Let's Get Nerdy: 2012

Monday, December 31, 2012

Happy New Year's Eve!

Happy New Years!

We made it through 2012. We survived two Ends of the World, bath salts, and Honey Boo Boo. Damn. We are resilient. And since silver and gold glitter always make me thing of New Years, here you go.

And here.

Now that glitter is out of the way, here are my New Year's resolutions.

New Year's resolutions:

1. I will read more. Last year I read around 70 books. Then again I did join Goodreads late, so this number could be higher. Either way, whatever number of books I read, I will always think I need to read more.

2. I will do more things that make me happy. I am a slave sometimes to technology. I need to shut down more and focus on friends and family. That said, I need to clarify something in #3.

3. Don't neglect my social media. I know #2 mentioned shutting down my electronic devices more, but I can still do that and get even more blogging/tweeting done. It just means that I can't waste hours on Pinterest looking at glitter gifs or reading TMZ.

4. Lose weight. 2012 was the first time I'd ever had a normal desk job after working previously in my life as a retail slave, camp counselor, waitress, hostess, and misc. office bitch. This means more sitting for me which means that I'm not as trim as I used to be. I need to get out more!

5. Spend more time with my family. My brother and mother both live in Colorado and we see each other 1 to 3 times a year or less. Even my family that lives nearby, sometimes I can go weeks without talking to them because I'm busy. No. This isn't right. I need to be there. I can't live without my family.

6. Help more writers. I remember how lost I was when I first started writing. I needed help. I didn't have anyone. I'm here writers. I'm here for you.

7. Write more. I'm not just talking about blogging because between all of my blogs and blogs I contribute to Pen & Muse, Brazen Reads, YA Stands, Let's Get Nerdy, Thursday Night Book Club, Season Qs Academy, my secret poetry blog that shall remained mysterious, and the blog I'm trying to get off the ground 365 Days of Kindness, I actually do write a lot. But I'm talking about actually writing my WIPS and giving them the love and devotion that they deserve. Write more. This should actually be my number one.

8. ~~Stop hating e-readers.~~ Meh. Actually. Scratch that one. I love to hate them.

9. Read more than just YA. YA is my passion but it's also important for me, with running Pen & Muse, that I'm well versed in all genres.

10. Go to more conferences for writing and reading. I'm still afraid of flying but I don't let it stop me.

11. Pay off my credit cards.

I'm trying to think of more but those are the biggest ones. I hope I can do at least some of these and make it happen.

What about you? What are your New Year's resolutions? Did you meet your goals from last year? I'd love to know in the comments below!

Monday, December 24, 2012

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas you filthy animals!

A lot of people have different holiday traditions. For my family, we have an entire Christmas program where we do crafts, put on a talent show, drink champagne, eat like kings, and listen to The Night Before Christmas recited from memory by a 91-year-old close family friend. My fiance's family spends the evening listening to 70's and 80's hair metal bands and talking about sports. This year I'll be with them. And don't worry, I have my Ratt 8-tracks at the ready.

Here's to hoping you have a very Merry Christmas!

And that you somehow ended up on the nice list this year.

Merry Christmas!

Jolene

Friday, December 7, 2012

My Next Big Thing: Bump in the Night

My Next Big Thing

I’ve been invited by the lovely Lauren Spieller to participate in My Next Best Thing! That said, I'm pumped to talk about my novel Bump in the Night.

1. What is the working title of your book?

Bump in the Night

2. Where did the idea for your book come from?

I've always been a huge fan of the macabre and of monsters. There's always been shows like Supernatural, etc where there are lots of men hunting down the things that go bump in the night... but where are the girls?! That's where the idea came from. That and years of reading Goosebumps.

3. What genre does your book fall under?

Bump in the Night is a YA urban fantasy novel with strong elements of horror.

4. What actors would you chose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

I would love to see this on a big screen! This was actually pretty tough, but here's what I have:

Samantha- Ass-kicking, fearless protagonist
Troian Bellisario

Deacon- Love interest / Sheriff's son
Logan Lerman

Tyler- Deacon's best friend
David Henrie

Marcheline- Sam's best friend

Aimee Teegarden

Victoria- Sam's Mom

Reese Witherspoon

Eliza- Sam's Grandmother and Mentor

Maggie Smith

5. What is a one sentence synopsis of your manuscript?

16-year-old Samantha fights monsters as a Guardian of the Day, while trying to live her life as normal as possible and investigate her Grandmother's disappearance.

6. Will your book be self published or represented by an agency?

Agency.

7. How long did it take to write the first draft of your manuscript?

Bump in the Night was started in 2011 and finished during May 2012. I've been editing it ever since.

8. What other books would you compare this story to within the genre?

Bump in the Night is probably a cross between Spookygirl by Jill Baguchinsky and Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake. I love both of these novels so so much! Also, Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs holds some similarities.

9. Who or what inspired you to write this book?

My love for writing strong female protagonists and my obsession with horror stories/monsters.

10. What else about the book might pique the reader’s interest?

I think there is something for everyone in Bump in the Night. There's a love story. A mystery. Monsters and fighting. There are normal growing pains. Loss. I love my story. But then again, don't all writers? I just hope someday, other people might love it too.

Thanks so much for stopping by to check out my novel! I'm passing the torch onto one of my favorite writerly people, and one of the best writers I know: Haylee Qualls.

If you have any questions about Bump in the Night, don't hesitate to ask!

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Epic Reads Plea

Hi Everyone!

I hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving break! I know I did. My brother came down from Colorado and of course, shenanigans ensued. He left yesterday via plane and I returned to my online world. Imagine my excitement when I found this awesome opportunity from Epic Reads!

I want to be an End Is Here Newbie. When you are chosen one to be their EIHN, you read books in a series and chronicle your reading journey. Once you read your series, you share the love!! Because we all know that there's nothing better than finding an amazing new series to indulge yourself with. I was actually teetering between shocked and ashamed that I'd never read any of the books on their series list. I couldn't believe it. I read A LOT!

They wanted something awesome. A drawing or genius design of sorts to display how qualified and amazing I am for this spot. The only problem? I can't draw to save my life. The good news. I have the skills to save us all in the course of a Zombie Apocalypse.

I've watched hours and hours of Legends of the Hidden Temple -> +20 strategy points

I love Chuck Norris -> +5 Bad-ass points.

Spotted Waldo in EVERY one of his books -> +30 keen eye.

I did, however, try anyways at drawing something amazing. This is what it looked like after hours of labor:

I know, I know. You don't have to say it. Just know I tried. I also made one more to try and redeem myself:

Anywho, I hope all of you are having a happy Tuesday. And if you're interested, check out the site I listed above. Epic Reads has more than one opening. Good luck!

And remember, the #1 rule of any zombie invasion is cardio.

Jolene

Monday, November 12, 2012

NaNoWriMo Check In

We're at the 12 day NaNoWriMo mark. Thus far, most of us have written about 2000 words a day, which means that if we want to finish, we should have roughly 20000 words written by now. I know. The sound of that probably makes you cringe, or do this:

I'm just slightly behind schedule, but fear not, I plan on making it up tonight. And so, how is everyone else out there doing with NaNoWriMo? Anyone way ahead? Way behind?

Also, shout out to Pen and Muse's Ultimate NaNoWriMo resource guide. Lots of helpful links, including pretty NaNoWriMo calendars. I recommend stopping by if you're feeling in a rut. And as I've said before and on my other blogs, no matter what happens this month, congratulations are in order.

You're attempting to do something that most people will never try to do in their entire lives.

Take pride in that.

Keep on readin' on,

Jolene

Friday, October 12, 2012

How To Get Your Shit Done & Stuff

Balance.

You guys have probably seen a zillion posts on this before, but let me tell you something. As of late, balance in my life has been SO difficult! This is probably why you see my website a little neglected.

I’m a part of three different writing sites, one blog reviewing site, run a book club, and as of yesterday I was offered an internship with a publishing house. I also work full-time, am engaged and trying to plan a wedding, own pets, and I have a hearty book addiction. I’m also gearing up for Nanowrimo. Oh, and I’m sick.

Sometimes I think of the things I have to get done in my day and wonder, when can I possibly make all of this happen?! I barely even know. I’m sure you feel or have felt the same way.

Don’t get me wrong. I love all of these things that I’m a part of! I really, really do! So why am I complaining? I’m not trying to. I just want anyone out there feeling kind of like I do, to know that it’s okay to feel overwhelmed! It happens. Life gets busy and usually when it does, something has to be neglected. Whether it be that you start forgetting to do little things you were supposed to, a significant other or family member feels like you’re neglecting the relationship, etc. It’s not easy. But there are a few things you can do to make the balancing act a little easier.

Create a plan - How will you accomplish what you need? What tools do you need? Do you have them? Do you need more information? Gather this information all together.
Buy a calendar / datebook / use an online calendar – Use this. Plan out your week. And if it makes it easier, plan everything, even dinner. Believe me. I know this is tough. I’m a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kind of girl. But for my work life, this is essential and SO helpful.
Manage your time - Allot a certain amount every day to do each task. Once you realize exactly how much each item takes to accomplish, you’ll be able to better plan your day and realize exactly what you can and can’t take on. I know several published authors that have lists like this even for writing. They log when they start and stop, word count, etc.
If you have a Smartphone, use it! - Make that post while you’re standing in line at Starbucks or on your lunch break at work. Sometimes, this is the only time that I have free!
Reach out to others for help. If you have a blog, ask for contributors or guest bloggers. See if a friend can help with something that you need. Most people are absolutely willing to help and happy to do it. Don’t be afraid to ask.
Music – De-stress with a little music if you can. I have several bands that calm me down if I need to be calm, or deflate my frustration, etc. Listen to your band if you can while working or doing a few tasks. I know music while writing always helps me.
Do something nice for yourself – Even if it’s something as simple as grabbing a coffee or treating myself to a nice new bright-red editing pen. Rewarding myself for a job well done always makes the week seem less horrible. And believe me, you deserve it!

What do you do when you're feeling completely overwhelmed?

How do you maximize productivity? How do you de-stress?

Monday, October 1, 2012

Free Writing Apps

I recently posted an article for YA Stands about helpful apps for writers.

Just in case you missed it, I've posted it below.

Twitter is one of my favorite tools for writers. If you're a writer, and you're on twitter, you probably know what I'm talking about. I'm talking about the supportive online community for writers, agent pitching contests, book cover reveals, meeting other writers, and so much more.

In fact, recently I met several amazing YA writers through twitter, one of which is Kristen Jett. In case you don't know her or follow her, you should! You can check out her website HERE and follow her blog HERE. What is awesome about Kristen, besides her ever-present positivity and sense of humor, is her her incredible knowledge on all things writing. Which brings me to the subject of my posts.

Kristen and I got to talking about technology and the convenience of having a smart phone with writing apps. I only recently got my first smartphone and I'm learning about all the awesome apps out there. Kristen gave me a ton of them to check out. I want to share them with you in hopes that you find them just as awesome as I do now. Put your feet up and get your phone charging; your phone just got so much better!

FREE BOOK RELATED APPS FOR YOUR PHONE

Evernote - An app that allows you to capture everything from likes, websites, things you see or hear, and everything in between. You can even save important tweets with it.

Cost: free
Useful for: book research, etc.

Available on: computer and most mobile smartphones

Goodreads - This app allows you to mark books you want to read, review what you have, see what your friends are reading, and get book recs. Goodreads also has a lot of great book giveaways.

Cost: free

Useful for: book research, reviewing, and organizing your digital bookshelf.

Available on: computer and most mobile smartphones

Werdsmith - This is a basic writing app that allows you to sort things into three categories: ideas, projects and portfolios. Not only is the logo super rad, but it's got a clean layout and is easy to use.

Cost: free. Has an upgrade option that costs $2.99

Useful for: quickly jotting down book ideas, writing

Available on: iPhone, iPod, or iPad

Corkulous - This is a wonderful app! It's a digital cork board you can use to plan anything you want. I've downloaded other cork board type apps, but this one is far superior. Your boards update automatically to be able to share between all apple devices.

Cost: free. Has an upgrade option that costs $1.99

Useful for: story boarding, inspiration boards, vision boards

Available on: iPhone, iPod, or iPad

Plaintext - This is a simple text editor that let's you write, edit, and organize your documents. Everything is able to be synced with Dropbox.com

Cost: Free

Useful for: editing

Available on: iPod, iPhone, iPad

A Novel Idea - This is amazing! It's ad free and an invaluable tool for planning your novel. It covers characters, plot, setting, and scenes. Setting up your scenes is as easy as dragging and dropping them into place.

Cost: Free
Useful for: Novel layout, planning, character detail
Available on: iPod, iPhone, iPad

I hope you found something here that you didn't know about before! It's always nice to learn about more resources for writers. Oh, and thanks Kristen for all the awesome recommendations! I know there are a ton of writing apps out there, so let me ask you readers and writers:

What are you favorite writing/reading apps?

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Nanowrimo 2012

Is anyone out there doing Nanowrimo?

In case you haven't heard of it, Nanowrimo is an online and in-home event, where you try to write an entire novel, or at least 50,000 words of it, in the month of November. The website can be found HERE.

I've participated the last three years, but I've only been successful one time, completing the challenge of 50,000 words in 30 days. Not only is the event awesome for writers, but there's a great writing community out there that band together and write.

I'd like to challenge all of you, including myself, to try this event and take it seriously this year. A lot of good can come from this, whether it be a complete novel, writing buddies, or great writing habits.

Chuck Wendig, novelist and screenwriter, has compiled an awesome to-do list if you're interesting in participating, if you're so inclined. You can find that HERE.

Alas, add me on Nanowrimo if you are participating. My username is Carniehands. Yep. That's right. Carniehands.

Take this time to start thinking about what you want to write, who your protagonist is, and look up local writing ground in your area. You can do this. I can do this. We can do this.

Monday, September 24, 2012

Book Review- Going Underground by Susan Vaught

Going Underground by Susan Vaught
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book in one day, in a matter of a few hours. I attribute most of this to the exquisite story telling of this author Susan Vaught.

I must say that originally, I was beyond drawn to this story, because the macabre side of me loves anything involving graves, cemeteries, and boys who live or dwell in them. But I wasn't prepared for how good this novel actually turned out to be!

Vaught does an amazing job portraying the voice of a teenage boy. I fell in love with Del, the protagonist, easily. I also found it enjoyable the way she revealed much of the storyline. Del insists that he doesn’t want to tell the audience right away what he did that got him arrested, for fear of being judged by the audience, just like everyone else in his town judges him. But, as Del gains confidence in himself and his newfound love interest, we find out exactly what happened in a series of flashbacks and conversations.

Del is a teenage boy, obsessed with music, his bird Fred, and haunted by his past. In a digital age, one can’t help but relate to this story of living with the consequences of your actions, no matter how unprepared you may feel or how safe cyberspace may feel. This dark secret that Del keeps from the reader, webs the entire plot together, and threatens to come lose at the story’s climax.

I don’t want to spoil it for you, but trust me. You want to read this novel. It’s intriguing, it’s funny, it’s serious, and it’s well done.

I love you Del.

View all my reviews

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

And the winners are...

Hello Guys and Girls,

Thank you SO much for everyone who entered my blog contest to win a free copy of

The Blood Keeper by Tessa Gratton!

Without further ado, here are the winners!!

Cherry Mischievous

@ebelleful

I'll message the winners via email or twitter. Please email me your address.

jolene dot haley at gmail dot com

I will ship them out within the next week-ish. :P

I'll be doing more giveaways soon so stay tuned!

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

BLOODY AMAZING BOOK GIVEAWAY!!!

In honor of how much I loved the novel The Blood Keeper by Tessa Gratton, I'm giving away 2 copies!!

If you don't know the premise, you can find it on goodreads.
It's a standalone sequel to her other novel Blood Magic.

The contest is simple.

Each task you do earns you 1 entry, with a total of 3 entries possible.
On September 12th the contests ends.
Two winners will be chosen and announced on my website and twitter.
I will ship your books and you will be happy reading maniacs.

How to get an entry?

1. Post a comment below, telling me who your favorite witch is from any novel in the world. (+1 entry)

2. Follow me on twitter. Note your twitter name below or tweet to me that you entered. (+1 entry)

3. Announce my giveaway on twitter please! Just copy and paste the following for +1 entry:
*Giveaway* Enter to #win The Blood Keeper by Tessa Gratton at http://tinyurl.com/9hpv65s #bookgiveaway #BloodKeeper

That's it. Easy peasy.

Thank you for entering!

Don't forget to include a way to get ahold of you if you win!

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Book Giveaway!!!!!

Hi Everyone!

I love free things. I bet you do too. Especially when it involves books!

I was lucky enough to snag a copy of The Blood Keeper by Tessa Gratton at ALA in Anaheim. I literally devoured it because it's a phenomenal read! I loved it and I'm sure you will too!

That said, I feel that this book is definitely worth purchasing and sharing with others.

I'm showing my support by buying 2 copies of the novel to give away!!!

I will update this blog tomorrow with the information to enter! :)

New Release Tuesday- 8/28/2012

In the spirit of book birthdays, here are the novels out today that I am most excited about!

Release date: 8/28/2012

Click on the book name to be taken to Goodreads for more info (where the bio is from).

The Blood Keeper
by Tessa Gratton

Paranormal romance fans who are looking to up the ante will be drawn to this tale of horror, fantasy, and romance.

For Mab Prowd, the practice of blood magic is as natural as breathing. It's all she's ever known. Growing up on an isolated farm in Kansas with other practitioners may have kept her from making friends her own age, but it has also given her a sense of purpose—she's connected to the land and protective of the magic. And she is able to practice it proudly and happily out in the open with only the crows as her companions.

Mab will do anything to keep the ancient practice alive and guard its secrets. But one morning while she is working out a particularly tricky spell she encounters Will, a local boy who is trying to exorcise some mundane personal demons. He experiences Mab's magic in a way his mind cannot comprehend and is all too happy to end their chance meeting. But secrets that were kept from Mab by the earlier generations of blood magicians have come home to roost. And she and Will are drawn back together, time again by this dangerous force looking to break free from the earth and reclaim its own dark power.

Starling

by Lesley Livingston

"Love is just the beginning... of the end."

Mason Starling is a champion fencer for Gosforth Academy, but she’s never had to fight for her life. Until now. When a ferocious storm rips through Manhattan and unleashes terrifying creatures onto Gosforth’s campus, Mason barely escapes alive. Without help from the mysterious stranger who appeared in the midst of the storm, she might not have made it at all. But now, in the aftermath, Mason’s life begins to spin dramatically, mystically out of control, and the only one who seems able to help her is the stranger who can remember nothing but his name: Fennrys Wolf.

As Mason and Fenn uncover more about Fenn’s past and the strange events that surround them, they realize that Mason’s family — and its dark allegiance to the ancient Norse gods — is at the center of everything. A predetermined fate seems to be closing in on Mason, but is it possible to change one’s destiny?

Readers who fell in love with Lesley Livingston’s Wondrous Strange trilogy and those who love Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments series will be captivated by the sweeping romance and pulse-pounding action of Starling.

Under My Hat

Neil Gaiman, Holly Black, Diana Peterfreund, Margo Lanagan, Peter S. Beagle, and Garth Nix are just a few of the authors who have toiled over their cauldrons and conjured up bewitching new creations inspired by and celebrating the might and mystery of the witch. Assembled by one of the most well-regarded anthologists in the science fiction/fantasy world, this rich, intelligent collection will enchant readers of all ages.

Defiance

by C.J. Redwine

Within the walls of Baalboden, beneath the shadow of the city’s brutal leader, Rachel Adams has a secret. While other girls sew dresses, host dinner parties, and obey their male Protectors, Rachel knows how to survive in the wilderness and deftly wield a sword. When her father, Jared, fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector, her father’s apprentice, Logan—the same boy Rachel declared her love for two years ago, and the same boy who handed her heart right back to her. Left with nothing but fierce belief in her father’s survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself. But treason against the Commander carries a heavy price, and what awaits her in the Wasteland could destroy her.

At nineteen, Logan McEntire is many things. Orphan. Outcast. Inventor. As apprentice to the city’s top courier, Logan is focused on learning his trade so he can escape the tyranny of Baalboden. But his plan never included being responsible for his mentor’s impulsive daughter. Logan is determined to protect her, but when his escape plan goes wrong and Rachel pays the price, he realizes he has more at stake than disappointing Jared.

As Rachel and Logan battle their way through the Wasteland, stalked by a monster that can’t be killed and an army of assassins out for blood, they discover romance, heartbreak, and a truth that will incite a war decades in the making.

Enshadowed

by Kelly Creagh

Varen Nethers is trapped in a perilous dream world -- a treacherous and desolate realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life. Isobel Lanley, plagued by strange visions and haunted by the nightmares of Varen's creation, is the only one who can save him.

Isobel knows that her only hope lies within a Baltimore cemetery. There, in the early morning hours of Edgar Allan Poe's birthday, a mysterious stranger known as the "Poe Toaster" will make his annual homage at the legendary poet's grave.

Only the Poe Toaster holds the key to the way between worlds. But even greater dangers lie ahead for Isobel. An ancient evil, draped in veils of white, is watching, challenging her for Varen's affections. When Isobel finally finds Varen, he is no longer the quiet and brooding boy who once captivated her, but a dark force, powerful and malevolent.

What books are you most excited for?

Happy Reading Everyone!

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

YA Stands

It occurred to me tonight that I may have failed to mention that I'm now a contributor to YA Stands, an online blog dedicated to YA lit and writing.

In case you missed it, you can find my first post here on why it's so important to find the perfect name for characters.

Saturday was my second time posting, and it's about one of my favorite topics, BOYS! You can find that one here.

Have a lovely night everyone!

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

NPR Best Ever Teen Novels

Today I came across NPR books, Best Ever Teen Novels list. I'm quite pleased and agree with SO many of them. Like Stargirl, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, the Harry Potter series being number one, the Hush Hush saga, Something Wicked This Way Comes)... And on and on.

What do you think about the list?

http://www.npr.org/2012/08/07/157795366/your-favorites-100-best-ever-teen-novels

Monday, July 30, 2012

Bump in the Night. Also a contest!

I have always said that there are not enough stories about the following:

Girls kicking major ass

YA Horror

Monsters

Some type of combination of YA Horror with monsters and girls that kick ass

Since there wasn't anything out there like this, I started writing it. I wrote and wrote and just finished it this month. It's called Bump in the Night and the synopsis can be found here.

However, to my excitement, I have come across two other excellent works with a somewhat similar concept. A darker story. Girls kicking ass. Monsters/ Supernatural. I haven't read Spookygirl yet, but I can't wait to! I have read Sweet Venom and cannot wait for the sequel!

Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs

http://teralynnchilds.com/books/sweet-venom/

Spookygirl by Jill Baguchinsky

Read the pitch here

Also, Jill Baguchinksy is currently running a contest where you can get a copy of her ARC for Spookygirl, as it isn't out yet. You wont want to miss out! Also Jill is a debut author, which is even more exciting, as I love love love success stories and hope that one day I too can have my own. Great work Jill!

Contest!

Jill also has an awesome blog showing her journey to publication! Check it out here!

That said, what other darker YA stories are you into? Are there any ass kicking, monster, supernautral, or horror-esque novels that I am missing? Please, share your knowledge! I'm always looking for a good read.

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Haters gonna hate.

I felt the need to wonder aloud why everyone seems so bent out of shape over this whole new cover of J.K. Rowling's next book The Casual Vacancy.

In case you've missed the bazillion tweets about it and blogs displaying it, here it is again:

Now, my first thought was... Okay. JK Rowling's new book is clearly Gryffindor.

My second thought was... the synopsis doesn't sound that great.

But I don't necessarily hate the cover. I mean, sure it's a little... minimalist, but not bad. I mean, some of my favorite books of all time have very simple covers. For example:

and

But the lack of color and drama that usually graces the cover of novels doesn't make me hate this new book.

I mean sure, if I was shopping in a book store, it wouldn't make me necessarily jump to try and read it.

However, it's not like J.K. Rowling has to try and appeal to fans. She already has a fan base. Millions of people will read her new novel whether or not it's good and whether or not the cover is Gryffindor.

Do people hate it because after such a crazy build up of Harry Potter adventuredom, they want to be WOW-ed and reassured again that the author of their favorite childhood protagonist wont let them down?

Or do people want an extravagant cover to make up for the lack of appeal in the novel's description?

Tell me.

What do you hate about J.K. Rowling's new novel The Casual Vacancy?

Do you like it or hate it? Why?

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

The Traveling Life

So. I admit that I have a very romantic perception of the traveling life.

But I also admit that I want to try it.

My best friend Johanna and my fiance Ryan are now in the works to start planning a trip around the country in a VW bus or a caravan.

Below are some of my favorite pictures of said caravans/ VW buses: