SPOOKTACULAR READS 2015

So like 3 years ago, I did this whole Spooktacular Reads Challenge here on Eli to the nth, where I read a certain amount of "spooky" books and reviewed them throughout the month of October.  I didn't have a large following, but it was fun for me and a couple of people did it too, so that was awesome.

Well in trying to keep my reading up, I've decided to bring this idea back,  I am going to be reading "spooky" books all throughout October and then posting the reviews during the last week, leading up to Halloween on the 31st.  But this is just a me thing, and I'm not really marketing it as a challenge.  But, if any of you want to grab the idea (I don't think it's an original on my part) and do it yourself, go ahead!

I am trying to not overload myself, so I have picked only four books I am planning on reading, one for each week that's left of October.  The books are a mix of supernatural/horror/thriller that I think will fit the bill for a Spooktacular Read.

 Bits & Pieces by Jonathan Maberry - This is the 5th book in the Rot & Ruin series, which I ADORE!  It fills in the gaps missing between Benny's adventures in the main books and what was happening in the world outside of his group.  Gotta love zombies during Halloween, and this is the ultimate zombie series!

 Slasher Girls & Monster Boys edited by April Genevieve Tucholke - Ever since I heard about this short story collection, I've been dying to read it (pun in no way intended lol).  It has some kick-ass contributors to the collection and it is all about scary things.  Perfect for Halloween, and I'll probably read this first since I only have until Saturday to finish!

 Asylum by Madeleine Roux - Halloween isn't complete without a good "haunted" house-esque story.  This has been on my shelf for a year, so I want to read it.  I have heard mixed reviews, but it definitely looks creepy to me; of course if I had to stay in an old sanatorium for summer camp I would get the HECK out of there!  

 Liar of Dreams by Libba Bray - I think this book will be terrifying!  With the first book, The Diviners, Bray managed to cultivate a story so creepy that I could only read it during the day.  So with the next book, I'm feeling this will be the case again.  I might have to read a synopsis on like Wikipedia, since it has been sooooooo long since The Diviners came out, but I think it won't matter once I'm trusted back into the story.

Those are my four choices for Spooktacular Reads!  There are a TON of different "spooky" stories out there, so it was definitely hard to pick, but I think I have a good little group all ready.

Let me know if you're doing your own Spooktacular reads in October, and come on back on Halloween for a surprise!  Happy haunting!

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My Blog Bestie (BFFBlogHop Stop + Giveaway)

I am so excited to be a part of the Blog Friends Forever Tour hosted by Fiction Fare and Swooney Boys Podcast.  These awesome four ladies put the word out there that they wanted to celebrate all of us book crazy nuts who blog, vlog, instagram, podcast, and just generally get excited about books!  I'm happy to help shine some light on this amazing and welcoming community that I have been a part of for the last almost 5 years (my blogoversary is November 29th)!

For this tour since it's Blog Friend themed, I thought what better way to celebrate but to talk about not only one of my blogger friends, but one of my real best friends!!!

This girl right here:

That's Erin, or better known on the 'net as Uniquely Geeky Girl.  I met her back during our Undergraduate program.  We were both Creative Writing majors, but we actually met in Spanish I.  She is so sweet and soft-spoken that at first I was like "I'm going to completely alienate this girl!" (It's because I'm pretty loud and opinionated).  But luckily, she didn't care and we struck up a friendship filled with Spanish tutoring (her helping me...I'm hopeless at Spanish) and mutual love of tuna with jalapeños (we hit up Subway every day after class...they started pur order when we walked in).

From that class on, we tried to make sure to have at least one class together; it helps when your majors are the same.  Then we found out we worked at the bookstore on campus together, so we were able to hang out even more.  And through all of these situations where we were together, we found that not only was writing a passion we shared but books, and more importantly Young Adult books, were totally our jam!!!!

By our senior year of UG I had already started my book blog.  At first it was an everything blog, but my second major (sadly of which Erin was not a part of) Education really jump started it with an assignment for one class where we had to "blog" about attending the NCTE Annual Convention.  So with that a gateway to book blogs opened up and off I went.

Meanwhile, Erin and I were talking all the time about books: which did we like, which we hated, which would make good movies and on and on and on.  And then the time came for graduation and the BIG QUESTION: What the heck are we going to do with our lives?!  That answer, luckily, came in the form of Graduate School and the Library and Information Sciences Master Program at our university.

Okay, so now HERE's where book blogging really starts up for both of us.  I'm still going strong with my little ole blog here, and Erin is embarking on a grand adventure of co-blogging with two of our friends over at Y.A. Book Addicts.  As some of you who also co-blog may know that can come with blessings and curses.  But they do still post over there, and now that all three are in a more stable place with their adult lives (ahhhhh adulthood is sooooo much fun), hopefully that blog will be getting some good ole TLC!

But during that time, Erin and I were also on our grand journey through the world of library science!  We got to attend YALSA's Young Adult Services Symposium, which was so very cool!

In St. Louis, MO at YALSA Symposium

We're just the cutest, right?  I think this is an event which really kind of hit home for both of us that YA literature was our passion, and we want to be involved with it in any way, shape, or form.

So on top of Y.A. Book Addicts, Erin also has a personal book/pop culture blog over at Uniquely Geeky Girl.  I think she is doing a really great job of infusing the blog with all of her multiple geeky interests (superheroes, vampires, hobbitsies, all kinds of things) and so I really want you to check her out!!  She is working on still building this particular blog up, but she does some really fun features, like Top Ten Tuesdays, Waiting on Wednesdays, and Fanart Friday (which I believe is her own invention).  She also highlights the books and comics (we're both huge comic nerds) that are newly released each month and which she is excited about.

So this is my Blog Bestie, who also happens to be my Real Bestie.  I think the best friends are the ones you share interests with, and Erin is just the girl I want to geek out over books!  And now that you've read this looooooong diatribe (hey, cut me some slack, I love the girl!) keep moving down to find not just one but TWO giveaways for you to enter!!!!

STOPS ON THE HOP

For some extra fun and to hop around to some of the other blogs participating, check out my fellow day posters below!

ReadWriteLove28 – Favorite Newbies 

Once Upon A Twilight – Top Bookstagrammers

Rattle the Pages – Top 10 Book Bloggers

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!!!!

First up is MY giveaway in order to celebrate my awesome bestie and to thank all of you for stopping by my stop on the blog hop!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Second up is the HOP WIDE giveaway!  A bunch of us chipped in to bring you all an amazing prize opportunity!  So check it out!!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/a6ca59ee278/

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Banned Books Week 2015 - The Quotes

Banned Books Week is not the only time we need to remember to fight against the banning or challenging of books.  The people protesting the book certainly don't wait for a certain season, and neither should book defenders!

Here are some great quotes to keep in mind all year round when fighting the good fight!

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