HBRC Day 8-Hit and Miss

Today share a book that knocked you off of your feet and a book that disappointed you.

Julie's books:

Hit:

I chose this book because I think it is the one that surprised me the most. I wasn't expecting to like it and it turned out just the opposite of my expectations! Love it when that happens!

Miss:

I was actually disappointed in the last two books of this series. Neither of them could compare with the rest of the series, the writing and editing were inexcusable and I'm sorry that I wasted my money on them.

 
If you would like to do this on your blog go ahead and comment and leave your blog address and then we can go check it out.

HBRC Day 7-Authors you follow on Twitter or Facebook

Today for the HBRC we are asking you to make a list of authors that you follow on Twitter or Facebook. You can link to those author pages if you would like.

Julie's list:

Julie Lessman

Camy Tang

Annette Laing

The Pioneer Woman

Lisa T. Bergren

Irene Hannon

Ronie Kendig

Ooops, we are still working on this one! We will post a linky thing(that's Julie-speak) later on. Sorry for the delay.

HBRC Day 6 - Book Riddles

Don't judge my level of creativity when it comes to these "riddles."

What you have to do is this - figure out the title of the book by the synonyms I used for them. Fill out the Google form in order to be eligible for the prize.

Good Luck! If you need help, following the hint listed at the top of the Google Form.

 

HBRC Day 5 - Create-a-Cover

This is one of my favorites, folks.  Get ready to get those creative juices flowing.

1 – Go to “Fake Name Generator” or click http://www.fakenamegenerator.com/

The name that appears is your author name.

2 – Go to “Random Word Generator” or click http://www.websitestyle.com/parser/randomword.shtml

The word listed under “Random Verb” is your title.

3 – Go to “FlickrCC” or click http://flickrcc.bluemountains.net/index.php

Type your title into the search box. The first photo that contains a person is your cover.

4 – Use Picnik, or something similar to put it all together. Be sure to crop and/or zoom in.

5 - Link your Book Cover post using Simply Linked.

In terms of the activity for the HBRC, we're asking the participants to create the cover and write a short synopsis to go along with it. What is your book about?  We can't wait to read your ideas. 

Here's Karin's example:

SWING by Evie Harmer

Mary is wracked by guilt. 

Sarah and Mary were supposed to meet a couple of guys at the park last night, but Mary chickened out at the last minute. They didn't know anything about these guys except what was on their Facebook pages. Feeling like a loser, she confessed to Sarah that she was scared. Luckily, Sarah agreed they shouldn't go - at least that is what Mary thought when she hung up the phone last night.

If she would have gone to the park with Sarah like she said she would Sarah wouldn't be missing right now. 

It doesn't take long for Sarah's body to turn up and everyone looks to Mary for answers about what Sarah was doing out alone at night.  Will she have the strength to tell the truth and help lead the authorities to Sarah's killer? Will Mary ever be able to ease her guilt? Will she ever be able to swing again?

Here's Julie's Example:

FREE by Robin D. Turner

Sally has a secret that she can't even tell her best friend Avery. Sally is afraid that if she tells Avery her secret they could not be friends anymore. Sally's secret is eating her up inside and ruining her friendship with Avery anyway. Does Sally risk the best thing that has ever happened to her in order to be Free? 

I wasn't feeling to inspired when I wrote this :)  

HBRC Day 4 - Find a New Blog

There are so many book blogs on the Internet that it is impossible to see every one of them.  Take some time today to explore the blogs that highlight books in your preferred genre.  Create a post with a picture of the blog through a screen shot and the web link.  Then, come back and link to your post using Linkz.

Karin's Discovery:

I came across thlibrarianreads.com when I was searching for blogs.  What attracted me at first was the giveaway for THE FARM. I really want to read the book so I entered right away.  Then, I started looking around and realized that I really liked her style.  I'm looking forward to following her blog.

                                                    
                                                    
Julie's Discovery:

deCompose is a blog by author Mike Duran. The reason I chose his blog was because he is one of those people that can irritate the fire out of me, but then I also find myself agreeing with him(sometimes). He not only reviews books, but he also posts thought-provoking topics that sometimes have me scratching my head saying "huh?" or shaking my head saying "you're off your rocker dude". I have yet to read one of his books because they are "Speculative Christian" which to me translates into the weird zone but evidently there is a market for. If you like intellectual discussions or theological debates then this is the blog for you. FYI, Mike is always a gracious host and as far as I have seen never lashes out at the people that get overzealous in their comments(as people tend to do...geesh!). 

 

HBRC Day 3 - Book Spine Sentence/Poem

It's time for some creativity!  Look at the books you have around the house and try to compose a poem or a sentence. The main words MUST come from the book titles.  You can add some minor words, but be sure to indicate the added words with brackets or parenthesis.


Here is my attempt:

The night she disappeared the summer prince reached through the ever night [and said], "Mila 2.0, try not to breathe [in] the drowned cities because it is my blood [that will] never let you go."

In order to be eligible to win this activity, please take a picture of your books, post it on your blog/facebook/twitter along with your typed sentence, and come back here to link it using the Linkz.  I can't wait to see what you guys come up with.

Julie's attempt:

Ruby Redfort look into my eyes, hand me down the terrible secrets of the Tell-All Club.

HBRC Day 2 - Word Clouds

During the Holiday Break Reading Challenge you will see many activities that involve technology in some way.  You'll be creating collages, book trailers, covers, etc.  We are going to start you out easy though.  For today's activity, Julie and I want you to create a Word Cloud. There are two websites to help you accomplish this task.

Wordle.net is the first one I'll show you.  Wordle allows you to copy and paste text.  So, if you've written a review of a book you can just copy it in the box and the Wordle will use those words to create the cloud.  If you don't have a review you can simply type in a list of words that apply.  Remember, both of these websites take into account the number of times a word is listed.  The more the word appears, the larger it appears in the cloud.

Tagxedo.com is the second website I'll show you.  It is different in the way you provide the words for the cloud. Tagxedo asks you to provide a website URL, Twitter profile, search term, news item, or RSS feed. The website will go out and pull the words associated with the information. Another difference with Tagxedo is that it allows you to add your own shape by uploading a photo.  I hope you can tell that I uploaded a picture of a school bus for my word cloud.

I used MONUMENT 14 by Emmy Laybourne for my word clouds. 

Julie's Wordle:

Now it is your turn. 

1. Pick a book you read this year.

2. Choose a website to help you create a word cloud.

3. Post your word cloud on your blog, Facebook, or Twitter.

4. Use the Linkz below to link DIRECTLY to your post.

Holiday Break Reading Challenge Day 1

Welcome to Day 1

Today is going to be easy! 

In the comment section below, INTRODUCE yourself and tell us your GOALS for the Holiday Break Reading Challenge.  Make sure you give us your EMAIL in the comment so we can contact you if you win. 

These goals can be anything related to reading, books, writing reviews, or blogging.  Let's keep those "not eat myself into a coma on Christmas Day" goals to ourselves. :)

Julie and I will be choosing a random winner from the comments.

We will post our comments too, but don't worry!  We can't win the prizes. 

Holiday Break Reading Challenge 2012

It's that time of year! Time for the Holiday Break Reading Challenge. 

For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, here is an explanation.  For 17 days (usually during the Christmas break for most schools) Julie and I will be posting a book related activity every day. You can choose to participate everyday or once or twice during the entire challenge.  It is totally up to you. The Holiday Break Reading Challenge is meant to be fun and low pressure.

There are prizes every day. There will be a Linkz at the bottom of every post so you can share your activity entry. We will use Random.org to choose a winner each day.

Some of the activities take longer than others.  Some of the activities require you to be more creative than others.  But, remember, you don't have to participate in all of them.  Just pick and choose.

This year the Holiday Break Reading Challenge will begin on December 16th, 2012 and end on January 4th, 2013.

In order to get an idea of the kind of activities we'll ask you to do, search this website using the tag HBRC and browse the results. 

Take a minute to sign up.  Let us know you are going to participate in some way. Leave your name and blog address in the Linkz below. If you don't have a blog you can leave your facebook profile URL or wherever else you are going to share your activities.

Prizes and winners will be listed on this website. 
https://sites.google.com/site/hbrcprizes/

We can't wait for the fun! We hope you join us.

HBRC Winner Day 17 - GRAND PRIZE

The winner of Holiday Break Reading Challenge GRAND PRIZE is:

Tracy H.

Check out her book trailer here.

Email us at edifyingandedgy@gmail.com with your mailing address so Julie can get your prize in the mail. You will receive a cuddly homemade crocheted Snuggie (made by Julie) 

and 4 books - THE ABUSED WEREWOLF RESCUE GROUP by Catherine Jinks, BITTER END by Jennifer Brown, MY LIFE UNDECIDED by Jessica Brody, and DEAD BEAUTIFUL by Yvonne Woon.

HBRC Day 17 - Book Trailer for #1 Book of 2011

Using any video editing program you want, create a book trailer using text and images for your #1 book of the year.  Be sure to include the title, author, and the cover of the book somewhere in your trailer.  Come back here and link your post using the Simply Linked at the bottom.


Karin's Book Trailer:



Julie's Book Trailer:

Since I have never vlogged(video blogging as I understand it) I went a totally different route than Karin did. I just did a quick video off of my camera of me telling what is my favorite book of the year. Very amateur, but there ya have it!

HBRC Day 16-WINNER

The winner of Holiday Break Reading Challenge Day 16 is:

                      DARCI

Pick your book off of the prize list and email us at edifyingandedgy@gmail.com to let us know which one you choose.

HBRC Day 16 -Top 11 of 2011

Today we would like you to think about all the books you've read during 2011 and come up with a list of your 11 favorites.  We want you to create a post titled "Top 11 of 2011" kind of like our examples down below. Be sure to include pictures of the covers. You can even give us a reason why you enjoyed your choices. BUT, we only want you to share 10.  Your #1 book will be used for tomorrow's challenge. If you don't know why, look back at the previous posts.  We gave you a heads up a couple of days ago. Be sure to link your post using the Simply Linked below.

Julie's Top 11:

11. Skeleton Creek: The Raven by Patrick Carman  

I've already said that I am a series fan. I love this series. You get to read the book and then go online and watch video's of the characters in the book as you go along. Very fun and interactive. 

10. After Ever After by Jordan Sonnenblick
I've come to the conclusion that anything Jordan Sonnenblick writes will be my favorite. He is so funny, yet deals with emotional situations with tender care. This book was no exception. Loved it!

9. Scorpia Rising by Anthony Horowitz
The final Alex Rider book in the series. And it was GREAT! Although it managed to tick me off with the ending!

8. Dancing on Glass by Pamela Ewen
This was one of those stories that stayed with me long after I finished it. 

7. There You'll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones

I love Jenny B. Jones' writing! She has a great sense on humor along with writing very deep, heart-felt novels. One of my favorite authors!

6. Pompeii: City on Fire by T.L. Higley
Along with a great storyline this book is filled with wonderful historical facts about Pompeii. T.L. Higley has a writing style that grabs you even when you don't think you will enjoy the particular genre she is writing. 

5. Rot & Ruin and Dust & Decay by Jonathan Maberry
Zombies! Enough said! Okay, I never thought I would be into a zombie series but yep, I'm a fan and anxiously awaiting the 3rd book in the series.

4. Forever by Maggie Steifvater
The finale of the Wolves of Mercy Falls series. So exciting! 

3. Home For The Holidays by Heather Vogel Frederick
I love love love this series! Yes, it is totally juvenile, and sweet with very little angst, but I totally love it! Every stinkin one of them!!

 2. The Guardian Duke by Jamie Carie
I loved the beginning of this series! This is my new favorite Jamie Carie book. The cliffhanger was amazing! And who can resist this cover? 

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What will it be? Come back tomorrow and see.











 



Karin's Top 11: 

First of all, I'd like to say that this was very hard this year.  My list is by no means organized by what I think is the best in literary quality.  I chose the order based on enjoyment alone.  All of these books received 5 Glasses on my blog and the Stay Awake Award.  I didn't want to put them down.

11. WONDERSTRUCK by Brian Selznick

This is a beautiful book.  Not only is it enjoyable to read, but it is wonderful to look at.  Another thing I like about this book is the fact that it includes a deaf character and incorporates sign language. (I was a sign language interpreter in the public schools before I became a teacher.)

10. A MONSTER CALLS by Patrick Ness

In terms of powerful books, this should be #1 and I really did enjoy it, but....I was a blubbering pile of goo when I finished. It is hard to even describe how heart-wrenching this book is. Like I said, this was so hard.  This book was in multiple spots while I was building the list. 







9. SKULDUGGERY PLEASANT by Derek Landy

So good!  This book has it all.  It is a great mystery, it has suspense and action, it has magic, and best of all, it has hysterical dialogue. I love Skulduggery's sense of humor and his side-kick, Stephanie, is just as witty. I listened to these on audio.  I highly recommend them.

8. BUMPED by Megan McCafferty 

This one is just out there.  I loved it.  The wordplay is great and the storyline is interesting (in a creepy way). If you like Dystopian books you ought to give this one a try.

7. DUST & DECAY by Jonathan Maberry 

I love zombies!! ROT & RUIN was great and this one (the sequel) is even better. I can't wait for #3, FLESH & BONE, which is coming out sometime in 2012.

6. DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth 

I read this one twice during the year.  I read it once, but the second time I listened to it on audio.  I liked it both times. It has action and adventure, family issues, and a budding love story. If you are a fan of HUNGER GAMES you'd be safe giving this a try.

5. ASHFALL by Mike Mullin 

As a child I used to play "survival."  I know, sounds strange, but I was an only child and didn't always have a sibling around to entertain me. My bed would either be a boat or an island and I'd pile all of my precious items I couldn't live without (usually my stuffed animals) on the bed with me and we'd stay there pretending sharks or something were about to devour us.  Looking back, maybe this was my way of getting out of house work or something. "Come on, Mom. You know I can't leave the ship!" Anyway, I love survival stories and ASHFALL was a good one.  

4. BEAUTY QUEENS by Libba Bray

Julie is so going to laugh when she sees this.  She couldn't even get through this book. Not only did I get through it, but I read it twice. Once really reading and once on audio.  Now, if you have the opportunity to listen to only one audio book in your life, PLEASE choose this one!  Libba Bray reads it herself and it is absolutely HYSTERICAL.  I can't stress enough how great this audio is! Here are just a few things you'll get from the book: beauty queens, pirates, evil corporations, treason, Sparkle Ponies, love, oh the list goes on and on.  Come on.  The chick on the cover is wearing a bandoleer made of lipstick. How can you go wrong. (Those of you offended by me using the word chick just need to lighten up.)

3. CINDER by Marissa Meyer 


Cyborg Cinderella, oh how I love thee. This was a book I read in one sitting. It has love and everything, but this is a great retelling of a fairy tale where the heroine is a strong and smart girl. SO GOOD.

2. SHATTER ME by Taherah Mafi 


WOW! This is one heck of a romance with tons of beautiful language thrown in. This author has metaphor and similes down pat. This book is being compared to the X-Men, so if you like that kind of thing you would enjoy it for more than just the romance too.

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What will it be? Come back tomorrow and see.