Unabridged Chick

Turning to everything for comfort right now: books (Cherie Priest's Maplecroft at the moment), knitting, tarot, attempts at meditation, sugar, carbs, and caffeine, and even some writing. (I'm so bad at this wordless thing, aren't I?) What are you reading right now?

Earlier this fall I was approached by Barbara Grace , a recycled/upcycled journal and stationary shop, to review some of their offerings. Being a journal junkie, I couldn't say no, and I'm delighted to introduce folks to this charming company. I was sent their recycled leather folder, a book journal, and the water-themed affirmation cards for review. I loved everything, and I'm excited to squee about them, especially because everything is affordable in addition to being cute! Book Journal : Barbara Grace takes old books, spiral binds them, then adds blank paper between some of the original pages to create an inventive and unique journal. I'm in love with these journals -- what book geek wouldn't be? -- and I was delighted to receive an old geography guide turned journal. (I majored in geography as an undergrad.) Each journal is 100 pages, with blank paper rather than lined (my preference). I'm really torn between using this as my next diary or making it

I'm sort of all over the place for reads this weekend; have started a couple of novels but nothing is sticking at the moment. Reads include Kate Howard's The Ornatrix , Marie Benedict's The Other Einstein , and Josi S. Kilpack's The Lady of the Lakes: The True Love Story of Sir Walter Scott . (And of course, as seen from the other photo, another read is more Unabridged Toddler's tastes. I can only blame myself -- I got the book because he's been so delighted by his own toots. Le sigh.) What are you reading this weekend?

COVER REVEAL! THE COMPETITION: Da Vinci’s Disciples Book Two! Ready (willing and eager) to see the cover of the much-anticipated second book in the Da Vinci’s Disciples trilogy? Well, we hope so, because here it is (be sure to read to the end of the post for an extra special bonus!). But before we get to the gorgeous cover, here’s what the author has to say about the next book in this thrilling trilogy and its cover: “I knew I wanted the second book in this trilogy to be a little more personal, get into the lives of these courageous women, and da Vinci himself, a bit more deeply. Oh, they are still daring to go where women had never gone before in the Renaissance, and they put everything on the line for the love of their art—their marriages, their family relationships, even their lives—to do it, to bring their work out into the open, no matter the consequence. Another form of art is explored through their eyes, through their hands. But in THE COMPETITION, I’ve pulled back more

Late for Halloween, but perfect for All Saints' Day, my teaser for today's Teaser Tuesday comes from Cherie Priest's newest, The Family Plot , a can-they-survive-sleeping-in-a-haunted-house story, and it's wonderfully fun so far. My teaser is from the first page -- the opening, basically -- and the last line tickled me so much I had to share. The owner and manager of Music City Salvage was every inch a goddamn professional, but he couldn't prove it by his office -- which was littered with rusting light fixtures, crumbling bricks and broken statuary, old books covered in mildew, stray tools that should've been packed a way, and a thousand assorted items that he was absolutely going to restore to life or toss one of these days when he got the time. His office was the company lint trap, and it was no one's fault but his own. (p11) What are you reading right now? Any good teasers to share? [Note: I can't tell if Teaser Tuesday is a thing anymore --