Here is my text conversation with my son last night:  (True Story)

Son:  There is a message on the bathroom wall(where he goes to college)that says The Chamber Of Secrets is open.

Me:  Sweet.  I am watching the first movie right now.

Son:  I think I am going to re-read all the books.  I am such a nerd.

Me:  I am going to watch all the movies again.  I am such a nerd.

Son:  We are so cool.

Me:  So cool….. we need a secret Potter handshake.

Son:  We’ll work on that soon.

Yes, I know… I really need to get a life.  *sigh*

Minnesota (central Minnesota anyway) is gloomy and rainy today.  Looking out the window this morning I can really say the weather has its “gloom on”.  I have plenty to do without that affecting me.  I am off to the gym this morning for Group Power and then taking a  massive amount of Library books back to the library.  Many of them, sadly – unread.  I will have to try again at a later date.

I have books to mail today for recent winners.  Laundry.  Basic house stuff.

As this is the last day of April (wow right???) I want to remind you that this is the last day to be entered in the April comment contest (every comment left on this blog on non giveaway osts is counted as an entry).  I also have several giveaways ending over the next few days so check them out as well.

Tonight I am doing dinner and a movie with my husband and hoping date Night is still here because I really want to see that with him.  With the rain supposedly lasting through Sunday looks like I will have some indoor reading time 🙂

How about you – any plans tonight or for the weekend?

Good Morning friends of books!  🙂  I hope everyone’s weekend was super fabulous!  If you follow whats happening over here between many cups of coffee than you know I had my first bike ride of the season this past Sunday at the Ironman in Lakeville, MN.  The Ironman is a 30, 65, or 100 mile bike ride.  It is called the Ironman because at the end of April in Minnesota the weather could be anything from freezing cold, rain, and even snow.

This year I went with my friend Amy who was experiencing her first long distance ride.  Our goal:  The 65 mile route.  We had completed a few short rides here in town.  Last week she and I completed a 32 together, and I ran that route twice during the week as well as a ride into work so before we left for Lakeville I had 70 miles on my bike from last week.

The morning of the ride was miserable.  After a beautiful week of sun and seventies, we woke to rain, wind and 40 degrees.  We put on our bike wear and rain gear and headed out the door.

My complaint about the Ironman ride is that within two miles of the start, you have to choose which route you are taking.  You turn right for the 30 mile, and go straight for the 65.  As awful as the weather was we made the decision together to turn right and do the 30.

In some ways I kicked myself for not pressing on to the 65 but as we rode and fought hills and wind, I think we made the right choice.  Amy agreed that she will do other rides with me this year and I know we will get in longer rides.  I have one coming up in June that is 150.  150 period.  There is no option of a shorter route.

When we were done we packed up the bikes, received our participant t shirts, and drove back towards St Cloud where we enjoyed lunch at Mongos Grill.

While it wasn’t everything I had hoped for, I had a blast hanging out with my friend and I am excited to do more rides with her.

My next ride is May 8th, it is a ride for MS also in the cities and it is a 65.

So that’s my weekend.  Came home feeling good but tired.  Rollerbladed with my friend Wendy yesterday for 18 miles…. legs are feeling that a bit this morning.  🙂  I am hoping to go riding with her later today.  Of course now that the Ironman is over, the weather looks like it is going to be nice all week.

It’s still Sunday evening and I arrived back home from the Ironman Bike Ride about 4 hours ago.  I am tired but had a blast hanging with Amy!  Thanks Amy!   😀

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.  It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I love being a part of this and I hope you do too!  As part of this weekly meme I love to encourage you all to go and visit the others participating in this meme.  I offer a weekly contest for those who visit 10 or more of the Monday Meme participants and leave a comment.  You receive one entry for every 10 comments, just come back here and tell me how many in the comment area.

Last weeks winner (using Random.Org) was:

Laurel

Congratulations!  Please choose an item out of the PRIZE BOX and email me your choice with your mailing address as well!   journeythroughbooks@gmail.com

*** I will be adding to the prize box yet this week!

So what happened here at Book Journey This past week?

I chatted with the incredible Kay Cassidy and her feeling now that her book Cinderella Society is on the book shelves!

Hiking Through by Paul Stutzman If you like adventure, and want to read of an incredible true journey, get a hold of this book.

Daughter Of Mine by Laura Fabiani – an incredible look at a beautiful country!

Did you see the Gimble that I found? It holds you books open – free hand!  Hallelujah!

hold still by Nina Lacour a book I picked up at a bookstore in Florida and I loved it!

100 Cupboards by N D Wilson (A wonderful YA read!)

I listed many new giveaways!

Harry Potter and The Chamber Of Secrets by JK Rowling (Audio review that blew me away!)

Checking out the flavor of the week:

I need to complete Fablehaven… I am so close and it is so good!

Titanic 2012 is almost done as well and my goal this week is to get this wrapped up so I can pass it on to Ryan at Wordsmithonia who picked it for me to read and then I am giving it to him.

Read, Recommend, Remember and Read, Recommend, Remember for Teens  are drool worthy books that I have been loving and will be reviewing these books this week.

The Girl She Used To Be by David Cristofano is a book I am not only reviewing for Hachette – but it is my book club read for May!  Got to love that!

So – what are you reading this week?  I am anxious to stop by all your blogs this week and see what is happening!  Sign the Linky below so we can all stop in and see what you are reading!  (I am bringing coffee and scones!)

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Click here to enter your link and view the entire list of entered links…

Ok…. I have to get something off my chest.  Natalie from The BookInn left a comment earlier this week and in the comment she hummed Lollipop, Lollipop…. Oh lolly lolly pop.

Well…. that just made me smile.  And then… I went to work that day and it was in my head.  Wouldn’t go away…. even played it on You Tube at work…. my co workers thought I had finally cracked.  I am sure they were gathering around to see who won the kitty for guessing my “day she cracks date”.  😀

And now… yes days later… still…. in… my…. head.  So Natalie, I now have to pass it on to others.  And also thank you because I don’t think I have ever listened to the whole song before but I have now 🙂

I am leaving today with Amy to stay overnight in the cities for tomorrow mornings Ironman Bike Ride.  Our goal is 65 miles…. if the weather cooperates, I believe we can do it.  I am super pumped to do this with her.  I have done these bike tours for years but this is her first time so I am hoping she really has a good time because I want her to do more of them with me.  😀

I will still be around throughout the weekend.  I have reviews coming up and if you have not checked out the giveaway link lately do so because I have many new book giveaways going on.

Have a great day!

Good Morning fellow book lovers!  Are you as super excited for the weekend as I am?  I love weekends!!!  I am going to the gym this morning then I work today, might roller blade a bit this afternoon… or bike… I am undecided, and then date night tonight with my hubby…. his pick.

Right now I am enjoying a second cup of coffee…. and thinking that I could go for some tarts.  Yes, coffee and tarts would be nice.

LOL…. I do love the Red Queen.  Actually – I really love her dress too.   Wouldn’t she be a fun character to dress up as?  Hmmm…. just got an idea for a pondering moment post.  🙂

Have a great day everyone!  Book review coming up today of 100 Cupboards!!!

“I wonder if I’ve been changed in the night? Let me think. Was I the same when I got up this morning? I almost think I can remember feeling a little different. But if I’m not the same, the next question is ‘Who in the world am I?’ Ah, that’s the great puzzle!”

Don’t you just love that wording? It is a quote out of Alice In Wonderland.  And the more I read the more I fall in love with the language of the book. I don’t know why I never picked it up before but I now use the words “Curiouser and curiouser” at least once a week!

Do you ever have a book do that to you?  Where you just fall in love with the words?

Today after many  moments with Coffee Cup I am off to have my bike checked out and then meeting Amy at 10 am on the bike trail.  Today we will do 32 miles to prep for Sunday.  32 takes us on the trail to Nisswa (nearby town)  and back.  Should be a good ride.  I completed this ride on Tuesday and enjoyed it.

I normally work today but this was the only day Amy had time to ride so I switched my schedule and will work tomorrow instead.  I love the flexibility of my job!

So – I am off for now – but put the question back on you:

Do you ever have a book do that to you?  Where you just fall in love with the words?

I am up!  And Coffeed.  And….

I bought something.

I actually bought it in Florida – in the wonderful Books a Million.  Actually, now what I think about it, the book review going up later today is also a purchase from Books A Million.  Ahhhhhh….. a BAM day!  🙂

Ok here it is but do not (DO NOT) laugh at me:

Ok…. if you must snicker, turn the other way and act like you are coughing.  Yes I realize I purchased a piece of twisty plastic.  But – of yes there is a but, if you seen my morning ritual you would understand.

Every morning when I am prepping for my day I have a book in the bathroom with me so I can read as I blow dry my hair, style, make up…  I have done this for years.  The trick is keeping the book open.  I use a large lotion bottle, hairspray, whatever I can find that will keep the book open.  Then I have to move said item to read the words.  Occasionally said item rolls off the book and I lose my page.

This item, the Gimble, was a huge “aha moment” when I seen it.  For $5.95 – worth it.  here it is in action:

Mmmmmm hmmmm…. that’s what I’m talking about!  How super cool is that?

Ok…. I need to finish up my coffee and get ready for work.  Today I am going to bike in.  It is only 3 miles and I am trying to get in as much biking as possible.  I have a fantastic book review coming up later.  Well, maybe the review isnt fantastic – but I am going to try to be because the book was.

Here is the question I want to leave you with.  What do you prop your books open with (or is that just me?)

I am having an affair.

Have you heard of Books A Million?  I have only found these stores in Florida….. I have only been in them twice….

but I am in love. ♥

Is it wrong to love a book store?  To enjoy browsing through their large counters of clearance books?  To find books that you seen the day before for $18+ at a B & N, and at Books A Million find that same book for $3.99?

We went in the Books A  Million looking for a Honda Magazine for Navy son, Brad.  B & N did not have it.  B.A.M. (yes, that’s right – I have given it a pet name!) did.

It’s where I bought the book Hold Still that I will be reviewing later this week.  AND – I bought something else really cool….. but that will have to wait for another meandering… another day.

Today I am back home in Minnesota.  Touched ground about 3:30 pm yesterday afternoon.  I have not made it around to everyone who participated in yesterdays What Are You Reading Meme – but I will!  Also – if you have not read the delightful author chat I had with Kay Cassidy, please do.  Her first book is on the shelves and she is witty and funny – and a tea drinker but I can forgive her that… because she is witty and funny.  😀

I have a review up yet today be sure to stop back in…  and I also have giveaways that need to be announced.  With a little luck – I just may start catching up!

Whats on your agenda this week for fun?