Welcome to the another edition of This & That. What's that you say? Well it's a little of this and a little of that. Who's Us? That's exactly the point of This & That. Do you know anything about the Reviewer here? Or who is that person(s) you're talking to on Facebook and Twitter? You're about to!

Happy Weekend everyone!

I haven't read since early December. There, I said it! 


Reading hasn't been on my radar. Even though I've stared at the books sitting in my room. I've charged and uploaded books to my NC. I just didn't have the motivation to read. I found motivation for just about everything else but not my beloved reading. I think I was burnt out so I turned to everything else and let the reading fall to the side to be picked up later. 


Annnnnnd it's been picked up again. I'm not sure what brought it back but all of a sudden a book was in my hands and I devoured it. Then another.. now I'm on to a third. You know what this means right? REVIEWS!! 


I'm so excited! 

Until next week Ladies and Gents: Be Safe - No Paper Cuts!

Hi everyone!

How was your week? Good I hope. Mine was good. Nothing too exciting…this is actually OK sometimes. I find that “excitement” is not always a positive thing!

In between my panic of job searching, attempting some writing and reading, I have been watching some “old school” horror movies. I watched the entire Friday the 13th franchise. It’s terrible...LOL...but it is cult horror and that is what makes it cool. I have always been a little more partial to Michael Meyers. Halloween is probably at the top of my horror movie list.

I have some other slasher 80’s horror movies in my Netflix queue. I will be getting to those soon. I also have some classic horror movies with Vincent Price, Boris Karloff, etc. Should be interesting!

How about you guys? Any horror movie fans?

If any authors are interested in a guest post, we have dates open starting the end of March and on. Please e-mail me at Jennifer@1000plusbookstoread.com. We would love to have you!

Until next time guys and dolls...May the Force be with you!

Stay Tuned each Sunday for a dose of This & That!

Welcome to the another edition of This & That. What's that you say? Well it's a little of this and a little of that. Who's Us? That's exactly the point of This & That. Do you know anything about the Reviewer here? Or who is that person(s) you're talking to on Facebook and Twitter? You're about to!

Happy Superbowl Weekend everyone!

To be honest.. I'm not even interested in the Superbowl this year. Well.. I'm not interested in the Superbowl most years beyond the Commercials, halftime and the food! I'm a Basketball Fan, not Football. Give me the NBA Finals any day over the Superbowl. 


Everyone has been asking about the list of prize winners from our Big Giveaway.. well.. it's slowly coming. I thought preparing FOR the Giveaway was time consuming I never even imagined the aftermath! 329 prizes with 4825 entries and roughly 658 emails to send.. lets just say its taking more than one afternoon to complete! 


Rest assured I have been working on it every night this past week and hope to have it ALL done and the Winners listed soon! 

Speaking of that.. let me get back to work!

Until next week Ladies and Gents: Be Safe - No Paper Cuts!

Hi everyone!

How was your week? Good I hope. Mine was good. Still on the job hunt. I am of course now starting to really panic. I am thinking I need to rethink my job strategy and try temp agencies again. Sigh. I feel like I am a dinosaur sometimes. Like I haven’t had jobs or I have been out of work for so long, that I am no longer up to date. Which, I guess I’m not up to date...LOL...so I don’t know. Fingers crossed I can get something…anything...soon!!!

And can I just say how much I enjoy the interaction with you all on the Facebook page? It makes my day. Truly! So thank you for the likes and the comments!

So, please keep reading the blog...facebook...and like and comment away! We love it here at
1000+Books!

If any authors are interested in a guest post, we have dates open starting in mid March and on. Please e- mail me at Jennifer@1000plusbookstoread.com. We would love to have you!

Hope you enjoy the Super Bowl. At least enjoy the snacks...beverages...commercials...and the half time!

Until next time guys and dolls...May the Force be with you!

Stay Tuned each Sunday for a dose of This & That!

Welcome to the another edition of This & That. What's that you say? Well it's a little of this and a little of that. Who's Us? That's exactly the point of This & That. Do you know anything about the Reviewer here? Or who is that person(s) you're talking to on Facebook and Twitter? You're about to!

Happy Weekend everyone!


I'm going to keep this weeks edition short and sweet. I just want to say THANK YOU again to everyone for everything. As you ALL know since I've been announcing it every 2.5 seconds the 1000 + Giveaway has begun and I'm so excited to see all the participation early on! I truly excited and can hardly wait to be able to pick winners and get prizes out! 


SOOOO If you haven't entered yet.. what are you waiting for?!?! CLICK HERE to go enter! 


<3

Until next week Ladies and Gents: Be Safe - No Paper Cuts!

Hi everyone!

How was your week? Good I hope. I hope that you have begun to enter the giveaways on the blog. If not, what are you waiting for? You can’t win if you don’t enter!!!

Thank you to all of you great fans and all the great authors who donated and supported!

So...I’m not sure how it is weather wise by you all, but here in Illinois...it’s crazy. We haven’t had a really cold day all winter so far. Not that I am complaining. But this is weird. It was 50 degrees today. I guess for some of you that maybe cold. Not here though! I wouldn’t mind a mild winter. Last winter we got buried in a snowstorm. Like 2 feet of snow. In a day. LOL

How about by you all? How’s the weather? And where are you at?

Until next time guys and dolls...May the Force be with you!

Stay Tuned each Sunday for a dose of This & That!

Welcome to the another edition of This & That. What's that you say? Well it's a little of this and a little of that. Who's Us? That's exactly the point of This & That. Do you know anything about the Reviewer here? Or who is that person(s) you're talking to on Facebook and Twitter? You're about to!

Happy Weekend everyone!

Merry almost Christmas! It's right around the corner! 


Just a couple of updates for ya today. #1 - Due to the upcoming Holiday there won't be a This & That next Sunday since it's Christmas Day!! #2 - I've struggled with this over the last month or so and have finally decided that the blog will not be accepting review requests for now. The PR Policy has been updated to reflect this. 


I want to get caught up and there is so much to read that I don't want to accept anymore until I've gotten everything I've already accepted done. 


I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday weekend!

Until next week Ladies and Gents: Be Safe - No Paper Cuts!

Hi everyone!


One week for those who celebrate Christmas. Freaking out yet? LOL. I am not buying gifts this year, so it has been a little less stressful. I bake and make cards, that is my gift. My husband makes ornaments, that it is his. I went to the mall with a friend on Thursday. Let me tell you...there is nothing cool to buy for Christmas out there. So, I don’t care that I can’t really buy for Christmas this year. 


Brings up a good point. I believe that Christmas has gotten too commercial. Don’t get me wrong...I love my gadgets, games and other fun stuff. But, it is just stuff. Being with family and friends and appreciating life, good health and a roof over your head, that is more important. Stuff can be replaced. Memories cannot.


This year has been a learning experience for me. In so many ways. And while I may be sad, mad and scared about where life has taken me this year, I have started to really think about what is important. It has taught me to slow down and appreciate life and the people in it.


My great friends here…I wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa and all the best wishes to all of you, no matter what you celebrate.


And I hope 2012 is a better year for everyone!!

Until next time guys and dolls...May the Force be with you!

Stay Tuned each Sunday for a dose of This & That!

Welcome to the another edition of This & That. What's that you say? Well it's a little of this and a little of that. Who's Us? That's exactly the point of This & That. Do you know anything about the Reviewer here? Or who is that person(s) you're talking to on Facebook and Twitter? You're about to!

Happy Weekend everyone!

ISo.. I admit it.. I'm a Pinterest addict. Yes, I fought it for a long time. And now.. I can't fight it any longer. The site is so addicting. 


So many things to do, things to make, things to learn. Did you know a T-Shirt can be cut into a scarf? Or that aspirin and water is the very best face mask? Or that crescent rolls, pepperoni and string cheese = fab dinner food? Yes, thank you Pinterest. 


Now when I'm NOT reading or Facebooking I'm pinning something to do, to buy, to make.. and then making it! 


What about you? Have you gotten into this addicting site? You can find me here: http://pinterest.com/itsjustmelli/

Until next week Ladies and Gents: Be Safe - No Paper Cuts!

Hi everyone!

Two more weeks until Christmas! For those who celebrate, are you ready? I’m planning my Christmas cookies to bake. That is the extent of my holiday planning so far. My husband is a woodworker and a crafter on the side. So, he has been busy. He makes ornaments. Sometimes, I help decorate. This year I have been put in charge of some decorating! I will have to post pictures. His ornaments turn out so very cute. Baking is more of my craft. I also like scrapbooking/paper crafting and cross-stitch. Those are my 3 top crafts that aren’t reading, writing or video game related.

So, pictures to follow in the next weeks. I’ll also post recipes for you guys, if the baking turns out…

How about you? Any crafters out there? If so, what?

Until next time guys and dolls...May the Force be with you!

Stay Tuned each Sunday for a dose of This & That!

Welcome to the another edition of This & That. What's that you say? Well it's a little of this and a little of that. Who's Us? That's exactly the point of This & That. Do you know anything about the Reviewer here? Or who is that person(s) you're talking to on Facebook and Twitter? You're about to!

Happy Weekend everyone!

I'm so excited! I've gotten a TON of Christmas ish stuff done lately. I'm even almost done with my Christmas shopping! Can you believe it?! I can't. I'm in shock. Usually it seems I'm shopping down to the very last minute.. and now all of a sudden I'm only 2 stores away from being done. Well.. at least done with the actual shopping portion. There's still the wrapping to do. But YAY!


I am also OVER my slump I talked about last week. I guess I just needed a bit of a break. I'm currently finishing up a book for review.. have plans to record a couple reviews tomorrow and get some actual reviews ready for posting.


I have this itch though.. that's really bugging me. I'm trying to be good and read my review books in order yada yada.. you know being a good little reviewer (lol) but I'm itching to read the Twilight series again. I know *insert collective groan here*. I can't help it. I haven't read the books in a couple years and well.. since seeing Breaking Dawn and hearing Bruno Mar's 'It Will Rain' (which is in the soundtrack of the movie) every time I turn on the radio all I can think of is Twilight and rereading it. I'm holding off folks.. but I don't know if I'm strong willed enough to not breakdown and read it soon.


We shall see.

Until next week Ladies and Gents: Be Safe - No Paper Cuts!

Hi everyone!

Well...it’s December! The final days of 2011. I have mixed feelings about it. Not that I can change this of course. J I love starting a fresh year. It is like a clean slate. I am ready to start a new year. I have no idea what this year will bring, I am hopeful for some positive this year. Like a job. J And maybe pursue some other opportunities. Get healthy! Those are my top three goals.

It is good to reflect on the last year too. Everything is a learning experience. And whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right? This year, well the past 2 years, I have learned SO much. Even though it has been painful, it has been important to my growth as a person.

OK. On to fun stuff. So, Melissa talked about Nintendo DS last week? Yep. I have been playing too! Anyone else play out there? I have successfully completed Super Mario Bros. That is my unemployment accomplishment. LOL. I also love puzzle and word games too.

So, how about you all? DS anyone? How about the final days of 2011? Any thoughts?

Until next time guys and dolls...May the Force be with you!

Stay Tuned each Sunday for a dose of This & That!

Welcome to the another edition of This & That. What's that you say? Well it's a little of this and a little of that. Who's Us? That's exactly the point of This & That. Do you know anything about the Reviewer here? Or who is that person(s) you're talking to on Facebook and Twitter? You're about to!

Happy Weekend everyone! 

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving day and a SAFE Black Friday! 


This past week as come with a lot of ups and downs for me but there is nothing like the holidays to put things into perspective. The stress and drama from work and life seem to pale when your spending time with loved ones. At least.. that is the case for me. I don't have any crazy drunk Uncles or psycho Aunts. My family is pretty darn cool. 


I'm also kind of in a 'burnt out' phase. I'm burnt out on blogging, on reading, on reviewing. It's a lot of upkeep! My boyfriend teases me a lot about working outside of work so much. And he's right. It can be a lot of work, but then again when you love what you do (and I do love reading) it doesn't tend to seem like work most of the time. And then there are times like now.. lol. When it is feeling that way. The cool thing is that I can spend time working on different things when it comes to all of this. Sometimes I focus solely on reading, other times its answering the bajillion emails (i kid i kid), other times it's formatting posts and trying to 'get ahead' by prescheduling posts. There is so many different parts to running this here that there is never a dull moment or mundane task. I can always find something 'fun' to do if I don't feel like reading. 


Right now I've spent the last 24 hours playing my Nintendo DS. I got like 6 new games and I'm addicted! LOL I've actually spent a FULL 24 hours NOT doing anything blog/reading related. I must admit.. it feels good! SO I've decided that December will be a slow month review wise. I've made some promises that I will keep but other than that I'm going to allow myself to 'relax'  a bit and focus on the upcoming Holiday and preparing for it. I think I had mentioned it would be slowing down around here back in October and yet November was a busy as normal. Which was fine, it worked out that way. But between my 'burnt out', my new exciting DS games and the big ol Christmas day looming.. well.. December will be slower. 


BUT things will be back in full kick a$$ mode in January. Can you believe it's going to be 2012?! 


So tell me.. Did you have a crazy uncle or psycho aunt at your Thanksgiving?

Until next week Ladies and Gents: Be Safe - No Paper Cuts!

Hi everyone! How was your short work week? Good I hope! 


I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. I have to admit...for the first time...I felt I don’t want to say holiday blues...but I don’t have another term for it. But, as I start to pity myself for not being where I want to be in life right now and not having a job...and all that good stuff. I think back to last year around this time, I wasn’t sure where I would be living or what was definite. 


I’ve learned to appreciate the roof over your head. It’s easy to get caught up in pity, but truthfully, a scary feeling not knowing if you will have a roof over your head. I have definitely learned to appreciate that.  Working on the other appreciations. But, good health should be up there too. You may have a headache one day or a cold but some people are struggling out there with deadly diseases. My parents’ friend, who I have know all my life, is battling Leukemia right now. A very aggressive and fast moving illness.  It puts the important things in life in perspective real fast.  


Family and friends are very important. I only have a couple of friends and a handful of family, but my parents, my best friend & my husband have been very supportive of me and that really has made a difference. 


Facebook friends too... I have “met” so many great people on facebook. Wish we could all meet and have a huge party. :o) Seriously...my facebook peeps have been there for me  and keep my sanity! :o)


And this blog and facebook page have definitely helped me to “meet” and connect with people. Also to network and help me break out of my shell and start writing. Something I have always wanted to do, but don’t have the confidence to do. It’s been a slow process…but I am working through. 


I have no idea what the future holds. And unfortunately all the best laid out plans...a lot of the time...just don’t work out. But, maybe that just means that there is a different plan that hasn’t been laid out yet. 


The best is yet to come. And nothing is definite.


I’ll keep saying this until I believe it.



Until next time guys and dolls...

May the force be with you!

Stay Tuned each Sunday for a dose of This & That!

Welcome to the another edition of This & That. What's that you say? Well it's a little of this and a little of that. Who's Us? That's exactly the point of This & That. Do you know anything about the Reviewer here? Or who is that person(s) you're talking to on Facebook and Twitter? You're about to!

Happy Weekend everyone! 

I've had a lot on my mind lately regarding the state of this blog. Oooo sounds super serious huh? LOL. Well.. it is and it isn't. Here is what it boils down to, I LOVE reading.. and LOVE all of the books I've been fortunate enough to review, however, I am envious of other blogs who are able to read books they want to read at their whim. 


I want to get to a place where I'm reading and reviewing books that are more in line with the genres I love and get excited about. At the same time.. I feel bad cutting off entries from other genres because I've had some great reads come out of it. 


What this all boils down to is: I'm confused. And there may be some changes as to what is excepted for review and what isn't. I want to read more paranormal, more YA, more YA Paranormal, more whatever catches my eye! 

Until next week Ladies and Gents: Be Safe - No Paper Cuts!

Hi everyone! How was your week? Good I hope! 


So...someone brought to my attention that Thanksgiving is less than 2 weeks away. Eek. We used to have our family at our place. But, with moving, our place is just too small to have everyone over. So, my mom and dad are going to have it. Kind of sad. I actually like cooking Thanksgiving dinner and having everyone over. But, my mom is a good cook, so it’s all good. 


Being with family, even though they may annoy you sometimes, is the important thing. Plus, I don’t have the clean up. I mean I will help her of course. Well, I should say my husband did most of clean up.  So, it will be a nice change. Usually we stand there and say can’t we just throw this all out?  Seems easier than cleaning. LOL


Still job hunting. Won’t even get started on that. 


My NaNoWriMo challenge isn’t going as well as I hoped. I can’t believe some people have already written the 50,000 words. But, I am not going to give up like I do with most things. I figure the whole reason why I signed up for the challenge was to get my butt in gear and actually write instead of talking about it. And I have done that. So, if I don’t make the 50,000 words, I won’t beat myself up about it. I’m going to continue to write after. I’m disciplining myself to do so. This is a learning experience for me. Not giving up! 


That is about all the excitement here. Until next time guys and dolls...



May the force be with you!

Stay Tuned each Sunday for a dose of This & That!