I usually don't post twice in a day, but I auto-posted a review for this morning without realizing that today is Friday. Duh. I seriously need to get back on my meds. If any of you take levothyroxine (it's a generic of Synthroid), you know how awful it feels to be off it, even for a little while - it's a fuzzy-headed exhaustion you can feel from your head to your toes. I'm headed to the doctor this morning, so hopefully he can make sense of my blood results and give me SOME indication of what comes next.

In the meantime, let's celebrate that it's Friday! My kids get out early from school (a reason for them to celebrate - me, not so much) since they're annual October Break starts next week; I have an aunt coming to visit whom I haven't seen in years; and, of course, these fun events:


The Book Blogger Hop is a weekly event hosted by Jen over at Crazy For Books. If you're a new blogger, it's a perfect way to find other blogs and drive traffic to your own site. If you're a veteran at this book blogging thing, it's a great way to welcome the newbies. Plus, it's just fun! Head on over to Jen's blog to join in. This week, Jen asks the question: What is your favorite beverage to drink while you read?

- Usually, I just like a nice, big cup of ice water. Lately, though, I've needed more of a caffeine boost (which, being LDS, I feel tremendously guilty about), so I've been all about the Mt. Dew. I like to stick it in the freezer until it's nearly solid, then let it melt to the consistency of a slurpee. Delish.


Friday (My Book Blog) Friday is another weekly meme, this time hosted by Parajunkee. It's another fabulous way to discover new blogs/bloggers and gain Followers for your own blog. You'll definitely want to join in! Parajunkee's question of the week is: How many reviews to you like to do in a week?

- Funny enough, I've been thinking a lot about this question lately. I don't like to post every day, because I think it gets overwhelming. My own feed reader is so out of control that I end up skipping a lot of reviews on blogs that post daily. I'm aiming toward more of a Monday-Wednesday-Saturday approach, with a misc. post on Friday. What do you think? Would you like more reviews? Less? More chit chat? Maybe I should do a poll or something ...

Anyway, for those who are here because of the Hop or FF, welcome! Please leave a comment so I can check out your blog also. Don't forget to check out the giveaway I'm running for a new, hardcover copy of Wicked Girls by Stephanie Hemphill - you can get all the details on my right sidebar.


I forgot to mention that I finished a reading challenge! It's been awhile since I actually completed one, so I'm pretty proud of myself. My reading list changed quite a bit since I realized reading both Under the Dome and The Stand in one month might be more of an undertaking than I first thought. So, here's what I ended up reading:

1. The Devouring by Simon Holt (Review)

2. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare (Review)

3. I Am Legend by Richard Matheson (Review)

4. Wicked Girls by Stephanie Hemphill (Review)

I liked all of them, although the structure of I Am Legend confused and frustrated me. My favorite ended up being The Devouring, which is just a deliciously creepy Halloween read. I'm working on the sequels now. *Shivers* A funny: I was reading Soulstice yesterday when the FedEx guy banged on my door. Scared the crap out of me!

R.I.P (Readers Imbibing Peril) V (Sept. 1 - Oct. 31)

Even though it's still a million degrees outside here in Arizona, it is September. That means it's time for Carl's annual challenge celebrating all things frightful. I love R.I.P.

This year, I'm going with Peril the First, which involves reading four books that fit into the very broad categories outlined on Carl's blog. Although this list is subject to change (revised 9/17), I plan to read:

1. The Devouring by Simon Holt (paranormal/horror)

2. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare (paranormal) (Review)

3. I Am Legend by Richard Matheson (dystopian) (Review)

4. Wicked Girls by Stephanie Hemphill (historical/Salem witch trials) (Review)

That's the plan, anyway. We'll see how I do :)

The Contemps Challenge (now - August 15, 2011)

You know that crowd of YA authors with debut novels coming out in 2010-11? Not all those writing paranormal books, but the ones penning contemporary fiction. Well, here's a challenge celebrating them. The challenge involves committing to read at least 18 of the 21 novels the authors have published/will be publishing between now and August 2011. I'm going to list all of them and just read whichever I can get my hands on. Here they are (in order of publication):

THE DUFF by Kody Keplinger (Sept. 27, 2010) - review

Girl, Stolen by April Henry (Sept. 28, 2010) - review

Freefall by Mindy Scott (Oct. 5, 2010)

The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney (Nov. 2, 2010)

Fixing Delilah by Sarah Ockler (Dec. 15, 2010)

Fall for Anything by Courtney Summers (Dec. 21, 2010)

Trapped by Michael Northrop (January 2011)

Rival by Sara Bennett Wealer (Feb. 15, 2011)

Sean Griswold's Head by Lindsey Leavitt (March 1, 2011)

Like Mandarin by Kirsten Hubbard (March 8, 2011)

Family by Micol Ostow (April 26, 2011)

Back When You Were Easier to Love by Emily Wing Smith (April 28, 2011)

Pearl by Jo Knowles (Spring 2011)

Saving June by Hannah Harrington (May 2011)

The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder (June 2011)

Between Here and Forever by Elizabeth Scott (June 2011)

Small-Town Sinners by Melissa Walker (July 19, 2011)

The third book in the Carter series by Brent Crawford (Summer 2011)

Sharks & Boys by Kristin Tracey (Summer 2011)

Want to Go Private? by Sarah Darer Littman (August 2011)

Fun, huh? Click on the button above for more information or to join the challenge.

What new challenges are you signing up for?