Small Town Sinners by Melissa Walker

Published on August 16, 2011 by Sheila (Book Journey)8 Comments

Lacey Anne Byer is known for being a good girl. Her dad is the pastor of the Evangelical church. Having just turned 16, drivers license in check, and a possible leading role in her churches annual Hell House event, things are looking pretty sweet for Lacey’s Jr year.

Then a mysterious boy comes to school. Ty is good-looking, drives a red 80’s BMW, and has a glint of trouble in his eye that makes Lacey’s heart beat double time. After all, everyone knows that Lacey is this good girl…. but Ty is new to town. With Ty, Lacey can reinvent herself to be anyone she desires.

With Ty…

everything can change.

Hell houses are haunted attractions typically run by American, fundamentalist Christian churches or parachurch groups. These depict sin, the torments of the damned in Hell, and usually conclude with a depiction of heaven. They are most typically operated in the days preceding Halloween.

A hell house, like a conventional haunted-house attraction, is a space set aside for actors attempting to frighten patrons with gruesome exhibits and scenes, presented as a series of short vignettes with a narrated guide. Unlike haunted houses, hell houses focus on occasions and effects of sin or the fate of unrepentant sinners in the afterlife. They occur during the month of October to capitalize on the similarities between hell houses and haunted attractions.

The exhibits at a hell house often have a theme focusing on issues of concern to evangelicals in the United States. Hell houses frequently feature exhibits depicting sin and its consequences. Common examples include abortion, suicide,use of alcoholic beverage and other recreational drugs, adultery and pre-marital sex, occultism, homosexuality, and Satanic ritual abuse. Hell houses typically emphasize the belief that anyone who does not accept Christ as their personal savior is condemned to Hell.

Wikepedia

I read this book as part of the Faith in Fiction group read. I loved the look of this book… the cover… the title… honestly, both gave me the sense that we were in for a good Christian YA read that would push the boundaries, those are the books I appreciate the most in the genre of Christian Fiction.

First of all let me say that I had never heard of Hell House until I read this book. I grew up as a casual church attendee with my family, and later in life, after I was married my husband and I became more committed to a church, and now I work as the Family Life Administrator/ Special Event Coordinator for our church.

What Melissa Walker captures in this book is the innocence of small town life, and what happens when a boy, Ty, who once lived there a long time ago returns with a different look on life and faith matters than what the church is teaching. While main character Lacey has grown up surrounded by a life of church and faith… Ty gives her a different look at things… (I was slightly reminded of Footloose)

The adults of fictional small town “West River”, are RELIGIOUS. They hold their belief system high… teenage pregnancy falls mainly on the girls shoulders (after all, girls are supposed to be more mature and boys… well, they will be boys 😉 ), being gay is a choice and there is no such thing as being born “gay”, and alcohol is STRICTLY prohibited, even in moderation.

Lacey has grown in to this belief system as well.. but Ty opens her eyes to the fact that not all things are black and white… this is demonstrated well as Melissa Walkers characters all have some sort of “trial” in their own life or in their families (abuse, addiction, alcoholics, teenage pregnancy, and one friend may be gay). Even Lacey’s own family had her life cookie cutter perfect for her … actually trying to choose her friends because they were different in their eyes.

I liked that the book brought up tough faith questions, in a YA manner that allows us to question our faith and explore it. While I do wish the book would have dived in a little more to these questions, I felt the author did a nice job of leaving it open for interpretation… enough that I as a reader am still pondering over the book, days after I finished it. I wouldn’t mind seeing a second book come out of this story line… continuing on with how this story could be more fully developed as Lacey is more open to exploring her faith and her relationships.

As I mentioned, this review was a book discussed through the Faith In Fiction group. To see other reviews on this book (and some great thoughts and opinions) check out these posts:

Books and Movies

Book Addiction

My Friend Amy

Book Hooked Blog

Roving Reads

The Ignorant Historian

Wordlily

The 3 R’s Blog

Linus’s Blanket

My Random Thoughts

Tina’s Book Reviews

I received my copy of this book for review from the publisher

Bloomsbury Publishing

Working It Out by Abby Rike

Published on August 14, 2011 by Sheila (Book Journey)15 Comments

In 2006, in the blink of an eye… Abby’s world went from having a loving husband, a beautiful three-year old daughter, and a sweet 18 day old son… to losing it all to a devastating accident that would drop the strongest person to their knees. For nearly three years Abby went through the motions of “life” in almost a robotic manner. Although family and friends, as well as a strong faith surrounded her, Abby still had a deeper need inside her that had her turn to food for comfort.

In 2009 as she began to see the shell of her life and knowing she wanted more… Abby went on the show The Biggest Loser. She turned her life around, lost 100 pounds, but gained a new freedom from food… and the return of a life that she had long forgotten.

I enjoy watching The Biggest Loser on TV. I watched the season that Abbie was in and when she told her story of the tragic loss my heart went out to her. (I am all too familiar with tragedy having lost my dad and sister to a house fire in 1980, and my mom and step dad to a head on collision that took both their lives as well as two others in 1996). I know what its like to hit rock bottom and even having to remind yourself to breathe.

If you watched this season on The Biggest Loser, you would have watched not only the miracle of the shows ways to give hope where people have none…. but you see Abby’s faith blossom in God and in herself.

In this book you read about Abby’s story starting with the accident… then back tracking to how she and Rick Rike met, the whirlwind romance, and the beginning of building a family together. Abby’s story is well written, and bitter-sweet. Included in this book are letters exchanged between Abby and Rick.

Abby’s story really spoke to me. It is easy for any one of us to get caught under the weight of depression, and it is hard to make the moves to get back in the game. Abby does this with a faith that is impressive… and this book tells how she came to live again. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes true stories of faith and hope, to anyone struggling under the weight of grief, to see that it is possible to move beyond the grief and reclaim their life.

Martha from Reviews by Martha’s Bookshelf and I posted our reviews today and I had asked her a few questions about her thoughts here:

1. Prior to this read, did you watch Biggest Loser? Actually No – I have never watched any of the “reality TV” shows and only realized what they were referring to as the book progressed.

2. Did you find this book inspiring? If so, how? Absolutely… I am inspired by Abby’s steadfast faith which is awesome. It emphasizes that it takes such grounded faith and hope in a future to get through the really tough times. It reminds me of the Footprint poem – God carries us when we can’t make it on our own.

3. What did you like most about this book? I loved how she used the letters, notes and cards from Rick and from her students. It made me sad that I don’t have such a record of my mother who died when I was 21 and there would not be such a record for my children now. It makes me want to write to them.

One thing I forgot to ask Martha was how was this book on audio? 😀

My Amazon Rating

Goodreads review

The WHERE Are You reading Map has been updated to include Working It Out

I received this book for review from Faithwords

Hachette Book Group

The Devil In The White City by Eric Larson

Published on August 11, 2011August 11, 2011 by Sheila (Book Journey)37 Comments

When Daniel Hudson Burns was asked to oversee the architecture and development of the World’s Fair, Burns seen this as a way to really make a name for himself. Painstakingly he hired and fired… working hard to get it right to create what would put Chicago on the map… an amazing attraction to celebrate the anniversary of Columbus’ discovery of America that would draw people to it from all over the world.

Not too far from the fairs planned location was H.H. Holmes. Holmes had a dark side that was easily masked by his piercing blue eyes, pleasant demeanor, fine style of dress, and Holmes just had an uncanny way with people. Holmes was a swindler, and a murderer, and actually created a home (later known as the Murder Castle) that was designed to trap people, and hide the bodies – or in some cases, Holmes would plant the bodies of those he had killed so they would be found and be seen as having had an “accident.” As many of these people had trusted Holmes, he had taken out insurance policies on them as “family members” and would collect once the bodies were recovered.

While Burns worked at creating the famous Fair, Holmes made plan of how he would lure people from the fair into his many traps….

Told in alternating chapters between the making and creating of the World’s Fair, and the coinciding happenings that surrounded the man named Holmes, this non fiction read will capture you and not let you go. This well written books reads like a smoothly flowing fiction book, but the fact is – it is not fiction.

I poured over the pages of this book as you could almost feel the tension churning…. first the start of the fair, then over to Holmes as he makes his way into peoples hearts (I am reminded of Jeffrey Daumer), then back to what is happening with the fair, the architecture, the details – all make for fascinating reading. Did you know the first Ferris wheel was built at this fair?

1aaaa — Chicago newspaper with layout of Holmes "murder castle" as it became to be known. Designed with secret rooms, an air tight vault with gas injection and a shoot that led to a basement filled with lye.

Truth really is stranger than fiction. When I was first introduced to this book last month during book club I was amazed I had never heard of this true story of murder and mayhem surrounding the Chicago World Fair. In fact, honestly… I knew little of the fair. Upon reading this book and taking a survey of our book club – no one in our group had heard of the missing people surrounding the fair or the man called Holmes.

Each car held 60 people...a total capacity of 2,160 riders at a timer the man called Holmes.

But before you set your creep factor on high, know that there is more to this book than the spooky Mr. Holmes with the killer looks… and apparently, killer instincts.

The historical facts in this book are … well, amazing. If you have never read up on the Chicago World fair there is so much more than meets the eye. This fair was responsible for new architectural creations never heard of prior. The first Cracker Jacks were at the fair, also new was Aunt Jemima pancakes, Juicy Fruit Gum, Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer, Shredded Wheat… also The Pledge Of Allegiance is known to have its first recital here at the fair, having been written earlier this same year.

I really could go on and on about what this book offers. Erik Larson has written this so well that it never feels heavy with the Holmes dealings weaving in and out of the progress of the fair. The chapters flow smoothly between the two story lines and it never felt choppy. Once into the book, I had a hard time putting it down. I look forward to giving Eric Larson’s book In The Garden Of Beasts.

The book will capture those who enjoy a good murder mystery, it will also hold those who like history. In the end, I really found this book to be one I enjoyed immensely, highly recommend and will remain on the keeper shelf.

*Note that this book is due to come out as a movie in 2012/2013 starring Leo DiCaprio as Holmes. While the book really is about the fair and Holmes is a secondary story… I believe the movie will reverse this and make Holmes the prime story line.

Amazon Rating

Goodreads review

Movie thoughts:

The 2011 WHERE Are you Reading map has been updated to include The Devil In The White City

I purchased this book at Amazon

Bookies rated this read a solid 4 (on a scale of 1 -5)

Between by Jessica Warman

Published on August 3, 2011August 3, 2011 by Sheila (Book Journey)23 Comments

Elizabeth Valchar rocks the three “P’s”… pretty, popular, and perfect. She has six close friends, all of them who come to celebrate her eighteenth birthday with a little partying and a sleep over on her family yacht. In the wee hours of the following morning, Elizabeth is awakened by a thumping sound. Annoyed that she is the only one who seems disturbed by it she slips out on to the yachts deck to investigate…

what she finds, changes everything. What she thought she knew about life, her friends, and everything in between…. all comes to a halt after she discovers the

“thump thump thump”

3aa — Two other covers I found on line... I prefer the one on my book which is the one I used for this post

Ok really? How could I read a synopsis that includes a mysterious thump thump thump and not want to know more? What goes thump? How does it change Elizabeth forever?

Well… that’s for me to know and you to find out. 😛

I picked up this book in May at BEA. I was drawn to the cover immediately…was it a paranormal thriller? Dystopia? definitely YA…. yet it went into my book box and remained there until a few days ago when I noticed this book was coming up for release on August 1st. When I pulled it out of the box and read the synopsis I was instantly pulled in. I had to know and yes, a couple of books were sat to the wayside so I could pull this one to the front.

It’s been a long time since a book kept me up late into the wee hours of the morning, but that is what happened with Between.

Elizabeth’s character in short order reminded me a bit of Lauren Oliver’s Before I Fall. In my review of Before I Fall I had to laugh because I started that review almost the same as I did this one… in that book it was Samantha that has the looks, the popularity… and she too was in for a rude awakening (ok… that may not be the best word…. 😉 )

Elizabeth, while stuck on herself, is likable. She is quick to see the error of her ways, and I found I liked her and trying to solve the mystery behind the thump (you got it – I am not giving it away! 😛 ) A secondary character comes into play early on, and Alex who also attended Elizabeth’s school and was quit the opposite of Elizabeth, poor, unpopular…. becomes almost as much of a lead character as Elizabeth is herself.

It’s hard to write about this review without giving moments away that while are given up early in the read, are so good to discover on your own – I don’t wish to be the one who tells you. 😛

Between will surprise you. Occasionally I thought I had it all figured out and then a couple of pages later I felt I knew nothing again. Author Jessica Warman is able to keep her readers on their toes with every turn of the page. A YA read that was just the perfect mix of mystery with a sprinkle of paranormal.

Amazon Rating

Goodreads Review

The 2011 WHERE Are You Reading Map has been updated to include Between

I received this book at BEA in May 2011

What Can I Bring? Cookbook by Anne Byrn (And a Chance to win a copy of this book!)

Published on July 31, 2011July 31, 2011 by Sheila (Book Journey)75 Comments

Over 200 great-tasting, easy to tote dishes for parties, picnics, potlucks, barbeques, holiday dinners, and any get- togethers.

I purchased this book recently on a trip to the North Shore. Browsing through the books being offered in one of the many (MANY) touristy type gift shops… my eyes landed on this book. It was pricey, (I can tell you I paid over double what I see it is on sale for at Amazon now…) but I really was drawn to this book.

I am that girl who has a stand by item or two that I bring to every outing we are invited too. One is my baked bean dish. You know the one that has baked beans, bacon, lima beans, hamburger…. yup that’s my “go to” dish to bring to outings… when I have time to mess with it. When I do not have time, I make my fresh salsa and grab a bag or two of good tortilla chips.

Nothing that I bring is “the dish”. I am not the coveted person that has to attend because what I bring makes the party. Nope, if not for my witty and fun personality, I may not be invited at all ( ha ha – I jest). I think…. 😯

So now you see the need for this book to get into my hands. Hard cover, square, appealing to the eye book with almost 500 pages of ideas…. I could not wait to read!

Author Anne Byrn is known to millions of fans through her Cake Mix Doctor, The Chocolate Cake Doctor, and Dinner Doctor cookbooks. She has had over 200 television appearances on Good Morning America, Roker on the Road, QVC, as well as local stations.

Ok… in my opinion, this book is a rave! From fun down to earth parties like back yard potlucks and kids parties, to house-warming gifts, or something a little more formal this book covers it all from, packaging, transporting, serving… LOVE IT. Each page has a right side bar space to record who you made the recipe for, prep notes, what not to forget, special touches and if this is an item you should bring again. It is a book that makes me want to go through and try everything just so I can make notes. 😀

So here are a few little items that caught my eye (there were many more…. but this is a sample)

French Toast Slices (to be used for bruschetta, or spreads)

Slice a loaf of French bread diagonally about 1/4 inch thick. You should get two to three dozen slices depending on loaf size. Place on baking sheet and lightly brush with olive oil. Sprinkle bread lightly with kosher salt (if desired), or dust with Parmesan cheese before baking. Bake at 400 until slices are crisp and browned – 15 to 18 minutes. These will store in plastic bags for up to three days.

(I may make this tonight to go along with spaghetti)

Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps

1 large head of iceberg lettuce

1 tablespoon vegie oil

1 pound ground chicken

3 med garlic coves, minced

1 cup chopped scallions (green part only from a bunch)

1 tablespoon minced peeled fresh ginger

3/4 cup hoisin sauce

4 tsp. soy sauce

1 teaspoon Asian (dark) sesame oil

3/4 cup finely chopped water chestnuts

Fresh cilantro (optional)

Use a small paring knife and cut the core out of lettuce. Wash and dry on paper towels.

Place the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Combine in the chicken, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Add the garlic and cook, stirring until the chicken is cooked through – 4 to 5 minutes. Turn off the heat. Stir in the scallions, ginger, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil, and water chestnuts. Cook this filling over medium low heat stirring until it bubbles and is heated through – 2 to 3 minutes. Keep the filling warm if you are serving immediately.

When ready to serve, carefully pull apart the head of lettuce to separate the leaves. Pat the leaves dry with paper towels and pile them around the outer edge of a large platter. There should be at least 12 large leaves. Spoon chicken filling into the center of the platter and garnish with cilantro. Serve at once. To eat – spoon chicken mixture into lettuce leaf and wrap the lettuce around it and eat like a burrito.

Ok scrap the spaghetti idea for tonight… I may try this one instead if I can find the Hoisin sauce.

Taco Ring

*you can prep this ahead of time and not bake until you arrive to whatever event you made it for…)

For Taco Ring:

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 1/2 – 2 pounds ground lean turkey or lean beef

2 packages taco seasoning

1 cup water

2 packages refrigerator crescent rolls (reg or reduced fat)

For serving:

reduced fat sour cream

shredded iceberg lettuce

chopped tomatoes

shredded cheddar cheese

Guacamole

Pre heat over to 375. Place the olive oil, if using, in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the turkey or beef and break up with a wooden spoon. Cook, stirring, until cooked through – 3 to 4 minutes. Add the taco seasoning and stir to mix. Then add the water. Increase heat to medium high and cook stirring until all liquid has nearly evaporated, 4 to 5 minutes. Take off burner and set aside.

Unroll the crescent rolls; you will have 16 triangles of dough. Place an ungreased baking sheet or pizza stone about 14 to 16 inches, ona work surface. Arrange the dough with the large side of the triangles facing the center of the sheet and the points hanging over the edge. Leave a 3 – 4 inch empty space in the center. Press dough together where the triangles meet to connect them.

Spoon the turkey beef mixture in a ring on top of the joined dough, leaving the center empty (you can put a bowl of sour cream there when serving). Carefully pull all the points of the of the crescent rolls, twisting them together to seal over the filling. Do not get too fussy about this as after the taco ring bakes, it looks gorgeous no matter whether the filling os completely covered by the rolls.

Bake the taco ring until golden brown – 20 to 25 minutes. Let it cool 3 to 4 minutes before transferring to a serving platter. If you do not have a platter large enough, cur sturdy cardboard into a large enough piece and cover with foil. Put bowl of sour cream in the middle and arrange the rest of toppings in pretty little bowls around the ring.

*Note – it is just as easy to make two rings as it is one. If baking later, cover with plastic wrap and keep cool.

Ok – scratch everything I said above… I am making this tonight! 😀

These few recipes are barely scratching the surface of the recipes that caught my eye in this book…. main dishes, sides, appetizers, desserts, breads, soups, marinades…. and party planning. I will get many years of use out of this new treasure in my home.

To win a copy of this book:

In my excitement over my new find – I am offering a copy of this book to be mailed to one lucky commenter between now and Thursday morning. Open internationally – I will mail directly to you from Amazon. *Simply leave in the comment section what your favorite item is to take along to a potluck or gathering type event.

Amazon Rating

Goodreads Review

The 2011 WHERE ARe You Reading map has been updated to include What Can I Bring? Cookbook

I purchased this book in Grand Marias Minnesota… “Mini” Girls Weekend

This review is part of Weekend Cooking – the awesome weekend meme

hosted by Beth Fish Reads

Fire Monks by Colleen Morton Busch

Published on July 26, 2011July 26, 2011 by Sheila (Book Journey)14 Comments

On June 21, 2008 lighting struck a very drought-dry California and ignited over two thousand wild fires in what became the lightening siege. One of the blazes turned towards Tassajara Zen Mountain Center. The monks within this area prepared for the fire to arrive, though told to leave the area, a small group of five would not consider leaving.

If you lived on the west coast, you knew of the fires. If you lived in California, you smelled the smoke. What was happening was news worthy, and the news was focused on Tassajara.

The center was famous for its hot springs, food, and peaceful environment. What would happen to this place? Could it be saved by a few? And what if those few were merely monks, who practiced sitting cross-legged and staring at a wall – what were they really trained to do?

I am not a history buff. Almost embarrassingly so. I do not follow the news, and due to this, there are things in this world I think I should know about… but sadly – do not.

Unless of course, I find my way to a book, as I did in this case… a book about the fires of summer 2008. From Minnesota, I am sure I heard about the fires, but did not follow the story. I did not smell the smoke. After reading this book I can no longer say that I have not heard the story. I am not even sure if I can say that during this read, I did not smell the smoke. As one can read about blueberry pie and their mouth begins to water vividly knowing the flavor, the same can be said for reading about a fire.

I went into this read knowing nothing of the Tassajara Zen Mountain Center. I learned it was not only know for the practice of meditation, but also for bread baking and vegetarian dishes (see? another word association to the taste buds – bread baking! Mmmmm!) I also learned that there is one road into Tassajara, a 14 mile unpaved one.

The book itself moves at a zen like pace. You spend the first 150+ pages learning the background of Tassajara, when it was purchased in the 1960’s, what it was, what it became and how. You also are following the people and the decisions made prior to the fire. All fascinating really, but a book about a massive fire… I wanted to see smoke.

And then we get there, where is evacuation… and fire… and it is exciting. I read these pages quickly wanting to know after all this build up how it was all going to go. And as I write this I think – this is where the book really comes alive. People fighting for what they believe in – against all odds… Now that I know the story, I will not forget it. I would recommend this book to others who enjoy amazing non fiction.

Reading this book reminded me of the devastating fire on the Gunflint Trail in Grand Marias Minnesota. The Gunflint Trail is a fascinating road that goes up up up and is famous with history and books written about it. It is known for moose sighting, bear, and other wild life. We have friends from Brainerd who run a camp on the Gunflint every summer. In May of 2007 the fire that they believe started from a campsite quickly found its way to an area of downed trees from an earlier storm and took off and our of control. It consumed 40 buildings including a large camping resort, causing evacuation of many of the homes and businesses along the trail as the fire made its may closer. Our friends camp was not harmed, the fire finally under control just a mere 13 miles away from it.

In early June I went to visit our friends and we drove the Gunflint looking at the damage. It was heart breaking to see the normally lush and full forests gone – replaced only with black soot. The only soothing to my soul were the green buds peeking out here and there reminding me that nature will conquer and replace in time.

I read this book as part of a TLC book tour

News To Me Adventures Of An Accidental Journalist by Laurie Hertzel

Published on July 21, 2011July 21, 2011 by Sheila (Book Journey)18 Comments

Laurie Hertzel started out with what I would have once called my dream job. She worked in a library. Later, when offered a chance to work at a Duluth Minnesota newspaper, she jumped at the chance – jumped… before even realizing what the job entailed. Laurie found herself running copy, writing obits, answering phones, and making coffee (which is something she dis not drink and had to fill the large carafe in the only sink deep enough… the ones in the men’s room).

Despite Laurie’s start in newspaper with little previous experience, she watched and learned, moving horizontally and then eventually up the ladder to reporter, and then journalist. The times that Laurie describes in this book of her journey… well… times… they were a changing, and Laurie was right in the middle of it.

The story of her career was a chance to accompany a group of “Duluthians” (I know right? This is what she refers to people of Duluth as) to the USSR in 1986 to build a relationship with a potential sister city. The result of this trip not only leads to a great newspaper story, but also relationships between a USSR city and the city of Duluth Minnesota that stand strong even today. This trip eventually led to a second trip where she wrote a book, They Took My Father, based on a true story.

Laurie’s book is lighthearted and funny as she shares the happenings with co workers, and all that is shared in a newsroom.

Laurie Hertzel Portrait — Laurie with her book, "News To Me"

I listened to Laurie at an event at my local Library this week. I went in knowing chances are I was getting the book… what I wasn’t expecting was after Laurie shared with the 44 people in the room exerts from her book, how much I wanted the book. To the point that I was eyeballing how many books she brought with her, vs… the people in the room and concerned she would run out before I got my hands on one! 😛

1ea — Laurie in the early 1980's interviewing a llama farmer.

Laurie’s book kept me up late into the night. I could not put it down. Her delightful retelling of her time in newspaper when women were not really valued as anything more than wives. The papers even still referred to women as Mrs. John Doe – using the husband’s name to identify them… or describing them in the papers as a petite blond, or other now controversial titles.

The antics of the newsroom in the 70’s was pretty interesting. The guys smoked at their desks… and the women were expected to just do their job. In one instance, Laurie describes a female coworker becoming impatient when the single women’s bathroom was occupied and she marched herself into the men’s room. Afterwards, one of the men asked if she was having her monthly since she was so crabby (yes, you read that right)…the woman along with another female offered to make a “flow chart” so the guys could document if they were truly upset…or just hormonal. 😛 Happily, it did not come to this.

There are many other great stories, both funny and amazing that Laurie discusses in her years leading up to where she

is now, the Senior books editor of the Minneapolis Star and Tribune. Yes, that’s right… I am reviewing the book of a senior book editor. 😯

When Laurie talks about the Congdon Murders taking place while she was working for the newspapers, that blew me away. The murders that took place in Duluth in 1977 were later on trial in my home town Brainerd Mn. This is long before I knew anything about the Congdon’s, but in my adult life I have toured the Congdon Mansion many times.

When Laurie writes about her time in the USSR with a camera person and the other delegates from Duluth I thought maybe the book would take a turn to the less passionate for me. Boy was I wrong… what I thought may be heavy information about the trip and Russia was still handled with Laurie Hertzel’s flare for getting to the story. I found myself just as engrossed in this section as all the others of the book.

I loved this read. As a lover of words, writing, and crazy opportunities, Laurie seemed like an adventurous person after my own heart. She inspired me. She will inspire you.

When Laurie was speaking here is what she said when asked about the future of newspapers: “Newspapers should always have a place in the world. People like to hold them, they like the feel of them. On line newspapers are great if you know what you are looking for, but difficult to maneuver when you are just reading. Love on your newspapers.”

Laura Hertzel, July 2011

Amazon Rating

Goodreads Review

The 2011 WHERE Are You reading map has been updated to include News To Me, University Of Minnesota Press

I purchased this book from Laurie Hertzel when she was speaking at out library

Beastly by Alex Flinn

Published on July 17, 2011 by Sheila (Book Journey)39 Comments

Kyle Kingsbury is one good looking guy. And… he knows it. He is that guy that looks amazing, has a way with words, and has the money to back it up thanks to daddy. Kyle can have any girl he wants and has her…. but one girl annoys him, the class freak Kendra. She calls out Kyle every chance she gets and he makes a decision to get even.

At a school dance he sets Kendra up for an epic fail and humiliates her. Feeling good about himself, as Kyle usually does, he goes home only to find that Kendra has also come to his home and curses him by telling him he will be just as ugly on the outside as he is on the inside. Instantly, Kyle turns into a scarred, tattooed beast.

The cure, Kendra tells Kyle is to find someone who loves him for who he is on the inside. And well…. good luck with that.

Even the family money can not find a way to return Kyles looks and his father embarrassed now by his son sends him away to a home with his maid to live out his days out of the public spotlight.

Will Kyle ever be able to find someone who could love him as hideous as he is when he can not even stand to look at himself?

Honestly? I had no intention of reading this book. I think I seen the movie cover before I seen the book cover and it just screamed “Teen angst!”

But then, as occasionally happens I read a review of this book over at my friend Reagan’s blog, Miss Remmers Reviews. It was enough to make me curious and so I found a copy and poked my head inside. This is one of those books that even though you know that you know that you know the outcome – how it will all come together, even who the characters will be that makes it happen… it was still…

wonderful.

Yes – I too was surprised by my enjoyment of this book, so much in fact that after the read – I rented the movie and really enjoyed that as well. Vanessa Hudgens and Alex Pettyfer do an amazing job together and it just made me fall more in love with this modern day retelling of Beauty and The Beast.

You may recall that I read and reviewed Cloaked, also by this author. Alex Flinn has a way with putting a pretty interesting twist on the fairy tales of our past, and I enjoyed the modern day recap.

Amazon Rating

Good reads review

The 2011 WHERE Are You reading Map has been updated to include Beastly

I borrowed this book from my local library!

Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone by JK Rowling – special anniversary addition

Published on July 15, 2011July 15, 2011 by Sheila (Book Journey)12 Comments

In the beginning…. it was The Dursley’s at the (now famous) address of Four Pivet Drive, also the opening line to the book. The Dursley’s kept to themselves, not liking anything out of the ordinary – but that was about to change.

One day… a very odd day filled with strangely cloaked persons and owls everywhere…. a package arrives on the doorstep of the Dursleys…

a baby actually. A baby called Harry Potter.

Certainly by now you know the story. Harry is raised by his Aunt and Uncle – if you can call living under the stairs, not being acknowledged, and pretty much treated worse than a house mouse, being raised.

Until one day – a visitor comes. A large visitor and it is suddenly like Harry won the lottery. He is taken to a school for wizards – wizards!!! And this is really where Harry’s story takes flight. With his new friends Ron and Hermione… who knew that Harry Potter would become a household name – and that this amazing book, about an orphaned boy with a scar was only the beginning…

I have looked for a hard covered version of this book for years. I could not find book one in hard cover! Then, this past May in New York, I not only found it at the Harry Potter Exhibit, I found it as the ten-year anniversary edition. SSSQQUUUEEEEEEE!!!!!

SO this week – the week before the final movie release and an end, really, to an era. I had to dive into Harry’s world once again.

It wasn’t me who grew up on these books… it was my kids. But really… I think in a way, I did too. These books became as important to me, as they did my two sons. We read them together…. three copies of each as they came out. Three readers, noses buried deep into a fantasy world of magic, friendships, dark forces, and a school that makes all of this

1daaa — Snape, as J K Rowling always saw him. This was scribbled back in 1992 or 3. Although J K spent years denying that Snape is a vampire, even she admits now he looked a little like Count Dracula in the cloak.

happen.

*sigh* Is it no wonder I love these books so much?

Now I know many die-hard Harry Potter fans were reading either the entire series on preparation for the final movie, or the last book, or the 6th and 7th book again. My goal was to read the first, (this one) and the last.

Why?

Because when something is ending… I like to remember the beginning. Reading Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone was going back to Privet Drive, before Harry had any idea he was a wizard, back to when Hogwarts was exciting and new, and school friends were the best thing in the world.

I had a blast remembering Harry’s first classes, how at first he and Ron found Hermione annoying and bossy (you may remember the fight in this first book where Hermione overheard Ron talking about how annoying she was…. ). This led to the whole troll in the castle chapter where we who have been through this book (and/or the movie) will always be able to recall the term “troll boogers”.

Pretty much from that point on – the three were friends for life.

Reading this book prior to seeing the final installation of The Deathly Hallows really opened up a bigger picture for me. It was hard to look at the screen as Hogwarts was no longer the beautiful and magical school it was under Dumbledore’s reign…. instead it lays in near ruins not only under poor management, but also being destroyed under the death eaters watch.

It is also pretty amazing to look at these three characters that in this book are all new to the joys of the magical world… and see them in the final movie as hardened young adults facing their destiny head on. Times… they have changed….

I think the biggest thing to remember about Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone is that it was and always will be… the beginning of something that changed the world as we knew it. It changed the way we read books and it really in all truth, set the bar high for future such reads. I myself can think of a couple of series that made valiant efforts to touch the greatness of Potter and ultimately failed. In truth, I am not sure if anything can ever touch this level of world-changing reading and writing again.

I for one, would love to read a fantasy book that even comes close to the phenomenon that is Harry Potter.

2aaaa — Harry, Hermione, and Ron... Then and Now

The 2011 WHERE Are You reading Map has been updated to Include Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone

I purchased this lovely hard cover anniversary edition in New York at the Harry Potter Exhibition

South Of Superior by Ellen Airgood

Published on July 14, 2011July 14, 2011 by Sheila (Book Journey)16 Comments

When Madeline Stone walks away from Chicago and moves five hundred miles north to the coast of Lake Superior, in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, she isn’t prepared for how much her life will change.

Charged with caring for an aging family friend, Madeline finds herself in the middle of beautiful nowhere with Gladys and Arbutus, two octogenarian sisters-one sharp and stubborn, the other sweeter than sunshine. As Madeline begins to experience the ways of the small, tight-knit town, she is drawn into the lives and dramas of its residents. It’s a place where times are tough and debts run deep, but friendship, community, and compassion run deeper. As the story hurdles along-featuring a lost child, a dashed love, a car accident, a wedding, a fire, and a romantic reunion-Gladys, Arbutus, and the rest of the town teach Madeline more about life, love, and goodwill than she’s learned in a lifetime.

1bba — Lake Superior is the largest of the five traditionally-demarcated Great Lakes of North America. It is bounded to the north by the Canadian province of Ontario and the U.S. state of Minnesota, and to the south by the U.S. states of Wisconsin and Michigan. It is the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area if Lake Huron and Lake Michigan are considered to be two lakes. It is the world's third-largest freshwater lake by volume. ~ Wikepedia

Living in an area of Minnesota where Lake Superior is a regular sight when we travel north to our cabin, the title of this book caught my attention.

I have always liked the story line of a person being uprooted from their “comfort zone” and placed into a new life. This is the story of Madeline and her return to where she was born that leads to life lessons that she never could have anticipated.

Madeline’s new life is not without difficulties and I enjoyed her trying to find her niche while she still struggled with the lifestyle she came from and where she now was. While it takes awhile for her to literally WARM UP to her surroundings, the town needs to warm up to her too. (I was picking up a bit of a Renee Zellweger vibe from the movie “New In Town“.

The book is pretty paced, not too slow but not a fast page turner either. I enjoyed the book as a lite summer read that was enjoyed from my lawn chair on the back deck with a never-ending pitcher of iced tea.

This book was part of a TLC Book Tour