Bout of Books Read-a-thon: Scavenger Hunt

Today, I didn't read as much as yesterday, but the read-a-thon continues! This challenge is a scavenger hunt with 5 objectives: a book that begins with "B," a book I'm planning to read for Bout of Books, a blue book, a book from my favorite genre, and TBR books. I've opted to put all the books in one picture and my super fluffy cat Einstein has deigned to help me display them. (Please excuse my fuzzy bed. Einstein sleeps there a lot.)

1) Beauty by Sarah Pinborough starts with B, plus the cover is soooooo pretty.
2) I plan to read Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
3) Alive by Scott Sigler is blue.
4) Anna Dressed in Blood is from the horror genre, my favorite (also see the last challenge for some good horror novels).
5) The small pile in the back is a very tiny part of my TBR books: Alive by Scott Sigler, Armada by Ernest Cline, and The Familiar by Mark Z. Danielewski.

Join the Bout of Books Read-a-thon for more bookish fun!

Mailbox Goodies 5

Goodies in my mailbox from the past couple of weeks!!

1) Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan for review from Amazon Vine

Sarah Rees Brennan is hilarious and a great YA author, so of course I can't wait to read this.

2) Ashen Winter by Mike Mullen, a gift from my sister

Great timing since I just read Ashfall and I'm eager to see what happens to Alex and Darla.

3) The Elementals by Francesca Lia Block for review from Amazon Vine

I will read anything by Francesca Lia Block. Her prose is always so lyrical and beautiful and the magic she brings to mundane things is wonderful.

4) vN by Madeleine Ashby, purchased from Barnes and Noble

I had to read this after io9 reviewed it as the most messed up book about robot consciousness ever.

5) Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake, purchased from Barnes and Noble

After Anna Dressed in Blood, I had to buy the next book because it was one of the best YA horror novels I have ever read.

6) Lullaby by Amanda Hocking for review from Luxury Reading

I have the first book for review and I've heard a lot of good things about it. I hope it's better then her Trylle series.

7) Sweet Shadows by Tera Lynn Childs for review from Luxury Reading

I'm a sucker for Greek mythology and I really liked the first book, even though it basically ended in the middle of the story.

8) Fathomless by Jackson Pearce

I have been waiting for this book forever!!! I LOVE The Little Mermaid and I need to see how Jackson Pearce makes it her own. So excited!!!!!!

Any opinions on these books or want to share your own mailbox goodies?

SDCC 2012: More Awesome Encounters

In addition to a great many authors, I met  few other famous people as well:

1) Kirby Krackle

It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of this nerd band from Seattle. They have songs about every nerd subject from video games to comic books to zombies and vampires. Their lyrics are so original and often give details about the subject of their songs without flat out saying "this is a song about Thor!" They have been going to Comic Con for 4 years, always with a new album (this year's is their live album) and I hope to see them at many many more. I got to talk to Kyle Stevens about his inspirations and if they will ever write a My Little Pony song. They are always happy to talk with fans and he even wrote out the chords for Another Castle on ukulele for me. I just wish they performed in California more often.

2) Rick Genest

Rick Genest is also known as Zombie Boy and famous for being in Lady Gaga's Born This Way video, modelling, and the tattoos he has over most of his body. I had no idea Tonner made a doll of him and he was signing pictures and t-shirts and stuff. He was very open about his tattoos and seems like a pretty cool guy.

3) Ve Neill and Glenn Hetrick

I immediately recognized them outside of the Defiance restaurant from the reality show Face Off. They are both formidable makeup artists and act as judges on the show. Ve worked on pretty much all of Time Burton's live action films and Glenn worked on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, and The Hunger Games. They were busy, but took a quick picture with me and my boyfriend.

4) Tara Strong

Tara Strong does so much voice acting it is ridiculous. She was Bubbles in The Powerpuff Girls, Timmy in The Fairly Oddparents, Truffles from Chowder, Twilight Sparkle from My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, and the list goes on and on. She was in 2 different panels we went to, one for MLP and one for companions for the StarWars Knights of the Old Republic. Plus she was at a booth doing signings and we also ran into her on the exhibition floor in the last 5 minutes of the convention. She is always super sweet and frequently goes in and out of various character voices she has done over the years.

5) Nicholas Brendon

This is one of the few instances I couldn't reign in my fangirliness. I first started watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer when I was 10 years old and it hugely effected my life. I gushed all over him about much Xander brought to the show and he gave me a hug. It was one of my favorite encounters of Comic Con.

Panels tomorrow!! And there is more than one this year!