creativityscorner.net http://creativityscorner.net Fri, 03 Jan 2014 02:07:43 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.8.8 CreativitysCornerhttps://feedburner.google.com 2014 Book Bingo Challenge http://creativityscorner.net/2014-book-bingo-challenge/ http://creativityscorner.net/2014-book-bingo-challenge/#comments Fri, 03 Jan 2014 00:51:07 +0000 http://creativityscorner.net/?p=3294 Anne & Kristilyn's 2014 Book Bingo Challenge

Welcome to this year’s Book Bingo Reading Challenge! The challenge was a big hit last year, and we’ve made a few changes this year to make it work even better.

The Scoreboard:

Bingo Scoreboard

The rules:

  1. Be awesome. If you?re not, this isn?t going to work.
  2. The challenge runs from January 1 to December 31, 2014.
  3. If you want to participate, you can join in any time of the year! Feel free to write up a blog post with the rules linking back to my and Anne?s blog in your sign-up post. You can add your post to the Linky at the end of this post!
  4. If you read one book for the ?1 book? in any category, you can?t change it later on when you read another book to ?2 books.? Once a square is crossed off, it?s crossed off for good! (Feel free to print off the scoreboard to keep track!)
  5. Books read for one square are for that square ONLY and cannot be counted towards another category. This is all about reading ALL THE BOOKS.
  6. The FREE SQUARES are a little different this year ? now you can use those squares to read ANY book you like of any genre! Woo!
  7. You can start your board over again, but ONLY if you receive the stamp of awesome by completing a blackout. The ?winners? of the challenge will be the ones who achieve the most winning combinations by the end of 2014.
  8. You can feel free to post your reading list for each category, though it?s not a requirement.
  9. Having a blog or writing reviews for books read is not required. So long as you want to have fun, you can participate!
  10. Every 3 months I will post an update here and all participants can link to their own updates. An update post will go up April 1st, July 1st, October 1st, and December 31st.
  11. This isn?t a race, but don?t be afraid to rub your reads in the other player?s face. This will be seen as encouragement. Feel free to use the hashtag #BookBingo2014 on Twitter!

Ways to Win:Ways to win

The  sign up linky is on Kristilyn’s blog, so head on over and sign up to join us!

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Happy New Year 2014! http://creativityscorner.net/happy-new-year-2014/ http://creativityscorner.net/happy-new-year-2014/#comments Thu, 02 Jan 2014 21:34:45 +0000 http://creativityscorner.net/?p=3283 It’s a new year! The last one positively flew by, didn’t it? It’s taking me a little longer than I thought to get things up and running again – I left kind of a big mess after moving hosts. I had no idea just how big, or how long it would take me to fix it. I am chipping away at it, and I still have another week until school starts. I will get it done!

A new year means a new beginning here on Creativity’s Corner. Personally, in 2014, my goals are balance and positivity. With that in mind, I’ve written some new guidelines for myself and the blog.

Balance:

  • Each week I will limit myself to one post. Conversely, I will allow myself one post a week unless my workload for the week is absolutely 100% prohibitive. This means I WILL SET ASIDE TIME TO BLOG EACH AND EVERY WEEK.
  • I will set lower goals. Previous years I challenged myself to read more than I ever had before. This year I choose a smaller goal, a mere 100 books. I hope this means I won’t feel guilty when I don’t have as much time to read (or rather, when I’m reading something like 600 pages/week of academic literature and don’t feel like reading anything else).
  • I will print out and participate in the 2014 Book Bingo Challenge (official post coming soon), but I will only challenge myself to complete one “special” win. No need to add pressure.

Positivity:

  • In an effort to be more positive, I will only be devoting full reviews to books that I enjoy. That was the original intention of the blog after all – to discuss the books I love. I will continue to mark all books read on GoodReads, and each month I will do a round-up post including all of the books I read.

This new set of guidelines probably mean that some of the non-review posts, like discussions, will be cut back quite a bit. BUT, they should also mean that I will be able to post semi-regularly at least.

What are your goals for 2014?

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Hello, old friends http://creativityscorner.net/hello-old-friends/ http://creativityscorner.net/hello-old-friends/#comments Thu, 26 Dec 2013 15:11:32 +0000 http://creativityscorner.net/?p=2931 Hello friends! It has been far, far too long and I apologize. Apparently doctoral work is about ten times harder than I imagined, and I imagined it would be pretty hard!

The good news is I have finished my first semester, and next semester looks much easier! I will be taking three masters’ level courses, mainly to fill in gaps that I missed by skipping a masters’ altogether. That means I will be able to return to blogging (I hope). My schedule will be fairly sporadic: I’m only planning one post per week until I see what this next set of classes turn out to be like. I hope I can get myself back into good habits and continue the blog – I really really missed it this past semester!

In the meantime, look for a few extra posts this week and next as I catch up, including next year’s book bingo challenge (which is already up over on Kristilyn’s blog – I’ll admit, I was feverishly writing a 20 page paper when that went up, so I’m totally behind!) and a few short reviews of the few books I managed to read over the semester. I have a lot of catching up to do!

Happy Holidays everyone!

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I am still alive! (Mostly) http://creativityscorner.net/i-am-still-alive-mostly/ http://creativityscorner.net/i-am-still-alive-mostly/#comments Sun, 06 Oct 2013 21:21:50 +0000 http://creativityscorner.net/?p=2909 I’m here! Only for about ten minutes, but I’m here!

I happened to have a lull in homework for the weekend (for once!) and I really miss you guys! I have to say, I’m glad I put the blog on hiatus, even if it means not talking to any of you for a long time. Schoolwork has been incredibly busy and stressful, and I haven’t even had time to read, much less blog about it! I bought Crown of Midnight the day it came out and it is still sitting on my nightstand, a bookmark barely a quarter of the way through it. Between a weekly paper on original research (that is ALWAYS ripped apart in front of the class :/ ) and at least 200 pages of scholarly reading for another class, I’m barely sleeping. And I thought I’d be able to blog – HA!

I have taken this opportunity to get myself going on comic books. I’ve always been interested, but never really taken the time to do anything about it. Reading a comic book takes a little less brain power when I’m dead tired, but still give me that comforting feeling like reading does. So far I’ve read All-Star Superman and the first volume of Saga.

Anyway, how are you all doing? I hope everything is going well, and I hope I can be back with you on my breaks!

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Bookish Bucket List: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone http://creativityscorner.net/bookish-bucket-list-harry-potter-and-the-philosophers-stone/ http://creativityscorner.net/bookish-bucket-list-harry-potter-and-the-philosophers-stone/#comments Mon, 02 Sep 2013 04:00:20 +0000 http://creativityscorner.net/?p=2596 Bookish Bucket List Banner

Thanks to Kristilyn from Reading in Winter for designing the banner!

Have you ever finished a book and said “Man, I wish I could ________ like that?” Bookish Bucket List is a semi-regular feature for the things I’ve put on my bucket list and the books that made me do so.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone cover
Title: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

Author: J.K. Rowling

Summary: [from GoodReads]

Harry Potter has never played a sport while flying on a broomstick. He’s never worn a Cloak of Invisibility, befriended a giant, or helped hatch a dragon. All Harry knows is a miserable life with the Dursleys, his horrible aunt and uncle, and their abominable son, Dudley. Harry’s room is a tiny cupboard under the stairs, and he hasn’t had a birthday party in ten years.

But all that is about to change when a mysterious letter arrives by owl messenger: a letter with an invitation to a wonderful place he never dreamed existed. There he finds not only friends, aerial sports, and magic around every corner, but a great destiny that’s been waiting for him… if Harry can survive the encounter.

Bucket List Entry: Visit Harry Potter World

Why: Let’s be honest, the main entry on this one should be go to Hogwarts, but since I’m trying to be realistic, I’ll have to settle for the next best thing – Harry Potter World at Universal Studios. I don’t care if I look like a dork – I want to show up in a cloak and Hogwarts ensemble and go through the whole experience – spend hours on Diagon Alley, walk through every single display and ride every ride. I’ve even made a list of all the things I want to get while I’m there – from various sweets and clothing items right down to “my” wand from Pottermore!

Yep. My name is Anne, I’m 24, and I’m a huge nerd.

 

What’s on your Bucket List?

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Bookish Bucket List: Soulless http://creativityscorner.net/bookish-bucket-list-soulless/ http://creativityscorner.net/bookish-bucket-list-soulless/#comments Mon, 19 Aug 2013 04:00:36 +0000 http://creativityscorner.net/?p=2611 Bookish Bucket List Banner

Thanks to Kristilyn from Reading in Winter for designing the banner!

Have you ever finished a book and said “Man, I wish I could ________ like that?” Bookish Bucket List is a semi-regular feature for the things I’ve put on my bucket list and the books that made me do so.

Soulless cover
Title: Title

Author: Author

Summary: [from GoodReads]

First, she has no soul. Second, she’s a spinster whose father is both Italian and dead. Third, she was rudely attacked by a vampire, breaking all standards of social etiquette.

Where to go from there? From bad to worse apparently, for Alexia accidentally kills the vampire – and then the appalling Lord Maccon (loud, messy, gorgeous, and werewolf) is sent by Queen Victoria to investigate.

With unexpected vampires appearing and expected vampires disappearing, everyone seems to believe Alexia responsible. Can she figure out what is actually happening to London’s high society? Will her soulless ability to negate supernatural powers prove useful or just plain embarrassing? Finally, who is the real enemy, and do they have treacle tart?

Bucket List Entry: Attend a costume conference (like Comic Con etc.)

Why: Apparently, I’m still a huge kid on the inside, because I absolutely love to dress up. One of the major time periods I’d like to try and just never managed it is Victorian – or better yet Steampunk! There’s something about the styles from that era that just spark my imagination! Of course, I’d feel kind of silly dressing up all by myself, so a big part of this entry is working up the courage to go to a comic-con or some such event where everyone is in costume – who knows when I’ll manage that!

 

What’s on your Bucket List?

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Bookish Bucket List: Nevermore http://creativityscorner.net/bookish-bucket-list-nevermore/ http://creativityscorner.net/bookish-bucket-list-nevermore/#comments Mon, 05 Aug 2013 04:00:51 +0000 http://creativityscorner.net/?p=2602 Bookish Bucket List Banner

Thanks to Kristilyn from Reading in Winter for designing the banner!

Have you ever finished a book and said “Man, I wish I could ________ like that?” Bookish Bucket List is a semi-regular feature for the things I’ve put on my bucket list and the books that made me do so.

Nevermore cover
Title: Nevermore (Nevermore #1)

Author: Kelly Creagh

Summary: [from GoodReads]

Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due?so unfair?on the day of the rival game. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he?d rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can?t help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look.

Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life.

As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined, and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind. Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares.

His life depends on it.

Bucket List Entry: Visit Poe’s grave.

Why: This is another case of wanting to go somewhere to learn more about it. Creagh’s series opened my eyes to all the mysteries surrounding Poe’s death and now I want to know more. How much of it did she make up? Is there really a Poe toaster? Besides that, being able to say you’ve visited Poe’s Grave is pretty effin’ cool – at least to a nerd like me!

 

What’s on your Bucket List?

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Bookish Bucket List: Wildefire http://creativityscorner.net/bookish-bucket-list-wildefire/ http://creativityscorner.net/bookish-bucket-list-wildefire/#comments Mon, 22 Jul 2013 04:00:41 +0000 http://creativityscorner.net/?p=2608 Bookish Bucket List Banner

Thanks to Kristilyn from Reading in Winter for designing the banner!

Have you ever finished a book and said “Man, I wish I could ________ like that?” Bookish Bucket List is a semi-regular feature for the things I’ve put on my bucket list and the books that made me do so.

Wildefire cover
Title: Wildefire (Wildefire #1)

Author: Karsten Knight

Summary: [from GoodReads]

Every flame begins with a spark.

Ashline Wilde is having a rough sophomore year. She?s struggling to find her place as the only Polynesian girl in school, her boyfriend just cheated on her, and now her runaway sister, Eve, has decided to barge back into her life. When Eve?s violent behavior escalates and she does the unthinkable, Ash transfers to a remote private school nestled in California?s redwoods, hoping to put the tragedy behind her.

But her fresh start at Blackwood Academy doesn?t go as planned. Just as Ash is beginning to enjoy the perks of her new school?being captain of the tennis team, a steamy romance with a hot, local park ranger?Ash discovers that a group of gods and goddesses have mysteriously enrolled at Blackwood?and she?s one of them. To make matters worse, Eve has resurfaced to haunt Ash, and she?s got some strange abilities of her own.

With a war between the gods looming over campus, Ash must master the new fire smoldering within before she clashes with her sister one more time?

And when warm and cold fronts collide, there?s guaranteed to be a storm.

Bucket List Entry: Attend boarding school

Why: (A more accurate title for this feature might be “Every boarding school book. EVER.”) Is it just me or does boarding school sound like epic amounts of fun? Not that I had a terrible time of it in high school, but I wasn’t the most social student ever. Most nights I went home, did homework and practiced flute. Being right there where things were happening might have convinced me to get out more – at the very least I might have spent more time with my friends!

Alas, I am now too old to ever make this one come true. I’ll just have to pretend!

 

What’s on your Bucket List?

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It was the best of times… http://creativityscorner.net/it-was-the-best-of-times/ http://creativityscorner.net/it-was-the-best-of-times/#comments Thu, 11 Jul 2013 15:09:31 +0000 http://creativityscorner.net/?p=2902 Hello everyone! It’s been a while hasn’t it?!

First off let me say that yesterday was my 3 year blogiversary! It has been a wonderful time and I am so glad that I chose to fill my spare time with this project.

My life has changed a lot over the past 3 years, and this is where the sad news comes in. Getting ready for grad school (at least when you’re a music major and they require several entrance exams) takes a lot of time. Getting ready to move out of state takes a lot of time. Doing both together means that my days are overfull. And unfortunately, that means blogging has to take a backseat. I honestly don’t want it to! But right now my blogging process goes something like this:

1) Realize as I’m going to sleep that I didn’t manage to do anything for the blog today… AGAIN.
2) promise myself that tomorrow, after I finish these TEN THINGS on my to-do list (and after work of course) I may work on my blog.
3) (tomorrow) come straight home from work and begin working on that to-do list.
4) finish the 8th or 9th thing on the list and realize that it is now 10:30 PM and I have to be up again at 6 am.
5) feel guilty that I have YET AGAIN failed to blog and swear up and down as I climb into bed that I will do it tomorrow (after I finish these 10 things on my to do list, plus that one I didn’t get to today.)

As much as I love you guys, and as much as I love blogging about books, I cannot have this guilt in my life any longer. And so, it’s with deep regret that I place the blog on semi-permanent hiatus. I’m not ready to completely give up yet. I have a few posts still scheduled that will run sporadically over the next few weeks, and I hope to be able to check in every once in a while with a short recommendations post or the like. In the meantime, I wish you all well, and I hope to see you around Twitter sometime. *passes around cookies and hugs while trying not to cry*

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Bookish Bucket List: Endless Summer http://creativityscorner.net/bookish-bucket-list-endless-summer/ http://creativityscorner.net/bookish-bucket-list-endless-summer/#comments Mon, 08 Jul 2013 04:00:15 +0000 http://creativityscorner.net/?p=2599 Bookish Bucket List Banner

Thanks to Kristilyn from Reading in Winter for designing the banner!

Have you ever finished a book and said “Man, I wish I could ________ like that?” Bookish Bucket List is a semi-regular feature for the things I’ve put on my bucket list and the books that made me do so.

Endless Summer cover
Title: Endless Summer

Author: Jennifer Echols

Summary: [from GoodReads]

Two irresistible boys. One unforgettable summer.

Lori can?t wait for her summer at the lake. She loves wakeboarding and hanging with her friends?including the two hotties next door. With the Vader brothers, she’s always been just one of the guys. Now that she?s turning sixteen, she wants to be seen as one of the girls, especially in the eyes of Sean, the older brother. But that?s not going to happen?not if the younger brother, Adam, can help it.

Lori plans to make Sean jealous by spending time with Adam. Adam has plans of his own for Lori. As the air heats up, so does this love triangle. Will Lori?s romantic summer melt into one hot mess?

Bucket List Entry: Work at an amusement park (or other summer tourist trap)

Why: I bet you’re all rolling your eyes at me over this one, but as someone who didn’t ever get a summer job in high school, I love the idea of being part of a group on the other side of the desk. My family and I travel a lot and generally do the “touristy stuff” at least once. I’ve watched my fair share of ticket takers, ride operators, life-guards etc. Even though the jobs seem pretty uncomfortable, the people working them always seem to be best friends with all the rest of the workers (even if maybe, privately, they hate each other). I would love to experience that!

 

What’s on your Bucket List?

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