The Answers!

Bwahahaha. This contest was great fun. You guys didn't get all of the answers, but it was fun watching you try. (g) Some of them were quite...unusual.

1. This bestselling book received these comments from me upon finishing: I liked the book despite the atrocious dialogue and despite disliking the characters immensely. (It's in the picture, if that helps.) THE TIME TRAVELERS'S WIFE by Audrey Niffenegger -- Kudos to Nina for being the only person to get this one right. (g) I still stand by that opinion, btw. The dialogue truly was atrocious. But the book? Awesome...for the most part, and despite the characters. Good job on getting this because I only made a brief mention of it and never did an actual review.

2. This author co-hosts a video blog with his brother. I heart him. John Green -- YAY, Tara for showing up and making a last minute save on this one. I didn't think anyone would get it and there are honestly times I feel like a John Green stalker. I thought it would be super easy, so my bad.

3. The name by which the author in question number 2 refers to his wife. The Yeti. (The meaning behind this is that she didn't want to be shown "on camera" for John and his brother, Hank's video blog. Therefore, he said there might be occasional "sightings" of the Yeti. And I will attest to seeing her hand a couple of times and hearing her voice. I think someone might pay big money for a picture of this creature, but I'm not really sure. I'm only speculating. Honest. It's pure speculation.

4. I've often told people--both known to me, as well as strangers on the street--that they need to read this book and/or listen to it on audio. It's narrated by death. THE BOOK THIEF by Markus Zusak. Yes. You must read/listen to this book. Seriously. Go now.

5. The number of books written by compuserve members. There are multiple books for some authors, please enter the TOTAL. (Be sure to study ALL of the pics carefully.) (For the new rules, name 'em. We'll do a countdown. There are 20 -- bonus points if you come up with 21, tho. :)) Okay, this is a biggie and no one got them all...and some of you *cough* Tara *cough* listed ones that mysteriously, aren't there... (g)

DEATH BY BIKINI by Linda Gerber
DEATH BY LATTE by Linda Gerber
DEATH BY DENIM by Linda Gerber
MS. ZEPHYR'S NOTEBOOK by kc Dyer
MY LORD AND SPYMASTER by Joanna Bourne
THE SPYMASTER'S LADY by Joanna Bourne
OUTLANDER by Diana Gabaldon
DRAGONFLY IN AMBER by Diana Gabaldon
VOYAGER by Diana Gabaldon
DRUMS OF AUTUMN by Diana Gabaldon
THE SCENT OF SHADOWS by Vicki Pettersson
THE TASTE OF NIGHT by Vicki Pettersson
THE TOUCH OF TWILIGHT by Vicki Pettersson (I also have CITY OF SOULS now, bought after the contest began)
COST OF FREEDOM by Carol Spradling
LORD JOHN AND THE PRIVATE MATTER by Diana Gabaldon
THE OUTLANDISH COMPANIION by Diana Gabaldon (still haven't even cracked that one!)
THE FIERY CROSS by Diana Gabaldon
A BREATH OF SNOW AND ASHES by Diana Gabaldon
LORD JOHN AND THE BROTHERHOOD OF THE BLADE by Diana Gabaldon
SUSPICION by Barbara Rogan (kudos to Nina again, she was the only one to spot this one in the VERY corner of the picture of the desk)

And there are actually two bonus books -- FAKING IT (g) I know it's not published, but there you go. It was there in the picture. And though some of you may not realize it, Beth's book, THE KNIFE GIVER, is there, too. It's bound and pretty, and resting on the 2nd shelf of the small bookshelf next to the desk. It's fairly nondescript on the outside, so you can see even Beth failed to see it. LOL. But NEENER, I have it!! :)


6. Name the two books that have multiple copies shown. (Hint: each have two, not all the same size.) Kudos to Tara for getting one of the books -- HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX. I have both the paper and hardback versions. The second is a bit more obscure: THE SECRET CIRCLE (part II, no less) by L.J. Smith. Yeah, that was a really hard one. (g)

7. This author tells a very convincing tale regarding a certain HP author. According to this author, J.K. Rowling has kidnapped Alan Rickman and is holding him hostage in her basement. I'm not sure why. At any rate, name two books I own by this author. Extra points if you can get them all. Kudos to Tara for getting the author -- Maureen Johnson. I still have no idea why she's spreading these stories, but I'm sure there must be a high foundation of truth involved. FREE ALAN RICKMAN, J.K. Rowling!! FREE HIM! *cough* Extra points for her books, which no one got: DEVILISH, SUITE SCARLETT, THE BERMUDEZ TRIANGLE, 13 LITTLE BLUE ENVELOPES, and LET IT SNOW, which contains a short by Maureen, one from John Green (I heart him), and one from Lauren Myracle.

8. This author has a serious affection for Lady Ga-Ga. If she has one aspiration in life, it's probably to be sparkly. Name her book. Okay, this one was tough. Looking back, I don't think I've ever mentioned her affection for all things Ga-Ga on this blog. But I have mentioned her and her book, and I provided some great Christmas entertainment when I had her doing some jigs with the cast of TWILIGHT. Her name is Courtney Summers, and her book, CRACKED UP TO BE is AWESOME. Go forth and read.

9. The movie version of this book starred the great Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine as the little fool. REBECCA by Daphne du Maurier. Awesome book, awesome movie. Kudos to Beth for being the first to answer, though you used alternative methods to arrive at it. *cough* (g) (Little known fact -- Joan Fontaine's character was NEVER given a name. No one ever refers to her by it, and often she's known as the little fool. I thought it was this great method of deperonalizing her and making the book all about Rebecca -- alas, reading du Maurier's bio, I learned that she never named her because she couldn't think of a name, and decided just to leave it at that. Goes to show how awesome some mistakes can turn out to be in the end.)

10. This author just had her 15th book come out in her long-running series. (Which reminds me I need to go out an get it!) Extra points if you can name the lead female, and two lead male characters. Pretty much everyone got this one. My, I don't know how...it was so tough. (g) The book is FINGER LICKIN' FIFTEEN by Janet Evanovich, and the characters are Stephanie Plum, Joe Morelli, and Carlos Manoso (aka Ranger).

11. I, very recently, said I want to BE this author. Scott Westerfeld. (Not Westerberg, Deniz -- though that was very close. (g)) I really do want to be him. Love his books. LOVE love love LOOOOVE his books.

12. Name his books as shown. (1 pt. for each book) I think all but one of these were named.

UGLIES
PRETTIES
SPECIALS
THE SECRET HOUR
TOUGHING DARKNESS
BLUE NOON
THE LAST DAYS
PEEPS
SO YESTERDAY (this one was tucked on a different shelf, which is prolly why it got overlooked (snrk--I know, I know, the pictures sucked big time. I'm amazed you guys got any of the picture related questions. (g))


THANK YOU guys so much for playing along! It was fun!!! :)

Winner to be announced momentarily. (i.e. as soon as I can find paper to do a drawing with.)