Gotta love that OLD BOOK smell

I'm trying to keep my book expenses down. Which is a hard thing to do when all you want to do is read all day long. But, I'm trying.

I'm also trying to not buy a bunch of books I'm super excited to read because, let's face it, I have 4 weeks or so left of school and way more assignments than I know how to finish in time. If I have books I'm dying to read...guess who doesn't get to graduate? Me.

Keeping those two efforts in mind, but still needing to get some book shopping in to keep my sanity, I went to Half Price Books the other weekend.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT I FOUND?!

A really old copy of Treasure Island for only $8...

Can you guess when it was printed? 

I'm still a little amazed by it...

See that?! 1919. 

1919

What the?! How did I get a book printed in 1919 for only $8?

I don't even know.

First page:

I honestly don't know when/if I'll ever read this. 

But you better believe I love having it!! 

I just wish there were some writing in it from previous owners; 

I always find that fascinating.

First thing I did when I realized how old it was? 

You guessed it - 

Flipped the pages open to the middle,

Stuck my nose in it

And breathed in as deeply as my lungs would allow.

Then, smiled. 

What's your favorite thing about old books?

Literary Rambles - Interview and ARC contest!

I recently started following a new blog, Literary Rambles. 

It spotlights Middle Grade and Young Adult books, authors, agents, and publishing companies. Seriously, a gold mine of great information. I want to digest it all and am a little overwhelmed by the amount of knowledge to help me in my (LONG) journey of becoming a published author. 

Obviously, I am not the only one who finds this site valuable, as there are over 3,000 followers!

Today, Natalie Aguirre posted an interview with debut author Kit Grindstaff, including a contest for an ARC of her novel The Flame in the Mist, which is releasing tomorrow.

Here is the synopsis of The Flame in the Mist, as included in the interview (originally found on Goodreads):

Set in an imagined past, this dark fantasy-adventure is for fans of Philip Pullman's The Golden Compass. Features Jemma, a fiery-headed heroine held captive in Agromond Castle, yet destined to save mist-shrouded Anglavia.

Fiery-headed Jemma Agromond is not who she thinks she is, and when the secrets and lies behind her life at mist-shrouded Agromond Castle begin to unravel, she finds herself in a chilling race for her life. Ghosts and misfits, a stone and crystals, a mysterious book, an ancient prophecy—all these reveal the truth about Jemma's past and a destiny far greater and more dangerous than she could have imagined in her wildest fantasies. With her telepathic golden rats, Noodle and Pie, and her trusted friend, Digby, Jemma navigates increasingly dark forces, as helpers both seen and unseen, gather. But in the end, it is her own powers that she must bring to light, for only she has the key to defeating the evil ones and fulfilling the prophecy that will bring back the sun and restore peace in Anglavia.

*Image source - buy it now on Amazon! (Or elsewhere, but this link is for Amazon) :)

The interview is amazing for anyone interested in publishing. Lots of great advice on marketing AND the author shares her story of publishing a book without an Agent! I didn't even know that was possible. I've never really considered writing a middle grade (MG) book, but I am thinking about it now after hearing how much more rare MG authors are. The sooner we get kids interested in reading, the better, right?!

If you are interested in the book, author, or interview, check it out here!

If you also want to be in the running for the ARC (advanced reader copy) contest, head over to the interview and make a comment. You get two entries if you mention the contest in some other form of social media (twitter, facebook, blog, etc)!