Let's Talk Hunger Games The Movie

Even though I read the book, it still made me cry.

Even though I knew exactly what was going to happen, I was still transfixed and my heart still ached when I saw Peeta put his heart out there like that.

Even though I knew how Gale would react, I still felt for him having to watch.

Even though I've already seen it, I can not wait to see it again.

Have you seen it? What did you love and/or hate?

The only thing I would add is a bit more of the connection between Peeta and Katniss.

Click here to read my review of the Hunger Games book.

Images courtesy of HungerGamestheMovie.com.

Keith Richard's Stylish Dark Library

I am totally smitten with Keith Richard's dark library. I love the colors, all the beautiful wood, and the protective den like vibe it gives off. Plus, he appears to have the same appreciation for leather-bound hardcovers that I do. This is definitely the look I will be going for when Mr. Whimsy and I purchase a home. Except in my dream library the accents are a deep dusty pink.

Do you have a celebrity library you're crushing on?

Wishin' and Hopin': The Repurposed Library

The Repurposed Library: 33 Craft Projects That Give Old Books New Life by Lisa Occhipinti

Doesn't this look awesome? As a junk shop junky, I feel like I am always coming across old textbooks, cookbooks, encyclopedias, and Reader's Digests that need homes but don't exactly appeal to many book lovers. I am positively itching to get my hands on this one.

What books are you wishin' and hopin' for this week?

Contest Winner! Demons at Deadnight

More great news! Unabridged Andra has won my Demons at Deadnight contest!
Congratulations dear! I will be emailing you for your mailing address.

Unabridged Andra was chosen with help from Random.org.

"Aurora has the crappiest superpower on the planet. And it’s just unleashed a hit squad from hell. Demons are on the hunt, salivating to carve her carcass into confetti.

The Hex Boys—mysterious, hunky, and notorious for their trails of destruction—have the answers Aurora needs to survive. But their overload of deadly secrets and suspicious motives makes trusting them a potentially fatal move.

The battle to save her family, herself, and stop demonic domination may cost Aurora everything worth living for, and force her to reveal her own dark secrets. But no worries. She needs the Hex Boys to pull this off, and, chances are, teaming up with these guys will get her killed anyway."

Demons at Deadnight Book Trailer

Demons at Deadnight on Goodreads

Demons at Deadnight at Barnes and Noble

Demons at Deadnight at Amazon

Image courtesy of Taylor Swift.com

Contest Winner! The Reeducation of Cherry Truong

I've got good news for Mrs. Bermuda Onion! You my dear have won my Reeducation of Cherry Truong contest! Congratulations darling! I will be emailing you for your mailing address. Bermuda Onion was selected with help from Random.org.

"Cherry Truong’s parents have exiled her wayward older brother from their Southern California home, sending him to Vietnam to live with distant relatives. Determined to bring him back, twenty-one-year-old Cherry travels to their homeland and finds herself on a journey to uncover her family’s decades-old secrets—hidden loves, desperate choices, and lives ripped apart by the march of war and currents of history.

The Reeducation of Cherry Truong tells the story of two fierce and unforgettable families, the Truongs and the Vos: their harrowing escape from Vietnam after the war, the betrayal that divided them, and the stubborn memories that continue to bind them years later, even as they come to terms with their hidden sacrifices and bitter mistakes. Kim-Ly, Cherry’s grandmother, once wealthy and powerful in Vietnam, now struggles to survive in Little Saigon, California without English or a driver’s license. Cherry’s other grandmother Hoa, whose domineering husband has developed dementia, discovers a cache of letters from a woman she thought had been left behind. As Cherry pieces their stories together, she uncovers the burden of her family’s love and the consequences of their choices.

Set in Vietnam, France, and the United States, Aimee Phan’s sweeping debut novel reveals a family still yearning for reconciliation, redemption, and a place to call home."

The Reeducation of Cherry Truong on Amazon

The Reeducation of Cherry Truong at Goodreads

Aimee Phan

Image from Deliriant.

What We're Listening To...

Mama Whimsy is listening to A Grown Up Kind of Pretty written and narrated by Joshilyn Jackson

Baby Whimsy is listening to Pat the Bunny written by Dorothy Kunhardt and voiced by Mama Whimsy

What books are your reading or listening to this week?

Eureka! Out of Print Clothing

Eureka! OutofPrintClothing.com is downright AWESOME. I first spotted their coasters in March's Good Housekeeping Magazine but you can only imagine my delight when I discovered their website is FULL of lovely bookish tote bags, t-shirts, phone covers, greeting cards, note cards, and journals. Check them out. But make sure to check out their blog and What's Your Story page featuring their fans wearing their bookish t-shirts and fleeces. I'm thinking me and Baby Whimsy need matching Pride and Prejudice t-shirts.

Cover Wonderment: Agorafabulous!

I seriously want to walk up to her, help her out of that box, and then ask if I can borrow that fabulous dress.

Agorafabulous! *Dispatches from My Bedroom
by Sara Benincasa was released last month as a hardcover and ebook. I do hope an audiobook is in the works.

Passing the mic:
Check out Toothy Book's review of Agorafabulous!

Free eBooks Alert: Sixty Acres & Love Amid the Ashes

Good morning cupcakes! How was your weekend? I have some great news for my fellow Christian Fiction fans. Thanks to Revell and Bethany House these two ebooks are currently FREE for the Kindle and the nook: Love Amid the Ashes by Mesu Andrews (Kindle, nook) and Sixty Acres and a Bride by Regina Jennings (Kindle, nook). Ya gotta love starting the week with free reads. As always, I urge you gals to get out there and grab these while the offer still stands.

Passing the Mic: Check out the review of Love Amid the Ashes at Southern Sassy Things. And review of Sixty Acres and a Bride at The Overweight Bookshelf. Along the Way also has a review of Sixty Acres and a Bride.

Don't have a Kindle but still interested? Consider downloading the Kindle reader (for free) for your for PC, BlackBerry, Android, or iOS device. Own a nook? Check out Free Friday at Hott Books.

*UPDATE: Sorry gals. These offers have expired. I do hope you had a chance to grab them in time.*

Contest: The Reeducation of Cherry Truong

Guess what gals! I have another contest for you.

"Cherry Truong’s parents have exiled her wayward older brother from their Southern California home, sending him to Vietnam to live with distant relatives. Determined to bring him back, twenty-one-year-old Cherry travels to their homeland and finds herself on a journey to uncover her family’s decades-old secrets—hidden loves, desperate choices, and lives ripped apart by the march of war and currents of history.

The Reeducation of Cherry Truong tells the story of two fierce and unforgettable families, the Truongs and the Vos: their harrowing escape from Vietnam after the war, the betrayal that divided them, and the stubborn memories that continue to bind them years later, even as they come to terms with their hidden sacrifices and bitter mistakes. Kim-Ly, Cherry’s grandmother, once wealthy and powerful in Vietnam, now struggles to survive in Little Saigon, California without English or a driver’s license. Cherry’s other grandmother Hoa, whose domineering husband has developed dementia, discovers a cache of letters from a woman she thought had been left behind. As Cherry pieces their stories together, she uncovers the burden of her family’s love and the consequences of their choices.

Set in Vietnam, France, and the United States, Aimee Phan’s sweeping debut novel reveals a family still yearning for reconciliation, redemption, and a place to call home."

Sounds good right? Since my parents immigrated in the 70s, I love immigrant stories. Some of my favorite films (The Namesake, Under the Same Moon, and Shades of Ray) delve into the challenges immigrants and their children face. Personally I have always felt that being the child of immigrants means having one foot in each country. Now let me tell you how to enter.

If you are a resident of the U.S. or Canada and would like to win a paperback of The Reeducation of Cherry Truong, comment with your email address below. A winner will be selected and announced March 13th.