New find!

I have posted this on my facebook and twitter accounts already, but today I discovered netGalley! I have a Barnes & Noble nook e-reader, which I absolutely adore when it comes to reading the books that I don't necessarily want to put on my bookshelf in my classroom. As if that wasn't reason enough to love digital publishing, netGalley put me over the moon: on this site I can request digital copies of books that have not been released to the public to read and review.

Oh. My. Gosh.

So today I requested 5 books that looked interesting to me in the Teens and YA section of netGalley. When you're browsing you can search by date, genre or publishing company. One book that I have been itching to get my hands on is Ashfall by Mike Mullin. I follow the author on twitter and have entered giveaways and participated in charity auctions trying to get a copy of this book. Today I requested it via netGalley.

Two hours later, it's on my nook. I can't wait to read this one and write a review. I'm so behind on my reviews as it is, though. Today I tore through Shine by Lauren Myracle and that book deserves your attention, too! And there's Hourglass by Myra McEntire and Divergent by Veronica Roth that I also need to share :)

So, maybe a book review of Shine tomorrow and Hourglass on Thursday and Divergent on Friday? Hmm, maybe if I get my wheels turning I can write more frequently, and you'd love that, wouldn't you?!

Ash2Nash!!

In which my inner nerd comes blazing out!!

Ok, so just when you thought my anniversary couldn't get any more exciting, there's this! I spent part of today while Johnathan worked driving up to Morganton to a book signing. This event, part of the ash2nash tour, featured some awesome YA authors (from L to R):

Beth Revis, author of Across the Universe

Myra McEntire, author of Hourglass

Victoria Schwab, author of The Near Witch

Michelle Hodkin, author of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer

These 4 authors talked about their books, answered audience questions and signed all of our copies of everything!! I had a copy of the first three books listed here; Michelle Hodkin's book has not been released but I cannot wait to read it! All of these ladies were very warm and down to Earth. It was such an incredible experience and I honestly cannot say enough nice things about these writers :D Oh, and go buy their books!

My inner geek may have been on the loose, but it was SO worth it! I could not have asked for anything more today :) Thank you to these 4 amazing authors!

August 4, 2011

Today is our 4th wedding anniversary. Johnathan and I were married 4 years ago on a blazin' hot day in Lincolnton:

We had a beautiful ceremony surrounded by family and friends. I will always cherish that day as one of the most special I have ever experienced. And 4 years later he still likes me, too!
Our gift to ourselves this year were 2 lawn seats to the Maroon 5, Train and Gavin Degraw concert on August 2. We had SUCH a great time! The music was absolutely incredible; I couldn't believe we were at a live show! Neither of us had ever really been to a bonafide concert before so it was a good experience all the way around. We sang, danced and had so much fun!

Johnathan thought Maroon 5 was the better act, but I disagree. Train was AMAZING! Both groups are really really good and just released great albums. I think the lights and set for Train's performance put them at a slight advantage over Maroon 5. But, have you SEEN Adam Levine, the lead singer for Maroon 5? Definitely something to look at ;)

We had such a great time :) Definitely a great way to spend an anniversary date night!

Tonight we had a quiet dinner at home and just enjoyed each other's company. I know that we didn't do anything all that exciting for our anniversary, but sometimes it's nice to just be able to enjoy the company of another without the need to entertain or be entertained. There's a feeling of comfort that isn't complacency. I couldn't be more content. We have had 4 really great years of marriage and know that we have many more ahead. I am so grateful to have married someone who is my partner and my friend. I know there is much happiness ahead <3