War & Art

Yesterday, my friend gave me a Civil War postcard that she bought while visiting Charleston, South Carolina. :) She also gave me two Naruto stamps, Sasuke and Yondaime. I think she got them off a package she ordered from Japan. I already have copies of these particular stamps, but these aren't attached to the postcard, which is nice because I can hold 'em in my hands. :D

I got these next two postcards from my sister. She actually is the artist of both pieces. Aren't they freakin' amazing? Love these characters. She made them into postcards through Zazzle.com. They arrived over a week ago; however, I totally forgot to scan 'em. Her gallery can be viewed here.

In My Mailbox #7

Too lazy to take a picture of the books...
In My Mailbox was created by Kristi at The Story Siren, inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie.

E-book:
Rising Shadow (The Soterians, #1) by Jacquelyn Wheeler

Library:
Far from You by Lisa Schroeder
Shadow Mirror (Walk of the Spirits, #2) by Richie Tankersley Cusick

I loved Lisa Schroeder's other novel Chasing Brooklyn, so I decided to check out one of her other books, Far From You. Shadow Mirror, which I'm reading right now, is the sequel to Walk of the Spirits. I found out about Rising Shadow from GoodReads.com. The author offered a free download of this book on her website. Check it out here, if you're interested. :)

Chapter 488

When was the last time I talked about Naruto? haha These past couple of chapters have been ..eehhh. :P There was a little bit of SasuSaku (from Sakura's part anyway), but I couldn't even bother to make a post about it because in the end... Well, I ain't gonna lie. It just wasn't good. The story has not been doing well, imo. Keeps going back and forth. Kishimoto seems to just want to drag this out even more, and he's only good at giving us more unanswered questions. *sigh*

Anyway, it's been over a year since we got chapter 437. My favorite chapter. Hinata's confession to Naruto. Ever since then, we have not seen them approach each other or anything. It's like the confession didn't even happen. Now we have chapter 488. Guess what? Naruto and Hinata are actually around each other for the first time since that incident! Amazing, right? :D

Not.

After finally coming back to Konoha, Naruto's talking to all the rookies about Sasuke. The problem? He's not facing the entire group. In fact, his back is turned to Hinata. To me, it seems like he's avoiding and/or ignoring her.

Maybe I'm making a big deal out of nothing, but I really can't help my reaction. We waited over a year, and this is what we get? Did they already talk off panel? What is going on? And when Naruto is done talking, he just leaves! Disappointing.

What I did like about this chapter was that the rookies told Naruto off. They didn't agree with Naruto's decision about Sasuke. I'm glad they feel the same way as most of the readers. Also, when they were talking about Sasuke, there was a panel of Sakura looking down and sad about the whole thing. Hinata was glancing at her. I liked that part. I want them to talk!

I'm not even going to get my hopes up for something to happen next chapter. If there's actually anything with Naruto & Hinata, then heck yes, I'll be happy. But for now, it doesn't seem we'll be getting anything. Apparently Tsunade's awake, and I have a feeling that will be one of the focuses for 489. Mainly because Naruto really wanted to talk to her after his fight with Pain. Am I worried for NaruHina? No. I'm just impatient, and I feel like we've been waiting long enough for something from Naruto.

In My Mailbox #6

In My Mailbox was created by Kristi at The Story Siren, inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie.

Bought:
Hourglass (Evernight, #3) by Claudia Gray

Library:
Dirty Little Secrets by C.J. Omololu
Forget-Her-Nots by Amy Brecount White
The Thief (The Queen's Thief, #1) by Megan Whalen Turner

Even though I couldn't wait to read Hourglass, I didn't plan on buying it right away. However, Amazon had it for $9.17, so I couldn't resist! XD Last week, I also pre-ordered Angel Star by Jennifer Murgia. I included Jellicoe Road and Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta in that order as well because I love those books & want my own copies. I think Amazon will ship those when Angel Star is released. And even though I want 'em in my hands NOW, I guess I can wait. ;p

NL-303210

The front of the postcard.

I received another postcard from the Netherlands! (NL-303210) Love the view of the pretty tulips. It's the 19th official postcard I've received from the Netherlands & the 208th official postcard I received through Postcrossing. The postcard traveled 16 days and 4,245 miles.

The stamp that came with the postcard.
(This is actually the most common stamp I receive on postcards from Netherlands.)

Waiting on Wednesday (4)

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme created by Jill at Breaking the Spine.


Title: Brightly Woven
Author: Alexandra Bracken
Release Date: March 23, 2010
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Summary: Sydelle Mirabil is living proof that, with a single drop of rain, a life can be changed forever. Tucked away in the farthest reaches of the kingdom, her dusty village has suffered under the weight of a strangely persistent drought. That is, of course, until a wizard wanders into town and brings the rain with him.

In return for this gift, Wayland North is offered any reward he desires—and no one is more surprised than Sydelle when, without any explanation, he chooses her. Taken from her home, Sydelle hardly needs encouragement to find reasons to dislike North. He drinks too much and bathes too little, and if that isn’t enough to drive her to madness, North rarely even uses the magic he takes such pride in possessing. Yet, it’s not long before she realizes there’s something strange about the wizard, who is as fiercely protective of her as he is secretive about a curse that turns his limbs a sinister shade of black and leaves him breathless with agony. Unfortunately, there is never a chance for her to seek answers.

Along with the strangely powerful quakes and storms that trace their path across the kingdom, other wizards begin to take an inexplicable interest in her as well, resulting in a series of deadly duels. Against a backdrop of war and uncertainty, Sydelle is faced with the growing awareness that these events aren’t as random as she had believed—that no curse, not even that of Wayland North, is quite as terrible as the one she herself may carry.

In My Mailbox #5

In My Mailbox was created by Kristi at The Story Siren, inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie.

Library:
Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
The Dark Divine by Bree Despain
Fire (The Seven Kingdoms Trilogy, #2) by Kristin Cashore
Incarceron (Incarceron, #1) by Catherine Fisher
When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

This week, I didn't plan on checking out any books from the library. I've been wanting to slow down on the number of books I read because I want a break! lol I had most of these books on request and just assumed the library wouldn't get them in so soon, since most were labeled on-order. 'Course I was wrong. So even though it looks like I'll be busy reading again, all these books actually sound like they're going to be good!

Also, I finished Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta a few days ago, and it was amazing! It's right up there with how I felt about Marchetta's other novel, and my favorite novel of all time, Jellicoe Road. :') Yall should read 'em both!

NL-294363

The front of the postcard.

I received a postcard from the Netherlands! (NL-294363) It's the 18th official postcard I've received from the Netherlands & the 207th official postcard I received through Postcrossing. The postcard traveled 22 days and 4,278 miles.

The stamp that came with the postcard.
(What kind of fruit/vegetable is that? XD)

Waiting on Wednesday (3)

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme created by Jill at Breaking the Spine.


Title: Shadow Mirror
Author: Richie Tankersley Cusick
Release Date: March 18, 2010
Publisher: Speak
Summary: Unsettling. There’s no better word to describe Miranda Barnes’s ability to hear the cries of the dead, feel the wind move her hair when they run by, and—dare she look into a mirror—see the reflection of a ghostly woman behind her. There’s only one person to turn to for support: Etienne. As sexy as he is mysterious, Miranda can’t help but be drawn to him. He believes her; he wants to help her. But there’s a secret in Etienne’s past, something Miranda’s on the verge of discovering. As paranormal activity escalates, passion grows, and soon Miranda is caught up in both love . . . and tragedy.

---

Shadow Mirror is actually the sequel to Walk of the Spirits. So be sure to read that one before reading Shadow Mirror. ;) I can't wait for this book because I loved the characters in the previous one. They seriously gave me a good laugh. Also..I really want to know what happens with Miranda & Etienne's relationship! XD

In My Mailbox #4

In My Mailbox was created by Kristi at The Story Siren, inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie.

Library Checkouts:
After by Kristin Harmel
Coffeehouse Angel by Suzanne Selfors
The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin by Josh Berk
How to Ruin My Teenage Life by Simone Elkeles
How to Ruin Your Boyfriend's Reputation by Simone Elkeles

Well, I didn't buy any books this week. I decided to checkout Coffehouse Angel because it sounded cute, The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin because almost all the reviews I've read said that it was funny, After because I was intrigued by the summary (although I didn't expect to get it so soon, since I was second on the waiting list), and the rest of Elkeles' How to Ruin series because I did enjoy the first one. :D

BBA

My internet connection is sucking today. Or is it just Blogger? Anyway, I have something to mention today:

I received this Beautiful Blogger Award from Sara at Along For the Ride. Thank you! :3

Here are the rules:

1. Thank and link to the person that gave you the award.
2. Pass this award onto 15 bloggers you’ve recently discovered and think are fantastic.
3. Contact said Blogs and let them know they’ve won.
4. State 7 things about yourself.

Seven things about me:

• Use to read all the time when I was kid, stopped almost completely in high school, and then started reading again in late 2008. (It was Twilight, okay? I admit it.)
• I love it when I receive a postcard in the mail!
• I also collect old coins and coins from different countries.
• At this very second, I'm listening to Golden Star by My Brightest Diamond.
• I'm addicted to GoodReads and Postcrossing.
• I don't enjoy being cold! I only like warm weather.
• I know I didn't do rules 2 and 3 for this award. But if you want it, just ask me! 8D

Whew... That was hard. lol I couldn't think of anything interesting.

Waiting on Wednesday (2)

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme created by Jill at Breaking the Spine.


Title: Hourglass
Author: Claudia Gray
Release Date: March 9, 2010
Publisher: HarperTeen
Summary: Bianca will risk everything to be with Lucas.

After escaping from Evernight Academy, the vampire boarding school where they met, Bianca and Lucas take refuge with Black Cross, a fanatical group of vampire hunters. Bianca must hide her supernatural heritage or risk certain death at their hands. But when Black Cross captures her friend—the vampire Balthazar—hiding is no longer an option.

Soon, Bianca and Lucas are on the run again, pursued not only by Black Cross, but by the powerful leaders of Evernight. Yet no matter how far they travel, Bianca can't escape her destiny.

Bianca has always believed their love could survive anything . . . but can it survive what's to come?

---

Less than a week away! Hourglass is the third book in the Evernight series (Evernight being the first & Stargazer being the second). Evernight is my favorite vampire series. I heard Hourglass is very good, so I definitely can't wait to buy myself a copy. Not sure exactly when I'll be able to buy it, but I do know I will be staying away from the spoilers until then. 8D

HK-10272

The front of the postcard.

Today I received a postcard from Hong Kong! (HK-10272) I love the view! It's the 3rd postcard I've received from Hong Kong, and the 206th postcard I've received through Postcrossing. :) The postcard traveled for 53 days and 8,434 miles.

The stamp that came with the postcard.