Queen of Babble by Meg Cabot

Queen of Babble
Meg Cabot

Overview
Queen of Babble is a classic damsel in distress story. The only difference is that damsel, Lizzie Nichols had to travel have way around the world to a different country before she even realizes that she needs a prince to save her. Spending her summer in England with boyfriend of three months, Andrew, has been Lizzie's plan all along. Problem is, she doesn't know that her boyfriend is a lying, low-life, welfare cheat! Now, Lizzie is alone in a foreign county with no place to go, except France, more specifically, Chateau Mirac. Having been invited by friend Shari who is cateering there, with not much of a plan, Lizzie puts on her "brave face" and hops on the train. France, here she comes!

Review
I have to admit that Queen of Babble was a slow start for me. The first couple of chapters I wasn't much into it but once she got in that car and Andrew starting complaining about having to sit in the back seat, I knew that not only Lizzie, but also I was in for a ride.
Meg does a great job with developing each character. I really felt as though you personally know them. I mean I wasn't suprised when Dominque ran away with Blaine. It was clear that she was selfish from the start. Also, you knew that Agnes had something up her sleeve, the way she pretended not to know how to speak english. And of course, you also knew that Luke was Lizzie's prince. I mean he was such a lovely stranger on the train to Lizzie, it was no coincidence that she was at the right place at the right time.
I really enjoyed the quotes at the beginning of each chapter and the little clippits of Lizzie's thesis. They were pretty interesting to read.
I really liked the plot/story line. It was very rich and substaincial. Although I will say that I think some parts were rushed while other were overplayed and easily predictable. Also I didn't see the importance of Lizzie having not graduated. I think it was blown up more than it should have been. Other than that though, I had lots of fun with Lizzie Nichols. She was a great character to travel with, so great, that I'll be sure to travel with her to NYC in, Queen of Babble in the Big City!

The World According To Dad by C.M. Mantis

The World According To Dad
C.M. Mantis

OVERVIEW
"A Manual For The Good Life. A book of ethics?" [front cover] "A collection of life stories and lessons learned? A handbook for well-being and good living? A book of wisdom for the ages? Yes, yes, yes - and yes. Funneled though the heart of one father and gifted to his daughter and son-in-law on their wedding day, The World According to Dad is now a ray of light and hope for all." [back cover]

REVIEW

I totally HEART this book. I actually picked it up in my dad's car randomly on my way to school. I started reading it and could not put it down, it was soo good. The World According to Dad is filled with advice and inspiration from cover to cover. During each chapter, Love, Faith & Belief, Family & Friends, Money, just to name a few, C.M. is advisable on topics and affect our everyday life. And he gives some good adive. Somehting along the lines of "don't pray for sunshine, if you don't pray for rain," is one of my favorites. C.M. really opens up your eyes to the world. His words are soo real.

The World According To Dad is a books of morals, insight, inspiration, and advice, and you can sneak in a smile here and there. I would recommend it to ALL!

On My Door Step XV

I totally "borrowed" this from The Story Siren. On My Door Step is just another name for In my mailbox, a topic where you share with everyone, on Sunday, what books you got during the week. It can be a book you borrowed, bought, or one you found on your door step. I thought I'd join in on the fun,when I can.

***Hate List and Geektastic were courtesy of Alice Morely from Little Brown Books

Introducing.... YOU

Just a reminder. Introducing... YOU is a new feature on my blog where, well the title tells it all, I introduce YOU to all my readers and the rest of the internet world. I wanted to let everyone know that they are eligible for participation on Introducing... YOU, whether a newer, older, or returning blogger! You are all welcomed! Just send me a email or leave a comment letting me know that your interested! and also, don't forget to read about the other bloggers who have already been a part of Introducing... YOU!

Reggie from The Undercover Book Lover (Not Really)
Sophie from Mrs. Magoo Reads
Ellie from 52Books and 52 Weeks

AND PLEASE, A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR ALL WHO WERE LOST, AND ALL WHO LOST A LOVED ONE DUE TO THE ATTACKS OF 9/11. MAY THEIR SOULS REST IN PEACE.

The Vampire Diaries

Has anyone read that series? How about did anyone watch it tonight on the CW? I was planning on watching it but didn't get a chance. If anyone has read the series can you please give me the play by play so I'll have some background information before getting into the show? thank you.

Book Recomendations Anyone?

I've been trying to get back into book reviewing but it's soo difficult when I can't find any books that really interest me anymore. So this is definitely an SOS! If you could please, I'd love for you to tell me about some books that you think I might be interested in.

Here are my preferences, to make it easier on you.
-I'm a huge fan of Sarah Dessen. I Love her works and similar
-I like realistic fiction. I'm not much into paranormal and fantasy, although I have read and did like twilight, harry potter, half magic =) a wrinkle in time...
-I read mainly YA fiction, something I can relate to
-I like historical fiction. I'm really loving the luxe and the season and such.
-I like the RoComs. they are so much fun to read
-I like short chapters better than long but i won't discriminate against long chapters. =)
-I like Meg Cabot and Sharon Creech also.. anything similar too
-I like diary style books too..
-I don't know.. hope i'm not too picky. But i really just like the teenage love relationship problem issues type books.
-I also liked Go Ask Alice even though it was soo raw and scary.

But yea, I guess that's pretty much it. hope you guys can help me and I wasn't soo picky and such. Thank YOU Guys!!

Geektastic Winner

For those of you who don't know the drill, I'll do a quick run through as to how the winner was chosen. What I do is I write down all the names of the entrants, including extra entries. Then I go to Random.Org and get a randomized list. Afterward, I put in the number of entries and have Random.Org pick a number.

The Winning Numbers ARE:



FOURTEEN
FIFTEEN
SIXTEEN

How Random?

Congratulations to the winners and thank you to everyone who entered this giveaway. You guys are great. As for the winners, you have till next Sunday to get your mailing address in to me at stellargurl93[at]aim[dot]com, or a new winner will be chosen.

Introducing.... 52 Books and 52 Weeks

Guess what? Ellie from 52 Books and 52 Weeks in back to blogging and she's better than ever. Today she's featured here to let everyone know not to worry anymore, because she's back in business. Here she is with a little blurb and Q-and-A about her and her blog.

52 Books and 52 Weeks

52 Books and 52 Weeks started as a blog to record my efforts of the challenge by the same name, which is exactly what it sounds like: to read 52 books in 52 weeks, and thus in a year. After I'd read a few books, I realized that there were other blogs out there devoted to books too, and so I decided to blog about more than just 52 in 52. I started to do things such as Waiting on Wednesday, and In My Mailbox. I loved it, and thus my blog became what it is today.

What drew you into the book blogging world?
It was Thanksgiving weekend of 2008. I'd already been reading lots of blogs prior to that weekend. Only one or two of them were about books; the others were on different topics. I went shopping with my mom, and we went into Borders. I had been off reading for a while, since I just hadn't had time for it. I picked up a few books, went home and finished them in a flash. That was when I got the idea that I would blog about my books. I had originally intended to read 52 books in 52 weeks, and blog about those books, but then the idea escalated and I took it one step farther: I started doing things such as "In My Mailbox" and "Waiting on Wednesday". And after that, I made time for reading.

What's your favorite part about book blogging?
My favorite part is getting to connect with other book bloggers. I love getting to find out about awesome books before they come out, and going into a store and seeing those books that I've already heard so much about. I have read so many books that I wouldn't have read without book blogging.

Who's your favorite author?
Ooh, this is a tough one. Recently I've been reading a lot of Sarah Dessen, and I LOVE her. I also really love Jodi Picoult, though she doesn't
write YA.

What kind of fiction are you into? or are you a nonfiction reader?
I'm definitely into fiction more than nonfiction. I love realistic fiction.

If you could change your name what would you go by?
I have never been asked this question before. :) I'm 99 percent sure I would pick Caroline. I LOVE the name Caroline. My first daughter (waaaay in the future) is going to be named Caroline.

IF you could have an AWESOME super power what would it be?
Being able to fly would be pretty awesome.

What is your guilty pleasure?
Watching Gossip Girl :)

why should I visit your blog?
You should visit my blog because....it's awesome. :) I just started The September Comment Challenge, which asks you to comment on five different blogs each day during the month of September, in an effort to let our favorite bloggers know we're reading and loving what they write. It's not too late to join!

And.. anything else you'd like to add?
I'd just like to say thanks for giving me the opportunity to speak my mind!

bonus question--this is totally optional:
since you've been gone from blogging for so long, do you feel like you have to come back with a big BANG for people to notice you again or do you think you'll do just fine sneaking your way back in? i usually just sneak my way in, seeing as i'm on and off so often.
My plan right now is just to sneak in, and slowly prove to people that I am back to blogging. I feel that this will be more effective than saying I'M BACK and then doing nothing to prove it. Actions speak louder than words. I understand that I'll have to build myself back up to where I was before I took the break, but that's okay. I understand, but I don't think I need to provide excuses for my absence. Life happens :)

Thanks SO much Nadine-Stella!

Thanks Ellie. Be sure to visit her at her blog, 52 Books and 52 Weeks and let her know how glad you are that she's back!

If you'd like like to be featured on Introducing..... YOU then leave me a comment or email me at stellargurl93[at]aim[dot]com.