Fantastic Friday #5: Ripper Street

Fantastic Friday is a new feature here on Ramblings of a Daydreamer. Each Friday I'll showcase fantastic things from the past week - could be things I've done, places I've gone, a new song I like, a movie I've seen, books I've read, blog posts from around the blogosphere - anything at all!

What I'm finding fantastic lately: Ripper Street.

I am so obsessed with this show. I was browsing the DVDs at my library weekend before last and these caught my attention. Like many other people, I have a bizarre fascination with Jack the Ripper, so the title piqued my interest and I grabbed both seasons. 

While the show doesn't actually have to do with Jack the Ripper, the first season is set shortly after the Ripper's reign of terror in Whitechapel, and features the police force (division H) who tried to hunt him down. The main characters are Inspector Edmund Reid (Matthew MacFadyen), Sargeant Bennet Drake (Jerome Flynn), and American doctor/ex-Pinkerton Captain Homer Jackson (Adam Rothenberg). These three make a dynamic trio and have such great chemistry on screen. The characters are very different, but they have several core values in common: they're passionate about their jobs, want to help people, and are protective of those they love. Plus they're easy on the eyes, especially Mr. MacFadyen. ;-)

I love historic fiction, and Ripper Street is fascinating to me because it shows the seedier side of London in the late 1800s - dirty streets, poor people, prostitutes, mob mentality regarding several issues. While I've seen plenty of movies and TV shows set during the late Victorian era, part of what's so interesting to me is how this show doesn't hold back. A good portion of the show deals with prostitution - Captain Jackson lives in a brothel, and there are a few regular characters who are prostitutes - and they deal with issues surrounding religion, politics, homosexuality, and infidelity. Another fascinating aspect to me is that they don't just focus on the police work; we see a lot of Captain Jackson at work, examining dead bodies, performing autopsies, and doing a fair bit of scientific work. He's basically a one-man CSI unit using 19th century methods, and the work he does is really interesting. 

There's a lot of violence and quite a bit of gore in Ripper Street, but there's also a mixture of everything else you can imagine - romance, intrigue, drama, humour, heartache. I've been recommending the show to all my friends over the last couple of weeks. I'm almost done the second season and I'll be sad because I know it'll be awhile before I'm able to get my hands on season 3!

  

Do you watch Ripper Street? What shows are you currently obsessed with? Tell  me in the comments below or chat with me on Twitter. Also, feel free to link me to blog posts, articles, pictures, songs, videos, or whatever you thought was fantastic this week that you want to share!

   

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Top Ten Things I'm Thankful For

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

Here in Canada we celebrate Thanksgiving the second Monday in October, but I’ll gladly use any excuse to talk about the things I’m thankful for. This is a bit long, but I have a lot to be thankful for!

*I’m thankful for…my brother, Jamie

Normally I’d lump my family all together and say I’m grateful for all of them (which I am, my family is my life), but today Jamie gets his own special mention. Why? Because it’s his birthday! My big bro turns 40 today. We’ve always been very close. I always joke that he claimed me in the womb and has been my guardian angel ever since. He really wanted a baby sister; how many ten-year-old boys actually want a baby sister? One of my favourite stories that my mum likes to tell is this: the day I was born was the last day of school before the Christmas holidays. My parents went to the hospital, I was born early in the afternoon, and a couple hours later, my mum got a phone call from Jamie’s school. They were holding the bus because he refused to get on until he could tell all his friends he had a baby sister. I often wonder what would have happened if I’d been a boy lol. When I was a toddler, his school was attached to my preschool and he used to bring his friends over at lunch time to show me off. I was only ten when our dad died, and we became even closer after that. We’ve always had this unspoken bond - we can have an entire conversation without saying a word. He’s also brought me a sister-in-law, two nephews, and a niece that I love to death.

Jamie and me over the years

*I’m thankful for…the rest of my family

So I mentioned Jamie, my sister-in-law, nephews and niece. They and my mum are pretty much my whole life. My mum and I weren’t all that close when I was little (I was a total daddy’s girl), but we grew closer the older I got and now we’re best friends. We have so much fun together - she’s the kindest, most loving, generous person I know, and I don’t know what I’d do without her. Also, being an aunt is the greatest privilege and pleasure of my life, and I love my little people so much it feels like my heart could burst.

Logan (3), Noah (11), and Maddison (5 months)

*I’m thankful for…the blogging community

I started Ramblings of a Daydreamer three years ago last month. It’s been one hell of a ride. It hasn’t always been easy - I’ve gone through reading and blogging slumps, times when I wondered why I kept going, and times when it seemed like my head would explode if I had to write one more blog post on top of everything else I had going on in my life. But overall it’s brought me a lot of joy. It’s made me a more critical reader, it’s made me a better writer, and I’ve made some fantastic friends. I get to talk about books - my favourite subject - with people from all over the world who I wouldn’t have met otherwise. Plus a lot of my friendships have gone beyond just books, which is pretty special. Speaking of which...

*I’m thankful for…Molli and Jessica

I could have lumped these girls in with the blogging community but I thought they deserved a nod of their own. I met Molli (from Books and Whimsy) and Jessica (from Thoughts at One in the Morning) early on in my blogging days, and it was the friendship equivalent of love at first sight. Molli is my brain twin, and Jess is my kindred spirit. I talk to these girls every day and tell them everything. They know more about what’s going on in my life than any of my ‘real life’ friends do. When something exciting or sad or maddening happens, they’re the ones I turn to. I know I can rant, be silly, ridiculous, nerdy, and just ME, and they'll love me no matter what. They’ve also been huge supporters of my writing from the very beginning, and I’ve gotten to be part of their budding writing careers, which is both exciting and humbling. Even though I’ve never met either of them in person, I consider both of them part of my family and I love them dearly.

*I’m thankful for…being mobile

I hurt my back really badly early this year and could hardly walk for several months. I was pretty much housebound, and even after all these months, I’m still recovering in some ways. I’m so thankful I’m able to get around and that I’m finally mostly pain free. *knocks on wood* It's something I'll never take for granted again.

*I’m thankful for…getting to live my dream

My lifelong dream has been to become a published author and that happened almost two years ago. I’ve published four books since January 2012, and even though it hasn’t always been easy, I’m living my dream - how many people can say that? I know I’m incredibly blessed to love my job and to be doing something I’m passionate about.

*I’m thankful for…BOOKS

This one’s pretty obvious. Reading is my escape, it’s what keeps me sane and happy. Books are also the reason I get to be part of this incredible community.

*I’m thankful for…authors

I’m so thankful for the authors who tell the stories in their hearts, bravely send them out into the world to be adored or hated, and who live this crazy, lonely life. They entertain us, they break out hearts and put them back together again, and they make the world a better place.

*I’m thankful for…publishers

Does this surprise you since I’m a self-published author? I have nothing but love and respect for publishers. They’ve brought me almost all my favourite books. Plus, it’s really fun to get to work with them as a book blogger. I’m especially grateful for Simon & Schuster Canada and HarperTeen who have been incredibly good to me this year. It’s been a pleasure and an honour to work with them.

*I’m thankful for…my library

I’ve struggled a lot financially over the last few years, so the library has been a godsend. I’ve always used the library but I’ve used it so much more since I started blogging. Not only do they have a phenomenal selection of books (especially considering the size of my city), but I also love to go there and hang out. I usually go at least once a week to sit in my favourite comfy chair by the floor-to-ceiling windows and read. I’ve also started getting ebooks from the library which is super handy!

   

What are you thankful for?

Also, happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends!

 

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Author Event Recap - Kelley Armstrong - Ontario Public Library Month

At the end of September, I was in the library when I saw this…

I couldn’t believe it. I thought it must be a mistake. When I got home I checked the library website and even Kelley Armstrong’s list of appearances on her website, and discovered it wasn’t a mistake. *cue all the squeeing and fangirling*

I’ve been reading Kelley’s books since before I started this blog in 2010. Besides loving paranormal books, I had a fascination with Kelley because she’s Canadian. So, you can imagine my excitement when I found out she was coming to my small city, to the library that I basically consider my second home because I spend so much time there.

As soon as I found out about Kelley’s appearance at the library, I posted about it on Facebook and tagged several local friends so they’d know about it (and so I’d have someone to go with). I made plans to go with Michelle, a friend I’ve known since preschool but hadn’t seen in 7-8 years, and meet up with JaimeKristal, a friend from high school, who also happens to be my editor, and who I hadn’t seen in 11 years. I was so psyched because not only would I get to meet one of my favourite authors, it would also be a reunion!

Michelle and I arrived around 10:45 for the event, which was scheduled to start at 11:30. We snagged the last of the seats, and as we waited for JK, the event planners added a bunch more chairs, which filled up quickly. By the time the event started, the room was packed and there was standing room only.

Cheryl, the librarian who coordinated the event, introduced Kelley and I was glad to see I wasn’t the only one who was almost overwhelmed with excitement. She said that people had started arriving to the event at 9:30 (when the library opens), and that there had never been an event with a turnout like that one.

Kelley talked to us about how she got started writing, talked about her current and upcoming books, and then did a reading from The Summoning. After that she did a question and answer period where she ‘bribed’ people to ask questions by giving out goodies like books and Omens tote bags. She was so smart and funny and just plain incredible. She’s the Queen of Paranormal, but she’s so humble and down to earth. She joked with us, told us stories, and was so open.

Some interesting tidbits we learned from Kelley:

• Have you ever wondered how Kelley got into writing paranormal? Was it because her parents loved it? Or maybe because they were against it and an interest grew out of a sense of rebellion? Neither. It was a love of Scooby Doo!

• Her first published novel, and the first book in the Women of the Otherworld series, Bitten, has been made into a 13-episode TV series. It was picked up by the Space network in Canada and was supposed to start airing early 2014, but now the Sci-Fi station in the States wants to pick it up (!!!) so they’re trying to coincide air dates.

• Someone asked her if she’d done a cameo in Bitten, and she said no. When asked if she would if asked, it was a definite NO. She said the idea terrified her.

• Even though the Women of the Otherworld series ended last year with the publication of Thirteen, Kelley says she still plans to release a novella a year from that world.

• When her daughter got old enough to become interested in Kelley’s books and asked if she could read Bitten, Kelley said no…and from there, the Darkest Powers trilogy was born. She wanted to write something her daughter could read.

• Later on, her sons wanted to read her books, and Kelley told them the Darkest Powers trilogy was suitable for kids 11 and up. Their response: ‘But there’s a girl on the cover’. She tried to convince them to read it by assuring them there were werewolves and zombies and no kissing. Their response: ‘But there’s a girl on the cover holding a necklace’. From there, Loki’s Wolves, which she co-wrote with Marissa Marr, was born.

• When asked about advice on writing, her response was simple (and something I’ve said a number of times to people who have asked me for writing advice): write. If you want to write, write. Don’t talk about it, don’t over think it, just write. She also recommended that people who want to write should read widely.

• When asked what kind of education you need to be a writer, she said none. Then she amended that by saying you didn’t need any specific sort of education, but the more education you had, the better, so you’d be knowledgeable about a lot of things. She said she’s always taking courses and learning things that could come in handy in her books - sword fighting and bartending being among them.
• She loves Steven King’s books.

After the Q&A came the signing. This is what I looked forward to and dreaded most. For someone who’s an avid reader, a book blogger, and an author, meeting one of your favourite authors is like meeting a rock star. I was nervous that I’d dissolve into a squeeing fangirl and totally embarrass myself. Luckily Michelle and JK were awesome and kept me talking and laughing so I didn’t have too much of a chance to get nervous…although my hands were shaking by the time it was our turn to meet Kelley! She signed my two books (The Gathering and Exit Strategy), and I got to talk to her for a minute. I told her I was a book blogger and that she had donated signed copies of her books for my Canadian Author Spotlight last July, and I wanted to thank her in person. I got a picture with her, and then I got extra time with her while JK got her books signed and then…well, then Michelle brought out her ginormous bag of books. She had to drive two hours to get to my city, and she brought every Kelley Armstrong book she owned. No joke. Kelley was so gracious and signed each one while chatting with us. 

Kelley and me

Kelley and Michelle

Kelley and JK

Signing the mountain of books Michelle brought

It was an amazing day. It’s been a few days and I still can’t believe I met Kelley Armstrong. I MET KELLEY ARMSTRONG! :-D 

Have you ever been to an author event? Have you met Kelley? Do you enjoy her books? What are some of your favourites?

 

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What's Next #1 ~ The Library Edition

What's Next is a weekly feature hosted by Icey Books, where bloggers can help other bloggers pick their next read. Sounds like fun, right? Head on over to Icey Books for more details and to join in the fun!

Even though I go to the library at least once a week, I haven't actually checked out many books this year because I've been reading so many review books and books I own. Over the last few months I requested a ton of books that were 'on order' and figured it would take ages for them to come in, but of course a bunch of them came at the same time, so those are the books I'm trying to decide between this week. They are...

Tana lives in a world where walled cities called Coldtowns exist. In them, quarantined monsters and humans mingle in a decadently bloody mix of predator and prey. The only problem is, once you pass through Coldtown’s gates, you can never leave.

One morning, after a perfectly ordinary party, Tana wakes up surrounded by corpses. The only other survivors of this massacre are her exasperatingly endearing ex-boyfriend, infected and on the edge, and a mysterious boy burdened with a terrible secret. Shaken and determined, Tana enters a race against the clock to save the three of them the only way she knows how: by going straight to the wicked, opulent heart of Coldtown itself.

{Add on GoodReads || Buy at Amazon}

Cath is a Simon Snow fan.

Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan...

But for Cath, being a fan is her life — and she’s really good at it. She and her twin sister, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it’s what got them through their mother leaving.

Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fan fiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere.

Cath’s sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can’t let go. She doesn’t want to.

Now that they’re going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn’t want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She’s got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fan fiction is the end of the civilized world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words . . . And she can’t stop worrying about her dad, who’s loving and fragile and has never really been alone.

For Cath, the question is: Can she do this?

Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? Writing her own stories?

And does she even want to move on if it means leaving Simon Snow behind?

{Add on GoodReads || Buy on Amazon}

It’s 1950, and as the French Quarter of New Orleans simmers with secrets, seventeen-year-old Josie Moraine is silently stirring a pot of her own. Known among locals as the daughter of a brothel prostitute, Josie wants more out of life than the Big Easy has to offer.

She devises a plan get out, but a mysterious death in the Quarter leaves Josie tangled in an investigation that will challenge her allegiance to her mother, her conscience, and Willie Woodley, the brusque madam on Conti Street. Josie is caught between the dream of an elite college and a clandestine underworld. New Orleans lures her in her quest for truth, dangling temptation at every turn, and escalating to the ultimate test.

With characters as captivating as those in her internationally bestselling novel Between Shades of Gray, Ruta Sepetys skillfully creates a rich story of secrets, lies, and the haunting reminder that decisions can shape our destiny.

{Add on GoodReads || Buy on Amazon} 

So which book do you think I should read next - The Coldest Girl in Coldtown, Fangirl, or Out of the Easy?

 

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Stacking the Shelves Birthday Edition #1

My birthday is this weekend, so this is Birthday Edition #1 because it's basically the books I bought as 'to me from me' presents. Next week in Birthday Edition #2, I'll show you the books I get this weekend as gifts and next week in the mail. :-)

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Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews

FOR REVIEW:
Deep Betrayal by Anne Greenwood Brown {GoodReads}
Swimming at Night by Lucy Clarke {GoodReads}
WON:
Mystic City by Theo Lawrence {GoodReads}

GIFTED:
A Royal Pain by Megan Mulry {GoodReads}

LIBRARY:
Poison Princess by Kresley Cole {GoodReads}
Embrace by Jessica Shirvington {GoodReads}

Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr {GoodReads}
The Diviners by Libba Bray {GoodReads}
Clarity by Kim Harrington {GoodReads}
The Perfect Hope by Nora Roberts {GoodReads}
Blackberry Winter by Sarah Jio {GoodReads}
One Hundred Names by Cecelia Ahern {GoodReads}

BOUGHT:
Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor {GoodReads}
Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins {GoodReads}
Fateful by Claudia Gray {GoodReads}
Bright Young Things by Anna Godberson {GoodReads}

Mistletoe in Manhattan by Talli Roland {GoodReads}
Christmas Kisses by HM Ward {GoodReads}

 
A huge thank you to Margie from Bumbles and Fairy-Tales, Simon and Schuster Canada, NetGalley, and Random House

What books did you get this week? Tell me in the comments below or post a link to your Stacking the Shelves/Book Haul/In My Mailbox/Showcase Sunday, etc. Happy reading! <3

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Stacking the Shelves - September 23rd

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

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GIFT:

Entertainment Weekly Fall TV Preview

BOUGHT:

 Scarlet by AC Gaughen {GoodReads}

Anybody Out There? Marian Keyes {GoodReads}

WON:

Signed The Archived bookmarks from Victoria Schwab

LIBRARY:

Changeling by Philippa Gregory {GoodReads}

*A big thank you to Laura for the magazine, and Victoria Schwab for the bookmarks!*

Announcements:

I have a giveaway going on until next Friday to celebrate the release of my new book of erotic romance short stories, Undressed. I'm also taking part in the Naughty or Nice Giveaway Hop on my author blog and you have another chance to win a copy of Undressed OR my debut novel, Blue Sky Days. 

Also, the Spooktacular Paranormal Reading Challenge starts in a little over a week. If you'd like to check it out and (hopefully) sign up, there's a link at the top of the blog, as well as a button at the top right. If quite a few more people sign up I'm thinking about throwing in another prize, so be sure to sign up if you love paranormal book (or fantasy or urban fantasy or any books with otherworldly creatures). 

What books did you get this week? Tell me in the comments below or post a link to your Stacking the Shelves/Book Haul/In My Mailbox/Showcase Sunday, etc. 

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Book Haul - September 16th, 2012

Hi guys! I hope you've all had a fantastic week. I haven't had a chance to post a book haul for awhile so this is the last three or so weeks' worth of books.

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WON/GIFTS

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick {GoodReads}

In Honor by Jessi Kirby {GoodReads}

Kobo cover from my friend Laura

Signed Defiance bookmark from CJ Redwine

BOUGHT

Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally (ebook) {GoodReads}

Defiance by CJ Redwine {GoodReads}

LIBRARY

The Bungalow by Sarah Jio {GoodReads}

Glass Houses by Rachel Caine {GoodReads}

Wake by Amanda Hocking {GoodReads}

So Much Closer by Susane Colasanti {GoodReads}

Chocolat by Joann Harris {GoodReads}

NETGALLEY

Dante’s Girl by Courtney Cole {GoodReads}

Splintered by AG Howard {GoodReads}

Huge thank you to Amy from Book Goonie, Elemillia from Gone Bookserk, Laura, CJ Redwine, Lakehouse Press, Abrams, and NetGalley. 

What books did you get this week? Tell me in the comments below or post a link to your Book Haul/In My Mailbox, Showcase Sunday, Stacking the Shelves, etc. 

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July Book Haul

Hello my lovelies! This is my Book Haul for the month of July. I didn't do one at all last month because my Canadian Spotlight Month ran all 31 days of July so I didn't have time to post one. I was incredibly lucky in July - I won quite a few books, and I also received a few books as gifts. 

I made a video but after having some issues, I decided to scrap it and just post pictures!

My two best blog friends both sent me something last month. How lucky am I? I love these girls to pieces, and I hope you'll take a minute to drop by their amazing blogs and check them out!

Sloppy Firsts and Second Helpings by Megan McCafferty, plus stickers and a signed Wanderlove bookmark from Jessica at Thoughts at One in the Morning. When Jess found out I wanted to read these books, she sent them to me as a gift. I was also super excited to get the signed Wanderlove bookmark, because that's one of my favourite books of 2012 so far.

Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock from Molli at Once Upon a Prologue. Molli asked me one day if I was planning on reading Hemlock for the Canadian Reading Challenge, but I said no because I'd just found out Kathleen was Canadian, and the library didn't have the book and I couldn't afford to buy it. Then one day I got a package in the mail, assuming it was something else, so imagine my surprise when I open it up and the beautiful cover of Hemlock is looking up at me -such an amazing surprise! This is one of Molli's favourite books, and since we like pretty much all the same books, I'm sure I'll love it too.

U22: A 22-track live collection from U2360 - a 2-disc CD set plus a beautiful book of photographs from the U2360 tour. Every year if you subscribe to U2.com they send you a subscriber gift that you can't buy in stores. Last year when it came time to renew my subscription I couldn't afford it, so my friend Laura (who I met last year at a U2 concert) renewed my subscription for me as a birthday/Christmas gift, and the CD set and book was this year's subscriber gift. 

Do I have the best friends or what? Thank you so much Jessica, Molli, and Laura - I love you girls to bits!

Signed copy of Tempestuous by Lesley Livingston. I won this from Lesley herself - she was celebrating the paperback release of Tempestuous on her blog, and I won a copy. I have very few signed books and only a couple of them are signed and personalized, so I was extra excited for this one! Tempestuous is the third in the Wondrous Strange trilogy, which is one of my favourite trilogies, and I had literally just finished reading Darklight when I won this book - talk about timing! I can't wait to finish this series and find out what happens, although I'll be sad to let these characters go!

Signed copy of My Boyfriend Merlin by Priya Ardis. I also won a $25 Amazon gift card from Priya. I can't wait to read this book - I love anything to do with Arthurian legend. 

In the Canada Day Blog Hop at the beginning of July, I won This Dark Endeavor by Kenneth Oppel from Rhiannon Paille, and Arranged by Catherine McKenzie from Anna at Dolce Pazzia. I'm really looking forward to reading both of these - This Dark Endeavor isn't my usual genre, but I love branching out, and I got to choose any book by a Canadian author, so this was the one I chose. 

Thank you Lesley, Priya, Rhi, and Anna!

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi (already read, review to come this week - let me just say this is one of my favourite books of 2012!)

Keep Holding On by Susane Colasanti (already read this one, too - review to come this week or next)

Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

Tiger Lily by Jody Lynn Anderson (it took everything in me not to sit right down in the library and start reading this one. I was first on the waiting list and was so happy they got it quickly. I'm reading Peter Pan right now, and then I'll read Tiger Lily)

Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkess (currently reading. I read A Discovery of Witches last year, and although I enjoy this trilogy, it's so long and gets so bogged down in details that it takes me forever to get through them. I'm a slow reader, and I can usually read about a page a minute, but it's taking me 2 minutes per page with this book - I've had it four days and I'm less than 40% of the way through - gah!)

So, that's what I got in July. I think it's a pretty amazing haul since a lot of times I go weeks on end with nothing in the mail but my credit card bill! Thank you again to everyone who sent me books in July - I'm so incredibly grateful!

What books did you get this week? You can tell me in the comments below or leave a link to whatever book haul type post you do (In My Mailbox, Showcase Sunday, Stacking the Shelves, etc), and I'll be sure to visit you!

 

Review Copy Cleanup Challenge: Cuddle up with a book

Review Copy Cleanup is hosted by Vicky at Books, Biscuits & Tea, and Celine from Nyx Book Reviews.

I have several favorite reading places, and today I'm going to 'show' you two of them. I do the majority of my reading in my living room on the couch, where it's most comfortable and the light is best...but the living room is currently a mess after having my 2-year-old nephew here for the past 4 days, and I'm enjoying having a day to be lazy, so...you'll just have to use your imaginations lol. 

My other favorite place is my bed. It's not necessarily the most comfortable place to read, and the light isn't great, but it's quiet and private, and I almost always sit in bed and read before going to sleep.

A bit of explanation: if you've ever been here to Ramblings of a Daydreamer before, or know me at all, you'll know that I love U2, and that's just one of the many posters in my room. I'm sure most people would laugh at me if they saw my room because it looks like a teenage girl's, but it's my little haven, and the eclectic mix of stuff reflects my personality. You may also notice the glow in the dark stars all over my wall, along with the blue sparkly star, which I have scattered all over my room. The other poster is of Stonehenge, somewhere I've always wanted to go. The picture was taken during some huge celestial event that only happens once every several hundred years (can't remember the exact details, and again, too lazy to go check), and a friend brought me that poster when she visited England; she also brought me a little flower/weed from inside the ropes of Stonehenge, because she knows how fascinated I've always been by the ancient stones. We're weird and random like that lol. On the other side of my bed is an old entertainment stand that I use for books, movies, knick knacks, my Anne of Green Gables collection, and my U2 collection/shrine (CDs, DVDs, books, etc). Oh, and the penguin! Almost forgot about her; I collect penguins, and Muffin is the one who lives in my bed. See her little red scarf? I knitted that. Yes, I'm special.

My other favorite place to read is the library. This picture was taken last spring. I haven't been to the library in a while, because I've become a hermit while writing my second novel. When my mum goes to the library to get books for herself, she gets any holds that happen to be waiting for me. I really miss the library though, so I'm thinking of making a trip this weekend to sit in my favorite chair, pictured below. It's at the  back of the library in a corner between two floor-to-ceiling windows. The chair's not exactly comfortable, but I love sitting there with all that sunlight pouring in, and I get to people watch, too.

The other place I read - although I've actually come to loathe doing it, so I probably shouldn't even include it here but I'm going to anyway - is my computer. I don't have an e-reader, so I have to read all ebooks on my computer. It's become a giant pain in the ass because I sit at the computer to work most of the day, so the last thing I want to do is read a book on the computer. That's actually part of why I signed up for this challenge, so I could get a bunch of review ebooks read, then take a break from them. I also use my laptop to read in the living rooms sometimes, which isn't as bad as actually sitting here at my computer to read. I don't have a picture of my desk because it's an absolute disaster zone, and I'd be mortified for anyone to see it. Sometimes I wonder how I ever get anything accomplished with the distraction of precarious piles of papers and books on my desk!

Where's your favorite reading place?