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There are TWO posts today...Sorry about that :)

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Review: The Red Leather Diary

Author: Lily Koppel
Publisher: HarperCollins

Pub Date: 2008
Genre: Non-fiction, Memoir
Pages: 320 Trade Paperback
ISBN: 9780061256783


From Harper Collins:

For more than half a century, the red leather diary lay silent, languishing inside a steamer trunk, its worn cover crumbling into little flakes. When a cleaning sweep of a New York City apartment building brings this lost treasure to light, both the diary and its owner are given a second life.
Recovered by Lily Koppel, a young writer working at the New York Times, the journal paints a vivid picture of 1930s New York—horseback riding in Central Park, summer excursions to the Catskills, and an obsession with a famous avant-garde actress. From 1929 to 1934, not a single day's entry is skipped.


Opening the tarnished brass lock, Koppel embarks on a journey into the past, traveling to a New York in which women of privilege meet for tea at Schrafft's, dance at the Hotel Pennsylvania, and toast the night at El Morocco. As she turns the diary's brittle pages, Koppel is captivated by the headstrong young woman whose intimate thoughts and emotions fill the pale blue lines. Who was this lovely ingénue who adored the works of Baudelaire and Jane Austen, who was sexually curious beyond her years, who traveled to Rome, Paris, and London?


Compelled by the hopes and heartaches captured in the pages, Koppel sets out to find the diary's owner, her only clue the inscription on the frontispiece—"This book belongs to . . . Florence Wolfson." A chance phone call from a private investigator leads Koppel to Florence, a ninety-year-old woman living with her husband of sixty-seven years. Reunited with her diary, Florence ventures back to the girl she once was, rediscovering a lost self that burned with artistic fervor.

My Thoughts:

Oh to be a well-off young Manhattan girl during the 1930s! The art, the conversations, the theatre, the boys, the girls...what an adventure!

The book contains a diary entry of a few sentences, and then the story surrounding those entries is related by Florence. The diary begins when Florence receives it as a present on her fourteenth birthday, and ends with the last entry of her 19th year. The time in between is filled with art, trips to the museum, relationships with boys and girls, and summer vacations.
Florence started college when she was fifteen. She was extremely smart and was quite the philosopher.

There are also some old photos included within the pages of the book, so it is very easy to be transported back to Florence's time, and to put a face with a name. It personalizes the story.

Florence led an amazing life and has very interesting stories to tell. This book is written well considering the information was gathered from extensive interviews. The author, Koppel, does try to connect herself with Florence's story, but I think it's understandable given that she found the diary and was having some adventures herself at that time in her life. Some have said that Koppel compares and likens herself to Florence, but I didn't have that impression. It could be possible that I ignored that aspect, because I felt this was Florence's book and story to tell.

Overall, I liked this book and recommend it to anyone looking for a glimpse into the past. It was a quick, fun, and enjoyable read.

My Rating: 4.25/5


Thank you to Dawn from She Is Too Fond of Books. I won this book on her blog, so please go check her out. There is a lovely website for this book here.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Teaser Tuesday (April 28)

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB from Should Be Reading


She asks you to do the following:

Grab your current read. Let the book fall open to a random page. Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page. You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given! Please avoid spoilers!



Rogue cursed. "You little fool! I do not know what you are at, madame, but if war breaks out over you inability to bridle your hot-blooded lovers---"

"Damn you, Rouge!" she (Renee) rasped, close to tears. "Act now, reproach me later!"

pg 183, Royal Blood by Rona Sharon




I just started this book and the story elements are still being laid out. What I can tell you, is that Renee is a French princess who is sent to King Henry VIII's court on a secret mission. It is early in his reign. I'm not sure what the mission is exactly, but along the way she meets a mysterious man.

That's all I can say for now.


Intrigued? Curious? Want to learn more? I am giving away one copy of this book. Giveaway details are on my sidebar.

It is tough to put this book down, but I do have to go to work, you know :)

OMG! I just try to spread the love :)

I have been behind on commenting on other blog's, but apparently not as much as I thought!

I love reading people's blog's and getting insights into what they thought about books, or life in general. I know if I ever need a little pick me up, I can just visit my blog friends and all will be well.

A big thank you to the following awesome bloggers for my award:


Jennifer from Jennifer's Book Blog

Rebecca from Just One More Page

This is what this award means.."We give and get awards for having a great blog and being a good friend. What I want to award is those people whose comments have meant THE WORLD to me. It takes time to visit a blog and leave a comment ... I wanted to recognize some special bloggers whose comments have made such an impact on me. The “You Don’t Say?” Award is awarded to these special bloggers in hopes that they will pass the award along to 5-10 of their best commenters!"Now to passing this award to my best commenters :)
I feel so loved guys! I hope you know the feelings are mutual. I feel as though I've made some friends in blog land and hope to continue that friendship.
So now it's my turn, who are my top commenters....they are the following:
Naida from the bookworm
Amy from My Friend Amy
Stacy Buckeye from Stacy's Bookblog
zetor from Mog's blog
Wendi B from Wendi's Book Corner
DeSeRt RoSe from Desert Rose BookLogue
The epic rat from the blog of the same name
Please check these wonderful blogs out! You will not be disappointed.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Giveaway! Royal Blood by Rona Sharon


From Kensington Books:


During the annual celebration of the Order of the Garter, Sir Michael Devereaux arrives in King Henry VIII’s court on a mission for his benefactor. The celebration’s endless feats and sumptuous women delight the charismatic newcomer, who becomes captivated by the enigmatic Princess Renée of France. But evil, it seems, has followed Michael to the court. Shortly after his arrival, an unknown killer claims several victims, including the Queen’s lady-in-waiting, and the powerful Cardinal Wolsey asks Michael to help with the investigation. As he searches for the killer, Michael is haunted by disturbing images of the victims—flashes of violence that lead him to doubt his own sanity. Michael soon realizes that the key to solving the crime is connected to both the Pope’s Imperial vault in Rome and a mystery from Michael’s own past—revealing a secret that is so damning, it could forever alter the future of mankind.

Powerfully evocative and steeped with detail from the breathtaking era of the Tudors, Royal Blood is historical storytelling at its richest—an unforgettable tale of intrigue, passion, and danger.


Sounds good, doesn't it? I just started it and am liking it so far.

A big thank you to Anna from FSB Associates for sending me this book to review AND for allowing me to host this giveaway.



Deadline for entries is Friday, May 8, 2009.
Sorry! Changed to Friday, May 15, 2009

This giveaway is for 1 copy of the book. Rules are as follows:

  • Must be at least 18 years old to enter
  • Leave a comment with a valid email address. No email, no entry.
  • Post about this giveaway on your blog for an extra entry. Leave me the link please.
  • Open to residents of U.S. and Canada only. No P.O. Boxes please.

Thanks again Anna :) And good luck everyone!

{EDT: 4/28 Added the post on your blog bullet point}



{EDT: 5/6 With respect to the giveaway, I am extending it a week until the 15th of May. I am not finished the book yet, and not for lack of trying. I really resent having to put it down to go to my day job. Anyway, by the time I finish and write a proper review...therefore the giveaway is extended a week. I do feel a little bad, but hey, it is my giveaway right? Now I know better for next time.}

Musing Monday (April 27)

Musing Monday is hosted by Rebecca from Just One More Page.
Today's musing is the following:

Do you read non-fiction regularly? Do you read it in a different way or place than you read fiction? (question courtesy of Diane)

Not really. If the book strikes my fancy, then yes. One of last books I read, Jantsen's Gift was non-fiction. I tried it because it sounded appealing, and it was. It was different than what I normally read. I read another non-fiction book earlier this year about Madame de Stael. It was a biography of sorts and quite interesting. It read like story, which her life certainly was.

Normally I don't pick up non-fiction because I read for entertainment and to immerse myself in the story. To be transported to another time and place. The few biographies I've tried have not done that for me. Interesting, but a bit boring. One, the story of Ava Gardner was nice reading but I grew bored with it. The pace was rather slow.

I don't read non-fiction in a different way, not consciously I guess. Maybe I don't understand that part, because I certainly don't understand the bit about the place.

Can you recommend a good non-fiction story for me? Something historical but not too dry maybe?

How about you? Do you occasionally read non-fiction? If so, what?

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Winners of Jantsen's Gift Giveaway


The following people have won a copy of Jantsen's Gift :


ruby canary

sharon

christin

tudor daughter

ellie

I will be contacting you for your mailing addresses, so please respond as quickly as possible.

A big thank you to Hachette for providing me with my ARC, and for allowing me to host this giveaway!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Review: Jantsen's Gift

Author: Pam Cope with Aimee Molloy
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (Hachette Book Group) April 16, 2009
Genre: BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY
Pages: 304
ISBN: 978-0-446-19969-8

From the Publisher:

Nine years ago, Pam Cope owned a cozy hair salon in the tiny town of Neosho, Missouri, and her life revolved around her son's baseball games, her daughter's dance lessons, and family trips to places like Disney World. She had never been out of the country, nor had she any desire to travel far from home.

Then, on June 16th, 1999, her life changed forever with the death of her 15-year-old son from an undiagnosed heart ailment.

Needing to get as far away as possible from everything that reminded her of her loss, she accepted a friend's invitation to travel to Vietnam, and, from the moment she stepped off the plane, everything she had been feeling since her son's death began to shift. By the time she returned home, she had a new mission: to use her pain to change the world, one small step at a time, one child at a time. Today, she is the mother of two children adopted from Vietnam. More than that, she and her husband have created a foundation called "Touch A Life," dedicated to helping desperate children in countries as far-flung as Vietnam, Cambodia and Ghana.
Pam Cope's story is on one level a moving, personal account of loss and recovery, but on a deeper level, it offers inspiration to anyone who has ever suffered great personal tragedy or those of us who dream about making a difference in the world.

My Thoughts:
Pam always felt something was missing from her life, that a beautiful house, wonderful family, and great vacations just couldn't satisfy. Unfortunately, her son Jantsen dies which brings Pam, to the very precipice of life versus death. Through this tragedy Pam realizes she is meant for bigger things. After her trip to Vietnam and seeing those children, Pam realizes her life has a purpose: to ease the suffering and help as many children as she can, whether they are in Asia or Ghana.

This book chronicles Pam's expreinces and emotional struggles from both the loss of her son and her journey to the realization of her life's purpose.

"Maybe this is what it had always meant for me to have a life of meaning." pg 111

Pam describes her depression after Jantsen's death so vividly, that I felt as though I had lost a son, and I don't even have children. A foundation was established with donations recieved after Jantsen's death and this is the beginning of Pam's lifes work. Pam's travels to Vietnam, Cambodia, and Ghana are so vivid and full of life, that you feel you are right there beside her soaking it all in. She also gives background inforamtion as to why these children end up in these poor living conditions. From changes in government in Vietnam to the harsh realities of life in Ghana, Pam describes everything succintly. Human trafficking is also a part of this story, in all of these countries. It is a harsh reality that unfortunately exisists.
All in all I enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it. It made me think about my place in the world, and the little things I could do to make it better for someone else. The writing was wonderful and it didn't feel like a memoir or biography to me. It reads like a well told story.

Jantsen's Gifts are many: the foundation started in his name, the realization by Pam of what her life's purpose should be, and the story itself. With this story, the plight of children everywhere will be discussed and maybe a little something can be done about it. We are not alone.

My Rating: 4.5/5

If you would like to learn more about the Touch of Life Foundation, please visit their website
Found this at Amy's place Passages to the Past. This kinds of suits me.

Jennifer's Dewey Decimal Section:
608 Inventions & patents
Jennifer = 05449658 = 054+496+58 = 608

Class:
600 Technology

Contains:
Health, agriculture, management, public relations, buildings.

What it says about you:
You are creative and inspired to make the world a better place. You can work hard on something when it catches your interest. Your friends have unique interests in common with you.
Find your Dewey Decimal Section at Spacefem.com

Monday, April 20, 2009

Musing Monday (April 20)

Musing Mondays is hosted by Rebecca at Just One More Page. Today's musing is the following:

Coming towards the end of April, we’re a third of the way through the way through the year. What’s the favourite book you’ve read so far in 2009? What about your least favourite? (question courtesy of MizB)


Hmm...good question. My least favorite was Portrait of a Lady by Henry James. This was the third time I tried to read it and failed. Just could not get into it.

As for favorites, I have a few:

These three books transported me to another time and place while I was reading them. Very engrossing and enjoyable.

How about you? What was your favorite?

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Premio Dardos Award


DeSeRt RoSe BoOkLoGue has graciously given me this award, and I am very honored to receive it. I may not be one of the "in" kids, but I try to provide good book reviews, and other miscellaneous information for others to read. I enjoy sharing my views on topics, discussing my favorite TV shows, finding out what you, my readers, have to say.

This award acknowledges the values that every blogger shows in his or her effort to transmit cultural, ethical, literary, and personal values every day.
The rules to follow are:
1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his or her blog link.
2) Pass the award to 15 other blogs that are worthy of this acknowledgment. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.
Firstly, I pass this right back to DeSeRt RoSe BoOkLoGuE. She is an excellent blogger. As far as the other 14 go, I find it very hard to choose. I enjoy and learn things from all the blogs I read. I have met many wonderful people, and made some great friends.
Therefore, this award goes to all of you book bloggers who enjoy the sense of community we have and strive to perpetuate the friendly atmosphere.
You guys are the best!

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Teaser Tuesdays (April 14)

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB from Should Be Reading.

She asks you to do the following:

Grab your current read. Let the book fall open to a random page. Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page. You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given! Please avoid spoilers!

I knew the only way I could operate Touch A Life without completely losing my mind with worry was to ensure that we always had a cushion. The stakes were too high to risk running out of money. Not paying the bills for those thirty kids in Vietnam meant they'd end up back on the street.
pg. 133 Jantsen's Gift by Pam Cope

I just started this book and so far I like it. Heart wrenching and personal, Pam is someone who you could definitely sit down and chat with over a cup of coffee. Look for my review in the next week or so.
So what are you teasing me with today?

Monday, April 13, 2009

Jean Plaidy Challenge 2009


I read many types of books: murder mysteries, suspense, romance, young adult, and general fiction. I'm very eclectic. However, I am drawn more and more to historical fiction. I enjoy history and imaging what it must have been like in the past. But for all my past reading, I have never read a Jean Plaidy book until recently. I saw her books at the library from time to time, and realized immediately that she was a prolific writer. Some are stand alone novels, and others are in a series. In any case, I think it is high time that I started reading Miss Plaidy. And what better way than a challenge?


This challenge is hosted by the lovely ladies at Royal Intrigue. There is also a blog by the same name. The rules for this challenge are to read as many Plaidy books as you can in 2009. There are no set limits.

I will track my progress on this page.


  1. Madame Serpent


Feel free to join along or just stop by the Jean Plaidy blog for information about this prolific writer.

Musing Monday (April 13)

Musing Monday is hosted by Rebecca from Just One more Page.
Today's musing is the following:

How do you respond to the comments on your blog? Do you try to email individually or comment on post yourself answering the comments above? What do you think is the best way to respond to comments and do you respond to all of them? Do you feel slighted if you don't receive a response back from the blog owner? (question courtesy of Jenn) {Hey that's me!}



I have been struggling with this for some time now. I read every comment, and would love to respond back to everyone, even if it is just to say thanks. I receive all comments in my email, so I usually try to respond individually. Unfortunately, not all commenters have their email address set up with their profile or account, or they have have it hidden. Then if I reply by commenting on the post, I feel like it may seem I'm only responding to some and not everyone.



When I comment on a blog, I don't expect a response back, unless I ask a question. I know people are busy and all that. I also don't subscribe to the comments because my inbox is plenty full as it is. I just try to remember to go back and check the post.



So, I'm starting to think the best way might be to comment on my posts. This way no one will feel slighted.



How about you? What are your thoughts?

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Review: Madame Serpent

Author: Jean Plaidy
Genre: Historical fiction
Pub Date: 1951
{First volume of the Medici Trilogy}

From Amazon UK:

Sullen-eyed and broken-hearted, fourteen-year-old Catherine de'Medici arrives in Marseilles to marry Henry of Orleans, second son of the King of France. On the promise of a dowry fit for a king, Catherine has left her true love in Italy, forced into trading her future for a stake in the French crown. Amid the glittering fetes and banquets of the most immoral court in sixteenth-century Europe, the reluctant bride becomes a passionate but unwanted wife. Humiliated and unloved, Catherine spies on Henry and his lover, the infamous Diane de Poitiers. And, tortured by what she sees, Catherine becomes dangerously occupied by a ruthless ambition destined to make her the most despised woman in France: the dream that one day the French crown will be worn be a Medici heir ...

My Thoughts:

This was my first Plaidy book and I enjoyed it. At first I thought it was dragging along, but once I remembered this was book one of the trilogy, it all made sense. This book re-imagines the events that eventually shaped Catherine de Medici into the woman she would become. Catherine went to France wide eyed and innocent and quickly became disillusioned. Although she loved her new father, Francis I, and his court, she never gained the courts full acceptance. Catherine was on excellent terms with the King, but his son, her husband, was another matter.

Poor Catherine absolutely loved and adored her husband Henry. Unfortunately, all of Henry's love went to his mistress Diane de Poitiers. She had Henry wrapped around her little finger, and Catherine could do nothing about it. But Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. In her own quiet way, Catherine agitates her enemies, in the shadows, no one is the wiser, until it is too late.

Plaidy's descriptions of court dress, and festivities are delightful. I can just imagine the jewel encrusted gowns and entertainments at the court. I can also feel Catherine's pain. What was most interesting to me, was the power women held in the French court. The Queen to a certain extent and most of all the mistresses. Men and women were considered equals, for the most part, not like the English courts I have read so much about. I don't know if this was a result of Francis I, or it was the norm. I'll have to research this.
All in all an enjoyable book and I look forward to book two.

My Rating: 4/5

Challenges: Jean Plaidy Challenge 2009, Library Challenge 2009

Friday, April 10, 2009

Giveaway! Jantsen's Gift

Hello my wonderful and dear readers. I am proud to announce my very first giveaway here at Jenny loves to read. This giveaway is courtesy of Anna over at Hachette. She has graciously given me 5 copies of this wonderful book to giveaway. Contest rules are at the bottom of the post. Good Luck!



Jantsen's Gift: A True Story of Grief, Rescue, and Grace

Nine years ago, Pam Cope owned a cozy hair salon in the tiny town of Neosho, Missouri, and her life revolved around her son's baseball games, her daughter's dance lessons, and family trips to places like Disney World. She had never been out of the country, nor had she any desire to travel far from home. Then, on June 16th, 1999, her life changed forever with the death of her 15-year-old son from an undiagnosed heart ailment.

Needing to get as far away as possible from everything that reminded her of her loss, she accepted a friend's invitation to travel to Vietnam, and, from the moment she stepped off the plane, everything she had been feeling since her son's death began to shift. By the time she returned home, she had a new mission: to use her pain to change the world, one small step at a time, one child at a time. Today, she is the mother of two children adopted from Vietnam. More than that, she and her husband have created a foundation called "Touch A Life," dedicated to helping desperate children in countries as far-flung as Vietnam, Cambodia and Ghana.

Pam Cope's story is on one level a moving, personal account of loss and recovery, but on a deeper level, it offers inspiration to anyone who has ever suffered great personal tragedy or those of us who dream about making a difference in the world.

Deadline for entries is midnight Friday, April 24, 2009.

Contest Rules:

  1. Leave me a comment on this post with your email address. No email = no entry.
  2. Another entry if you post about this contest on your blog. Please leave me a link so I can check it out.
  3. Sorry, but only residents of the US or Canada are eligible to win; no PO boxes, please.

Again a big thank you to Anna from Hachette for this giveaway.

Good Luck!

Thursday, April 9, 2009

LOST Challenge: "Dead is Dead"


Excellent episode! Just excellent.

First off, I'm guessing if you leave the island on a continual basis you age. Because Widmore is aging at a nice, slow, pace versus Richard who looks the same throughout this whole saga. I'm still uncertain if Widmore is completely evil or not. He claims he was protecting the island, however I would like to know what exactly got him voted off the island. When is the episode with Widmore's whole story going to air? That will be interesting.

Oh Ben...you were kind of scared out of your wits a wee bit here and there, weren't you. Loved it! The man really does deserve an Emmy because his acting on this show is phenomenal. To me, love him or hate him, Ben is the lead actor/character on the show, because everything eventually circles backs to him and his actions. Anyway, do you really think he will heed Alex and follow Locke hook line and sinker? I'm not sure, although I think it will be in his best interests to follow Locke.

Thank goodness Desmond and Penny are well. I really thought for a minute there, that Penny was going to get hurt or Charlie might be kidnapped. Yea for not killing off good people.

And as far as the survivors of Ajira, can you say coo-coo? I wonder if the whispers made them crazy like the French people. Poor Lapidus is just trying to be nice and do the right thing. Not sure if he is going to be around for long.

Well that's all I'm pondering right now. Next week's episode has me waiting impatiently :)

So what do you think? I know someone has more insights than I do.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Teaser Tuesday (April 7)

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB from Should Be Reading.


She asks you to do the following:


Grab your current read. Let the book fall open to a random page. Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page. You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given! Please avoid spoilers!



"Painted--played piano--read Baudelaire--and saw Manny. But I couldn't resist thinking about that girl--!
Invited that girl--Pearl is her name--to tea next Thursday afternoon--I hope I'm not disappointed--with her voice, I shouldn't be."
pg. 173 The Red Leather Diary by Lily Koppel




Very interesting book so far!

Monday, April 6, 2009

Review: Blue Diablo

Author: Ann Aguirre
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Pub Date: April 7, 2009

Teaser from the author's website:
Right now, I’m a redhead. I’ve been blonde and brunette as the situation requires, though an unscheduled color change usually means relocating in the middle of the night. So far, I’m doing well here. Nobody knows what I’m running from. And I’d like to keep it that way…

Eighteen months ago, Corine Solomon crossed the border to Mexico City, fleeing her past, her lover, and her “gift”. Corine, a handler, can touch something and know its history—and sometimes, its future. Using her ability, she can find the missing—and that’s why people never stop trying to find her. People like her ex, Chance…

Chance, whose uncanny luck has led him to her doorstep, needs her help. Someone dear to them both has gone missing in Laredo, Texas, and the only hope of finding her is through Corine’s gift. But their search may prove dangerous as the trail leads them into a strange dark world of demons and sorcerers, ghosts and witchcraft, zombies—and black magic…

My Thoughts:

I have been sitting here wasting time trying to write a perfect review because I enjoyed this book so much. Lets be real people...I loved this book! It was an excellent read with a great mix of mystery, suspense, action, supernatural elements, and some romance thrown in. Actually romantic interest might be a better description since Chance and Corine share a romantic past and their future is a bit cloudy. They are a couple who work well together and care deeply for each another, yet can't seem to make it work. If they would just throw caution to the wind and say what they feel, then who knows what could happen. Lets just say it would be hot.
I absolutely adore Corine. She doesn't consider herself pretty enough to be with Chance, and thinks her sense of hippie or eclectic style does not mesh well with the smooth and suave style of Chance. Corine is sarcastic and realistic about things, except when it comes to herself, and that's probably because of events in her past. She is humble and does not give herself enough credit; she does not realize how much power she truly has. Corine is likable and realistic. She is someone I could relate to, except for her paranormal ability of course.
The paranormal events in the story are excellent and the southwestern setting only enhances the supernatural theme. The supporting cast of characters are just as likable and lovable as Chance and Corine as well.
Overall an excellent blend of paranormal and urban fiction. There were certainly some plot twists that were unexpected and kept me guessing until the end. And the ending is obviously not the complete end since there are two more books planned.
I am definitely can't wait to get my hands on those.

My Rating: 5/5

What can I say? I really enjoyed it and was sorry it was over....for now.
A big thanks to the gals over at The Book Smugglers for hosting the contest that allowed me to win this book. Make sure you go and check them out sometime. And don't forget Ann's blog also. She has a free excerpt of Blue Diablo up over there, so go check it out. You will not be disappointed.

Musing Monday (April 6)

Musing Monday is hosted by Rebecca from Just One more Page. Today's musing is the following:



As a follow up to last week's question, Joseph asked how you keep track of your tbr list. Do you have a paper list or on your computer? Do you take it with you when you go shopping? How do you decide what gets added to it?


Great question. I have a paper TBR and an electronic TBR on Good Reads. Unfortunately, they are not exactly the same. I tend to add things to both, which is not a great idea. I should keep one and stick with it. The paper one I keep in a folder in my tote bag I carry to work. That's when I usually go to the bookstore or library, on my lunch. And just because I have my list with me, doesn't mean I stick to it. Pretty book covers tend to distract me, and more than once I have visited the library with a list, and come home with entirely different books.
I add any books I want to read, or need to read for challenges. Also, all of these wonderful books I read about on all your blogs. I mean it when I say added to my TBR.
Thanks guys :)

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Review: The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing

Author: Melissa Bank


Hailed by critics as the debut of a major literary voice, The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing has captivated readers and dominated bestseller lists. Generous-hearted and wickedly insightful, it maps the progress of Jane Rosenal as she sets out on a personal and spirited expedition through the perilous terrain of sex, love, relationships, and the treacherous waters of the workplace. With an unforgettable comic touch, Bank skillfully teases out universal issues, puts a clever, new spin on the mating dance, and captures in perfect pitch what it's like to be a young woman coming of age in America today.


My Thoughts:

I had no idea this book was a collection of short stories. Which is fine, but I would have liked to have known that going in. I have a different mind set when reading short stories or novellas than I do a full length book.

The stories themselves were alright. Two of the stories didn't fit with the others, because they did not feature Rosenal. Both of these stories were very good, and one of them left me wanting more. The stories featuring Rosenal were okay. The stories revolved around the men in her life and her relationships with them: father, brother, and two boyfriends.

The last story kind of tidied everything up, and left a happy ending. A little too tidy and perfect if you ask me. The last story is titled the same as the book, "Girls' Guide..." This title is actually the title to a book Rosenal buys and follows, for a while, in order to find a man. This story did not seem to go with the rest of the book, and actually felt cliche.

The stories were a bit too choppy for me. Short, sweet, to the point. Rosenal was funny and sarcastic sometimes, but I am still not sure what I was supposed to get out of this book.
My book club was not sure either.

My Rating: 3/5

I think Bank does have promise but that her writing is just not my thing.
Challenges: My Friend Amy's Book Challenge 2009

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Some random thoughts on a Saturday night

The last part of the week was really busy for me, hence no blogging or reviewing. Work has been insanely busy with a big project that must be turned around in 30 days. AHHH! As my boss goes crazy, dragging us along for the ride on the crazy train.
So, I apologize for no content. I hope to write some reviews tomorrow and get them up during the week. Definitely doable. As for the remainder of my exciting Saturday night, there is some knitting and book reading to be done.
Enjoy your evening folks :)

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Spooky scary....

Stumbled across this book today in a newsletter from Little, Brown School (division of Hachette)

This is a YA book that according to the description:

The Devouring is an engrossing tale of terror that will have you wondering: what if your worst fears became your living nightmare?

This is a link to the full scoop.
I am so adding this to my neverending TBR.