Whoops.....I purchased three more books!

I was only going to the library for one book; The Fifth Witness by Michael Connelly. I have not been able to find it anywhere. I ended up spending six bucks! I was so excited. I completed my Cormoran Strike (Robert Galbraith aka JK Rowling) series with this purchase. The book was 3$; really a steal. I also got The Memoirs of Cleoparta by Margaret George; which was a 1$. And The Fifth Witness was 2$! I am really excited about all of these. I am planning on reading the Cormoran Strike novels this summer ;) I think it will be a summer of mystery novels!

Have Books Will Travel.....

So back in February my family started planning our summer vacation. We went back and forth on where we wanted to go, some choose Flordia...maybe a cruise and finally (and rather quickly) we all settled on California. This was my first trip to California and their second. I, of course, was interested in the California weather and the laid back lifestyle. Not to mention there is a lot of history here in California; especially with the studios etc. So during our trip we visited several hot spots that I will highlight here. Chief among them, Universal Studios (and their tour) and Warner Brothers Studios. We also went to Madame Tussards (wax museum) in Hollywood. What I loved about the places that we visited is that some very "bookish" things come about during these tours. Also, I think it is important to mention that it is very difficult for me to decide on what books to take during vacation. Especially since I knew that I would need to be active and could not do my usual "antisocial" bookish behavior and just escape to a corner with my book. So I downloaded an audio copy of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I also physically brought along A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas (which I finished), Grey by E.L. James and an annoted copy of Pride and Prejudice. We will not even get into the books that I have downloaded to my Scribd account and that are stored to my iPad. I know that fellow bookworms will feel my pain in the dilema of what books to pack. I digress, but I really really just needed to put that little tid bit in there. So here comes the photos...

Day one of our trip: Warner Brothers Studios; which seemed to be unlikely to have anything bookish until I remembered that the Harry Potter films were produced by Warner. During the tour the WB has a small museum that features some of the artifacts from the movies and original illustrations from the books. 

 

 

As soon as I walked into the exhibit this was the first thing I saw. I gasped and instantly wanted to snatch one of the letters so that I could take it home with me.

This is me with the Privet Drive sign. I also got re-sorted into Slytherin...which I was very happy with. In fact, I purchased a Slytherin wool scarf (mind you it was 90 degrees on the day we went to the WB).

I was so happy to see these costumes. When I saw the HP exhibit in NYC at Discovery Times Square the final movie had not be released. These three costumes where featured in part two of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Also, Daniel is damn short lol.

Costumes worn by Mr. and Mrs. Weasley's

And they had Quidditch gear

Also the costume for the Dark Lord was present. I really wish that something of Bellatrix would have been featured. 

 Harry and Ron's wizard chest set

I must say that I really love Luna's Style

Remember when Hermonie was petrified in Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets? Well here is the dummy/wax figure that was used in the movie. I will admit that this thing is freaky and creepy looking, and it looks as creepy as it did in the movie.

 My favorite little Elf, Dobby. 

 

Why so Sirius? Ok, I had to do it. Especially since the other exhibit in the building involved Batman.

 

Every Robert Pattinson Fan should recongize this? Its the costume he wore in Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire.

So we all know that as soon as I saw this I could think was "Umbridge...a vial toad of a woman"

Day Four: Madame Tussards of Hollywood; most folks have been to one of these.

The most bookish thing was a figure of Katniss Everdeen as played by Jennifer Lawrence. I was very shocked to see this. But, it just goes to show how popular the books/movies are. Can I also mention that I have been looking for her scarf for months. (I have found them on Etsy, but they are so expensive).

And finally here is another photo of me being positively dorky. So everyone go forth and be geekishly prosperous. If I happen upon any fanastic book shops I will be sure to share photos ;)

Dumbledore is out of control!

My Bookish Resolutions for 2015!

Lets just say that I try not to make personal New Years resolutions anymore; mainly because they just never pan out but, I could not resist to make a few bookish ones for the up coming year. Let's see how many of these I can get through in 2015. Well here they are....

Resolution # 1) Finish these dang blasted series that I have started in the past few years. One such series is the Beautiful Creatures one by Kami Garcia/Margaret Stohl. I also have to finish Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas and catch up on the Lincoln Lawyer series by Michael Connelly. 

Resolution # 2) Read more classic books; this should be easy because I found several digital copies on Oyster and in ePub format that I can read on the go. Not to mention iTunes U also has most of the classics as audio books. Right now I am listening/reading Sense and Sensiblity this way. It makes it ten times easier to get through the book quickly. And its calming; I know some would consider this cheating but, not really because I am also reading the words from from the page. I am averaging about 5 or 6 chapters a night. 

Resolution # 3) Read as many books by my favorite authors as possible. I have a small collection of J.J. Murray books that definitely need reading (I added three to my growing collection of his books recently - I am pretty sure I own them all). I also have the two Cormoran Strike books by Robert Gailbraith aka J.K. Rowling to get to.

Resolution # 4) Spend more time writing. It is my goal in 2015 to simply write more; to really be more creative with the talent God has blessed me with.

Resolution # 5) I will NOT join any reading challenges; including the one from Goodreads. I always set myself up for failure. I want to be able to really enjoy books; and putting a time constraint on myself will not help me.

Resolution # 6)  I will promote the Bookbabe even more. I will sign up for blog tours. This will allow my followers to find out about new authors and will help increase traffic to the blog. I will also (hopefully) be able to open a Zazzle store front to help buy for the books and giveaways. 

 Well there they are...my five Bookbabe Resolutions for 2015. What are yours? Feel free to share with me on Facebook (www.facebook.com/thebookbabeofde) or just comment below.