kagawa's writing style.  This I think was one of my favorite books in the series - and it was filled with ALL THE FEELS!

The 2nd Book in The Iron Fey: The Call of the Forgotten.  I have book one, and I need to know what happens! Seriously.  I mean, with as addicted as I am with this storyline starting from the Iron Fey series...then I should have this book, RIGHT?

The 3rd book in The Iron Fey: The Call of the Forgotten.  The reason why I want this book....see above! Third book.  Third.  Book.  MUST HAVE!  Have to know what happens!

This is the 3rd book in the Blood of Eden series, and I've read the first, I own the 2nd (and still need to read it).  However, I have the urge to read the entire series from the beginning, and that means that I need this book in my hot little hands! Seriously! There are so many things I need to know about this series and I can only find them out if I have the third book!

New series.  Seriously.  NEW! Book 1 in the Talon series.  I've not been steered wrong with any of her books so far, and I'm fairly certain that I will absolutely be addicted to this series...once I get it in my hands!

LOOK AT IT! Isn't it so pretty and blue?  Rogue...book 2 in the Talon series...why must I have it? BOOK 2! If I have book 1 I need book 2...obviously!  Come on, get with the program people!










What are some of the things on your wishlist?

#TBT: My First Historical Romance

So very, very true.  This week's Throwback Thursday (#TBT) is a book that is very near and dear to my heart.  This book was given to me when I was sixteen, it was sent to me by my Aunt as a birthday gift.  At the time, I had no idea that it was the fourth book in the series, all I knew is that I'd fallen in love with the characters, the world, the history that enriched every page of this very large book - 1,070 pages.  

At the time, I'd never read anything in this particular genre.  Nor, had I read anything this large (aside from textbooks because I was in high school at the time).  The size of this book intimidated me, it made me nervous.  Could I actually read a book this large cover to cover?  Would I like it?  Why had my aunt sent me something so big? My fears were at the time well placed, and ultimately the reason she'd sent me the book was because she knew I loved reading and thought I'd like the book.  I did read it.  No, I devoured it - cover to cover.  All one thousand and seventy pages.  Did I like it? More than like, I loved it.  

What book am I talking about? Diana Gabaldon's Drums of Autumn book four in her Outlander series.  Jamie and Claire easily became my all time favorite couple, Black Jack Randall easily became my favorite villain.  I loved absolutely everything about this story, to the point that when I was attending college at Flagler in St. Augustine, FL, there was a second-hand bookstore close to campus and I bought the first three books in the series, as well as book number five.  I am still missing book number six in the series.  

When I heard that Outlander was going to become a television series, I think I seriously fangirled.  I absolutely love the fact that this world has been brought to the screen and everything about it is perfect, is wonderful, and I'm reminded of all the reasons I fell in love with this series in the first place. 

What's On My Kindle? All the Feels Edition

Welcome to this week's edition of What's On My Kindle?  Where I showcase some of the books that I've got on my Kindle (most of which are on my ever growing TBR list and I proudly admit that I have one click problem).  Some of them I've read, and continue to re-read because they are some of my favorite novels, and written by my favorite authors.

If you can read any novel by John Green and not experience all the feels, then there has to be something wrong with you...just sayin'.  I mean seriously! A lot of his stuff, I need to read with an abundance of tissues, including the first book on my list...here we go! 

1.)  The Fault in Our Stars

Also now a major motion picture! Which I've yet to see, however, I do follow John Green on both Twitter and Facebook and I saw awesome pictures from while they were filming and I want to see this.  I will have to check out redbox or see if it is on Netflix or Amazon for streaming...soon.

Seriously, this book is all about the feels.  It is not your average happy go lucky story - though there are very happy moments within the story itself.  It reminds us in a very human way about our mortality.  Everything will come to an end at some point - we all live for a finite amount of time, and ultimately we die.

Despite tumor-shrinking medical miracles, Hazel's story will be ending prematurely.  Her story's ending was written at the time of her diagnosis.  However, the time between now and that ultimate ending is going to be re-written when Augustus Waters shows up at a cancer kids support group.

Okay.

Okay.

2.) Paper Towns

Coming to theaters JULY 24, 2015!!!!! SQUEE!!!

Yes, another one of John Green's book is being made into a major motion picture.  This one is another one that hits you in the feels and constantly keeps you going from start to finish.

Quentin has always loved Margo Roth Spiegleman - from afar.  However, what happens when she comes into his room through his bedroom window in the middle of the night...dressed like a ninja?  She drags him on an all-night ingenious revenge plan.  However, Margo, always the enigma, becomes a complete and total mystery.

There are clues, left only for Quentin to find.  As he goes along the very disconnected path, he begins to discover that Margo Roth Spiegleman is not the girl he originally thought she was.

3.) Looking For Alaska

Yet another John Green novel that will be soon upon the big screen! SQUEE!! Is it 2016 YET? Pretty please? WANT NOW!!!

Miles "Pudge" Halter lives one perpetual nonevent.  He has an obssession with last words, and the "Great Perhaps," and ultimately goes to Culver Creek Boarding School...where his life stops being a nonevent.  Why?

The girl down the hall...Alaska Young.  Gorgeous, funny, clever, self-destructive Alaska. A girl who is an event unto herself.

Once he meets Alaska, Pudge's life is never the same.





Alright Nerdfighters...which of the two movies that are coming out are YOU most looking forward to seeing? For me, I want to see them both...but my heart is with Looking for Alaska because that is by far my favorite John Green novel (sorry TFiOS...I love you too....).

Bibliophile Eats: Fast Food Moments

I have more of these than my share, more than I probably should (only because I work fast food), but some of these are my favorite bites that I figure I'd share with you this week.

Enjoy!

Shamrock Shake! My absolute favorite shake from McDonald's. 

Buffalo chicken strips from Hardees...only around so often.

Buffalo Honey Mustard Chicken Salad from McDonalds..
deliciousness! 

This was a carb loading day...deliciously wonderful pizza.

CiCi's pizza <3

Cinnamonmelt and hot tea.  Delicious and it was the 

perfect little pick me up for a day I felt like crap.

What are some of your favorite fast food stops?

BotW: June 21-27: Game of Thrones

Chances are, unless you've lived under a rock you know about Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin.  This series is currently a widely watched series on HBO, and like most of you who have read this series...you are waiting patiently to know when book number six will FINALLY be published! *stares at George R.R. Martin*

This week's book of the week is....

Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin 

This series, is absolutely one of my favorites...despite the fact that pretty much every one of my favorite characters DIE! Seriously...why the senseless killing George? I mean really? Why must you kill everyone that I enjoy reading about! 

That image right there ultimately sums up each and EVERY thing I have to say about the Song of Fire and Ice series by George R.R. Martin.  I am, still, like everyone else who has read the books anxiously awaiting the publishing date for book number six! 

#TBT: The Lord of the Flies

Welcome to the revival of my throwback Thursday theme! Each week I will revisit a book that has a memorable impact upon me in the history of me reading.  This week's book is definitely one of those that has had a great impact on me and is one of my best memories from high school.

The Lord of the Flies by William Golding

Most of you know the premise of this book, what it stands for and what it exposes about our society in general.  This compelling novel is as much a provocative, debate starting book as it was in 1952 when it was first published.  This is one of the few books that will ALWAYS be in my library in some way, shape or form (digital or print).  

I do enjoy reading it and taking it in and allowing it to remind me of exactly what humanity is capable of when pushed to its limits.  Not all situations are ideal, not all outcomes are ideal.  

My most memorable interaction with this book was in my 10th grade English class. This was shortly after I'd changed schools thanks to moving literally across the street from where I'd been living before.  We spent a couple of weeks to a month working with this book between tests, papers, projects, and reading the book.  

During each class meeting, we would have five minutes at the beginning of class and about five to ten minutes at the end of class where we would be allowed to interact with the teacher.  The moment the lights flicked off and then back on, we were essentially in an environment where we were not allowed to interact with adults (namely the teacher - with exceptions of course).  We were given our assignments and had to complete them together to the best of our ability.  

I remember my final project for this particular unit, and wish I could find the picture (I might have it somewhere if one exists).  I created an edible version of the island where the boys spent their time. It was cake, and various little plastic pieces that could be removed - and there was green frosting, and the whole nine yards.  I'd gotten an A in the course. 

What's On My Kindle: Unsorted Part 2

This week's What's on My Kindle? is venturing back into my unsorted categories (yes, since the last one this particular sorting location has multiplied...I blame my one-click addiction with freebies, and various gift cards for birthdays, Christmas, etc.)

I've been working hard in the last month and a half to break into some of these novels, short stories, erotic moments in the unsorted categories on my kindle, and ultimately get them sorted into categories (even if it is the challenge category for this year or any subsequent year).  For now, I will be showcasing a few more books from that category.  Enjoy!

1.) The Gingerbread Man - Maggie Shayne

When did I actually get this book...umm..*flees to check amazon purchase log...* August 15, 2013...Yup, it's been sitting on my kindle nearly 2 years...and have I read it? NOPE!  Never even cracked it open.  Will I?  Quite possibly in the near or not so near future, but it will get read at some point...just like everything else on my Kindle.

This is a mystery/thriller novel, that focuses around Detective Vincent O'Mally.  When he finds two missing children dead, the FBI has taken over the case and O'Mally takes time off going to upstate New York.  While he's there he meets a woman whose sister had been abducted and murdered.  O'Mally believes that death of Holly Newman's sister is tied to the two missing children that had been found and begins attempting to gain information from Holly.

2.) Quantum Shaman: Diary of a Nagual Woman by Della Van Hise

Another one that I'd purchased 2 years ago (though I think it might have fallen into a spree of one-click freebie purchases, I don't entirely remember!).  Purchase date is the same as The Gingerbread Man, and I'm not entirely sure what drew me to this title, other than the fact that it was free.  Though, now that I read over the blurb again, I originally had thought it interesting and perhaps it will be when I get around to reading it.

Diary of a Nagual Woman is the compelling story of one woman’s journey on the path with heart. A personal and chilling confrontation with the very nature of life and death, which brings the reader face to face with the shaman’s double: the immortal & mysterious Other who takes on a life of his own, & manifests the key to unlocking our own evolution of consciousness. 

3,) Choking on a Camel by Michal Anne McArthur

This one has officially been on my kindle for 2 years, and I've not cracked it open, or even considered cracking it open though the title does amuse me.  I am usually not a fan of Christian fiction/religious fiction in general, so what made me actually one-click this book I'm not entirely sure - though I think it may have been the title.

I've learned that some of the one-clicks are a hit-or-miss with the writing/story/etc.  So, I will be giving this one a try, and if I like it yay, if not then it will be time I cannot get back, but it will be another book read.

So, here is a bit of the blurb:

In the spring of 1969, Alex Ferguson’s fiancé breaks their engagement. A strong Calvinist, he’s stung by Alex’s sharp questions about predestination, determinism, and the eternal damnation of non-Christians, ideas that horrify Alex.
On June 20, 1969, Alex is forced to face her questions again when her atheist brother is killed in an accident. To think of her beloved younger brother in eternal torment is more than she can handle. Who is God, that He should predestine people to damnation? Her emotions start to unravel.
She returns for her senior year to her fundamentalist university in the heart of the smoldering, still largely segregated South, her mind burning with questions. She’s always been a devout believer, but now she’s not so sure she can continue in her faith. Under intense pressure from the school, outwardly she conforms, but inwardly, she’s seething. She lives a double life to cover up how she really feels. She wrestles with a God she wants to love, maybe hates, and definitely doesn’t understand.

4.) The Last Madam: A Life in the New Orleans Underworld by Christine Wiltz

Purchase date: May 12, 2013...Yup, another one sitting there for over 2 years.  This is why I cannot have nice things.  This is further proof that I will never, ever, ever get to the bottom of my TBR pile.  Seriously, I have a problem.  This I know.

However, I do know what drew me to this one.  I'm a sucker for a good memoir, a good biography.  This is just that.  This is the story of Nora Wallace who arrived in New Orleans in 1916 at age fifteen and had quickly gone from streetwalker to madam, and by 1920 had her own house of prostitution.  Clientele included governors, gangsters and movie stars.  She was arrested in 1962.   Christine Wiltz used the tapes recorded by Norma Wallace before her death in 1972, and her own research to write this thrilling account of the woman's life, as well as grants us another look into the social history of New Orleans.

5.) Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Purchase date: March 12, 2013...birthday gift card two years ago.  I am not entirely sure what else was purchased with that gift card and if I'd read the rest of the books that had been purchased...but this one apparently has been allowed to remain dormant in my unsorted category since I purchased it.  This one, I do have plans to start as soon as I am done with my current book, so it will soon be sorted!

I'd purchased this one because so many of my friends on Goodreads had provided rave reviews and had sent me countless recommendations for it.  So, once my gift card had come in for my birthday I made it one of my purchases and it got buried under everything else I'd read that year and the year after and apparently most of what I'd read this year so far. 

What books are on your TBR pile that you've not gotten to in a couple of years?

Bibliophile Eats - Meat Pie

Okay...Food.  We all need food right? Seriously, it's a necessity. Without it...well, I hesitate to think of the horrors!  Today, I'm sharing with you some pictures of the meat pie that we make at least once or twice a year (especially when the weather gets cooler - because it's fairly time consuming and it tastes better when you make the pie crust from scratch!).

This is not your average "pot pie" as most Americans see it...no this is a Pennsylvania Dutch Meat Pie...there is a distinction.  Please do not call this deliciousness a pot pie around someone who grew up eating Pennsylvania Dutch cooking - you just won't win the argument.  I distinctly remember the first time we made this (following the original recipe) and we used rice instead of potatoes (which is still an option) and it soaked up the delicious gravy in this tasty, tasty dish.  It was also the one and ONLY time we'd gotten my roommate's son to eat not only gravy but rice as well...so score on that.

Anyway, I don't have the recipe handy for this one, but if I manage to remember to grab my recipe book for next week's entry, I will edit this week's post and throw it in there. Promise!

 

Homemade pie crust.  Seriously, what is not absolutely wonderful about that series of words?  Everything is wonderful about those words.  Deliciously flaky, yummy pie crust fitted in to a 2-quart casserole dish - yes, you need that much room for this yummy, yummy dish. 

See? All that beefy, meaty, veggie filled gravy goodness must have room to breathe in that delicious handmade pie crust! So delicious and it fills your house with so many yummy scents!  Then you pour it in the pie crust and it begins to take on a new life! Then it's topped with another layer of that deliciously wondrous handmade pie crust. 

Okay so my edges need work, don't judge! However, aesthetics aside....what is in this delicious pie crust encased bundle is pure, belly filling, deliciousness. This is right before it went into the oven, to further enhance the flavors and turn that flaky, delicious pie crust a delightful golden brown. 

Some time was given for it to cool (though to be honest, not very much).  Then it was time to cut into this flaky, golden brown heaven and reveal the meat and veggie filled gravy interior. 

And now, it's time to eat!  Enjoy! 

You remind me of the babe...

Those six words popped up on my Facebook newsfeed, and when someone starts a song from one of my all time favorite movies...I must continue the song! I did, the entire opening verse to Dance Magic Dance by David Bowie from Labyrinth.

I'm glad I did.

Why? Because they were worth a fantastic gift from author Sinead MacDoughlas.  A $10 Amazon gift card...which by the way was mapped out to the last two pennies before the email even hit my inbox.  As if reading my mind, I'd checked one of my daily deal mails that had also popped up in my inbox and one of my favorite books is on sale for $2.99...so guess which book ended up on the list?  Exactly.

So, wanna see the new books added to my Kindle?

1.) Fractured Fairy Tales by Catherine Stovall, Leah D.W. Victoria Kinnard, Sinead MacDoughlas (and many more!)

This book has been on my wishlist since it came out in December last year.  I am really looking forward to getting into this book...I think it just managed to worm its way to the top of my TBR pile, and will be read as soon as I finish Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi.











2,) Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor

I have read this book before, absolutely LOVE it!  There are not enough words to express how much I absolutely adore this book and the subsequent books in this series (though I've not yet gotten my hands on book three).  This book was the one that I mentioned earlier that was on sale for $2.99 and I had to add it to the list of what I'd purchased with this gift card because otherwise it would have cost the bulk of the gift card to get! Will more than likely get the other two with my Christmas gift card.  We will see.

3.) Whispers from Mirrowen Trilogy by Jeff Wheeler


This book actually caught my attention, and the fact that all three books in this series were on sale (and I had money to spend),  I figured I would give the trio a try.  I will decidedly let you know at least how the first book is, and more than likely, knowing my book OCD I will finish the series anyway.

Book of the Week June 14-20: Tapestry

This week's book of the week is one of my personal favorites and I've it on good authority that the second book is going to be going through the editing/proofreading phase of things and will soon be in this blogger's hot little hands! Will I read it in a day like I did this one? Well, the gif below pretty much sums that up! 

The Tapestry- Paul Wigmore

I for one am a sucker for the dark, the macabre, the horror and deliciously dark and twisted.  This book hit pretty much EVERYTHING that I love about this particular genre.  It is ranked up there with some of my other favorite books: Malice by Griffin Hayes, IT by Stephen King...and a few others.  I highly encourage you to check out this book if you like dealing with the things that go bump in the night, and bad guys that are definitely the sort you have no desire to meet in a dark alley.  

What's On My Kindle? #TeamLexy Edition

This week's feature is dedicated to the fabulous Christa Charter and her Lexy Cooper Mystery series.  Why, you ask? Because the series and the author herself is AWESOME!

This song, pretty much describes Christa and her series.  To know that she is currently kicking cancer's ass makes her even more awesome! You can read about her battle with cancer and various other things on her blog which can be found here: Trixieland

1.) Schooled

In this story we meet Lexy who works as the community manager for Xenon game company.  When a young woman's body is found on the Xenon campus, Lexy's uncle calls her to identify the body.  This is only the beginning for the whirlwind that surrounds Lexy.  She's hot, and honestly I have a crush on her (as much as I have a crush on her uncle Mike....and her on again/off again boyfriend).

This novel gives an eye-opening insight into the gaming world, and is by far my favorite in the series. 

2.) Pwned

As if the first book wasn't action packed enough - or filled with indulgences into Lexy's sex life and sometimes questionable decisions - this one is even more so.  Declan Brown has been found dead and it is up to Mike and Lexy to find out who it was that put the knife in his chest.  His brother? His favorite stripper? His business rival & Lexy's ex-boyfriend? This time we go behind the curtain of the video game industry and enter the dangerous territory of big money, high tech and murder.











3.) Griefed

Haters are gonna hate.  Isn't that what the Taylor Swift song says? Lexy adopts this motto after a hacker friend of hers sends her the link to IHateLexyXenon.com.  This site is dedicated to all sorts of unflattering pictures, videos, stories and other things related to Lexy Cooper, community manager for Xenon.  However, pictures soon begin surfacing on the site from INSIDE the Xenon compound.  Mike is keeping an eye on Lexy, while also investigating a murder.  This story tracks Lexy Cooper and Mike Malick from Redmond, Washington to Roswell, New Mexico and is honestly filled with non-stop action and intrigue.  Absolutely love this book, even though....wait, that's spoilers. You'll just have to read to find out.





There is also a novella, that falls between books 1 and 2, that I have on my Kindle, and the newest book in the Lexy Cooper series is Glitched, however I don't own that one yet....however I will have it in my hot little hands soon enough! 

Book of the Week: June 7-13

Each week I will feature a book that I have read, that I want to read, that I own, or that I want to own (because face it, will I EVER be able to read all the books I own? Not likely).

Yes, Matilda, I do have a TBR pile as big as the number of books you've read in your short little lifetime...don't judge me!  Anyway, on to the main attraction, this week's book...

The Name of the Wind: The Kingkiller Chronicles: Day One - Patrick Rothfuss

This is told from the point of view of Kvothe, and this series is by far one of my absolute FAVORITES of all time.  I have read, and re-read this story and the second book in the series.  I will read them again and again.  This is one of my go-to novels when I can't find anything to read.  The story is complex, the characters are hard to dislike and Patrick Rothfuss has deftly created a wonderful world in which I want to get lost in. 

As each page unfolds you find out the story of Kvothe's life, or Kote, as he goes by until his true name is discovered.  His orphaned beginning to how he became a hero, and why he is now nothing more than an Innkeeper...an Innkeeper with a fantastic story.  I highly suggest you check this book out and much more by this fantastic author.