News: Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark and their dog Gilbert to lie in state

For anyone who is living in or currently visiting Minnesota and is interested in attending, Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark and their dog Gilbert (who were all assassinated on Saturday, June 14th) will lie in state today, (Friday, June 27th). The Capitol will be open for the public to pay their respects from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM. There will also be a private funeral for Melissa and Mark that will be held on Saturday, June 28th at 10:30am. So, if you can please go pay your respects.

Cause: Los Angeles Fire Department

If seeing all the fires burning in Los Angeles feel so scary and devastating, I can only imagine how it must feel living there and experiencing all this. And the firefighters seem to be doing everything they can but they still seem so overwhelmed. And I'm sure their resources are probably spread pretty thin.

So, if you would like to help, you could make a donation to the LAFD Wildfire Emergency Funding Alert at the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation. I made a small donation, it doesn't seem like enough but I'm sure every little bit helps. So, if you can, please make a donation.

Book Girl Thoughts: Nex Benedict and 9-1-1

I've been reading about the terrible news about Nex Benedict, a 16 year old nonbinary student who died after being severely beaten by classmates in an Oswasso High School's bathroom. Why is there so much hate towards the LGBTQ+ community? It's truly sad that incidents like this keep happening. There is so much hate and divisiveness in this world. From politicians to everyday people, it feels like hate is everywhere. It's so sad that Nex is dead and so far it doesn't seem like anyone has been changed with this crime. The students who did this, should turn themselves in but I doubt they will. I wouldn't be surprised if they will ever be charged?

This is why I have been so disappointed with the executives who run ABC and the 9-1-1 TV series for continuing to have that transphobic actress on the show. Why are they choosing to stick with someone with such a hateful point of view towards trans people? As well as continue to ignore fans' complaints about it?

Anyway, if you would like to contact ABC, you can leave feedback. Here is the link to ABC's Programming Feedback. You can also call, here is the phone number for the ABC Viewer Feedback: 1-818-460-7477.

The Flooding in Libya was Truly Awful

I can't believe how terrible the flooding in Libya was and the number of people dead just keeps growing. This is truly devastating. As of now it's over 11,000 people who have died. Along with so many who are still missing. Not to mention all the destruction of homes and buildings that will need to be rebuilt. I wish them all the best and I hope they will be able to rebuild their lives and their homes.

If you would like to help, there are relief fund set up. However, just make sure they are real not fake accounts which is why I didn't post any links.

New National Suicide Prevention Number

Attention to my American readers here's some important information, starting tomorrow July 16th, anyone in the U.S. can text or call the new national suicide prevention hotline number 988 to reach trained counselors. They will be able to help you deal with mental health emergencies. So, please call the number if you need help.

Video: Mom creates mobile bookstore to share the magic of reading for residents living in the Bronx

I found this interesting story and had to share it. I think it's so cool that Latanya Devaughn created Bronx Bound Books, a mobile bookstore to make it easier for people in the Bronx to get books. Because the sad thing is not every city or area in the world has access to libraries or bookstores. And businesses and services like Bronx Bound Books is something so wonderful and truly needed because it brings the love of books and reading to those who don't access to them.

My New Entertainment and Lifestyle Blog

I love reading, reviewing and promoting books which is why I started this book blog but I also like writing about TV shows, movies, fashion, beauty and other lifestyle and geeky stuff. However, I feel like they take away the purpose of this blog which is why I created an entertainment and lifestyle blog, Truly Outrageous. So, from now on, I will be posting all of my non-book related post there.

A List of Charities to Help the Island Victims of Hurrican Irma

Hurricane Irma pretty much destroyed many of the smaller islands in it's path, with Puerto Rico being a part of the United States, I'm sure it will receive all the aid it needs (at least I hope so). As for the other islands, the people are going to need so much help. I have been looking into legitimate charities that can offer help and a few that I have found were: British Red Cross, Oxfam, Save the Children and UNICEF. If you know of any more charitable organizations please post them in the comment section.

(The aftermath of Irma in the island of St. Martin)

My Heart Goes Out to Houston, TX

I can't believe all the images and video I have been seeing of the flood in Houston, TX. I'm so proud of all the selfless heroism I've seen, there are so many good people out there in the world.

I've seen where many experts are considering this flood to be record breaking with even more rain to follow for the already impacted area. It's sad to hear that there have already been five deaths reported, I truly hope everyone is safe or will be.

If you would like to help, please text HARVEY to 90999 to donate $10.00 to the Red Cross.

My Heart Goes Out to Barcelona (and Charlottesville)

First a terrorist attack in Charlottesville, VA killing Heather Heyer and injuring several others and now another one today in Barcelona, Spain killing 13 people and according to reports injuring more than 100.

It's times like this when you think the world has gone mad but I still believe that there is more kindness and compassion out there. Those out there filled with hate want us to be afraid but I'm not going to let their horrible actions stop me from living.

Words are never enough when something like this happens. My heart and my thoughts go out to the people of Barcelona, Charlottesville and the world. Hopefully one day the world will be filled with peace and love instead of hate.

Stay safe everyone and spread love.

~ Book Girl

News: The Colombia Landslide

Before I start posting anything today, I wanted to say how sad it is to hear about the landslide in Mocoa, Colombia. It's so easy to forget that the weather can cause so much devastation. It's been reported that rescuers are doing their best to help save people but as the death toll continues to rise (right now it's listed as 273 dead) it's just sad to know that so many people have lost their lives.

(Photo Credit: The Guardian)

It was also sad to hear that five died due to severe weather in the southern parts of the United States which were then followed by floods and power loss. And not to mention the people who died in the bombing in Russia and all the other events around the world.

My heart goes out to all the people affected by so much tragedy. Stay safe everyone.

News: Fear and Despair Grow Among Young Britons Over Leaving EU

After I read this article, I just had to post it. Can you image all the stress they are going through wondering how everything in their country is going to change and how it will affect them.

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Among Young Britons, Fear and Despair Over Vote to Leave E.U.

By Claire Barthelemy and Kimiko De Freytas-Tamura for The New York Times

LONDON — As the bands played on at the Glastonbury music festival in Somerset, England, Lewis Phillips and his friends drowned their sorrows in song and alcohol.

“We’re the ones who’ve got to live with it for a long time, but a group of pensioners have managed to make a decision for us,” Mr. Phillips, 27, said on Friday of Britain’s decision to withdraw from the European Union. He said he was now “terrified” about the country’s economic prospects.

News: The Revolution of "Prince and The Revolution" are Reuniting (Video)

Some good news that should add a little cheer for us Prince fans, The Revolution will be reuniting. How cool is that! They may be a little older but I'm sure they can still rock out. I do hope they will have a show in my city. So far no official dates have been announced.

This video announcement was first posted on BrownMark's facebook account. I wonder if Dez and Eric Leeds will also be joining them too. Even though Sheila E. wasn't officially part of The Revolution it would be so cool is she showed up but that probably won't happen.

TV News: Stana Katic and Tamala Jones Leaving Castle Will Not Be Returning for 9th Season

I was recently praising Castle for being one few TV shows that doesn't kill off or get rid of most of their main characters. And now I see that both Stana Katic (Police Captain Kate Beckett) and Tamala Jones (Doctor Lanie Parish) will not be in the 9th season (which so far has not confirmed as being renewed).

ABC has issued a statement regarding both actresses, “Kate Beckett has been a beloved character on our hit series Castle for the past eight years. We are grateful for Stana Katic’s talent and dedication to the series and we hope to continue our relationship. Tamala Jones has also been an integral part of the series and we are grateful she was a part of Castle.“

Let's hope the last episode of this season the writers will not kill off both characters but instead give them a dignified and respectful exit. I'm going to continue to watch the remainder of the season because I really want to see how everything turns out. I'm a little torn because I'm disappointed that both Stana and Tamala won't be returning but absolutely love watching Castle. It definitely will be weird watching next season with both of them gone.

News: Changes Made to Blog

This morning, I made a few changes to the Book Categories/Genre section. I started with removing the Women's Literature category. Those books can now be found in the Literature category. I simply didn't see the point of continuing to make a distinction within the literature.

The second change was to remove the Contemporary Fiction category. Although most of the books I read are contemporary however, I just didn't think the category was really needed.

The last change was to modify the Comic Book category. I took out all of the Currently Reading and Book reviews from this category especially since they are already featured in another section. Everything else from Books of Interest to Discussions can still be found there.

Even though these may be small changes, they will make it easier to find what you're looking for.

Peace for Paris

This is the last thing I will be posting for the night. I was staying in nursing a cold but I just had to write about the Paris attacks. It was so sad to hear about that, according to reports over 100 people have been killed.

It's so hard to put into words how sad it is to hear the all of those people were killed and injured for no reason.

Stay safe everyone.

~ Book Girl

Blogger News: There is a Plagiarist to be on the lookout for

According to the very detailed post Plagiarism, Apologies and Bullshit by the bloggers of Cuddlebuggery (cuddlebuggery.com), book blogger Samantha Reed has been stealing reviews from other book bloggers not only from their blogs but from Goodreads.com.

If you have a moment please read the Cuddlebuggery post and if you know a fellow book blogger feel free to forward the post on to them.

In Remembrance: Yvonne Craig

Artwork: Batgirl by Taliaspadre

Yvonne Craig was a fan favorite as Barbara Gordon a.k.a. Batgirl on the 1960s Batman TV series which starred Adam West and Burt Ward as Batman and Robin. She definitely was one of my favorite versions of Batgirl, because she made both Barbara and Batgirl appear smart and confident as well as showing a mischievous and fearless side.

Reading up on her life, I had no idea she had once been a ballet dancer before going into acting. She was also considered a sex symbol. And away from acting, she was a bit of an activist such as being an advocate for unions, fighting for equal pay for women, free mammograms and more.

According to reports, Craig at age 78 died Monday, August 17, 2015 from complications of breast cancer which had spread to her liver.

Her family released a statement to fans on her website which also included Craig's two wishes:

"Wish Number One, is that her family, friends and fans would know how much she loved them and always treasured her time with them. Wish Number Two, was that no one waste a moment of their time in mourning for her loss in sadness but instead celebrate the awesome life she had been fortunate enough to live. She felt that she lived a wonderful life and was blessed in many ways."

Yvonne Craig's Batgirl was an inspiration for me because she showed that being smart was cool.

News: Amazon marks 20th birthday with its own 'Black Friday' but for Prime Members Only

by Alexandra Gibbs, CNBC

Online shoppers get ready to spend, spend, spend, for Black Friday is coming early this year as part of Amazon's 20th birthday celebrations.

Next Wednesday, July 15, Amazon is launching "Prime Day"; its own global shopping event that aims at offering "more deals than Black Friday", for customers in nine countries, including the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Japan, the online marketplace announced Monday.

Greg Greeley, vice president of Amazon Prime said in a statement that Prime Day will be "one of the biggest deals extravaganzas in the world." The retailer also promises that new deals will be "starting as often as every ten minutes" on the day.

However, as its name implies, "Prime Day" is for Amazon Prime members only. An online service that provides members exclusive options and benefits for an annual fee, for instance $99 a year in U.S.

This January, statistics showed that Amazon Prime had 40 million U.S. members, spending an average annual amount of $1,500, compared to non-members, who spent only $625; according to a report by Consumer Intelligence Research Partners, LLC (CIRP).

Amazon Prime appears to see an increased interest in membership during the holiday sale season. Amazon announced a rise of 10 million additional U.S. Prime customers during last year's holiday season, up from 29 million in September 2014, according to CIRP.

In the U.K. Amazon reported that last year's Black Friday was the British site's busiest day on record, selling around 64 items per second.

James Brooke, managing director at Rooster PR, told CNBC that while the 20th birthday is a "nice angle," it won't steal any limelight away from the biggest shopping day of the year: Black Friday.

"Amazon's clear focus currently is to drive subscriptions to its Prime service and this is a clever way of doing exactly that."

"While the hook of Amazon's 20th birthday is a nice angle, the date of 15th July is also far enough away from Black Friday that there's zero risk of Prime Day cannibalizing one of the biggest shopping days of the year. It's a smart marketing campaign that's going to drive subscriptions, sales and revenues," Brooke said.

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My Two Cent:

I wonder if it's a good idea to have a sale that alienates some of their customers. Recently, I spotted a great deal for seasons 1 and 2 of 2 Broke Girls but unfortunately it was only for Prime Members. I was disappointed but I felt like I shouldn't have to sign up and pay for a program just to get a good deal. I ended up buying it from Walmart for around the same price. Not that it probably matters to them but they did lose a sale on that product.

Do you think a Prime Membership is worth it or not?

Will USA Today's "Save Our Shows" Poll Save Marvel's Agent Carter From Cancellation?

If you want to keep Marvel's Agent Carter on the air (or any other show currently on the chopping block), USA Today's annual "Save Our Shows" poll is where you need to go.

I already took the poll, so here's hoping that this survey can actually keep Agent Carter from being cancelled. At this moment there has still been no official announcement from ABC in regards to whether Agent Carter will be cancelled or given a second season.