Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Oct 31, 2011, 11:27 am
Happy Halloween to everyone who celebrates!  I'll be busy handing out candy tonight, but for those of you who stop by, here's a little Halloween treat to entertain you for a few minutes.  My mom turned me onto this, and it is the coolest thing ever: And here's a Thriller one (since that's a...
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Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Oct 29, 2011, 12:27 pm
Hello readers! I wanted to pop in really quick and bring your attention to one of the new widgets in the blog sidebar, especially if you get these posts via feed and don’t see the actual blog very often. Over on the right hand side, I’ve added a widget for my “currently reading” shelf...
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Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Oct 28, 2011, 12:11 pm
Halloween is in a couple of days, and as hard as it is to get my head around it, that means Christmas is just around the corner. One of my very favorite things to do during the holidays is to particpate in Secret Santa exchanges with other book lovers/bloggers. Usually I do about 3 exchanges,...
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Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Oct 27, 2011, 1:27 pm
One of my goals for the rest of this year (call it an early New Year’s Resolution if you will) is to get back into doing reviews on the blog. These used to be my prime focus, and I’ve kind of neglected them in the last little stretch of my blogging activities. There are many reasons why t...
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Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Oct 26, 2011, 1:19 pm
Okay readers, things are almost back to normal, I promise. And I’m going to let you in on a little secret. One of the (many) reasons I’ve been lacking in my blogging lately is because I’m working on a new blog. Yeah, you read that right. A new blog. Don’t worry, it won’t inte...
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Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Oct 18, 2011, 11:10 am
Well, it's been a busy summer for me.  You may have noticed I've been a little quiet lately.  With the 2011 YA Bloggers Book Battle and the 5th Blogoversary both behind me, it's been a good time to take a step back and refelct a bit.  Don't worry though, things are still happening.  I've ...
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Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Oct 14, 2011, 12:15 pm
I had an online aquantance reach out to me regarding getting books for her 5th grade daughter's classroom.  The teacher wants to get new books for a reading group but the school doesn't have the budget for the new books.  So I'm trying to help her out.  If you have any of the books listed ...
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Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Oct 10, 2011, 4:42 pm
What's this you say?  Another 5th Blogoversary Giveaway?  But haven't we already had one?  The answer to all of those questions is yes.  But due to some issues with the form and registration, I've admitted defeat and decided to do the giveaway a different way.  While the silent auction f...
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Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Oct 9, 2011, 11:45 pm
I'm looking for a new blog template... not for this blog though, a different one. ;) Those of you who are bloggers, do you have any ones you've used that you've particular loved? I would prefer free or relatively cheap, since I don't have a huge budget. Oh, and relatively easy to use since I can...
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Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Oct 5, 2011, 4:05 am
Hello everyone!  This is the culmination of everything we've celebrated for the last few months, the 5th Blogoversary Giveaway Extravaganza!  Here is where I am giving away 30 prizes to you, my blog readers.  Cuz prizes are the best part of any birthday.  :) Before we go any further, if you have...
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Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Oct 4, 2011, 1:05 pm
Remember that the (slightly modified) silent auction Blogoversary Extravaganza opens tomorrow (Oct 5th).  If you haven't already, remember to register so that you can start "bidding" with your earned points tomorrow.  Registration must be completed first before you can win any of the 30 prizes.  ...
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Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Oct 3, 2011, 5:30 pm
As I announced earlier this summer, due to a new California law Amazon discontinued it's Amazon Associates program. So although I was no longer participating, I still had the notice on my blog, simply because I couldn't figure out how to remove it.  Today I found out that this law was recen...
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Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Oct 3, 2011, 5:20 pm
Don't forget, today is the last day to complete any of the Blogoversary Challenges for extra points at registration!  The roundup post has links to all the challenges you can still complete. 
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Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Oct 2, 2011, 6:25 am
Well, it is now officially October 2nd, which means registration for the 5th Blogoversary Extravaganza is now open!  Remember, you must complete registration in order to win prizes starting October 5th! For those of you who want a refresher of how this will work, here you go.  30 prizes a...
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Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Oct 1, 2011, 6:33 pm
So I figured we'd make this a round dozen of challenges. Once again, this will be another great way to rack up points to earn prizes. October 1st is a very important day in the kid lit blogosphere. It marks the opening of the Cybils (Children's and Young Adult Literary Awards) nominations....
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Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Oct 1, 2011, 5:24 pm
Well, we're getting down to the wire here.  Registration for the Giveaway Extrvaganza starts tomorrow, so I figured I'd better get up these last two challenges before then.  Both of these are pretty easy, so this is a great way to rack up points right before the end here. As some of you may...
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Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Oct 1, 2011, 4:50 pm
And here we are at the final prize preview for the Blogoversary Giveaway Extravaganza.  Here I am presenting the final 10 prizes that will be given away starting October 5th.  More info can be found on the introduction page, and details will be coming soon.  Don't forget registration on October 2...
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Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Sep 30, 2011, 7:00 pm
If you missed it yesterday, don't forget to check out the first Prize Preview post.  There's some more details about how this contest will work so if you haven't seen it, make sure you don't miss it.  And here's another reminder that these open blogoversary challenges close soon, so this is your l...
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Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Sep 30, 2011, 2:22 pm
Woohoo!  We made it up to 10 challenges!  Now, the deadline to complete these is fast approaching, as most of them have deadlines of October 2nd.  If you missed any, don't forget to check the roundup page which has all of the currently active challenges listed.  And if you're curious about the p...
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Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Sep 30, 2011, 1:15 pm
... Kate and Kristen from The Book Monsters.  The Book Monsters is their newest co- ... remember when we settled on The Book Monsters. We were looking at blogs we ... hunting around through some of her other collections and found these cute little monsters and there were books and ... fun. Try...
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Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Sep 30, 2011, 12:07 am
I was thinking about the upcoming Giveaway Extravaganza that will wrap up the blogoversary activities, and I realized something.  Although I told you how the giveaway will work, I haven't given you any idea of the prizes!  So over the next three days, I will be posting "prize previews" so that you...
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Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Sep 29, 2011, 2:39 pm
Today's guest post is a little bit different. Today's post comes from Katie of Katie's Book Blog. Rather than writing a post, Katie decided she wanted to interview me about this milestone. So here are Katie's questions and my corresponding answers. I hope you enjoy it! What made you decide to start...
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Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Sep 28, 2011, 6:05 pm
I've been thinking a lot today about happy endings (hence the post earlier today).  And you know you can't think about happy endings without thinking about fairy tales.  So here is a totally random, unplanned, and impromptu blogoversary challenge!  One of my favorite things in the world is...
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Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Sep 28, 2011, 4:05 pm
I was looking at reviews on Goodreads the other day for a book I recently read. I was really just skimming them to see what the average star ratings were, when something jumped out at me. One reviewer mentioned that they enjoyed the book, but the ending was wrapped up too neatly and was a little too...
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Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Sep 27, 2011, 5:55 pm
... an idea submitted by Lieder Madchen, and partly from something I saw ... what books they are? 1. The Starving Contests 2. Harold ... site: 3. Exaggerated self-esteem and bigotry 4. Derivative of ... Games, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Pride and Prejudice, ...
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Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Sep 27, 2011, 1:38 pm
Oops!  I meant to post this challenge and completely forgot apparently.  So you'll get 2 challenges today, one now and one later on!  There was a great response to Eleni's guest post on how reading has changed her life.  This has caused my own reflections over the past few days, and inspi...
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Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Sep 26, 2011, 1:58 pm
A series of posts about my favorite book-related things would be incomplete without a mention of one of my favorite things to do with books online: trading. The idea is simple. You post books you are done with or no longer want online. Those books can be requested by other members of the site, and w...
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Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Sep 22, 2011, 1:46 pm
I'm very excited today to host Eleni from La Femme Readers for my blogoversary guest post today.  She is always busy with her blog, ... so take it away Eleni! How Young Adult Books Changed My Life by Eleni from La Femme Readers: Books are my escape. Without them, I'd obviously live on, but...
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Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Sep 20, 2011, 5:39 pm
Today's blogoversary challenge is a great way to earn some extra points by doing something that's really easy.  When I asked Ashley if she had any suggestions for a challenge to go with her guest post, she had told me she was always surprised by the amount of book bloggers who don't use the library...
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Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Sep 20, 2011, 2:42 pm
Today I'm very happy to have Ashley from Book Labyrinth as my guest here at The Shady Glade. Ashley's been a frequent visitor to the blog, most recently as one of our judges for the 2011 YA Bloggers Book Battle. Ashley wanted to write a post about her favorite books discovered through blogging. So t...
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Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Sep 19, 2011, 7:41 pm
In honor of International Talk Like a Pirate Day, we're having a pirate challenge! In the vein of today's post, tell me about your favorite pirate books. They can be about pirates, involve pirate characters, etc. Submit as many ideas as you want. Share your "pirate name" with us to earn a bon...
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Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Sep 19, 2011, 5:30 pm
Ahoy there mateys!  Today be September 19th, also known as International Talk Like A Pirate Day!  This be Anne Calicocash (no really, that's my pirate name) here to share all sorts of pirate-y books with ye in honor of the day.  Okay, so I don't think I can keep this up the whole time, but in all...
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Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Sep 19, 2011, 12:01 am
I hope you're all ready to get your creative juices flowing, since this challenge requires a thinking cap! I'm a bit of a cover art junkie.  I'm one of those people who considers repurchasing a book when it's released with new cover art just to have the pretty new cover (its one of the reasons why...
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Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Sep 18, 2011, 12:41 am
Okay, I promise this should be the last roundup post (I think) for the blogoversary.  Here you will find links to all the Blogoversary challenges.  Each challenge you complete will earn you extra points for the 5th Blogoversary Giveaway Extravaganza.  If you haven't done so already, make sure you...
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Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Sep 17, 2011, 12:31 pm
Ready to earn more points for the 5th Blogoversary Giveaway?  Today's challenge comes from our guest poster from yesterday, Erica from The Book Cellar. Erica's suggestion is very easy, so this is a great way to rack up points.  In the vein of our newly completed 2011 YA Bloggers Book Battle...
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Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Sep 16, 2011, 6:04 pm
Today I'm happy to host our very first blogoversary guest post.  As future reference during this month, I will be posting in green for guest posts, and everthing in black is written by our guest poster.  Just so you know what's from me (Alyssa) and what's not.  Confusing, I know.  :) Today's pos...
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Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Sep 16, 2011, 3:00 pm
Ready to win some more points for the prize auctions at the end of the month?  Well, here's your chance.  Your second challenge is... the Blogoversary Reading Challenge! Throughout this month there will be a series of book lists posted (guest posts, announcements, etc.).  You will get points for ...
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Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Sep 15, 2011, 7:55 pm
Well, here it is battle fans. The moment you've been waiting for. It's time to announce the winner of the 2011 YA Bloggers Debut Book Battle. If you haven't had a chance to yet, take a peek at the Reader's Choice Awards. And then proceed to see who wins. Bracket 24: Out of My Mind by Sharon D...
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Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Sep 14, 2011, 8:34 pm
Thanks to a very observant commenter, I realized this afternoon that I have neglected to post the final winners from the 2011 YA Blogger Debut Book Battle.  Whoops!  It was my intention to post these at the beginning of the month.  Unfortunately, with the delay last week I kind of forgot.  So to...
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Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Sep 13, 2011, 9:19 pm
Well, as I mentioned Sunday, I'm back in town now and things have finally settled down a little bit.  I've spent the last couple of days thinking about how I wanted to handle the delay in the blogoversary schedule, and I think I've finally got things worked out.  Starting tomorrow, the blog...
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Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Sep 11, 2011, 9:49 pm
I'm back in town today, but no blogoversary activities will go on today.  For those of you readers who are in the United States, please join me today in remembering the terrible atrocity committed against our country ten years ago just before 9:00 on a Tuesday morning in September 2001.  Take a mo...
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Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Sep 6, 2011, 12:58 am
I hate to make this announcement, but here it is.  Unfortunately, I'm going to have to put the blogoversary celebrations off for a few days.  We're in the middle of moving my brother into his new college life, and unfortunately it's put me behind.  You know how when you're about to go out of town...
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Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Sep 4, 2011, 7:40 pm
As I'm wrapping up organizations for this month (almost done, I promise!), I notice I still have a few spots left unscheduled this month.  So if you would be interested in submitting a guest post for the blogoversary, send me a quick email to shadygladeATmailDOTcom. You are free to choose any...
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Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Sep 4, 2011, 1:10 pm
As I mentioned in my post about prizes, every so often I will be posting a challenge for you to complete to win extra points to win prizes with at the end of the month.  Well, today is your first challenge. So what is it?  Well, it's to help me out.  I've got some ideas for challenges, but...
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Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Sep 3, 2011, 5:40 pm
So as I was working on getting the last of things organized for the celebration this month, I realized I neglected to mention something.  Just in case the selection of posts over the next month seems random, it really isn't.  I've put a lot of thought into what's happening this month, and decided ...
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Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Sep 2, 2011, 4:39 pm
So there's some pretty cool posts coming up this month, but this is probably the one you've been waiting for. Who doesn't like prizes, right? Well, if you like prizes, you're going to love this month. In fact I will be giving away at least 25 prizes at the end of this month. But of course you're go...
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Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Sep 2, 2011, 4:13 pm
This will be the page where I store links to all the Blogoversary activities over the next month. If you want a page to bookmark, this would be it. :) Blogoversary Post
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Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Sep 1, 2011, 1:24 pm
Well, here we are.  Five years ago today, The Shady Glade changed from an idea into a reality.  Today is my 5th blogoversary.  It is indeed a humbling experience to look back and realize how far I've come in five years.  To be honest, I never would have thought when I started this blog th...
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Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Aug 30, 2011, 10:37 am
Hey everyone!  I know I've been neglecting this, but results for the battle are coming soon.  Just as long as I can get my computer to cooperate with me for longer than 10 minutes a day.... Anyway, the point of this email is that I've sent out several emails about the upcoming blogoversary c...
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Alyssa Feller posted an article on The Shady Glade - Aug 21, 2011, 11:42 am
Voting for the 2011 Book Battle Reader's Choice Awards ends tomorrow at midnight!  If you haven't already, please take a few minutes to submit your votes.  There's been few enough votes that things are really split right now, so more participation is badly needed! Remember, you don't have...
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