Friday, September 30, 2016

Book Blogger Hop No. 69: Encouraging Reading Friends to Share Their Thoughts



Welcome to the Book Blogger Hop,
hosted by Billy @


For more information, and 
to find out the topic of next week's question, click HERE.


What to Do

1.) Post on your blog answering this week's
question:

 Do you encourage other reading
friends to start a blog, or at least put
their thoughts/reviews on public
reading sites such as Goodreads,
Amazon, etc.?

(submitted by Elizabeth @ Silver's Reviews)

2.)  Enter the link to your post in the
Linky list on Billy's blog.

3.)  Visit other blogs on the list and
comment on their posts. 

4.)  Be sure to find out next week's
question when you visit
Ramblings of a Coffee-Addicted Writer!





My Answer

I'm at a loss for words..... (Not an easy thing for me, at least not online! Lol.)

Well, the short and sweet answer is that I don't do this.  ALL of my reading friends are only online; there's no one in my immediate vicinity who shares my passion for books and reading, sadly enough..... Most of my online reading buddies either already have blogs, and/or already do post their reviews on Goodreads, as well as Amazon. But there might be a few on Goodreads who just read and rate books, without posting reviews. I need to sift through my Goodreads friends' list to see who might not be posting reviews. Then I could certainly do my best to encourage them to do just that.

There are some EXCELLENT reviewers on Goodreads! I come across them all the time, and their reviews leave me feeling awestruck. Not all of these people have blogs, but I suppose they don't want to have them, since they're already publishing their thoughts on Goodreads.

If I were to meet someone in the real world who subsequently became a reading friend, the situation mentioned in the question above might arise. I might discover that this hypothetical person likes to write, and just ADORES books and reading. In that case, I would certainly let them know that I would be very interested in reading their thoughts online. This might help them to express themselves better, too. Of course, if they weren't interested in doing this, I would NEVER push them to do so! 

Alas, no such person has yet appeared.... I just haven't been lucky in this area! But I do have some WONDERFUL reading buddies online! I just wish I could someday, somehow, meet them in person! 
      
   

What are your thoughts on
this topic?
Please leave a comment!
If you're participating in this meme,
I'll go comment on your 
own BBH post.
If not, I will then comment on one 
of your blog posts!
Thanks for visiting!!! 





Thursday, September 29, 2016

Book Review: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, by J.K. Rowling


Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
(Harry Potter, Book 3)
J.K. Rowling
Hardcover, 435 pages
Arthur A. Levine Books
(An imprint of Scholastic Press) 
First American Edition
Sept. 9, 1999
Fantasy, Science Fiction, Young Adult Fiction

Book Synopsis: Harry Potter's third year at Hogwarts is full of new dangers. A convicted murderer, Sirius Black, has broken out of Azkaban prison, and it seems he's after Harry. Now Hogwarts is being patrolled by the dementors, the Azkaban guards who are hunting Sirius. But Harry can't imagine that Sirius—or, for that matter, the evil Lord Voldemort—could be more frightening than the dementors themselves, who have the terrible power to fill anyone they come across with aching loneliness and despair.

Meanwhile, life continues as usual at Hogwarts. A top-of-the-line broom takes Harry's success at Quidditch, the sport of the Wizarding world, to new heights. A cute fourth-year student catches his eye. And he becomes close with the new Defense of the Dark Arts teacher, who was a childhood friend of his father.

Yet despite the relative safety of life at Hogwarts and the best efforts of the dementors, the threat of Sirius Black grows ever closer. But if Harry has learned anything from his education in wizardry, it is that things are often not what they seem.

Tragic revelations, heartwarming surprises, and high-stakes magical adventures await the boy wizard in this funny and poignant third installment of the beloved series.
 


     



Not too long ago, I started a literary project -- re-reading the entire Harry Potter series, in order to then get to the newest HP book: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. And what an enjoyable project this is!!

I can definitely say that this third volume in the series is my favorite of the seven written by Rowling. For me, it's the most satisfying, in terms of human relationships. For example, we get to know Hagrid much better, and see what a truly gentle, kind soul he is. He's one of my favorite characters! Hagrid has a soft spot for creatures commonly considered monsters by the magical community in the HP universe, but he somehow finds their good side, caring for them all, no matter how dangerous they might seem to be.

In this installment, we also see how the friendship of the three main characters -- Harry, Hermione, and Ron, becomes stronger than ever. They have are now staunch allies, and it's wonderful to experience how they work together as a team, although Harry is the one Rowling focuses on the most, since he's the hero of the entire series.

I also love a new character -- Remus Lupin, the most recent Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. He's just as wonderful as Hagrid! He's not only a great teacher, but also a compassionate, kind person. Furthermore, he relates to Harry just as a father would. The reason for this becomes very clear later on in the novel. Lupin even defends and protects Harry when Snape catches Harry with a potentially dangerous magical artifact. Anybody who does something like that gets KUDOS, in my book!

Another fascinating -- as well as rather comical --  new character is Professor Sybill Trelawney, the Divination teacher. The portions of the book dealing with her made me laugh. In the movie, the character was masterfully played by Emma Thompson, who got the professor's 'ditzyness' just right! Professor Trelawney came across as melodramatic and very eccentric, and her way of teaching the Divination classes was guaranteed to make anyone think that Divination is an entirely ridiculous subject to attempt studying. I believe that this character and her silly posturings were Rowling's way of poking fun at the whole thing. Trelawney did provide some much-needed comic relief, though, just as Professor Lockhart did in the previous book, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. I was, therefore, actually scared when Trelawney unexpectedly entered into a trance one day, and gave an actual prophecy!

This is also the book in which Sirius Black, a convicted murderer just escaped from the infamous prison of Azkaban, is introduced. He seems to be after Harry, too, which creates a lot of suspense. We don't actually get the whole scoop on him until much later in the book. Rowling is to be congratulated for making this reader practically chew her nails until the truth came out!

There are also several fascinating, very imaginative magical concepts introduced in this novel: the Time Turner, which enables its user to go back in time to a specified date and hour, pinpointing it down to the last second, the Marauder's Map, which tracks the movements of anyone inside Hogwarts School, and the Dementors, who are the guardians of Azkaban.

These Dementors are very creepy creatures that suck all the hope and positive feelings out of those who are unfortunate enough to come in contact with them. After such an encounter, the one sure-fire remedy is to eat some chocolate -- as soon as possible, too! I LOVE that!!

I also loved the introduction of a new magical creature -- a hippogriff. This is an animal that has the front quarters of an eagle, and the hindquarters of a horse. This wonderfully strange animal actually becomes a very important part of the plot of this novel, engaging the magical talents of Harry, Hermione, and Ron in a very imaginative way! Of course, Hagrid is extremely fond of him; he has named the creature "Buckbeak". The whole situation regarding the hippogriff also added to my enjoyment of the novel!

As usual, everything in this book is just BRILLIANT. Rowling makes sure that every detail she mentions in the novel is important, as it will inevitably relate to something else in the plot.  Not only is Buckbeak important for his own sake, but for Hagrid's, as well. Furthermore, his fate is linked to that of another, innocently accused character.

The plot has all of Rowling's signature twists and turns, all of her masterful, fascinating suspenseful events. I felt as if I were reading this book for the very first time, instead of my second! (Of course, there are future re-readings in store!) This is the literary magic that J.K. Rowling is so famous for! She not only keeps us readers on the edge of our seats, but also immerses us so completely in her imaginary world, we really do think, while we're reading, that the whole thing is real! Thus, I know that all of us Potterheads feel pretty sad when one of the books ends.....or one of the movies, for that matter, because we're addicted to those, as well!

In short, I LOVE the world, the characters, the magical concepts, and....well, EVERYTHING about these books!! I would LOVE to meet all of these people in person!! And I don't mean the actors, but the fictional characters themselves! I would LOVE to be a student at this WONDERFUL school known as Hogwarts! I would LOVE to wear the GORGEOUS Gryffindor uniform (because I would NEVER want to be anything but a Gryffindor!), to play Quidditch with Harry and the gang, to be able to visit Diagon Alley and get my very own Firebolt, as well as my own white owl!! And I want to visit Hogsmeade, and have fun with the Weasley twins, and meet Dumbledore, whom I ADORE, and Hagrid, whom I would LOVE to hug, and Harry, Hermione, and Ron, with whom I'd LOVE to go off on adventures.....

I can't say enough WONDERFUL things about this novel, or this series!! If only I could go to Platform 9 3/4, and get on the Hogwarts Express..... 



MY RATING:







Rowling was born to Peter James Rowling, a Rolls-Royce aircraft engineer, and Anne Rowling (née Volant), on 31 July 1965 in Yate, Gloucestershire, England, 10 miles (16 km) northeast of Bristol. Her mother Anne was half-French and half-Scottish. 

Although she writes under the pen name J.K. Rowling (pronounced like rolling), her name when her first Harry Potter book was published was simply Joanne Rowling. Anticipating that the target audience of young boys might not want to read a book written by a woman, her publishers demanded that she use two initials, rather than her full name. As she had no middle name, she chose K as the second initial of her pen name, from her paternal grandmother Kathleen Ada Bulgen Rowling. She calls herself Jo and has said, "No one ever called me 'Joanne' when I was young, unless they were angry."

The Harry Potter series has won worldwide fame, as well as many awards. The movies based on the novels have also achieved great acclaim. The first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, was published in 1997, and the last, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, was released in 2007.

Here is a list of literary awards won by this novel:  Bram Stoker Award for Best Work for Young Readers (1999), Hugo Award Nominee for Best Novel (2000), Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel (2000),  Whitbread Award for Children's Book of the Year (1999), Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children's Literature  (2008), Smarties Prize (1999), Books I Loved Best Yearly (BILBY) Awards for Older Readers (2005), Colorado Blue Spruce Young Adult Book Award (2004), Maine Student Book Award (2000), Golden Archer Award for Intermediate (2001). Indian Paintbrush Book Award (2004), Soaring Eagle Book Award (2002), Hotze de Roosprijs (2001)








Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Cover Reveal: Darkwalker, by Kat de Falla



Darkwalker
(The 7 Archangles Series, Book 2)
Kat de Falla
Kindle Edition, 242 pages
The Wild Rose Press
October 21, 2016
Dark Fantasy, New Adult


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31752578-darkwalker




For years, Seamus Bran has been a hermit in a small English town. But when two seers arrive from America seeking the cup of salvation his family has hidden for over two centuries, Seamus must decide whether to protect his blood line or save a woman he's never met.

Adrienne Perdu is a wealthy orphan living in Paris. She has no idea the weekly meetings she attends are a group of Darkwalkers, pulling humanity in the selfless dredges of soullessness. But Seamus changes everything with a kiss. The illusion of her life is shattered when her eyes are opened to the world as it really is, with angels and demons walking among us.

At Mont Saint-Michel, a rocky inlet in Normandy, France the demons attack trying to gain possession of the Cup of Salvation. As Adrienne and Seamus grow closer, the danger of the ancient war between good and evil crescendos to envelop angels, demons, and seers alike. Will Seamus be able to save the woman he now loves and his family's prize possession?


Pre-Order on Amazon!!


Book One -- Click on the image for 
the Goodreads link!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20931705-the-seer-s-lover




Kat was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she learned to roller skate, ride a banana-seat bike, and love Shakespeare. She holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and is happily employed as a retail pharmacist. She is married to her soulmate, composer Lee de Falla, and they're raising four kids together ala "The Brady Bunch". The Seer's Lover was Kat's first book, and she is working feverishly on four different series at the moment!








Cover Reveal organized by

http://yaboundbooktours.blogspot.com/


Shelf Control No. 3: The Isle of the Lost, by Melissa de la Cruz



Welcome to Shelf Control!

This wonderful book meme is hosted by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies! It features books that are sitting right on our shelves or e-readers, that we want to read, but have just not gotten to as yet.
For the guidelines, just click HERE!


Here's my pick for this week!



The Isle of the Lost
(Descendants, Book 1)
Hardcover, 320 pages
Disney Hyperion
May 5, 2015
Fantasy, Middle Grade,
Young Adult Fiction

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22639095-the-isle-of-the-lost






Twenty years ago, all the evil villains were banished from the kingdom of Auradon and made to live in virtual imprisonment on the Isle of the Lost. The island is surrounded by a magical force field that keeps the villains and their descendants safely locked up and away from the mainland. Life on the island is dark and dreary. It is a dirty, decrepit place that's been left to rot and forgotten by the world.

But hidden in the mysterious Forbidden Fortress is a dragon's eye: the key to true darkness and the villains' only hope of escape. Only the cleverest, evilest, nastiest little villain can find it...who will it be?

Maleficent, Mistress of the Dark: As the self-proclaimed ruler of the isle, Maleficent has no tolerance for anything less than pure evil. She has little time for her subjects, who have still not mastered life without magic. Her only concern is getting off the Isle of the Lost.

Mal: At sixteen, Maleficent's daughter is the most talented student at Dragon Hall, best known for her evil schemes. And when she hears about the dragon's eye, Mal thinks this could be her chance to prove herself as the cruelest of them all.

Evie: Having been castle-schooled for years, Evil Queen's daughter, Evie, doesn't know the ins and outs of Dragon Hall. But she's a quick study, especially after she falls for one too many of Mal's little tricks.

Jay: As the son of Jafar, Jay is a boy of many talents: stealing and lying to name a few. Jay and Mal have been frenemies forever and he's not about to miss out on the hunt for the dragon's eye.

Carlos: Cruella de Vil's son may not be the bravest, but he's certainly clever. Carlos's inventions may be the missing piece in locating the dragon's eye and ending the banishment for good.

Mal soon learns from her mother that the dragon's eye is cursed and whoever retrieves it will be knocked into a deep sleep for a thousand years. But Mal has a plan to capture it. She'll just need a little help from her "friends". In their quest for the dragon's eye, these kids begin to realize that just because you come from an evil family tree, being good ain't so bad.
 
  
 
How I Got It
I bought this book at the Miami Book Fair. This event  takes place every year, in downtown Miami, Florida, USA, in the  month of November. I attended  Ms. de la Cruz's presentation,
purchased the book, and got it signed by her. I also got a picture taken with the author!! YAY!!!!



    

When I Got It
On Saturday, November 21, 2015. The reason
I know the exact date is because I published
a blog post about my visit to the fair. If 
you'd like to read it, you can access it HERE.  


Why I Want To Read It
This novel has had a LOT of hype!! The plot is absolutely VERY original, and just AMAZING!!
Besides, I'd like to see all of these kids
turn from evil to good. The author has hinted
that they will. And I'd also like to see just
how they're able to escape from that island!




What do you think of this book?
Have you read it, and if so, 
did you like it?
Please leave a comment and 
let me know!







Saturday, September 24, 2016

Book Blogger Hop No. 68: How long have you been blogging?



Welcome to the Book Blogger Hop,
hosted by Billy @


For more information, and 
to find out the topic of next week's question, click HERE.


What to Do

1.) Post on your blog answering this week's
question:

 How many years have you been
blogging? Anything special
you want to tell everyone about 
your experiences?

(submitted by Elizabeth @ Silver's Reviews)

2.)  Enter the link to your post in the
Linky list on Billy's blog.

3.)  Visit other blogs on the list and
comment on their posts. 

4.)  Be sure to find out next week's
question when you visit
Ramblings of a Coffee-Addicted Writer!





My Answer

This is an incredible coincidence, because I'm currently celebrating my Sixth Blogoversary! My very first post went live on Sept. 22, 2010, and I've been blogging ever since! It's been so much fun, too!! 

In order to celebrate, I'm holding an international giveaway!!  Just click on the button below to access the giveaway post and enter! I'm giving away one book of your choice, delivered by The Book Depository, worth up to $15.00!!


http://anightsdreamofbooks.blogspot.com/2016/09/sixth-blogoversary-giveaway-for-nights.html
 

When I first started blogging, I basically reviewed books and published bookish musings. Gradually, as I began to familiarize myself with other book blogs, I began adding other kinds of posts, such as book memes, author interviews, giveaways, blog awards, book tags, and blog tours. Eventually, I had to stop participating in blog awards and book tags because these activities became much too time-consuming. But I continued publishing the other kinds of posts.

As for my blogging experiences, I can say that, overall, they have been wonderful and very positive! I've met some great bloggers along the way, such as Brian @Babbling Books, Elizabeth @Silver's Reviews, Michele & Mckenze @A Belle's Tales, Mareli @Mareli Thalk ink, J-9 @Blood Rose Books, and Literary Feline (Wendy) @Musings of a Bookish Kitty, to name a few! These bloggers have been a source of inspiration to me in  my blogging! There have been many others, too; they're just too numerous to name. I also sadly remember Stephanie @Five Alarm Book Reviews, who deleted her entire blog when she decided to stop blogging.... She did that because it was self-hosted on Wordpress, so, had she left it up, she would have had to continue paying for an inactive blog. But, oh, the loss! I wish she had decided to come back to Blogger, or perhaps started another, free, blog on Wordpress.... She always had AWESOME posts, and I still miss her dearly, even though she dropped out of the blogosphere several years ago. I "inherited" the meme "Shelf Candy Saturday", which I post on this blog on a weekly basis, from her.

I have to mention the authors, as well! Most of them are Indie authors, and they've been just WONDERFUL!! Here are some names, with links to their interviews: Cambria Hebert, Kieran Kramer, Paul Anthony Shortt, Cassandra Lawson, and the "dynamic duo": Clark Hays and Kathleen McFall 

One thing about my blog that many people might not be aware of is that it wasn't always named "A Night's Dream of Books". It used to be named "Twilight and Other Dreams". That was due to my great love for The Twilight Saga! Lol. However, I decided to change the name because I didn't want people to think this was "just another Twilight fan blog". So, I took inspiration from the Shakespeare play, "A Midsummer Night's Dream", and came up with the present name. Besides, what would a die-hard bookworm prefer to dream about most? BOOKS. Of course!

Thanks to the Blogger blog-creating system, I experimented with several templates and backgrounds, until I came up with the present one, which I love! As you can see, I ADORE the color blue!! Lol. The background was created for Blogger by merrymoonmary (that's the name this artist uses, but the page is no longer available), and the template is the Picture Window template, which I customized. The AWESOME header and blog button are the work of a VERY talented website designer named Jennifer Johnson @Sapphire Blog Designs. Her website design button is in my sidebar.

Before I hired Jennifer to create my present header, I attempted to make some of my own. I was limited in what I could do, though, as I didn't (and still don't) know how to work with PhotoShop. However, I did the best I could with another program -- Picasa. While not as versatile as PhotoShop, it will still allow a blogger to create headers and buttons.

I have created several blog buttons with this program, such as the one above, which is based on Jennifer's header. I also created the buttons for the memes "Waiting On Wednesday" and "Shelf Candy Saturday".






Here are some of the headers I created with Picasa, before I finally decided to have Jennifer create one for me. I do prefer her beautiful design!


     




I'm really looking forward to the next 6 years! After all, book blogging has become a VERY important part of my life! I couldn't imagine living without it! It's become more than "just a hobby"; now it's an all-consuming passion, right along with reading!
      
   

What are your thoughts on
this topic?
Please leave a comment!
If you're participating in this meme,
I'll go comment on your 
own BBH post.
If not, I will then comment on one 
of your blog posts!
Thanks for visiting!!!