I think it's cool, but I don't search it out to read it. If someone recommends a really good one, I'll read it. :) Sometimes they're really fun!

Definitely Shadow and Bone! They're both pretty good stories, but I think Mara Dyer has more cliches. :)

If there's only one, I prefer the name of the book. A lot of the time, I can't remember the author's name. But I always remember the book.

I love Chrome! It's the only browser I use...although my sister is a Firefox user, like you. I'm still trying to bring her over to the dark side. ;)

The main thing I like about Chrome is that you can add different users, so you can have a completely different browser--complete with all bookmarks, display themes, widgets, and preferences--for each email address. So I have my main one using my personal email address that I use everyday, and then in two clicks, I can open a different browser at the same time that's logged into my blogging email address, and has all my blogging bookmarks, passwords, and other things already loaded. I don't have to log out of anything, and it can all be open at the same time.

My little brother likes to sneak in and use my computer and it always annoyed me that he would close all my tabs and open new ones, so I just added his email address as a user, and now he opens his own browser every time he's on. I also created one using another email address that I let my son play on, where the bookmarks are all of his favorite games, and the only sites he can go to are the ones that are linked. It's nice not to get on the computer and find all my things switched around, anymore.

Other things I like:
If you have more than one tab open when you close the window, then it will always save your spot.
If you log in to Chrome from a different computer, it will load your entire user account (including passwords, if you tell it to), and you can use it seamlessly. You can log off when you need to.

Wow, haven't been on here in a while! Am I too late to help with this? Here's my list anyway. I'm not saying you should do them all, but consider what you think you could pull off. :)

Definitely enlist others to help. Family members and friends can sew bridesmaids dresses, cook food or desserts (especially with the help of Pinterest around, inspiring us regular people to be like Martha Stewart), do your hair and makeup, set up tables and decorations, sew tablecloths, make the decorations themselves, and even make your cake (you'd be surprised the talents that some people have in the cake-making department). You can even make a party of it, and invite friends and family over to talk and socialize, while decorations or dresses are made.

To save money on both tuxes and bridesmaid dresses (if you don't plan to sew them), don't pick a certain dress or tux. Pick a color, and a shade for the men's tuxes, and have your bridal party pick our their own dresses, ties, tuxes, etc. They'll match by having the same color, the girls will be able to fit their own bodies well, and you'll all be able to save a lot of money this way. You can also save by having the men wear suits, instead of tuxes.

Consider going small, and having a more intimate gathering.

Consider leaving off unnecessary extra events. Stick to the main events like a bridal shower, rehearsal dinner (around here, most people don't even do a rehearsal dinner), wedding, and reception.

Be thrifty, and find decorations at second-hand stores. Or go DIY with your decorations. If you search DIY wedding on Pinterest, you'll find a lot of inspiration there.

Only use flowers in your bouquet, and the bridal party's bouquets. To save money on flowers everywhere else, use lanterns, lanterns made out of Mason jars, tiny birdcages, greenery only instead of flowers, tall vases with one flower each, wood and moss, or anything else that fits with your theme.

Instead of a band or DJ, have a playlist set up on an ipod, connected to the sound system.

Your favors can be little bags of candy.

Instead of food, and instead of a wedding cake, the new (inexpensive) thing to do, is have a cake bar! Bake lots of different kinds of one-layer round cakes, and let the guests eat them. When it's time to cut the cake, you can each choose one that looks good, or you can bring out a new layer of cake just to cut.

Instead of food, have a s'mores bar. It's cheap, and very popular.

If you're getting married in a church, and it's near a holiday (especially Christmas), the church will most likely already be beautifully decorated, saving you money on decorations for the wedding.

For your dress, you can always rent, instead of buy. You can also buy a white evening gown for much less than a traditional dress, and spruce it up with added details to make it into a wedding dress. I know someone who did this very thing this summer, and no one could tell! You can also buy cheaper shoes, and add some bling to the straps, to make them perfect for the wedding.


Congrats, and good luck with the preparation!

I don't give mine away, because I only ask for personalization if I'm sure I like the book...usually just my favorites, and those go NOWHERE but my bookshelf. Hahaha. :) But I'm not sure if I would mind getting a book that had someone else's name on it. On one hand, a book is a book, no matter who's name is on it. On the other hand, it would forevermore be 'not mine.' ...if that makes any sense. I guess it just depends on the book.

If you're trying to get rid of some books, though, how about doing a name giveaway? Something like: The Stephanie Book Giveaway, or The Kat Books Giveaway. Your entire selling point could be a giveaway FOR people named Stephanie or Kat, who want signed books that are personalized to them. You'll have a smaller audience, but it would definitely bring people out. *shrug* Hope that helps! :)

My official policy states that I don't, but I still get offers. I usually politely decline, but there have been a few that I have both been interested in, and also really liked the way the author asked me to review, so I have said yes.

Absolutely. If I actually finish the book, there's no reason why I shouldn't be allowed to state my opinion about why I detest the book. Just like there's no reason not to state why I love a book. :)

I used to schedule mine at least a week or two ahead of time, but it's been a long time since I've been that far ahead in my reading. Nowadays, I just schedule thing like guest posts and author interviews ahead of time, and add everything else in as I read.

Gone With the Wind! But it's not for everyone. :) If you want a book that you're pretty much guaranteed to love, you should read Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta!

Mostly digital, but only because of Netflix instant streaming. I hardly buy movies though, but when I do, I buy DVDs.

"Ronan" by Taylor Swift. My son fought his own battle with cancer and won...but this song reminds me of how close it was to having a different outcome. I cry every time I listen to it, but I can't stop. It's beautiful.

Way behind!

Two windows, and about 15-20 tabs in each window. It's horrible, I know.

I think it's my rating system (a fever meter) and blog name (The Reading Fever). I rate books based on how much of the reading fever they give me. :)

I would format it very similar to how you would format any other review request (professionally), but with a little more familiarity. If the contact already has your blog stats, they don't need them again unless they ask for them. But it is always smart (and helpful) to include things like your blog address and mailing address in all emails you send your contact, just to save him/her the time of looking it up to send you any books you request. I would send something like this:

Hi (Contact),

I'm contacting you because I am very interested in reviewing (Book) by (Author) (ISBN), and would like to request a copy for review. (Insert any SHORT conversation you want to make about the book.)

I know you already have my information (and right here, you've included a gentle reminder that they have worked with you before), but I have also included it below, for your convenience. Please let me know if you would like any other information.

Thank you for your time.

(Your name)
(Your Blog Name)
(Mailing Address)
(Blog address)

If they aren't responding when you contact them, I would pick a different winner. Sending the book twice is more than enough to show that you tried. Just be sure to announce that you had to pick another winner on your blog (but not why), just to cover all your bases.

Sorry, wish I could help! I haven't emailed RH in a while. :/

Awesome question! I swear, it feels like I never have time to blog, but somehow I manage to do it. I think the major helps are a.)having a schedule ahead of time, so I know what I'm posting and when, b.) typing up, and scheduling posts ahead of time, especially when I know I'll be busy (I *try* to schedule my posts one or two week's worth at a time), and c.) having backup posts ready for days when I'm just too busy.

As for reading, I ALWAYS have a book with me. I'm never without one. Even if I'm just waiting to pick someone up and I'll be stopped fr 5 minutes, I whip the book out to read. I read on my breaks at work, when my son is playing by himself, and usually (my favorite) late into the night. I think it's really all about priorities: what is more important to you? Watching the movie, or reading that book? Sometimes I struggle (I have a weakness for TV shows), but I just love books so much!

I hope you do start a blog, though! It's an awesome experience. Just remember that you don't have to post everyday (although you should keep to a schedule of how often you post). I only post M-F, and I know some awesome bloggers who only post 3 times a week. And one of my favorite bloggers only posts once every two weeks or so...but her posts are SO worth the wait. This has gotten long, but good luck! I hope you do it. :)

I would say yes! :) It was my first John Green book, and I really loved it. It really gets cancer right, which is both sad, and amazing. I read it after my son had finished treatments for cancer, and it had my crying like no other. I definitely recommend it.