The Return of the Happy Kitty and Other Random Things

Remember this guy? He popped up when I hit 200 followers. He's here again...so that must mean...

I've hit 300 followers!

I can't tell you guys how excited I am! It's been three weeks to the day since I posted my 200 followers announcement. I can't believe I got 100 more followers in just three weeks! Hmm...I wonder if I can hit 400 before the end of the year...or is that pushing it? LOL.

Anyways, I can't thank you guys enough for following me. I LOVE reading all of your comments and the blogging community has been incredibly welcoming and friendly. You guys are the best. Seriously. YOU ROCK!!!

And since Thanksgiving is only a day away, I'm going to spend a little time giving a few shout-outs to the bloggers who've been particularly helpful and encouraging.

• Rachel @ Parajunkee's View for designing my layout and being an all-around awesome gal.
• Taschima @ Bloody Bookaholic for convincing me to move from Wordpress to Blogger and for her wonderful blog posts that served as inspiration :)
• Cara: Yes I know she's not a blogger, but she's always dropping by, leaving me comments and encouragements. You've made my day more than once.
  
• Misty @ The Book Rat for being an awesome bloggy friend and for putting up with all my slightly-obnoxious-over-excited-sometimes-ranting comments that I like to leave on her blog. And my tendency to overuse the exclamation point!!!! (Oops!!!)
• Jennifer & Espe @ Late Bloomer Online for asking me to be their affiliate and retweeting virtually everything I ever post on Twitter.
• Pat @ PeaceLoveandPat Book Reviews for being another amazing bloggy friend and for sharing in my squeeing over the Vampire Academy series.
  
• Alyssa @ Teens Read and Write for her comments, encouragements, and overall awesomeness.
• Jenn @ Books at Midnight for never failing to drop by, leave comments, give opinions, answer polls, and for her general all-encompassing coolness.
  

I would also like to thank ALL of my followers and ALL of the bloggers that I follow. You guys are amazing and the blogging community wouldn't exist without you!

Shiver Giveaway Deadline Modified

Hey again!

I wanted to let you guys that I've decided to shorten the deadline for my giveaway of an ARC of Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater. I've had over 100 people enter so far, and I'd like to be able to end the contest during my Thanksgiving break to make sure I've got the time to go by the post office so I can get it out to the winner quickly!

The new deadline is November 26th, instead of November 30th.

Hope this isn't too inconvenient for any of you! Remember that you can still get extra entries here. If you haven't entered the contest yet, you can still enter by clicking here. Thanks guys!

Listen to Candor by Pam Bachorz for Free

Hey guys!

I recently found out that Audible.com is offering a free download (one per user) of a selection of audio books from now until Thanksgiving! What's up for grabs? Among others, Candor, by Pam Bachorz! I've heard lots of great things about this book, but I haven't had a chance to read it yet, so I was completely and utterly psyched to download a free audio book of it! Other options are available as well, but this (in my opinion), was definitely the best by far!

To claim your free download, visit this website.

Remember: the offer only lasts until Thanksgiving. That's this Thursday people, so you better hurry!

Weekly Wrap-Up (7) Nov. 15-21

Books Reviewed
Blankets by Craig Thompson


My Posts
Sneak Peak at City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare
Bookcase Giveaway
Vote for Your Favorite Book of 2009
Follower Feature (4)
Mindful Musings is on Facebook!
2010: 100+ Reading Challenge


Posts/Links You Should Check Out

***Infernal Devices Cookie #3 @ Mundie Moms***

• Check out an excerpt from Cassandra Clare's upcoming series, The Infernal Devices!

***How Twilight Should've Ended @ VampChix***

• Yet another Twilight parody that I couldn't resist sharing!
  

2010 100+ Reading Challenge

This is officially the first challenge I've joined for 2010! The goal is (if you haven't figured it out already) is to read 100 books or more during the year 2010. This challenge is hosted by J. Kaye at J. Kaye's Book Blog, and you can sign up to join the challenge by clicking here.

Here are the guidelines:

1. The goal is to read 100 or more books. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.

--Non-Bloggers: Post your list of books in the comment section of the wrap-up post. To learn how to sign up without having a blog, click here.

2. Audio, Re-reads, eBooks, YA, Young Reader, Nonfiction – as long as the book has an ISBN or equivalent or can be purchased as such, the book counts.

3. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.

4. Crossovers from other reading challenges count.

5. Challenge begins January 1st thru December, 2010. Books started before the 1st do not count.

6. When you sign up under Mr. Linky, put the direct link to your post where your books will be listed. Include the URL to this post so that other viewers can find this fun challenge. If you’d prefer to put your list in the sidebar of your blog, please leave your viewers the link to the sign up page. Again, so viewers can join the challenge too.

Make sure you sign up at J. Kaye's Book Blog! And if you decide to join, leave the link here as well! Please link directly to your joining post or to where you will be listing the books you've read as you go! Thanks!

My 100 Books

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Mindful Musings is on Facebook!

Hey guys! I'm just dropping in to let you all know that Mindful Musings is now on Facebook! Please click the above link and become a fan! Thanks guys!

P.S. Do any of you bloggers have Facebook pages specifically for your blog? If so, (or if you decide to make one) leave me a comment and I'll be sure to add you!

Review of Blankets by Craig Thompson

Title: Blankets

Author: Craig Thompson
Publication Date: August 2003
Pages: 592
Source: Library

First Lines:

"When we were young, my little brother Phil and I shared the same bed. "SHARED" is the sugar-coated way of saying we were TRAPPED in the same bed, as we were children and had no say in the matter."

Back Cover:

Wrapped in the landscape of a blustery Wisconsin winter, Blankets explores the sibling rivalry of two brothers growing up in the isolated country, and the budding romance of two coming-of-age lovers. A tale of security and discovery, of playfulness and tragedy, of a fall from grace and the origins of faith. A profound and utterly beautiful work.

My Thoughts:

This is the first graphic novel that I've ever read, but it definitely won't be my last! I'd heard really great things about the book, and on my last trip to the library, I just so happened to come across a copy, so obviously, I picked it up!

Overall, I really enjoyed Blankets. Craig Thompson has managed to create a beautiful coming-of-age story that mixes together some of the most common issues all teenagers face. Divorce, family dynamics, first loves, fitting in, religion, and the difficulty in finding yourself all make an appearance throughout the course of the book.

My favorite part of the book would have to be a scene I found near the end. The main character, Craig, is walking alone through the snow and says such a beautiful line, I had to share it with you:

"How satisfying it is to leave a mark on a blank surface, to make a map of my movement, no matter how temporary."

I just loved that line! To me, it was a perfect expression of new beginnings.

Despite its 592 pages, Blankets is a quick read because it's a graphic novel. I would definitely recommend this to pretty much anyone who has an interest in it. ***However, there IS sexual content present in the book, so I'd recommend it only to mature readers, probably those who are 15 and up.*** Overall, I really enjoyed the book, and because it was different than the usual prose-style novel that I'm accustomed to reading, it was a great way to vary up my reading time!


Cover: 3.5 stars
Plot: 4.5 stars
Characters: 4.5 stars
Writing Style: 4.5 stars
Graphics: 4.5 stars
Overall: 4.5 stars