Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Best Bookish Memories

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created over at The Broke and the Bookish.  This feature was created because they're particularly fond of lists at The Broke and the Bookish (and who isn't?). They're all about creating new lists including a little bit of everything and I've been meaning to participate for so long but always seemed to get behind.  So here we are and hopefully you'll head over to their page and check out what everyone else put up for this week's Top Ten.

I had fun creating this week's list because it reminded me of a whole lot of good times and great memories that I'll cherish always!

Top Ten Best Bookish Memory #1:  My First Author Signing

My friend Lyric and I traveled all the way up to PA to visit a Borders store there where Maria V. Snyder was signing her books.  I had a copy of each that she'd written knowing she probably wouldn't be able to sign more than one.  But we were able to get there early and so was she and my wish came true.  I'm such a huge fan and getting to meet her was thrilling enough, but walking away with those souvenirs and being able to chat with her a while was the icing on the cake!

Top Ten Best Bookish Memory #2:  Meeting Elizabeth Eulberg

I traveled to a book festival near Washington, D.C. and was lucky enough to meet a few fantastic authors and pick up some wonderful new reads while I was at it.  But hearing Elizabeth speak and then meeting her afterwards definitely tops my list of all time great moments!

Top Ten Best Bookish Memory #3:  Lunching with Jennifer and Cyn

Jennifer Murgia is one of the sweetest and most down to Earth authors I've met.  She's downright awesome!  We had corresponded a bit after meeting at a book festival and she was going to be signing at an event I was going to and we decided to get some other bloggers and her friend and fellow author Cyn Balog (!) together for lunch before it started.  Getting to meet Cyn and all of those fabulous bloggers and hanging out was just so cool.  I know it's corny but everyone was just wonderful and it made for such a great day.

Top Ten Best Bookish Memory #4:  A Surprise

Earlier this year I got an email from a publicist letting me know to keep my eye out for something in the mail.  I wasn't sure what to expect, but what I got had me jumping up and down with joy.  Author Kristen Miller sent me an ARC of How To Lead A Life of Crime along with some other goodies and I was touched.  Surprises are always nice and her thoughtfulness made my week!

Top Ten Best Bookish Memory #5:  Challenge Me

A few months ago I was asked to be a part of The Silk & Paper Campaign leading up to Ally Condie's release of Reached (Matched, #3).  It was a ton of fun and super exciting to be a part of.  With read alongs, twitter talks, blogger meet and greets online, write ups, reviews, the whole deal!

Top Ten Best Bookish Memory #6:  Suzanne Collins' Stamp

I am of course one of many who are huge fans of The Hunger Games series.  Collins from what I've heard does not do many signings, but there was going to be one for Mockingjay's release and it was within driving distance for me.  Unfortunately for me I was going to be out of town for work but thanks to my wonderful friend Shelbi I was able to have her take my copy to be stamped (she wasn't physically signing books that day) and it's sitting on display on my shelf as we speak.

Top Ten Best Bookish Memory #7:  Converts

It may sound silly but not many of my good friends are big readers like myself.  I'm OK with it, mainly because I've met so many wonderful bloggers since becoming one myself.  But last year for whatever reason my friend Lyric and my sister Brooke both asked me for book recommendations and I must have picked well because they're still coming back for more and I get excited each and every time!

Top Ten Best Bookish Memory #8:  Decorating with Books

Last March I moved into a new apartment and was back to square one in the decorating department.  I was excited to start over and knew I could go a bunch of different ways, but that books would play a huge part of my new digs.  I wanted them everywhere, and I have plenty to help make that work.  I set up my bookcases in my living room for all to see, put up invisible book shelves (thanks to my sister) in my bedroom, and you will basically find every available space plastered with coffee table books everywhere else in the apartment.  I love it!  Coming home each and every day puts a smile on my face because I'm surrounded by titles I love, old friends I'm reminded of in the books that quickly became my favorites, and just looking at the shelves lined with good reads puts me in a good mood. (Now this picture might not be of my apartment but you get an good idea)

Top Ten Best Bookish Memory #9:  Last Christmas

Despite always being a big reader for just about as long as I can remember I never really got books for Christmas.  Hard to believe I know.  But it was always hard because my parents and family never knew which books to get, what I would like, what I'd already read, etc...  But last year they stepped out of the box and gave it a shot and they did a fantastic job!   Definitely some real winners to add to my library.

Top Ten Best Bookish Memory #10:  The Bookshelf Sophisticate Is Born

By far one of the best decisions I ever made!  My best friend and roommate at the time Megan, told me one day out of the blue that I should give it a shot.  I joke that she probably made the suggestion because she wanted me to have an outlet to share my thoughts and discuss the books I'd been reading so that she wouldn't have to hear about them so much anymore.  She was actually the one who picked out the blog name for me and encouraged me one hundred percent and I love her dearly for that!  I've met so many amazing people in the process, found fabulous blogs I now follow religiously, gone to wonderful book related events and had a blast throughout the whole process.  It's a lot of work and take a lot of dedication but is so rewarding and worthwhile that I don't think I'll ever want to stop.  Best decision and bookish memory ever!

Silk and Paper Campaign Traders (2)

As you know last Saturday I decided to introduce you to a few of the Traders that are participating alongside me throughout the Silk and Paper Campaign.  There were simply too many to highlight each of them in just one post so I had to split it into two posts.  I didn't want to just list them and send  you over to their blogs, I wanted to take a moment and mention some of my favorite aspects of their blogs, their writing, and to talk about a few of the more unique elements they've included on their sites.

So here are the rest of the Traders taking part in the campaign.....

Trader #11:  Page Turners

Two co-owners and six additional bloggers make up this blog team, and what a team they are.  I know most of you are probably familiar with this blog and the writers that make it possible, but I felt the need to gush over their site regardless.  This is actually one of the first blogs I came across after starting my own.  And what an inspiration they were.  Their character interviews are some of my favorite posts to check out.  I love the creative and unique questions they've come up with and the answers that follow.  Definitely one of my favorite sites around.

Trader #12:  Novel Thoughts

Three amazing reviewers and bloggers call this blog home and once you stop by you won't want to leave anytime soon.  One of my favorite parts of this blog is their "Praise" section and all I can say is wow!  The compliments and praise that have been given out to these individuals is without a doubt humbling.  Authors, fellow bloggers, readers, etc...they've all got something great to say about this team and they deserve every bit of credit given.  This is definitely one of those blogs and one of those teams that I look up to and enjoy visiting as often as I can.

Trader #13:  Novel Novice

14 contributors people!  Can you imagine the types of variety this site has to offer?  After reading a little bit about each of these bloggers I must say that I honestly can't think of anyone who wouldn't want to be a part of this team, can you?  Be sure to check out their feature book of the month and make sure it's on your list.  I haven't seen a bad recommendation come out of their site yet, so you've got a pretty good chance of likely what they direct you towards.  I especially enjoy the fact that a lot of their books featured or discussed aren't always just revolving around what's topping the hot list, ya know?  They seem to have the eye when it comes to sorting through the mass amounts of new releases that are hitting the shelves or counting down until their release dates and I enjoy reading about the diamond in the roughs they hit on.

Trader #14:  Mundie Moms

Yet another blog I'm sure most of you are familiar with, and also one of the first sites that I came across after starting my own blog.  And I haven't stopped visiting it yet.  It's addicting and information and sometimes there's so much to look at I find myself on overload....I don't know how they find the time to include it all.  What might have started out as a place to discuss Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments series (one of my favorites) has since turned into a YA hit where just about everything is hit upon.

Trader #15:  Matched Fandom

I wish I had a picture to go along with this blog but I've used the cover from Condie's series opener as a substitute when I was unable to snag their blog banner.  Once again this site has got great elements and they all revolve around Ally Condie's Matched Trilogy.  I just can't seem to get enough.  Recently they had a post about fancasting for the upcoming Matched movie adaptation and I've got to agree with some of the choices they highlighted.  I could totally picture some of those actresses in the role of Cassia, and doing it justice.  Everyone always has a picture in their mind of what the characters they read about really look like and it's often hard to bring that to reality, but some of these picks are pretty close to what I've always imagined.

Trader #16:  Katie over at Katie's Book Blog

This girl's following speaks for itself.  Her and her blog are and have been a huge hit since she started the site in 2009 and I'm sure that won't change anytime soon.  She's like a lot of us that host our own blogs.  She'd seen and visited enough for so long and then decided it was finally time to start out on her own and share her opinions and reviews along with the rest of the blogosphere.  One of my favorite features she has on her site are the blogger interviews she conducts.  I'm always on the lookout for new blogs to follow and fellow bibliophiles to befriend and I know I'm not alone.  The interviews are a ton of fun to read and the blogs are all on my list of favorites.

Trader #17: Khy at Frenetic Reader

After taking a look at the "About Me" page when first coming across the blog I've got to say that I found it highly entertaining.  It's nothing but honestly, bluntness and the facts.  And because this blogger is a fan of lists, I instantly knew that I would be able to relate...who doesn't like lists, right?  While busy with college, reviews and posts have not completely stopped so I look forward to all Khy comes up with in the future.

Trader #18:  Emily at Emily's Reading Room

Emily along with two contributing bloggers make up this fun and interesting stop.  With such a busy and hectic life, I'm not sure where Emily finds the time to put out the posts she does for her blog, but my hat is off to her.  I do my best to make sure the blog doesn't get neglected, but having all that she's got going on deserves major props in my opinion.  She keeps her readers and fans up to date on reviews, author signings in her area, and lots of other YA lit related news!

Trader #19:  Bookshelf Banter

This blog is made up of four individual bloggers, and I love the way they've shaped this site.  While each person writes their own reviews and contributes to the blog, you might end up seeing a book reviewed by each of them or just one of them, it's all up in the air.  But I love the idea that rather than having to go to a site like Goodreads, you can get possibly four reviews all in the same place, from four different perspectives...it's not something you see on most sites.

Trader #20:  Taschima at Bloody Bookaholic

I became a fan when Taschima compared reading a book to falling in love....find her description in her "About Me" section and I'm sure you'll be laughing but also nodding your head right along with her words.  I just really like the comparison and surprisingly have not heard that one before....something new is always nice to store away, right?  There are reviews to check out, polls to participate in, giveaways to enter, and so much more...see for yourself!

Trader #21:  Anna at Anna Reads

And finally we have Anna wrapping up our trader introductions.  This girl is a major fan of literature.  But she seems to like the lighter side of it more so than most.  She's quite clear that books involving high schools and boys are going to make for the best reads, and if you don't agree with her, she's going to send you on your way...just kidding.  I like her humor and her wit, and I'm thinking I'm not the only one since her blog seems to draw lots of readers.

I just wanted to say thanks again to Penguin for including me among these fantastic bloggers, and fellow traders to be a part of this Silk and Paper Campaign and I can't wait to continue on with the challenges!

As always....Happy Reading!!!!!!!!

Silk and Paper Campaign: Get MATCHED

We've received our orders....as part of the Reached promotional challenge I once again need your help!  Here's what we can do.....

For Cassie Reyes, the seeds of dissent and rebellion were first sown in MATCHED.  The Society is corrupt and people must know.  Spread the word however you can - we need to get as many people as possible to tweet #getmatched.

But that's only the first part.  If you're a part of the twitter community please help us spread the word by tweeting #getmatched as far and wide as you possibly can.  Ask your followers to join in and lend a hand, reach out and see if anyone will accept their challenge to help alongside Cassie and spread the word that the Society's corruption needs to end and we can't do it alone!

Another way we're asking everyone to participate is to embed the MATCHED trailer and Scribd sampler on your blogs, Facebook pages, just about any place you can think of in order to get word out to all the readers and fans out there.

Check out the Scribd sampler here and take the opportunity to read the first seven chapters of MATCHED if you haven't already, and even if you've read the book before it's always fun to go back and see what made you fall in love with this series opener to begin with.  It always gets me that much more excited for the release of the next installment when I get the chance to go back and re-read the others in the series to refresh my memory.

And don't even get me started on the MATCHED trailer.  I've made sure to include it below for those of you who haven't seen it before.  Take a minute and check it out, you won't regret it.  And don't forget to take the trailer with you and embed it along with the Scribd sampler on your blogs, Facebook pages, and anywhere else you can think of to spread the word along with the rest of us as we continue to countdown until REACHED is release!

Silk and Paper Campaign Traders

Now that you guys have heard about the Silk and Paper Campaign that's taken over the blogosphere leading up to Ally Condie's third and final installment in the Matched Trilogy, REACHED, I wanted to make sure you guy knew who my fellow traders were.  There are some fantastic blogs and bloggers out there participating and they, like me have taken on the challenge of becoming a Trader for the Rising.

There are more bloggers than I could possibly talk about in just one post so I'm going to break this down for you over the next few Saturdays so you guys won't miss out on the chance to check out what's going on over at their blogs and throughout the Campaign!

Trader #1:  Lea over at the YA Book Queen

Lea has managed to add a little style and grace to her site revolving around young adult literature and I think her site embodies class to a T.  I love popping over to check out her Weekly Recommendations, so I can see what she thinks everyone should check out and what she's currently excited about in the literature world. Every time I stop by her blog I feel like curling up with a cup of espresso and relaxing.  And I've got to admit, her reviews are well thought out and I especially have started to enjoy and pay attention to her "highlights" and "lowlights" that she includes towards the end.

Trader #2:  Mandy over at Young Adult Book Central (YABC)

You name it and they've got it over at YABC.  You can check out a comprehensive list of the "hottest books" or the "top reader rated" lists and see what you're missing out on and what you need to get caught up on.  If you're looking for giveaways, they've got them covered, author information?  They have a huge list of authors that includes their bios, books, book excerpts, etc...  I'm not sure what else you could possibly want but if you come up with anything they'll probably end up already having it covered because they're just that proactive over at YABC.

Trader #3:  Jenny from Wondrous Reads

One of my favorite things about the YA blogosphere is the fact that we're so spread out and there's always a huge variety in bloggers, locations, styles, etc...  And Jenny is a perfect example since she's located in the U.K.  She started her blog in 2009 and has been at it ever since.  If you check her site out you'll really be able to tell immediately that she's a true bibliophile.  Her review are well written and I've been lucky enough to come across more than a few titles on her blog that I hadn't heard of before and was able to add to my TBR list thanks to her recommendations.

Trader #4:  Audra at The-Society.Net

If you want information regarding Ally Condie, her MATCHED series, and everything in between, this is the site you need to visit.  Just for a few examples, recently the site has posted about Ally Condie's Twitter chats, the Matched and Crossed Read Along...you can check out the button for that at the very bottom of my site (you won't want to miss out on the chance to be a part of this one!)  Interview with Condie, special boxed sets of the trilogy, awards the books have earned, and information about the movie adaptation that is in the works.  How could you resist?

Trader #5:  Benji at The Non Reluctant Reader

Contests, read alongs, memes, interviews, and of course reviews.  This blogger does it all.  With a colorful and creative back drop this is one of those blogs that you won't be able to resist.  The reviews are witty, the blog tours are numerous, and the guest posts and interviews are addicting.  I have this Silk and Paper Campaign to thank for helping me find this blog and blogger and I'm there was never a doubt that I'd be an avid follower after just one visit to this blog, so head on over and check out what Benji's got to say today.

Trader #6:  The Matched Department

A team of bloggers who show their passion for their favorite books by dedicating a blog to those very titles.  I can't get enough of this site.  I love how they've got a little bit of everything.  From book quotes, excerpts, Ally Condie updates, movie news, etc...  One of my favorite things about finding a blog like this one is that you realize that you're not the only one who's gotten so excited over a book or series that you can't help but spread the word.  All the little touches this site includes really had me drooling...the separators they use to differentiate one post from another are images straight out of the book cover art images....love it!

Trader #7:  Tirzah from The Compulsive Reader

Talk about an insightful writer.  This girl doesn't just throw up a post just to make sure she's got one on a daily basis for her readers.  I'm guilty of posting the countdown lists, etc...but while I love doing those, I'm also slightly envious of people like Tirzah because the imagination and creativity that seems to go into a lot of her posts is hard to resist and not easy to replicate.  She's got posts of a wide variety, whether she's featuring a certain cover and discussing what everyone thinks, or what she calls "Looking Ahead" where upcoming books and their authors get the spotlight and readers get a sneak peek of what's to come.

Trader #8:  Nancy from A Lush Budget Production 

With a huge following behind her, Nancy's blog is one that once you visit you won't want to leave.  You'll definitely find yourself coming back again and again to check out what book related events are in her area, what blog tours she's currently apart of, what giveaways she's hosting, and the author events and book signings she's  been to recently.  Just getting the chance to hear about the authors and signings she's recently had the chance to take part in was addicting.  I'm one of those readers who tries her best to get to each signing that is in a reasonable driving distance, but there are never enough to satisfy me.  So if I can't go personally, I love to hear where everyone else has been and who they've been meeting recently!

Trader #9:  Enna of Squeaky Books

First things first, make sure you stop by the blog and shoot her a note to find out the back story of how she came up with her pseudonym.  From what she says in her "About Me" section it may not be a short explanation but it sure sounds like an interesting tale and it's definitely one that I want to hear.  But more importantly have you checked out any of her graphics?  She's a natural and has a bunch of talent.  The Matched and Crossed Read Along floating around the blogosphere....well the graphic is her handy work.  I'm always amazed and inspired when people have and display that kind of creativity, not to mention insanely jealous of all the neat things they can do!

Trader #10:  Reading Lark

A team of six awesome and dedicated book bloggers makes up this site.  One of my favorite things about a site like this is you get a variety all the time.  With so many contributors things will never get dull, boring, or repetitive.  Everything about this site is crisp and clean and very well organized.  The reviews are thoughtful and have already made my TBR list grow by leaps and bounds.  And their "Shopping Lark" featured on Fridays where they try to do their part and help you decide what to buy next and what to put on your shopping list is fantastic!  However I'm not sure how much my wallet will appreciate it down the road.

Stay tuned next Saturday for another posting where I can introduce you to the remaining Traders that are participating along side myself in this fun and exciting Silk and Paper Campaign!

Reached Silk and Paper Campaign

I've got some very exciting news and I can't wait to share with you guys!  I was recently contacted and invited to join a fun "grassroots" campaign this fall leading up to the publication of Reached by Ally Condie, the finale in her Matched Trilogy.  There was of course zero hesitation on my part and I jumped at the chance to take part.

This campaign has been dubbed the "Silk and Paper" campaign which was inspired by a passage in Reached:

"I sort for the Society here in their capitol of Central, but I have a job to do for the Rising, and I trade with the Archivists.  On the outside, I'm just a society girl wearing plainclothes.  But underneath, I have silk and paper against my skin."

I couldn't resist putting in that little sneak peek for you guys after seeing it for myself.  I thought I was excited about this upcoming release before, but now that the campaign is in full swing I'm over the moon with excitement!  So I've been asked to become a trader.  I'm not alone in this campaign obviously, there are around 30 of us total that have taken on the task of the traders, and I am thrilled to work along side some of my favorite bloggers.

We've received our initiation kits which included a bound galley of Reached (insert me jumping up and down!), Matched Trilogy promotional swag including buttons and posters that have been included in our kits so that I can host a few giveaways here on the blog!  The campaign will run starting today through November 13th, the day that Reached hits the shelves.  So let's get started.....

I can't do this alone you guys and I would be so appreciative if you guys can all help out with this fun and exciting campaign.  We're starting off with a countdown widget.  You can see on the right side of the blog I've added a countdown widget for the Reached release...it's awesome right?  So today and the rest of this week I'm asking you guys to add the widget to your pages, blogs, etc...  Tweet about it, post it on your facebook pages, you name it, whatever you can do to promote the Reached release and the widget would be awesome!

I'm so excited for these challenges, and I know you guys will have just as much fun with this campaign as I will, so let's get this party started and start counting down until Reached is released and on the shelves!!!