Weekend Links: The Rather Narcissistic Edition

• Stephanie Sheaffer and her husband have launched TucsonTopia, a site about what to do/see in Tucson. I agreed to be a contributing writer, and last week I went to review a store called Down East Basics. I had so much fun shopping, and came home with the cutest little black skirt!
• My review of Sophie Kinsella's I've Got Your Number was in this Tuesday's Shelf Awareness for Readers. If you like chick lit you'll love it -- it was so funny. I read it while we were in Flagstaff for New Year's, and Noel can testify that I laughed out loud multiple times.
• If you follow me on Pinterest you may have noticed that I'm a wee bit obsessed with grilled cheese. My friend Meghan and I started a blog called Bread, Cheese, and Chocolate to document our kitchen experiments...which often revolve around grilled cheese! (Because, obviously, 2 blogs weren't enough already...) 
• Are you on Goodreads? Send me a friend request! I like seeing what everyone else is reading...and nothing makes me happier than when I see people add books I just reviewed to their "to-read" shelf. So much fun!

What have you been up to? New blogs? Fun new skirts? 

Awesome pinboards that I should follow?

I'm Excited About the Tucson Festival of Books!

March 10-11, 2012 is the Tucson Festival of Books! I'm getting really excited about it for several reasons.

First, we had a blast last year. The atmosphere was incredible, there were tons of neat booths, fun things for the kids to do, and delicious food vendors. Among many other highlights, we met Curious George!

Second, Jill of Rhapsody in Books and I are going to meet up! There's also talk of a blogger get-together dinner with a few other people, which sounds awesome.

Third, tons of great authors are going to be there, including: Robin Hobb, Naomi Novik, Lauren Willig, and Charles Todd!! Last year Eleanor was too little to try and sit through any seminars, but this year I'm hoping to go to several and meet some of my favorite authors. And I may try and get a few of my books autographed while I'm at it!

Are you going to the TFOB? Are there awesome book festivals where you live?

Book Review: Midnight In Austenland

In Midnight in Austenland, Shannon Hale returns to the world of Austenland with a wonderful new heroine. Nice, kind, clever Charlotte Kinder is still reeling from the dissolution of her marriage and turns to Jane Austen for comfort. When her kids visit their father, she decides to take a summer vacation to England and hits upon Austenland--a resort where one goes to wear corsets and empire gowns, flirt modestly with gentlemen, stroll about the gardens and live like Elizabeth Bennet for two weeks.

Now known as Mrs. Charlotte Cordial (dashing widow), Charlotte is soon lost in the Regency world. Maids wait upon her, her "brother" Eddie is a great chum, and the brooding Mr. Mallery sets her pulses fluttering. Then, one night, Charlotte is convinced she stumbled upon a dead body in a secret room. No one else believes her, and the next morning there's no sign of a body. Charlotte is torn: Did she imagine the whole thing? Or did she really touch a dead body? If so, who was it, and who is the murderer?

Like Catherine in Northanger Abbey, Charlotte begins her own research. Hale makes Charlotte's mix of naiveté and cleverness completely believable as she fumbles her way through an investigation of sorts, and the reader can't help but root for the likable and funny Charlotte to solve the mystery and find her own true love.

I realized just too late that I should've included this in my Books About Love round up! I wholeheartedly enjoyed this book, and I think just about anyone would. Austen-lovers will especially adore the characters who are similar to familiar types from Pride and Prejudice and Emma, and the almost tongue-in-cheek aspect of the mystery (which is much like Northanger Abbey). Plus Charlotte's internal dialogue is downright hilarious, and Hale has a wonderful way with words that makes this a must-read.

Rating: 4.0 out of 5.0
Should I recommend this to my grandma? Sure!

Have you read any of Shannon Hale's other books? 

Do you have constant conversation with your Inner Thoughts?

I originally wrote this review for Shelf Awareness. The book cover image is an Amazon affiliate link.