#TakeControlRAT Challenge: Oldest Book in Your TBR Pile

I hope everyone is having fun attacking their

TBR Pile. This challenge is easy and fun. 

Go through your TBR pile and find the oldest book you haven't read. 

Tell us why you bought it.

 Why you haven't read it. 

 Read the first chapter

 Tells us what you think or give a summary. 

Share a quote.

Why am I making you do this seemly silly challenge? 

First because I am nosy *seriously* second I am hoping that by reading

a chapter you may overcome whatever it is that is

 keeping you from reading it! 

Here is mine:

Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Published: September 13, 2011

Purchased: September 13, 2011

Why I bought it:
I bought this after reading early reviews and editorial reviews claiming how excellent it was, plus I loved the cover! 

Why I haven't read it:
I add it to my tbr pile each month and some how the next shiny cover catches my eye. It's almost like, I know it will be good so there is no rush to find out..does that even make sense?!?

First chapter thoughts: 

The first chapter begins when a little girl named Celia, with wide eyes and brown hair, dressed in her best is delivered by a lawyer to the circus for Hector Bowen "aka Prospero the Enchanter" She has an envelope addressed to him pinned to her coat. The owner takes her to his trailer and serves her tea. When Hector arrives he grasps the note, stares at the girl and says, "She should have named you Miranda." 

Quote: "The girl looks up at him again. Dark eyes narrow beneath her curls. The teacup on the desk begins to shake. Ripples disrupt the calm surface as cracks tremble across the glaze, and then it collapses in shards of flowered porcelain. Cold tea pools in the saucer and drips onto the floor, leaving sticky trails on the polished wood."

One Random Participant will win an eBook of 

their choice from B&N, Smashwords or Amazon

valued at up to 10.00 US dollars.

*only participants of the Take Control RAT are eligible to win*
winner will be selected using Random.org

You can post your answer on your blog, facebook, tumblr, goodread account or
 in the comments below. 


!Winner!

Selected using random.org 
the winner of this challenge
was Michelle @In Libris Veritas

Review Copy Clean Up for August

 

Review Copy-Clean Up is hosted by 
Celene @Nyx Book Reviews and Vicky @Books, Biscuits and Tea

I participated in the first Review Copy Clean Up and had a blast, 

so I have decided to join the fun again.

 I encourage you to sign up and join in the fun. (click image to link up)

My Goals :

Read and Review:

• Innocent Darkness by Suzanne LaZear
• Skylark by Meagan Spooner
• The Uninvited by Heather Graham
• City of Demons by Kevin Harkness
• Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire
• In a Fix by Linda Grimes
• Every Day by David Levirthan
• Dream of Me by Jennifer Froelich
• Blackwood by Gwenda Bond
• The Angry Woman Suite by Lee Fullbright
• Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan
• The City's Son by Tom Pollock
• Cursed by Jennifer L. Armentrout 
• Undead by Kirsty McKay
• Too Many Cooks by Shirley Ann Wilder
• Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay

It looks like a lot, but with a couple of read-a-thons I am confident I can meet and surpass this goal. Wish me luck and stop back to check my progress. I will update this post once a week with my progress and provide a link on my Sunday Post each week. 

Accomplished (finished reading and review to post this month):

• Innocent Darkness by Suzanne LaZear
• Skylark by Meagan Spooner
• Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire
• In a Fix by Linda Grimes
• Dream of Me by Jennifer Froelich
• Blackwood by Gwenda Bond
• Seawitch by Kat Richardson
• The Uninvited by Heather Graham
• City of Demons by Kevin Harkness
• Every Day by David Levirthan
• Too Many Cooks by Shirley Ann Wilder
• Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay
• Undead by Kirsty McKay (review to post Sept. 1)
• The Angry Woman Suite by Lee Fullbright
• The City's Son by Tom Pollock (review to post Sept 8)

15  ARC/review books!

I also read the following personal books this month for review on my blog:

• The Reckoning by Alma Katsu (review to post Sept. 6th)
• Isolation by Dan Wells (review to post Sept. 3rd)
• San Diego: 2014 by Mira Grant (review to post Sept. 7th)
• Destined for An Early Grave by Jeaniene Frost (review to post Sept. 10th)
• The Truth About Lord Stoneville by Sabrina Jeffries (review to post Sept. 13th)
• Last to Die: A Rizolli & Isles Novel by Tess Gerritsen (review to post Sept 14th)

I had a really good time, although I failed to attend the twitter parties and I am sorry I missed them. I did however read all but one review book on my list and I am delighted by my accomplishments. I feel great about having read 21 books and writing all of the reviews up. 

Thanks to our hosts Celene and Vicky!!!! 

Wicked Wildfire Read-a-Thon ~Challenge~ Slake your Thirst

This challenge is for those participating in the Wicked Wildfire Read-a-Thon. It's not to late to join in the fun. Just click on the image above to sign up. This is an awesome way to catch up on your reading, make new friends and have fun with amazing challenges.

~Create a Wicked Recipe Book~

For this challenge:
Help me create a recipe book for the Wicked Read-a-Thon

Share your favorite drink recipe* and the
 cover of your favorite/most anticipated summer read!

Have fun with this, include pictures, the recipe (so we can all try it**) and tell us about your book choice. Have you read it? Are you anxiously awaiting its release this summer? Why?

Here is my recipe and book:

Pretty in Pink Sangria

Recipe: 

(serves 10)

Ingredients

• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen sliced strawberries, thawed
• 1/2 (12 fluid ounce) can frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
• 1 (750 milliliter) bottle chilled rose wine, such as white Zinfandel
• 1 cup pineapple juice
• 1/2 liter ginger ale

Stir the strawberries, lemonade concentrate, rose wine, and pineapple juice in a punch bowl until combined. Stir in the ginger ale just before serving. Serve over crushed ice and add a fresh strawberry as garnish. 


My summer reading pick:
A Rogue By Any Other Name by Sarah MacLean

I have been devouring Sarah MacLean's historical romances. I love that the woman are strong and feisty. Of course all the men are completely swoon worthy! I am saving this to read on vacation this summer and cannot wait. 
I love the cover and the dress matches my drink perfectly!

Ok..it's time for you to share your drink and book. 

Leave me the link to your post or include the details in your comment.

One winner will be selected at random to

 win a book of their choice 

(valued at up to 10.00)

from B&N or Book Depository 

(as long as they ship to your address)

Remember you must be a participant of WW read-a-thon to win.

This challenge is open from 4pm Wednesday June 20, 2012 to Thursday June 21, 2012 at 4pm. I look forward to seeing our first recipe book! 


Update:
Winner using random.org is
Kristian @parahangeover


Thanks to everyone who participated!

* this drink can be anything from a smoothie to a hot toddy. Participants under 21~please share your favorite non-alcoholic drink!

** disclaimer: Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer and the hosts of the Wicked Wildfire Read-a-Thon do not endorse under age drinking. As always please drink responsibly.