Batlebros

Because my kids need a fantasy football team name and logo too.

Rollin' with Mahomes

My final fantasy football team for this year.

Let it be Witten, Let it be Done

Another picture for one of my fantasy football teams

Taco Charlton Heston

Wheee it's fantasy football season again.

Welker, Texas Ranger

Don't mind me, just needed a url for another fantasy football image.

The Old Manning and the Sea

Don't mind me. I just need this horribly photoshopped image for my fantasy football team.

Love-A-Thon: High Five!

Here's the deal. I don't know if I'm interpreting this challenge right. Do I list one thing for each of the five categories? Or 5 things for each category? Then I decided that it's my post and I can do what I want. So I'm going to list 1 thing for each category.

My "High" Fives:

Book: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas. THIS BOOK YOU GUYS. The lovely Sarah over at What Sarah Read loaned me her copy last month. I devoured this book in hours. Yes hours. I'll be buying a pretty finished copy when it comes out in May.


Genre: YA retellings. I've read some AMAZING books already this year (including the aforementioned ACOTAR which is based on Tam Lin a/k/a Beauty & the Beast). 2 other favorite retellings coming out this year are Lion Heart by AC Gaughen (sooooo good!) and of course Winter by Marissa Meyer. I can't wait to read Winter when it's released.

Author: Sarah J. Maas. I just can't even pick anyone else. From ACOTAR in May, to Queen of Shadows in September, to The Starkillers Cycle she's writing with Susan Dennard on Tumblr, the girl can do no wrong. Also her hair is glorious and I wish mine looked like hers.

Blogger: A tie between Sarah & Kristina. These two have become "real life" friends. We've engaged in many texts about all kinds of things that aren't even book related at this point. They're my "fairy book-mothers" and have loaned me some awesome books the past few months. Kristina even sent me a baby gift before my little guy was born a few months ago! I absolutely adore these two women.

Bookish Merchandise: I'm IN LOVE with the bookmarks from CraftedVan. I've been using the Guardians of the Galaxy set (particularly Rocket & Baby Groot). Sadly they're currently out of stock, but there are a ton of other bookmarks right now, and they're constantly updating and adding more.

Because dancing Baby Groot is the best thing ever.

Any of your favorites make my list?

Love-A-Thon: Snapshots

Here's the deal. I'm actually more of an e-reader since I have two kids and I always have my phone with me (meaning I always have my books with me). So I really only have this one bookshelf. Sad, I know. But it is home to a quite a few books for such a small bookshelf.

Up on the top of the bookshelf, under the letter "S" are my special edition copies of Pride & Prejudice, Wuthering Heights, and Little Women. They've all been gifts from my husband over the years. He knows me well. ;) The bottom shelf is all of the books I have physical copies of on my TBR. The top shelf is books I love. What you can't see is my collection of classic books (which includes, but is not limited to every book by Jane Austen, my well-loved copy of Gone with the Wind, and the entire series of The Lord of the Rings & The Hobbit). They are on the top shelf, but behind my series books and favorite books. My next house WILL have more room for my books.


And each of my boys have a bookshelf (or at lease a place to keep books as is the case in the baby's room).

Older son's bookshelf:

(Plus more stacked in the top of his closet that he isn't old enough to read yet).

Baby's book bucket:

(I LOVE children's books. He has a whole shelf full in the armoire in his room, plus a HUGE box full in the garage that I'll get out when he gets older).

Thanks for stopping by!

Love-A-Thon: One Can Only Quote!

It's quote time! Both Sarah & I selected quotes for this post. I picked a quote on friendship and Sarah picked one about love, so we have all the bases covered. ;)

Lindsay: I should really get better about marking quotes in books that I like, but I'm usually in too big of a hurry to keep reading to make that happen. So for my quote, I went way back to one of my favorite childhood books, Charlotte's Web by E.B. White.

Image is from the book. Text was added by me.

Sarah: Leo Tolstoy was a wise man. This quote could not be truer for me.

 

 

 

What do you guys think of our quotes? They're both good ones to remember & to live by!

Love-A-Thon: Book Valentines!

Sarah here! Park (from Eleanor and Park) is my book valentine. He's the exact type of boy I would have fallen in love with in high school. He's the embodiment of my teenage self's perfect guy. I adore him. I did some shopping and this is what I got Park for Valentine's Day. Enjoy!

Love-A-Thon: Book Spine Poetry

Both Sarah & I decided to weigh in with book spine poetry this year. Check out both of our "poems" below!

Lindsay: So here's the deal. This is soooo not my strong suit. In fact, I made Sarah do it last year by herself. But I figured, what the heck, I'll give it a go. Here's what I came up with:
 

Dear Mr. Knightley,

Speak / An Echo in the Darkness.

Return to Me / All Our Yesterdays.

If I Stay / I'll Give You the Sun.

I was Here,

Don't Look Back,
Emma 

Sarah: I love this challenge. It was my favorite from last year so I'm super stoked that it's back this year! Here's what I came up with:

Daylight Falls

Behind the Scenes

Under the Lights 

Bright Beyond

The

Dark Expanse 

Of

Broken Skies

And 

Shattered Stars 

*Daylight Falls series by Dahlia Adler
** Bright Beyond series and Broken Skies series by Theresa Kay 

Love-A-Thon Kickoff! An Introduction Post

Hi everyone!
We're so excited to be participating in the Love-A-Thon once again this year! There's so many fun posts planned, we can't wait for you all to see them. Since Sarah & I do this blog together, we'll both be participating in the challenges. So you may have me doing a post, Sarah, or both of us!

First up is the questionnaire! So here's a little bit about me!

1. What’s your name? Lindsay :)

Me. And my no-longer-this-tiny littlest boy

2. Where in the world are you blogging from? The thriving metropolis of Amarillo, Texas.

3. How did you get into blogging in the first place? My friend Sarah & I were constantly sending books back and forth and talking about them, and I was also frequently bombarded with questions from friends about what books to read, etc. So one day I texted Sarah and asked if she would want to start a blog with me, and here we are!

4. How did you come up with your blog name? We like books. Books cost money. So we are broke because of books. Simple as that.

5. What genre do you read and review the most on your blog? I read YA epic fantasy the most, but I've been reading a lot more contemporary since I just had a baby 3 months ago. Contemporary doesn't require nearly as much focus from me, so I'm able to read it in the middle of the night when I have to get up with the little guy.

6. What other types of posts do you do on your blog, apart from reviews? Well.... since it's been a while since I've done any actual posting, it's hard to say. I do like to make cookies based on books, so let's go with that.

7. Best blogging experience so far? The epic response we got from our March Madness Book Boyfriend Edition last year! We're planning on doing it again this year with a few changes.

8. Favorite thing about the blogging community? The friends I've made! Seriously though, I don't know what I would do without Kristina, Sarah, & Emily.

9. Name the 5 books you’re most excited for this 2015! ONLY 5?!? Okay then, off the top of my head:
A Court of Thorns & Roses by Sarah J. Maas (I read it already and it is AMAZING), Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas, Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson, Their Fractured Light by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner, and The Vanishing Throne by Elizabeth May.

ETA: Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo & Winter by Marissa Meyer

10. What’s an underrated book or series that you think everyone should read? Not nearly enough people have read Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta. Get on it people!

11. Which book boy or girl would be your book BFF? Ohh tough question. The guy I would love to be friends with is Roar from Under the Never Sky. I loved his relationship with Aria. The girl is Francesca from Saving Francesca & The Piper's Son. I love how fiercely loyal she is.

12. Apart from reading, what are your other hobbies or interests? I'm a cookie decorator! You can see some of the cookies I've done here.

13. Apart from book shopping, what else do you like shopping for? I love shopping for stuff for my kids-clothes, books, toys. It's so much fun.

14. At a party, the DJ suddenly changes the song – and it’s your song. What song would be playing? I love classic rock, so I'll have to go with Livin' on a Prayer by Bon Jovi. More recent would have to be Shake If Off by Taylor Swift (I'm not even sorry. That song is freakishly addictive).

15. Pick out either a book you want turned into a film/TV show, or a film/TV show you want turned into a book. Hands down, I would LOVE to see The Lunar Chronicles made into a tv/mini-series. I feel like that's the only way to do it justice. I don't think a movie would be able to encapsulate everything that story would need.

Thanks for stopping by!

I Mustache You Some Questions

Happy Tuesday!

Thank you to Katie at Bookish Illuminations for tagging me for this post!

Four Names People Call Me Other Than My Real Name

1. Linds
2. Zoo (my brother's kids)
3. Mama (my kids, obvs)
4. Face (my best friend, for reasons)

Four Jobs I’ve Had

1. Cookie Decorator
2. Wedding Coordinator
3. Geological Technician-which is a fancy way of saying I colored maps, and cut and taped things together for an oil and gas geologist.
4. Pre-K teacher. For one semester because I was miserable.

Four movies I would/have watched more than once: (only 4?? hahaha)

1. Pitch Perfect (I once watched this every day for a week)
2. Pride and Prejudice (2004)
3. 10 Things I Hate About You
4. The Avengers

Four books I’d recommend: (to everyone-I usually tailor suggestions to each person that asks me)

1. Attachments by Rainbow Rowell
2. Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
3. Anna & the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
4. A Mad, Wicked Folly by Sharon Biggs Waller

Four places I have lived:

1. Amarillo, Texas
2. Lubbock, Texas

(That's it. Only 2 places!)

Four places I have been: 

1. Nassau, Bahamas
2. San Juan, Puerto Rico
3. St. Maarten
4. Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Four places I’d rather be right now: (or 4 places I want to visit)


1. Scotland
2. Australia
3. Anywhere in the Caribbean
4. England

Four things I don’t eat:

1.Onions
2. Pickles
3. Tomatoes
4. Mushrooms
(This list could be a mile long. I'm a rather plain eater)

Four of my favorite foods:

1. Chicken fettuccine alfredo
2. Cookies & Cream cookie butter from Trader Joe's
3. Chocolate Granola
4. Donuts!

Four TV shows that I watch: (I'll go with current shows)

1. New Girl
2. The Big Bang Theory
3. Survivor
4. Hart of Dixi

Four things I am looking forward to this year (2015):

1. Reading some amazing new releases!
2. Turning 30 in a couple of weeks!
3. Celebrating my kiddo's 5th and 1st birthdays!
4. Redoing our backyard

Four things I’m always saying: (or texting)

1. ODP (okie dokie pokey)
2. Just sayin'.
3. So.....
4. You know that's right.

Four People I tag: (If you’ve already done this, no worries!)

1. Emily at Oh Magic Hour
2 & 3. Kristina & Daphne at Gone Pecan
4. Sarah at What Sarah Read

Under Construction!

Hi everyone!

It's been a very, very long time since I've posted anything. Now that my my baby is a little bigger and we're getting into a bit more of a routine, I'm hoping to get back to posting semi-regularly. In the meantime, I'm hoping to update the look of the blog a little bit, so stay tuned!

And make sure and check back next week to see a new set of cookies based on a book!

Lindsay

Cover Cookies: Anna, Lola, and Isla

A few weeks ago, Jamie over at The Perpetual Page Turner asked me if I'd be willing to make some cookie for the Anna, Lola, and Isla readalong! I'd planned on doing them anyway, but this gave me the extra bit of motivation I needed to ACTUALLY get them done.  I'm super pleased with how they turned out!  Nor could I resist the temptation to turn the cute buttons into cookies as well.

Let me know what you think!

Why I've Been MIA

So.....

Where do I start? I haven't blogged ANYTHING in almost a month. I know. Bad book blogger. Very bad. I could go into details about WHY I haven't posted anything, but basically it's a list that looks like this:

1. I'm around 6 months pregnant.
2. I have a 4 year old boy who has a LOT of energy.
3. I have ZERO desire to do anything I don't feel like doing (See #1). Which at the moment includes sitting down at the computer and typing THINGS. (It doesn't help that my unborn child likes to kick and punch the living daylights out of me if I'm sitting upright at the computer).
4. I'm not even reading all that often, and when I do, it's generally rereads of books I already own (with a few minor exceptions.. like Landline and Isla). So I just feel kinda boring right now, and like I don't have a lot to say.

So yeah. Blogs will definitely be posted at random times for the next few months. Hopefully I can find a good solution so I can stay somewhat involved on here in the mean time.

I will have something new to show you (CoughAnnaLolaIslaCookiesCough) in the next couple of days to celebrate the release of Isla & the Happily Ever After, so make sure and check back for it. ;)

And with that said, you can always find me on twitter. I love twitter. Twitter and I are BFFs.

Swashbuckling Summer: Princess Bride Day!

First off, let's ignore the fact that I've in no way actually kept up with the posting schedule I made for myself at the beginning of this event, okay? We'll all be happier that way.

But since I've neglected you all, I'm here to add a lovely parting gift to the giveaway. And since I haven't posted anything since last week's movie break, I may as well offer up another movie for you all to watch. Tonight's feature is the amazingness that is...

The Princess Bride

That's right, another awesome 80s movie coming your way! But instead of once again regaling you with vague facts and begging you to watch this movie right away, I'm going to discuss the book! That's right, this here 80s classic is actually based on a novel of the same name by William Goldman.

You guys did know this was a book, yes? I'm fairly certain I'd watched this movie countless times before I found out that it was based on a book. So, I finally took it upon myself to read it and compare it to the movie for Swashbuckling Summer fun times.

(SIDENOTE for other movie geeks: Did you know that William Goldman also wrote the screenplay for Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid? {I love, love, love that movie, btw} As well as Misery, Maverick and quite a few others. And since I'm talking about screenplays and pirates, he wrote one based on Blackbeard and Bonet that was to feature Sean Connery and Roger Moore. It was deemed to expensive to produce. I would've LOVED to see that movie. Especially starring two of the best Bonds ever. END SIDENOTE)

I was, quite honestly, expecting there to be quite a few changes from the book to the movie adaptation, because there always are. But there really wasn't. Sure there was information left out-especially about Fezzik and Inigo-but it didn't really add too much to the narrative. Just some basic backstory (Fezzik started fighting others when he was only 6, and hated it; Inigo's travels to become a master swordfighter after the 6 finger man killed his father). A minor change takes part in the Fire Swamp. I was glad to see the ROUSes, and the fire, but the lightning sand has a different name (which I am totally blanking on right now!). The biggest change, which I think was probably a wise change for the movie, was the name of the Pit of Despair. In the book it is called the Zoo of Death. I'm glad they changed it aren't you? Especially as this is more of a kids book, I'm pretty sure I don't want something being referred to as the Zoo of Death around my kiddo.

Quite possibly the most interesting part of the entire book to me was how it was supposedly an abridgement of a book by S. Morgenstern. A person who, in fact, Goldman made up (as is the entire country of Florin, FYI). There was never another edition of The Princess Bride. It's a unique story telling device, and one that Goldman accentuates throughout the book by use of Italics. Another literary device Goldman uses is parentheticals. He often takes a moment to explain something-even his own thoughts or how a word may not have been used during that time. It adds even more dimension to an ever-intriguing story.

And then at the end of the book, there's Buttercup's Baby. You really just need to read all of that part for yourself. I don't even know what to say about it, other than the fact that Goldman is a mad genius.

Having seen the movie so many times (I can't even tell you how many), it was fun to see the story again in writing, and picturing some of my favorite movie scenes as I was reading.

And now, a giveaway! Enter the rafflecopter below to win a copy of the book AND the movie!


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Swashbuckling Summer: Movie Break!

Are you enjoying Swashbuckling Summer? Have you learned anything about pirates yet? Are you ready for a break?

Well you're in luck. It's movie night! So string up your hammock, grab yourself some grog, ale, beer, or fruity cocktail, some Pirate Booty (the popcorn. Get your mind out of the gutter) and kick back and enjoy tonight's presentation of...

THE GOONIES

What's that? You're super young and therefore have never heard of The Goonies?!? Well you're missing out. It's past time to get acquainted with this totally awesome 80s masterpiece.

From IMDB: A group of kids set out on an adventure in search of pirate treasure that could save their homes from foreclosure.

That's right. A group of kids. And pirate treasure (a pirate named One Eyed Willie to be exact). And ADVENTURE. The kids find a treasure map and follow it. And there are booby traps. Like a booby-trapped piano. And the Fratelli's (a gang? mob? I don't really know how to describe them. A mean family. How about that?) who make it difficult for the kids to find the treasure. It's fantastic.

There's some big name stars like Sean Astin (Samwise Gamgee from LOTR), Josh Brolin, Corey Feldman (umm yeah. If you fall into the younger crowd, you probably don't know who this is...), and Martha Plimpton (Parenthood). 

I keep racking my brain to think of more things to say in order to significantly convey how much I love this movie and just how awesome it is. But I can't word right now, you'll just have to take my word for it.


Are you interested yet? Do I have you running to Redbox or some other video outlet to rent The Goonies? Because I hope you are. And I'm giving you a chance to win your own copy.

US only. Must be 13 or have parental consent.

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Click here to go back to the Swashbuckling Summer main page to find the schedule and giveaway information!

And remember, Goonies never say die.

Swashbuckling Summer: Pirate Flag Matchup

Are you ready for some fun? Before diving into all the books and movie related pirate stuff, I wanted to start off with a little real life pirate knowledge.

Did you know that not all pirate flags are the same?
This is the one that you are probably used to seeing (The Jolly Roger):

Originally, red flags were simply flown showing that the ship would show no quarter. From there it developed into each pirate creating his own flag. Your challenge? To see if you can match up the flag with the famous notorious pirate. Are you ready?

1.                                                                                          A. Thomas Tew

2.                                                                                         B. Bartholomew Roberts (1)

3.                                                                                         C. Edward "Blackbeard" Teach

4.                                                                                         D. Stede Bonnet "The Gentleman Pirate"

5.                                                                                         E. Edward Low

6.                                                                                         F. John Avery

7.                                                                                         G. Christopher Condent

8.                                                                                          H. Richard Worley

9.                                                                                          I. Edward England

10.                                                                                         J. Jack Rackham

11.                                                                                          K. Bartholomew Roberts (2)

Hope you enjoyed my pirate flag quiz! Thanks for playing!

Highlight for answers
>>1. F    2. K   3. B    
4. J     5. G    6. E  
7. C   8. I     9. D  

10. H     11. A<<
 Click here to go back to the Swashbuckling Summer main page to find the schedule and giveaway information!

It's Time for Swashbuckling Summer!

It's pirate time you guys! I'm so excited Swashbuckling Summer is finally here! In case you're wondering what this is all about, Emily & Danie over at Oh Magic Hour and I have teamed up for the next two weeks to discuss all things pirates. You can read all about it here, in case you need more details. But basically, we love pirates, and pirate related things.

But why do I love pirates you ask? Well. Ever since high school, which is longer ago than I care to admit to you guys, I went on a cruise to the Caribbean, which only made my love of pirates grow deeper. In fact, when I was in Nassau, Bahamas, I opted to go to the pirate museum instead of the beach. It was fascinating! I learned so much about pirates-until then it had been the more Hollywood romanticized pirates that I'd come to love. But seriously, I find them totally interesting. I still have my t-shirt from the museum as well. :)

So, with that being said, let's move on to why I like pirates so much now, and the ONE book character who made me want to do Swashbuckling Summer in the first place...

And that, friends is the dashing, snarky, but-don't-call-him-a-pirate-he-prefers-privateer...
STURMHOND.  Ah yes, my beloved Nikolai. He's my favorite. He was even my date to the YA Prom. I simply adore the man. I really don't know what to say about him, other than if you haven't met him yet, you should really drop everything and go read The Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo.

MOVING ON.

The next couple of weeks promise to be very exciting around here! Bookmark this page so you don't miss out on any of the fun (as links will be updated accordingly)! And you can go HERE to find all of the goodies & posts that'll take place over at Oh Magic Hour!

Schedule of Events 

(Broke Book Girls only)

Monday, July 7th: Intro Post & Giant Giveaway Begins (in conjunction with Oh Magic Hour)! 

Wednesday, July 9th: Pirate Flag Quiz Time!

Friday, July 11th: Time for a Movie Break! Join me in watching the 80s Classic The Goonies! (Giveaway!)

Saturday, July 12-Sunday July 13th: Instagram Challenge! Show us your favorite pirates (books, movies, etc), and tag me (@brokebookgirls) and/or Emily (@ohmagichour) and use the hashtag #swashbucklingsummer to enter the giveaway!

Monday, July 14th: Princess Bride Day! I'll be discussing the book and the movie. (Giveaway!)

Tuesday, July 15th: Top Ten Tuesday!

Wednesday, July 16th: Review: Mad Kestrel by Misty Massey

Friday, July 18th: Review Steel by Carrie Vaughn

Sunday, July 20th: Wrap Up & Winners Announced!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Also, if at any time you want to join in-and we'd LOVE to have you-grab the button below and come join our crew!!

ARRRRRRR you as excited as we are?!?

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