BIRTHDAY: Letter to Myself

WRITTEN TO MY NEW 14 YEAR OLD SELF BY MY 13 YEAR OLD SELF AS OF NOVEMBER BECAUSE a) I am an insanely early poster and b) I thought it'd be fun to see this post and realize how quirky I was (still am?)

Hey Nikki! SO YEAR NUMBER 14 OF YOUR LIFE HAS FLOWN BY (Technically 14, but most people would say 13 since you were 13 years old, but as of today it's been year 14 right? Right.) So most of it has been quirky, but here's what's been going down:

You met and made friends with some SUPER SWEET 2014 debuters! Seriously, they're so sweet and they're called YA Valentines (Yes, Nikki, I am pimping them on your birthday letter. I'M SORRY.)

You had a crush for a few weeks, but it disappeared because you realized you hadn't talked to the guy in a couple of years, so who knows how he changed. And you refused to be that cliche YA girl with a crush on some guy she doesn't know so yeah. Hey high school starts this year! Maybe you'll find a new crush? 

*Update as of 2/10 so you may still sorta like em. Eh.

In the meantime you can totally cheer your friends on since you totally know who they like and who likes them because you managed to pry the secrets from their fingers because you can be annoying (Don't worry, some people actually find it endearing. Some.)

On the downside, you realized you had depression and that put a damper on things. But you're dealing, so it's all good! 

ON THE UPSIDE YOU TURNED GIRLY. Like seriously girly. First you turned from jeans and tshirts to suddenly semi-fashionable in the summer (Like, you wore skinny jeans which you never did. And wore decorative belts. And flowy tshirts. And jewelry. REALLY CUTE JEWELRY. YOU HAVE ADORABLE NECKLACES.) And right now you're actually considering skirts which you always said you'd never wear. Oh all the lies Nikki! Tsk tsk. OH. YOU EVEN WEAR MAKEUP DAILY. Okay not really, just some mascara and once in a while lip gloss. But still. It's a big change. 

You've grown apart with some of  your blogger friends, you've made new ones, but you still miss the old ones. They're busy with all their lives though, but hopefully they come back soon. <3 Some have even stopped blogging, but fingers crossed they come back, eh? In the meantime there's always texting and social media! Hope you stay in touch with the old blogger friends though. After all, they were your first friends in this strange place. 

Chocolate will forever be the best (or will it. WILL IT NIKKI. WILL IT REALLY.) Yes, Nikki. Yes it will be. 

Hmm, let's see what else is new. Uh. OH. You're currently writing, but I dunno if that'll continue after a few months. You think it's a cool idea though, all creepy and a retelling of beauty and the beast! (Honestly, Anita Howard totally influenced you on the creepy and retelling part.)

*Update instead it is now a thriller and you're also working on a contemporary

You worry too much about things only adults should worry about, but you can't help it. 

But it's okay, because you're pretty happy. And you know 2014 will rock (after all you start high school this fall. CRAP. YOU START HIGH SCHOOL. NIKKKKKIIIIIIIIIII.)

-Nikki, the 13 and a half year old version.

PS, you're strange. 

Meet the YA Valentines!

HEY GUYS! I know I did something already for the YA Valentines, but let's be honest. I love them too much to NOT do something for them (or make them do something for me?) on Valentines! I mean seriously. 

Visit the Valentines...on Valentines!  (Sorry I couldn't help it) 

So I asked them two questions: 

1) What book boy would you want to take you out on a date and what would you do?

2) What is your favorite romantic novel?

Not all of them got a chance to answer, but the answers we have are super fun...even if I do, personally, claim most of em for myself! 

Here are the answers in no order whatsoever! (Click their name to get taken to their Goodreads page!)

Kristi Helvig: Okay, if my teenage self could go on a date with anyone from a 2014 book that I've read, it would have to be Micah from The Art of Lainey by Paula Stokes. I grew up in a strict household and went to Catholic school, so my 16-year-old self would bring that hawt mohawk-haired boy to my school dance. We would get quickly get kicked out, because you weren't allowed to have mohawks or colored hair at our school, and then we'd go get ice cream while the scandal spread school-wide. I'd know what it felt like to be the "bad" girl. Okay, I guess getting ice cream doesn't qualify as bad, but it would be double chocolate ice cream with hot fudge. ;)

Lynne Matson: I'd pick Trevor from PIVOT POINT. He's cute and artistic, and seriously swoony.

Jaye Robin Brown: I'd like to hang out with Clyde, a supporting character from Sarah Dessen's The Moon and More. We'd eat pie at his restaurant and talk art, maybe go fishing. I love his wry humility and Southern no-nonsense charm. I have a feeling we'd get along just fine and he'd understand that it wasn't a "date" date.

Anne Blankman: Ooo, what a fun question! My choice is Sturmhond from SIEGE AND STORM by Leigh Bardugo. Not only is he a prince and a pirate, but he's a chameleon, constantly changing his personality and his appearance to suit his own plans. Dating him might feel like you're dating ten different people, but it'd be impossible to get bored!

Paula Stokes: WHY ARE YOU MAKING ME CHEAT ON MICAH?? (And Cole, and Cas, and Cassel, and Ash, and Jonah...)

Oh okay, if I have to go out with a newbie book boy, the choice is obvious. I pick Austin from Rachel Harris's A TALE OF TWO CENTURIES. He's the perfect mix of bad boy on the outside and really decent upstanding good guy on the inside. He's funny. He's smart. He's a little bit broken--just the way I like 'em. The fact that he's gorgeous and totally tears it up on his surfboard? Bonus X 2.

What would we do? Obviously, I'd ask him for a surfing lesson. Truth: I've always wanted to learn to surf but I am afraid of sharks. With Austin by my side, I could relax enough to work through my fear and enjoy the challenge of riding the waves.

Lindsay Cummings: I would go on a date with Percy Jackson because.....really. it needs no explaining. He's percy freakin jackson, dude!!

Jen McConnel: First, I'm going to pretend that I'm sixteen and single again (sorry, honey!). With that bit of magic out of the way, I'd say definitely Daniel Cohen from Anne Blankman's PRISONER OF NIGHT AND FOG. We'd spend hours talking at a street cafe in Berlin, just enjoying the energy and beauty of the day.

Sara Raasch: Reinhard from Anne Blankman's PRISONER OF NIGHT AND FOG. 

BAH KIDDING. So completely totally KIDDING. *shudders* *locks doors*

I'd love to go out with Fred from Bridget Zinn's POISON. He's adorable and quirky, and we'd get to hang out in POISON's clever and vibrant world and play with Rosie the pig. Who would pass that up? 

Kristen Lippert Martin: Lord Hector from Rae Carson's "The Bitter Kingdom." 
The two of us are going to go spear fishing and then grill what we've caught on the beach and watch the sunset. Or save the world. Or something like that. Whatever will require him to take his shirt off.  

Bethany Hagen: I'd definitely go with Gansey from Maggie Steivater's The Dream Thieves.  He's wealthy, smart and full of angst--YUM.

Bethany Crandell: Jeb from AG Howard’s Splintered. He’s a tortured artist with a protective nature.

We’d have no formal plans. Just play with his…paintbrushes all day.

A. Lynden Rolland: I'm going to have to counteract Bethany Crandell and say Morpheus from AG Howard's Splintered. I never choose the bad boy, but Morpheus is a game changer. It would be a date like no other. Wonderland. Enough said.

Philip Siegel: I'm drawing a huge blank on this one, so that means I probably got stood up, in which case the date would consist of me, an extra-large bucket of popcorn, and the next available showing of that LEGO person movie.

Sara B Larson: I'm gonna have to get my glam on and try to steal Lord Hector from KSnap, because that's who I was going to pick! Or else we can just take turns. I just love a man who can protect me--but also teach me to protect myself. And he can ride a horse. And use a sword. And he's just made of awesome. I'd love to go for a ride (I miss my horse), and then have a delicious dinner somewhere, maybe on a beach. 

Seriously how amazing are they? 
Find more of their awesome here!
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Merry Christmas!

HEY HEY! Hope y'all are having an amazing Christmas today! While I don't have a giveaway (so sorry y'all!) I do have a ton of happy wishes for you! I hope you have the BEST ONE and hey? Maybe a little mistletoe action?

I've been reading too many romances. 

But seriously, have an amazing one! Christmas? THE BEST! Of course like my banner says, HAVE A BOOKISH ONES! Eat cookies, have some hot chocolate, snuggle with family (or a bf) and watch an old movie! :D Like last year all I ask of you is...

DECORATED HOUSES AND TREES. Because those are always fun to look at! Pretty please? Tweet it, Facebook it, whatever. I WANT TO SEE THE LIGHTS. Just not, you know, the good bye Nikki lights. 

Ah Christmas, I do love you. I hope our school has an ice day! 

Oh so story about a Christmas when I was little, because I'm running out of things to say on this post.

ONCE UPON A TIME...

Or not so long ago, maybe when I was 6 or 7, I believed in Santa. So I stayed up ALL NIGHT waiting for Santa. Except I fell asleep (but I didn't know it at the time. I THOUGHT FOR SURE I'D STAYED UP ALL NIGHT) I woke up when I heard a thump and I thought for sure it was Santa's sleigh! So I rushed to the living room and LO AND BEHOLD. There was a present all neatly tied up. 

Later my mom told me that the bump was her bumping into the bed when she came back from leaving my present in the living room. 

END STORY

Funnily, I also once asked Santa for an iPod, a phone, a TV, a laptop, and a dog, just to test if he was real. My mom broke down and told me he wasn't. #CraftybutbrokenheartedNikkialert

But it's okay. We all know he's real. 

HOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO.

See? Proof.

LIKE SANTA SAID

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

Blogoversary: The Second (and Giveaway!)

Long post ahead. Leave all precious items here because I'm about to cry over you and get sappy.

Well guys. It's come. I'm finally an old blogger.

WELL CRAP.

No no, I'm good.

Seriously. See?

Yeah. We're good.

...

L;REKJRGALFSDKJ;KLFNSDFKJSDFAJSDCNDLSKJFLSDJLSDKJFJWEHFSDKJCHNAKSJNFKJSDFHJSDKCNKJSADHFKJDSHFAKLJSDHFKASDHFCKJDHFKJDHSNCKJSHNDFKJHDSKLCHKJSDHFKJDHSFKJSDHFCKJNKSDAJHFLKAJHSDF

Guys. GUYS. GUYS. Two years since I started this thing and it's been filled with amazing.

And no I won't stop with the gifs.

The thing is, and I've said this a bajillion times, I never really expected much from blogging. I never knew how giant and big the blogosphere was. I didn't know how much I would love the blogosphere.

Some people agonize over the decision to blog--they knew about the blogosphere beforehand, they knew what blogging was. I just dived right in, not knowing what the HELL I was getting into.

I thought I would quit when I got 100 followers. I didn't even think I'd get 10.

I thought I would quit when I wrote 50 reviews. It seemed like so much to me.

I thought I would quit when I reached 1 year. I didn't know how quickly that year would pass.

Blogging has been absolutely amazing and honestly. What would I be doing without it?
Shoving my face with chocolate while I watched Spongebob and Doctor Who.

But instead I'm part of this absolutely amazing community that sticks with each other, doesn't prejudice, and loves books. And authors! Bloggers! I TALK TO THESE PEOPLE. 

And now it's been two years of books, wonder, authors, bloggers, and everything.

I have spent two years on this blog. 

I have spent two years in this community.

I have spent two years being surrounded by crazy book loving people.

I have spent two years...having fun. 

And to all you people who've stuck by me those two years. Or one year. Or even one month.

Yes. Yes here comes the people part. And basically the dedications if my blog were a book.

FIRST TO MY FOLLOWERS. Because lord knows I would've given it up if not for you folk. Twitter, GFC, Bloglovin, Tumblr, whatever. You guys make me smile and I love seeing your comments or tweets. I mean. Guys. People actually care about what I have to say. And you're awesome for not running away.

AND TO MY BLOGGY FRIENDS. 
Merp Squad, first of all. Because they've always been my number one go to and the group of friends I will never let go of. They're awesome, they get me (HAHAHA no. Kudos for trying to understand my 2 AM tweets though y'all!) and I love them! They've pretty much been my first blogger friends and deal with my pettiness and horrible sides with me. (I'm so sorry about that!) I love you all. And we can be fat merpy birds together now!
-I may not talk to most of y'all anymore but I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU for being my closest bloggy friends! <3 Miss talking to y'all but life is rather bossy, isn't it?

Hafsah, Jessica, and Alex because I HAVE TEXAN FRIENDS. You guys don't know how big that is for me.
-Hafsah, the awesome writer who sent me her manuscript of Unbreathable for me to devour and sending me swag and for being up at 1 AM so I can talk to someone. YES.
-Jessica for being so super sweet and amazing. Almost no one does sweet like her!
-Alex for being crazy. And sort of nice. What? She tortures me with all the books she gets! MEAN! But also for being someone fun to talk to!

Kaede for being super crazy and super fun and almost always being on twitter. Or used to. (She sort of disappeared. Hmm) We need to talk more.

And Lucy, Shreya, Christine, YA Reads, and Alyssa for being oh so epic and being there when I must talk and for somehow becoming a close friends in a matter of days. You guys are wiggly things that made me love you all. And thank you for ranting with me. I need that.
-On that note, ALYSSA FOLLOWED ME IN JUNE OF 2012. OMFG GUYS. SHE FOLLOWED ME BEFORE SHE STARTED BLOGGING. HOW CRAY CRAY IS THAT.

Danielle who's not a blogger (totally should be though. Just saying.) but is still SO FREAKING AWESOME and let's me bounce ideas off her!

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, Rachel for being my NaNo buddy and letting me read her AMAZING stuff and letting me rant to her. Also, for being up at all hours for no reason at all. Stay vampirish, my friend.

AUTHOR FRIENDS. 
You should all come to Houston. FYI. And please don't kill off any characters I'm/I'll get attached to.

Paula Stokes/Fiona Paul. Hey thanks a lot for confuzzling me with ALL YOUR PEN NAMES. But also for being so awesome when I randomly email you. Because I do that. And for making me less scared of authors almost two years ago and giving me that VENOM ARC that made my entire year. My first absolutely awesome author friend who I don't think I'll ever stop bothering. (So sorry about that!) I have a tag for Fiona Paul you know.

ANITA! (A.G. Howard)Who sent me awesome Splintered things and mailed me a birthday gift! How amazing is that? And for letting me facebook her pretty much every other day without being annoyed. Though come on. I am disappointed that you haven't killed of Jeb yet. *Tragic sigh* Also because I now have four Anita signed things. She also has pretty hair. PRETTY HAIR. 

Well hello Romily Bernard and Natalie Richards. Yes I must put you together in this post. Did you know these two both wrote thrillers? And both ripped my heart apart? They're nice like that. But in all seriousness they're amazingly nice people who I would love to squiggle (SQUISH+HUGGLE). Thank you for being so super sweet and letting me spam your twitter timelines. Yep.

Gina Rosati for talking to me about writing and putting me in touch with some professional people I needed answers from and for being so nice and generous about EVERYTHING.

Lili Peloquin! You have an adorable baby. Did you know that? I bet you did.
And for letting me email you randomly so much! I LOVES YOU. I met you! I MET YOU. Thank you for being super nice and not laughing as I fumbled with my books in that signing line.

And I actually didn't include all my author friends. Just the people I talked to recently. (So yes, I do still consider you a friend and I do love your face.)

MY 2014 AUTHOR FRIENDS.
Hello. I hope you consider me a friend and not just the random person who tweets you. Ahem.

(Off the bat, The YA Valentines are AMAZING and all so sweet! <3 Follow their blog here.

Well Paula. Fiona. You're already up there. HMPH.

Sara B. Larson FOR BEING SUPER SWEET on all matters and for using my idea of madlibs and for letting me fangirl over your hair, instead of your book (In my defense, I always wanted curly hair and I still haven't read Defy yet. MY EXCUSE.)

Bethany Hagen for being awesome when I randomly gchat her at 10 PM. And for having an awesome cover. And for letting Merp Squad run her blog tour. And for giving me a boy talk. And for letting me tell her about Cerritos Library 'cause God knows more people need to know about my hometown library. (The thing is massive.)

Lynne Matson because she gives me the blue M&Ms. *sniffles* Thank you for the sacrifice and putting up with my awkward tweetage that sometimes I don't even understand. And for tweets that totally make my day! AND THE SIGNED COPY OF NIL AND CANDY! Ah, one of the best packages ever! (Totally because of the candy. I kid I kid. Or do I.)

Sara Raasch who's last name I mispronounced on a monthly basis. Whoops! BUT NOW I KNOW RIGHT. Erm. ANYWAYS. The pictures of food that you continuously post that makes me hungry. Thanks for that. (I don't even know if that's sarcasm!) And for fighting off the birds. I depend on you to fight off the birds.

 Those birds. *Runs*

But yep! And if I left anyone out my excuse is that I wrote this at midnight a few days ago. 

So now all I have left to say is

Wait no! I have a giveaway too! You can win any of these following books. As long as they can fit in my box, feel free to choose as many as you like! This one is US only.
OR
If you're INT, you can pick any book from The Book Depository under $13 as long as it ships to your country and I've spotlighted, reviewed, or interviewed the author sometime on the blog.

The prize also includes a Catching Fire poster of Finnick (because I might've grabbed two) and an assortment of swag from the Fierce Reads authors and...any other good signed stuff I can dig up. And trust me, my piles are endless. You'll be good.

BOOKS
Auracle by Gina Rosati (signed hardback)
Chaos of Stars by Kiersten White (ARC)
Asylum by Madeleine Roux (ARC)
The Brokenhearted by Amelia Kahaney (ARC or hardback)
Afterparty by Ann Redisch Stampler (ARC)
Desert Tales by Melissa Marr (ARC)
Infinite Moment of Us by Lauren Myracle (ARC)
Twinmaker by Sean Williams (ARC)
Blackout by Robison Wells (ARC)
Send Me a Sign by Tiffany Schmidt (ARC)
Deception by CJ Redwine (ARC)
The Innocents by Lili Peloquin (SIGNED)
Crewel by Gennifer Albin (UK signed copy)
Wake by Amanda Hocking
Lullaby by Amanda Hocking
Tidal by Amanda Hocking
Elegy by Amanda Hocking


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Now I can say goodbye with

Merp Squad Week Wrap Up

Except for the little problem on Tuesday (GOOGLE I HATE YOU) Merp Squad Week is pretty awesome.

But I couldn't interview Ashley either. I HATE THAT. GRR. 

But here are all the interviews this week:

The Best Friend

The Writer

The Black Sheep

The Meeeeee

So, yeah. The Merp Squad? Totally awesome. Not that I'm biased or anything. 

Merp Squad Week: Nikki (Fiction Freak)

This is allllll me.

1) Talk about how you started getting involved in our Merp Squad Talks--if you can even remember.
 Basically we kept tagging each other. It was hilarious. It was like no matter what we did we always ended up tagging each other because we just talked to each other so much lol! I think I was just a magnet to crazy? I mean, it’d make sense right?

2) Who's a Merp Squadder you haven't talked to in a while and really really need to?

JESSI. I haven’t talked to her in forever. ._. Tis the most troubling thing ever.

3) Who would you like to strangle hug the most?

EVERYONE! :D But especially Eileen since she’s my BFF. I GET TO STRANGLE HUG HER NEXT MONTH. But if that doesn’t count then Annabelle. Because she always says she loves me more than I love her which isn’t possible AND SHE ALWAYS PULLS OUT THE ANGEL CARD (She’s the angel out of all of us)

4) If you could give a nickname (that has nothing to do with their NAME) to all the Merp Squadders, what would they be?

Eileen-Spazzy Alligator the Second. Because. SHE IS A SPAZZY AWESOME ALLIGATOR.

Annabelle-Sparkly Angel. Who Lies.

Inky-Member of Team Morpheus (^_^)

Jessi-BLACK SHEEP OF DESIGN AWESOME

5) Favorite thing of each Merp Squadder's blog?

Annabelle-I love her review format. Seriously.

Jessi-HER AWESOME DESIGN. SERIOUSLY. DESIGN FAIRY.

Inky-The gifs. Always the gifs.

Eileen-SO FORMAL AND SUCH PRO REVIEWS. I AM JEALOUS.

6) TYPICAL QUESTION: What made you start blogging and how is it different from what you expected?

Boredom. Always the boredom. At the time I just discovered blogs. And stupidly thought there were only a few, maybe 5 total. I decided to make one. THE DESIGN WAS HORRIBLE.

It’s different because I never knew that there could be so many awesome and wonderful people who loved books as much as I did! I was sort of the awkward one out reading while everyone else actually participated in Gym (thankfully I was a teacher’s pet so I didn’t get in trouble for not participating. Teehee.)

7) What is the BEST thing about blogging?

THE PEOPLE. The friends you get out of blogging especially! The Merp Squad and a whole slew of other amazing friends!

8) How did you do/choose your design?

I like blue. And I couldn’t decide what else looked cool with blue, and I hate blogs that are completely one color (BLACK IS NOT A COLOR. *sniffs* Okay, so maybe I messed up. Dunno how to make it better.) So I just chose black. As for the banner—picmonkey and photobucket.

9) Your Top 5 books of 2013 are...

Some Quiet Place by Kelsey Sutton (Oh my God you guys. Fear)

The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (I literally clung to a wall and screamed at my friends for 4 minutes.)

The Program by Suzanne Young (I sort of sobbed into my pillow. It also gave me my first real book hangover)

In the Shadow of Blackbirds (OH MY GOD LOVE.)

Splintered would be on there, but I read it in 2012!

10) WHAT IS A QUESTION YOU'VE NEVER BEEN ASKED BUT WOULD LOVE TO ANSWER. And answer it. (STOLEN FROM EILEEN.)

HOW DID HITLER BENEFIT THE WORLD.

Okay, this is probably a really stupid answer, but someone asked me this (okay, so I’m kind of cheating the question too) and I’ve been pondering on an answer. SO my answer is: HIS ACTIONS PROVED THAT PREJUDICE AND RACISM WERE TERRIBLE THINGS AND WOULD RIP HUMANITY APART AND HELPED US WITH WORLD PEACE WHEN HE DIED.

Other than that: Have you ever wanted Pokemon to be real.

Yes. Yes I have

11) What is everything you know about Eileen?

…everything? ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING? *realizes I came up with these questions* Oh. So not everything. That would take forever. Well. She has a hilarious brother, she’s super pretty, we have pretty much opposite tastes in contemporary, she practically worships the Iron Fey series, she loves Taylor Swift (though not as much as before), she loves the color pink, she has a ton of stuffed animals, she promises away books like crazy, she’s super super nice, she stresses over things that won’t happen, she loves red velvet foooooodddd (who doesn’t) and is addicted to croissants, although she hasn’t had some in a while. She loves snapchat. And takes a lot of selfies when bored. She wants to be a Broadway singer (and she’s soprano.) She also, for some reason, puts up with me. ALSO, she has possibly the MOST DRAMATIC LIFE in summer camp history. Stick her in a YA book, y'all. 

Merp Squad Week: Jessi (Auntie Spinelli Reads)

Nikki: Talk about how you started getting involved in our Merp Squad Talks--if you can even remember.

Jessi: OH MY GOSH. I honestly have no clue! I have the most horrible memory, as you probably already know.

N: Who's a Merp Squadder you haven't talked to in a while and really really need to?

J: Eileen, she's been so quiet lately!

N: Who would you like to strangle hug the most?

J: Inky! She's my Nator Twinsies :)

N: If you could give a nickname (that has nothing to do with their NAME) to all the Merp Squadders, what would they be?

J: Nothing to do with their name? Goodness...

WELL Inky is already Nator Twin and I have dubbed Nikki as Master Loopholer. Eileen should be Bubbles because she's bubbly (so original, I know) and Annabelle can be...ummm....Twinkles? Lol I have no idea. I obviously suck at nicknames >.>

N: Favorite thing of each Merp Squadder's blog?

J: That they're all unique to each Merpers' personality! 

N: TYPICAL QUESTION: What made you start blogging and how is it different from what you expected?

J: I stumbled on another blog while looking for pictures of books, and since I was already thinking of doing a small review/summary of my own for the books I read, I thought, 'I could totally do this!'

N: What is the BEST thing about blogging?

J: Besides the reading? The people!

N: How did you do/choose your design?

J: I like something simple and easy on the eyes, and I'm a huge fan of sea themes.

N: Your Top 5 books of 2013 are...

J: So far:

1) Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

2) Blood Red Road by Moira Young (I listened to the audio!)

3) The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

4) City of a Thousand Dolls by Miriam Forster (JERRIT)

5) The Rules by Stacey Kade

N: WHAT IS A QUESTION YOU'VE NEVER BEEN ASKED BUT WOULD LOVE TO ANSWER. And answer it. (STOLEN FROM EILEEN.)

J: Oh lord. Um...um...IF YOU COULD BE ANY CHARACTER ON FINDING NEMO, WHO WOULD YOU BE?! And the answer is most definitely Dory. I would be Dory.

N: What is everything you know about Nikki? (MEEEE)

J: What do I know about Nikki? She's small and Asian and adorable and really shy on camera but so NOT shy on twitter...tweets like a maniac and is not afraid to talk to authors (give me some of that courage, woman!) and LOVES to fangirl! She's fabulous at brainstorming new ideas and is a great motivator for lazy people like me. She's pretty freaking awesome and I don't know what I'd do without her epic spunkiness in my life ;D

N: Why Geo?

J: Well it's short for Geobob Spinelli...it's a bit of an silly inside joke that stemmed from a total verbal misunderstanding, lmao. It kind of stuck and Geo has been my nickname ever since!

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Merp Squad Week: Inky (Book Haven Extraordinaire)

Nikki: Talk about how you started getting involved in our Merp Squad Talks--if you can even remember.

Inky/Hannah: I'm just like so epic that you all just couldn't stay away from me! No, just kidding. Well we all kinda knew each other and would just tag each other all the time when we thought of something that was similar to the other person or whatever, and well...we just were. It was like a Big Bang..but for the Merpers!

(Click to go to Book Haven Extraordinaire)  

N:Who's a Merp Squadder you haven't talked to in a while and really really need to?

I/H:Annabananabelle! Wails. I miss chatting it up with her about Lord of the Rings, or yummy books, or glitter or Mr. Thornton, or ANYTHING! She's been busy and I've been busy, so we haven't been able to talk very much. But hopefully soon! hugs

N:Who would you like to strangle hug the most?

I/H:Um, well ALL OF YOU, obviously. But I'm gonna have to say Jessinator! She's my twinny-winnie! I want to meet her so freaking bad.

N:If you could give a nickname (that has nothing to do with their NAME) to all the Merp Squadders, what would they be?

I/H:To everyone as a whole? The Nerdigans. It's like a better version of the Backyardigans! Because we are a crazy rag-tag group of five with vivid imaginations, and we are all nerds in our own awesome way!

Individually? Well, Um, I already HAVE nicknames for all of you, so this should be interesting. hurriedly thinks up some random nicknames.

·         To Anna, besides her Inky dubbed name Annabananabelle, she'd be Glitterella. Why? She could TOTALLY be a princess, and um she's the queen of glitter! Glitterella for the win!

·         I hereby dub Eileen [ahem, Leen Machine].....The Great Croissantini, because she could totally be in a circus, and what is yummier than a Croissant? Righ Leeny?

·         Nikster here, needs something totally special, so I'm gonna call you Chewjebbie. Please don't ask, but I'm ASSUMING you like Star Wars. The second half? I'm just making it public that you're really Team Jeb. I know you're to shy to do it yourself.

·         Lastly I could totally see Jessi being Catastica. It sounds superheroish, [BOOM, Nator!] and she loves cats. There was never a better match to be made.

Those are like the most random names ever....but heck, I had to make something up! Whatever, you all have a new [strikethrough]hopefully[strikethrough] awesome nickname!

N:Favorite thing of each Merp Squadder's blog?

I/H:

·         Nikki has a passion about her blogging, and her squeals are complete honesty! I love her excitement and ever-present spazz.

·         Eileen, as I have told her MANY times, has like the most professional reviews ever. I am so jealous at her ability to sound grown up and brilliant. Because that's what she is! Brilly. 

·         Annabelle's blog TOTALLY sparkles. She is so dedicated and thoughtful with her reviews, and beyond that? She's friendly! Her rosy blog [haha, get it?] is one of my faves to read!

·         Jessi designed her blog herself. I am gonna be in awe till the end of times. She makes cool banners, and her reviews are honest and down to the core. Oh and SHE PICKS THE BEST. QUOTES. EVER. Yup.

N:What made you start blogging and how is it different from what you expected?

I/H:I needed a place to put all my bookish brain vomit, DUH. I always have to talk about the books I read to someone, whether raving or ranty. And this is another way to do that! With awesome people!

It's really different because I've changed. I'm so picky now, and have really high-standards in what I want to see in a book. I can't just sit down and enjoy anything anymore, like I did as a kid. Not to mention all the time blogging takes. I tell myself all the time, “Oh I'll just Whip Out A Review”......THIS Is A LIE. Have you seen my reviews? They are HUGE. And finding just the right gif takes a long time. Sigh. If only...

N:What is the BEST thing about blogging?

I/H:We all say the exact same thing because it's true. YOU. Everyone I've met, spazzed with, all the authors I've spammed with love, all the books I've discovered! All from blogging! happy dance

N:How did you do/choose your design?

I/H:I can't design anything artistic for the life of me. I've tried. IT DOESN'T WORK. But I've known some incredibly talented people who've helped me move beyond the basic free backgrounds I've had, Lisseth gave me my vintage look and more recently, Jessi turned me into the greenilicious starry-eyed wonder that I am now! I love those peeps. They're so awesome, and they made my blog a total fit for me!

N:Your Top 5 books of 2013 are...

I/H:I'm interpreting this two ways. A) I've already read and B)most excited for! Because the more books the merrier right?

Top 5 favorites that I've read? Let The Sky Fall, The Rules, The Program, Transparent and The Selection. Read my reviews for all the fangirl feels!

Top 5 that need to come out already? The House of Hades [PERCY!!!!!], Allegiant [No explanation needed here!], DECEPTION [ I want me some Logan, NOW!], Champion [the COVER. The story. WANT conclusion!], and Crown of Midnight [CHAOL WINS. Always]

N:WHAT IS A QUESTION YOU'VE NEVER BEEN ASKED BUT WOULD LOVE TO ANSWER. And answer it. (Totally stolen from Eileen)

I/H:Since you stole the question, from Eileen, I'm gonna steal the same answer...blame my current lack of creativity.

Have you had a dream where you kissed Mr. Darcy?

Why yes I have.

N:Tell us everything you know about Jessi!

I/H:BAHAHAHA. I should just write a tell-all book about her..... but being serious, Um I'm not gonna tell you EVERYTHING obviously, but she's amazing, is gonna be a crazy old woman in a house full of cats in twenty years, has cameraphobia, is completely epic, writes amazing reviews, won't stop bugging me about switching to Wordpress, designs prettiful blogs, hates oranges, is made of snark extraordinaire, got me saying BAHA, and is probably the BEST Nator twin a girl could ask for.

N:Why Inky? And WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE NICKNAME (Obviously TWSNBI)

I/H:Why? Because I like having a fun name, and with Inky, it's not only proclaiming my love for reading! I could use it to share my love for writing! Inky could work for just about any literary addiction/love I ever have! Inky=Word Lover Extraordinaire.

I've actually been given quite a few nicknames [which makes me happy!] Here are the five prominent ones;

·         Eileen bestowed me with with the name Hinky, my own mashup name{Hannah + Inky}, to save her from getting confused by calling me by both my names. I love it. It's short and sassy. Hinky at your service.

·         Inkinator, is my nickname from Jessi and a part of our little twin-ship! I loves it. I feel like a superhero. And it's just a special name that has been spoofed and loved between the two of us. Inside awesomeness!

·         Then, there is TWSNBI, quite a mouthful, but I still love it because YOU [nikki] gave it to me! It stands for “THOU WHO SHALL NOT BE INKED”. I don't know where it came from, (NIKKI INSERT: GASP! It's from Thou Who Shall Not be Named, BUT OF COURSE.) but it's kinda legit. I've never been called a sentence before! I loves that one!

·         Megan(http://thebookbabesreads.blogspot.com/ ) calls me Inks. I call her Megs. I love that pet name! It is short and sweet and fun. And of course, I wear Inks with pride. O.O lightbulb!!! Inks would be an adorable name for a baby octopus!!!

·         And lastly, I am known as Inkykins!!! Darling Ashley (http://www.nosegraze.com/) [ASHEYBABY] gave me this one out of the blue! I love this one! It's endearing and just so freaking awesome! I get all warm and fuzzy when she calls me that.

·         I love like EVERY single nickname I've gotten. And for the record, I'm always open to new ones!

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