My Life In Books Tag

OK, so I wasn't actually tagged anywhere to do this, but two of the bloggers that I follow did this tag and I really, really, really, really wanted to do it. So I am. So there.

You can check out Zezee's tag here and then head over to Rose Read for another one! Now it's my turn...here goes!

Find a book for each of your initials

My initials are NET sooo...

Count your age along your bookshelf. Which book is it?

Well...since all of my bookshelf is currently in boxes, I'm using my Goodreads bookshelf. Also, I am 25 sooo let's see what lucky #25 is...

Pick a book that is set in your city/state/country.

I'm from Hawaii.

Pick a book that represents a destination you would love to travel to.

France, please.

Pick a book that's your favorite color.

So purple. So pretty.

What book do you have the fondest memories of?

Um...duh.

Which book did you have the most difficulty reading?

I really wish that I had a better time reading this...and maybe I will try again later, but when I read it last year, I couldn't do it. 

Which book in your TBR pile will give you the most sense of accomplishment when you finish it?

It's been sitting on my TBR pile for years and I've heard about how much it's changed people's lives but I just haven't gotten around to reading it yet. Maybe I'll make a resolution to read it in 2016.

Top 10 Tuesday--Book to Movie Adaptations that I NEED to Watch

OK, Iʻve gotta be honest here--Iʻm not big on book to movie adaptations. Whatʻs weird though is that more than half of the movies that I watch actually are book to movie adaptations. If itʻs not a Disney movie, the chances are high that I would choose a movie based on a book. Still, Iʻm very picky about them. I donʻt watch movies very often (even less now that Iʻve got a little munchkin to bring along), so if I do watch a movie it needs to be good, otherwise I just feel like Iʻm wasting my money and time. Thatʻs why I choose to watch book to movie adaptations, for the most part Iʻll know what to expect. Still, it goes without saying that often the book is much better in my head then it is on the movie screen. 

Iʻm linking up with the Broke and the Bookish to talk about some of the book to movie adaptations that I would LOVE to see....or ones that are out/have been out for a while that I still need to see. Warning, there are a lot of those.

1. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn -- I honestly do not know why I havenʻt seen this one yet. At first, I was waiting until I read the book and after I read the book...I donʻt know. Iʻll have to convince Josh to watch this one with me one night after Honey goes to sleep, I guess!

2. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (Parts 1 &2) -- I vaguely remember watching Catching Fire...I think. And then, when Mockingjay Part 1 came out, I just wasnʻt interested. Now that Part 2 is on itʻs way, I figure I should probably get around to watching ʻem. I LOVED The Hunger Games trilogy so I do want to see how the last book was brought to life in the cinematic world. Maybe weʻll have a Hunger Games marathon this Thanksgiving.

3. The Maze Runner by James Dashner -- I sooooo wanted to see this movie when it came out but I hadnʻt read the books yet and as a general rule, I donʻt watch movies until Iʻve read their books. I still havenʻt gotten around to reading the books yet, but Iʻm sure that Iʻll watch the movies as soon as Iʻve read ʻem!

4. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by J.K. Rowling -- I feel a bit bad because Iʻm not as excited as other Potterheads for this movie. I mean, yes I am still very excited because MORE POTTER! and EDDIE REDMAYNE! and AMERICAN WIZARDS! And all that good stuff. 

5. The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins -- OK....I am pretty excited about this movie, mostly because of the cast. Emily Blunt?! Yes, please! The book was a bit predictable to me, but I still enjoyed it. It will definitely be interesting to see it all fleshed out on the big screen.

6. The Selection by Kiera Cass -- A while ago, there were rumors going around that the Selection series was going to be turned in to a TV show, but I guess that fell through. That really sucks because the books are definitely one of my guilty pleasures and I would eat that up for real. Hereʻs to hoping that something will work out in the future because I NEED America and Aspen and Maxon in my life always.

7. Carry On by Rainbow Rowell -- Yeah, alright, I know that there isnʻt even talk (YET) about this becoming a movie at all, but letʻs all just think positive happy thoughts and maybe the universe will manifest it and let it be. I may be obsessed with Simon and Baz. Am I turning into Cath?

8. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews -- I absolutely loved this book and Iʻve heard nothing but good things regarding the movie. 

9. The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer -- This might just be because I am currently re-reading the Lunar Chronicles in anticipation for Winter, which comes out TODAY (finally), but I would love to see a movie adaptation of these books. I mean, come on, futuristic world...cyborgs...Prince Kai...Thorne...you see where Iʻm going with this, right? According to Marissa Meyerʻs blog, the rights for the movie have been optioned so I guess itʻs all just a waiting game now.

10. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes -- I am excited about this movie for two reasons: 1) Emilia Clarke and 2) Sam Clafin. 

What book to movie adaptations are you just dying to see? If you could make any book into a movie, what book would you choose? 

Usborne Books

I am an avid reader and I always have been. I was the kid who preferred staying in and reading to playing outside with the other kids. I was the nerd who actually liked doing workbooks on top of actual homework. I knew for a long time that my kid(s) would be raised readers, too.

Reading to kids is so, so important! Not only does reading help your child learn, but it also allows you to bond with your child. We could talk all day about the scientific reasons why you should read with your kid every day.

Iʻve been reading to Honey every single day since before she was born. Before she was born, I worked at a preschool and I spent a lot of time reading to the kids each day, so of course she would listen. Now, we put aside 15 minutes in the evening for a bedtime story as well as a few minutes here and there during the day to read. I also read whatever book Iʻm currently reading to her as well. I love having that time to bond with her.

When I first heard about Usborne Books and More, I fell in love. Usborne is a publishing company that was founded by Peter Usborne in the 1970ʻs. They are based in the U.K., but stateside they are a direct sales book company! I had a few Usborne books and I decided to join the sales side just for the 25% discount on books. And boy am I glad that I did!

Usborne has over 2000 fiction and non-fiction titles for kids of every age. Many homeschoolers use Usborne books as part of their curriculum. Theyʻve got activity books, chapter books, touchy-feely books...really, anything you could think of!

Baby Girl loves the ʻThatʻs Not My....ʻ series. The illustrations are so bright and colorful that it keeps her attention. She doesnʻt quite understand the touchy-feely part of it yet, but sheʻs only 3 months...sheʻll get there eventually. Our favorite is ʻThatʻs Not My Mermaid.ʻ

The best thing about these books are that theyʻre dang cheap! Over 60% of them are less than $10. Not only is baby getting a bunch of Usborne books this Christmas, but my nieces are, too!

The Usborne Color by Numbers Book is my personal favorite. I loved color by numbers books as a kid and itʻs no different now! Itʻs so relaxing to just get out my markers and color at the end of the day after baby is asleep.

I honestly could talk about Usborne Books and More all day. Weʻve got sticker books, young adult books, coloring books, write and erase books, SO MANY BOOKS! It really would take all day to talk about it, haha. Instead, you can go check them out for yourself right here!

Have you ever heard of Usborne Books? Do you own any of ʻem? Whatʻs your favorite thing to read with your kid? 

Bookish & Not-So-Bookish Thoughts

01. I hadnʻt gotten around to sharing our Halloween costumes here on the blog yet, so there it is. We were Lilo, Stitch, and Liloʻs doll Scrump. I made all of our costumes (Joshʻs hat, my dress, babyʻs beanie). It has got to be my favorite Halloween costume of all time...mostly cause Honey is the CUTEST Scrump ever. 

02. Remember, remember the fifth of November...is that stuck in anyone elseʻs head today or is that just me? I have the sudden urge to start a revolution. Iʻm not sure what Iʻm rebelling against, but letʻs do this.

03. Also, is anyone else freaking out about J.K. Rowlingʻs announcement that sheʻs working on another childrenʻs book? Honestly, Iʻm not a fan of Joʻs adult fiction stuff, but Iʻm 99.9% sure that I would love another childrenʻs book from the woman that gave us Harry Potter and subsequently changed my life.

04. Even though itʻs definitely good on my wallet, Iʻm kinda bummed that November is such a slow month for anticipated book releases (for me at least). 

05. I may have gone a bit overboard on the whole book buying thing last month though, so at least Iʻll have somewhat of a break this month since Iʻm not really looking forward to anything big this month!

06. I am, however, looking forward to Winter by Marissa Meyer and The Bassoon King: My Life in Art, Faith, and Idiocy by Rainn Wilson. I may also pick up After You by Jojo Moyes. I already have so much to read (but not too much...thereʻs no such thing as too much to read).

(via)

07. ^^^^ That will always be true about me. 

08. I made edible cookie dough today (eggless cookie dough) because Iʻve been craving that so much lately. It was good, but it somehow wasnʻt exactly what I wanted. Iʻm a little disappointed but eh. I guess that just means Iʻll have to try a new recipe next time. Anyone got good eggless cookie dough recipes?

09. Iʻm dying for cold weather to get here already! Itʻs still so ridiculously hot here and I am so over it. They say that this heat/dryness is going to last until possibly late December. Thatʻs not okay, weather. El Nino can go away now, thanks.

10. These Buzzfeed articles about life and music in the 2000s are making me feel nostalgic. Man, the early 2000s were definitely a different (dare I say better) time.

11. Iʻm super thankful that Josh has Wednesdays off. I enjoy hanging out with him and baby all day on Wednesdays without having to worry about things needing to be done, etc. Itʻs also nice having another person around to help take care of baby, especially since sheʻs going through a developmental leap and has been exceptionally grumpy lately. 

12. Iʻm currently getting ready to start Christmas shopping. This year, I want to buy more from small businesses, etsy shops, instagram shops, mom & pop stores, and direct sales consultants rather than going to the ʻbig businessesʻ. As a small business owner myself, I understand first hand how EVERY little cent helps support an actual family. If you have any suggestions that fit the criteria, leave me links to their shops/sites in the comments! I would love to check it out :D

Linking up with Christine over at Bookishly Boisterous