Month: September 2009

CSN Bookshelf Review

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)19 Comments

The CSN Bookshelf that was offered to me for review arrived last Thursday.  This afternoon I finally had time to put it together and try it out!

I have put together many bookshelves in my life and had interesting results after sometimes hours of figuring out the directions.  I was thrilled to see that this shelf was not in too many pieces and I easily put it together in 15 minutes.  Love the color and it looks wonderful in the reading room!  Check out CSN Office Furniture for your furniture needs!  They have free shipping on almost everything.

It’s Monday… What Are You Reading?

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)15 Comments

Monday what are you readingThis is the fun meme from J Kaye’s Book Blog.  I am currently finishing up Stray Affections by Charlene Ann Baumbich.  I am on tour with this book later this week.

I have a busy week with book club tomorrow evening (BONFIRE  POTLUCK – OH YEAH!) as we review the wonderful Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross.  I work all week and this weekend is the 150 mile 2 day bike ride I am doing with my cousin.  With all this, I am keeping my reading plans for the week a little low as I am not sure when I am going to fit a lot of reading in.

Here is my tiny TBR for the week.

  • NORTH!  Or Be Eaten is a book I have held off reading as I have waited for the tour to come up and like a book to be fresh in my mind.  I have a giveaway coming with this review as well!
  • Dreaming Anastasia is also a blog tour coming up
  • The Sister Pact I received from the author and that is my bonus book this week that I hope I get to!  I am anxious to read this one as well!

Over the weekend when Al and I traveled NORTH!  (Not to be eaten – but to go to our cabin….LOL) we started listening to the book on CD of Green by Ted Decker, his newest which while it is a prequel to The Circle Trilogy, (which I have two of the three of these books and have not read them – Black, red, White) I was told that this one was actually encouraged to be read first if you had not read the others yet as it is the begining and the end.  Hmmmm….. interesting.

However riding in the jeep is loud and it was a struggle to follow this deep book on audio and as it switches between worlds by the end of CD two, Al and I had switched it up for James Patterson’s Swimsuit which I have to admit, is much better than I thought it was going to be and I am actually anjoying it!

There it is.  The plan for the week.  If you would like to be a part of this weekly meme, create your own post of what you are reading and be sure to link it back to J Kaye’s Book Blog.

In My Mailbox

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)18 Comments

I was really hoping to get this post up last night (In My Mailbox is the wonderful weekly meme hosted by Story Siren)but by the time I got home from running all weekend and then two events last night… I was way too tired.  Today I am hoping to lay low a bit and get caught up on posts and reviews for this week!  Here is what showed up in my mailbox the past 7 days:

The Evolution of Shadows is one that as soon as I read what it was about, I had to jump in for a review copy:  This book is about a news photographer that disappeared in July 1995 while he was working on the Bosnian War Zone.  5 Years later his closest friends gather to try to find out what happened to him.

31 Hours is another one that caught me by surprise…. Jonas is isolated in a New York apartment and on a devastating and confusing pasth towards violence.  His mother and girlfriend have 31 hours to reach him.

Too Many Visitors for One Little House is a children’s read about crabby neighbors, new family, and a reunion that all teaches about the importance of being included.

Defining Twilight just seems interesting to me.  In this book Brian Leaf takes the movie Twilight and uses it to show you how to improve your SAT, GED,ACT or SSAT exams.  Now granted, I am not in school… yet I wanted to know more about this book…. and hey, I am always up for learning something new!

If God is Good is written by Randy Alcorn and if you have not read him – I recommend him…. if you have read him… I do not need to say any more as you already know what an amazing writer he is!  I think I have read just about everything this man has written and if I havent read it, it is on my shelf to be read.  I am excited to have this beautiful hard cover book!

The Man Who Loved Books Too Much.… This has to do with books…seriously, do I need to say more?  LOL.  Actually this is a true story of a thief… actually a real book thief, who stole rare books.  I am excited to not only read this but I am curious about the books that drew him to a life of crime.

Cleopatra’s Daughter in all her glory…. this beautiful hard cover book just draws me.  I cant wait to dive into this one!

Defenders of The Scroll was offered to me by the author and as I am sitting here typing with this book beside me, I have to comment on the great graphics within the pages and the paged themselves written like scrolls.

The Eight I won from Nicola’s Book Blog.  I have heard about this book on several blogs and it sounds wonderful!  Compared to the mysteries you find in The Davinchi Code, if this book is anything like that I will be over the top excited!

The Cinderella Society I won from You 2.0 (author Kay Cassidy’s blog) and I want to seriously scream like a little girl!  I have read Kay’s blog since 2.0 came about and enjoy her posts so I a super excited to read her book!

Grief Journey is a book loaned to me by our “up North” neighbor Judy.  Judy lives across the road from our cabin and while enjoying BLT’s (tomatoes out of her garden on homemade oat bread!) she offered me to read this book on a Minnesota author that her and her husband Tom know well.  As I was thinking of a way to politely decline (visions of my TBR mountain) I noticed the author had done missions in Honduras.  NOt only missions in Honduras – but missions in Talanga Honduras which is where I do missions in Honduras!  So…. needless to say… I will be reading the book.  😉

So there it is!  The additions to my library this week.  Later today I will post my “It’s Monday, what are you reading?” and work on getting things back to norm around here!

Lots of things to post this week – new giveaways and new winners as well so stop back often – the coffee is on and cinnamon rolls are fresh from the oven!





Home From Camping

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)11 Comments

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I arrived back home this afternoon and then had a 50th wedding anniversary for my aunt and uncle, followed by a bonfire with friends.  I am exhausted – but excited to share with you the great reads I completed this weekend and what arrived in my mailbox this past week.

All of this will have to wait until Monday as I am so tired out!  Lots of info coming your way – this should be a great week!  Come back often!  🙂

The Sign For Drowning by Rachel Stolzman

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)9 Comments

My heart broke for a young girl who carried too much… and I rejoiced for the young woman, who learned to love again. ~ Sheila

Anna has grown up haunted by her younger sister’s death. In the life she constructs as a barrier against the emotional sign4drowning-cvrwreckage of her family tragedy, Anna settles comfortably into a career as a teacher of deaf children. But a challenge arrives—in the form of a young girl. Adrea’s disarming vulnerability and obvious need for love offer Anna the possibility of reconnecting with the world around her—if she has the courage to open her heart.


Author, Rachel Stolzman sent me her book along with two to give away which I had done earlier, when I interviewed Rachel the end of July.  I was excited to finally have the opportunity to sit down with her book over the past few days and really let myself sink in to what this book was about.

The book opens with what I would think of as every parents worst nightmare… what is interesting is that this books focus is more on how the sister Anna has grown up with the grief of the loss of her sister.

rachel-thumbWith this book I entered a world I have not known… the world of sign language as Anna grows into adulthood and becomes a teacher for deaf children…  even adopting one of the children she has worked with, Adrea.  While reading through the new relationship struggles between Anna (now mother) and Andrea.. I found myself almost holding my breath to see how this would break down the barriers that Anna was still holding tight to in the loss of her sister.

This is a book where I learned more about a world of silence… that spoke volumes once I entered it.

I received this book from the author, Rachel Stolzman

I rate this book PG

Freebie Friday: The No 1 Ladies Dective Agency

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)26 Comments

detective

This giveaway is closed…. winner was drawn on Sept 25 and the winner is Brenda Rupp

Welcome to freebie Fridays, where I post a book for giveaway each week and I annouce a winner the following Friday.This is the first novel in the widely acclaimed series.

A pleasing novel about Mma (aka Precious) Ramotswe, Botswana’s one and only lady private detective. A series of vignettes linked to the establishment and growth of Mma Ramotswe’s “No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency” serve not only to entertain but to explore conditions in Botswana in a way that is both penetrating and light thanks to Smith’s deft touch. Mma Ramotswe’s cases come slowly and hesitantly at first: women who suspect their husbands are cheating on them; a father worried that his daughter is sneaking off to see a boy; a missing child who may have been killed by witchdoctors to make medicine; a doctor who sometimes seems highly competent and sometimes seems to know almost nothing about medicine. The desultory pace is fine, since she has only a detective manual, the frequently cited example of Agatha Christie and her instincts to guide her. Mma Ramotswe’s love of Africa, her wisdom and humor, shine through these pages as she shines her own light on the problems that vex her clients.

For this weeks giveaway:

1)  leave a comment here with the answer to this question:  If you were  a detective… what would you want to be a detective of?  (Feel free to be imaginative and remember, no answer to question, no entry)!

2) I love comments!  Leave a comment on another post (non giveaway post) and earn a second chance for this book

3) You know… I really really love comments so for a third chance, leave another non giveaway comment on a post and I will add another entry

4)  Blog or tweet about this giveaway and leave me a link here for yet another chance!

Have fun!  🙂


Winner Of Mona Lisa Craving!

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)4 Comments

monalisacraving200x300

Before I left for the cabin this morning I pulled our winner using random.org. for the book

Mona Lisa Craving

Our winner is:

winner Dave

Congratulations!!!

Winners are notified by email.

I am out of town until late on Sunday… I am “Sheila unplugged” for the weekend at our cabin, however this leaves a great opportunity for reading time!  :) I will catch up with responding to comments upon my return!

Oh and for the record…. one person guessed my middle name right…  nice job Ryan!  It is Ann.

Morning Meandering….

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)8 Comments

Coffee cup and I are always up for a good read.  Recently I was visiting several of my blogging friends and was stopped short at My Book Buddies when I seen this book that is on my wish list.  Rooftops of Tehran appeals to me.  I love the cover. the title makes me envision starry nights and people seeking the roof tops for a variety of reasons…

Don’t take my word for it – stop over to My Book Buddies and see this book for yourself.  This is one I really can not wait to have a change to read.

I am out of town until late on Sunday… I am “Sheila unplugged” for the weekend at our cabin, however this leaves a great opportunity for reading time!  🙂  I will catch up with responding to comments upon my return!

Weekend to Cabin…

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)11 Comments

** This is a sticky post – meaning this post will stay on top for weekend but new posts will be below!  🙂

We are finally catching  a little break and Al and I are heading to our cabin on the North Shore for the weekend.  While I will be taking my lap top (I am like Linus and the lap top is my security blanket) I do not believe I will have access to the internet unless I actively seek it out!  That being said, you can see here that I am reading ready – even though I have a book case full of unread books at the cabin.

What I am taking with amounts to two blog tour reads for next week, a book on Minnesota, and a couple bonus books!  🙂

While I am away I still have posts prepped to come out throughout the weekend so stop by!  I have a book review, morning meanderings and more!

I will be home later Sunday to post In My Mailbox and on Monday we will tackle the CNN bookshelf!  Yeah!

What are your plans for the weekend?

♥Have a safe and happy weekend everyone! ♥

Sheila

Author Interview with Laura Bingham (author of Alvor)

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)3 Comments

For the last couple of days you have heard me gushing about the YA fantasy I just completed.  After reading the book, I knew I wanted to know more about the author behind this amazing fantasy, Laura Bingham.  Laura and I had first connected in July when she offered me the opportunity to read her book.  I connected with her again with questions after I had finished Alvor and Laura was gracious enough to drop everything and come visit me at One Persons Journey Through a World of Books.  (Ok ok, maybe she didn’t drop everything… but she did answer my questions that I am now going to share with you.  🙂


Please welcome, Laura Bingham.

Sheila:  Hi Laura!  Thanks for stopping by today!  Pull up a chair, grab a cup of coffee, and lets chat awhile!  I just finished reading your book Alvor and loved it!

Laura:  Yes! So glad to hear.


Sheila:  What gave you the idea to write this style of book?

Laura:  Good question with kind of a bizarre answer. The whole story fell into my head about five minutes after I said that I’ve always wanted to write a book- but I didn’t always want to write a book. I still don’t know why I said that or why the story came to me.

Sheila:  Did you have a set audience in mind for this read when you wrote Alvor?

Laura:  I wanted to write a story that captured the elements of my favorite kids/YA books. It was meant for kids and teens, but I also wanted the story to have an element that sucked adults into it as well.


Sheila:  Is this your first book?


Laura: Yes, the first of many.

Sheila:  Well that is exciting news! I really enjoyed how you used twins, a boy (Bain) and a girl (Erin) as the main characters.  Why did you create twins for this main role in your book?

Laura:  That’s the way the story came to me. I even tried to figure out how to make the story not be about twins, but it didn’t work. It had to be twins. It helped that I have my own set of boy/girl twins and could project some of their characteristics into the story.

Sheila:  The word “Alvor” to me just speaks of mystery and fantasy… I look at the cover of your book and knew from first site that I wanted to read it.  Where did the title come from?  Does it have special meaning?

Laura:  Before I started writing, I spent a week researching the elements in the story to build a stronger foundation. That’s when I stumbled across alvor, alva and alv. They are Scandinavian words that speak of old legends. Alvor means fairy, but also the Latin root vor means truth- I couldn’t pass up such a perfect title.

Sheila:  Growing up did you have a favorite book?

Laura:  Growing up I wanted a favorite book. I read Watership Down, The Lord of the Rings books, and tons of junky books about babysitting or freaky girls- but none of them really were my favorite. It wasn’t until I graduated from college that I finally started finding books that I loved.

Sheila:  Do you have a favorite read or author now?

Laura: That’s a tough one. I admire different authors for different reasons. Some for the way they write and others for the way they broke out into the world with no fan base and a small press. I have so many favorites now that I hate listing them.

Sheila:  What is a little known fact about you?

Laura:  I spent a month touring Australia and New Zealand with a college dance team and I performed clogging, modern, jazz, ballroom and some folk dances. Most people put me in a clogging box since I own a clogging studio- but I have spent years doing other things. I coached drill team for a year, have competed in ballroom and Irish dance and have taught ballet, jazz and (swallowing hard) tap. Yes, tap. My Cloggers don’t even know that about me.


Sheila:  Wow!  Thanks for sharing that!  Without giving too much away, the ending of this book left a sense of more to come.  Is there plans for a second book?

Laura: My second book is undergoing revisions and editing right now. I love book 2. In so many ways I have liked it even more than the first one. As it stands- there will be a third book in the series as well.

Sheila:  A second and a third book?  Oh I cant wait!  That is such great news!

Thank you Laura!  Your time is appreciated and I hope that many of the readers here will go out and purchase Alvor.  I think this is an incredible read with a bright future!

Lauras website

Lauras blog