A-Z Mini-Challenge #1

As part of my A-Z Book Challenge, there are going to be monthly book challenges. I will post them on the first of each month (at least I'll try to), and you will have the entire month to complete the challenge, write a blog post about it, and enter onto the linky. If you don't have a blog, just leave a comment on this page with the book you read that goes with the challenge.

For every mini-challenge you complete, you will get one entry into a drawing. At the end of the year, I will pick one name from all of those entries, and you will win the book of your choice from The Book Depository. Yay free books!

Here's mini-challenge number 1...

In honor of New Year's and all of the Resolutions people are making, read one book relating to your New Year's resolution. For example, if you are giving up chocolate for the year (cuz you are nuts), you could read a book with chocolate on the cover, where a character works in a bakery (where they have chocolate), or the title is also the name of a type of chocolate (The Three Musketeers). It can be pretty general. If you can somehow relate the book to your resolution, it counts.

So good luck, and thanks for taking part.



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Heartsy Deal on one of my Etsy Favorites!

I am obsessed with the artist Solocosmo on Etsy. I have a bunch of her works in my house including these:
(All images copyright of Solocosmo.)

Absolutely gorgeous right? Most of the images are available in various sizes from ACEO to 11in by 13in. I love her also because she is both a full-time artist and mother. Love it. Before you head over to her Etsy page to purchase, check out her deal going on Heartsy. Currently you can get either $40 or $50 worth of her gorgeous images for only $18. You better believe I was all over that. 

So what is heartsy? It is an awesome deal page for those who love all things handmade and crafty. They feature different etsy shops daily. Click on the button below to read more and join.

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Top Ten Characters of 2011

Top Ten Characters of 2011

I apologize that most of these are from the Game of Thrones/ Song of Fire and Ice series, but George has me wrapped around his little finger. His characters are awesome!

Cleopatra Selene - I feel like this was the year of Selene. First I read Cleopatra's Daughter, then Lily of the Nile and its sequel Song of the Nile. I think there was another one in there too. She was a great character in all of the books.

Photo from the GoT Wiki

Jamie Lannister (Game of Thrones) - I have read a lot of books in my life. I have fallen in love with many characters. I have hated many characters with the utmost fire. Never have I done both with the same character, until Jamie Lannister entered my life. Damn you George RR Martin!! The man throws a child out a window and yet I have still come to love him. Favorite quotes : "There are no men like me. There's only me." or "The things I do for love."

Tyrion Lannister (Game of Thrones) - Damn you once again George RR Martin!! You make me feel inappropriately about a dwarf. (The book's terminology not mine.) To me, Tyrion is the heart and soul of the whole Song of Fire and Ice series. He's the only character who just simply is who he is, no shame, no hiding. Love him. Favorite quote: "Never forget who you are, for surely the world won’t. Make it your strength. Then it can never be your weakness. Armor yourself in it, and it will never be used to hurt you." or "Lord Tywin Lannister, in the end, did not shit gold."

Jon Snow (Game of Thrones) - I really want him to end up winning the "game of thrones". I know that technically that can't happen since he is now on the Wall and is part of the Night's Watch, but a girl can dream. I'm ridiculously jealous of Ygritte even though she's dead now. Best quote : “Night gathers, and now my watch begins. It shall not end until my death. I shall take no wife, hold no lands, father no children. I shall wear no crowns and win no glory. I shall live and die at my post. I am the sword in the darkness. I am the watcher on the walls. I am the fire that burns against cold, the light that brings the dawn, the horn that wakes the sleepers, the shield that guards the realms of men. I pledge my life and honor to the Night's Watch, for this night and all the nights to come.” 

Gregor Clegane/ The Hound (Game of Thrones) - To me, The Hound is THE tragic hero of the Game of Thrones series. Underneath that face half burnt off by his brother and his cruel exterior, is a good man who just never got the chance to be a good man. He's gone by where I am in the series, but I'm still holding out hope that he will reappear. Best quote : "There are no true knights, no more than there are gods. If you can't protect yourself, die and get out of the way of those who can. Sharp steel and strong arms rule this world, don't ever believe any different."


Also from Game of Thrones/ A Song of Fire and Ice : Arya Stark, Brienne of Tarth, and Davos Seaforth. 

Nefertari from The Heretic Queen - Nefertari is looked down upon for being part of the old heretical family and only wants to be free to be herself. She was gorgeously written and so relate-able. I loved her in this book. Pin It

CJ's Top Ten Baby/Children's Books of 2011

CJ's Top Ten Books of 2011

Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell - I can't tell you how many times we lifted the flaps on this book. The book is cute and small yet sturdy enough to handle countless flap-lifting. Which animal will the zoo send next? I used this to teach CJ animals sounds and signs.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle - I don't think this one needs much of an introduction. This is a classic for all the right reasons. About halfway through the year, when we got to the page with the food on it, CJ would pretend to eat the food. Still one of my favorite book memories of this year. Such a goober.

Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You by Dr. Seuss - I got a lot of practice back in the day reading this one to my little sister. CJ loves to hear me make all the sounds that Mr. Brown can make. I'm pretty much an expert at noise-making.

Where Is Baby's Belly Button? by Karen Katz - CJ loves these books by Karen Katz. The images are freaking adorable, and he loves to find the body parts under the flaps.

Open the Barn Door by Christopher Santoro - We did a lot of lifting the flap this year as you can see. This is another cute one with animals and the sounds they make. It is also a really small book, about the size of my hand, so we take it with us when we go out.

Teeth Are Not For Biting by Elizabeth Verdick - We had a slight issue in the beginning of the year when CJ started teething. I honestly don't remember where we got this book from, but CJ loves to read it. He doesn't bite at all anymore, because he knows "Ouch! Biting hurts!". I love the pictures in this one too.

Moo, Baa, La La La by Sandra Boynton - We don't actually own this one. We've borrowed it from the library a couple of times, and I have the Nook App that sings and tells CJ the story though. We love it. I use this in my sign language classes because kids love to hear the animal sounds and make the signs.

Big Board First 100 Animals (First Words) - We still read this one almost every day. CJ loves to just sit down and look at all the pictures of the animals. Sometimes I'll catch him looking at the horse and making the sign for horse. Such a funny little goober.

Fisher Price My Little People Farm (Lift the Flap Playbooks) - Sometimes the best things in life are free. This book is one of them. We got it from someone who just gave us a bag of children's books.
We've read it over and over again. One set of pages is shapes, then colors, then animals. It is really cute.

Star Wars ABC - This one is courtesy of my nerd husband. The only words CJ knows are mama, dada, nana, and Boba. Seriously. You turn to page 2 and say "B is for?" and CJ yells "Boba!". It's hilarious. So if you or your husband are Star Wars fans, you definitely have to get this one.


This post contains referral and affiliate links. If you purchase a book after clicking on one of these links, I get a small percentage of the cost. The money made is used to provide more giveaways and fun stuff here at Babies, Books, and Signs and is greatly appreciated. :) Pin It

Happy Anniversary!

Today is the hubby and I's 2nd anniversary! Yay us!

We went out to dinner at the restaurant we got married in, and then went home to get the baby because a) we're lame and b)the baby is sick.

I love you bubba, I don't know what I'd do without you in my life! Mmmmmmmwah!

Goofs for life!

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Top Ten Book Covers of 2011

I am very guilty of judging books by their cover. As such, most of the books I choose have nice covers. So here's my top ten favorite covers of 2011.

Top Ten Book Covers of 2011

Beauty Queens

by Libba Bray

Cleopatra's Daughter: A Novel

by Michelle Moran

Lily of the Nile

by Stephanie Dray

The Luxe

by Anna Godberson

Nefertiti: A Novel

by Michelle Moran

Shanghai Girls: A Novel

by Lisa See

Shiver (Wolves of Mercy Falls)

by Maggie Stiefvater

Sphinx's Princess (Princesses of Myth)

by Esther Friesner

The Girl Who Chased the Moon: A Novel

by Sarah Addison Allen

The Peach Keeper: A Novel

by Sarah Addison Allen

This page contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking on the link, I will receive a small percentage. 

This money comes right back into the blog in the form of giveaways and other fun stuff. 

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Best of 2011 Giveaway Hop!

Go here to see over 100 giveaways!

This book giveaway is open to anywhere that the Book Depository delivers. I will be giving away any book (under $20) that I gave 4 or 5 stars to in 2011. You can see the list here. If the book is part of a series, I'll give you either the first one or the next one that you need to read. To enter, just fill out the raffleclopter form at the end. Thanks for stopping by!

 Here's some of the choices : 

Lindsey's bookshelf: read-in-2011




More of Lindsey's books »

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