Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Goals/Resolutions For 2014

Hello readers!

It’s been a super busy year and it’s only the first full week! (and a Tuesday at that).

Have a look around, I’ve made some design changes, which I hope you find to your liking.

I want to take part in The Broke and Bookish’s Top Ten Tuesday. Here are ten goals I want for my reading and blogging year:

1. Buy at least one book from an independent bookstore each month

I did this last year and it really helped me discover new bookstores. It made buying books a bit more challenging, which I didn’t expect but I strongly want to help independent bookstores anyway I can.

2. Visit a new independent bookstore each month

There are so many booksellers in Washington! I’ve loved doing my Washington State Bookstore tours and will keep it up for this year! (hopefully it will be more regular).

3. Try not to overblog

I think my blogging schedule from last year got to be too much. I want to make sure interesting and fresh content is available for you my dear readers and followers, so I will be taking a step back and making sure it’s more quality and not quantity.

4. Take joy in rereading books

I was too focused on fulfilling my reading challenges last year (Goodread challenge – completed, Authors A-Z – completed, titles A-Z – not completed), that I couldn’t take the time and get lost in a favorite book that I’ve already read. You discover new things when rediscovering a book and I want to allow that this year.

5. Read every single book bought that has not been read yet

This is like 10 books. (remember, I’ve had to made a trans-atlantic move last year). Should be easier to spread it out through the year. I’ll post a list in my challenges section later this month of the titles I need to read.

6. Read The Kite Runner

Because I was supposed to read it last year but didn’t. Maybe this year will be the year.

7. Go to more author book signings!

They are so fun and there are amazing writers in Washington! I can’t wait to share with you more author signing adventures!

8. Start the outline for my own book

Gasp! Yes, I am one of those people that wants to write a book. There has been something that’s brewing. It has for awhile. If anything, it could just be an outline for this year’s NaNoWriMo.

9. Try not to overload my reading by getting 20 books from the library at one time

I haven’t had the best self control since I’ve moved home. It’s just so easy to get whatever you want!

10. Reach 100 followers!

I’m pretty close – and with the big 100 I might do a giveaway of one of the signed books I’ve gotten!

That’s it for now! Happy New Year everyone!

Top Ten Tuesday: New-To-Me Authors I Read In 2013

Dec17

Hi everyone! Another super quick post about some of the YA authors (a literary one slipped in too!) that were brand new to me this year courtesy of the fantastic lists by The Broke and the Bookish:

1. Kasie West – Pivot Point

2. Marissa Burt – Storybound and Story’s End

3. Gina Damico – Croak, Scorch and Rogue

4. Kiera Cass – The Selection, The Elite and The One

5. Randsom Riggs – Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children

6. Rainbow Rowell – Fangirl

7. Lynn Cullen – Mrs. Poe

8. Elizabeth George – The Edge of Nowhere

9. A. G. Howard – Splintered

10. Amanda Sun – Ink

The week’s been pretty busy with my job, internship and making sure all gifts are ready to go for friends and family. I’m hoping to get to some more diverse content in the new year, but for now, the authors above have given me such reading pleasure through this tortuous year!

December Reads 2013

Dec14

With my challenges deadline looming, it’s time to hit the books! Here’s what I’m trying to get through this month!

Happy reading everyone!

Top Ten Tuesday: Winter TBR List

Dec11

Hi everyone! I hope you’re all keeping warm this far into December!

I know I was supposed to do this week’s Top Ten Tuesday from The Broke and the Bookish, but work got super busy yesterday! Anyways, I TBR means ‘To Be Read’, and this winter I made choices on books I wish I had my hands on, books that I do have my hands on and even ones I have already had my hands on, but I want to read them again! It all counts doesn’t it?

What’s on your TBR list?

1. Ruby by V.C. Andrews

Because I love this series, not as much as the first two that have come before it, but there’s something about this particular series that is calling my name this winter. I’ve lost count how many times I’ve already read this book.

2. Christmas in Seattle by Debbie Macomber

I’ve already read this collection as well, during my internship at Harlequin Mills & Boon, and although I don’t particular like Macomber’s writing style, there’s something special about reading a couple of stories about Christmas that are set in your hometown. It’s impossible not to feel that magic.

3. Necessary Lies by Diane Chamberlain

I adore all of Chamberlain’s work. Her stories are full of heart, emotion and just enough drama to give my brain a holiday from life. I devour her books and I’m so excited to start this latest book from her!

4. Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness

I have just finished the first book in this series and can’t wait to read this sequel in the new year! (Currently my reading challenges are in the way of attacking this book at the moment.)

5. Hunger by Jackie Morse Kessler

I’ve been wanting to read this series for a while, but I could only get it by ebook in the UK. I didn’t start it as soon as I returned because not all the books had been published yet. I think I’m waiting to dive in all at once which will be perfect this winter!

5. Hollow City by Ransom Riggs

I adored the first book in this series, Miss Peregrin’s School for Unusual Children, and I seriously can’t wait for this book to be published! The medium use of words with chilling photography kept me engaged and reading throughout the night!

6. The One by Kiera Cass

Like Hollow City, The One is another much anticipated book in 2014 that I simply cannot wait to get my hands on and I wish I had it now!

7. Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor

This book is like The One, they’re both the finale’s in the three book series and I’m looking forward to the publishing date.

9. Mermaids by Patty Dann

I saw the movie adaption two summers ago and fell in love with the story. It’s so family oriented that I feel it would be perfect for winter, but I am disappointed none of my libraries offer this book.

10. Snakeskin Boots by Xara X. Xanakas

I wanted to round off my Winter TBR list with this little gem I came across when searching for a book to finish one of my challenges. Here’s the summary. I believe it explains everything:

“Jeff Cordata has always known wolves can be dangerous. Not that his luck with snakes has been any better. It’s not easy being a wereboa constrictor in a world that worships werewolves.

When the customer he’s been watching for months turns out to be an interested wolf, his first instinct is to flee, but his attraction to Brad Cannidy is undeniable despite the strained relations between their families. Then Jeff’s anaconda ex-boyfriend re-enters his life as a pair of snakeskin boots, the hunt begins for the murderer who is turning weres into accessories, and Jeff will have to decide if a boa and a wolf can really mate for life.”

Are any of these on your TBR list??

Happy Thanksgiving from Ashleyisee!

Nov28

It’s Turkey Day in the USA! It’s been four years since I’ve been home for Thanksgiving, so you know what that means – SHOPPING!

Anyways, no review today – just happy rest of the week for everyone and I’ll return on Saturday.

And a book turkey courtesy of Tumblr: chpinterns

Gobble! Gobble! Gobble!

Book Signing Adventures: Peter S. Beagle and The Last Unicorn Tour

Nov26

This year has been one, tough, year. There have been multiple life changing events that I have been made to shoulder and carry on with.

However, none of that was thought about last Monday. Last Monday I met my hero, Peter S. Beagle, author most known for The Last Unicorn, a book that was turned into a movie in the 1980’s that has basically shaped my life.

Mr. Beagle is currently on a two year long book signing, Q & A and viewing of a digitally remastered The Last Unicorn! Find all the info here – yes he’s coming to the UK!

I don’t want to bore you with all the silly stories about how this movie and book shaped my life. The brief of it is that I have been watching it since I was three, and it’s all I would ever watch so we were never allowed to own it on VHS. But man, those times when I could trick a family member to renting were the best weeks ever!

This signing was absolutely spectacular. There were remastered prints to buy, different editions of the book to purchase as well as the freshly published graphic novel released this year. There was also magic handmade unicorns that I played with my friend P that attended with me.

There was also a speciality designed jewellery range that I am considering purchasing, the designs are simply spot on!

I was really, really, really excited to be there.

Especially because me, S and P got there super early and were eighth in the queue! Peter signed for an hour beforehand and I wanted to be apart of the first part of the group, I had been looking forward to this night all year and then some.

He was so gracious and kind. He chatted with S and P and when it was my turn, I asked for a hug (I cried a little) and he smiled and said my hair smelled nice!

Meeting Peter was everything I had hoped it would be and more. He signed my 1st edition of The Last Unicorn and Litograph poster. I thanked him for his time and then we took more pictures of the posters and promotional things around the hosting event – Seattle Cinerama.

After that came hunting for a spot for the movie. There was a raffle (we didn’t win anything – boo) and then a lovely Q & A with Peter.

Things that happened during the Q & A:

A couple got engaged

Peter signed a baby

A little girl’s question was, “Did you write The Last Unicorn because you believed in unicorns?”

There wasn’t a dry eye in the theatre – and it had nearly been filled to capacity!

Then it was time for the movie, and it was stunning to see it on the big screen for the first time.

Overall it had been one of the most perfect nights. I can’t believe how lucky I was to be there and to have the chance to finally meet my literary hero. His words have taught me so many things and his movie has given me all the strength to keep believing in hope, love and magic.

I’m so grateful the lawsuit has been finally sorted with the film and Peter’s royalties. He deserves every penny made from the film and because of the lawsuit being resolved, it’s the reason Peter has been able to promote the movie along with his book for this tour.

Thank you so much to Peter S. Beagle, he is amazing! Many thanks to his publishing partner Connor for heading the tour and many thanks to my friends S and P for joining me on one of the best days of my life. I was very emotional and all over the place with excitement and they stood by me the entire time. I appreciate it so much!