Year: 2010

Morning Meanderings…

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)42 Comments


Mmmmmmmm…. Saturday.  This is my favorite day of the week.  Saturdays rarely come with attachments, unless I put them there.  An attachment free Saturday = BLISS.  And that’s what I have today.

I have plenty to do – and plenty I may do…  but nothing I have to do.  Does that make sense?  I can work on cleaning the house, go into the office and work on the Monday project, sweep my deck, take a bike ride….

But for now… I am gathering up Coffee Cup and Lap Top and I am actually going to go and sit and read and blog in the Reading Room.   I have not sat in the reading room and relaxed for a long time.  But this morning is overcast and humid, and that is what I am going to do.

Boxes from BEA are still sitting in the reading room…. maybe today is the day to unpack them and put them away.

I have a review to write on a book I finished last night and from there… eh, who knows?

Have a wonderful day/weekend.  I will be out blog visiting today and I will be around today and tomorrow with no real big plans.  LOVE it.

Choose The Next Book I Read And Win This Book For Yourself!

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)93 Comments


This is the third time I have run this giveaway and the first two were quite successful.  These books are from our spring library sale.  They are all gently used, lovely books that if I didn’t have a little push from my reading friends…. they would sit in the box I brought them home in for a long, long time.

This is where you come in.  Leave me a comment here letting me know which book you would love to have for yourself.  I will choose a winner using Random.Org next Wednesday.  Then that book will rise to  the top of my TBR and as soon as I can fit it in, I will read it and then pass it on my winner.

It’s fun and easy – and a win – win!

I have cleaned up the pictures from last time and these three pictures consist of the current books to choose from:

There they are!  Have fun choosing and good luck!

Morning Meanderings…

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)34 Comments


I woke up to a thunderstorm.  I heard the low rumble that shook me out of a pleasant sleep and listened as the first drops tapped the roof, slip down the windows, and covered my world.

It actually seems to be appropriate today as I am planning to be in the office tying up loose ends and finishing projects for the Annual Meeting on Monday.  It is the beautiful warm and sunny days of late that make me wish I was outside.

So now I sit typing up this post, sitting my Coffee and glancing at the darkness outside that has covered Brainerd Minnesota.  It is really a perfect day for a good mystery style read.

The back yard this morning

Tonight is date night…. my pick.  And I have no idea.  If Al gets home early enough maybe we can do a movie.  As far as where to eat…. I will have to think about that.

One last thing, my son Justin wrote a post for The Heart Is Not A Size blog about his experience with poverty in Honduras.  I would be forever grateful if you could pop over and read sometime today and leave him a comment.  (It would make his day!)

Any big weekend plans for anyone?

New Books In My Home

Chosen: House Of Night by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast (Audio)

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)22 Comments

Zoey Redbird really has her hand’s full.  As a fledgling vampyre, living at the House Of Night, a school for teens like herself, she couldn’t be more stretched.  Her Grandmother is doting, her mother is not understanding this “choice” Zoey has made, her boyfriend …well seriously, that’s a whole other issue, and her best friend is dead.  Or is she?


This audio was a genre stretch for me.  Yes I like YA reads, but I have not  dabbled too much in the paranormal.   I find that if I am going to tackle a difficult story or a genre I may or may not like, audio can help pave the way.  When I picked this one out at audible.com, I did not realize I was stepping into the middle of a series, book 3 of 7, to be exact.

*sigh*  Rookie error…. always, always, check the books (especially YA, to make sure you are starting with book one)

Honestly, I didn’t think I would really enjoy this audio but I wanted to give it a try.  I liked the voice of narrator Edwina Wren right from the start.  Edwina really captures an amazing voice for Zoey.  Youthful, bored, overwhelmed…. I can hear it.  Edwina handles the other characters in this audio with a smooth ease, changing from one voice to the other, in a distinct manner and I immediately knew who was speaking.

I have to admit, I seem to have a preference for male narrators, especially when there is many voice changes.  Women narrators tend to struggle with the male voice parts and it comes off as sounding fake or forced.   Edwina handles the voice changes so smoothly I didn’t even think about the male voices.

And as I listened to this audio that I was not going to like… I started to really like it.  I liked Zoey, even when she irritated me with her boyfriend issues.  I laughed as she struggled with what she sarcastically called “Birthmas”, the combination gifts she seemed to always receive because her birthday was so close to Christmas.   She could almost guarantee that gifts for her birthday would b wrapped in festive reds and greens and a snowman – well that was just a bonus.

There were parts that I didn’t enjoy – for one, too much talk of blood for my liking.  Secondly, too much “sexual action,”, with more than one boyfriend, Zoey does have some issues she really needs to work out.   I can see where the appeal to YA’s would be;  I am just not sure where I stand in the midst of a well read, mostly appealing audio.

So here is a dilemma for me… I landed almost  in the middle of this 7 book series.  They are in order:  Marked, Betrayed, Chosen, Untamed, Hunted, Tempted, and Burned. (Here is a link) Do I back track?  Do I move forward from here?  Or can I just walk away from the series leaving Zoey to the next phase, the next battle… without me?


Book Journey’s map has been updated to include Chosen

When in Tulsa, your coffee stop of choice is Nordaggio’s which is known for amazing coffee and gelato

Cover Story:  I like it a lot.  It holds a mystery and is applicable to the story itself

I purchased this audio from audible.com

Morning Meanderings…

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)29 Comments


I am in a bit of a crunch week.  Actually a crunch double week.  At work, we have our annual meeting coming up on Monday evening.  This week has been dedicated to prepping the annual report, entering survey results for about 400 responses, agenda prep, and trying to keep up on the basics as well.  Going into next week we are planning our annual potluck picnic that this year will take place on July 4th.  This has resulted in meetings the past 3 weeks planning the food prep, and more.  Gah. This too will pass.

So… to lighten the office mood I created a little stress reliever yesterday:

I told everyone who works in the office that it was fair game to whoever needed it.  I just sat it out on the counter and left it.  😀

Today work – blade – and tonight read.  Hope your day is super!

Author Chat with Sarah Pekkanen (author of Opposite Of Me)

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)32 Comments


It’s not really anything new for me to say I am super excited to sit and chat with an author of a book I have adored, but this particular author is always going to hold a special place in my heart for the incredible experience I had with her.  Sarah was the author who had the BEA Giveaway for the trip to New York in May, which I was beyond excited (and it still kind of takes my breath away to think of it) to win.  *Squeee*

Sarah was a delight to meet in New York and spent time with her at Simon and Schuster, and also at the Book Blogger Reception.  I am honored and delighted to have her here today, so with no further ado, please welcome Sarah Pekkanen.

Sarah Pekkanen

Sarah, before we get to chatting – how do you take your coffee?


Sarah:  With lots of cream and sugar – like a dessert!


You know I have been on cloud nine since I had the wonderful opportunity to meet and hang out with you a bit in New York during BEA.  Could you please share with me a little bit about the idea behind the BEA contest you had?



Sarah:  Absolutely! I came up with the idea because before my book came out, I learned how difficult it was for debut novels to get noticed. People aren’t reading so much anymore, I kept hearing. Then I began reading book blogs, and I realized how much bloggers are doing to support the publishing industry. They’re getting folks excited about books again. As more and more newspapers fold and authors lose the chance to have their books reviewed in print, bloggers are stepping into the breach, reviewing books, chatting them up, and generally keeping all of us authors afloat! My novel got such a warm welcome from book bloggers, who reviewed it and let me hold giveaways on their sites, that I wanted to say thank you in some small way.

I was planning on attending BEA/BCC and when Trish Collins of heylady.net told me the organizers of BBC were collecting prizes for a raffle, I came up with the idea of paying for one blogger’s trip to the convention. I mentioned it to my editor, and asked if I could bring the winner blogger along with another raffle winner to Atria Books for a tour, and she loved the idea. Trust me, publishers are just as appreciative of book bloggers as we authors are!

Sarah, what would you consider to be one of your all time favorite books and why?



Sarah:  Oh, just one? So hard to pick! I’d have to say In Her Shoes by Jennifer Weiner. It’s funny, poignant, captivating… and it’s the kind of book I want to write.


Which of course brings me to your book, The Opposite Of Me.  I really enjoyed the read and I seen Kathy (Bermuda Onion) really did as well.  How did the idea of this book come to be and was it the original idea or was it tweaked along the way?

Sarah:  Originally I had four sisters woven through my plot, but during the writing process, my original idea was reshaped and refined. I’d say the basic structure of my original idea remained intact, but during the rewriting process, lots of smaller changes popped up.


In The Opposite of Me we have two fraternal twins, Alex and Lindsey.  When developing these characters, is there one you favored more over the other?  Do these characters represent anyone – or pieces of anyone, in your life?



Sarah:  I think I felt a bit more sympathy for Lindsey, because she feels like the underdog. Although there are bits and pieces of people I know in the characters – maybe a gesture or a funny line of dialogue – they are truly fictional.


Sarah, I too had a heart for Lindsey, you wrote her well.   I told you that I had cried at the acknowledgment in the back of your book.  I thought it was so touching.  Would you share a little bit about how that was to write?



Sarah:  The acknowledgments were surprisingly easy – I just wrote what was in my heart. Seeing a book published is a bit like having a baby born – you just feel so emotional and teary and happy, all at once. And thank you for those kind words!


So Sarah, I am just dying to know – what is coming out next?  I know there is a book, I seen it pre published.  What will this one be about?


Sarah:  Skipping a Beat, my second book is the story of high school sweethearts named Michael and Julia who flee their small, poor hometown in West Virginia and move to Washington, D.C. Now in their mid-thirties, they’re living a rarified life in their multi-million dollar home. But then one day, Michael collapses in his office. For four minutes and eight seconds – until he is revived with a portable defibrillator –  he is clinically dead. And when he wakes up, he’s a totally different man. My main character, Julia, has three weeks to decide if she wants to stay with her husband or leave him.


Ooh!  That sounds wonderful!  When can we expect to see this book on the shelves?


Sarah:  It’s already up on amazon.com with a publication date of Feb. 22 – which seems so soon!



What is happening now in your life?


Sarah:  I have a contract for another book which is due May 1, so as soon as I wrap up a few smaller projects, I’ll be diving into that manuscript. I’m really looking forward to immersing myself in a new plot.


Sarah, please share with me and my readers one little known fact about yourself.  It’s kind of tradition around here.


Sarah:  I was rejected as a contestant on Wheel of Fortune! It’s so unfair, because I’m actually really good at solving puzzles. Sometimes I can even do it with no letters showing. Come to think of it, maybe that’s why I was rejected?


Thank you Sarah so much for your time!  I really enjoyed chatting with you and will be watching for your upcoming book!


Sarah:  It was a pleasure, Sheila, and I hope to see you again soon! I’d love it if any readers would like to friend me on Facebook or visit my website at www.sarahpekkanen.com, where I hold giveaways every month for a new book.

Sarah Pekkanen and I at the Book Blogger Convention

Be sure to sign up for a chance to win a signed copy of Sarah’s book – Opposite Of Me

Opposite of Me – Signed Books Giveaway!

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)88 Comments


This giveaway is now closed

Today as a bonus along with my Sarah Pekkanen Chat here, I want to start my giveaway for the two signed copies of The Opposite Of Me that she sent home with me from New York for just this occasion.  I am thrilled to offer up these books!

How To Enter

The author chat post is directly above this giveaway post.  Tell me something you enjoyed about the chat. (*You must answer this question to be entered)

Extra Entries (for those who want them!)

At the bottom of the author chat, Sarah Pekkanen has added a link to her Facebook page.  Add her as a friend on Facebook and let me know you did here in a separate comment and I will add another entry.

For two extra chances to win, become a subscriber  (or be a current subscriber) of this blog (do this in the upper right side bar) and let me know in a separate comment

Blog about this giveaway and let me know in a separate comment and receive two more entries

Twitter about this giveaway or link tot his giveaway on Facebook and let me know here for another entry

This giveaway will end on July 10.  USA and Canada entrants only please.

Morning Meanderings…

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)30 Comments


1st word of the day, “meh.”

This was said at 4:42 am this morning when my two shih tzus bounded off the bed.  This means, they want to go outside.  Groggy and disoriented I make my way tot he sliding door that allows them to escape to the back deck and to their little fenced in area of the yard.  I then made my way back to bed until 20 minutes later their barks to come in wake me for the second time.

Sometimes… I think I am the pet.

Now at a more decent hour, I enjoy time with Coffee Cup and gaze out the window to what looks like could be an overcast day.  I am inside all day so that’s alright, and after work I need to (MUST) go to my Group Power class, so its nice not to have an outside draw that makes me think of skipping school, or in my case… life.  😀

This afternoon Sarah Pekkanen, author of Opposite of Me will joining me here to chat books and life, and along with that will be a giveaway that I am super excited about, directly from Sarah.
Also – do not forget to pop in at Devourer of Books where Jen is busy with Audiobook week. You can win some cool audios, and learn a little more about the appeal of books on audio as well. 🙂

Have a super fine day (for those of you who follow my work out rants…. I have biked 18 miles this week and rollerbladed 12 miles this week.  Now if I could just quit coming home and having ice cream….. 😉

Books that have recently graced my doorstep:

Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson (audio week June 21-25)

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)23 Comments


15-year-old Scarlett is thrilled that Summer is here!  In New York city, Scarlett lives in their family owned hotel, Hopewell, where everyone is pitching in to help make ends meet. Along with brother Spencer (19) is an out of work actor, sister Lola (18),and little sister Marlene (11), things are bound to be interesting.

A tradition in Scarlett’s family is that when you turn 15, you receive a room in the hotel to call your own and be in full care of it and its occupants.  Scarlett receives the Empire Suite, and along with it, a starlet called Ms. Amberson.  As life is starting to look a little interesting, in enters Eric, a nineteen year old actor who is causing Scarlett to think that maybe.. just maybe, this will turn out to be the best summer of her life.


This is my first experience with Maureen Johnson and I was excited to give this one a listen.  I was pleasantly surprised to hear the youthful voice of narrator Jeannie Stith.  Told in this sweet story sort of way I could imagine listening to this with a young teen girl.

The story line was catching, lite, and fun.  I really liked the characters and enjoyed Scarlett’s adventures.  Ms. Amberson really adds to the adventure as she begins giving Scarlett tasks to do.  This was a young YA (if that makes sense).  Its fun and funny and I listened to this audio straight through, at many times with a big smile on my face.

Book Journey’s had updated the book travel map to include Suite Scarlett

Cover Story:  I really like this cover, it is age appropriate and hold a little mystery to it with the gold key.  There is a second cover I have seen with a girl on the cover with messy blond hair and bright red lipstick,  the girl looks to be 18 or so in age and older than what Scarlett is in this book, causing me to prefer the fun pinkish one pictured here with the key.

I received my copy of this audio from our BBC bags in New York

where Maureen Johnson was the speaker for this event

Morning Meanderings…

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)27 Comments


Good morning.  I am scrambling this morning but Coffee Cup is here and we are moving right along.  I slept well…. I feel good… the weather outside is gorgeous…. I may go bike riding this afternoon.

A couple of days ago I went to the local laundromat – probably for the first time in 20+ years.  I had all the sheets, blankets, comforters, and pillow cases to wash for the 18 people we had in the IHN program last week.  I wasnt about to do 18 sets of bedding in my home…. I would still be doing laundry now!  😀

In my head, I had this picture of how the laundromat scenario would go.   I would have all the laundry put into many (many) washers.  Then I had brought my laptop so I would proceed to grab a cup of coffee and sit in a quiet space and do a little blogging throughout my afternoon.  I was actually a little excited about this outing.


This is not the way it went down at all.  Nope.  Instead I pull up with my laundry and find a crowded area where you wheel in your laundry on a basket with wheels… and start grabbing washers wherever you can.  This is when I discovered I had not thought ahead to bring soap…. so instead I purchased all those little boxes of laundry soaps… one at a time out of a machine.

After I figured out how to make the coin operated machines work I ran back to get the rest of my stuff I had yet to pick up, the pillows, the blankets we did not use, food we did not finish, etc…  I ran into a woman there that would be serving this week and her and I proceeded to chat for about an hour.  She had many questions, I was willing to help.

I learned in Laundromat language being late to move your wash is not cool.

I get back to the laundromat and find all the bedding has been removed from the washers.  People need the machines.  I have been hogging them with my tardiness.  They are right.

Then I put the laundry into the dryers and I am surprised that they are only a quarter.  I use 5 large dryers.  Put a quarter in each, and run home to pick up my hubby and take him up town where he is going to drive a piece of our excavating equipment home.  I then hurry back to the laundromat to avoid another mishap…. I find all the machines have stopped, but my laundry is still wet.

An elderly gentleman calls over to me “Your never going to dry the sheets that way – you have the dryers too full.  I tell him I am new, hoping that excuses my lack of laundromat knowledge.   He tells me to use more dryers, which I do then spread out to 12 dryers.  Then he tells me that a quarter in a dryer equals 6 minutes.  I need to put in several quarters… he advises me to put 3 quarters in each machine.  I take his advice and do so.

I am then going to relax with my laptop but see there really is no place to sit in this laundromat.  The tables are for folding laundry and there are no chairs.  I prop a hip on one of the tables and try to answer a few emails but the distance between me and lap top is not working for me.  Its awkward and hard to see what I am doing.  As for the coffee… no…. get that idea out of your head.  I did however have a nice diet Pepsi and all in all the laundry project did not take me nearly as long as I thought it was going to thanks to one man.

Today I work.  I will have a review up later and possibly more audio talk.  It is audio book week and if you did not see yesterdays post on audio books, please check it here.

Here are a few books that have come my way…