Armchair BEA 2014 :: Middle Grade/Young Adult

My most recent Scholastic Book Club Order

I have a confession.

I think I became a teacher because I loved book orders so much and if I were a teacher, I could pass them out to my students... and maybe even order a book, or two, or a few dozen at a time for myself. 

When I first started book blogging, I didn't really have a game plan. I didn't really know where it was going to head. I just knew I wanted to talk about books. Over the course of my first year blogging, I realized a fact that I couldn't ignore anymore. I really, really like reading kid lit. 

Maybe it's because it reminds me of the books I would devour as a kid and the piles of books I'd bring home from the local library. It could very well be because I still feel like a kid at heart. 

Plus, when I read middle grade/young adult fiction, it makes me even more powerful as a teacher (aka book pusher extraordinaire) because when a kid comes to me and wants to read a book about dragons, zombies, animals, girls liking boys, etc., I have a growing list in my head (and shrinking bookshelf space in my classroom) of books that I can share with them to fuel their love of reading.

I also owe a lot to MG/YA fiction. Harry Potter, in particular. Even though I was a voracious reader as a kid, once adolescence hit me, leisure reading went completely out the door. Sometimes I wish I was a young adult during this current/present time because there are now a whole section of bookstores and libraries devoted completely to books for teens. When I was a teen, I read Flowers in the Attic and then the other choices I had that weren't too "childish" were Tom Sawyer and all the classics, which weren't exactly easy to read on your own (at least they weren't for me at that age). This lack of reading continued as I went to college... until, I read Harry Potter. 

Reading Harry Potter felt like I was transformed back into my 5th grade classroom as a 10-year old, reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for the first time.

It was magical. #punny ;)

No, really. It was truly magical. For the first time in years, I wanted to read again. I craved the feeling of escaping into other worlds. I read books for fun again. I didn't just read to highlight information to remember for a midterm or to cite and use in a final paper. I actually read, just to read. And it.felt.good.

So, even though I'm a much older Potter-head than most people, I find it interesting and somewhat poetic that it was MG/YA that got me back into reading again. 

Nowadays, I'm proud to be a MG/YA reader. Since we're confessing things, here's another one for you... I read more MG than adult fiction actually. Having two young kids means that free time to read is pretty much nonexistent, so reading MG/YA is usually easier for me because they tend to be shorter and easier to digest in a smaller amount of time. 

So, I guess what I'm really saying is... I really, really love middle-grade/young adult fiction. 

Plus, I still get super excited whenever the Book Box arrives in my classroom. 

Armchair BEA 2014 :: $10 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway

For Armchair BEA this year, I'm giving away a $10 gift card to Amazon.com!

The giveaway runs from Thursday May 29th through Saturday May 31st. 

Giveaway Details:
To enter giveaway please follow this blog then fill out the RaffleCopter.
Comments are for feedback and questions only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Armchair BEA 2014 :: Expanding Blogging Horizons

I haven't given much thought about expanding my blogging horizons. Right now, like I mentioned in my introduction post, I just want to get back into blogging again. And just like a girl needs a new haircut every now and then to change things up, I decided that this new phase for "the bookish mama" would be a redesign.

Here is what my blog looked like before the change:

And the new redesign below:

I'm excited about this new phase. I hope you will stick along with me on this journey together. :) 

Armchair BEA 2014 :: Author Interaction

One of my favorite author moments as a blogger has been this tweet back from R.L. Stine:

It was a response to a Throwback Thursday post I had done on Goosebumps. Here is the postt:

This week's Throwback Thursday is in honor of R.L. Stine and his series, Goosebumps.

When I was a kid, I was very easily afraid and scared of things. Maybe my parents sheltered me too much, but it didn't take much to scare me. I used to sleep under the covers because my friends told me about night-stalkers (people that watch you when you sleep). Why I believed them, I still don't know, but that was my version of the "monster in the closet" when I was a kid.

That being said, I actually enjoyed the Goosebumps series when I was younger believe it or not. Even though I was such a scaredy-cat, the books were just scary enough to satisfy my curiosity, but not so scary that it would cause nightmares.

My 5th grade students every year without fail DEVOUR my Goosebumps books in my classroom library. Girls AND boys, once one kid starts reading one, the rest of them follow in suit and literally devour them. So much so that now I have two tubs full of Goosebumps books and have had to replace several books because the covers were falling apart because of the wear and tear of being used so many times.

Now that there is a NEW series, Goosebumps Horrorland, there is a whole new generation of kids that are enjoying reading because they love these scary stories. I have yet to read one on my own, but my students have raved about the new series. According to my students, the back part of the book is an ongoing story that continues in the next book. I think some of them were confused about it, but I think that's because they weren't reading the series in order.

At the LA Times Festival of Books about a month ago, I had the awesome opportunity to listen to R.L. Stine speak and get his autograph. I brought it back to my students and they were SO stoked to see his signature. I think it definitely upped my "cool
teacher factor" for a little while. :) 

He shared one of his favorite poems, "Haunted" by Shel Silverstein, when he spoke at the Target Children's Stage. I loved that he shared with the kids that he reads and enjoys other authors. Authors and writers are real people too!

There was a REALLY long line to get his autograph. All ages of people - old and young were there with copies of his books. Some were old and tattered like the ones in my classroom and others were holding the new Horrorland books. What a honor to have such a wide range of fans!

By the time we got to the line, we were all the way around the corner and didn't think we'd get to the front in time. We waited anyway and I am so glad that we did because we did get to meet him and get an autograph. It was quick and there were no pictures allowed, but that didn't stop my Mom from snapping a few from the line. :)

It was an exciting day for all of us. Thank you R.L. Stine for creating generations and generations of readers with your books.

You can follow R.L. Stine on twitter at @RL_Stine.

I could NOT believe that he actually read my post and RESPONDED! One of my childhood authors, actually read my blog and responded to my tweet. I was completely dumbfounded and also immediately my insecurities hit me because I couldn't stop the urge to go back and make sure everything was grammatically correct.

This was an amazing experience for me and definitely one of the best things about social media.

Armchair BEA 2014 :: Introduction

Hello! Greetings to those of you visiting from Armchair BEA!!!

My poor little blog has been sadly ignored for awhile and the main two reasons why are the two little darling girls in my photo above. I'm hoping this that Armchair BEA will be the reason my blog is no longer ignored though. After becoming a mommy, I feel like I've been stuck in "fog" lately. Kind of like I've been on survival mode, just trying to keep my head above water. Lately though, I'm finally feeling inspired again and I'm ready to breathe new life into my blog. I hope you will stick around to see what's to come.

I'm happy to be helping out with Armchair BEA again this year as their Social Media Coordinator. I'll be moderating TONIGHT's Twitter Party at 4pm PST (7pm EST). I hope you will follow @ArmchairBEA and #ArmchairBEA for lots of fun and giveaways tonight!

Without further ado, here are my answers to the introduction questions:

1) Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging? Where in the world are you blogging from? 

My name is Jasmine. (I go by Jasmine Marie on social media.) I'm a full-time elementary school teacher and part-time wedding/portrait photographer. I love reading, board games, traveling in search of good eats and cozy bookstores, doing Project Life and scrapbooking, and binging on shows via Netflix. I'm blogging from sunny San Diego, CA. 

I've been blogging for a long time now. Anyone remember Xanga? However, I started this particular blog in 2011. I got into blogging originally to have some kind of place I could journal and just write out things that were on my mind. "The bookish mama" though came out of the desire to just talk about books and to network with other book bloggers. Armchair BEA has been a huge part of that and I'm very thankful to have found so many great book bloggers to network with. 

2) Describe my blog in one sentence. 

I have a new vision for my blog for 2014 and I hope this will be a place where I can talk about books, crafts, teaching, and mommy-related things.

Connect with me via social media at:

• Instagram: @jasminemarie
• Pinterest: Jasmine Marie
• Twitter: @jasmine_marie
• Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/thebookishmama

3) Favorite genres

I love to read mostly middle-grade kid-lit, women's fiction (chick-lit), historical fiction (especially regency romance), and Christian fiction.

As an elementary school teacher, I love reading middle-grade fiction. Maybe it's because I'll always be a kid at heart, but it's also so I can connect with my students as readers to instill the love of reading within their hearts. Plus, the more middle-grade I read, the better I am at recommending specific books to my students during reading conferences.

4) A book that I would love to see as a movie...

One of my favorite books from last year (and probably from all time) is Once Upon a Prince by Rachel Hauck. See my blog post here. I would love to see this Kate Middleton-like story come to life on the big screen!

5) Favorite bloggers

Oh man, I have too many. I am a little bit addicted to my Feedly and love catching up on my blogs at the end of a long day. Here are just a FEW of my favorites:

Book blogs:

• Nerdy Book Club
• Alyson at Kid Lit Frenzy
• Danielle at There's a Book

Crafty blogs:

• Kelly Purkey
• Amy Tangerine
• Marcy Penner
• Findingnana
• Becky Higgins - Project Life

I am looking forward to this week and getting to know more of you through Armchair BEA! 

Armchair BEA: Ask the Experts

Day Four: Ask the Experts

Today's discussion post is to ask our visitors for blogging advice. I consider myself to be a relative newbie to the book blogging world and would love any advice you'd like to leave in my comments. I am eager to learn from others and am hoping to not make too many mistakes along the way.

What is your piece of advice?

Thanks for sharing!

Armchair BEA: Beyond the Blog

Day Four: Beyond the Blog

I really don't have any plans to write someday and one of the best perks of being book blogger is getting books... but other than that, I haven't really done anything special beyond my blog. Maybe someday?

I realized after browsing a lot of blogs from yesterday's topic on Networking that I probably have more to say about author signings than I originally thought. I noticed that a lot of people mentioned that they live in a small town where a lot of authors don't visit. I am blessed that I live in a big metropolitan city, San Diego, in Southern California where a lot of authors do pass through (especially in Los Angeles). I have attended the LA Times Festival of Books twice now and have met lots of children's authors that I never would have met otherwise.

I am late in posting my LA Times Festival of Books recap, but I'll share a little teaser here.

I hope you will forgive me for bragging a little bit...

At the festival this year, I got to hear speak, meet and speak with, and get an autograph from one of my favorite authors of all time - Judy Blume. She was such a delight to listen to. I didn't get to say much because I was starstruck for sure, but I did manage to get out a thank you for being one of the major reasons why I became the reader I am today. It was SUCH an honor.

I need to do my post-event recap with photos with Cheryl Burke, Michael Buckley, Jeff Kinney and Molly Shannon. SOON! I promise!

Thanks for dropping by!

Armchair BEA: Networking

Day Three: Networking

I wish I had more to say about this, but I am still learning about networking. As a wife, mom, teacher on the weekdays, photographer on the weekends and a book blogger in between... there are only so many hours in a day. I am happy to say that I do frequent our local bookstores, both independent and Barnes and Noble bookstores. I wish I were more extroverted and put myself out there to build a relationship with them as a book blogger!

One of my favorite author events and signings is the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. This was my 2nd year attending and it's the closest thing we've got on the West Coast to a BEA. Lots and lots of authors attend and it is such so much fun to meet them and other fellow readers.

I hope to get to know more local book bloggers. If anyone is down to host a SoCal meetup, let me know!

Even though I haven't met many people in real life, I am thankful for the few online buddies that I've made along the way. They are so supportive, encouraging and I just love talking books with them!

Make sure to come back for Day 4: Beyond the Blog!

Armchair BEA: Streaming BEA Live!

I am so excited about this new feature where you can be a part of BEA and see the events live online. My little one wakes up every day around 5am, so it'll be right around the time BEA starts. Never thought I'd be happy about that!

You can check out the streaming schedule here.

Armchair BEA: $10 Amazon gift card giveaway

For Armchair BEA this year, I'm giving away a $10 gift card to Amazon.com!

The giveaway runs from Tuesday June 5th through Saturday June 9th. 

Giveaway Details:
To enter giveaway please follow this blog then fill out the RaffleCopter.
Comments are for feedback and questions only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Armchair BEA 2012: Introduction

Armchair BEA is back in full force! I participated last year and enjoyed it thoroughly. I am so excited to be a part of it again and to be helping to host the twitter parties on Tues, Weds and Thurs as @jasmine_marie. 

Today, I will be interviewing myself so that you can all get to know me a little better. Please leave some love in the comments! I look forward to getting to know more book bloggers!

Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging?

My name is Jasmine and I am a 30-something Christian, wife to my college sweetheart, mama to a toddler, teacher to 5th graders, a wedding photographer on the weekends, and an avid reader when my little one gives me a minute or two. I have been blogging since April 2011 so I am fairly new to the book blogging world. I got into book blogging because I LOVE talking about books, especially when I want to share some of my favorite reads with the rest of the world. When I fall in love with a book, I want

What are you currently reading?

Title: Between You and Me: A Novel
Authors: Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus
Publisher: Atria Books (June 12, 2012)

Summary from Goodreads:
From the authors of the #1 New York Times bestseller The Nanny Diaries comes a new novel that takes readers behind the scenes of stratospheric celebrity—what it means to be worshipped by millions and still feel loved by none.

Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus have proven again and again that they are masters at exploring the nuances of family relationships—as they intersect with the current trends in the culture at large.

In Between You and Me, twenty-seven-year-old Logan Wade has built a life for herself in New York City, far from her unhappy childhood in Oklahoma. But when she gets the call that her famous cousin needs a new assistant, it’s an offer she can’t refuse. Logan hasn’t seen Kelsey since they were separated as kids; in the meantime, Kelsey Wade has become one of Fortune Magazine’s most powerful celebrities and carrion for the paparazzi. But the joy at their reunion is overshadowed by the toxic dynamic between Kelsey and her controlling parents. As Kelsey grasps desperately at a “real” life, Logan risks everything to try and give her cousin the one thing she has never known—happiness. As Kelsey unravels in the most horribly public way Logan finds that she will ultimately have to choose between saving her cousin and saving herself.

I am really enjoying this book so far. It is exactly what I've been looking for in a chick-lit book.

What is your favorite book so far in 2012?

Title: Comeback Love
Author: Peter Golden
Publisher: Washington Square Press (April 2012)

This is my favorite book of the year so far. You can read more about it at my review here.


Love love LOVE this book!

Tell us one non-book related thing that everyone reading your blog may not know about you. 

I work part-time as a wedding/portrait photographer in San Diego on the weekends. Ever since I had my baby a few years ago, I've cut back a lot, but I still do events for families and friends. My mom gave me a camera when I was 10 and I've always carried one around since. My friends know me as the girl behind the camera. I've always enjoyed capturing life and thus creating and preserving memories.

If you are interested, you can check out more of my work here on my photo blog: http://www.jasminemarieblog.com

If you could eat dinner with any author or character, who would it be and why?

I think one of most influential books of my life was Little Women. I came across this book by chance during one of my many trips to our local library and it was such the perfect book for me at that point in my life as a young woman. I loved it. I read it over and over again. I rewrote the story so that Jo and Laurie could end up together (I was a hopeless romantic even then!). Knowing that Jo is based a lot on Louisa May Alcott herself, I would love to eat dinner with her just to see what kind of woman she was.

What literary location would you most like to visit? Why?

When my hubby and I travel, I always make an itinerary of bookstores to visit in that city.  Some of the bookstores that I would love to see someday are:

Shakespeare & Company




The Strand Bookstore

.... and many, many more. :)

So I hope that helps you to get to know a little more aboout "the bookish mama." Please leave some love in the comments and I look forward to getting to know you soon! 

Armchair BEA 2011 :: Chick-lit book or $10 at Amazon GIVEAWAY WINNER!!

Earlier this past week, I held my first-ever giveaway on my blog for a chick-lit book OR $10 Amazon gift card.

Thanks to all that visited and entered the giveaway!


Without further ado, here is the winner...

The winner is:
JK17 or @kimson_dino!!!

She chose the book, Mr. Maybe by Jane Green.

Synopsis from Goodreads:
To Libby Mason, Mr. Right has always meant Mr. Rich. A twenty-seven-year-old publicist, she’s barely able to afford her fashionable and fabulous lifestyle, and often has to foot the bill for dates with Struggling Writer Nick, a sexy but perpetually strapped-for-cash guy she’s dating (no commitments–really). So when Ed, Britain’s wealthiest but stodgiest bachelor, enters the picture, her idea of the fairy-tale romance is turned on its head. Libby soon finds herself weighing the advantages of Nick’s sexual prowess and tender heart against Ed’s luxurious lifestyle and unlimited retail therapy. But when the diamond shopping commences, Libby is forced to realize that the time for “maybe” is up.

Taking romantic comedy to a hip, sparkling new level, Mr. Maybe is a classic tale of what happens to one girl when her heart and her head aren’t looking for the same thing. With a laugh a minute and a heroine whose struggles in the dating jungle will remind you of your own, Mr. Maybe is a story that will leave you smitten.


Thanks again to everyone who entered! This was so much fun! I think we might have to make it a regular thing to do a giveaway on my blog!

JK17, please send me your mailing address at thebookishmama at gmail dot com and I will mail that off this week!

Armchair BEA 2011 :: My interview at Reading Thru the Night

I was also interviewed by another book blogger! Christina at Reading Thru the Night interviewed me this week.

You can go leave some love on her blog and check out my answers here!

Armchair BEA 2011 :: Interview with Anaiz from Lady and the Books

One of the great features of participating in Armchair BEA this year is networking with other book bloggers. Our assignment was to interview another book blogger and thus get to know each other better.

Today for Armchair BEA, I am introducing:
Anaiz from Lady and the Books

Jasmine: I noticed on your blogger profile that you are a college student. What are you currently studying in college and what do you plan on doing after you graduate?
Anaiz: I am currently majoring in English (the journey getting to that major is a whole story in itself). I'm not quite sure what I will do when I graduate, that's just a bridge I'll cross when I get there!
What made you decide to write a book blog?
Unlike some other bloggers I don't have many RLFs (one actually) that I can discuss books with. I reviewed a book once in a while on my personal blog and I enjoyed the feedback so much I decided to do it full time.

If you were on a deserted island and could only take 3 books with you, what would they be and why?
Difficult question! I would probably take a dictionary because that's one book I'll probably never finish ;) and I would take Nevermore by Kelly Creagh because I could seriously read that book over and over again and still find it entertaining and last but not least I would take Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire for the same reason as Nevermore. Gotta love Harry Potter!

Do you have any tips or pieces of advice for a newbie book blogger like myself?
I would advise any blogger (new or veteran) to not lose themselves. Your opinions are unique and you should never be swayed or "encouraged" to write something you don't truly think. I've seen blogs that *love* every single book they receive for free and I just don't believe it. I like seeing what a reviewer likes AND doesn't like.

I noticed that you enjoy listening to Jason Mraz on Pandora. (I LOVE both!) What else do you usually listen to while you read? Where would your favorite spot to read be?
I love listening to the solo piano station on Pandora while I read or do homework. It's so relaxing. My favorite spot to read is sitting sideways on the love seat in our second living room, I never feel uncomfortable even after a few hours.... or half a day!

What are some of your other hobbies and interests other than reading?
I love love love photography! I'm a newbie at it but it's so much fun snapping shots of the beautiful outdoors. I can spend the entire day outside and still want to go back out the next day for more pictures.

Bookstore or library? Or both?
Bookstore for me. I've never been a library type person, I've visited my local library only a few times and I like owning my personal copies of books.

And just for fun... what is something that your readers don't know about you, but would find interesting?
I'm a vegetarian descended from a Spanish captain who came to conquer Mexico and am training to run a marathon :)



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Thank you so much for sharing, Anaiz! Would love to hear the story of how you became an English major someday. I would totally take Harry Potter with me as well. It'd be hard to pick just one book out of the series though! Looks like I also need to check out Nevermore and add it to my TBR list... and add that solo piano station on my Pandora as well. That really does sound so soothing and relaxing to have as background music. I always sit sideways in my special chair too. Isn't it just cozier that way? I'm a wedding and portrait photographer myself and I started out just like you - wanting to take pretty pictures. I encourage you to take lots of them because you'll learn so quickly from playing around with different settings. I'm a bookstore gal myself. My hubby is as all about the library, but somehow our marriage seems to work. ;) And boy, a Spanish captain?! Wow! Thanks for sharing your tips for a newbie blogger like myself.
It's been a pleasure having Anaiz from Lady and the Books drop by. I'm excited to have her as a new blog buddy! Please be sure to drop by and leave some love on her blog as well. You can also follow her on twitter at nizmart.

Armchair BEA 2011 :: Chick-lit book or $10 at Amazon GIVEAWAY

Chick-lit book or $10 Amazon gift card GIVEAWAY!

In honor of Armchair BEA, I am doing my very first giveaway on my blog! I have more than enough chick-lit books lying around and want them to find some new homes! Winner will get to choose a book or a $10 Amazon gift card!

Here are the book choices:

Mr. Maybe by Jane Green

Synopsis from Goodreads:
To Libby Mason, Mr. Right has always meant Mr. Rich. A twenty-seven-year-old publicist, she’s barely able to afford her fashionable and fabulous lifestyle, and often has to foot the bill for dates with Struggling Writer Nick, a sexy but perpetually strapped-for-cash guy she’s dating (no commitments–really). So when Ed, Britain’s wealthiest but stodgiest bachelor, enters the picture, her idea of the fairy-tale romance is turned on its head. Libby soon finds herself weighing the advantages of Nick’s sexual prowess and tender heart against Ed’s luxurious lifestyle and unlimited retail therapy. But when the diamond shopping commences, Libby is forced to realize that the time for “maybe” is up.

Taking romantic comedy to a hip, sparkling new level, Mr. Maybe is a classic tale of what happens to one girl when her heart and her head aren’t looking for the same thing. With a laugh a minute and a heroine whose struggles in the dating jungle will remind you of your own, Mr. Maybe is a story that will leave you smitten.

4 Blondes by Candice Bushnell

Synopsis from Barnes and Noble:
With its uncensored observations of the mating rituals of Manhattan's elite, Candace Bushnell's Sex and the City created a sensation, becoming an international best-seller, spawning a worldwide hit TV series, and inspiring countless imitators. Now, with the novel Four Blondes, Bushnell triumphantly returns to the playgrounds of the beautiful and powerful -- once again capturing the zeitgeist and mores of our era like no other writer. Four Blondes brings together the stories of four modern women to render a vivid portrait of New York at the millennium. Like the fiction of Helen Fielding and Melissa Bank, Bushnell's novel is a pitch-perfect chronicle of her characters' romantic intrigues, liaisons, betrayals, and victories. A beautiful B-list model finagles rent-free summerhouses in the Hamptons from her lovers until she discovers she can get a man but can't get what she wants. A high-powered magazine columnist's floundering marriage to a literary journalist is thrown into crisis when her husband's career fails to live up to her expectations. A "Cinderella" whose husband was one of the world's most eligible bachelors faithfully records her descent into paranoia in her journal as she realizes she wants anybody's life except her own. And an artist and aging "It girl" -- who fears that her time for finding a man has run out -- travels to London in search of the kind of love and devotion she can't find in Manhattan. Studded with her trademark wit and stiletto-heel-sharp insights, Four Blondes is dark, true, and compulsively readable. It's destined to be a hit among the author's legions of loyal fans and many new devotees.


Trading Up by Candice Bushnell
Synopsis from Barnes and Noble:
Candace Bushnell is turning heads . . .

The New York Times bestseller, now in paperback.

When Trading Up was published in July, readers from coast to coast devoured the sharp-witted, Jane Austin-esque story of Janey Wilcox's unsteady climb to the top of Manhattan's social scene. It became THE hot book -- and the numbers prove it: We've sold more than 250,000 copies to date. To top it off, Candace Bushnell was the apple of the press's eye. Her signature glamour, poise, and humor lit up TV screens, newspapers, and magazines across America.

While Janey Wilcox may want to be on top, it's clear that Candace Bushnell's Trading Up IS on top. With an even wider paperback audience, who knows how much higher she can climb?

Candace Bushnell is the author of the international bestsellers Sex and the City and 4 Blondes. She has been a columnist for The New York Observer and was a contributing editor for Vogue. She lives in New York City.


Diary of a Mad Mom-to-Be by Laura Wolf

Synopsis from Goodreads:
When last seen, Amy Thomas, the mad bride-to-be, was working her way through her 70-item to-do list, trying to keep chicken off the reception menu, and vowing never to change her name. Now Amy Thomas Stewart is a newlywed and a career woman, and becoming a mom is the last thing on her to-do list. So why is Amy obsessing about baby clothes and ogling pregnant women on the street?

Suddenly Amy realizes the inconceivable: She wants a baby—even though she’s just lost her job, their apartment’s way too small, and she doesn’t have a clue as to her ovulation cycle. Caught up in a passion to procreate, Amy knows she has to strike while the iron is hot. And if getting pregnant is making Amy this crazy, just think what will happen when the stick turns blue…

If none of these books fit your fancy, you can choose a $10 Amazon gift card!

**MUST BE A FOLLOWER TO ENTER*
(To follow, scroll down on the right and click "follow")

To have more than one entry, you can do either one or all of the following:

• Like bookish on facebook
• Follow @jasmine_marie on twitter
• Tweet about this giveaway!

Winner will be chosen on Sunday May 29, 2011 at noon. Open to US and International winners! Have fun! Thanks for dropping by!

GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED

Armchair BEA 2011 :: Interview with Monica from Bibliophilic Book Blog

One of the great features of participating in Armchair BEA this year is networking with other book bloggers. Our assignment was to interview another book blogger and thus get to know each other better.

Today for Armchair BEA, I am introducing:
Monica from Bibliophile Book Blog.

Jasmine: Hi Monica! I'm always curious about what people studied when they were a college student. When you were a college student, what did you study?

Monica: I was a college student and when I was studying I was studying Military Intelligence Studies.
What made you decide to write a book blog?

I saw a blog one day and I thought it was cool and was like that is a neat way to keep track of what I read so I started one.
If you were on a deserted island and could only take 3 books with you, what would they be and why?

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by: J.K. Rowling, Rampant by: Saskia Walker, and The Mists of Avalon by: Marion Zimmer Bradley. POA because I heart Harry Potter and that is my fav of the series. Rampant because it is full of sensuality and would remind me I am human and The Mists of Avalon because I am crazy King Arthur freak and need something to take the edge off.
Do you have any tips or pieces of advice for a newbie book blogger like myself?

Be active on twitter, don't be afraid to make friends and mistakes, make sure to keep in excellent contact with you publicity contacts just always keep them informed, I suck at this but it is a very important thing.

What do you usually listen to while you read? Where would your favorite spot to read be?

I usually listen to QVC while I read, I love the background noise. Weird I know. Favorite spot at home to read is on the far cushion of my couch. My favorite spot here in Korea to read is propped against my headboard.

What are some of your other hobbies and interests other than reading?

Sing, writing, dancing, swimming.

Bookstore or library? Or both?

Both. I love the smells in both, they are very different and both essential.

And just for fun... what is something that your readers don't know about you, but would find interesting?

Um...they might not know that I can fire 3 different weapons with sharpshooter accuracy.



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Thank you so much for sharing, Monica! My husband loves reading all about the military and I'm sure he would love to pick your brain sometime. Harry Potter: Prisoner of Azkaban is actually my favorite of the series as well! I tried reading Mists of Avalon years ago, but couldn't get into it. Maybe I should give it another try! Wow, a sharpshooter. I think I might just been a teensy bit afraid now... just a teensy bit. I also appreciate you sharing your tips for a newbie blogger like myself.

It's been a pleasure having Monica from Bibliophilic Book Blog drop by. I'm excited to have her as a new blog buddy! Please be sure to drop by and leave some love on her blog as well. You can also follow her on twitter at bibliophilicboo.

Armchair BEA 2011 :: Best books of 2011

Today's blog topic is: "Best books of 2011"

I haven't read as many books as I hoped to be at this point. If you remember, I set a goal using Goodreads new challenge widget in January to read 50 books this year. Life is definitely different with a baby, but I'm excited about my time off this summer to catch up on reading!



Out of the few books I've read so far, I'd have to say, hands down, my favorite books were The Hunger Games series. I was late coming to this series, which I sometimes prefer because I get to read all the books at once instead of waiting and waiting. Once I started it, I just could not put it down. I must have read all three books in the span of a week. I heard about it about a year ago from a colleague, but couldn't get myself to read it because it sounded too dark for me, but I should have listened to her!

It seems like the theme of books I've chosen to read so far in 2011 is "so dark, but yet so good" and The Hunger Games was SO dark, but yet SO very good. I still feel a little bad for enjoying the book so much considering the content is so cruel and unforgiving.

I have yet to review it on my blog, but I'm planning on catching on my 2011 books as soon as school ends and summer begins!

I am super excited about the upcoming movie next Spring. I heard yesterday that Lenny Kravitz is going to play Cinna. Interesting choice... totally NOT what I was picturing in my mind, but still interesting...

I have been perusing some of the catalogs from publishers and will make another blog post of books I'm adding to my TBR (to be read) list in the next couple of days. It would be a very unwise thing to do, considering my TBR list is in the 200s now, but I'm curious to see what's coming out this year.

To those visiting my blog, thank you for dropping by! What are your favorite books of 2011 so far?

Armchair BEA 2011 :: How do you Armchair?

I found out about the Book Expo of America held in NYC this week a few months ago was really itching to go. I actually won a free ticket to go from Armchair BEA a couple of weeks ago, but had to turn it down because of personal reasons, but it was SUPER SUPER hard to turn it down. I kept trying to find ways do some creative accounting in our budget to make room for travel to NYC, but it just wasn't meant to be this year. Maybe next year?


Luckily, I found Armchair BEA online and it's a gathering of book bloggers who are not attending the real BEA, but still want to network online together! It's for those of us who can't attend, but still want to enjoy all the fun of BEA together online. Hence, ARMCHAIR BEA. Woot woot!

Today's blog topic is: Who are you and how to you Armchair?

Greetings! My name is Jasmine and I am an elementary school teacher by day and a wedding/portrait photographer by weekend (Jasmine Marie Photography). Needless to say, I am a very busy person! My hubby and I have a beautiful 9-month daughter who brings us so much joy each and every day. She is such a wonderful gift from God and we cannot believe that we get to be her parents.

Snuggling with my little one.

I have been an avid reader as far back as I can remember. My mom used to read to me when I was young and I am a firm believer that I love reading now because my mom read to me as a child. One of my favorite times of the day is reading bedtime stories with my daughter. It was one of the main things I looked forward to when I first found out I was pregnant a year ago. I can get compulsive and obsessive about reading, so I tend to read in spurts. I mostly read contemporary fiction, chick-lit and I started dabbling in historical fiction recently (especially about kings and queens).

Other than reading, I enjoy working on my Project Life and scrapbooking. My husband and I are homebodies to the core and we enjoy playing Settlers of Catan with our friends, doing puzzles, and watching Netflix and DVDs. We love watching TV series on DVD and are currently hooked on The Good Wife and Modern Family. We enjoy traveling and hope to see more of the world when our daughter gets older.

I am looking forward to meeting new book-minded people by participating with Armchair BEA. I work all day, but am looking forward to catching up in the evenings. I hope that you will come back and visit my blog and leave a comment so I can drop by your blog as well. You can also friend me on facebook or follow me on twitter.

Thanks for dropping by!