Wednesday, February 13, 2013

What's Up Wednesday - Timely Topics

I finally am here on a Wednesday to do a quick tour of the blogs I follow - yay! :) Today in the blogosphere I ran into some very timely topics - to read them, simply click the hyperlinks attached to each of the descriptions below.

Nyx Book Reviews did a great post about vlogging, or video blogging. I've personally started trying to figure out ways to incorporate a video element to my blog for people like my husband, who basically never read unless it's something vitally important or incredibly good. ;) So this came at the perfect time for me, and gave me some interesting food for thought (to see my first attempt at adding a video into a blog post, go here). Plus, you should watch it even if you aren't interested in vlogging, because her accent is adorable!

Colorimetry wants to know your thoughts on the "steaminess" of novels, and how you decide when a book has crossed the line between YA and adult. I recently just finished a book that went far, far outside of the "steamy" comfort zone that I have - in other words, I prefer books with less "steam" and more content, and this book was more "steam" than content! I think had I known ahead of time, I would not have chose to read it. What are your thoughts?

I had to give a shout out to Neil Ostrof at Always Writing, because one of his books got a review that stated it was "bound to become a classic." Great job Neil! A book that I read not too long ago got a similar remark from me - All Men of Genius.

Love the Harry Potter series? Backwards Story posted a news blurb about the series receiving a cover facelift! Pretty sweet, and made me want to re-read the entire series again... if only my TBR list wasn't so long! ;)

With V-Day being tomorrow (oh and I guess it's Valentine's Day too! ;) lol), The Traveling PhoBlogWriPher shares a $20 date idea and encourages you to think about other creative dates that cost $20 or less.

Finally, here's one I'm super excited about - Amanda Hocking is doing a GIVEAWAY!! Yes, that's THE Amanda Hocking... wowza! Nothing makes me nerd-out more than books, especially books by someone as incredibly inspiring to all self-published authors as Amanda Hocking!!!

Happy hopping everyone!

Monday, February 11, 2013

Recommended Read - Eyes to See by Joseph Nassise

Hello lovelies!

I thought I would try something new today with my book review - at the end of the review, you'll find a little teaser I made about the book! It contains the first and last sentences, along with a montage of visuals that I feel represent the book. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let me know what you think - leave a comment below or on YouTube!! It will be my first experiment with adding a video component here on the blog. I may also be dabbling in a few other styles, so if you have a suggestion for something you'd like to see please let me know in the comments as well! Thanks!!
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Eyes to See (Jeremiah Hunt, #1)Eyes to See by Joseph Nassise
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is an absolutely stunning thriller! I couldn't put it down. It's fast paced, fresh, and original. I love how mystical elements were used without being the same old cliche drivel that you find in many fantasy and sci-fi books today. The characters are interesting,and the plot was spine-tingling with just the right mix of action and scariness. I will most certainly be reading the rest of this amazing series!

View all my reviews
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Saturday, February 9, 2013

Recommended Read - How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

How to Win Friends & Influence PeopleHow to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is one of those rare gems of books that you can't just read once! You have to read it, then re-read it again to truly absorb all of the wonderful knowledge contained in these pages. I recommend it for any person looking to improve her- or him-self, not just business professionals or those who are feeling like they lack true friends. It is packed full of useful advice that is completely relevant today, despite the fact that this book was originally written so long ago. Keep this in your arsenal of personal development books!!

View all my reviews

Friday, February 8, 2013

Shameless Stuff #13 : Speak up about something crummy that was done to you.

I've been putting off this post for a long time, but I've decided today is the day for it! I kept thinking "What if this drags down my blog views?" or "What if HE finds me?" or "What if I'm not ready?"... but when it all boils down to it, I know I can hold my head up high because I was not at fault.

You've probably heard these numbers, or some variation, before. 44% of victims are under age 18. 80% are under age 30. 54% are never reported to the police, and 97% of offenders will never spend a day in jail. Approximately 2/3 are committed by someone known to the survivor.

Yes, I'm going to that taboo topic - Rape. In the United States, someone is sexually assaulted approximately every 2 minutes. There are an estimated over 207,000 assaults PER YEAR - which when you do the math, averages out to over 567 per DAY.

My story is not just my story, but the story of so many women and men. Maybe some of the details are different, but the pain and trauma are the same.

For me, I was raped at age 19 by a guy that I was seriously dating. I was NOT drunk, I was NOT wearing "slutty clothes", and I most definitely was NOT sexually active before it happened. It was not some stranger in the alley, and I wasn't just "crying wolf."

But even if I WAS drunk, WAS wearing slutty clothes, and WAS sexually active, or even if it WAS a stranger, it still wasn't ok.

I reported to the police a couple of weeks after it happened, because I couldn't get over the shame or embarrassment at first, but I wish I had been strong enough to go right away. They treated me like the perpetrator instead of the victim - making me sit in an interrogation room with a tape recorder while they asked me questions that shouldn't have mattered. They accused me of being a "willing partner" and just "crying wolf" because he had dumped me afterward, saying I just wanted to "get back at him." They insisted that he couldn't have possibly done what I said he did, because he was the son of a well-known and well-respected pastor in the area. Their comments and treatment of me hurt almost as much as the crime itself.

To add insult to injury, my test results came back that I had contracted an STD - HPV, one of the most commonly contracted STD's. My strain ended up costing me several doctor's visits and a part of my cervix.

It's been 11 years, but it still feels like yesterday sometimes. The difference is now I have the strength and perseverance to admit that I am a Survivor - and I do what I can to advocate for higher awareness, better response and counseling, and any other program that can try to reduce the prevalence of this blight on our communities. I refuse to participate in any language that indicates it's ok to blame the victim or that it's ok to force someone to do something against their will, and that includes not purchasing music/books/movies/etc that may perpetuate that image.

Want to help me make a difference? Join V-Day 2013! This year is the 15th anniversary, and it's a big deal - they are trying to invite ONE BILLION women and those who love them to WALK OUT, DANCE, RISE UP, AND DEMAND AN END TO VIOLENCE. Year round, you can donate your time or money to RAINN, which is recognized as one of the top charities in the country.

The video below is from my local community.
Local Omaha events:

one billion rising omaha (Start a Rising)
https://www.facebook.com/events/196567140482200/ visit our facebook event page
ONE BILLION RISING began as a call to action based on the staggering statistic that 1 in 3 women on the planet will be beaten or raped during her lifetime. With the world population at 7 billion, this adds up to more than ONE BILLION WOMEN AND GIRLS. On February 14, 2013, V-Days 15th anniversary, Omaha will join activists, writers, thinkers, celebrities, and women and men across the world as we express their outrage, demand change, strike, dance, and RISE in defiance of the injustices women suffer, demanding an end at last to violence against women.

From 2-6 pm on February 14 at the First United Methodist Church, join us and add your voice to the ONE BILLION in saying NO MORE. Enough is enough.

*******************
Planned events include:
*******************
-Booths from the following organizations will be
at the First United Methodist Church from 2-6 to provide:

INFORMATION
SUPPORT
VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES

*Catholic Charities*
*Legal Aid of Nebraska*
*NHHS Child Protective Services*
*NHHS Adult Protective Services*
*Omaha Police Department Domestic Violence Unit*
*Project Harmony*
*Planned Parenthood*
*Youth Emergency Services*
*Heartland Family Services*
*Girls, Inc.*
*Lutheran Family Services*
*Domestic Violence Council*
*Women's Center for Advancement*
*Women's Fund*
*UNO Counseling Center*
*House of Loom*
*More TBA*

Musical performances by:
*HERS*
*Max Holmquist*
*More TBA*

4 pm: Mayor Jim Suttle will proclaim February 14, 2013 'V-Day Omaha'.

5 pm: Marching, dancing, and rising around the block of 72nd and Dodge to show support. Gather in the parking lot of the First United Methodist Church at 4:45 pm.

-Sign Making

-Record your video messages of support

-Bake Sale to benefit the Women's Center for Advancement. Bring something to donate to the sale!

***There are opportunities planned for you to listen, speak, ask, sing, and dance, and tell, as we RISE to put an end to the culture of rape and violence. If you are unable to attend, you can still RISE. On 2-14-13 at 2:14 pm, for 3 minutes go out to the street and raise your hand and DANCE in solidarity with one billion others on this planet who say, NO MORE.
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UNMC student group EMPOWER, in partnership with Nebraska Methodist College, will host various speakers and performers while providing a space for the community to STRIKE.DANCE.RISE on 02.14.13.
Event Schedule:

PLEASE JOIN US AS WE STRIKE|DANCE|RISE IN OMAHA! 02.14.13   12:00 PM-1:30 PM THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER MICHAEL F. SORRELL CENTER, AUDITORIUM 3002 (ON THE CORNER OF S. 42ND STREET AND EMILIE) 2:00 PM-6:00PM   FIRST UNITED METHODIT CHURCH 7020 CASS STREET   4:00 PM-6:30 PM NEBRASKA METHODIST COLLEGE THE JOSIE HARPER CAMPUS-CLARK CENTER 720 N. 87TH STREET STRIKE|DANCE| RISE! JOIN THE REVOLUTION! Check out our event invite on Facebook at One Billion Rising Omaha, NE   Check out the One Billion Rising-Omaha Dance Video courtesy of Nebraska Methodist College students, faculty, staff and administration! 

Thursday, February 14, 2013 (All Day Event) GMT+00:00
Host:Keri Wayne-Browne
Location:
UNMC AND Nebraska Methodist College (Omaha, NE)
720 North 87th Street
OmahaNE 68114

Updated Book Review List 2013

It's a little over one month into the new year, and I still have a hefty list of books to read! I have been so blessed to have received several review copies from authors who were on my list to read this year! I'm still waiting to hear back from a few more, and so far only one author has responded that a review copy is not possible.

If you are an author of one of the books below and would like to send me a review copy, or if you are an avid reader who has a copy and would like to send it to me, please contact me via Goodreads or here on the blog and let me know! :) I would be eternally grateful - I have a goal to try to donate at least 75 books this year to my local public library!

Without further ado, my updated list for February:




























3.54




































































































































Yellow = emailed book request via Goodreads info
Green = received response and book is on the way
Light Blue = eBook format received
Pink = received response, unable to send copy

READ:
Hammerhead
Lost in Petra
Sunset: Pact Arcanum 1

I would say 4 of the books off my list in 1 month isn't bad, especially since I was gone on a cruise for one week, then moved to a new house, AND I have books in my TBR pile from publishers and other review requests that aren't on this list! :) But I'm hoping to catch up more on this list soon. 

Once again, I ask if you have a book on this list and would be willing to send it to me, I would be very very grateful! :)