February 2011 – Page 2

Author Chat with Sarah Pekkanen (Author of Skipping A Beat)

Published on February 22, 2011February 22, 2011 by Sheila (Book Journey)41 Comments

This is an exciting chat for me today as this is the first time I have had the honor of interviewing an author – twice. Last year Sarah Pekkanen and I chatted about her book Opposite Of Me. I am beyond thrilled today to have her back to talk about her book that hit the shelves today: Skipping A Beat.

Sarah is one busy lady so I will not keep her waiting with a bunch of chit-chat… please welcome an incredible author, Sarah Pekkanen.

First off…. wow! A second book was released today! I am so excited for you! What does that feel like?

Sarah: It feels amazing. I’ve wanted to be a writer since I was a young girl, and walking into bookstores and seeing my name on the cover of a book is an indescribable feeling. I just grin from ear to ear and lurk around, wondering if anyone will buy it when I’m there (yes, I’m a bookstore stalker)!

I just finished Skipping a Beat on Saturday evening and I was up until 1:00 am crying and feeling… wonderful if that makes sense. When you sent this book off to the publisher, what did that moment feel like for you? really I want to know… did you bawl like a baby too?

Sarah: Thank you! I’m so glad Skipping a Beat touched you this deeply. It’s what I was hoping for when I wrote it. I go through that same tumble of intense emotions when I write. And when I send off the final version of the book, it’s with a mixed sense of elation and sadness and reflectiveness. It’s bittersweet, really, because the process of writing a book can be so tough and intense, yet you miss it so deeply when it’s over.

Sarah I have now read both your books and found that you have a gift for creating characters that feel so real that I would know them if the were three-dimensional and walking down the street. Could you share with me how these characters come to be that you can write them so well?

Sarah: Wow, another amazing compliment – you are making my day! I tend to be a visual person, so I “see” my characters, if that makes sense. I can picture what they look like and their mannerisms. It’s one part of the process, at least, that comes easily for me.

The main character in Skipping A Beat, Julia and Michael, have extended family issues on both sides…. what was your reasoning for building this into the story line?

Sarah: I really wanted to show how our families shape who we become as adults, and how we can hold on to the good in that, while releasing the bad parts. I think we carry with us the lingering shadows of our families and our awareness of that can really help us make authentic choices that are good for us, rather than reflexive reactions to situations.

Often I hear about authors writing the story without knowing the outcome until it flows out of them later in the writing. Without giving anything away – when you started writing Skipping A Beat, did you know how it would end or did the ending come as you wrote?

Sarah: I did know the ending – some twists during the middle of the book surprised me, but I felt all along that it needed to end this way. I plotted out this book fairly loosely, with plenty of room for inspiration, but the broad outline of the book remained just as I’d originally planned it.

What are your hopes that readers take away from this book?

Sarah: It’s a simple message, but one I think we can never hear enough: Love is the most important thing in this world.

That is a great take away message. What is next for you?

Sarah: This will be a very happily busy week. Skipping a Beat comes out today, and I’m doing a signing tonight at my local Barnes & Noble. Then I’m heading to New York to meet with my publisher and do a book signing in the city! And while I’m at my publisher’s office, we’ll be talking about my third book, which I need to turn in by May 1. It’s the story of three very different women who become roommates in New York.

Oh! I can not wait for the third book it sounds wonderful! So, for purely selfish reasons I have to ask, will you be at BEA this May?

Sarah: Yes – and I so hope to see you there! I’m also hoping to go to the Book Blogger Convention because I’ve gotten to know quite a few book bloggers, like you, and it’s wonderful to meet up in person. You guys are great to hang out with!

You are too sweet! Since I interviewed you before and have already asked for a little known fact, my new question for you is – what fictional character(s) would you like to hang out with and why?

Sarah: It’s been a long few weeks – I’m getting over the flu and am a bit run down – so I’m up for a bit of fun. I think for a good girls’ night out, you can’t beat Bridget Jones!

Thanks so much Sarah for chatting it up with me and best wishes with the new book! I am still gushing about it!

Sarah: Thank you Sheila! It’s always good to talk to you and hope to see you again soon! xoxo

Readers: Please take time to check out Sarah at her website: sarahpekkanen.com

You can also find her on Facebook and on Twitter

* Be sure to check out my giveaway today for a copy of Skipping A Beat!

Skipping A Beat by Sarah Pekkanen

Published on February 22, 2011February 24, 2011 by Sheila (Book Journey)53 Comments

In high school they were Julie and Mike and they were inseparable. In college they were room mates and then they were married. In the early years they scraped by on what little they had working hard and dreaming big. Julie started a party planning business that took off and she was able to start putting a little away. Then Mike, always the dreamer came up with an idea that changed the look of health drinks forever. As production rolled out on the flavored waters, Mike, now a more sophisticated Michael, became more and more caught up in the business and the sweet generous man Julie once knew, became second to the business… a mistress, she could not compete with. Her compensation becomes the material things they now own, the large multi million dollar home, the cars, the jewelry, and travel. Julia wants for nothing. Anniversaries were missed, replaced instead by delivered flowers with notes of promises to be there for the next one… and nights became cold and lonely as Julie, now going by Julia, slept alone as Mike traveled for work for more nights than not.

Then a brush with death changes everything for Michael. Suddenly he sees more clearly what is important, and money becomes meaningless to him. Yet Julia gave up on love a long time ago and has grown accustomed to doing things alone and living the high life. Now it looks like Michael wants to turn his back on it all, give it all up, and put his full attention on Julia.

Julia feels that it is too little….

too late.

Last May I had the opportunity to read The Opposite Of Me by Sarah Pekkanen and LOVED it. I enjoyed Sarah’s style of writing and how in touch she was with family life and all the quirks that go with it. When I seen Skipping A Beat was coming soon, I was thrilled when I was sent an advanced copy to see what Sarah was up to this time around.

Honestly? I loved this book even more than her first! I connected well with the characters of Julia and Michael and found that these two well-developed characters left me feeling like the best friend in the middle. I completely understood Julia’s reluctance to be hurt by letting Michael in after the years of absence in their lives. Her fear was all too real to me as she struggles to hang on to what has become the norm in their lives. Once she had created herself around the world she lived in, it was not a fit for it to suddenly change.

I could relate to Michael too…. he was doing what he could to change the way things had become – but his complete about-face was way too much – too soon.

Another relationship in the book that I found to be amazing was Julia’s best friend Isabelle. I love this aspect of the book as Sarah Pekkanen shows the importance of having that friend that you can share anything with, and with everything else happening Isabelle is that person for Julia.

What I really loved about this book was how real it all felt. I have heard many times how once someone is forced into a different mold for a while we can adjust to new things and many times find the changes welcome, even if we did not think we would. Sarah Pekkanen writes a story that touched me deeply as this couple struggles to find their way… and in the process…

well, you are going to have to read this one to find out more.

I had a hard time putting this book down and highly recommend this book, as one of the best books I have read this year. An original writing that left me wanting more! Totally two thumbs up and a three tissue read. 😀

Amazon Rating

The 2011 WHERE Are You Reading Map has been updated to include Skipping A Beat

I received this book from the author

Dont forget to check out the giveaway I am having today on this book. 😛

Morning Meanderings… Happy Sarah Pekkanen Day!

Published on February 22, 2011February 22, 2011 by Sheila (Book Journey)64 Comments

Good morning! yes it is true… Minnesota is buried in snow and as much as that irritates me to no end….. I refuse to let that get me down!

Today one of my favorite authors has a book released and today is going to be all about the book and the author.

If you have been doing a little blog hopping the last few days you may have seen the reviews start to pop up for Skipping a Beat by Sarah Pekkanen. I finished it over the weekend and let my just say if COFFEE CUP and I were book critics our vote would be two mocha lattes and a hand full of Kleenex up – yes…… it is that good.

So let the festivities begin! Here’s the layout – in a few hours my review of Skipping a Beat will be posted. A few hours after that please pop in again for my author chat with the wonderful Sarah Pekkanen.

Here’s a quick story about how I met Sarah Pekkanen: Last April I entered a contest on Twitter that Sarah was tweeting about in honor of book bloggers. She was giving away a trip to New York for BEA – airfare, food allowance, two nights hotel, tour of Simon and Schuster, and the Book Blogger convention to attend with her. I entered this much like I would sign up the freezer full of goodies they sometimes offer at your local grocery store and you just sign up because – why not?

Well…. I won.

SSSQQQUUUEEEEEE!!!! I know right? I couldn’t believe it! She sent me an email telling me I won this amazing package to BEA and I thought it had to be spam. I called her number which she put in the email and she laughed and said, “Wow, I sent that email like 3 minutes ago!”

I remember telling her that I was at work and I was trying really hard not to scream and jump up and down with excitement. 😀

Winning was great – but even better was meeting Sarah. She is incredibly down to earth and fun to chat with. I had read her book Opposite of Me and loved it. I could not wait to see what she came up with next.

So – because Sarah is so incredible and I want you to have a chance to know how incredible she is too – I am giving away a copy of her book Skipping A Beat. This giveaway is for today only and you will be entered for commenting on this post and/or on the other two posts that will go up today. If you comment on all three posts – that will be three entries (max of 3). I will announce the winner tomorrow morning in the meandering.

I hope if you have not read Sarah Pekkanen that you do try her. I adored both her books!

Tonight I have the bonus book club review and potluck around the book Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout. The food people are bringing sounds good – and I am excited to see what the group thought of this unusual read. Have an awesome day everyone. 😀

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

Published on February 20, 2011February 20, 2011 by Sheila (Book Journey)107 Comments

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:

MarthaE from Reviews From Martha’s Bookshelf

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

I had a pretty fun week this past week and had prepped enough of my pending reviews to schedule them to go live all week-long which was nice and is always the plan… just doesn’t always work out that way. Here is what happened at Book Journey this past week:

A Note From An Old Acquaintance by Bill Walker

Testimony by Anita Shreve (I believe my first Shreve and it will not be my last)

When We Were Strangers by Pamela Shoenewaldt ( a don’t miss read!)

Think No Evil by Jonas Beiler (the true story of the Amish School shooting)

Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston (a unique Fantasy YA read)

The Art Of Mending by Elizabeth Berg (yes I am still digging Elizabeth Berg!)

Are you pro or con on Book Trailers, here’s my thoughts

Oh and note that the Literary Blog Hop is still going on through Wednesday, 30 blogs, including this one offering giveaways on great literature! Check it out! 😀

I am still cleaning up a few reads and plan to keep it light this week as I have a huge week of meetings in the evening and I need to do a little book catch up. This is the plan to work on this week:

I have actually finished this book because I really wanted my review to go live on release day which is this coming Tuesday. Let me just say that this book is one of the best books I have read so far this year and I have read some pretty good books this year. Author Sarah Pekkanen and I will also be chatting it up this week about the book, the feeling of release day and more! 😀

This is our book club read for March and time to get started on it I think…

Four slave women accompany their masters to a resort in the free state of Ohio in the mid-1850s. Lizzie actually loves Drayle, the father of her two children—a brown-skinned boy named for his father and a girl white enough to pass. Reenie is the half-sister of her owner, a cruel man who passes her along to the resort manager. Sweet is pregnant and has a relatively amiable relationship with her master, while Mawu is a wild red-haired woman bent on freedom from a cruel and violent owner. Frustrations mount as they consider their options, tempted to take advantage of the help offered by free blacks and a Quaker woman. But they are guilt-ridden about the prospect of leaving their children behind. The women rely on each other for support as they come together for three summers, catching up on their lives of woe and occasional joy. Drawing on research about the resort that eventually became the first black college, Wilberforce University, the novel explores the complexities of relationships in slavery and the abiding comfort of women’s friendships.

With Wondrous Strange not complete, I have moved on to a new one for my IPOD, 1st To Die by James Patterson. I have always wanted to try this series but once a series gets into so many books I usually back away from it because I do not want to commit to what it will take to catch up. So far this one is seeming to be pretty interesting!

If all goes well I would love a chance to start this book this week as well. Hannah at Wordlily had a whole week about this author and really peaked my interest in her writing. I checked a few of her titles out from the library and think I would like to start with this one.

So that is the plan. I am hoping to get to our cabin this coming weekend to write which would mean audio both ways for a total of 7 hours! I am thinking I could get a good jump on a story there! 😀

And now I am so excited to see what you are all reading! Last week was a tough on for Mr Linky and the upgrade and due to all the time I spent trying to figure out what was happening with Linky I did not get around to all of your blogs as I had hoped too. This week though, I worked extra hours this weekend and now have Monday off so I will have time to go and check all your posts out!

Be sure to link your post below where it says “click here” and have a SUPER MONDAY and the rest of your week as well!

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Book Trailers: Pro? Con? Why or Why Not?

Published on February 20, 2011 by Sheila (Book Journey)72 Comments

This is a post that has been in my head for a while and I never see anyone addressing this subject so maybe it is just me…. but I am going to get on my little soap box anyway and see what conversation can be started around this topic.

I am curious if readers enjoy watching book trailers. Book trailers are used to promote book much like movie trailers promote movies. On the pro side, I have heard that the book trailer can motivate reluctant readers to decide to read a book. It is said that librarians and teachers give a shout out that they love them…

So why don’t I?

Lets start with Movie Trailers. I love them. If I hear about a movie I think I would like to see I actively seek out the movie trailer. What I see on the movie trailer is what I will see on the big screen… the actors, the action, the dialogue… Nothing changes from the trailer to the movie.

However, a book to me is a world hidden within the pages. There is a reason this blog is called Book Jour n e y. Books are journeys… tickets to other countries, to other worlds, forward and backward in time and space. Within the world of a book that the author has developed – I still hold a little creative license with it. While the characters may be well described, we still all get a chance to create him or her in our mind. I love it when the author breathes life into the characters. We as readers develop the character in our mind as the author gives us details, height, age, hair color, attitude.. the same goes for the development of the space in which this character lives – home, town, state, country…

When I see a book trailer, the trailer puts images in my mind that I carry throughout the book. Now I have an idea of what the character looks like or the place he/she lives because of what I have seen in the trailer. That image has now overridden what I would have hoped to discover for myself within the book.

Last fall I read a book I enjoyed very much. After reading and reviewing the book I came across a book trailer for that same book and thought I would give it a viewing. When they brought out the male character, he was nothing like the description of the man in the book. He looked too young to be who I had just read about, and he was shorter than the book had described…. and suddenly this was now the character that over shadowed the one I had envisioned.

Yes, you could say, “But Sheila…. wouldn’t that happen anyway if the book becomes a movie?”

Absolutely – that could happen. I don’t have all the answers here… I an just chatting. 😛

I personally discover books I want to read by reading reviews, stalking my favorite authors online, book sites, and from book lovers I know personally in my day to day life. If someone gushes about a book… that interests me.

I am not saying book trailers are bad, I am just curious what other readers think of them. I can see where they may help the reluctant reader to pick up a book but do you think that a visual book trailer is more powerful than a friends raving?

As readers, what do you think? Do you enjoy seeing a book trailer? Does it motivate you to want to read the book? Has a book trailer ever turned you off from a book?

I would be curious to hear from authors too…. do book trailers enhance sales? What advice would you say is a must if you are going to provide a book trailer for your book?

(*Please do not mention specific trailers in a negative way, however feel free to use positive examples – this post is not to bash book trailers but to gather thoughts about them in general. I am offering my thoughts here and am not aiming at any trailers personally. I am basing this post as more conversational, and I am open to your opinions on this topic.) 😀

Morning Meanderings… A Literary Weekend

Published on February 20, 2011February 20, 2011 by Sheila (Book Journey)21 Comments

GOOD MORNING!

Yes – that is enthusiastic. I am coming off one of the best Saturdays I have had in a long time….

I am relaxed

I feel accomplished

and I was able to read!

It does not take much to make this girl happy. 😀

I was up until 1:00 am last night finishing up Skipping A Beat by Sarah Pekkanen. Sarah’s new book is being released on Tuesday and I want my review to go live on that day as I adore Sarah – and this second book…. well – yeah. I can not wait to talk to you about it! Sarah and I will also be chatting here at Book Journey this week about the book, about life and about fictional characters we would love to hang out with.

Between my excitement over Sarah Pekkanen and my excitement over my upcoming chat with author Cheryl Lu-Lein Tan from my review of Tiger In The Kitchen…. I feel really good going into this week.

Now – if I could only finish Olive Kitteridge which is my bonus book club review – at my house this Tuesday and I have yet to crack the spine. *gulp!* This is my quest for today. 🙂

So I am off to start my Sunday – nothing big happening here, I am picking up Chance in 20 minutes and after Church I need to plan out our meals for the week while I listen to a little audio, shop a little and then home base for hopefully some quality reading time.

How do you plan to roll out your Sunday?

The Art Of Mending by Elizabeth Berg

Published on February 19, 2011 by Sheila (Book Journey)16 Comments

Laura Baratone is a master with material. She can create masterpieces with her quilting skills. As she looks forward to her annual family reunion with her parents, her brother Steve, and her sister Caroline, the reunion turns out to be more than anyone bargained for.

When Caroline takes her brother and sister aside and tells them that she was abused by their mother as a child, a whole new door is open to the past – and to the future. As Laura tried to piece together all of this she wonders, if Caroline being over dramatic? She does have a flare for drama… or is there truth behind this accusation.

1aaaa — mending - the act of putting something in working order again

As I continue my way through Elizabeth Berg’s works I am continuously impressed with the diversity of her books. The Art Of Mending is indeed a book about mending. What does a family do when a tear in its very fabric of who they thought were is found to be frayed? How does one move on from something that seems to have happened so long ago yet exploring this history could change everything that you were.

Laura was the perfect main character for this read… she was the eldest sibling and the one that had it most together. Elizabeth Berg put much on this characters shoulders as Laura worked to separate the mother she knew and the memories she had of growing up to what was actual fact. As she sorts through her memories she starts to see things differently through these new eyes and what had appeared to be a saddened. melancholy of a sister she had in Caroline- turned out to be something much bigger.

I found the beginning of this read to drag out and take a while to get to the heart of the matter. One there, it sparked into a flame that held throughout the rest of the read. I felt much like Laura myself, trying to sort out what would eventually turn out to be truth or fiction.

A read that is on a very hard subject. Emotional abuse is every bit as damaging as physical abuse. Tearing away at a persons self-worth can damage them for life, and Elizabeth Berg sets an extraordinary example of that here when we have siblings now in their 50’s dealing with something that happened when they were between the ages of 3 -14.

Not my favorite of the Elizabeth Berg books that I have read but a worthy opponent.

Amazon Rating

The 2011 WHERE Are You reading Map has been updated to include The Art Of Mending

Rented this in audio format from my local library

Morning Meanderings…

Published on February 19, 2011February 19, 2011 by Sheila (Book Journey)47 Comments

Good morning.

I am a little later than usual this morning due to prepping and putting up my Literary Giveaway post for Judith’s Blog hop. If you have some time you should check out the giveaways. I plan to do this as well once I get some coffee in me… yes, you read that right… as of this moment I am caffeine free. Probably another reason this post is up a little later… I am not moving as quickly as I normally am. 😛

On other random notes, it is Saturday and time for a Saturday Snapshot thanks to Alyce of At Home With Books. Hmmmm…. what am I in the mood for this morning….. *clicking through pictures from my files*

Ok – this will work:

This is a picture of my uncle’s wedding in 1959. From left to right is my uncle Dick, my uncle Bill, and my dad Gary. I don’t have many pictures of my dad who died in a house fire in 1980 so I grabbed a few life this at my aunt and uncles 50th wedding anniversary party. It’s fun to see the hair styles!

For giggles – here is a picture of my dad’s siblings from that 50th anniversary party. It was awesome to have them all there! From left to right: Bunk (she lives in California), Bill (the groom from the above picture), Bob, and Ida. Bill, Bob, and Ida all still live here in Brainerd Minnesota.

My big plan for today is to get in some reading! I have a few errands to run this afternoon but nothing seriously time-consuming. I ran a lot yesterday to make today a bit more relaxing. Seriously though, I do need to get some coffee. 😀

Literary Blog Hop

Published on February 19, 2011February 26, 2011 by Sheila (Book Journey)112 Comments

This is a sticky post – all new posts are below 😀

My friend Judith at Leeswammes has put together this 4 day Literary Giveaway HOP. I am thrilled to share in this opportunity for you to win a great book and think I put together a pretty good selection here:

Sadly, many on this grouping I have not read myself. To enter this giveaway leave a comment here on which of these 8 books you would like to win. If you are my winner (drawn with random.org on February 24th) I will ship you the book directly from Amazon and if I have not read it myself, I will order one for me as well. I love win, win….LOL

This book giveaway is open to US only. If you are out of the US and have access to order from Amazon, you are welcome to participate and if you are the winner I will email you a $10 gift card from Amazon instead.

Make sure you pop on in and see the rest of the hop at Leeswammes’ Blog!

Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston

Published on February 18, 2011February 18, 2011 by Sheila (Book Journey)13 Comments

“Ok… so here’s the scoop. My name is Kelley, K -E -L -L -E -Y. Yes, I am a girl. Well… actually as it turns out I am more than that but hang on a second to that story line. I am 17 and have moved to New York to be on Broadway.

Seriously. Broadway. And for those of you giving me the eye roll and thinking yeah, that’s why everyone goes to New York, AND before you label me as an EPIC FAIL… know this….

I AM on Broadway. And thanks to the star of the show getting herself hurt, I am also the lead… well, anyway I hope I still am, ’cause let me just say things got über weird around here lately. Like I met this boy in Central Park, and yeah he seemed a bit different but not entirely unfortunate looking if you know what I mean.

And then – well, not sure how long I have to talk here but things really fast became really STRANGE and yeah that is with a capital ‘S’. For instance, I saved a horse from drowning, and it followed me home. It’s true! And then that boy? Turns out his name is Sonny and he keeps turning up everywhere I am, like totally stalker like, but really, I am not sure I mind…

And the last thing I can say before I go is that guess what? Turns out, I am seeing more mystical creatures than on the stage these days…. yup, and I even just learned…

Oh gotta go. Lay- tah!

So…… I listened to this on audio after picking it on from audible.com for their first in the series sale of audio less than $5. I thought this was a good price and a good time to try out a few series I have been curious about but wasn’t sure.

Wondrous Strange was one of those stories that is coming at you from two different directions. On one side you have this background mythical story of creatures and Fairy Kings (they seem to be quite the rage in YA these days!) and ancient porthole like gates that only open once a year in Central Park (of course – I knew that!) and guards of these gates to keep the baddies from entering the world. Then on the other side you have Kelley. She is carefree and fun, she has a high maintenance roommate and she just got the lead in the Broadway Play A Midsummer Night’s Dream and she is beyond thrilled.

Starting out – I much preferred Kelley’s story line as mythical creatures and gates and the narrator’s voice that took on an eerie bubbly tone that took some getting used to, was honestly for me – hard to follow.

Of course, as many stories tend to do, once you get in a little deeper and things start to mesh a bit…. I started to get it and the narrator didn’t seem to bother me as much, in fact towards the end when they added a few spooky sounds and laughter, I was rather impressed.

My overall thoughts are this book is a good Fantasy YA. The storyline was fun, and as a lot of the action takes place in Central Park in New York, I could picture many of the things mentioned. YA Fantasy lovers will gobble this book up and anxiously head into the rest of the trilogy….