Book Cover Salivating

I stopped by Barnes and Noble last Saturday in hopes of purchasing one of a few books I've wanted to read for a while (unfortunately, they weren't in stock. Phooey), but I spotted a book cover that turned in to one of those Oh-My-Gosh-I-Have-to-Read-This-Book moments. The thing is I hadn't even read the inside of the dust sleeve to check out what the substance of the book was all about. But I knew, absolutely knew, I had to read it. It wasn't even a question of is this book going to be good or not, it was a question of Oh-My-Gosh-I-Have-to-Read-This-Book. And just because of the cover I was whooped.

By golly--I judged this book by it's cover--and the judgement was GOOD!

Anyway, I know I'm making this sound like I snatched up the book, raced to the cash registers, zoomed home as fast as I could, curled up in my bed, and devoured every single last page in one setting, but I didn't buy the book. Wow, if that wasn't anticlimatic, you say. I'll explain...

Why I didn't by the said book is my practical side won out telling me I don't really have the money to buy a book right now cuz I'm trying to save money. The practical voice in my head (I'm not crazy, promise. Although I am an author and do have characters talking to me) said: "You have other books at home that you haven't read that you can read."

Darn my practicality winning out.

 

However, I did learn something supercool about my iPhone's GoodReads app. That being: I can scan the bar code and *boda bing bada boom* it shows up on my to-read shelf. Brilliant.

Anyway, you're probably wondering which book it is that captured my attention so intensely. I will tell you now, or rather show you...

 

Seriously, isn't the cover for "Splintered" by A.G. Howard amazing? And the thing about the cover is (at least this is how it is in hardback version) it has this sort of shiny sparkle to it. Just thinking about the art gracing this book's cover makes my tongue salivate.

I add the GoodReads synopsis just for your reading pleasure; it seems like an interesting Alice in Wonderland basis for a story.

This stunning debut captures the grotesque madness of a mystical under-land, as well as a girl’s pangs of first love and independence. Alyssa Gardner hears the whispers of bugs and flowers—precisely the affliction that landed her mother in a mental hospital years before. This family curse stretches back to her ancestor Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Alyssa might be crazy, but she manages to keep it together. For now.
When her mother’s mental health takes a turn for the worse, Alyssa learns that what she thought was fiction is based in terrifying reality. The real Wonderland is a place far darker and more twisted than Lewis Carroll ever let on. There, Alyssa must pass a series of tests, including draining an ocean of Alice’s tears, waking the slumbering tea party, and subduing a vicious bandersnatch, to fix Alice’s mistakes and save her family. She must also decide whom to trust: Jeb, her gorgeous best friend and secret crush, or the sexy but suspicious Morpheus, her guide through Wonderland, who may have dark motives of his own.

Anyway, I hope the book shines out in content as much as the cover displays in vibrant colors and, well, bugs. 

Has a book ever made you breathless like this book did to me? Do you buy books just because the cover awed you? I have to admit many of the books I have read have followed that scenario. Book covers sell books, at least I think so. What's your opinion on book covers?

Writing Jewels

The Cold Staples

Last week, the cold monster crept its sneaky little germs into my stuffy-nosed existence. Well, the stuffy nose isn't as bad (hallelujah), and I don't have to sleep in the sitting position anymore. The only time I want to sleep in the sitting position in the near future is if I'm on a plane flying to a really cool place, say like, Australia or somewhere cool like that.

 

It seems that this nasty cold has been traveling around my office and many people I know. So, I offer you the staples needed when (let's say "if" because who wants to have a cold, anyway? I do not wish this upon you) the cold hits. The list is as follows:

• Three Pillows (more if needed): Since sleeping will inevitably be in the sitting position so you don't drown in your muck (TMI--Sorry!).
• Doctor: For Pete's sake, just go to the doctor right when the cold peeks it's grimy little head into your fragile existence. And I don't mean Doctor Who, although, he would be a nice person to visit with while feeling ill (Eye Candy: Yay for David Tennant and Matt Smith).
• Cough Syrup: Medicine prescribed by the above mentioned doctor to promote a restful night's sleep and relief from congestion.
• Cough Drops: To assuage the hacking cough that wakes you up once you've finally fallen asleep.
• Tissues: To blow your nose that seems to endlessly run or to literally stuff up your nose when blowing ceases to work. I suggest lotion enhanced tissues because your nose is going to be rubbed raw from all the blowing.
• Humidifier: Well, to humidify the air in your room while you sleep. For some reason that's supposed to help.
• Netflix and Movies: To keep you entertained while blowing your nose and hacking up a lung and complaining to your roomie that you want to die.
• Books: Undoubtedly, you will wake up in the middle of the night unable to sleep. Netflix and movies will no longer capture your attention, but (cha ching) a book sure will.
• Sick Leave Hours: You may need to take time off work. Hopefully, you'll have sick leave hours to compensate for the missed time.
• Orange Juice: Or just go to Jamba Juice and spend all your money on smoothies chuck full of fruit and add some boosts to help, well, boost your immunity system.
• Cell Phone: To call your parents and have them say a prayer that you'll fall asleep. Yes, have them say the prayer over the phone while you're listening. Sometimes desperation calls for desperate measures. Yes, I did this...I'll admit it!
• Food: Eat whatever you darn well please, the more calories and tasty the better cuz you can't taste anyway.
• Disinfectant Spray and Lotion: Kill those germs not only for your sake but for the sake of those around you. No spreading those pesky germs!
• Water: Because your throat is gonna be sandpaper dry and you need all the fluids you can get.

Anyway, there's my list. Do you have anything you'd like to add? Have you gotten this rotten cold this season? Or are you living in a bubble to keep the germs at bay? What are your tricks to get rid of a cold and fast? Come on, you know we all want to know! Well, I sure do...for way-maybe-in-ten-years future reference. ;)

 

Writing Jewels

Will You Be My Valentine?

I don't have a significant other (well, other than my imaginary boyfriend named Bob--oh, he's hot; you're missing out), so I'd like YOU to be my Valentine.

 

With that being said, I heart you all!

 

Happy Valentine's Day!

 

Here are a couple Valentine's Day cards I saw on my Figment.com membership email:

 

 

I hope you got a chuckle out of them like I did! :)
 

Hugs and loves from me to you!

Who is your Valentine this year? Do you have any special plans set for tonight? Or are you celebrating Singles Awareness Day?
 

Writing Jewels  

Where Did Your Reading Journey Begin?

What is the first book you remember reading? Or which one stuck out to you the most and you still think about it? Well, not all the time but every now and then you stop and think: I really liked that book.

That book for me is actually two-fold; they are two books in a series of which I unfortunately haven't read in its entirety. Maybe I should sometime soon...

The books are:

"The Plant that Ate the Dirty Socks"

&

"The Return of the Plant that Ate the Dirty Socks" by Nancy McArthur.

Yes, very juvenile but incredibly funny.

To be honest, I have no idea when I read them but it had to have been during my elementary years. Perhaps, I purchased them from the "Bookmobile" that came to my school. A totally rockin' way to buy books and to get kids reading. This admition ages me. A lot. I know. If I age myself then I will make you do likewise --> Do you remember the "Bookmobile?"

Is the "Bookmobile" still on the road going from school to school selling books of new worlds of wonder to kids? That'd be super cool.

Anyway, I enjoyed these books immensely. And I think you would, too. They are quick reads and I know you will laugh your pants off within pages. There was one scene that literally made me LOL so hard I was crying, tears spilling from my eyes.

What is the first book you read? Or the first book(s) that stuck out to you the most?

Writing Jewels 

A Recap Just for You

Hi there, friends and dear followers.

Since I've been out of bloggosphere-land, I thought I would let you know what I've been up to the past few months.

I'm enjoying my new job. I've been working in a medical field position for over 4 months now. It is crazy how time flies. I'm currently taking some training courses to get a certificate to allow myself the option for movement at the hospital in the future. Sweet-tastic!

Writing-wise: I have been querying out my second book, BOUND. I haven't been super religious about it, but at least it's out there. Of course, as to be expected, I have received some rejections, but the others I figure no news is good news. :D

Every once in a while, I have been flipping back and forth between two writing projects. In other words, whichever one piques my interest at the moment I focus on. My laptop had to go to the computer doctor to get rid of a nasty Trojan virus, so it was out of my hands for a week or so right when I was on fire with my projects. Drat, huh? Slowly but surely I will get there.

If you've read my sidebar's "About Me" section, you will know I'm sort of (well, totally am) a TV junky. I have been rewatching The X-Files series. I'm on the downward spiral of this madness by being in the 8th season. I grew up on this show and still loveth it to deatheth. Plus, the Mulder eye candy is an added bonus. hehe

I've been staying up on Once Upon a Time and Downton Abbey, too.

I've settled in nicely in my new apartment in Salt Lake City, Utah. Unfortunately, I will be moving again in May with the lease being up. That'll be four moves in a year and a half. Crazy-town all the way. I really wish I could just settle myself into a place, but that seems to be a far distant goal. No prob. Life moves forward regardless. If anything, I look forward to having a bathtub again!

In addition to all of that fun jazz, I've read Endlessly by Kiersten White--loved loved loved it! I'm currently reading Reached by Ally Condie. The Salt Lake City County Library system has been my BFF lately. It has supplied me with audio book listening pleasure for weeks on end now (I love me some audio books). The list has included all of the "Shiver" series by Maggie Stiefvater; "Finale" by Becca Fitzpatrick; "Artemis Fowl: The Last Guardian" by Eoin Colfer; and the first two books in the "Leviathan" series by Scott Westerfeld. Oh, how I love his books. I started "Goliath" today and am enjoying it already.

Well, these are the haps in my life over the past while. What have you been up to? Have you read any good books? Are you a TV junky like yours truly?

Writing Jewels