Days of Blood & Starlight

Normally when I read a sequel I am able to skim/skip a lot of the beginning because the author has to explain  things that the reader might have forgotten about book one. So I was shocked how Laini was able to make the information fresh and new. I did not skip one word of Days of Blood & Starlight I drank every single one in. At first I was sad I could not read it faster but then when I got close to being done I wanted to cry because I didn't want it to be over. I have really come to love these characters and I can not wait for the third book!

Friday Laini's tour brought her to Changing Hands in Tempe! Debbie and I were so excited to get to see her again. We met Laini at Project Book Babe and both started following her blog and soon started talking about her like we were really friends. So as you can guess we were super excited for her signing and Melissa and her husband James came along with Mimi & her crew as well making it an extra good time.  

When I was re-reading Daughter of Smoke and Bone I was inspired by one of my favorite parts of the book to make a t-shirt. I had even forgotten to show Laini, thankfully she noticed and her reaction was perfect!

I turn into such a fan girl at book signings guys, I'm always a little embarrassed after and yet I still don't change. I think in this picture I am telling Laini how I could not stop thinking about Akiva. 

 The guy taking pictures saw me get all comfortable and joked about how I was moving in. So part of me is embarrassed but if I was to do it all over again I would do it the same. And you know why because Laini told me how she wanted the third book to end! Have you seen the movie The Young Victoria? Oh I love it I hope you have. Well there is a scene where Albert is getting excited about his ideas for helping the working class, then apologizes. In response Victoria says "there's no need to apologize for being passionate." Which is how I feel as long as your passion isn't hurting you or those around you.

When I first read about Akiva's widow's peak it wasn't something I had really thought about. So I googled widow's peak and was surprised at how many of my boyfriends have widow's peaks. (Just to be clear not all below are my boyfriends, you know you have to be more than a pretty face.) But can you see who I traced for the model of Akiva?

(Top row Colin Farrell, Jude Law, Daniel Craig, Wentworth Miller, 2nd row Leonardo DeCaprio, Chris Hemsworth, David Beckham & Gavin Rossdale)

I love making t-shirts & bags (in case you have not noticed) my favorite way is using freezer paper I kind of explained how it works here when I made Harry Potter shirts.

Are You Ready For This?

It has been awhile since I have got sucked into a novel series and I have missed it. The sequel to Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke & Bone, Days of Blood & Starlight comes out November 6th! (Happy birthday Mimi!!!)

In preparation I have been listening to Daughter of Smoke & Bone and once I am done will read the first seven chapters of Days of Blood & Starlight online here. Did you know the author Laini Taylor is coming to Changing Hands November 9th? Have you read Daughter of Smoke of Bone yet? Well come on what are you waiting for read it and then come to the signing! My friend Melissa is listening to it in the car right now (if she can make time anyone can make time!) and we have been talking about it which is getting me even more super excited! 

Come on guys Batman is doing it, you should too!

Watercolor Books & A Wishbone

My birthday buddy Lauren was in town so we last minuet decided to do a little get together. Debbie came up with the idea of dressing up like a book character & having water color and paper to paint on. 

 Gracie helped me paint a little. 

We got pizza from Le Grande Orange and Lauren made Salt River Bars.

 Lauren dressed up as Arya Stark from Game of Thrones

 I dressed up as Madrigal from Daughter of Smoke and Bone for the party. I had a hard time deciding between Karou & Madrigal and my mom brought me the blue wig from the kids costume box.

 I had been saving the temporary tattoos for a year, I had gotten them with the book sampler. 

We didn't take any pictures till the party was over of course but others dressed up as well. I wish we would have gotten pictures they were great and it was fun to see so many friends. 

The Daughter of Smoke & Bone

Today is a great day to be a reader! Today Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke & Bone is released into the world (or at least the US). I am so excited for everyone, because I loved this book and I think all my book friends will love it too!

I did not always know I liked to read, it wasn't till I found "my books" around the age of 14 that I became a reader. Like a love sick bibliophile I wander online sites like Goodreads, visit my local library and bookshops looking for those books hoping that the next one is going to be "my book". While reading The Daughter of Smoke & Bone I kept thinking "this is the book I have been waiting for." I would read a passage that reminded me of other books that I really loved but were lacking in other areas. Reading Laini's book was such a relief, it never let me down or disappointed, it was reading Magic! (no not like reading magic it was reading magic) 

Make sure you go and check out the Daughter of Smoke & Bone site, you can meet the characters & even listen to the first chapter. 

What I Have Been...

My friend Jenny B (made my birthday cake) does this thing at the end of her blog where she lists what she has been; Listening to, Anticipating, Reading, Snacking on & Wearing. I have been liking some new jams so I decided I would steal Jenny's list and maybe tweak it, we will see what happens.

Listening to:

Generationals - Ten Twenty Ten

These guys are coming to Tucson, who goes to Tucson?

Slow Club - Two Cousins

I don't think I have listened to Slow Club before but I really liked the song & music video.

Theophilus London featuring Sara Quin - Why Even Try remix

I know what you are thinking I only listened to him only because his name is Theophilus London you may be right.

Anticipating:
Author Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke and Bone


For television shows to start up again. Project Runway started and has got me excited for my other shows. The two shows I never miss are Fringe & Community. I went to go see what movies are coming out in the next month or so & there wasn't much that caught my attention. It makes me really sad.

Reading:
I have been working on the books I got for my birthday (thanks again) and LOVED Divergent by Veronica Roth. It took me a good 50 pages to get into the story but once I got there I was hooked. The story was fresh and kept me on my toes, it is a series but the book did not leave you hanging like other trilogies.

FYI Scott Westerfeld (I really am loving the Leviathan series) & James Dashner (Maze Runner series) are both coming to Arizona next month if you are interested in going, I would go. Both are very entertaining & very nice, if you want to go with me just let me know.

Snacking:
I am so boring when it comes to food, um grapes, does that count?

Wearing:
I wear a cardigan almost everyday to work, year round.