Top Ten Tuesday (45) - Ten Websites I Love That Aren't About Books

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. This meme was created because they are particularly fond of lists there at The Broke and the Bookish. They'd love us to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week they will post a new Top Ten list complete with one of their bloggers’ answers. Everyone is welcome to join. All they ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND post a comment on their post with a link to your Top Ten Tuesday post to share.  If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. 

The topic this week is:

Ten Websites I Love That Aren't About Books

I don't really go on a lot of websites that aren't about books, but the ones I do are pretty awesome, if I do say so myself.  I'm going to break it down into categories in order to show off some more specific things.  These are all sites/channels/places of awesome I visit on the regular!

Bloggers:

Girl's Gone Child 

I know it's weird that I read a "mom" blog when I'm not even a parent, but there is just something so beautiful about Rebecca's family.  She also writes about being woman, being confused/scared, life in general.  And those entries are the ones I really love.

The Militant Baker

Jes is a body positivity badass, and one of my role models for sure.  Her outlook on fatphobia, and a fat woman's place in society is very empowering.  She has helped me deal with some of my issues, and she is just fucking hilarious!

Miss Geeky

I am a self-affirmed geek (I mean you can't love books as much as I do without being a geek).  Therefore, I love Melinda's blog because she reviews all the fun geeky stuff I'm into, and introduces me to things I might not know about yet!

Vloggers/YouTubers:

Sarah Snitch

Sarah is the first vlogger I saw on YouTube that talked so much about Disney.  I love her humor, her enthusiasm, and her heart.  She does really interesting videos all over the geeky spectrum, but her Disney content is top notch, and brings me back every time!

Casey Neistat

Let's talk motherfucking amazing content.  Casey does a vlog every. single. day. of. the. year.  And they aren't shitty, or uninteresting.  He lives his life authentically, and puts his mad-video skills to great gain.  If you never watch any other vlogger/YouTuber other than Casey, you'll be set.

Grace Helbig

Please go watch Grace.  Please!!  She is hilarious, smart, and unapologetic.  Her humor is so original, and she just is such a fun person to watch.  The ideas she comes up with sometimes, I don't even know.  Each video, even if it's premise is the stupidest thing ever, is great.  She makes it great.

Fleur De Force

Hands down the sweetest beauty guru out there.  I love Fleur because it never feels like she makes her videos just to be "on top".  If you watch beauty gurus like I do, you'll know what I mean.  She is genuine, with both her reviews and her product endorsements.  Also her vlog channel (Fleurdevlog) is full of super cute day in the life, starring her, her very handsome husband, and there three adorable puppies!  Love her so much!

Bits and Bobs:

Check Please!

HOCKEY! ROMANCE! SHENANIGANS!  This webcomic has it all!  It is my favorite thing ever, and has taken over my tumblr for real.  It is so so so good, and you should check it out if you haven't already!

Texts From Last Night

Humor gold. The things that people text under the influence (alcohol, drugs, or stupidity - take your pick) is crazy.  If I want a quick chuckle, I definitely head over here.

Instagram

This site is my life blood.  I am obsessed with posting photos, and I love seeing my friends lives through photos when I can't be there with them.  I've always been an obsessive photographer ever since middle school, so finally having somewhere to post those photos is amazing.

As you can tell, I love the Internet.  I am constantly hooked in, and I know some people think that's horrible, but that is how I experience the world at large.  I get to "meet" new people, sometimes half way around the world.  I get to read interesting posts and learn about new things.  I get to share a piece of my life with people who may need that connection. 

Please check out the websites I shared; they're all pretty great in different ways.  Leave me suggestions of your favorite websites (both about books and not about books ;) ) in the comments!

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Super Pop! Blog Tour with Zest Books

Super Pop! Pop Culture Lists to Help You Win at Trivia, Survive in the Wild, and Make It Through the Holidays by Daniel Harmon

Author: Daniel Harmon

Published Date: June 2013

Published by: Zest Books

Summary:

As David Letterman demonstrates on the Late Show, top ten lists are really funny. And we know lists are a great way to get organized, get things done, and streamline life’s many tasks. But now, pop culture expert Daniel Harmon takes a totally new approach to list making in his new book Super Pop! and organizes 500 movies, songs, video games, and books into top ten lists that not only have the power to entertain, but also to help create a new and better you!

My Review:

I have an addiction to lists!  I have a listography account (and all their books). I make To-Do lists all the time.  And of course, I read books with lists.  But no book filled with lists has come close to the awesome that I found in Super Pop! Pop Culture Lists to Help You Win at Trivia, Survive in the Wild, and Make It Through the Holidays by Daniel Harmon!

Filled with everything from Superheroes to History, this book will help you with all your pop culture needs!  Some of my favorite lists include: "Go Where Everybody Knows Your Name: The Best Places to Hang Out for an Hour", "Find Your Happy Place: Magical, Fictional Worlds", and "Sleep With the Fishes: The Ten Best Places to Find Your Spirit Animal", as well has the ones listed below.  What I like best about the lists is that he mixes older, more well-known references with new, moe modern references.  This makes the book aplicable to teens and adults.  

I will caution and say that some of the lists may be a little bit risque for the younger set, but high schoolers and college goers wil definitely enjoy the lists, as well as learn something (go figure!).  If you're gearing up for a quiz night, or just want to delight your friends, then you need to grab a copy of Super Pop! by Daniel Harmon!

FINAL VERDICT: 4.5 STARS!

Some of the Lists!

• Cheat on Your Homework: Essential Literary Adaptations—for Both Information and Inspiration
• Rest Assured: Movies Where People Get Exactly What They Deserve
• Laugh So Hard You Soil Yourself: Reliable Sources of Undeniable Joy

And so many more!  In fact, in honor of these lists, I'm linking to some of my very own Top Ten Lists from the past.  Now these aren't nearly as pop culturish as the book's (yes I made that up), but they are entirely bookish!

• Top Ten Books When You Need Something Light & Fun
• Top Ten 2013 Reading Goals
• Top Ten Books I Read in 2012
• Top Ten Favorite New-To-Me Authors I Read In 2012

So on and so forth.  Hopefully I'll be able to do more Top Ten Lists because I am such a sucker for lists.  But until then, you can pick up a copy of Super Pop! from one of the links below and indulge your list love!  (P.S. There's a giveaway too!)

  

About Daniel Harmon

Follow Daniel Harmon/Zest Books here:

Facebook  |  Goodreads  |  Twitter  |  Website

Get your hands on a copy of the book here:

     

Or, if you're really awesome, you'll order from MY favorite bookstore: Inkwood Books

Giveaway:

• 1 winner wil receive: a prize packet that includes an autographed book and a super Super Pop! Button as well as some Zesty swag!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Elisquared's Christmas Wants!

Since I've been doing some holiday gift guides for book lovers, it got me in the mood to list some of my Christmas wants!  This is just some things that I've been hinting to my family and friends for, and hopefully they'll be waiting under the Christmas tree for me on the 25th!

Jewelry:

Mini Galaxy Locket (How flippin gorgeous?)

Initial Necklace (I may buy this for myself!)

Silver Ampersand Necklace (An ampersand is this: &; and I want it!)
Tentacle Ear Wrap (It's like an octopus is hugging my ear!)

Clothing:

Spoiled! Shirt (Every time I see this I laugh!)
Toasty (Luke & Ingrid are my FAVORITE Youtubers, and I want this shirt!)
Fail Whale Shirt (Look out below!)
George Orwell's 1984 Shirt (I love Out of Print Clothing!  The shirts have classic book covers on them!)

Posters/Artwork:

Florida Typography Map (One of the few I've ever seen!)
Audrey Hepburn Quote (I love how girly this is; would get it in hot pink!)
e. e. cummings Quote (One of my favorite poets, this is perfect.)
I'm the Motherf*cking Fox. (One of my favorite John Green quotes.)

Home/Office:

Constellation Throw Pillow (I want to lay on the stars.)
Ladies Just Wanna Doodle Notebook Pack (I can't get enough notebooks!)
Classic Book Cover Coaster Set (I'm just loving all of Out of Print's Products!)
The Hunger Games Bookends (I need these in my life.)

I could go on and on, but I'm sure you all have better things to read.  Hopefully I've given you some interesting suggestions for the Holiday Season, and have a happy one!

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A Revealing Haul

I am so excited to own this box set!  I know it may seem ridiculous to some people, as I already own copies of all these books (in some cases two already), but I didn't want to pass up the opportunity to 1) get Karen Kavett's amazing box design; 2) two of the covers are the new paperback editions in hardcover!  Also, it didn't hurt that John signed the copies of Looking for Alaska (sans candle!) and The Fault in Our Stars (with matching blue sharpie!).

You can still purchase the box set, but I believe all the signed editions are sold out.  Bummer.  You can also still order the posters; there are a couple of designs (John talks about them), but LIMITED editions are available (like the Motherfing Fox one is SOLD OUT!!), so get them asap!

DFTBA!

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September Recommendations!

Where I talk about the books, movies, tv, music, and little extras 

that I was loving in September and recommend to all of you!

Let me know your recommendations in the comments!

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Books!

Ashes by Ilsa Bick

Flesh and Bone by Jonathan Maberry

Movies!

ParaNorman

The Bourne Legacy

Tv!

The New Normal

Revolution

Music!

Ho Hey - The Lumineers

Home - Phillip Phillips

Etc!

For Audrey - China Glaze

Almost Famous - Color Club

Mustache - This one is different from mine but I want it!

Paris Amour - Bath & Body Works Candle

---------------

Song: Incoherent by Josh Woodward

Check out the full length versions: http://bit.ly/tGneIs

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FTC Disclaimer:

All the items shown I have either bought or gotten as a gift.  None of the companies/producers/brands mentioned are paying me for this video or even know their items may be shown.  All opinions are my own and this is a 100% non-sponsored video.

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I Need Your Help!

Hey guys, I have some exciting news: I've entered the Independent Book Blogger Awards! 

This is an contest held by Goodreads to determine the best book blogger from 4 different categories: Adult Fiction, Adult Non-Fiction, Young Adult & Children's, and Publishing Industry.  And the great thing is that the readers get to decide!!

The prize for each of the 4 winners is a paid trip to BEA (Book Expo America).  This is one of the biggest expos for book bloggers and I'd just die if I won!

So what I need help with is votes!  Voting starts on April 10th and runs through April 23rd.  You can only vote once in each category, and I would be honored if you voted for me!

And I've made it easy!  All you have to do is click the button at the bottom of this post or the one on the top of my blog.  Easy Peasy!

Without all of your support I probably wouldn't have made it past 3 months of doing this, so I thank you all for supporting me a second time!  And as always, don't forget to be awesome!

Vote for this blog for the Independent Book Blogger Awards!
Vote

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Elisquared's Epic Birthday Giveaway!!!

Hello followers!  If you haven't heard already, IT IS MY BIRTHDAY MONTH!!!

That's right, on January 20 I will be turning 24 years old!!  Which is very exciting!!

In order to celebrate I am hosting a HUGE, EPIC, CRAZY giveaway!

(This also commemorates my 1 year blogoversy from November which I wasn't able to celebrate)

So that means that there is going to be a prize each weekend of January, starting January 7th!
Each giveaway will be open a week, and a new giveaway will open up.
The whole giveaway will be running from January 7th thru February 4th (in order to give each giveaway a FULL week!)

Below you will find the links to all the giveaways!
You can also use the button below to advertise!!

Good luck, and I hope you win something awesome!!

January 7th-14th: Stephanie Perkins Pack OR Ransom Riggs Pack
January 14th-21st: A Box of ARCs
January 21st-28th: Finished Edition Packs
January 28th-February 4th: $25 from The Book Depository

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TTMMS: Hunger Games Edition

On this episode of Things That Make Me Smile, we're talking The Hunger Games!

The Hunger Games movie is probably one of the most talked about movies happening right now after Harry Potter.  And it is well deserved!  This is one of the most intense series I've read and it looks like the adaptation is going to be just as intense.

I give you Example A:

This is the newest trailer out and it is even more fantastic then the first!

Example B:

This is such a KICK ASS poster; it inspires such energy!!!

But the ultimate example of awesome coming out with the arrival of the movie has to do with my other obsession: nail polish!

Example C: That's right, China Glaze is releasing a Hunger Games collection mid-March in anticipation for the movie!

It may be called Capitol Colours, but are obvious representations of the different Districts.

Luxe and Lush - District 1: Luxury

Stone Cold - District 2: Masonry

Riveting - District 3: Technology

Hook and Line - District 4: Fishing

Electrify - District 5: Power

Fast Track - District 6: Transportation

Mahogany Magic - District 7 - Lumber

Dress Me Up - District 8: Textiles

Harvest Moon - District 9: Grain

Foie Gras - District 10: Livestock

Argo - District 11: Agriculture

Smoke and Ashes - District 12: Mining

Aren't all the colors fantastic?  My favorites are Electrify, Luxe and Lush, and Riveting.  

But all the colors look so much better on the nails.  You can check out a review at All Lacquered Up, one of my favorite nail polish review/resource sites!


So what are your thoughts on the movie?  Are any of you excited about the polish collection?

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Elisquared's Epic Birthday Giveaway: Finished Edition Packs

Here's the THIRD giveaway!

As this is the OFFICIAL day after my birthday giveaway, it's going to be the biggest!
 I had all these awesome signed and finished editions plus some cool swag that I've been stock piling, and so for this giveaway, I've put together TWO boxes of some great choices!

So what's up to win?
There are TWO prize packs which means there will be TWO winners!  Some books are signed, some are finished editions, either hardcover or paperback.  I tried to make the packs as even in awesome as possible!

Here is a picture of all the awesome books (each side will be one of the packs), and lists of titles are in the Rafflecopters.

Just enter below, and GOOD LUCK!
(Runs from 1/21/12 - 1/28/12; US only)

a Rafflecopter giveaway a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Thank You All!

I've reached over 300 followers!!  That is really amazing, and I appreciate you all so very much!

Thank you for making my first year of book blogging so very awesome!!

I'd love to know your opinions on my blog - reviews, features, giveaways, design, anything.  What I should add, what I should do more of!  Just drop me a comment; I'd love to read them!

Again, WOW you are all amazing!  Thank you so much!

(Don't forget to enter my Epic Birthday Giveaway!  The first giveaway ends tonight!)

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Elisquared's Epic Birthday Giveaway: A Box of ARCs

Here's the SECOND giveaway!

I had all these awesome ARCs from NCTE that I want a lucky person to be the new owner of them!  They've never been read, & are just waiting to go to a good home!

So what's up to win?

Here is a picture of all the awesome books, and a list of titles is in the Rafflecopter.

(Picture missing Between Shades of Gray, The Letter Q, & Girl Meets Boy)

Just enter below, and GOOD LUCK!
(Runs from 1/14/12 - 1/21/12; US only)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Help Celebrate John Green Week!!!!

Starting tomorrow, a ton of blogs will be celebrating John Green Week!  This celebration counts down to the release of his new book, The Fault in Our Stars, releasing on January 10th (PS, there's still time to pre-order the book!).  I am really excited to be a part of the celebration!

I'm going to be hosting some posts about John Green's books, the Vlog Brothers Youtube channel he does with his brother Hank Green, and a giveaway where you can win some amazing prizes!!  Awesome right?

Here's a list of the great host blogs who helped conceive this awesome ode to such an awesome author!

Brittany & Farrah (I. Eat. Words.)

Ginger - (GReads Books)

Anna - (Anna Reads Books)

Lindsi (Books, Sweets, and other Treats)

Melanie (Reclusive Bibliophile) 

Tara (Fiction Folio)

Yani (The Secret Life of an Avid Reader)

Jamie (The Perpetual Page-Turner)

Liz (ElizzieBooks)

Heidi (YA Bibliophile)

Priscilla (The Readables)

You can head over to any of these fantastic blogs, and sign-up to participate, or if you personally don't want to write anything, definitely read a John Green book, check out all the awesome blog posts, and enter the many giveaways being hosted!

My posts for John Green Week:

• January 3-10: John Green Giveaway
• January 4: How John Green Changed My Classroom
• January 4: Waiting on Wednesday: The Fault in Our Stars
• January 5: Trailer Thursday: The Fault in Our Stars
• January 5: Truth Or Fail: John Green Books
• January 7: How to be a Nerdfighter
• January 8: Bookin' Round the Web: John Green Edition
• January 9: The Pretty Covers
• January 10: Happy The Fault in Our Stars Day

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HAPPY THE FAULT IN OUR STARS DAY!!

HAPPY THE FAULT IN OUR STARS RELEASE DAY!!!!!

I'm ending John Green Week with some awesome VlogBrothers videos which have something to do with  John's books!  LOTS of videos are listed!  But each one of them is awesome and will help indoctrinate you into the world of Nerdfighteria that much more!

I hope you are all enjoying reading your copies of The Fault in Our Stars (unless you're like me, who has to wait for Amazon to ship it to you...damn you postal service!!)

And as always, DON'T FORGET TO BE AWESOME!!

(p.s. I will announce the winner of my giveaway on Thursday!)

Looking for Alaska

An Abundance of Katherines

Paper Towns

Will Grayson, Will Grayson

The Fault in Our Stars

All the Books

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John Green Week: The Pretty Covers

There is ONE MORE DAY until The Fault in Our Stars comes out! (Of course, some of my friends in Europe already got their grubby hands on it :shakes fist:...just kidding!)

Today, I thought it would be fun to look at all the very pretty covers of John's books!

Looking for Alaska

 
(Hardcover)                                                (Paperback)

An Abundance of Katherines

 

(Hardcover)                                                (Paperback)

Paper Towns

 
(Hardcover)

(Paperback)

Will Grayson, Will Grayson

(Hardcover/Paperback)

The Fault in Our Stars

(Hardcover)

What I really love about each of these covers (which are all the American covers, either hardcover or paperback) is that they are really thoughtful and gorgeous.  I think each are really long lasting, even with the ones with pictures of girls.  

But my absolute favorites are the ones which rely more on symbols/text.  I've always thought the hardcover of An Abundance of Katherines was so perfect.  It is striking with the mix of math symbols used within the title.  I also really, really love the paperback cover of Paper Towns.  The big red push pin is very eye-catching while still being so appropriate for the story.

Of course my new favorite it The Fault in Our Stars.  When it was very first released, it was much less polished.  I felt the text chosen was very simple, and the quote from Jodi Picoult was just across the top.  I love the design that was settled on, and I think the text and overall design is very arresting.  Definitely the best desgin that could have been done with the subject matter at hand!

What do you think of the covers?

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Bookin' It Round the Web: John Green Edition

Everything about books intrigues me.  Because of this I'm subscribed to couple magazines, like American Libraries and the Chronicle of Higher Education, as well as a frequent troller of Publishers Weekly, NPR Books, and The New York Times Book section.   

Through these awesome resources, I've gathered a few interesting articles having to do with the book world!  I'm calling this feature Bookin' It Round the Web, and it will be periodically posted when I find some interesting news to share! 

This edition of Bookin' It Round the Web is going to be featuring John Green, the author we all know and love (or have learned about and started to love thanks to this awesome week!!).

If you haven't already figured it out, John is a pretty smart guy.  He gives really interesting interviews, and I don't really think he repeats himself as often as some authors I've read interviews about.  Just like his books, he tries to give a different perspective on things, which is so cool!

Below, I've compiled a collection of interviews all around the web!  I hope you all enjoy them as much as I did (some are even videos! Bonus!).

• John Green talks with BWI Books about the success of his novels
• John Green - Printz Winner, Nerd Fighter, WorldSuck Decreaser
• Let It Snow, Twice Told Tales, and 21 Proms, John Green and his short stories
• John Green on "The Interview Show" with host Mark Bazer - Part One (video)
• John Green on "The Interview Show" with host Mark Bazer - Part Two (video)
• John Green and The Art of Lying
• Want to know more about Looking for Alaska
• AdLit.org: John Green On Screen (video)
• Writers Talk featuring John Green (video)
• All about Will Grayson, Will Grayson - Bonus David Levithan
• Chicago Public Library gets down with John Green
• Boys Blogging Books review Looking for Alaska with an interview thrown in too
• Nerdfighter Lit: An Interview with John Green
• Missouri Association of School Librarians ask real questions from real Nerdfighters (video)

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