Things I Love As Much as Books (7)

Have you entered my contest yet to win a copy of Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer?!?  NO?!?  GO DO SO NOW!!!!

So, I think it's a given that I love to read.  Don't we all?
The thing is, though, there are a TON of other things in my life that I love just as much as reading.  Sure, most of these things aren't as constant as reading, but they count just as much in my life when I'm loving them.
SO, I decided to start this weekly feature in which I write a short post about something in my life that I am loving just as much as reading!

I am a HUGE sucker for anything related to old school games - we're talking Atari, FamCom, Nintendo, that kind of thing.  My heart seriously does a leap of happiness every time I see something old school Mario.  Which is why, when I was in Tokyo last time, I absolutely fell in LOVE with a capital HEART with this chair:

It's entirely made of original FamCom games, and the awesomeness of it is almost too much for me to handle.  It is so super rad that, methinks, it probably even surpasses a chair made entirely of books. And notice how there are arcade games on both sides. Yeah!
Now that is something that I for real love just as much as I love books.
<3

Mini Review: Burning Up: Here There Be Monsters by Meljean Brook

Title: Burning Up: Here There Be Monsters

Author: Meljean Brook

Rating:

Who Should Read It? A great book for all lovers of steampunk romance!

What I Have to Say:
Burning Up is a book consisting of 4 short paranormal romances, but since they are all so different, I have decided to review each one separately. And since the first one I read was the last one in the book, I'll start at the end, with "Here There Be Monsters" by Meljean Brook.

I am ashamed to say that this is actually the first steampunk romance I have ever read (unless you count Soulless by Gail Carriger), and I'm really wondering what was stopping me before. I'm always afraid when I hear romance, but with Here There Be Monsters, I had nothing to worry about. It was a great blend of steam techonology, patience, and love. It starts off when Ivy Blacksmith tries to escape London and finds herself indebted to Mad Machen, known to be one of the craziest pirates on the seas.
Brook managed to pack quite a lot into this 100 page little short story, and that in itself was impressive. I absolutely loved the way that this story played out, and Brook's use of Ivy's talent as a blacksmith to incorporate all sorts of "new" technology was brilliant. I couldn't decide if I felt more like I was reading historical fiction or science fiction, but in the end it didn't matter. It was all in all just a satisfying read, and that's all there is to it.
For a book that I went into unsure about, I'm surprised by how excited I am for the October 2010 release of the Iron Duke, to which this story was a prequel. I will definitely be looking for more Meljean Brook in the future!

Summary: Meljean Brook launches a bold new steampunk series with Here There Be Monsters, as a desperate woman strikes a provocative—and terrifying—bargain to gain overseas passage.

Cover Story: The title of this book and the cover both kind of turn me off, and it's a good thing the summaries were what they were or I might never have picked it up. The cover's sexy, for sure, but I don't normally go in for "hunk" books.

I received this book as a part of vvb32 Reads Iron Seas Challenge! I've boarded the ship (and luckily not gotten sick), and I'm hoping to manage to stay on the whole way through! Wish me luck!

Nihon No Kinyoubi (10)

Have you entered my contest yet to win a copy of Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer?!? NO?!? GO DO SO NOW!!!!

Nihon no Kinyoubi (Japanese Friday) is a weekly feature here at Brizmus Blogs Books inspired by French Friday, which is a weekly feature hosted by Charlotte at the Book on the Hill. Charlotte features French bookish things, and I plan on featuring Japanese bookish things, though I won't limit myself if I find something non-bookish that I think will interest you guys.

This week button voting is going on (Be sure to go vote!), and I'm so excited because that means that in TWO Fridays, I'll have a new exciting button for the feature!  Yay!

Anyhow, when I was in Tokyo, I briefly stepped into a book store, and there was something about it that just seemed perfect to me. Maybe it was the calm feel or the hardwood floors or the metal bookcases - I don't know. What I do know is they had a great English book selection and a really cool way of announcing the different sections (like the random bike sitting at the end of the shelves in the sports section - sorry it's blurry).




I also know that, if I lived in Tokyo, I would regularly frequent this book store. I have found that, so far, I love bookstores in Japan because they are so colorful inside - everything is always displayed in an organized, fun, creative way, and the atmosphere is always calm and relaxed yet fun!
I find that the bookstores here are such a NICE change from the bookstores in France.

What appeals to you most about the bookstores you love?

The Voting Has Arrived!

As I mentioned before, my blogiversary is right around the corner. And I am SO excited because I've paired up with CSN Stores, and I've got a great $50 dollar giveaway coming up, paired with a review for one of their fabulous products. I haven't decided yet what I'm going to review, but since every good reader needs a comfortable place to read, I've been thinking about a nice modern chair from their AllModern store. Or maybe one of their many amazing bookshelves. I hope you'll enter

Since it's the blogiversary, I can't have just one contest. Have you entered my contest yet to win a copy of Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer?!? NO?!? GO DO SO NOW!!!!

And now what you have all been waiting for! My make me a button contest has ended, and I've got some GREAT entries! Thanks to all those who participated! I love them all, and I have NO idea how I am going to pick which one to use. And that's where you come in.
VOTE ON YOUR FAVORITE!
Here's how it works - each image is associated with a number. You can either respond to the poll in my sidebar (which is also at the bottom of this post) to let me know which one you like or comment on this post which your preference. I'd love to hear your reasons for choosing, even if you do use the poll!
Voting ends September 5, 2010.

And let the voting begin!

1 Eleni from La Femme Readers

2 Aik from Friends and Family

3, 4, and 5 Kirthi from Pages

b

b

c

6 and 7 Charlotte from The Book on the Hill

a b

8 Michelle from the True Book Addict

Waiting on Wednesday (18)

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.



Basically, I pick a book I'm excited about that's coming out sometime soon.

Though I still haven't read the Girl Who Chased the Moon, I am already excited about Sarah Addison Allen's next release!


The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen

Publisher: Bantam
Release Date: March 22, 2011

Summary: No summary has been released yet. At least not that I can find. But really that doesn't matter. Because it's Sarah Addison Allen. And so it's of course going to be AWESOME, right?

Things I Love As Much As Books (6)

Have you entered my contest yet to win a copy of Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer?!? NO?!? GO DO SO NOW!!!!

So, I think it's a given that I love to read. Don't we all?
The thing is, though, there are a TON of other things in my life that I love just as much as reading. Sure, most of these things aren't as constant as reading, but they count just as much in my life when I'm loving them.
SO, I decided to start this weekly feature in which I write a short post about something in my life that I am loving just as much as reading!

I've been watching and adoring season 3 of True Blood (why do I love the show so much when I could never get into the books - I have a friend that assures me that I should give them another chance, but I'm just not sure), and I have to say that I might just love Eric Northman and Russell Edginton as much as I love books.



Eric Northman is not only to die for gorgeous, but I also LOVE his character, and lately I feel as if he has just been getting better and better. And there are SO many things that I want to say about why, but I don't want to spoil anything for my readers that haven't watched all of the episodes I have and are planning to.



And then, well, Russell Edginton because I think he might just be my favorite vampire of all time. He is intense and funny and so straight up about what he is somehow without managing to be over the top.
Seriously, he is totally making the season.

Me in Book Titles

Have you entered my contest yet to win a copy of Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer?!? NO?!? GO DO SO NOW!!!!

Sooo, I was over at The Book on the Hill, and she had up the coolest meme in which you answer questions about yourself using book titles. Charlotte's answers are fun, so be sure to go check them out. I of course also just HAD to participate. I mean, how can you pass up describing yourself and your life by books?
see *
Here's my go!

Describe yourself: the Neverending Story

How do you feel: Stranger in a Strange Land

Describe where you currently live: House of Suns

If you could go anywhere, where would you go: Norwegian Wood

Your best friend is: The Flaxen Femme Fatale

You and your friends are: the Witches

What's the weather like: Catching Fire

Favourite time of day: The Return of Nightfall

What is life to you: Battle Royale

You fear: American Gods

What is the best advice you have to give: Brief Lives

Thought for the Day: The Girl Who Chased the Moon

How I would like to die: the Gods Themselves

My soul’s present condition: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

Books Mentioned
The Neverending Story by Michael Ende
Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlen
House of Suns by Alistair Reynolds
Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami
The Flaxen Femme Fatale by John Zakour
The Witches by Roald Dahl
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
The Return of Nightfall by Mickey Zucker Reichert
Battle Royale by Koushun Takami
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
The Sandman Vol. 7: Brief Lives by Neil Gaiman
The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen
The Gods Themselves by Isaac Asimov
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer


I'd love to see what you come up with!

* This picture was taken without permission from emperpep on Deviant Art.