48 HBC UPDATE-STILL KICKING

12 HOUR UPDATE
I'm still kicking and I have the picture to prove it-yes those are my chubby little toes.
Interesting facts:
*Visited 10 more blogs participating in the 48 HBC(bringing the total to 20 blogs visited)
*Discovered that word verification annoys me
*Noticed that I'm easily distracted-what's that shiny thing over there?
*Pistachios are very hard to eat while reading a book
*I'm a slow reader
Total time read: 60 min
Time blogged/read blogs: 2 hours
Total participation time: 2 hours 30 min
Total number of books read: 0
Total pages read: 51
I'm determined to make a dent in the book I started today-Fall for Anything by Courtney Summers. So far it's really good. I just put my daughter to bed and have a quiet house. I'm hoping tomorrow won't be quite as crazy and I can get started with next book on goal list.
Happy reading!

48 HBC UPDATE

Six hour update:
After sending son off to basketball tournament picked book to start with. Started 48 HBC at approx. 8:30am Friday morning.
I'm currently reading Fall For Anything by Courtney Summers
Here's my day so far:
*Sister and neighbor popped in for coffee
*Ran errands
*Had amazing fish tacos that sister made for lunch
*Cleaned bathrooms for unexpected company coming to town on Sunday
*Watching nephew while sister runs errands
So here's where I stand-with my head down in shameful pose.
Time read since last update: 30 min
Total time read: 30 min
Time blogged/read blogs: 1 hour
Total time blogged/read blogs: 1 hour
Total participation time: 1 hour 30 min
Total number of books read: 0
Total pages read: 39
I've spent some time cheering on other participates of the 48HBC and posting this update. I'll be checking in again tonite for another update. Hopefully I'll be a little more productive with my reading!
Until then CHEERS!

READY, SET, GO!!!

48 HBC
I'm probably getting in way over my head but i have a stack of books just screaming to be read. Husband and teen are at a basketball tourny. I'm taking a quick trip to video store for some childre's DVDs for the 8 yr. old and quick stop to Corner Store for a six pack of Coke for me. I'm doing it! I'm jumping in and joining the 48HBC hosted by Mother Reader. For more information or to join the fun visit her site. Don't forget to stop back in and check on my progress. Hopefully I'll make a dent in my TBR pile.
Goal:
To read and review 4 books
*Shattering Glass by Gail Giles
*If I Stay by Gayle Forman
*Fall for Anything by Courtney Summers
*By the Time You Read This, I'll be Dead by Julie Anne Peters
Time read since last update: 0
Total time read: 0
Time blogged/read blogs: 30 min
Total time blogged/read blogs: 30 min
Total participation time: 30 min
Total number of books read: 0
Total pages read: 0
I'll be checking in every six hours to update, blog and cheer for other participants.
Good Luck!

Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven

UNDRESS ME IN THE TEMPLE OF HEAVEN
By Susan Jane Gilman
2010
320 pages
Grand Central Publishing
Summary Taken from Barnes and Noble Website:
In 1986, Susan Jane Gilman and a classmate embarked on a bold trek around the globe starting in the People's Republic of China. At that point, China had been open to independent backpackers for roughly ten minutes. Armed only with the collected works of Nietzsche and Linda Goodman's Love Signs, the two friends plunged into the dusty streets of Shanghai. Unsurprisingly, they quickly found themselves in over their heads—hungry, disoriented, stripped of everything familiar, and under constant government surveillance. Soon, they began to unravel—one physically, the other psychologically. As their journey became increasingly harrowing, they found themselves facing crises that Susan didn't think they'd survive. But by summoning strengths she never knew she had—and with help from unexpected friends—the two travelers found their way out of a Chinese heart of darkness.
My Thoughts:
Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven is one of the best books I have read this year. I bought it used from Amazon for $1.00 about a month ago after reading a great review. It's a book you will read and then want to talk about. I immediately loaned it to a friend who was traveling to Ireland knowing she would need a good book for the flight. She also loved it.
The experiences that Susan and Claire have are amazing, horrific, and hilarious. A roller coaster of emotion. I literally couldn't put the book down, sitting it on the bathroom counter to brush my teeth or fix dinner. Yes! It's that good! If you are looking for THE summertime read I recommend that you pick this one up immediately. Don't forget to drop me a line and tell me what you thought!
I plan to get another book she wrote called Hypocrite in a Pouffy White Dress as soon as possible.

"JUST BECAUSE" GIVEAWAY WINNER!

Samantha35

Samantha chose Flawless by Sara Shepard and A Match Made in High School by Kirstin Walker. Perfect books for Summer! Samantha has 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen. A GIANT wet one right on the cheek for participating in Mug of Moxie "Just Because" Giveaway. One of the things I love about the book blogging world is finding great contests and winning awesome books. Hopefully hosting my own giveaways is paying it forward a little bit. It also frees up room on my bookshelf for new books!
Be on the look out for upcoming giveaways later this month.
"You Suck" Vampire Pkg. Giveaway
"Awesome ARCs" Pkg. Giveaway
More information on this giveaways this weekend!

SPLASH INTO SUMMER WINNER!

AND THE WINNER IS....
DEVONY
She chose The Summer I turned Pretty by Jenny Han. This is the first book in a trilogy and the perfect book to splash into summer with.
A BIG thank you to all that participated in the giveaway especially given the technical difficulties I was experiencing with Blogger. Also a Giant Air Kiss goes out to our awesome hosts I'm A Reader, Not a Writer and Page Turners Blog.
Devony has 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen. Also a quick note to be on the lookout for two great giveaway coming up. Mug of Moxie's "You Suck" Vampire Package Giveaway and Awesome ARCs Giveaway. More information on that later this weekend!
Have a great week!

SPLASH INTO SUMMER GIVEAWAY

Summer is here! Sunshine, pool time, and green grass. I don't know about you but my perfect summer includes a deck chair, ice cold drink and a big book. It's a perfect time to have a Splash Into Summer giveaway!
A big thank you to I'm a Reader,Not A Writer and Page Turners for organizing this great event. There are over 300 blogs participating so make sure you check out the list below and check out all the super giveaways they are offering.
I wanted to giveaway a book that screams SUMMER. And I thought it would be fun for you to be able to choose your prize soooo I found three on my bookshelf that I'm willling to part with. Here they are-which one would you like?

OR
OR
To enter my giveaway the rules are simple.
*Be a follower of Mug of Moxie
*Leave your contact info and choice of book in comment section.
*I will draw a winner on May 31. You have 48 hour to confirm or another winner will be drawn.
*This giveaway is for US residents and Canadians.
Good Luck and Have Fun!