Here’s what we’ve been up to this week:

This week was good, busy for more reasons than you can probably believe, but in the end it was a pretty good week. Unfortunately, early in the week we learned of the death of a close family friend and were able to travel to the funeral over the weekend. Because the family friend was on my husband’s side of the family and a long funeral service is not conducive to two small toddlers, I stayed home and sent my husband to the funeral with his family. The service was nice and I’m glad we live close enough to have been able to attend.

What traveling over the weekend meant for me, besides seeing family and taking care of the kiddos (normal), was that I had to host the Got Books? Event via lap top at my in-laws home. Whoa. A little bit of a challenge, but all in all I feel it went really well. We had around 100 sites participating and a very successful Twitter Party on Friday. It’s definitely an event I can’t wait to do again!

So, how was your week?

Read/Reviewed (Just click on the title to see the Review!):
The Hunger Games and Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Nice and Mean by Jessica Leader
Boys Lie: How Not to Get Played by Belisa Vranich, Psy.D. and Holly Eagleson
The Starlet by Mary McNamara (For Chick Lit Reviews – Review Coming Soon!)
In Mike We Trust by P.E. Ryan (Review Coming Tuesday for Nerds Heart YA Decision!)
Alligator Bayou by Donna Jo Napoli (Review Coming Tuesday for Nerds Heart YA Decision!)

Interviewed:
When I Was Young: Stiletto Storytime

Events:
Got Books? Event – Our Favorite Bookish Things Giveaway

A Bit of Me(Me) – My Very Best Talent

Giveaways:
“Despicable Me” Book Review & Giveaway (Ends 7/30)

What’s up for the week to come:

Reviewing/Reading:
Bubba Goes National by Jennifer Walker
Arson by Estevan Vega
Lit by Mary Karr (For Chick Lit Reviews)
Waxed by Robert Rave (For Chick Lit Reviews)
Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce

Events:
Once Upon A Week.. (Coming Soon!)

The Turkeybird and Littlebug are Reading: (Yep, you read this list right, same books for the kiddos! They truly are still stuck on these, it’s great!)
Bob Books Sight Words: Kindergarten
Robot Zot by John Sciezska and Illustrated by David Shannon
Every Friday by Dan Yaccarino
Time to Sleep, Sheep the Sheep by Mo Willems
Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach by Melanie Watt
Dr. Seuss’s ABC: An Amazing Alphabet Book! by Dr. Seuss

Giveaways Coming Up:
Bob Books Sight Words: Kindergarten and Bob Books Sight Words: First Grade (Coming Aug.10th!)

So, what are you reading this week? Have any suggestions I should add to my reading pile?

Purchasing products by clicking through the links in this post will provide us a modest commission through our affiliate relationship with IndieBound.

©2010 There's A Book. All Rights Reserved.

I know, some of you are skeptical about putting yourself out there on the internet and I completely respect that. That’s the entire reason I have no desire to ever reveal the “real” names of The Turkeybird and Littlebug. In time, once they’re old enough, if they chose to do that on their own I will respect their decision. So, if ever during the time I’m doing this meme do you feel the question is just too personal for your liking, feel free to post something else, I never want anyone to feel uncomfortable with what they share and I promise it will always be “kid-friendly”. I mean, this is a primarily children’s and young adult site, you know?

So, let’s get started!

This Weeks Question: Tell everyone a bit about your very best quality or talent!

I’ve mentioned this before, but I play the flute. And though I don’t like to toot my own horn (no pun intended), I am pretty decent. My mother and father would both most likely say that their biggest disappointment when it comes to me and my accomplishments would be that I am not currently playing professionally and never finished a degree for my playing. It’s definitely mine as well.

Growing up there was rarely a time when you would find me without my flute. I’ve played in orchestras, state bands, flute choirs, and of course as a soloist. Prior to taking off for the “law school years” for my hubby, I had intended on going back to finish my degree in music, but instead…got pregnant (though I was told I couldn’t have children). A very bittersweet moment in my life. Fortunately I met a fabulous flute professor at a nearby University and was able to assist as well as play in a few of the flute groups and an orchestra. I’m hoping that now, in our new location, that I will be able to find something similar and get back into playing as well as teaching.

To me, music is what makes my heart soar. Don’t get me wrong, I love reading and writing, but music does something entirely different. When I’ve had the opportunity to be a part of an incredible group of musicians and the music is near perfection, it’s an experience that’s hard to explain in words. As a parent now I hope to pass this passion on to my children in some way, either through singing, instrumental playing of some sort or just enjoying listening. It’s something I think everyone should have in their life and I know I would be a different person without it.

Now, your turn! Link up below and tell everyone “A Bit of You!”

Next Week’s Question: Your absolute greatest phobia.
Have a question to add? I’d love some suggestions! Just leave them in the comments and I’ll see about adding them in as we go!

Also, feel free to grab either of the buttons for your own “A Bit of Me(Me)” post (or create your own), but make sure to link back to There’s A Book. (You can also resize these down to a smaller size if you’d like.)

©2010 There's A Book. All Rights Reserved.

This fabulous weekly recap is hosted by Shelia of One Persons Journey Through a World of Books. Each week we recap what we’ve read and look at what’s coming up this week. If you’re interested head over to Shelia’s site and get involved! It’s a blast and I may even stop by to see what you’re up to!

Here’s what we’ve been up to this week:

This has been a great week! I’ve been able to read a ton and reviewed quite a bit as well. My sweet Turkeybird made the cover of The Book Chook Cook Book! (Say that ten times fast!) We’ve also been gearing up for the Got Books? Event that’s happening on Friday and Saturday this week! Both Gina and I are tremendously excited for the incredible response we’ve had for it, we’re now at 104 blogs participating! Make sure to stop by because I’ve got a fabulous giveaway planned here (Hunger Games fans especially may want to make a mental note about it!) and stop by the main site to find more great book blogs!

I also have to brag a bit because I was finally able to figure out the coding for a table on my “Links” page! I am so excited about this! In fact I think I could go look at it again!

Last, are you a Harry Potter fan? Take a look at the post from this week, you’ll definitely get a chuckle out of it! Have a fabulous reading week!

Read/Reviewed (Just click on the title to see the Review!):
Bogus by Karla Oceanak and Illustrated by Kendra Spanjer
Good-Bye to All That by Margo Candela (For Chick Lit Reviews)
Seven Year Switch by Claire Cook (For Chick Lit Reviews – Monday)
Toy Boat by Randall DeSeve and Illustrated by Loren Long
If You Give A Pig A Pancake by Laura Numeroff and illustrated by Felicia Bond
Nice and Mean by Jessica Leader (Review coming Tuesday!)

Interviewed:
Tina Turbin Author of Danny the Dragon
When I Was Young: SMS Book Reviews

Events & Fun Things:
Coming This Week! – Got Books?
Once Upon A Week.. (Coming Soon!)
Harry Potter – The Gateway Drug
The Turkeybird Makes the Front Page!
A Bit of Me(Me) – Your Favorite Smell

Giveaways:
“Despicable Me” Book Review & Giveaway (Ends 7/30)

What’s up for the week to come:

Reading/Reviewing:
Bubba Goes National by Jennifer Walker
In Mike We Trust by P.E. Ryan
Alligator Bayou by Donna Jo Napoli
Boys Lie: How Not to Get Played by Belisa Vranich, Psy.D. and Holly Eagleson
The Starlet by Mary McNamara (For Chick Lit Reviews)

The Turkeybird and Littlebug are Reading:
Robot Zot by John Sciezska and Illustrated by David Shannon
Every Friday by Dan Yaccarino
Time to Sleep, Sheep the Sheep by Mo Willems
Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach by Melanie Watt
Dr. Seuss’s ABC: An Amazing Alphabet Book! by Dr. Seuss

Giveaways Coming Up:
Got Books? Event…a very special giveaway and event you won’t want to miss! (July 23 & 24) This week!!!

So, what are you reading this week? Have any suggestions I should add to my reading pile?

Purchasing products by clicking through the links in this post will provide us a modest commission through our affiliate relationship with IndieBound.

©2010 There's A Book. All Rights Reserved.

We all leave our “footprint” on the world, in one way or another. We each, individually, do something or are someone that makes the world a little better just by being here. I created this weekly meme to get to know the blogging community I love just a bit better. To know what makes them tick, outside of books, that is. Each week I will post a question to be answered in the following week’s “A Bit of Me(Me)”. Check back each Saturday to get the info for next week’s post and link up with your current post right here.

I know, some of you are skeptical about putting yourself out there on the internet and I completely respect that. That’s the entire reason I have no desire to ever reveal the “real” names of The Turkeybird and Littlebug. In time, once they’re old enough, if they chose to do that on their own I will respect their decision. So, if ever during the time I’m doing this meme do you feel the question is just too personal for your liking, feel free to post something else, I never want anyone to feel uncomfortable with what they share and I promise it will always be “kid-friendly”. I mean, this is a primarily children’s and young adult site, you know?

So, let’s get started!

This Weeks Question: What is your favorite smell and why? Does it bring back memories?

The Ocean

(Photo taken by my mom. You can find her Flickr Stream here and her site Earthbound Chronicles here.)

All growing up if my dad was ever to say, “let’s go for a drive!”, you could almost always count on a drive to the beach. Not every time did we bring all of our “gear” and head out to sea, but we always rolled the windows down just to take a deep breathe of the wonderful ocean air.

As an adult, who now lives within minutes of the beach, I still remember these “drives”. Often it included a stop at a 7-Eleven for a treat and it always included a little bit of mood music in the form of Van Halen, Winger, The Beatles or any number of rock bands my dad was in love with at the time.

Even now, I often hear of my parents jumping in the car to take a “drive-by” to the beach and stop in at their favorite local eatery (currently Con Pane, but often El Indio both in San Diego).

It’s definitely one of my favorite memories from my childhood and one I hope I will be able to pass on to my own children.

Now, your turn! Link up below and tell everyone “A Bit of You!”

Next Week’s Question: Tell everyone a bit about your very best quality or talent!
Have a question to add? I’d love some suggestions! Just leave them in the comments and I’ll see about adding them in as we go!

Also, feel free to grab either of the buttons for your own “A Bit of Me(Me)” post (or create your own), but make sure to link back to There’s A Book. (You can also resize these down to a smaller size if you’d like.)

©2010 There's A Book. All Rights Reserved.

This fabulous weekly recap is hosted by Shelia of One Persons Journey Through a World of Books. Each week we recap what we’ve read and look at what’s coming up this week. If you’re interested head over to Shelia’s site and get involved! It’s a blast and I may even stop by to see what you’re up to!

Here’s what we’ve been up to this week:

It wouldn’t be a typical week around There’s A Book without some excitement and craziness. We’ve been reading non-stop, all of us. The Turkeybird and Littlebug are hooked on a few of the same books and I can’t get them to read anything else. It’s really fun! Well, maybe up until about the 30th time each day, but I’m still just happy they love to read so much.

As for me, luckily, I have a fabulous hubby who took the kiddos so I could get somethings done this weekend! I was able to schedule and clean off my desk that was overflowing. It’s great and now I feel like I can conquer just about anything that comes my way. How about you? Anything fabulous happen this week?

Read/Reviewed (Just click on the title to see the Review!):
Tell Me A Secret by Holly Cupala
Free to a Good Home by Eve Marie Mont (Review for Chick Lit Reviews)
Hodge Podge: Restful Sundays with Busy Bodies and Books
Nice and Mean by Jessica Leader (Review coming soon!)
Bogus by Karla Oceanak and Illustrated by Kendra Spanjer (Review coming soon!)

Interviewed:
Amanda Howells author of The Summer of Skinny Dipping (For Chick Lit Reviews) – Don’t miss this interview!!!
When I Was Young – The Lost Entwife

Events/Features:
A Bit of Me(Me) – One Thing You’re No Good At
Special Feature: Ten Thousand {{Hugs}} to You Tuesday
Once Upon A Week.. (Coming Soon!)
Coming Very Soon: Got Books? (Have you signed up yet?)

Giveaways:
“Despicable Me” Book Review & Giveaway (Ends 7/30)
Simple Steps Activity Book by Molly Smith and Illustrated by Tad Carpenter & Giveaway (Ends 7/16)

What’s up for the week to come:

Reviewing/Reading:
Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella (For Chick Lit Reviews – Still reading)
Good-Bye to All That by Margo Candela (Still reading)
Seven Year Switch by Claire Cook (For Chick Lit Reviews)
Bubba Goes National by Jennifer Walker

The Turkeybird and Littlebug are Reading: (Yes, many are the same as last week, but as you know with kiddos, it’s all about repetition.)
Toy Boat by Randall DeSeve and Illustrated by Loren Long (Reviewing this week!)
Time to Sleep, Sheep the Sheep by Mo Willems
Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach by Melanie Watt
Dr. Seuss’s ABC: An Amazing Alphabet Book! by Dr. Seuss

Giveaways Coming Up:
Got Books? Event…a very special giveaway and event you won’t want to miss! (July 23 & 24)

So, what are you reading this week? Have any suggestions I should add to my reading pile?

Purchasing products by clicking through the links in this post will provide us a modest commission through our affiliate relationship with IndieBound.

©2010 There's A Book. All Rights Reserved.