Twelve Word Tuesday :)

There are worse crimes than burning books. One...is not reading them.
— Joseph Brodsky 

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Twelve Word Tuesday :)

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https://shortemohaircuts2011.blogspot.com/2011/05/twelve-word-tuesday.html

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Start at the End

There is a scene in the movie "You've Got Mail" where Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks are looking at books at the market. Meg picks up a book and flips to the end and Tom asks her what she's doing. She replies that she likes reading the end first - if she likes the end, she knows she'll like getting there.

This is soooo something I do. Well, I'm not quite as bad. I don't read the ending first. I usually get about 50 - 100 pages into the book before I sneak a peak at the end. Usually right about the time the first major twist happens...and I just can't wait and have to flip to the end to see how things go.

This drives some people I know crazy. They think I should wait and be surprised. But hey, I am still surprised and I still enjoy getting to the ending...in fact, I might even enjoy it more because I can see how the author weaves all the twists and turns into the story since I know how it's going to end. :D

So I'm curious...how many of you are end-first readers? Do you wait to reach the end or do you flip ahead a bit?

P.s. My book and a swag pack is up for auction over at Write-Hope until Friday at 2 pm. Click HERE if you are interested in bidding on it. There are tons of other awesome items up for bid, so if you are looking for some signed books, fun swag, critiques, etc, or just want to help out (proceeds go to Save the Children to help those in need in Japan) swing on by!

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Start at the End

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https://shortemohaircuts2011.blogspot.com/2011/03/start-at-end.html

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52 Books in 52 Weeks Challenge

(Essay Horror Stories contest runs through 11:59 pm tonight! See yesterday's post to enter! Prizes include a signed copy of my book and fun swag including bookmarks, calender magnets, mouse pads, and more!)

Okay, so I toyed with the idea of joining the 100 book challenge for this year. But, I barely made the 52 book challenge last year and only did that because I counted a crit partner's novel (hey...it's not published but is under contract and it WAS a whole book....and a very good one too!)

So, this year I'm going with the 52 books in 52 weeks challenge again. Which I always find more difficult than I expect, because I know I read more than 52 books a year. But, I can't count rereads....I can only count books I've never read before.

I'm off to a great start! It's only Jan 3rd and I already have 1 and a half books read :D

Wanna join the challenge!?

I'll keep a running list of my books on my side bar like I did last year. I hope you join in!

Have you read any good books yet this year? I know we are only 3 days in but, come on.....I know some of you have!! :D

Winner of the Essay Horror Story contest will be posted tomorrow! And as entries are sparce (apparently the people I hang out with over here are a little strange like myself and enjoyed writing essays....though I forgot a few due dates and had a couple horror stories along the way) :D I'll probably just pull a winner from the comments left on that post (scroll down to Saturday's post for deets!) Details on our next game will go up Wednesday!

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52 Books in 52 Weeks Challenge

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https://shortemohaircuts2011.blogspot.com/2011/01/52-books-in-52-weeks-challenge.html

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52 Books in 52 Weeks Challenge

Well, the year is drawing to a close and I'm very happy to say that I've just about reached my 52 books in 52 weeks goal. I never think it'll be a problem to read 52 books in a year....that's only one a week. Yet somehow, it always becomes a challenge. Of course, part of the reason is because I'm only counting new books, not the many well beloved books I reread through out the year.

I've noticed that I tend to go in spurts. I'll have several weeks, even months, where I won't read a new book, or even an old one, at all. Life gets in the way, a wonderful burst of writing productivity hits (I rarely read when really immersed in a WIP), deadlines hang over my head, children need attention, and that darn laundry ALWAYS needs folding. But then, I'll have a week or so where I read book after book after book, devouring them with every waking moment.

As long as I get them in, I'm happy. I've reached 50. I need just two more books....and I have about three more weeks in which to get them read. I know I'll be getting a bunch of new books for Christmas...but that won't give me much time to read by the end of the year. So, I think I'll have to browse a bookshelf or two and get in my quota for the year :) (Check out my list on my sidebar if you want to see the new books I've read this year. I loved them all!!)

Did any of you participate in this challenge (or one like it) this year? Did you meet your goal? What's the best book you've read this year?

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52 Books in 52 Weeks Challenge

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https://shortemohaircuts2011.blogspot.com/2010/12/52-books-in-52-weeks-challenge.html

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Ten Word Tuesday

"Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing."


~ Ben Franklin

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Ten Word Tuesday

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https://shortemohaircuts2011.blogspot.com/2010/06/ten-word-tuesday_01.html

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The WOOHOO I'm Finished Grand Giveaway!!!

First of all, HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY! I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday

And second of all - I FINISHED THE BOOK!!!!!





Well, mostly LOL I did finish all the chapters and major rewrites. I do still have a medium-sized tweak for chapter 5 to do and a few minor tweaks throughout the book. BUT, all chapters, 1-17, the introduction, and the about the author section have been completed and the little stuff left will be done in a couple days.

So.....I'm feeling the need to celebrate :D

This one will be easy - just make sure you are a follower and leave a comment ON THIS POST. And that's it! You are entered! I will take entries until Saturday night at 11:59 pm.

Now for the prizes!!!

When I finish a project, I generally celebrate by diving into a good book, eating some good chocolate, and buying some gorgeous jewelry from my amazingly talented friend Bonny (who is also doing a giveaway on her blog, so click on her name and go check it out!).

So, I thought I'd share my celebration with you :) The glorious grand prize will include:


A beautiful bracelet from Bonny Lass Jewelry:





Yummy mouth-watering gourmet apples from Mrs. Prindables:







And a $10 gift card to the online book dealer of your choice  :)









Extra Entry Opps:


- Be or become a Follower of my other blog (which I promise I'll start posting more on!) Papers, Prose, and Poetry = +1


and
- Tweet, blog, Facebook, or otherwise share the joy = +1 for each (for a total of 4 extra entries)


So everyone has the opportunity for 6 entries - but you MUST leave a comment on this post to enter, so don't forget! Let me know how many points you have in your comment and I will announce the winner next Monday. 


Good luck and thanks for celebrating with me!!!

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The WOOHOO I'm Finished Grand Giveaway!!!

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https://shortemohaircuts2011.blogspot.com/2010/05/woohoo-i-finished-grand-giveaway.html

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Obsession Confession....

I am addicted to books - as in SERIOUSLY addicted. Obsessed. When I'm in the middle of a good book, nothing else gets done. No housework, no writing, no sleeping...it really borders on the ridiculous, but I just can't help it.

I just sent my kindergartener to school with a $20 bill...I'm terrified it won't make it there, but this week is his school Book Fair and I want him to be able to buy anything his little heart desires (though, looking over the prices, it may not be much, even with $20).

Oh my - nostalgic visions of my own school book fairs dancing in my head.... *happy sigh*

I had to refrain from sending the whole $60 I had in my wallet. He gets to go buy BOOKS. I'm all giddy just thinking about it. I could really blow entire paychecks on books. Sure, I'd feel guilty afterward, but the feeling would be muted by the absolute euphoria I experience when I'm eyeball-deep in an awesome story.

In fact, I'm in the middle of reading a book now...which is why this post is later than usual and wasn't set up ahead of time as is normally the case - I was reading all weekend :D

So, how about you? Are there any other crazy, book junkies out there? Can you get sucked into a good book and still function, or does the world shut down as you devour your latest treat?

Please tell me I'm not alone.... :D

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Obsession Confession....

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https://shortemohaircuts2011.blogspot.com/2010/04/obsession-confession.html

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