Get On the Bus
Let us do a giveaway, shall we? Remember the YA book Who Made You a Princess by Shelley Adina we gave away a few weeks ago? You really need the three earlier books in the series to best follow along. This week, thanks to Faith Words, I’m giving away books one through four of the It’s All About Us series. You can read about the series HERE. To enter the drawing for one set of the series, just tell me the best book you’ve read in the last six months. And empty suckuppage will not get your name drawn, so choose your books carefully… Winner will be drawn Thursday evening some time after dinner and dessert no. 1 but before dessert no. 2. I’ll announce the lucky reader on Friday’s blog. So tell us a good read and why you liked it.
I’ve already told you my favorite read of the last six months. That would definitely be The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. It has the best characters. I STILL think about them. It’s a light read, but yet it’s not. It’s about the power of love, of books (which sounds lame and uninteresting, but it’s so amazingly not lame/uninteresting in this book), and the bonds of friendship. If I had written a book this creatively brilliant, I would probably be so proud I’d start referring to myself in third person and surrounding myself with an entourage of personal assistants who get paid to bring me mochas and remind me how clever I am and tell me on the hour that I don’t have muffin tops. I KNOW this book will be a movie, so read it before it’s the next big deal. (Dear God, please don’t let the producer, screen writer, or director of Twilight even touch this script. Thank you and amen.)
So with all popularity of zombies lately in movies, games, book, etc, I have a new appreciation for the life of zombies myself. I am pretty sure I’m close to morphing into one. Every summer my sleep schedule gets off. And by off, I mean nonexistent. I usually start staying up late reading and before you know it, I’m not turning out the light ’til like 2 am or so. And then it’s like my brain gets all confused (not hard to do), and I can’t go to sleep at all. And it’s always right about the time I’m weeks away from school and needing to put myself back on my “I have to go to work and look presentable in the morning” sleep schedule. Two nights ago, I was awake ’til 3-ish. So last night, I thought, I’ll go to bed early and get back on track. Um yeah. Hello 5 am. I went to sleep at FIVE FREAKIN’ AM!!! And it’s not like I’m up getting things done or throwing the puking cat and myself a party. I’m just there. In a state of “I’m not sleeping and I’m mad at the world because of it.” Have you ever microwaved eggs? Yeah, that’s my disposition right now. But I have to find my happy today because tomorrow I’m going to Oklahoma to see Wicked, the best musical in the entire universe.
I want to be in a good mood for tomorrow. And I also want to be able to stay awake.
I got an email from my friend Sheila with the subject line: “It’s YOU, isn’t IT????!!!!” I opened it to find this link.
I opened this story on Lindsey Lohan going to blonde, and all I could see was the shoes. It’s like prison. For your feet.
We’ve all seen the fun wedding entrance that’s taken the e-world by storm. Well, it was only a matter of time before someone built on it. This clip is rated B for Bloomers…
I love the ending so much better than the original. The slow-mo is FABULOUS.
Have you all seen the dog YouTube yet? Apparenty these people could not figure out who was getting in their pool. So they set up a camera.
That made me laugh out loud. I had to watch it a few times. In a row. At 3:30-ish.
That is one smart dog. But I don’t know if it’s got anything on this cat.
I went to a college that had a bus system, and in five years, I never figured it out. This cat is like the transit Einstein or something.
Do you ever feel a little awkward in church? Like you just don’t quite fit in? (Maybe because you’re like me and just trying to find a sweats-loving congregation…) Well, here’s a good checklist for making sure you blend in.
Thanks to Rhonda for THIS LINK, where someone has wayyyy much more time than I do this summer. Or maybe she’s been up during informercial and rated R commercial hours too. Did that gross anyone else out? My cat would not even be fazed. He’d just barf like usual and then look at me with cute blue eyes that say, “I’m a little mentally retarded. It’s not my fault.” And then I’d start yelling.
Someone else with much time on their hands came up with this. Probably in an attempt not to buy a Bumpit and ShamWow at 2 a.m.
Only someone who grew up in the 80s/early 90s could appreciate that. And we thought technology couldn’t get any better than a Nintendo…
One of my BFF’s just got engaged last week, and in my advanced years, I will once again be donning a bridesmaid’s dress. And I am gonna get this butt in shape. Jillian Michaels and I are going to hang out until I feel like she is a new BFF. (Or I throw her DVDs straight through the TV.) But how do you know when you’ve gone too far with the workouts? When your arms look like this picture. (Warning: please remove small children from the room as images seen are disturbing and explicit…and veiny.) Click HERE to see pic.
I get concert announcements all the time in my Inbox. I like to stay on top of those sorts of things. I got one this week and just by reading the subject line, I knew somehow I would not only NOT be going, but I wouldn’t even be opening the email. Subject: Order Tickets In Advance for Star Wars Concert.
Finally, I leave you with this link that reader Dani sent me. I saved it for last because once you go there…you’ll never come back here. It was stayed me in many an awake hour these past few days. Or maybe it IS why I was awake… Check IT OUT. Dani, sending me that link was the best present a girl could get. I LOVE IT with all my heart, soul, and being. It’s the Ben and Jerry’s of web pages.
Have a great week and don’t forget to tell us your latest fave read. And a big happy birthday to my friend Sal! (Frances’s station wagon was named after her in the Katie Parker series)
See you all Wednesday!
JEN
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31 Comments so far
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Your cat is hilarious! I was laughing for 5 minutes straight!!!!!
Awwww thanks little jj! Oh and feel free to text or call durin ur sleeplessness! I’m right there with ya!
Haha those videos were hilarious!! And as for mylifeisaverage.com…it would have addicted me…if I hadn’t already checked it out from the comments last week. I have since signed up and wasted hours there. It is, truly, remarkable. Have you seen mylifeisg.com ? it’s not very funny, but it’s quite inspiring and heartwarming.
Choosing the best book I’ve read in six months is really, really hard…but I think I’ll have to go with Jane Eyre. I decided to start reading classics, because I”m going to be an English major, and that was what I started with. Very sexy, actually. Completely blew me away after thinking that all classic romances were Jane Austen. I mean, there’s like, affairs, and lovechildren, and bigamy…and kissing!
I just saw Wicked on Saturday (August 1st)in Tulsa. It was AMAZING! It is very hard to sit and not sing along. Have fun, I know you will enjoy it!
Stephanie, this post was actually written a few days in advance. I was at the PAC Saturday too!!! 2 pm show. It was UH MAZING. I TOTALLY understand about not being able to sing along. I know the woman next to me caught me a few times. Couldn’t contain it!
Melodie, I need to read Jane Eyre. After college I’ve been on a classics ban. I might need to lift the ban and read a classic or two.
Salle is 30! Salle is 30!!! And I was up AGAIN last night/this morning. I should have called. We could have hung out in our insomnia.
Lauren, it is a funny bus riding cat.
At first, this was really hard. I seemed I could only remember the books that were so/so or just plain bad. But then I thought, “hmmm…last six months…what have I read that was Christian, uplifting, encouraging, but made me cry, and laugh and shout.” So I thought and thought, and it finally hit me. The best book I have read in the last six months, would not be the best if it weren’t for the whole series. The ‘Diary of a Teenage Girl’ series by Melody Carlson would have to be the best. My favorite specifically being the Chloe books. Yeah, I know, its not just a single book, but this series is an all or no deal in my opinion. They made me laugh, made me cry, uplifted and encouraged me, and have touched my life. With excellent, believable characters, girls like you and me, and God working in their lives, I know God is working through these books. So I guess, if I had to pick a favorite; Diary of a Teenage Girl: Chloe book 4: Face the Music by Melody Carlson. Yeah, that sounds right.
Ok, My most enjoyable book read…. was first and formost the BIBLE. You can never go wrong reading that book. Now for other reading… Critical Care, by Candice Calvert. It is a good medical drama romance book, with faith based values. If you were an ER fan, this is a book for you. I was able to read this on vacation and now am waiting for the second book in the series. Currently I am reading a book, on my 11 year old (he enjoyed it so much, he is not much of a reader but this book got him to read and enjoy) had asked me to read after him, the Doppleganger Chronicals by G.P. Taylor, I love this book because is is an illistrated novel, some pages are in regular book format and others are in comic book form, keeping the younger readers interested.
Thank you to Faith Words, for giving Jenny the opportunity to share books with us.
So I’ve just consulted my 2009 books read list (yes, I really do keep a list), and there are a couple of books that stand out to me this year.
I have to say My Sister’s Keeper of course, despite the fact that Jodi Picoult has exploded all over pop culture. It was so good, I bawled my eyes out at a coffee shop when I finished the book. I think one of the baristas must have read the book, cuz she kept sending me knowing glances.
The other one that stands out was Ender’s Game. I know sci fi isn’t everyone’s thing, but man, was that kid ever smart! Ender had some of the smartest game tactics ever, and then ended up saving the entire world. So impressive!
Jenny – I’m going to see Wicked in September and I am oh so excited! Thank goodness I’ll be sitting by my friends who already accept me as being the type of person who dances in the rain and sings loudly in the middle of wallmart
So singing should not be a problem… I hope 
We’ll just feed the ushers skittles. It’ll be good. As for the best book… I’d say On A Whim (by Robin Jones Gunn). I love how honest and real Katie is as well as how often I end up laughing/falling off my bed due to muscle constriction due to laughing. Plus, there’s Rick. And he’s… pretty spectacular. Katie and the rest of the characters are like… REAL people. They really inspire me 
(and make me laugh!)
Hi
I actually just finished reading a really great book Its called Gone and its by Michael Grant.
Its about how everyone over the age of 15 poofs! They all disappear into thin air! And the some of the kids that are left are getting powers, wich I think is pretty awesome!lol I loved the charactars and the plot of the story and in some parts it was pretty funny, anyways I thought it was a great book! I have a bunch of other books that I love but that was def one of my favorites..I need to get the 2nd one now. anyways have a great rest of the week!
bwt, the mylifeisaverage is soo funny..and very addicting!
so the contest was really a clever rouse/ plot to get the winners to buy the other 3 huh? i see. ^_-
your videos are awesome. always look forward to monday posts!
thanks for the entertainment/funny stories.
and btw. i stand by my ‘your turning into a zombie’ theory. it seems completely logical…
unlucky thirteen. my birthday was last week. and i tried to win tickets to six flags on a radio station. 14th caller walks away with the dough. can you guess what number i got? 13. thats right. one away from the luck. 13 must be unlucky.
sorry about the sleep. thats what my summer looks like. my dad built a add- on to our house so he and my mom’s bedroom is downstairs. so i stay up forever. gonna be bad when i go back to school in 2 weeks.
Haha i love the MyLifeisAverage website! I would have to say my favorite book in the last six months would be The Maverick by Lori Copeland. The book had me laughing out loud and snorting on many occasions. And the kissing in it was pretty good too
The plot was this lady (susanne) tricked this guy (cass) into marrying her so she could leave the west and go back to the “civilized” east. After he dropped her off they thought each other would get the divorce but neither did. 5 years later they are still married to each other and they didnt even know it. I especially loved1 There were tears. Good ones though. Not the ones you get when you look at the scale for the first time in two months.
Ok so fav book ive read in the last six months would have to be… Not counting So not happening and the Katie Parker production series… I’m not trying to suck up. they were really my favs… But not counting them i would have to say Inkings by Melanie Jeschke. It was really good.
Well, considering the fact that I have already read 91 books this year, going back 6 months is no easy thing. But, for you, I did. There are so many that I loved (So Not Happening included), but the one that really sticks out to me is Montana Rose. Why? Because of the humor. If you want to make me love a book, make it funny, or give me a huge surprise. Then I will love it. I will also remember it, and read it again. My favorite part in the whole book, is when Cassie goes into labor. That might seem strange, but the whole time she is in labor, she is acting weird. My favorite part of when she is in labor, would have to be when she starts punching Red, and doesn’t even realize it. That got me. I was ROFL. It is an amazing book, and I think everyone should read it.
The best book I read in the last six months was probably Speak. Of course time (and this summer) is flying so fast that maybe it wasn’t 6 months ago at all. But still the best book I read this year. Looking for Alaska was another favorite this year.
PS: Insomnia is of the devil. The only thing worse is seeing Sookie Sunshine first thing in the morning and trying to handle their obnoxious enthusiasm for life.
I feel like saying, “I’m pretty sure I saw this day before you. That makes it MINE, so back off!”
Thank you from the bottem of my heart for saying Wicked is the best! Looove it! Hope you enjoy!!!
Let’s see. I read about a book a week, so it will be hard to pick and choose…I probably like the book Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery. Anne is hilarious and always having something new up her sleeve. I always find myself laughing about the stupid things she says or does. It’s quite hilarious. The second best would be probably be HOLLYWOOD NOBODIES by Lisa Samson. (I also love your books <3 )
Let’s see. I read about a book a week, so it will be hard to pick and choose…I probably like the book Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery. Anne is hilarious and always having something new up her sleeve. I always find myself laughing about the stupid things she says or does. It’s quite hilarious. The second best would be probably be HOLLYWOOD NOBODIES by Lisa Samson. (I also love your books) Also, what is Wicked about? I’ve never seen it or read the book.
i just saw wicked yesterday in oklahoma!! i went to tulsa to see it. it was amazing. anyway, my fave book i ve read lately was Breaking Dawn. i know; totaly unoriginal, but its true. i just read it about 2 months ago, but i loved it. It really summed up the whole story. but i want more!! i read all 4, what now?
i also loved your series that i’m in the middle of- The Katie Parker Production Series, I just started Act Two. Its impossible to put down!!! Thanks For the read! oh and im SO anxious for Im So Sure!!!
Hey hannah, wicked is about what happened before dorthy and todo dropped in- literally. Its about how elfeba ( the wicked witch of the west ) became WICKED it explains so much you never really thought about when you saw The Wizard of Oz. the sound track really doesnt explain the whole story, see the play if you get the chance! its reallly a great musical!!
Hahaha, I laughed out loud at mylifeisaverage.com. That’s spectacular.
Please don’t enter me in the drawing, because I was one of the winners last time, but my favorite book from the past six months would probably be “The Christmas Bus” by Melody Carlson. It was really enjoyable, and the plot was sweet and not too heavy.
Oooh Wicked is my favourite ever musical – though the book it is based on is the weirdest thing I’ve ever read and I’m so glad they’ve missed tons of it out for the show!
My book is The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.
This has to be officially the best book I have ever read! Now, I don’t say that lightly as I love books in general but this one is something different, something special. At first I didn’t know if I could read a book narrated by Death but a few pages in and I was hooked.
Set in Germany, 1939, Liesel’s life has been turned upside down. Liesel is the book thief who, at 9 years old, cannot read. Her escapades with her best friend, Rudy, and the nights spent reading with her new Papa are only part of the tale Death has to tell. As Hitler’s reign grows stronger and the bombs fall, Liesel begins to learn just what it is like to live under the rule of the Third Reich.
Relationships are key to this story and they’re all centred around Liesel: her mother, brother, Mama, Papa, Rudy, Max and many, many more. Each one forms Liesel into the book thief I came to know and love. This is a gripping and emotional journey that Death takes us on. If even Death can get emotional about Liesel, then so can you.
The best book I’ve read in the past six months is most definitely Crime and Punishment. My Dad recommended it to me since I was hunting up some suspense reading. I was a little hesitant — I mean, really, do I want to read a book about a murderer? Not about how he gets caught, or the people trying to escape him, but the actual murderer? — but it ended up being one of my favorite books ever. Yes, it’s 500 pages. But it’s not full of those long descriptive paragraphs that make you want to bash your head through the nearest wall. And the characters are so complex I had to remind myself this was fiction.
Hope you have a good time at Wicked. I haven’t been able to see it yet, but I have no doubt it trumps the Star Wars concert.
I could go back 6 months and wonder which one is the best or I can tell you the last book I read that was really good, which would be Eve’s Daughters by Lynn Austin. It was different and just had a good story overall. I was amazed by how authors can weave a story so. My mom just read a book that she said had a similar amazing story type thing and it was The Mulberry Tree by Jude Deveraux. Both these books have a little bit of mystery and just a good plot line overall.
the best book i have read in the last six months would have to be on a whim by robin jones gunn i abulotly love the fact that katie finally admitts she likes the missionary kid whose name i can not remember
Yes, Wicked is great. Saw it in NY for my 40th B-day. Very cool present from my parents. Enjoy!!! Yes, 40th birthday…so quit your whining about your advanced age. I’m pretty sure I was wearing bridesmaid dresses when you were in middle school
I might have been your middle school teacher :0
Kit
hmm…favorite book in 6 months. May I have two? Deep, tearful would be Charles Martin Where the River Ends; light, fluffy would be Sisterchicks in London (older age group, but RJ Gunn makes it feel like you’re in whatever exotic locale she’s writing about).
The Best Book I’ve read in 6 months – I’ve read at least two a month and some more. I have read so many many good books and reviewed them all. Chasing Charity and Diamond Duo by Marcie Gruver are both excellent and uplifting spiritually. So I’ll use those.
Please enter me to win. These would make good Christmas gifts after I read and review them.
I know I’m late, but the best book I’ve read in the last 6 months was Tales of Priut Almus by Robert Belenky. It is a non fiction, but I loved the book!
Jenny,
My favourite book that I’ve read in the last six months would be “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott. It’s a classic! You know how sometimes when you’re totally into one book that you’re reading, and a bomb could go off in the same room and you’d still be reading it not knowing? Yeah… That’s what happens to me when I read…. Totally embraced…