Why is this so difficult?

Who would have known that naming a blog would be so difficult? The names I wanted are "taken" and yet the owners have not updated in over a year! I want to write about two things I love, books and the beach (obvious Chick Lit link, right?) Naturally, I will post about Books for the Beach, a blog taken and not upated since 2008. I am a devout Beach Reader, name taken with ONE post in 2005. Then, I thought of my admiration for Gidget, the girl who is all things beachy. So, I tried Gidget Reads . . . and did a little research on the "real" Gidget, Kathy Kohner Zuckerman. That got me a little "scured," will she try and sue me if I use it in my blog address? So, I changed it again. All this time, I'm hoping that it is not screwing up -- I mean messing up -- anything in my posts. If you follow me, I have changed/edited the blog name and address at least 8 times since yesterday!!! I knowwww . . . who would have thought it would be so difficult. And I STILL want Gidget Reads as my address . . . any ideas from all you seasoned bloggers out there? What's a girl to do?


Lonely as the birds on the beach in wintertime, who am I in this great big blog world?

Wordful Wednesday 4/29/09

Stroll, anyone? Where will the path lead you?

Top Selling Tuesday

Top Sellers at Terrace Books for the week of 4/20 - 4/25 AND congratulations to Sarah S, the winner of the OpenPage book cover! Thanks to all who entered!

Here's what people have been buying: Charlaine Harris' Dead Series featuring Sookie Stackhouse. My customers cannot get enough of these Southern Vampire mysteries. Even before the HBO series began, Terrace Books' customers were raving about the books.

1. Dead until Dark
2. Living Dead in Dallas
3. Club Dead
4. Dead to the World
5. Dead as a Doornail
6. Definitely Dead
7. All Together Dead
8. From Dead to Worse
9. Dead and Gone (5/5/09)
10. Cruel and Unusual, story included in the book Many Bloody Returns

Care to comment on any of the books? What aspect of vampire novels appeal to you? Myself, I can't make it through one. First, I get distracted VERY EASILY (can you tell?). Second, I don't know where to begin, Harris? MJ Davidson? Meyer? It's like I have to force myself to keep reading them, I KNOW, blasphemy! Sorry, but that's just me. Someday, I'm sure I'll jump on the vampire bandwagon, just not now. Until then, keep reading!

Manic Monday 4/27/09

As I delve into a regular routine for my blog, I thought Manic Mondays would be an awesome regular feature. Manic Mondays will include listings of Tuesday releases for chick lit novels and non-fiction books such as cooking, crafting and shopping/fashion. As I try and play catch up, I thought a nice late addition for today's Manic Monday would be the Hungry Girl books, by Lisa Lillien. Her new book, Hungry Girl 200 under 200 was released April 14, 2009 and debuted on the New York Times Bestselling List at the #1 spot! Hungry Girl series are easy-to-use and full of witty, sassy musings and illustrations -- true chick lit style! The recipes are simple awe-some! Can't wait to try the Holy Moly Guacamole, just in at under 78 calories per serving! Wowzers! Now, that's what I'm talkin' about! Until tomorrow, keep reading!

Chick Lit for many reasons

First off, chick lit is a sub-category of romance. Second off, I'm kind of a nerd in regards to reader's advisory, I really wanted to be a librarian and so, yeah, I guess that makes me kinda nerdy! So, I'll try and go easy on the technical stuff, but basically chick lit is romance that is funny, whimsical, and light-hearted. We fall in love with the character because:

1. She makes us laugh
2. She is neurotic
3. She is just like us!

Her adventures not only include a hot male, but also some kind of mystery or intrigue. Case in point, in the Shopaholic series (Sophie Kinsella), Becky Bloomwood is constantly searching for ways to pay for her shopping "addiction." Adventure-city! I recall the time she had to break out her frozen credit card, yes, it was literally frozen . . . in a block of ice . . . in her freezer!!! Hilarious stuff!

(nerd alert, I'm quoting wiki)From wikipedia: chick lit "generally deals with issues of modern women humorously and lightheartedly." The characters do what real women do: shop, obsess and lust over hot guys! I don't know about you, but I can never get enough of shopping scenarios. It doesn't matter how many books I read, how many characters I meet, I am eager to find out how each author can put a spin on the shopping scenario.

And then there is the obsessive, neurotic thing. Each character has Something, just like us real life women! Becky's is her fear of the debt collector. He is lurking everywhere, and she REALLY, REALLY wants to pay off the debt, but she has to be very creative about it. The excuses -- I mean reasons -- she cannot pay when it's due are like litanies of a Letterman top 10 list! But, she is only human. Her debt is who she is. It's as if she will not be herself once she gets it paid off. It has become a part of her, she relies on it to make her Becky Bloomwood. Sound familiar? Watch any of the Suze Orman segments on Oprah lately? Hmm??? Real life in a funny way. Escapism at its best. But in a good way. It's funny, lighthearted and helps take the edge off that great big scary thing called Reality.

Need to laugh? I recommend:
Confessions of a Shopaholic (book, NOT movie!)
by Sophie Kinsella

Comment your favorite shopping novels, I want to read them all! (the books, -- but, yes, of course, I do want to read your comments, it's just that I'm looking for help in expanding my shopping novel experience . . . which doesn't mean your comments are not important to me, they are, I just need books right now, is all. . . um . . . yeah)

Shakin' things up a bit

Okay people, I'm in the mood for a little shake-up! I think I've found my identity!!! Here's how it's gonna happen . . . I will focus on what I do best, which is of course, reading. My reviews will be short and focused. The books will be . . . drumroll . . . wait for it, wait for it . . . Chick Lit. That's what I read most, that's what appeals to me and many ladies would agree that although they will not win any literary prizes anytime soon, Chick Lit books are a wonderful escape! They are funny, enjoyable and some even have some pretty steamy love scenes, if you know what I mean! ;)

So, don't be surprised if you see a name change in the blog sometime soon, which is still being worked on. In the meantime, visit Terrace Books and check out our selection of Chick Lit. :) Author of note, Sophie Kinsella, my fave! Coming soon, How do you identify Chick Lit?

I'm Back!

First, the apology: "I am truly sorry for neglecting my blog." [falls on deaf ears since I have no followers yet! LOL] Next, the explanation: I read too much. I neglect my writing because I read too much. Simple.

I've added a group on Facebook simply called Book Exchange hopefully the link will take you there. Also, Terrace Books is on Twitter, TerraceBooks

I find it much easier to update those two profiles because their "purpose" is clearly stated. My blog is not so easily categorized, do I make it personal? business only? book only? what do people want to know? I began following a group of bloggers and I read many different types, from sewing divas to super moms and culinary wizards. Many have their own businesses and yet their blog is personal. I figure this Book Exchange blog will be both, I love to talk about Terrace Books and I love to talk about books. :) Myself, not so much, I tend to go on about nothing really, thinking "who wants to know that?" and "what will they think if I get too personal?" and "what really constitutes too much information?" as seen here from this "awkward-don't know when to stop-style of Ellen DeGeneres" speech pattern . . . that just keeps going . . . and . . . . well, you get the picture! Keep Reading!