Category: Book Stuff

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)118 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:

Joy from Joy’s Book Blog

***  Joy is also a brand new participant in Monday What Are Your Reading!


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

 

I did not finish  a lot of books during this last week but I did actually get a lot of others things done that will lead to great reading this year.  Here is what I accomplished this past week:

 

  • I finally sat down and planned out what Challenges I wanted to be a part of this year.  This was fun and I think I can be successful in all of them.

  • The 2011 WHERE are you reading Map is up and now has three (woo hoo 3!!!) pegs on it coming out of the first week of January so I thrilled about that.  You still have time to join in!  😀  You can see my current map at the bottom of all my current book reviews in 2011.


  • Also – new in the house from my super fun road trip with my friend Wendy this weekend to St. Cloud and of course Barnes and Noble:

Yup!  I could not turn down the chance to pick up th LOST encyclopedia at 50% off!!!  AND Matched has been on my wish list for awhile and Wendy recommended Night by Elie Wiesel.

 

 

That was pretty much my week, but considering that I had work all week and a meeting every evening :  Monday – Thursday, I feel pretty good about what I accomplished.

 

For this week here is what I currently have going on as well as what I hope to accomplish:

 

I have not read Evanovich in years but while looking for something to listen to in my kitchen CD player at the library this one caught my eye.  I had heard that the audio’s were good and thought I would give this a try…. I am currently on disc 2 and enjoying the read!

 

 

Fresh from my library, Some Girls Are was on my wish list for 2010 and I just never got to it.  So – here it is, on my kitchen table and in the plans for this week!

 

I am listening to We Are All Welcome Here in my car.   Currently on disc 3 I am in awe of this one so far.  Key words of interest:  Polio, Iron Lung, Paralyzed

 

 

???????????

 

Currently on the IPod…… Nothing….. nada. After finishing Peace, Locomotion yesterday I have not looked to figure out what I want to download next to listen to on my IPOD.  I am open to suggestions – what would you recommend on audio?



 

Kitchen Boy that I am currently reading from last week has been put on hold for me to finish in the next 36 hours:  The Forgotten Garden which is my book club read for this Tuesday.

 


There you have it.  I am anxious to see what you are reading these cool January days and nights.  I will popping in as I can to check that out!  LINK up with the Linky below and I highly encourage each of us to take time to check out some of the other participants blogs.  It’s fun and appreciated and you never know where you may find that next great book recommendation – or blog you wish to follow.

 

Powered by Linky Tools

Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list…

Author Chat: Rhonda Hayter (author The Witchy Worries of Abbie Adams)

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)10 Comments

While in New York this past May I had an opportunity to meet and talk with the Class of 2K10 YA Debut Authors.  This was a lot of fun and I met some wonderfully talented women including my guest here today, Rhonda Hayter.  Rhonda and I had a little time to chat one on one and she presented me with a signed copy of her book, The  Witchy Worries of bbie Adams(SQQQQUUUEEEEEEEE)!

Please welcome to Book Journey, the lovely and talented Rhonda Hayter.

Rhonda Hayter

Rhonda, welcome.   I always start by asking, how do you take your coffee?


Rhonda:  By the gallon.


Good to know –  will keep the coffee pot on!  Have you been a long time reader?


Rhonda:  I always talk about this in my school visits just to horrify the children but where I grew up there was no TV.  It was in northernmost Canada in a place called Labrador and at that time, it was too remote to get a TV signal up there.  It was also thirty degrees below zero a lot of the time, so reading was the only game in town. Much of my growing up was spent huddled on a heating grate, buried in books.

Rhonda in her home office where everyone leaves her alone....except their dog, Kitty.


I was a book girl too Rhonda, I Almaty preferred books to tv.   What is one of the first books you remember falling in love with?


Rhonda:  I think it might have been the Pippi Longstocking books.  I ordered them through the book clubs at school and devoured them the day I got them. Pippi was so wild and free, without parental supervision and she could go anywhere and dress however she pleased.  Of course I was happy to have parents and all…but it was really fun to think about.


When did you know you wanted to be a writer?


Rhonda:  I actually always wanted to be an actor.  I started off as one but well..not in what you might call a hugely successful way.  I spent so much of my life yearning for that and riding the ups and downs of it all, that I almost didn’t notice that I wanted to write too…although I always did.  It wasn’t until I finally gave up my acting (or it gave me up)  that I noticed that writing gave me exactly the same kind of seat-of-the-pants/living-in-the-moment thrill that acting did.


I recently finished reading The Witchy Worries of Abbie Adams.  Abbie is a delightful character and I enjoyed getting to know her.  Was this the book you thought you would write?


Rhonda:  I never actually thought of writing a whole book before Abbie but it just came pouring out of me. I had a fifth grader in the house at the time, and I was immersed in his life and his voice and his concerns….and that’s just the book that materialized.

 

Rhonda and her youngest son Ethan ( the inspiration for the character of Munch)


There are a couple of references to Harry Potter in the book.  You mention Abbie has a poster of Hermione on her bedroom wall and later there is a reference to Hogwarts.  I am a big Potter fan.  What is your Harry Potter connections – love the books, love the movies?  Both?


Rhonda:  My older boy Duncan is 16 now, so he was exactly the age to be ready for each book as it came out. It was such an incredible part of his childhood, waiting for the next installment…showing up at midnight at Barnes and Noble on the day it was to be released, watching him be completely consumed by it until he powered through to the end…and then passing it around the family, and reading it aloud to his younger brother…until he was finally ready to read it alone.  And the movies always came out right around Duncan’s birthday in November so that was always momentous too.  (Although I had to take him into the lobby for some of the scary parts of the first movie.  I have such an affection for the whole experience that Harry Potter gave our family, books and movies combined.


I love that connection your family has to the Potter books!  I heard a rumor that Abbie may be showing up in a future book…. hmmmm, is this true?


Rhonda:  Well I can tell you that she’s going to share a very big secret with her best friend Callie…and complications will arise.


Is there a fictional character that you would like to hang out with?


Rhonda:  I like that question!  Let me see. I’ve always been a monster Jane Austen fan, and I’d just love to swish around in long dresses exchanging witty observations with Elizabeth Bennett or the Sense and Sensibility gals.

Rhonda's hang out buddy, Elizabeth Bennett

It was so fun to meet you at BEA this past May.  I enjoyed hearing that you were part of the Class of 2k10 debut authors group.  Can you tell us a little more about this group?


Rhonda:  I LOVE that group.  We’re all published in YA or MG for the first time this year. I always liken it to my pregnancy yoga class— you’re united in fellowship with people at a unique and magical moment in their lives. We network and cross promote and all that, but more importantly, we have become friends and great support for each other. That was one of the things that made BEA such fun, getting to meet everyone in person, after having chatted almost every day over the Internet for months. We were all CRAZY about each other!


I can not let you leave without asking you to share a little known fact about yourself.


Rhonda:  Oh dear, let’s see.  I guess something that’s a little unusual is that I didn’t learn to drive until I was in my late 30s, when I moved out to Los Angeles.  I look at my 16-year old learning now and I realize that what it really takes is a teenager’s blithe unawareness that anything bad can ever happen.  At the time I learned, that ship had long since sailed and I felt exactly as if I was getting into the Electric Chair to be executed every time I strapped myself into the driver’s seat.  I’m better now….but I still ain’t good.


That is a great fact Rhonda!  Thank you so much for stooping in and chatting with me today!



Thanks so much for having me Sheila. This was fun.

 

Rhonda and I, May 2010, New York

Please stop in and see Rhonda at her website as well as at the  Class of 2k10 website.

Morning Meanderings… Do you like receiving books as gifts?

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)88 Comments

Good Morning!

Last night I had dinner with three wonderful friends.  Tired as I was from a busy day… there is nothing like getting together with good friends to catch up, share and laugh.  Seriously I could also feel the days stresses just melt away.

We exchanged Christmas presents and among the wonderful gifts I received a beautiful LARGE unabridged book on the Chronicles of Narnia.  Now, some people may groan and say “Wow Sheila, you need another book like Minnesota needs more snow!”

And to that I say “pshaw to you.”  😀


Book gifts are my favorite treasures – to me gift books are my friends sending me on an adventure.  Within the pages of books I travel to all corners of the world… and occasionally beyond.  I may walk alongside pirates, or angels, bounty hunters, or princesses…. I can travel by land, by sea…. I may even be able to fly.  I could be eating cheese cake in New York, or steamed clams in New Orleans.  And finally… when that final page is turned, I have the memories of new locations, and possibly new friends.

When I give a book as a gift I am saying, “join me in this adventure”, and I can not think of a better gift to give.

The books I receive as gifts hold special places on my book shelves.  I carefully place the name of who I received it from on the inside cover and date it so I never forget.  If it came with a card, the card is tucked carefully inside.

Do you like receiving books as gifts?

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)85 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:

Bev from My Reader’s Block


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

 

The two big end of the year holidays are over and my reading has been sporadic as of late.  It seems like I am either reading for hours at a time, or not picking up a book for days.  Here is what this past week looked like:

The WHERE Are You Reading Challenge

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

Best of 2010

Fallen by Lauren Kate

The 2010 Challenge Recap post

Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks (not your average Sparks at all!)

This week is a busy one.  I have a meeting every night Mon – Thurs and that puts a crimp in the reading time.  That said, I do still have goals:

Yes Torment was on last weeks list and here it is hopefully being read later this week.

 

The Kitchen Boy is a random pick up off my book shelves and I am sitting about a fourth of the way in this one now.

 

Our Bookies Book Club read for January due next Tuesday so this one hits the front line this week.

 

That’s my plan for this first week of the new year.  I am hoping to read more intentionally this year.  I cant wait to see what books you are reading to start off this new year.  Link up your What Are You Reading post below!  😀


Powered by Linky Tools

Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list…

Finally.. The Challenge Recap

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)28 Comments

In 2010 I was like a kid in a candy store when it came to Challenges.  I was so excited to be a joiner and I just knew I could complete them all!

Well…. such are the dreams of a rookie book blogger….

Life happens, shoot…. books happen, and before I knew it my reading went in other directions, books recommended by other bloggers (oh yes… you awesome book reviewers – I BLAME YOU, and of course new releases, and old titles I have always wanted to read, and impulse buys, and book sales – and of course back in January of 2010 I had not even dreamed I would go to BEA and of course I had no idea that if I did the books that would follow me home…to read…

to read…

to read…

So now I humbly come before you with the results of the Challenges and I said “OH YEAH!” too, and how I did. All the Challenge pictures are linked to the actual challenge page and lists the books that qualified.

This one was fun and I knew I could do this one as this counted for anything I read… anything I listened to on audio.  I came out of this one with a total of 116 books/audio in 2010.

 

I am thankful for this challenge even if I did make my goal of 25 Library reads.  This challenge actually caused me to sign up for a library card, which I have not done for almost 20 years.  Its true… I did not use my library – but I did in 2010 and I plan to use it even more in 2011.

 

This one was exciting for me and my goal was 25 and that is what I read!  YA has been an exciting genre for me and I really do enjoy reading these books.

 

 

Ok this would be one of those embarrassing Challenge fails… GAH.  To me this was a no brainer challenge, even a little self-indulgent as I LOVE all things Potter.  Yet… as I mentioned above, other books, other commitments… and I managed to hit 3 of the 7 I thought I could do.

 

I love Historical Fiction and I aced this challenge with a goal of 6 and read 7.  I hope to read even more of this genre in 2011.

 

 

The Gilmore Girl Challenge is another one I failed miserably at and that surprises me.  I really thought I would do well on this one and obviously… did not.  GAH!  Rory would shun me in public and I would not blame her one bit.

 

 

 

The Social Justice Challenge is one I wish I really would have done more with.  I really thought this was a brilliant challenge and I had a few months I was strong in and then I tapered off.

 

 

The Christy Award Challenge I completes one read out of the 6 I meant to.  Some of these books I even had checked out from the library… sadly I did not find the time to read them.

 

I do plan to join a few hopefully well-chosen Challenges this year, knowing now how a reading plan changes drastically throughout the year I will try to stick to ones that are more user-friendly for me, or stretch me to read into genres I wish I read more in any way.

The Best of 2010

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)63 Comments

I can not even believe we are here on the cusp of 2011, and I hanging on by a toe hold trying to get this post done.  For me 2010 brought with it my first full year of book blogging.  I learned a lot this year about blogging, reviewing, commenting, giveaways, authors, and more…

I can not write this post without giving a virtual high-five to Natasha at Maw Books and the event she hosts called Bloggiesta.  I will be writing a more detailed post about this event in January, but have to say that Bloggiesta, starting back in June of 2009, really established the ground work of the blog and the blogger you see today.  I recommend Bloggiesta to all bloggers.  It does not matter if you are new or been around the blogosphere for a while, this has something for everyone and I learn from it every time I do it. I have participated every time, twice during 2010.  Click on the logo below to check out what it is all about and join in on the next one that takes place in January.

 

And of course I have to mention BEA (Book Expo America).  Not only did I not even know what this was in 2009, even if I had I would never have imagined myself attending.  Yet, in 2010, I flew by myself for the first time ever to New York where I met up with my new roommates Reagan from Miss Remmer’s Reviews, Esme from Chocolates and Croissants, Care from Care’s Online Book Club, and Kim from Sophisticated Dorkiness.  It was a huge leap for me and I LOVED every minute of it.  I met so many wonderful bloggers, and authors…. I toured Simon and Schuster, went to dinner with authors, a blogger party, the Book Blogger Conference… and the books… oh the books!  Let’s just say it is a book lovers dream! Click the logo below to find out about BEA 2011

 

 

BEA - New York, May 2010

 

 

Of course there are the books and it is hard to look at everything I read in 2010 and pick the books that effected me the most, but I did it and here they are (If you click on the book covers you will be linked to my reviews).

 

To Kill a Mockingbird was one of those classics I always wanted to read but… just had not.  When I was offered a chance to read and review this book for its 50th anniversary this year I knew it was time to jump in… and I am really glad I did.  To Kill A Mockingbird instantly jumped to the all time favorites for me.  This book is amazing and if you have not had the pleasure, please add this to your “MUST READS” for 2011.

 

I have found myself drawn to books like this for some time now and born under a million shadows was one that really touched my heart.  With the feeling of Kite Runner, this one pulled me into a mesmerizing tale of a country I only know through the books I read.

 

 

It is a big deal that I add this book to my top of 2010 list as when I started reading it, I honestly wasn’t sure I would even like it.  As I became more involved in the book I really began to appreciate the brilliant story that Lauren Oliver had created.  In the end, I loved it and I have to give credit where credit is due.  People who enjoy a good YA read should really appreciate this book.

 

 

Most people read this years ago… I only got to it this year, after the book has sat on my shelf for years… unread.  And then, I didn’t read the book, I picked it up on audio from my library as I had travel time to listen to a book.  I am so glad I did.  This audio book is read by author Khaled Hosseini and I am so glad I was able to hear this in his own words… literally.

 

 

 

The Fiddler’s Gun is such a beautiful read as I write this now I do not even know how to describe to you how much I truly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the sequel.

 

 

I really just got into YA reading in the past few years.  It is no secret that I appreciate a good message within my books, especially in a YA read and I found that in this book.  I found Thirteen reasons Why to be amazing and I chatted with author Jay Asher about this unique read.

 

 

This book is receiving my vote for best book club book of the year for 2010 and ranked high on my overall 2010 reads as well.  I did not read as much historical fiction as I would have liked this year and thinking about this book now makes me really want to move to correct that this next year.  Hotel On The Corner Of Bitter and Sweet is a love story but also a historical, factual book that I found left me want ing to know more about the actual events that are mentioned in this book.

 

 

 

I am not even sure why I am adding this one to the list but I feel as thought I should.  I read this one in early 2010 and it was light and fun and for some reason really sticks with me as a “that was a good read!”.

 

 

Finally… I do not think a 2010 recap would be complete without me adding in some of my favorite Morning Meanderings of the past year.  I love the conversations that have been had over my early morning rants and happenings over a cup of coffee…

 

The Secret is out… it is I who has the Invisibility Cloak!


Random Things In My Head…


What Is It With Me and Jayne Eyre?

 

What Would You r Name Have Been?


My Letter from the state and a fine (Life Is Never Dull)

 

“Banned Aid!”  (In honor of Banned Books Week)

 

The Pinky Swear

 

Sleeping At The Library


Why I participate in a bike ride for AIDS

 

I am on the lam!


Crowing a new Book Club Queen


First word of the day, “meh”


Moments for BEA

 

Ok I could do more but I have to run so there is my 2010…. I cant wait to visit all of you in 2011!!!

Morning Meanderings…

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)24 Comments

Good morning!  COFFEE CUP and I are moving full steam (get it?  steam?) ahead.  I was up early and with a plan.

Today is super nutso in everything as I am juggling work, Zumba Class at 3:30, home, groceries,  Brads last day in town before he goes back to the Navy so he is having dinner with us, a 6:00 pm meeting tonight, and …

GAH!

AND I am so bummed that I have yet to post my top picks for 2010 AND I need to update my challenges.

When did life get so busy???

I hate to say it but I may have to pass on the Zumba tonight just to get everything else done.  I hate it when that happens but things are bound to settle down soon.

I am excited for the New Year that is quickly approaching… at that time I plan to share a few goals with you and hope that you too will find renewed motivation and/or direction in 2011.

Any big plans or reading planned for the New Year weekend?

Morning Meanderings… Basking In The Glow… Of What?

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)51 Comments

Good Morning!

Have you noticed this past week my Morning Meanderings have been a bit later than the norm?  This is a good thing!  It means in the morning I am RELAXING a bit!  😀

Granted I will get back to the early posts again in the next couple of days here (in fact I have many big plans moving forward that I will be sharing over the next week….) but for now…. I am hoping you were able to sleep in a bit this morning as well, or at least settle down with family, friends, or a great books (which to me… can be a lot like family and/or friends).

Quick Christmas recap:

  • We had both sons:  Brad (Navy Son) and Justin (College Son) home for Christmas.  SSSQQQUUUEEEEE!!!!  (First time we were all home together in 13 months!!!)
  • Brad’s friend (and honorary son) also from the Navy joined us for Christmas dinner.
  • Chance went home to be with his family for Christmas morning and dinner than came back for movies and games here.
  • Justin’s friend Branden (another honorary son) joined us after dinner for board games.

I love that we are THAT house. ♥

 

We laughed a lot… opened gifts together….

Guess what I got!!!

SSSQQQQQQUUUUUUUEEEEEE!!!

That’s right!  I got this really cool t – shirt.  Ok, ok, that is true…. but obviously I am all SSSQQQQUUUEEEEE like because my hubby bought me the NOOK.  YES!  My first e -reader.  EVER.  I have never even used one before and I am so super-uber pumped!!!

Hubby got golf clubs, hoping he takes the hint to take a little more time for himself in 2011, boys received gift cards and goodies.

We ented our very late evening…. actually early early this morning like uhhh….. 1:30 am after playing many rounds of Sequence.  If you have not played this game I HIGHLY recommend it…. it is addicting.


So that explains the late post.  I am drinking my coffee this morning… already basking in the memories of a wonderful Christmas.  I am off now to finish reading a book and to start on my first book on the Nook (from this day forward fondly named “SNookie”).

What book did I choose you ask?

You have no idea what a pain staking task that was!  I mean the first book (much like my first DVD ever) is a big deal to me.  It will be the remembered one and it took me over an hour of book browsing to choose what should hold the honor.

Finally…

This is a book I read a review of recently and I wanted to read it and my library did not have it.

Ok… now I am just rambling with random excitement so I am going to close this post with these pics of my sons.  My SNookie is calling me.  😀

Happy After Christmas glow to all of you!

 

Relentless by Dean Koontz (audio review and epic FAIL)

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)17 Comments

Bestselling author Cullen Cubby Greenwich is mortified when Shearman Waxx, the nation’s premier literary critic, savages his work. Cubby manages to find the syphilitic swine at Roxie’s Bistro in Newport Beach, Calif., where the author’s six-year-old prodigy son nearly pees by accident on Waxx in the restaurant’s men’s room. In retaliation, Waxx threatens Cubby with doom and gets things started nicely by blowing up his house. With almost superhuman ease, the book critic keeps track of Cubby and his family as they flee for their lives.

 

 

Let me share a little background info about me and Dean.  No, we didn’t know each other back in school, or ever really crossed paths – except of course within the pages of his books that i could not read fast enough…. and in my opinion he could not write fast enough.

Yes it is true…. back when I was 20, Dean Koontz was one of a very elite group of my favorite authors.  I read and loved:

Whispers

Phantoms

Twilight Eyes

Strangers

Watchers

Lightening (Oh Yeah!)

Midnight

Cold Fire

Hideaway

The Key To Midnight

Door To December

The Funhouse (first book I ever read of his)

Breathless

Brother Odd

Odd Thomas

Eyes Of Darkness

False Memory

Fear Nothing

Tick Tock

One Door Away From Heaven

Winter Moon

 

yes…. I think it is safe to say I have been a fan.

 

And now this is where it gets….

awkward.

I was so excited to listen to this audio and I LOVED the idea of the main character being an author who gets a bad review….  (I know a bit ironic right now…..).  A fun fact about Dean’s books is that he almost always includes some sort of “bookish” theme in his writing – either his character is a reader, or a writer or there are mentions of books shelves…

BUT.

This time I just could not pick up what Dean was putting down.  The storyline was so outrageously over the top – the strange killings in the book beyond gruesome and a bit wacky and well…

I finally gave up as I was so confused and surprised by the book that it didn’t even have the regular “Dean Koontz” feel to it that I have come to know and love through the years.  It felt a little more like James Patterson when he goes a direction that I do not like.

Will I read Dean Koontz again?  I am sure I will.  I have found him to be not as dark as Stephen King, and not as light and funny as Harlan Coben.  He is a great middle of the road.

 

I received this audio from my library