Friday's Fab Five (7)

Friday's Fab Five is a meme from the Froggarita Book Blog. It's fun and silly and designed to allow book bloggers to get to know one another better. Feel free to join in the fun!

1. What is your favorite disco song?

Probably "I Will Survive". There's something irresistible about the beat that makes me wanna dance. It's great at weddings.

2. What is your favorite soft rock song?

I'm definitely not a fan of soft rock. That's a bit of an oxymoron to me. I actually had to google the term "soft rock" to see what came up. Immediately, I saw Fleetwood Mac. I love them. So, I'm going with "Dreams" by Fleetwood Mac. Apparently, Stevie Nicks wrote that song in ten minutes. Genius. 

3. What is your favorite love ballad?

It's not a traditional love ballad, but the song "Fighter Girl" by Mason Jennings is a song that my husband sings to me all the time. Guess I'm his little fighter girl. Aw, shucks. 

I'm embedding it for your listening pleasure. And cuz I love it.


4. What is your favorite hard rock song?

Probably Nirvana. I remember when "Smells Like Teen Spirit" came out. It was awesome. I was just entering high school and loved the rebellious nature of that song and the "grunge" scene. This made for some interesting times in high school!

5. What is your favorite pop song?

I'm going to give this honor to Prince's "Kiss". That song is just genius. I love it!

Friday's Fab Five (7)

Friday's Fab Five is hosted by Froggarita's Bookcase. It's a way for us crazy book bloggers to get to know one another a little better. Feel free to join in!

1. What is your favorite tree?

Hm. This is a toughie. There are so many. But, I live in the Northeast and own heavily forested land, I'll choose from the selection that we have here on our property. I think that it'd have to be the white birch trees. They are just beautiful.

2. What is your astrological sign?

Aries. March 30th. And, I'm such an Aries. Fiery and crazy and fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants. Yup. No dull moments here!

3. How long does it take you to do your grocery shopping?

Not long. I rush in and rush out. Why? Because I live in a small town, which is surrounded by other small towns. So, I pretty much know everyone and have to engage in several conversations whenever I go out in public. It can be pretty time consuming.

4. How often do you ride a bike?

So funny! I just went on an awesome bike trek today in Portland, Maine. (About 2 hours from where I live.) My mother and I biked the Back Bay Cove. It's right on the Atlantic ocean and gorgeous! (My buns hurt!)

5. Who is your role model?

My father. He's the best person I know. I respect him for his hard work, his patience and his love. He's just amazing. I love you, Dad!

Friday's Fab Five (7)

Friday's Fab Five is hosted by Froggarita's Bookcase. It's a way for us crazy book bloggers to get to know one another a little better. Feel free to join in!

1. What is your favorite milkshake flavor?

Um, this is boring, but vanilla. I like to have a shake about three times a year. I'm not all that into them.

2. What's your favorite flower?

I have lots, but love lilies. I have tons of varieties at my house. They're gorgeous.

3. What's your favorite candy/ chocolate?

I'm not super into candy or chocolates, but I do have a hankering for a twix every now and again. I like the peanut butter ones, but will settle for the caramel.

4. What's your favorite cereal?

Um, I like the Newman's Own cereals. The honey flax is my favorite. I'm starting to sound like I should move in to a nursing home or something. Geesh.

5. What's your favorite chewing/ bubble gum?

Orbit, green or light blue package. I don't know any more than that but I am never without it.

Friday's Fab Five (7)

It's no longer Friday, but I've been so busy reading that I forgot to post my Friday's Fab Five, which is a meme hosted by Froggarita's Bookcase. I love this meme, because I learn about other bloggers and get to share some thoughts/ parts of my life that might not necessarily have to do with reading.

Here are my answers to this week's questions:

1. What new TV shows starting this fall are you excited to watch?

I love Bravo and watch everything on that station. All of The Real Housewives, Flipping Out, Top Chef, etc. All of it. They have a new Top Chef-inspired show called Just Desserts. That sounds like a yummy one to watch!

2. Which returning shows are you excited to see?

Every time Survivor comes on, there's a huge pool at my school. All sorts of people enter and everyone's assigned a contestant. It's awesome to watch the show, root for your contestant and think about what you'd do if you won the big prize--$200. It's pretty fun! And Glee. I am a total Gleek and can't wait for it to start up again!

3. Do you ever look for spoilers for your favorite TV shows? If so where?

No. I don't like for my favorite shows to be spoiled.

4. Has one of your favorite shows been cancelled? If so which one?

I used to love Freaks and Geeks! That was a great show. Too bad not enough people thought so.

5. Is there a character on one of your favorite shows that you just wish they would kill off the show? If so which one?

Well, since my most favorite shows are "reality" ones, I don't think that I should answer this question!

Friday's Fab Five (6)

Friday's Fab Five is hosted by Froggarita's Bookcase. It's a way for us crazy book bloggers to get to know one another a little better. Feel free to join in!

1. Do you have any hidden talents?

Honestly, no. I'm not big on hiding anything that I'm talented in doing. There are talents that I wish I had (singing, dancing, anything musical really) but, as far as I know, none that are hidden.

2. Name one thing that not many people know about you.

Hm. I guess that one thing that surprises some people when they learn this about me is that I love cars and know a lot about them. Not how to fix them or anything practical like that, just model names and such. I love looking at cars and love test driving new cars.

3. Do you have any phobias?

I am afraid of mice (and all other rodents) and climbing ladders. I don't know if there is a name for either of these phobias, or if they're my own personal fears. It's kind of funny, because I'm not afraid of heights, just climbing ladders.

4. What's your favorite cartoon?

I guess that I'd have to say The Simpsons. I don't really watch it anymore, but I've probably seen more Simpsons than any other cartoon.

5. Do you have any nicknames?

Yes. Lots. My first name is Hattie, which has inspired references to The Mad Hatter and Peppermint Patties, among many others. In high school, Battie Hattie and Happy Hattie were my nicknames. My favorite nickname is "Hat" because they only two people who call me this are my father and my husband. And they just happen to be my two favorite men!

Friday's Fab Five (5)

Friday's Fab Five is hosted by Froggarita's Bookcase. It's a way for us crazy book bloggers to get to know one another a little better. Feel free to join in!

Question 1: What book is in your purse/car?

Right now, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte is in my purse. I always travel with a book. I'm reading this classic because I never have. I'm honestly loving it and wish that I had an extra four or five hours to just sit and read it. 

Question 2: What book is in your bathroom?

I don't really ever have a book in my bathroom, but there are tons of magazines in there. I like to read Time and Glamour. Go figure. 

Question 3: What book is nearest to your favorite chair?

The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff. I'm reading it as part of an ARC tour from Around the World ARC Tours. It's an awesome book so far and I can't wait to read the rest of it.  Psst: Word for Teens is offering a chance to win one of two copies of this book. Join me in entering!


Question 4: What book is nearest to your couch?

Nothing fun. Just books for my graduate research project. Literacy and technology and literacy stuff. It's good information, but not exactly exciting. I read it in intervals between all of the fun YA I have going on.


Question 5: What book is nearest to your bed?

I'm currently devouring Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. It's awesome. I put off reading it for some strange reason, but wanted to finish it before Beautiful Darkness came out. So far, I've read a little over 100 pages and I'm not disappointed!

 *  *  *

And, off to read. I've been busy with family and work-related shenanigans lately and am missing my reading/ blogging time. First, read. Then, blog. That's the plan.

Friday's Fab Five (4)

 In this meme, Froggy of Frogarrita's Bookcase asks five simple questions so that we can get to know one another a little bit better. It's pretty fun and interesting. Feel free to join in if you want!

1. What new author have you discovered this year that is now on your auto-buy list?

Definitely Maggie Stiefvater. I read Shiver and was hooked. It'd read a shopping list if she wrote it. It'd probably be amazing!

2. What author have you yet to read, despite having most of their books in your TBR pile?

There are a few authors that I know I need to read. One is Melissa de la Cruz. I've never read any of her books, but love that lots of my students are hooked on her Blue Bloods series. I have several girls who would love it if I were to start reading and chatting about this series with them.

3. What book do you regret giving/ loaning because you never got it back or got it back in poor condition?

I never remember who I lend books to because I lend out dozens a month. And, I'm not one to get upset about a ruined book. I know that mistakes happen and that I've spilled stuff on books before. It happens!

4. Who's a favorite author that you'd read no matter what genre they write?

This is a  tough question, because my favorite YA authors tend to stay in their particular genres. But, there is one that comes to mind. I've read several selections from Patricia McCormick. My favorites are:

Sold, which is a novel told in poems. It's about a young Nepalese girl who is sold into the child sex slave industry. It's superbly written and powerful.

Purple Heart, which takes place in Iraq. It's about an American soldier who is injured in the war and who starts to question the validity of that war. It's well-written and the main character, a young male, is totally believable.

Cut, which is a short novel about cutting. The Chick Lit Book Club read this title a few years ago. It's gritty and realistic and was a great discussion-starter in our group.

I'll read anything that McCormick writes in the future because I've enjoyed each of these very different books. I'll look forward to whatever's next!


5. What's a favorite book that you go back to time and time again and won't let go of?

Well, this question is tough for me because I have so many favorite books and have lots of sets of books because I'm a teacher. I'm going to say that the book that I hold on to and teach every year, despite the fact that I could let go of it is Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. I look forward to reading it every year and have yet to get sick of it. It's generally one of my students' favorite reads. There's just something about the relationship between Lennie and George that pulls on my heartstrings year after year.

So, that's my Fab Five. I look forward to reading your responses!

Friday's Fab Five (3)

This is a super fun little meme hosted by Froggarita's Bookcase. Feel free to join in!

1. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?

This is funny because my husband and I just had this conversation the other night. I said that I wanted to be a dog. He thought that I was crazy. But, I love my dog more than most people. I think about him and worry about him and try to make sure that his life is as awesome as possible. There are no other animals (except maybe cats) that people treat with such affection. For the record, my husband thinks that the correct answer to this question is "lion" because then you're unstoppable. I disagree.


2. If you could ahve any super power, which would you choose?

As I've stated every time I answer this question, I would definitely choose to be able to fly. This would lessen my commute in the morning, eliminate a car payment, and help lessen my carbon footprint. I would love it!

3. If you were a character in book, who would you choose to be?

This is a toughie. Hm. I think that I would choose to be Scout Finch from Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird. She had a pretty idyllic childhood, barring that one episode with Mr. Ewell. She had a great disposition, lots of cool people around her (props to Calpurnia for being awesome!), and I bet that she grew up to have a great life. Happy 50th birthday, To Kill a Mockingbird!

4. What is one food you could never give up?

I guess that I'd have to choose my favorite comfort food, which is pizza. I love pizza with green peppers and tomatoes. Yum. We make our own pizza most Friday nights. It's pretty fun and it gets a little creative because we often try out random stuff that we have left over. Lots of possibilities!

5. What is one food that you never want to eat again?

Fruitcake. Without a doubt. I've had it twice; once to try it and once on accident. The result was not pretty for anyone standing near me either time. Uck.

Friday's Fab Five (2)

Friday's Fab Five is a meme is hosted by Froggarita's Bookcase.  Every Friday Froggarita asks five questions so that we can all learn a little more about one another.  The only rule is that you can't use the same answer twice within your five!   Ready to play?  Leave a link to your post if you decide to play along!   1. What's your favorite ice cream flavor and brand?
I actually love gelato far more than traditional ice cream. It's more flavor-filled and I feel like it's a delicacy. My favorite flavor is mint or mint chocolate chip. I don't care about the chocolate, but mint is mandatory. I like to buy my gelato from Gelato Fiasco in Brunswick, Maine. Don't buy the supermarket variety--too sugary. It's best fresh. 2. What's your favorite flower? I love poppies. They're gorgeous. I have Icelandic ones at my house, but am planning an invasion of Orientals for next spring. Here are some gorgeous pics of a few poppy strains that I covet:

 3. What's your favorite drink?

Fresh brewed iced tea with lemon, no sugar. Brown and bitter and cold. Yum!

4. What's your favorite game? 

 

I love to play cards, like an good New Englander who's used to power outtages. My favorite card game is called Cribbage. I'm not sure how broadly this game is played, but it's pretty fun. Most bars and VFW halls hold Cribbage tournaments here in the winter. There's just not much else to do when there's five or six feet of snow on the ground!

  

5. What's your favorite music artist/ band?

This is a toughie because I love lots and lots of music. My top two favorite bands of all time that I would drop everything right now to see are Cake and The Red Hot Chili Peppers. I have all of their albums, know every word, and can often be seen sporting a tee for either of these bands. I've seen each of these bands more than a few times and have loved them every time!

  

Friday's Fab Five (1)

Friday's Fab Five is a meme is hosted by Froggarita's Bookcase.  Every Friday Froggarita asks five questions so that we can all learn a little more about one another.  The only rule is that you can't use the same answer twice within your five!   Ready to play?  Leave a link to your post if you decide to play along!    1. Do you use a book cover or remove your hardbacks cover when reading out in public, or do you not care if everyone sees your sexy book cover? Um, my book covers are not really what I would call "sexy". But, I actually prefer to read paperback books more than hardbacks, so I often will take off the cover while reading.
2. What new series have you fallen in love with this year?Pretty Little Liars. It's trashy and crazy, but I'm lovin' it. It's perfect summer reading. And, there's the new TV show.
 3. What story did you love reading as a kid?I loved reading Where the Red Fern Grows. I must have read it a couple dozen times by the time I was ten or twelve. I also loved historical fiction, so books like Johnny Tremain were ones I read more than once.
4. If you were a character in a book which book and who would you be?Good lord. There aren't many characters that I'd want to be because their lives are usually in turmoil. But, if I had to choose, I think that I would be the main character from 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson. In it, the main character's deceased aunt sends her on a scavenger hunt all through Europe. I would love to travel around Europe, completing secret assignments all the while!
5. What book have you heard raves/good reviews about but didn't care for it yourself?Honestly, Fallen by Lauren Kate. I had such high hopes! But, I'm still going to read the next in the series because I'm a sucker for a good cover and a series book.  Maybe the next one will be better?