Bloggiesta Mini-Challenge #3 – Code Name: Content

The sad thing is that I haven’t done a lot of blogging here compaired to a lot of other Bloggers and still I don’t really know what to write about. Most of the stuff I am not sure if it is apropriate anymore. In the Past, before I became a Book Blogger I just posted about my daily activities and stuff. But would people be annoyed to read something like this on a Book blog?

I just read through Emily’s Mini-Challgen over at Emily’s Reading Room. On a Sidenote: I looove her Blog design, it’s so cute! So when I read through the Challenge it made me think. And when I read that I had to come up with 10 Topics I started to sweat. So this will be a good Challenge as it is really challenging me. I first wasn’t sure if I should write them in the Post or just secretly for me but then I thought that I could maybe get some Feedback of what people would enjoy to read.

Let’s get started with the Topics:

*scratches her head*

1. How I got a friend addicted to the Hunger Games
2. Favourite Books from when I was a child
3. Let me show you the Libraries in my Town!
4. Cover Discussions: German vs. USA vs. GB Covers
5. German Books I wish will be translated to English one day
6. Goodies I found to make Reading even more fun
7. Booktube find of the Week/Month
8. What my Final Paper will be all about (+ Updates) (Hint: it has to do with books!)
9. Books 4 Life
10. Monthly Update on my Reading Challenges

Phew, all except no. 1 and maybe no. 9 could be Weekly/Monthly/Random Series. It really surprised me that I came up with so many I could make Series out of! And even if it took me a while to find the 10 Topics it didn’t take me as long as I thought and I made it. I am proud of myself! And now there is a small chance that I can maybe even make my goal of scheduling posts! Woho!

What do you think about the Topics? Would you want to read one/more/all of them?

Bloggiesta Mini-Challenge #2 – Code Name: Sidebars

I did my second Mini-Challenge. This time I tackled my Sidebars. Penelope @ The Reading Fever was hosting it. I read through her tips and figured that I am not THAT far off with what she was suggesting, so I was a little relieved. I can’t say that I’m done because there will probably happen a lot more during this weekend but at least it is now cleaned up a little. I got rid of an old Blogtour Banner, my Blogroll and the Tag Cloud (I bet noone is missing this one).

After I got rid of stuff I added some more. I finally updated my Perpetual Reading Challenge List but I am not sure if I should keep it or if it’s too crowded. In the past I had all my Reading Challenges this way but this Year these are way too many to List so I decided to do only the Perpetual ones which shouldn’t change too often.

What do you think? Do you like it? Do you hate it? I might keep it over the weekend and see if I am happy with it or not (and what kind of feedback I get). I have to think of something else for the Reading Challenges anyway, so will be busy around that for a while longer.

Here are two before Pictures:

You can see the Banner I deleted on the left.

The Blogroll and the Tags were at the right Sidebar.

One more thing to check off! Yay! Loads more to go!

Bloggiesta Day 2 or How to Fail big Time

It is day two already! Wow time flies by! Yesterday I needed most of the day to do other Stuff that had to be done before I could start Bloggiesta so I haven’t had a lot of time to do something before it was time to go to bed. So for the start of today I thought I could tell you a little how my day started because I haven’t had a very smooth start today.

Technically the Day started already before I went to bed because it was already 2 AM when I did so (Twitter during Bloggiesta is so mean!). Then at 6 AM the cat woke me – first by sticking her wet nose and her paws in my eyes and face and stomping all over me, then by finding out that she could get the cat goodies by throwing the box on the ground so that it opens. This resulted first in a loud noise, second in a cat munching cat snacks like a maniac and third me crawling out of bed, shouting at her and putting the snacks back in the box (and putting it on the highest shelf I could find).

The next time I woke up was at 8 AM when my alarm went off for the first time. It did that every ten minutes for the next two hours but I was way too tired to get up. This meant that I was already late for class, so I got up and went to the underground station and hopped on the train only to realise that the station where I had to switch trains was closed. Ok, so walking for one station -  at least that woke me up a little with the icy wind.

As soon as I sat in the second train I had a bag with an opened pack of chocolate dangeling right in front of my face – in smelling distance for my nose. I have to add that I challenged myself to not eat any sweets – especially chocolate during lent which ends next week so I am pretty desperate for chocolate at the moment. But eventually I finally reached uni and set there, wanting to go home and finally start my Bloggiesta Day.

So here I am. I am not sure yet if I will keep updating yesterday’s To-Do List (maybe with colour coding?) or write a new one so that it is better to read. Will decide that a little bit later. But I haven’t planned anything else for the weekend which means that I am not supposed to leave the house anymore for the rest of the weekend so I can fully concentrate on Bloggiesta-ing….. whatever .

Oh I nearly forgot. Last thing I did last night was Mission “Pinterest” and when I came home earlier I couldn’t believe my eyes. So many people started following me already! Amazing! Thank you everyone, I am thrilled!

Have a nice Bloggiesta Day everyone!

Bloggiesta Mini-Challenge – Code Name: Pinterest

So I just finished my first Mini-Challenge right in time before I have to head to bed (Nearly forgot that I have a class tomorrow…uhm, today morning at 9 am, Whoops).

The first Challenge I did was Joyweesemoll’s Pinterest Challenge. It was a lot of fun even tho I couldn’t try EVERYTHING yet. Will look into this in more Detail tomorrow. But pinned the first few things already and I got really excited when I realised that Pinterest followed Nina Garcia for me. I love her at Project Runway!

So if you want to, you can  check out my brand new Pinterest Boards. I was having a hard time finding a nice Name because all the good ones where already taken or too long *sigh*. That’s what always happens to me.

But I really should have listened to people talking about Pinterest and should have read Joy’s post before signing up because….it really is addicting!

So one Task down, only a Million more to go!

Happy Bloggiesta!

Bloggiesta Starting Line or How to mess up!

Hi there, Bloggiesta..ristas? I’m so excited that Bloggiesta finally starts. It was so much fun last year so I am really looking forward to this weekend. I just have a “little” problem. Because…. I have two papers due TODAY! So I can’t really start with Bloggiesta yet, I first have to try to a) figure out if I even CAN finish them tonight and b) if yes, finish the papers until midnight or c) if no, write mail to teachers to ask for (another) new due date. I so tried to finish them until yesterday so that I can jump right in the Bloggiesta fun today but yeah, nothing ever happens as I plan. *sigh*

So this Post will be my To-Do List during the Weekend. I will update this post as I finish Tasks or find new ones.

Oh, wait. You don’t know Bloggiesta? You wonder what crazy stuff I am talking about at the moment? Then go check out the two new hosters of the Event at It’s all about books and There’s a Book.

edit day 2: Decided to keep this To-Do-List but split it up in Days to be able to see a little better when I did what.

edit day 3: OMG I did so little yesterday! Need to do way more today. At least I’m not tired today.

But now, let’s get started with the To-Do List:

Day 1:

1. Finish or postpone paper 1 (Code Name: Documentary) (0/2500 Words) (asked for new Due Date)
2. Finish or postpone paper 2 (Code Name: Commercials) (7/8-10 Pages) DONNNNEE!! WOHOO!! *celebrates* Bloggiesta here I come!
3. Write “real” To-Do-List (allowing myself to do when I’m done with 1. and 2. )
4. Roll up my sleeves – Check!
5. Get to know Pinterest and find out what it is/if I want to have it. Another Mini-Challenge here. Mission “Pinterest”  complete!
6. Think of another thing on the List so that I don’t have to have 13.

Day 2:

1. Sidebars: get rid of stuff that is outdated and put in stuff that should be there – Saw a Mini-Challenge for this. Mission “Sidebars” completed!
2. Get Policy Page(s) – Mini-Challenge at Squeaky Books. GOT IT! YES!
3. Go for a Nap. For Reasons, go check out my Bloggiesta Day 2 Intro Post.
4. Think about new Content. (Mini-Challenge) Code Name: Content, complete!

Day 3:

1. Speaking of Mini-Challenges – Do as many as possible this weekend (4 done)
2. Write as many Posts to schedule as possible (failed at this one last year miserably).
3. Check out Networked Blogs and decide if I want to have it too.
4. Check Options for selfhosting Blog (I guess that won’t happen this weekend but I can get at least Info about it)
5. Update About me Page (This is soo way out of date I can’t even tell).
6. Connect with other Bloggers as much as possible during the whole weekend.
7. Edit material for February Wrap-up Video and upload it to Youtube (no, that’s not a mistake. It is supposed to be February. I am soo behind!)
8. Update Excel-Sheet with NetGalley Books. Done!
9. Try to read at least one NetGalley Book over the weekend. (I have so many and not finished one of them yet, I feel so guilty by now!)
10. Find out what Windows Live Writer is all about. I think I’ve seen a Mini-Challenge for this one too.
11. Read and Comment (or try to, had one already that I tried about 20 times but couldn’t post my comment) on all To-Do-List posts of all Bloggiesta participants (No. 1-5 on Starting line post done)
12. Organize Reading Challenge Pages better.
13. Declutter Facebook Page.
14. Do Goodreads Mini-Challenge (by Janicu at Janicu’s Book Blog) – DONE! I LOOOOVE my new exclusive shelves!!!!
15. Learn how to make my Reviews better. Mini-Challenge by the bluestocking society (Now I only have to write them)

Oh and just because I saw it on someone elses blog and thought that it would be fun:

Food and Drinks Consumed:

Day 1:

• 2 Cups of English Breakfast Tea
• 2 Cups of Water
• A Bowl of Cinnamon Cereals
• ~4 Bowls of Cauliflower and Fennel Stew and two slices of bread with butter
• 2 more Bowls of Stew (Don’t worry it’s gone now) and two more slices of bread

Day 2:

• 1 Bowl of Cinnamon Cereals with a banana
• 2 Cups of Water (yes, I know I should drink more)
• 1 Cup of Tea
• Pasta with Veggies

Day 3:

• Another Bowl of Cinnamon Cereals + Banana (yes, I like these)
• 2 Cups of Water
• ~ 3 portions of Tuna Spaghetti

Musik listened to:

Day 1:

• Deadmau5 – Ghosts and Stuff

Day 2:

• LMFAO – Sorry for Party rocking
• David Guetta – Turn me on

Stuff watched:

Day 2:

• Germany’s next Topmodel Season 7?8?9? Episode 6
• Youtube Videos by Shaytards and Sototallyvlog

Day 3:

• Youtube Video by Shaytards
• My Life as Liz – Season 2 Episode 1

Happy Bloggiesta everyone!

Cover Reveal: Pretty Amy by Lisa Burstein

So I got the opportunity to participate in a Cover Reveal. It is for Pretty Amy by Lisa Burstein. First of all, let’s look at the Summary and what the Book is all about.

Title: Pretty Amy
Author: Lisa Burstein (Twitter | Facebook | Website)
Publisher: Entangled Publishing (Website)
Release Date: May 15, 2012

Summary:

Amy is fine living in the shadows of beautiful Lila and uber-cool Cassie, because at least she’s somewhat beautiful and uber-cool by association. But when their dates stand them up for prom, and the girls take matters into their own hands—earning them a night in jail outfitted in satin, stilettos, and Spanx—Amy discovers even a prom spent in handcuffs might be better than the humiliating “rehabilitation techniques” now filling up her summer. Worse, with Lila and Cassie parentally banned, Amy feels like she has nothing—like she is nothing.

 

Navigating unlikely alliances with her new coworker, two very different boys, and possibly even her parents, Amy struggles to decide if it’s worth being a best friend when it makes you a public enemy. Bringing readers along on an often hilarious and heartwarming journey, Amy finds that maybe getting a life only happens once you think your life is over.

So, are you ready for the big moment?

*drumroll*

TADAAAA!!

Goodreads
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Isn’t it AMAZING? I absolutely LOVE this Cover. It looks gorgous! I want that dress and those shoes . Ok maybe not exactly these shoes because I’m not into Flip Flops at all but you know what I mean. Also the Summary sounds really nice and makes me want to read it.

Also I want to thank Entangled Publishing to let me be part of the Cover Reveal!

Emerald City Blog Tour: Guest Post and Giveaway!

I’m so excited about this. I may participate in my first Blogtour and at the same time I am hosting my first Giveaway! Woho! So let’s get started. First of all you might want to know, what Book it is about anyway. Here we go.

Title: Emerald City
Author: Alicia K. Leppert
Publisher: Cedar Fort
Release Date: April 9, 2012

Pre-Order on Amazon

Blurb:

One city of 600,000 people.
One broken girl.
One fateful night,
Two worlds collide.

Seattle, Washington. The sprawling, industrious city set in a blanket of pine. I have never known a day that wasn’t spent inside this concrete jungle. It’s my home, and for that I love it. But it’s also the setting for the tragedy called my life, and so I loathe it.

I live alone in a cold, empty studio apartment. The tiny square room closely resembles a cell. That’s my life: solitary confinement.

Here, in this desolate place that perfectly reflects my soul, my story begins.

So now that you know about the book you might want to know a little bit about the Author. Alicia was kind enough to tell me a little about her typical Day when she writes. Here is what she had to say:

A typical day for me when I’m writing depends on how close my deadline is. If it’s months away, I don’t stick to much of a schedule. I’ve never been a big schedule person and because writing is something I love–a hobby–I never want it to become a chore, something I feel like I have to do. So for the most part I write when I want, for as long as I want. Obviously, though, when a deadline is approaching, I don’t have that luxury. Here is what my day looks like when a deadline looms ahead:

Wake up. Take kids to school. Come home. Eat breakfast. Write. Write some more. Eat some peanut butter M&Ms and drink some Fresca to stay awake. Write even more. Eat lunch. Take a nap to refresh my mind and body. Wake up. Write some more. Kids come home from school. Stop writing. Clean a little. Make dinner. Family time. Put kids to bed. Commence writing. Go to bed.

If my deadline is within a week or two, I don’t clean, I don’t make dinner, sadly I don’t have much family time. I just write. There were times I would write throughout the night, into the next morning. I pretty much just wrote whenever I had the energy and alert mind to do so. Fortunately, that’s not often the case, and I’m free to write whenever I please, which is usually during the day when I’m home alone with a silent house and no distractions, and sometimes in the evening. I love that this hobby/career I’ve chosen allows me to do what I love whenever I want, at a pace that’s my own. It works very well for someone like me who doesn’t love being stuck to a schedule!

Thank you Alicia to give us a little insight in the Life of a writer! It reminds me a little on when the deadlines for papers come up for me .

But this is still not all, the excitement goes on. Cedar Fort gave me the opportunity to host a Giveaway for you. They are giving away a Copy of Emerald City for one Lucky Winner!

US: Winner can chose either a hardcopy or an e-book
International: Winner gets an e-book

Sadly my WordPress Page does’t allow me to use the Rafflecopter here so please head over to my Facebook Page to find the Giveaway! (Sorry for the inconvenience)

Click here to head to the Giveaway

Yesterdays Stop of the Blogtour was at the Krazy Book Lady.

Tomorrow it will be at Twisting the Lense and LDS Women’s Book Review.

All the other Dates of the Tour you can find at the Cedar Fort Blog.

Oh and P.S. If you read the book already, please don’t give away any spoilers in the Comments or so! Thank you!

IMM #10 & #11 – In my Mailbox February, 29th 2012

So I recorded the IMM Video #10 two weeks ago but had to repair my Laptop first so it didn’t go online. That’s why I decided to do a “double dash” version of IMM and made a two in one Video this week.

The Books I am Talking about in the Video:

Will update this tonight after work.