Down with Downton Abbey

Usually I just blog (mostly) about books. Books I want to read, have read, etc. But I recently finished watching the first season of Downton Abbey on DVD and I just had to blog about it. Um. So. Good. I've seen several people talking about the show on the internets, specifically author Beth Revis (see this is still sorta bookish, right?). 

Ok, anyways. The show. It's set in rural England pre World War I. It's dramatic and smart and funny. And I can't believe I waited this long to watch this little gem. Really people, if you've ever thought about watching Downton Abbey...DO IT!

 

My local library had season 1 and 2 on DVD. I was so enthralled by the show I held marathons for myself watching all the shows in a matter of days! I am soooo over the moon about this show! 

Season 3 begins tonight, January 6, on PBS. (The fact that it airs on PBS maybe have part of the reason I was reluctant to watch, I'm ashamed to say. Maybe I thought the show would be too smart for me or something. But I'm pleased to say I've been reformed!) 

 

Photo of the Downton DVD from the PBS store.

Also, confession time I have major crush on a fictional character, Matthew Crawley from the show. He's sweet, hardworking, and adorable. ;-)

(Side note...it took me forever to realize it is not Downtown Abbey but in fact Downton Abbey. It sounds so much better on the show when the actors say Downton. I still kind of felt like a dork when I realized it.)

To bring it back to books cause that's how it works in Alli's World...I have found this book: Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle by The Countess of Carnarvon. This book tells the story of real life inspiration for the show. It's now on my To-Be-Read list. I can't get enough of Downton!

Book Graphic and more info on Goodreads.

Review: I Hunt Killers

Introducing: Clayton's Corner! 

Title: I Hunt Killers

Author: Barry Lyga

Genre: YA

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Release Date: April 3, 2012

Source: Purchased copy.

Fave Quote: “Medicine cabinets are dangerous. Those doors, man. They'll just spring on you like a ninja.” 

Reviewed by Clayton, MrCaptKirk

Image from Goodreads

Here is my review of I Hunt Killers.  Hope you like it! 

I recently finished I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga.  This story takes us on a journey through a young mans life who's father happens to be a serial killer.  The main character, Jazz struggles daily with his past.  He fights his past because he does not want to murder to be a family business.  I thought the author did a good job in describing the struggles that Jazz deals with as well as how it affects his relationships with his friends, girlfriend, family and people in general.  Howie, Jazz's best friend is adds I believe a little comic relief to the story and made me laugh several times throughout the book.  When murders being to occur in Lobo's Nod in almost exactly the same fashion as the murders his father committed (his father is in prison) Jazz is determined to help the police to solve the mystery of who the murder is.  He looks at the opportunity as a way to redeem himself and prove once and for all that he is nothing like his father.  If you are like I am, I attempt to, as I'm reading, figure out who the killer is.  I'm almost always wrong, but it's what makes reading mystery novels fun.  This novel did a great job of keeping you guessing until the very end.  Overall, I give I Hunt Killers 4 out of 5 stars.  This book does have some adult themes, but not overtly so.

We had the opportunity to meet Barry Lyga at the Decatur Book festival in September, you can read all about our festival experience here.

By the way, per Amazon.com Game: The Sequel to I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga comes out April 23, 2013. So you still have plenty of time to get I Hunt Killers read before the sequels release!

Trailer Thursday: Vain

I haven't done a Trailer Thursday in a while but I'm really liking what I'm seeing about this book... 

Vain by Fisher Amelie.

Beat The Winter Time Blues!

Participate in the "Beat the Winter Time Blues $50 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway" sponsored by author Terri Morgan.

Giveaway: January 16 - February 6

One winner will receive a $50 Amazon Gift Card from Terri Morgan.

All you need to do is to make an announcement about the FREE sign-up on your blog by grabbing the code under the graphic (you can post the whole message, if you want) and then on January 16 post the giveaway (html post will be provided). This is a great way to gain more followers on your Facebook page. There will not be a "host page", each blogger's Facebook page will be listed individually on the Rafflecopter.

Sign up here

Goals and Giveaways

So 2013 is here in full affect! I posted yesterday on my Facebook page about some of my goals for 2013. (I don't really do resolutions because I NEVER stick to them!) 

My goals include:

1. Trying/doing things I've never done or go places I've never been before. Such things include going to a swim meet and gymnastics meet (University of Georgia, lookout we're coming for you!). Also, I really want to try Indian food. Random, right? I really hope I continue to take advantage of opportunities as they are presented when it comes to new things. 

I don't really have any specific plans for the following but I'd also like to attend a live ballet performance, live orchestra performance, there are several restaurants I haven't tried in my area, and I'd love to go to Freedom Weekend Aloft to see all the hot air balloons, go to a Greek Festival, Shakespeare's Tavern, Medieval Times, etc. There is just so many cool things to do! And there are places I'd love to go NYC, LA, Paris, etc. There's a BIG world out there with lots of things to see and do, I just want want to make the most of this life.

2. This year I want to read more and blog more. My to-be-read pile is OUT OF CONTROL! I really want to read some of the books I own and have been wanting to read for a while now. There are several awesome books coming out this year, which is going to increase my reading load but what a GREAT problem to have! I also want to blog about what I read, the places I go and the things I do. If nothing else I just want remember all the great moments these things provide me. And I want to share it with all of you! 

3. My last goal is just to stay positive. I'm always fine as long as things go exactly as planned but the moment that things go the slightest bit awry I totally loose my cool. Sometimes it just seems like the problem in the moment is the only thing I can see. So this year, I really want to focus on not freaking out when things aren't the way I thought they'd be. I want to remember that the problems don't last forever and just because things are "perfect" doesn't mean they aren't good (and who knows, maybe even better!)

To celebrate the New Year I have a treat you from my "personal collection". I'm still new to this so I'm still trying to collect items for you guys but I have some swag I'd love to pass on to 2 lucky Alli's World readers. There are random bookmarks (at least one signed by the author!), temporary tattoos, and stickers in each prize pack. The swag looks a little something like this: 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Teaser Tuesday (Jan. 1)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of 

Should Be Reading.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

"Relax. Unless you plan on spitting on all the graves or slicing open a vein and running through all the headstones, we'll be fine."

Touch of Death
by
Kelly Hashway 

I'm reading an ARC of Touch of Death, it's really good and I think the cover is beautiful! Put it in your TBR pile, it is worth it!

So Long 2012: A Photo Recap

I wasn't going to do this. Now that 2012 is gone, I realize it was pretty awesome! I mean there were some not as good parts, but overall it was a pretty good year for me. 

So I want to share some of the highlights with all of you in Alli's World!

January:

Me and Hubs Ringing in 2012 (Jan.1)

Book Signing with Beth Revis, Stephanie Perkins and Carrie Ryan in NC

(Me and Hubs creeping in the background)

(Jan. 10)

 

Me, My Sis & Mom in Gatlinburg for the Ladies Retreat

(Jan 26-29)

February:

Star Wars 3D Date Night with Hubs

(Feb 24)

March:

The Hunger Games Mall Tour

(March 6)

Holman Autry Band Concert at the Georgia Theater 

(March 9)

Book Signing with Lauren Oliver

(March 10)

April:

The month I started blogging!

Passages Bible Exhibit with the Senior Adults

(April 17)

Georgia Renaissance Festival

(April 21)

May:

Hubs & I celebrated our 2 year anniversary on the 1st! Yay!! 

Book Signing: Charlaine Harris in Charlotte, NC

(May 6)

From the BEST DAY EVER: Blue Willow Inn, Mystic Falls and 

The All American Rejects Concert!

(May 8)

  

June:

Brothers of Summer Tour Concert with 

Tim McGraw & Kenny Chesney

(June 3)

Book Signing with Jennifer L. Armentrout 

and Cover Models: Sztella and Pepe

(June 8)

July:

Weekend Trip to Tybee Island/Savannah GA for Hubs B'day!

Happy 30th hun!

(July 22)

August:

Is my birthday month and this year I got the best present EVER.

We went on vacation to Washington State, visited my niece, went to Forks (yay for a Twi-Hard Fan!), took a Ferry to Canada, and toured Seattle!

The Gang at the iconic Forks sign.

My view of the Space Needle.

Me and Hubs in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada!

September:

We went to the Decatur Book Fest

(September 2)

Book signing: Jackson Pearce

(September 8)

We went to the University of Georgia vs. Vanderbuilt game

on September 22. Goooo Dawgs!

Saw a special screening of The Perks of Being a Wallflower

with the author, screenwriter and director 

Stephen Chbosky

(Sept 25)

October:

Book signing: Lauren Conrad

(Oct 20)

November:

I went to a Blogger Meet Up at Avid, my local indie bookstore on Nov 4.

Hubs and I went to YallFest Nov 10-11.

Went with my mom and sis to see Bridal Veil Falls and Issaqueena Falls on Nov 12 to celebrate Mom's b'day!

And...one of my most anticipated events of the year...

Twilight marathon and Breaking Dawn Part 2 on Nov 16.

December:

CHRISTMAS!!!

Hubs and I went to a couple of UGA Basketball games in Dec (the 15th and 29th)!

****

WOW! What a year! I guess people are right when they say, "Y'all do a lot." I guess we do! I do try to find things for us to do that are cheap or free so usually we aren't spending too much on any one thing.

 I'm sure I left something out but that's pretty much our year here in the Kirk house in a nutshell.

So, clearly 2012 was good to us. I can't wait see what 2013 might bring! I don't do resolutions but my goals are to keep going and to stay positive. 

Goodbye 2012,

Welcome 2013 y'all! :)