New Look -- Same Old Me

Why, hello there. I'll stop for a moment to let this sink in...
...
/end first failed attempt.

HELLO! In case you've forgotten, my name is Jenn and I'm the crazed owner of this blog who owes yet another apology for the extended hiatus. School has only gotten worse with the looming IB/AP/SAT tests, so I can't promise rigidly scheduled posts per se, but I will try my best. Before, I partially left because a regimented schedule made blogging began to feel like a chore - as much as I love you guys - and I'm now trying to return and renew that sense of excitement in being able to exchange thoughts and be heard. So my resolution is to loosen up in my self-imposed posting requirements (aka possibly spam with more personal or superficial issues that no one cares about) while squeezing in a review once or twice a week. Can I do it? YES, I CAN... maybe. :o

Some quick notes:
- I'll be reviewing Wither by Lauren DeStefano -- and possibly giving it away? Would anyone be interested? I haven't really been around in a while so I don't know how available the ARC is, though I have seem some controversial reviews floating around.
- Yes, new layout! I'm trying to go for something more elegant and classic as compared to the old one, so please, please tell me what you think. Anyone willing to prevent me from traipsing obliviously around with an unattractive blog design deserves my love and many cookies. ;)
- Finally, I've installed IntenseDebate, which should start with this post... It's the main reason I'm putting up a post despite the blog still being under construction, and my fingers are crossed that it'll work. Again, if you like the old system, do tell.

Anyways, I'm happy to be back - for real this time - and look forward to catching up to you guys soon. Know a NEEDTOREADTHISORDIE 2011 book that I've been missing out on? I'd love to hear about it. :D

Adieu for now, my wonderful blogosphere. (Random ARC's?)

Haha, now that's what I wished my birthday cake looked like...

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I turned 16 yesterday, and who knew this year would be so different? I guess you guys can already guess what I'm going to say from the title, BUT IT BREAKS MY HEART. I really, really, REALLY didn't want to do this but with SATs, 5 AP tests, 2 IB tests, setting up other stuff this year, etc., it seems like I'll have to take a very extended leave. I absolutely love the blogosphere though, so I definitely hope to come back next year or maybe this summer. However, in the meantime, I suppose it's adieu for now... )':

I may post back periodically with some books I absolutely LOVE, but very rarely if at all. Gah, I know I kind of died out there with the last post, but here are just a few books I have that if you'd be willing to review, I'd be willing to pass along (all 2010 ARC's; sorry I got lazy with the authors):
- Trickster's Girl
- Hunger
- Crusade
- The Candidates: Delcroix Academy
- Stork
- Dead Beautiful
- The Mockingbirds
- Nightshade
- Beautiful Darkness

The official form this time is on the bottom. And I'll probably randomly draw a few people in a week or two and that'll be that. Only stipulation is that you pay for shipping fees, sorry! Open to anyone anywhere and, yes, that includes those invisible aliens on Mars. ;)

Also, just one thing that's keeping me super busy is a new organization my friends and I are currently setting up called Crafts4Change. It's currently still a group of high school and middle school clubs but we're working on it. If you're interested in supporting our cause, we just started selling SNSD (aka Girl's Generation) shirts today and all proceeds will either go towards donation to an international charity (TBA) or crafts-making sessions with children living in poor DC districts. You can purchase shirts HERE and visit our website here (still under construction). //end shameless promotion

So adieu for now my lovely bloggy friends and I hope to see you soon! Please don't forget little me. <33333

And... I'M BACK?!

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So, do you still remember me? :)

Before I go on, I have to first start with the pre-requisite SORRY!! Gah, and I had August all planned out for my brilliant first blogoversary (which passed a little over a week ago) - but, alas. I still have some books that were mailed to me, so I'll definitely be promoting, and after I try to contact the authors who I got interviews from, giving away them in a two-week giveaway-fest. I'm a failure, sorry; but I'll try to make it up to you guys! I also have some reviews that I need to post for books I received in July...

So what basically happened is that from late July to almost all of August, I was in China volunteering. Our program was originally scheduled to take place in Shitai, Anhui but due to some intense flooding, the program was pretty much canceled a week before we planned to leave. *cue IMPENDING APOCALYPSE panic* The preparations for the trip had been going on for months, so we frantically scurried around during that last week, edited lesson plans, made new travel arrangements and such, and luckily found a new place in Linyi Shandong. No excuse, of course, but that's my life and I'll do a personal post sometime soon, in which I'll post some pictures. The students were great; the bathrooms - not so much.

Anyways, I can't fit everything into this post, unless I opted overload your brain with a two-page post. Like:
• how I finished Mockingjay two days ago and... ASKJDHER?!!!?!! (My thoughts exactly.)
• how I am a reasonable and reasonably-terrified driver that has yet to venture onto the all-conquering beast, THE INTERSTATE.
• how my graphite, 3g KINDLE 3, aka my first ereader, will be arriving on Thursday - so excited! :D
• how I'm a junior and therefore an official International Baccalaureate student with an incoming avalanche of homework (otherwise known as the "how will I manage my blog dilemma?" and definitely less commenting. :( )
• how I want to start a business now but am not sure what I should sell...
• how I feel like giving away some late 2010 ARCs if you would be willing to pay for shipping (more info soon if there's interest?)

As for the 700 followers and Shadow Hills swag contests, I picked winners before I left for the trip but never got around to announcing them. I'll make the official announcement soon.

Whew, so much to say, so little space. If YOU had something to say to me over the summer, please email me again! I had no internet access for 99% of my trip and I haven't quite gotten used to checking my email again... so it's not that I don't like you, I just didn't see you. Please email me, and I'll try to respond ASAP.

And that about wraps it up. I'm off to change my policy about ebook reviewing (Have I told you how PSYCHED I AM TO GET MY FIRST KINDLE?!!! Oh, right, I have. If you bought a Kindle 3, I'd love to hear about it!) and then to practice viola. I MISSED YOU GUYS and I'm looking forward to coming back to the blogosphere, though whether I'll be able to stay during the school year is a matter for another day. More posts coming soon to this blog near you! <33