Year: 2010

The Evolution Of Shadows by Jason Quinn Malott

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)23 Comments


It’s the summer if 1995 and Gray Banick, an American News Photographer disappears somewhere in the Bosnian war zone.   He leaves behind his  love interest, Lian Zha, Emil Todorovic, his interpreter and friend, and Jack MacKenzine, the mentor who taught him how to hold a camera steady between himself and the worst the war presented.

Now move forward to the year 2000, and Lian who’s Chinese American heritage caused her to bow to her parents wishes and marry another Chinese American.  This union results in a loveless marriage and Lian continues to pine for Gray and search for answers to what happened to him.

Lian connects with Jack and together the two of them meet up with Emil who is still in Bosnia, to see if they can not search out answers together of what happened to Gray.  From here the story goes into the three sharing stories of old times, as well as what has happened to each of them since that fateful time years ago.


This book read with such reality that I admit I went back and checked to make sure it was fiction.  Well written, to the point that it felt so real to me, I entered into this emotionally charged book, unprepared for the emotions it would bring out in me.

The Evolution Of Shadows, while surrounding itself with the story of a war, is more about friendships than bombs.  Sure there is the taste of war among the pages and you do feel this, but for me the war was within the three people who longed for answers; Lian, Emil, and Jack.  Not sure if they are looking for the man Gray, or the remains of Gray, you feel that each of these characters has a longing and a fear of both.

Beautifully titled, these words “evolution of shadows” comes out of a sleepless night in the book.  I love how that was weaved into the words.

Breathtaking and hard to put down, I pushed through the pages wanting to know the answers that each was seeking.  What did happen to Gray?  Would they ever know?  What would they find?  What if he is alive, how will they all react?  What if they find what they fear the most?

For these answers – you will find not from me….. but from this book.

Amazon Rating

Book Journey has updated the 2010 Reading map to include The Evolution Of Shadows

Apparently if you are in the Bosnia area you will not want to miss the ambiance of Zlatna Ribica, a place to have a nice meal and a great cup of coffee – it is described as having the menus written in real books and attached by telephone cords that hang from the wall.

253 pages

Cover Story:  I don’t really follow where the cover is trying to go.  I would believe it is dark to reveal the shadows, but this is not a cover that would call me to pick up this book without first having some information about this book.

I received this book for review from Caitlin of Unbridled Book Tours

Morning Meanderings… Sleeping At The Library

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)78 Comments


Oh!  I knew I should have prepped this post yesterday, but I was so tired….  and I was reading…  AND….. reading won.

So as promised – here is the “rest of the story” about yesterdays plan to be the first people in line for the Fall Library Sale. AND – yes we did it!  Woo hoo!

I arrived at 7:02 (had to stop and get gas, can you believe that?  There are a lot of things you need to consider in pulling off a really good mission and seriously – rookie mistake, not having enough fuel to make your getaway..  GAH!)

My friend Amy arrived shortly after me.

We laughed about our earliness… high-fived over our success…. and since no one was really around yet (or so we thought) we would take a few funny pictures.   I had brought a folding camp chair and a blanket so I decided to give the impression that I had slept at the library.  Amy was happy to oblige by being the picture taker.

Sleeping at the Library

It might have been more realistic if I could have stopped smiling….. BUT it was a LIBRARY SALE, what could I do?


The next person arrived at 7:20 and it went on from there.  We had a great time talking books with the people in line and I had the opportunity to hand out my Book Journey card.  Amy was really hoping for a copy of The Passage and I shouted this information down the line asking others if they seen it, she was looking for it.

I really had no book I was looking for.  I just like to see what there it is and what catches my eye.

The line by 8:20 a.m.

The line by 8:20 am wrapped around the building.  The doors to the sale open at 9 am and they only let in about 20 at a time so the tables do not get too crowded.


The weather was nice so we were not battling any cold or rain.  At 9 am they opened the doors and we were in!  At 50 cents a book, here are my treasures of the Fall Library Sale:





There they are.  My precious. I mean, my books.  They are all books I think I would enjoy reading but the real “woo hoo treasures” of this pile for me was:

  • The Bell Jar:  This is my October Classic book club read and I had yet to purchase it!

  • Garden Spells:  one I have seen many reviews on and LOVE this cover!

  • Precious:  has been on my list to read

  • The Children of Hurin:  I am a BIG Tolkein fan!

  • Summer House:  If you know me well, you know this is one of my favorite all time books.  I have several copies and I grab them up whenever I see them at sales so I can have extras to hand out.  I have never seen it in hard cover before.

SO that’s the last of the library sales until April 2011.  I hit three this year and was told about a big one in Duluth that I will have to check out for next year as well.

Me and Amy

What treasures do you see in these books I chose?

Author Chat with Colin Sokolowski (Author of The Accidental Adult)

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)21 Comments

A couple of weeks back I reviewed a book called The Accidental Adult.  The book which was a sometimes humorous look into growing up was one I was curious about knowing more about our author.  I contacted Colin and asked if he would be willing to share a little about his accidental adulthood with me as well as you my readers and after a round of rock, paper, scissors, he obliged.  (Just kidding!  😉 )

Please give a warm welcome to Colin Sokolowski.

Colin Sokolowski

Colin thanks for coming and chatting with me today.  I have to admit, I was a bit nervous having you here… I mean…. you might spill something on my books or break a cup.  I try to keep a pretty neat and tidy blog here.

Colin:  Yeah, that whole “accidental” adult thing?  It’s not that I’m clumsy or reckless. I’m more accidental in the sense that I have unintentionally joined adulthood. But just to be safe, I’ll use a coaster.


*Whew!*  Thank you.  Colin, how do you take your coffee?


Colin:  Black and decaf. I know some adults don’t really consider that coffee at all, but caffeine does a number on me. TMI?


What made you decide to write a book about accidental adulthood?

Colin: I started writing a series of essays that were really personal and more like a memoir. After a while, I realized a theme was developing in every essay. I’m this reluctant grownup, an accidental adult, who still thinks adults are other people, and I’m simply occupying space in their world. As I’d share my essays with others, their reaction told me I was on to something. Now I’m convinced. Accidental adults may be in the minority, but there are more of us hiding underneath a professional, adult exterior than most people would realize. This book tells people it’s ok – it’s even encouraged – to embrace accidental adulthood, and I even give the reader some tips on how to navigate life’s most challenging adult situations without totally selling out.


That is funny how you say that you think adults are other people.  That’s the way I feel when I am at a family gathering and witting with my aunts and uncles.  I still feel like a kid sitting at the grown up table.  How does your wife Kelly like living with an accidental adult?


Colin: I think she appreciates that I don’t take myself too seriously. But I’d say there are many days when she’d like a glimpse at life with a handy man as a husband. Maybe she’d just settle for living with a guy who will always make sure she has a full tank of gas in her car. But in fairness (to me!), we dated for six years before getting married, so she really knew what she was getting into.


What has been a recent “accidental adult” moment?


Colin: I just recently learned the difference between having my shirts laundered and having them dry cleaned. That revelation came about 20 years later than it should have.

Do you have any favorite fictional characters you would love to be buddies with?

Colin: I’m more interested in authors than their characters, and I read a lot more nonfiction than fiction. On the fiction side, I’d love to hang out with Tom Perrotta. I really liked his book Joe College, and he was super cool to me by responding to an e-mail I sent him months ago – especially when he didn’t have to reply. My nonfiction bud would be Rob Sheffield whose latest book, Talking to Girls about Duran Duran, is really fun and funny. I love immersing myself in anything well done like that, especially if it features plenty of 1980s pop culture and musical references.


Colin what is next for you?


Colin: I continue to post blogs at www.accidentaladult.com and I also share news and skewed insights on Facebook at www.facebook.com/accidentaladult. Maybe I’ll write a regular column from The Accidental Adult someday in either local or national media. But I also am spending more time with Kelly and our kids these days. I know that answer sounds really lame, but for me it’s true and it’s really important and rewarding.


It is tradition for me to ask each author I interview to share a little known fact about themselves.  As much as you share in the book, I would really be interested to hear what yours is.

Colin: So I’ve already shared in my book that I used to perm my hair in college, I came close to soiling myself while running a marathon and I once voted for a senate candidate simply because his wife is hot. And you really want me to share more? I might need some real caffeine coffee before I open up any more . . .

Thank you Colin for stopping by today and chatting with me.  Readers Colin has linked to his blog and Facebook above.  If you would like to know more about Colin or his book, these links would be the next stop for you.


Morning Meanderings…. Attack of the Library Sale… Mission POSSIBLE!!!

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)52 Comments


Ok…. before you read this post please humor me by pushing play on the video below.  I will wait here. ……..


It is 6:30  am…. feel free to synchronize your watches.  I am up and dressed warmly, grabbing a blanket, my folding summer chair and I am out the door…. I am meeting Amy at O’ seven hundred.


The Destination:

The Brainerd Library Fall Book Sale


The Mission:

To be the first two people waiting to get in to the sale


Why, you may ask would I care if I was the first one at the sale?  It is something I have always wanted to do.  The doors actually do not open until 9 a.m.  Around 8 am people will start to gather and form a line.  When they do unlock the doors they only let so many in at a time.

This spring when they had the sale…. I lallygagged.   I got coffee…. took my time going through town and when I arrived at 8:15…. I was way back in the line.  WAY BACK.  I was a mere speck to the people in the front… and for the first time in Library Sale history, I was not in the first group that entered the library.  I was in the second group.

Never again.

Amy, who is just a wonderful friend understands my need to be first – at least once.  If for no other reason than I think its kind of funny to be all huddled in chairs, covered in a blanket, like we are waiting to purchase really good concert tickets.  It certainly should be picture worthy…..

So this morning – I have notified work I will be in late…. tomorrow morning you are welcome (and encouraged!) to tune in and see what we accomplished on our mission.  😀

auf Wiedersehen by Christa Holder Ocker

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)12 Comments

auf Wiedersehen means:  Good-bye, farewell, until we meet again.  This is something Christa at a very young age learned again and again.  It was during WWII in Germany and Christa’s family was always on the move trying to stay safe.  Christa’s dad served in the German Army, her mother is left to take care of Christa and her sister.  This book, is Christa’s story.


This book was a look into a sad time of war, poverty, and hardships.  Through Christa’s young eyes, we experience what it was like to be a part of this world that should have been a time of innocence for her.  Christa never knew how long they would be staying at a place or where there next move would be.  Sleeping on beds of straw, and eating whatever could be made available (including a beloved pet horse), as a reader we get a real feel of what this life must have been like.

What I found almost refreshing is that book was not a heavy read.  There are lighter moments of Christa and other children putting on a puppet show, there are moments that made me smile.  What this book was is a read about WWII that could easily be a Young Adult read.

My Amazon Rating

Book Journey 2010 reading map has been updated to include auf Wiedersehen

Rumor has it that Germany has fantastic coffee… while mostly imported – they do brew a good cup.  A place to start for your own taste would be Berhard Benecke Coffee

142 pages

Cover Story:  I like the cover, I think it is a good look at what you are going to get within this book, while you see the girl she is not afraid, she is holding the puppet and smiling.

I received my book for review from author Christa Holder Ocker

Morning Meanderings…

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)70 Comments


I really did have a second post planned for yesterday, but I was having so much fun watching the comments on the morning meandering that I just let it ride.  🙂

I picked up my library books yesterday which were pretty much the books I seen on blogs two weeks ago. So let me unveil these titles :

I believe we are all familiar with the Harry Potter books, and I have been grabbing these on audio and devouring them like popcorn.  If you have not had the pleasure of listening to the book on audio, I highly recommend them.  You are in for a real treat.


Beach Combers by Nancy Thayer just screams “read me! ANd read me now while the sun is shining!”


The Wives Tale by Lori Lansens has a cover that just makes me want to know more about this book.


PREP by Curtis Sittenfeld is a review I read (I wish I could remember where!) and it sounded interesting.


In other life updates, we played kickball last night, back to back games and we won them both.  Woo hoo!!!

Do you use your local library?

Morning Meanderings… the Thrilling Dangers of Blog Reading

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)73 Comments

Morning all!  Hope this Tuesday finds you all in happy places.

This morning I want to do something I have been thinking of doing for some time now, just hadn’t been organized enough to pull it off.  😉

As you probably know Mondays are the big What Are You Reading posts that J Kaye from J Kaye’s Blog kindly left in my hands when she stepped away from her book reviewing to concentrate more on her writing.  I was (and still am) so excited for this to be entrusted  into my care.

I love that many readers from all over the blogosphere as well as from homes all over the world, stop in and share what they are reading.  It amazes me to see how alike, and how different the reads can be.

That said, I have been meaning to highlight some of my finds while I stop and say hi to these “Monday Memer’s”  There are so many good book out there but there are usually a few that stop in my tracks and cause me to write a title down – or quickly reserve it on my online library reserve link (which is always up and ready to go while I explore the blogs.

So…. let me share with you what I found yesterday among what you are reading:



First off, over at Book Addict’s Book Reviews I found this book, Clay’s Ark.

The cover… blows me away.  Seriously.  And the title draws interest….  I want to look more closely at this book.


Then at alita.reads, I found Rebecca.  Rebecca was on my “must read list” for summer.  Um……  last summer.  And I never got to it.  Then I see this review and realize I am still missing out on a great read.  I know I am!

Have you read Rebecca?  Am I missing out on something wonderful?


Over at Friday Friends I found a book that I did not see the review on it yet, but on cover love alone (ok and maybe title) I was drawn to Baking Cakes in Kigali.

I wonder what is in the pages?  I have to look into this one more and am looking for it at my library.


And then – totally not book related…. well, wait.  That’s not true…. over at Booking Mama, Julie was showing in a post a gorgeous bracelet based off the book, To Kill A Mockingbird.  Also on my to be read list.  Also – still unread.  The Boo Radley charm bracelet is so cute and it actually makes me want to read the book more…. you have to stop by and see the bracelet  and there is a necklace too.

Love this cover – can’t wait to read the book.  can’t believe I haven’t yet.


and then ( oh yes, there is more!) I was at Everything Distils Into Reading, and seen Stolen.  And then after that I seen Stolen on a few other blogs too, and knew this one had potential.

Love the cover…. not sure why….


Then at Linus’s Blanket I seen the book Yummy, The Last Days Of A Southside Shorty and not only looked for it at my library, but when I did not find it I filled out the form to request that it is purchased.  This book is one I know will be a powerful read.

Would you, could you, read this true story?


Then finally, at Memoirs Of Life I seen another read… one that I could not pass up.  Left To Tell is another book that drew me right in and I do have this one ready to be picked up at my Library today.

In a word, wow.


And that is what I love about the Monday What Are You Reading and why I encourage  participants to check out a few of the other blogs.  You never know what book might cause you to write down the title… look for it at your library or in a store…. you never know what book could be THE BOOK that you will be talking about for the next year.


Happy reading friends!  I work today, I play kick ball tonight.  DO NOT LAUGH.  Ok…. laugh a little.  It’s my third year on this team.  It’s not pretty.  I am out more often than not… but it’s fun.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)125 Comments

Seriously did that feel like 7 days to you?  I think we skipped a day or two because here we are at Monday again and I feel like it is Friday.  😛

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.  It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I love being a part of this and I hope you do too!  As part of this weekly meme I love to encourage you all to go and visit the others participating in this meme.  I offer a weekly contest for those who visit 10 or more of the Monday Meme participants and leave a comment.  You receive one entry for every 10 comments, just come back here and tell me how many in the comment area.

Last weeks winner (using Random.Org) was:

Jennifer at Rundpinne

Congratulations!  Please choose an item out of the PRIZE BOX and email me your choice with your mailing address as well!   journeythroughbooks@gmail.com


So lets see what happened in my little corner of the blogosphere this past week:


Why I participate in a bike ride for a camp for people with AIDS

I wrote a guest post for Trisha at Eclectic Eccentric while she is away and I played “Housekeeping for her blog”… embarrassing pictures and all….


Review:  White Ghost Girls by Alice Greenway


Review:  Thumbing Through Thoreau compiled by Kenny Luck


The Island by Elin Hilderbrand Audio Giveaway


Review: Between Sisters by Kristin Hannah


Long Overdue Winners Post


I guess not such a bad week.  I have several reviews still to get posted and that is really where I am at right now.

Reviews yet to post:


Summer At Tiffany by Marjorie Hart (this will go up with the online book club review)

Clementine, Friend Of The Week

The Evolution of Shadows by Jason Quinn Malott

Eat The Cookies, Buy The Shoes by Joyce Meyer (book and audio reviews)

Men and Dogs by Katie Crouch  (audio review)

auf Wiedersehen by Christa Holden Ocker

Blind Hope by Meeder and Sacher (with giveaway!)

BUT – looking ahead here is what I have brewing for this week:

I recently asked on a giveaway post for readers to recommend great summer reads for me.  I still want to get my “summer on”.  Hannah from Word Lily recommended Sarah Dessen as that was enough of a push for me to pull this book off my shelf.  This is the only Dessen I own and I have been wanting to try this author for some time.


I LOVE this cover…. I so want to know what’s inside and can not wait to give this book a try!


The book chosen through the “Choose The Next Book I Read” post.  Using random.org, the winning # was 9 and that was Julie at My Book Retreat pick.  I will read this one and pass it on to her.

That’s my reading plan this week.  I have a bike ride on Saturday and Sunday afternoon I leave for a Leadership Retreat until Tuesday afternoon.  I will have the Monday What Are You Reading post up before I go….


Please enter the link to your Monday What Are You Reading below where it says “Click Here”.  I cant wait to see what you are reading this week!

Powered by Linky Tools

Click here to enter your link and view the entire list of entered links…

LONG Overdue Winners Posted

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)16 Comments

*sigh*  Time and again I swear I am not going to get behind on posting winners.  But….. I have done it again.  That thing called life took over and next thing I know I have missed getting this done and I truly do apologize and will try to be better at this.

I have three winners for The Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand!!!!

Using Random.org here are the lucky entrants:

Bookjunkiemom09 Blog

Krista

Cindy Woolard

I have two signed copies of this wonderful book in my possession that I am passing on to two lucky winners.  Using random.org – my winners are:

Laurel

Word Lily

I have three winners to announce for this book, The Secrets Of Newberry using random.org the winners are:

Colleen Turner

Page Inman

Margie

The winner of “Choose The Next Book I Read is:

Julie

Julie picked The Mermaids Chair by Sue Monk Kidd so that is on my TBR and as soon as I have it read it will be passed on to her.

And finally…

My July winners for my monthly comment drawing are:

Tea

Barbara

These two winners get to choose one of my gently used books from my gift box!

and finally –

My number one commenter for July 2010 and the winner of the $20 Gift Card from Amazon goes to:

Laurel

**Note that the August comment giveaway is going on right now (see post on top of this blog for details)


Thank you to everyone!  You all have been emailed about your win!  😀

Between Sisters by Kristin Hannah

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)27 Comments

I was thinking I had not read Kristin Hannah before this read but then recalled that yes I had.  I had read Firefly Lane in early 2009 while I was in Honduras.  I was curious if her characters could speak to me like the ones in my first read of hers did.

Sheila

30 something Meghann Dontness is a divorce lawyer in Seattle and doing quite well for herself.  Clare Cavenaugh, Meghann’s younger half-sister, is a single mom to a five-year old daughter in a small town in the Pacific Northwest who helps her father run a small resort.

The girls, coming from a disrupted childhood of a mother who chose Hollywood to raising her children.  Meghann who pretty much single-handedly raised Clare still keeps an eye on her from afar but finds some of Clare’s choices to be annoying (like falling for the country singer and planning to marry him), but the differences between the girls are all pushed aside when Clare is diagnosed with a brain tumor and Meghan may have the connections needed to make amends in more ways than one…


This was a smooth read of two sisters who lives had become far from each others.  Hardened Meghann had grown up too fast and drover herself too hard to be the best she could be.  Opposite to this is Clare who lives life in the slow lane enjoying each moment.  It takes a tragedy to bring these two together to work out things of the past.

It’s no secret that I enjoy books on friendships and this book is no exception.  Written in a way that seems consistent with what little I have read of Kristen Hannah, I found the characters to be well-developed with life breathed into them.

My only complaint is that the plot occasionally felt a bit stretched, a little too much of several things coming into play that made it feel unreal and took away from the read for me, but was not a deal breaker.

A good breezy summer read.  In the end I closed the final page feeling satisfied and will admit that this was a three kleenex book for me – so do not say you were not warned. 🙂

Amazon Rating

Book Journey has updated the 2010 Reading Map to include Between Sisters

If you are in Seattle looking for a good lawyer like Meghann – or for that matter a good cup of coffee, your stop would be Bauhas Books and Coffee.

Cover story:  I do like my cover, but actually prefer the one I seen online – it is lighter and more summery looking which appeals to me.

I purchased my copy of this book from our local Library sale.