I'm Off To College: How This Will Effect My Blog

I am going to college. When I first started BLT I was just finishing my sophomore year of high school...now two years later, here is the big transaction. For the past few weeks I have been moving, packing, unpacking, and moving some more. I now have an apartment just a block away from the university and full-time schedule of classes. How will this effect my blog and book reading? Probably quite a bit. Not sure how busy I will be yet but if it was anything like last fall, then I more or less won't be posting but maybe a few times a month. I plan to take my some of my books with me–mostly unread ones. I bought a bookshelf so I'm sure I'll start a collection over there too. By all means I don't plan on abandoning my blog and if even if you only hear from me occasionally, I hope you'll continue to read my reviews, comment, and keep following me.

What am I studying in college? Graphic design and possibly Marketing. Someday I'd like to either have my own graphic design business or work in the art department in a publishing house (or both!). Everything officially starts August 15th...good luck to all the other book bloggers who are also starting college this year as well. Happy reading!

My New Bookshelf

I mention a couple of weeks ago that I had been busy installing something to do with "books and wood". Yep, you guessed it... I have a new bookshelf. Check it out:

I have more stuff on the shelves now, but this was taken after I sorted through all of my books. I still have plenty of room for more!

Some of my books... do you recognize any? Click on the picture to zoom in.

My pirate book collection and my one of my porcelain dolls, Alice.

A very interesting and pretty version of Pride and Prejudice!

It's Finals Week!

It's finals week over at my house and you know what that means... studying and last minuet essays to write! [Blah] Thank goodness the semester (and the school year) is just about over–I'm really ready for summer. Good luck on your finals too... see ya on the other side:)

Yeah, I'm Booked

Oo, gosh I will be so busy this week–just thinking about it makes me crazy. I have a test to study for, history assignment to finish, and a paper due [that I have yet to start] next Monday. Yeah, I'm booked. This and the following weeks will probably a bit slow for Books and Literature for Teens; please bare with me. I am, however, working on a blogging project that will be announced (maybe) sometime this week. It happens to be connected with last Tuesday's post [here] and involves new bloggers. Some of you might be getting an email from me soon asking if you would like to participate in this project. All will be revealed in due time :)
I have at least two reviews to post this week, buts since I'm working on a new review formula, you might not see any review from me either this week. In my tiny bit of spare time I will also be compiling a metal list about reasons not to take a [college] Biology major class. Chow for now.......

An Afternoon with CATS!

Most of you guys are probably running down to the movie theater to see Alice in Wonderland (which I want to do sometime in the coming weeks), but yesterday I went to the theater for an entirely different kind of show: CATS! My sole Christmas present from my parents was a ticket to go see the original Broadway Musical CATS at our local theater–and I must say, it was the best show I've ever seen. The music and the singing were wonderful, but the costumes were even better! I could barely tare my eyes away from the brightly colored, and unique cat costume each actor/dancer wore. There was also quite a bit of interaction with the audience. When the lights went dim, the cast members crept around the audience with glowing eyes before hopping up on stage and beginning their narration of the Jellicle Junkyard Cats. The next scene was the dancing and singing number with Rum Tum Tugger, the Elvis looking cat. He sang and danced around like Elvis then jumped off stage and began dancing with a girl who was sitting near the front of the stage. The audience thought it was so funny, especially when he later came back (after his dance) to the same girl and pointed and mouthed "call me". He even pretended to give her numbers! My favorite part was Asparagus's (or Gus the Theater Cat) narration of a drama he once played in when he was a young cat. He ripped off his old "fur" and underneath was a pirate costume! Then some backdrops appeared and the scene changed into a opera-like setting with pirate cats! Near the end of the show, one of the cats came up to me and I think she wanted to be petted. Kind of odd when a person, dressed as a cat, comes up to and wants to be petted don't you think? Anyway, I got a good look at their intricate make-up–very cool. Lots of reds, blacks, and oranges. I am pretty for sure the cat's name who came up to me was Jellyorum.
Immediately after the show we left and more thank likely, so did the cats, er, cast. I always wondered where performers are going next or what's happening back stage. I danced several times on the same filmy black stage they danced on and practically "lived' there for a week before each performance, so I have a very good idea what life would be like on a traveling show. I wonder if they ever get tired of performing the same show over and over again? Maybe, but I don't think I would tire of seeing CATS. Maybe someday I'll get to see it on Broadway.............

You're Not a Bookworm Without a Cat

Instead of doing another "Waiting on Wedesday" post, I decided to do something different.....like post about my cat. In my opinion (and Julie's too) you aren't a true bookworm until you've owned a cat. For hundreds of years cats have been associated with libraries, books (including magic ones), poets, and authors. I guess you could say cats are a symbol of knowledge. From their deep, silent, green eyes to their quiet and regal stature, cats are the perrrrfect companion for readers and writers [unless you're allergic; don't worry, there is such a thing as a hairless cat]. Meeeeow!

Meet my baby: Julie Bug. I call her "Jewy" for short. Julie's very different from any other cat I've owned. She only likes one person--that would be me--and prefers to hide in any tight crevices she can squeeze into. Unfortunately, even though she can be calm around me and be a very sweet kitty, she is very nervous and darts at loud noises. She hates men--must be the deep voices--and dogs; you could say she's a great feminist. She likes to be clean, so Julie tolerates a bath every six months or so (keeps the dander on the down-low level for awhile which helps with my seasonal allergies). Julie came to me as a kitten of about 4 weeks old. We found her inside the compartment between the truck door and the front wheel. How she managed to cram herself up in there we'll never know. See, didn't I say she likes tight spaces? Not as tight was the pickle she got herself into yesterday. She got up inside an old air conditioning unit we have sitting on our roof and got stuck the water-wheel compartment. You should have heard her meowing poor thing. Scared me to death--thought we'd never get her out of there. Thankfully, Julie got out safe and sound with only a minor wound where a claw use to be. She has short term memory, so she didn't suffer to much trauma, LOL, but I doubt she'll be going near the roof anytime soon. Julie will be 4 years old on May 27th. She also likes to read. Don't believe me? Check it out:

Oh, okay. So she can't read, but she sure likes to try. Library books are her favorite because she loves to smell where they've been. Chow for now and happy reading.

Fun Quizzes for Bookluvers

The blogosphere is full of these fun little quizzes for book lovers (or anyone) and I've com across a few that sparked my interest. These are quite fun to take and be sure to leave a comment telling me what you "are" after you take the quizzes!

The Steampunk Style Test
If first took this quiz on Ramblings of a Bibliophile's blog to get extra points for her [past] contest for steampunk book, Boneshaker by Cheir Priest. Which steampunk style are you? I turned out to be The Explorer! Cool picture, huh?

Take the Test

Flower Quiz

Amy Brecount White (author of Forget-Her-Not) tweeted this quiz this morning asking us what kind of flower are we. I'm an iris how about you?

"The legend goes that when an ancient king found himself trapped between a river and the enemy, he cleverly used irises growing in the river as a guide to safety across the shallowest part of the river. Perhaps this is why the iris is now considered to be an emblem of wisdom. You are a rational and observant person, and therefore are an excellent problem-solver. You enjoy learning about how things work and often prefer to work alone. Independent, analytical, and a lover of learning, you stand out for your competence and intelligence."

Take it Here

The Jane Austen Heroine Quiz

I think I've taken this quiz a few times and I always turn out to be either Maryanne Dashwood or Elinor Dashwood from Sense & Sensibility. What about you?

Take the Quiz Now

Know of anymore fun, quirky quizzes? Let tell me about 'em, I'd love to know!

Another Happy Thanksgiving Post!

Oh, great another "Thanksgiving" post, right? Oh, well you're just gonna have to read this anyway. Just kidding. :) I was going to post another book review today, but then I'm sure a lot of you might not be at the computers today. Instead of tucking yourself away in your room reading a novel, you'll be in the kitchen or listening to Uncle Harry talk about how he he burnt the turkey last year or the time the dog ate the green-bean casserole.
I'll be posting new bloggers tomorrow, but I probably won't post The Dancing Through Fire review until next week. Have a great time--no matter how boring or hectic this weekend will be. Eat lots of good food, but don't go into a turkey coma....that wouldn't be cool. LOL 

I'm on Twitter-Follow Me!

I decided to go ahead and create a Twitter page to stay up to date with the rest of the YA bloggers. If you're on Twitter please follow me! I'll probably post links (if I can learn how) to my reviews, contests, etc.

You can see my account here @morganluvsbooks

Honest Scrap Award

I received the wonderful Honest Scrap Award from Alexa at Hooked on YA Books-be sure to check out her blog! Thanks Alexa, I'm honored! :)

The rules for this award are:

This is the Honest Scrap Award. It is for those bloggers who write from the heart. The rules are to pass it along to seven bloggers and then list 10 honest things about myself.

10 bloggers I'm passing the award to: (i'm still searching for some new bloggers and I will post the rest of the nominees later :) I will make myself do this, I will remember, I will remember

Flight of Minds

Katie's Book Blog

Sophistikated Reviews

Today's Adventure

Lost in a Book

The Book Scout

Okay dokey, here the 10 honest things about me:

1) I'm too secretive for my own good

2) I would rather write a person than talk to them face to face; words come out better

3) My favorite time of the day is the late evening

4) My favorite number is 4

5) I like rains storms

6) I love books/movies about pirates and no, I don't obsess over Johnny Depp

7) I'm a tad too protective of my books; I like when my friends borrow them, but I hate it when they bring them back bent!*bites nails*

8) I dislike books about cliques or "it" crowd girls-they're just dumb

9) The Eiffel Tower is littered throughout my room

10) I always wanted to be a model if I were taller

October 2009 Review

I read eight books this month; it may sound like a small amount, but gosh, with school and all it's a lot to me:

1. Medina Hill by Trilby Kent

2. How to Say Goodbye in Robot by Natalie Standiford

3. Sliding on the Edge by C. Lee McKenzie

4. Eli the Good by Silas House

5. Dairy Queen by Catherine Murdock

6. Hannah: Daughters of the Sea by Kathryn Lasky

7. In Your Room by Jordanna Frailberg

8. Panama by Shelby Hiatt

(You can find the reviews here on BLT; use the lovely search box!)

I did two author guest posts:

Joy Preble

Catherine Murdock

Anyone Want to Swap?

At the moment I have no bookshelf. Yeah, I know. Because of this serious problem I have limited room on my closet shelves (two full ones) and on my dresser. So, I'm trying to find a new home for some of the books I'll probably never read again. If you would like to swap with me just zap me an email and we'll go from there! :) Here's a list of books I'm willing to swap: (links go to reviews)

Breathless by Jessica Warman

Hidden Voices by Pat Lowery Collins

Fever Season by Eric Zweig (ARC)

Panama by Shelby Haitt (ARC)

When the Whistle Blows by Fran Cannon Slayton (ARC)

Another Faust by Daniel & Dina Nayeri (ARC)

ATTENTION WINNERS OF RUIED BY PAULA MORRIS!!!!!

You should be getting your books sometimes this week. If you do not receive the book, please let me know! Thanks.

Special Halloween or Fall Contest/Events?

Anyone having a special Halloween or fall theme contest or events going on at your blog? Have a scary book(s) you'd like to suggest? I'd love to hear about them post them on my special (work in progress) Halloween post! Just email at thefirstlibrarian@yahoo.com

And yes, I to will have something special planned if I don't have too much schoolwork....muahaha! [Blink, blink] Did that just come from me? Hmmm.

Goodbye September 2009

Here's a review of what I've read, reviewed, and books I want to read that were released this month!

Books Reviewed This Month

Dreaming Anastasia

The Stone Child

Hate List

The Opposite of Invisible

Breathless

Ruined: A Ghost Story

Fever Season

Books To-Read (Released Sept. 2009)

Sorry, no links, but if you look up the titles on Amazon, you'll be able to find covers and summaries!

The Hollow by Jessica Verday

The Miles Between by Mary E. Pearson

Never Slow Dance with a Zombie by E. Van Lowe

Poster Boy by Dede Crane

Devil's Kiss by Sarwat Chadda

The Sweetheart of Prosper Country by Jill S. Alexander

Newsgirl by Liza Ketchum

Al Capone Shines My Shoes by Gennifer Choldenko (sequel to Al Capone Does My Shirts)

Splendor Falls by Rosemary Clement-Moore

Positively by Courtney Sheinmal

Time of the Witches by Anna Myers

A Pearl Among Princes by Colleen Paratore

Dan Noir by Nora Ren Suma

Duplikate by Cherry Cheva

In the Path of Falling Objects by Andrew Smith

Hello October......

Back to School

Welp it's back to school for me! Now, not only will I have my face stuck in a novel, but school books as well......Algebra II, geometry, geography, physics, English 102 (college level), and American literature (my favorite subject, if you haven't already guessed).

And I thought my sophomore was busy.

BLT wishes you a great school year and keep up the reading!

School Year To-Do List:

* Read Shakespeare

*Start a book club

*Complete a short story!!

Goodbye July, IMM, & Contests

Oh, nuts. July's over and August is already here......which means summer is almost over and scho-ick, don't even think about it! Just keep enjoying the next four weeks of summer. Anywho, July has been a busy month for me and a slow month for BLT. I keep updating my Summer Reading List challenge I have only read ten books. :( Can you believe that!? Ugh. Quite a shock since I read 40 some odd last year. But I have read over 2,000 pages. How is your summer reading list going?

In My Mailbox

After being gone for the weekend (last weekend), I came home and found several packages of ARCS. I very excited to read them all!

Lipstick Apology by Jennifer Jabaley (Penguin/Aug. 6)

Daughters of the Sea: Hannah by Kathryn Lasky (Scholastics/ Sept. 1)

Sideshow by various authors (Candlewick/July 14)

The Homsechool Liberation League by Lucy Frank (Dial/July 9)

Eli the Good by Silas House (Candlewick/Sept. 22)

Another Faust by Daniel & Dina Nayeri (Candlewick/Aug. 25)

July Reads

Here's what I read and reviewed in July. (Sorry, too lazy to post all the links)

The Straits by Jeremy Craig (5/5) debut

When the Whistle Blows by Fran Cannon Slayton (5/5) debut

A Sweet Disorder by Jacuqline Kolosov (5/5)

The Sweet Life of Stella Madison by Lara M. Zeises (3/5)

Me, Just Different by Stephanie Morrill (4/5) debut

Contests

I am still giving away 1 copy of Shadowed Summer by Saundra Mitchell and 1 signed copy of Skeleton Creek by Patrick Carman. To enter, please go here.

Also, The Electrical Book Cafe is giving away 5 copies of Geektastic by Holly Black and Cecil Castelucci. Enter here!

My Interesting Week at Summer Camp

I can't really say my four days at summer camp in Colorado was super fun, but I can truly say it was an experience I'll never forget because I came back sick. :( I'm 100% sure that two of my roommates had the flue (or something) before they came to camp. This year was my first year at a youth camp. (What's wrong with me, right?) I don't really like to camp or stay in cabins on hard bunk mattresses or race twenty other girls who spend hours doing their hair and makeup for the bathroom just to go pee in the morning. And who's the idiot who decided to have all the camp activities in the hottest part of the day?

Some people go for the fun of it, others to pick up boyfriends or girlfriends, or just to play stupid pranks (which nobody did because they got into serious trouble last year). The caravan of all boys from Arizona didn't show up this year so most of the girls were extremely bored and wasted those precious hours in the mirror for nothing. Me? I was just lucky to get a bunk or actually get to go to the bathroom twice a day. When the bathroom was free, it was like getting free candy. I hung out with the girls from Room #3 (yeah, the only room left since these other girls started calling bunks several hours before we even reached Colorado), which all of whom had just finished mid-school so they quite a bit younger than me. There was Sylvia*, Liz, Meggie, Zia, and then our counselor. We all had fun together and I think that the girls my age were quite boring compared to these to-be freshmen. (Can you imagine? A junior hanging out with freshmen!)

Anyway, I enjoyed every minuet with them. Thanks guys for making camp a little more bearable!

The Loooong Ride

We left Sunday afternoon around 1:30 pm and didn't arrive at the camp till 9:30 pm. It took us eight hours with two buses full and one SUV full of suitcases. Forty teenagers (all girls except eight) equals huge suitcases.

The A Dip in the Coldest Water on Earth

Our camp leader (who also happens to be with My Group) took us white-water rafting which was the reason for arriving a day early. I don't have any pictures to share with you because I couldn't take my camera.

I thought it would be scarier because they kept talking about flipping the boat and falling out, but the only people who fell out did it on purpose. At one point on ride you could jump out. While standing on edge of the boat playing a game called "ride the bull", Zia lost her balance and plopped over the edge.

It took two people to get her out.....and the water? It was freezing!

The rest of the ride was fun, but I'd actually go for a bit more thrill (we were only on level 1 of 6 because of so many new people). At the end of the ride, we came to this place where there was a giant rock sticking out of the water. We stopped and a few of us climbed the rock. I stood on the riverbank watching until somebody started throwing people into the water. Pretty soon no one was dry. My friend KC got dunked three times; poor Andrew almost got hypothermia; and my friend Tina got a big cut on her leg after KC pushed her into the water. Our clothes didn't get dry till the end of camp!

Meet the Band

Because there was a lack of camp staff to lead us in activities and represent certain groups, the band who was hired to play for us helped out. The band was Crimson Everburn: Josh (vocals), Colton (guitar), and Haven (drums). Haven was my activities leader for the week.

Drama & Trauma

Drama? Thank goodness not much reached my ears. But really with hardly any boys around, would there really be that much of a fuss? Besides a few acts of drama here and there, a lot of the teenagers brought with them problems from home. Can't have a summer camp without tears now can we?

Disco Fever

On the last night at camp we had a Disco "party". They played disco music, we danced, and a counselor taught us how to do the Hussle. We danced for so long that the camp director practically had to kick us out!

The other nights-for entertainment-we had wrestling matches.

Goodbye

After many goodbyes and some yucky lunch-meat sandwiches, it was time to hit the road. On the way home Andrew, KC, and some other teens did some prank phones calls which were hilarious, but that's about all we did. Everyone was tired and ready to sleep in the own beds. Don't worry though, I'm sure that sleepy-eyed bunch will be ready for the next camp adventure soon enough......

Sorry I don't have any pictures to show you guys since they all have people in the pictures that might not want their faces on the web.

*All names have been changed for safety reasons

My Contest is Ending & Oh Look! I Got Awards!

Hey guys! Just a little reminder that my contest is ending today (12:00 am), so last chance to enter. Click here.

Also I will be leaving for the weekend (don't worry, posts will go on as usual), but I won't be able to send out contest book till I get back. So short delay there.

And now for my blog awards! Special thanks to WDebo from The Electric Book Cafe,to Silvia at Silvia's YA Bookshelf, and MssJoss at Reviews of Young Adult LIterature thanks so much you guys! (Looking at all the comments is sometimes confusing, so if somebody else gave an award, please let me know on this post!) Sorry it took so long to post about the awards, but I've been scouring the blog-o-sphere in search of worthy nominees:

Thanks to Isa, Genevieve, and Liana for all the comments and for being some of BLT's first followers! 

1. Isa of Mixtures Books 

2. Genevieve of Genevieve's Blog

3. Liana of Liana Has Too Much Spare Time 

I discovered these guys recently and I really LOVE their blogs. Plus I hear Willowe and Reading to Myself are being nominated for a big award over at Hey, Teenager of the Year!

4. Willowe of Readings of a Teenage Tree

5. Reading To Myself

6.Michelle of Michelle's Bookshelf (it seems I'm not alone to think Barbie when I see My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters) 

7. And finally Lauren at Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf, the first blog I ever followed.

Now pass it on! "This award is given to new blogs and blogging friends.The rules to follow are:1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his or her blog link.2) Pass the award to at least 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award."

I also received the Zombie Chicken Award from Michelle at Michelle's Bookshelf! Thanks so much! Very thoughtful. As for who I'm nominating, I'm still trying to decide. Don't worry, I'll try to have the nominees posted by next week! Thanks again for the lovely awards.