Random Musings: Moving

Yes, I know that this button is slightly greener than it should be, but that's because I'm talking about moving to Wordpress. 

SO IF YOU DIDN'T KNOW, I'M MOVING TO WORDPRESS IN MID JUNE. AND THIS STUFF HAS BEEN STRESSING ME OUT SINCE JANUARY. Seriously, I'm writing this on Jan 16. *waves from the past* 

So anyways, I'm not just moving to Wordpress, I'm completely redesigning my blog into a sort of teal color instead of just blue and I'm so in love with what I have planned! I CAN NOT WAY TO OFFICIALLY GET STARTED WITH DESIGNING THE FINAL THING (which should be happening soon since my mom promised to let me do this once May started...it should be about now right? RIGHT?)

ANYWAYS (damn I get off topic so much) I'm actual really loving this whole process of creating a new design and making new banners and buttons and stuff and it's EXHILARATING. But damn is it stressful. 

I'm doing new memes, a set schedule, and instead of Week of a Fiction Freak I'm doing monthly recaps that will, most likely, be in video form. Guys it's so stressful deciding what memes I should do, what a good ratio is for memes: reviews and what days I shouldn't post anything at all. (Oh I think I'm going to post my new schedule down below, TELL ME IF IT'S OKAY? BECAUSE I'M DOUBTING IT ALL) 

 BUT BUT BUT. I'm so excited to finally have MY OWN FREAKING BLOG that I don't have to worry about and that Google can probably just shut down at any random time and worry about blogger glitching. I DON'T EVEN WANT TO CALL IT A BLOG. A WEBSITE. IT IS MY OWN WEBSITE. AHH. AT 13. That's just so freaking exciting and it makes me feel professional even though I'm far from it--if you can tell from my LOTS OF CAPS-ness. 

I honestly think moving to Wordpress (as in, buying your own domain and hosting) would be an AWESOME idea, especially if you plan on blogging long term--and if you do move to Wordpress, using Ashley @ Creative Whim's UBB (Ultimate Book Blogger) plug in or her Tweak Theme would be a GREAT investment. 

BACK TO THE SUBJECT, I'm planning on blogging throughout high school (my excuse--it's one of my extracurriculars so I kinda HAVE TO ya know? ;D ) and hopefully through college, so I definitely want my own site after two and a half years on Blogger. I love you and all, but Blogger, you're killing me. 

BUT YEAH that wasn't really a musing, more like a rant but eh. 

By the way here's the schedule I was thinking of 

Sunday: (at the end of the month, a wrap up) 

Monday: Book related

Tuesday: Book Related

Wednesday: Waiting on Wednesday

Thursday: Book related

Friday: Life of a Blogger

Saturday: Book Related

YES? NO? HAVE YOU MOVED TO WORDPRESS? ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT IT?

Random Musings: Books. Plain and Simple

(Repinned from http://pinterest.com/dragonflyturtle/ on Pinterest) 

This will, most likely, be a super rambly post since you know, this is pretty random and this is all brain vomit. I refuse to use backspace. Also this will be 100% cheesy.

Sooooo...books. That's all this blog is really about isn't it? But I don't think I've ever talked about books in the large general category. And whoever said books are life changing? They're right. What's sad is that sometimes I can't remember every single book I've read, every word, every letter. And I hate to forget my favorite books, but it happens.

http://barbara-bibliotecaria.tumblr.com/page/2

And it's just horrible because I always end up learning something from every character, every world, every twist of a story. And I have fun with all the characters who're there, quick to laugh, quick to love. And just forgetting their adventures? It's excruciating. So I guess that's what Goodreads is for. But I'm never going to remember all the feelings I had when I first read it and I'm never going to have the time to reread all my favorites.

Repinned from
http://pinterest.com/allthingsregal/whats-in-a-book/

And then that moment when you see these characters grow up, and you grow up with them, and you just realize--Oh my God the series is going to end. And you just want to break down crying because you'll never see your favorite characters in their lives ever again. I actually did cry the month before Iron Knight released. Several times. While listening to the Iron Fey playlists. THANK THE LORD FOR THE SPINOFF SERIES  OR I WOULD BE ON MY KNEES. It was just so heartbreaking seeing my favorite characters just go *poof* Seriously. There was a pain in my
chest. I felt like someone murdered my best friend.

Books have absolutely affected me and anyone who says reading sucks just hasn't done it right, or they haven't had the chance to meet their favorite book. Because when you do? The tears and the laughs and those moments where you just realize what the author was trying to do...oh God. I just can never keep my feelings in check.

It's so easy to call something your "favorite book" or your "new favorite book", but I think less than half of those claims are true. So here's my question--

What's your favorite book? Your number one, always can rely on, always there to comfort you, book?

http://pinterest.com/serinazhane/more-than-words-wow-words-of-wisdom/

A GRIM Blog Tour

I'm excited to be on the Grim Blog Tour, especially since I loved this creepy anthology so much! (Check out my review here) 

This was, probably, one of my favorites stories in the anthology! While dark and creepy is something I love, there's something about a romance that stems from hate, especially if there's still some dark and creepy in it and if it's as compelling as this short was! 

So ever since I was a kid, Beauty and the Beast was always my favorite Grimm tale (East of the Sun, West of the Moon which is pretty much the same thing, my ultimate favorite, and Cupid and Psyche my favorite Greek myth.) So yeah, I'm pretty obsessed with the story and it mayyy have something to do with me loving Beast/Beast so much! I used to scour my library for B&B retellings and ended up rereading each one every time!
Funnily, now that I'm talking about it, I remember something from preschool. We were allowed to pick two tiny story books (Really they were only maybe 10 tiny little pages, 3x2 each) that held a illustrated story in each and I practically shoved all the other kids away from the Beauty and the Beast one so I could have it.

We all know how big a Kagawa fan I was, so I was absolutely ecstatic when I saw she wrote a story in this anthology! And leave it to her to pick the story that's so hard to write a YA retelling for, short story or not--The Three Little Pigs. Then again, this is Kagawa, and she made it as creepy and horrendous as a regular Grimm tale. I'm thoroughly impressed! And if I didn't already love the anthology, this would sort of seal the deal.

Now, if you've never heard of the children's story book The Real Story of the Three Little Pigs I don't know if I can talk to you anymore. My teachers have read this to me at least 5 times throughout my years as a preschooler to a 2nd grader and when I realized that The Brothers Piggett was a story on the Three Little Pigs...well I was a bit hesitant, because this was, legit, the only Three Little Pigs retelling I could think of.
Somehow though, Julie Kagawa manages to rework her magic with words and creates a more complex story while sticking true to the important bits of the Three Little Pigs. How the heck does she do that again?

Untethered had an unbelievable twist that I honestly didn't see coming, surprising, especially for a short! I loved it so much though and was absolutely surprised. Not to mention how touching and heartbreaking the story was and how, in the end, it was just so beautiful. I think I actually got a bit misty eyed by the end of it. There's no way you can't love this story!

This one isn't a retelling, or not one I can think of at least, and I don't really think I can say anything without spoiling it. But I'm going to say that it sort of reminds me of one of my favorite books: The Catastrophic History of You and Me, but I'm going to zip my lips after that.
I don't really have a story related to this, but I'll leave you with this: the second story of my house used to be an attic and sometimes I hear creepy noises coming up from there. Also, once you walk up the stairs, there's a door that leads to a closet and in that closet there's a door that's maybe a foot and half by a foot and a half that is creeeeeppppyyyyyy. Do I need an exorcist?

About GRIM

Inspired by classic fairy tales, but with a dark and sinister twist, Grim contains short stories from some of the best voices in young adult literature today:

Kimberly Derting | Sonia Gensler | Tessa Gratton | Claudia Gray | Rachel Hawkins | Amanda Hocking | Ellen Hopkins | Shaun David Hutchinson | Julie Kagawa | Malinda Lo | Myra McEntire | Saundra Mitchell | Jackson Pearce | Sarah Rees Brennan | Dia Reeves | Jon Skovron | Jeri Smith Read

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Book Depository

Follow the Tour 

• Monday, February 17th - Harlequin Paranormal Blog
• Tuesday, February 18th - Stories 1, 2 and 3 - Two Chicks on Books
• Wednesday, February 19th - Stories 4, 5 and 6 - Book and A Latte
• Friday, February 21st - Stories 7, 8 and 9 - Fiction Freak
• Monday, February 24th - Stories 10, 11 and 12 - Mundie Moms
• Wednesday, February 26th -  Stories 13, 14 and 15 - Bumbles and Fairytales
• Friday, February 28th -  Stories 16 and 17 - Fiktshun

Giveaway

Giveaway is US/Can

Each tour stop is offering up a copy of GRIM, and one winner will receive a fantastic Grand Prize Package including the following Harlequin Teen titles: 2 copies of GRIM, a copy of WHITE HOT KISS by Jennifer Armentrout, THE SECRET DIAMOND SISTERS by Michelle Madow, THE QUEEN’S CHOICE by Cayla Kluver and an ARC of  LET’S GET LOST by Adi Alsaid.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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DEFY Twitter Party

YEP YEP TWITTER PARTY! I hosted one last week on the 12th, but here's another one! I'm cohosting with Nova @ Out of Time for DEFY. She'll be handling the discussion schtuff and I will be doing, sing it with me, GIVEAWAAYYYYYSSS

For those who need them, BOOK DETAILS!:

Title: Defy

Author: Sara B. Larson

Pub Date: January 7th, 2013

Publisher: Scholastic

Page Count: 336

A lush and gorgeously written debut, packed with action, intrigue, and a thrilling love triangle.

Alexa Hollen is a fighter. Forced to disguise herself as a boy and serve in the king's army, Alex uses her quick wit and fierce sword-fighting skills to earn a spot on the elite prince's guard. But when a powerful sorcerer sneaks into the palace in the dead of night, even Alex, who is virtually unbeatable, can't prevent him from abducting her, her fellow guard and friend Rylan, and Prince Damian, taking them through the treacherous wilds of the jungle and deep into enemy territory.

The longer Alex is held captive with both Rylan and the prince, the more she realizes that she is not the only one who has been keeping dangerous secrets. And suddenly, after her own secret is revealed, Alex finds herself confronted with two men vying for her heart: the safe and steady Rylan, who has always cared for her, and the dark, intriguing Damian. With hidden foes lurking around every corner, is Alex strong enough to save herself and the kingdom she's sworn to protect?

So now that you know what the book is about, here are the details to the twitter party. We'll have cardboard knife party favors.
Here are the rules/tips/details for the party! Some are more important than others.

1. WHO: This party will be co-hosted by Nikki (@Nikki_Wang) and I (@NovaBlogder). Sara (@SaraBLarson) will be answering questions that you (the participant) tweet at them and chat with others about books, books, and...food?

2. WHERE: Twitter (twitter.com)
If you don't have a twitter account, it's easy to make one! And if you already have one it's best to follow a twitter party on TweetChat (tweetchat.com)!

3. WHEN: February 25th, at 7-8 PM ET. 6-7 PM CST, 5-6 PM MST, 4-5 PM PST. This will be a party for one hour.

4. WHAT: A twitter party is an hour-long chat with Sara B. Larson. She'll answer your questions, talk about her high fantasy, Defy. As well, you can talk to other people who have read/have not read Defy! It's all to spread the love of books and this one in particular.

5. PRIZES: We've got prizes for US/CAN readers but EVERYONE is invited! Prizes will be going each 20 minutes - there are 3 prizes. Check for my tweets because she will be hosting the giveaways. Winners/how to win will be selected at her discretion.

6. HOW: Follow the hashtag #Defy and add it to all your tweets.


As a pre-party giveaway to get you PUMPED about the party, Scholastic has donated a FINISHED copy of Defy for a lucky reader!

Giveaway 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

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!
Website
Twitter
Facebook

Winter Formal: Lynne Matson

Hey guys! WELCOME TO THE FIRST DAY OF THE WINTER FORMAL where I ask the Winter Formal authors (Jen McConnel, Lynne Matson, Sara B. Larson, and Bethany Hagen) one question and then ask my spotlighted author five questions. AND READ THROUGH FOR INFORMATION ON THE TWITTER PARTY!

Lynne Matson Interview

FF:  How did you come up with the science of Nil? (Because it is unbelievably complex and amazing!) 

LM: Thank you Nikki! :) I gave the science of Nil a great deal of thought. I didn't want everything to be explained…because I wanted a bit of the supernatural mystique of LOST, and to infuse the story with the vibe that there are some things in the universe beyond our grasp. And yet, I wanted there to be some sort of scientific basis--at least a plausible explanation--for the island's existence, and something concrete the teens (and readers) could grasp. AND I CAN'T SAY ANYMORE BECAUSE I'LL SPILL ALL THE SEKRITS!!! :) *shares island shaped cookies as a distraction* 

FF: If you were stuck on Nil, you'd most likely…

LM: Completely freak out, at least at first. After the initial panic, I'd like to think I could get it together enough to find people and figure it out, but sheesh--let's face is Nil is a freaky Twilight Zone moment with no end in sight.

FF:  What three things would you miss the most if you were thrown onto Nil?

LM: The first thing that popped into my head was family. I'd miss my boys and husband terribly. But you said "things" so hmmmm…

Okay, here goes. (1) My bed. I love snuggling into a comfy bed at night, with soft sheets and thick, fluffy covers. Not so easy to come by on Nil. (2) My iPod. I LOVE MUSIC AND WOULD MISS IT TERRIBLY. (3) Chocolate.

*honorable mention to sunglasses, because they would come in handy on Nil.:)

FF:  If you saw a heat shimmer, you would…

LM: Think of Nil.:) And possibly run the other way.Oh who am I kidding, I'd totally run AWAY. :)

FF:  What about your writing career has surprised you the most so far? 

LM: The incredible support of the YA community. It's AMAZING. Authors and bloggers have been so welcoming and thoughtful and generous. The YA Valentines have been my rock, and bloggers have helped get the word out about NIL more enthusiastically than I ever could have dreamed. Honestly, sometimes all the author/blogger kindness makes me teary, because the writing road can be lonely at times. But the YA community is tight--and AWESOME.:)

AND NOW by mini interview with all the Winter Formal authors:

Here's what I asked:

If you were one character in your book, who would you (want to) be?

Sara B Larson: Well, even though her life has been hard, I would definitely pick Alexa. She's such an example of strength to me. She's imperfect, but she's strong and determined, and she never gives up. I admire that so much. She's also incredibly loyal and cares so deeply for the ones she loves. She's willing to do whatever it takes to protect them, to help them.

Lynne Matson: Hmmmm…good one. I should pick a character that lives, right? Or not, because I don't want to be spoilery. *wails* I CAN'T PICK, Nikki, because otherwise I'll spill ALL THE SEKRITS. Nil is a creepy place. 

Bethany Hagen: Ooh, tough question.  Maybe Cara Westoff.  She is the complete opposite of me in temperament--loud, assertive and confident.  I think it would be fun to be her for like a day, but then the shopping bills would start to get out of hand...

Jen McConnel: That's actually a tough question; definitely not Darlena, because I don't want that kind of crazy power.  There's a character in the second book I would LOVE to be, but you haven't met her yet. ;)

Twitter Party

The twitter party will be held on Feb 12 with the hashtag #YAValsFormal and will start from 6:30 PM EST to maybe 7:30—8:00 PM EST. There will be prizes donated by the spotlighted YA Valentines and the four Winter Formal authors will also be attending! Chat about books, embarrassing Valentine moments, and other fun (preferably embarrassing, though not required) things! We will also be serving virtual snacks.

Nil Synopsis

On the mysterious island of Nil, the rules are set. You have one year. Exactly 365 days--to escape, or you die. 

Seventeen-year-old Charley doesn’t know the rules. She doesn’t even know where she is. The last thing she remembers is blacking out, and when she wakes up, she’s lying naked in an empty rock field. 

Lost and alone, Charley finds no sign of other people until she meets Thad, the gorgeous leader of a clan of teenage refugees. Soon Charley learns that leaving the island is harder than she thought . . . and so is falling in love. With Thad’s time running out, Charley realizes that to save their future, Charley must first save him. And on an island rife with dangers, their greatest threat is time.

Lynne Matson

Lynne Matson grew up in Georgia in a house full of books and a backyard full of gnarly pines. She attended the University of Florida, where she met and married her husband, the cutest boy she’s ever seen. Now, Lynne is mother to four amazing boys. After a career as an attorney, Lynne is thrilled to be making her debut in YA fiction.

Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Winter Formal Tour

Feb 10 Mon: Lynne Matson @ ME

Feb 11 Tues: Bethany Hagen @ Book Haven Extraordinaire

Feb 12 Wed: Sara. B Larson @ Eater of Books 

Feb 13 Thurs: Jen McConnel @ YA Reads

HAPPY NEW YEAR'S

Oh my gosh guys, another year has passed.

Another year.

ANOTHER YEAR OF FUHREAKING AMAZING BOOKS AND COVERS AND NOVELS AND AUTHORS. Eeeeeep this is so exciting! So what's going to happen this year? Who knows. But I bet it'll be awesome! (Speaking of? Follow the YA Valentines (@YA_Valentines on twitter. HERE is their website) because they're seriously some of the most amazing people ever!)

By the way, anyone have any romantic kisses at midnight? Anyone see the fireworks? Anyone see the ball drop?

ALSO. GUYS. Some things are going to change around the blog. If you'll notice at the bottom, I've made a new signature that's significantly bigger than my last one. Also, my review format has completely changed! I've also made a few new graphics. I may alssoooooo be moving to WP soon! EXCITED? YES. YES I AM.

Anyways, here are a few of my 2013 accomplishments I must brag about. :3

Accomplishments

• I was quoted in Penguin's catalog for VENOM
• I was quoted on Fiona Paul's website (here)
• I was quoted on Lili Peloquin's website (here)
• I was quoted in the "Praise for Death and the Girl Next Door" section in DEATH AND THE GIRL HE LOVES by Darynda Jones! 
• Business cards? I GOT EM. AND THEY'RE GORGEOUS
• Merp Squad (here) opened up (and I got a group of amazing BBFFs!)
• I became a Paper Lantern Lit (here) Blogger
• EILEEN RAN A TWITTER PARTY FOR MY BIRTHDAY. IT TRENDED IN TWO COUNTRIES AND OUTTRENDED THE BACHELOR. 
• I went to my first authors event in Texas! 
• I got books from Harper, Hyperion, and Random!
• I WAS INTERVIEWED BY PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY. HOW EPIC IS THAT. (HERE)
• I reached 1000 followers! EEP! 
• I was a YA Crush Tourney advocate for Perry @ Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi. EEP!
• SARAH BETH DURST EMAILED ME GUYS. 
• I met several bloggers and authors this year! AWESOMENESS IGNITED. 

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Resolutions

• I WILL GO TO AUSTIN TEEN BOOK FEST. 
• I will meet at least five author friends.
• Move to Wordpress! 
• Write more snarky reviews
• I will reach 1500 followers
• I WILL EVENTUALLY TALK TO EVERYONE WHO FOLLOWS ME. 
• I'll move to Wordpress
• I will, eventually, get 150 scheduled posts
• I will get a 94+ average in all my classes. 
• IN HIGH SCHOOL, I will not be antisocial. I WON'T. 

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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