Book Stuff – Page 78 – Book Journey

Word Verification Balderdash – My Thursday Thing

Published on October 22, 2009October 23, 2009 by Sheila (Book Journey)20 Comments

Yes! I am back! I missed the last two weeks due to crazy schedules and as I have blog hopped this week I was excited to see others who do this meme kept on going! YEAH! Love that!

So for those of you just tuning in… here is what we do (and you can too!) As quoted from my original post:

Ok… I admit it. I am a comment junkie. I love – love ♥ LOVE ♥ to read blogs, the discussions on books, author interviews, bookshelves, great bookish stories and adventures….

but along with loving to comment comes the ever dreaded endless… (dun dun dun dun…scary music)

word verification.

I know it is a necessity… I get that. You leave a comment, chances are you going to be word verified. Yet being a comment junkie… it slows me down. So to make this a bit more enjoyable… I came up with a plan.

I love word games (not as much as commenting). To entertain myself and maybe some of you… I decided to share with you a little thing I do while I type in the verification. I play Balderdash in my head. Yup. As I am typing in the word, I think if it was a real word… what would it mean. Some come easy. Others…. I really have to stretch the imagination.

The definition of Balderdash: An oft used strategy to elect your own fake definition in an attempt to give it credibility in the minds of your fellow players. …

And here is my list for this week:

CLOOBDINE: A social network originated in Peru. People gather around their computers and “virtual dine” together… sharing what they are eating and using abbreviations for food related events. IE. “B” for burp. “EM” for excuse me.

LAGAZES: A new drug just becoming FDA approved to assist people who suffer from chronic lagging. These people are always a bit behind and have no motivation or desire to catch up.

CARCHIC: Finally a word for her! She is that girl that can do just about anything from her car – apply makeup, eat breakfast, style her hair, talk on her phone and make all her appointments for the day, mix no bake cookies for the school bake sale, and is packing two changes of clothes for emergency events (such as a sporty outfit to cheer the kids on and a dress up outfit for emergency meetings) All of this while looking smoking hot.

KIJACK: The unfortunate new theft ring for off shore criminals. The act of stealing kyaks. People who are victims on kijacking are usually knocked out of the kyak and left to swim to shore where if their cell phone survived the water bath, they call for help.

Feel free to play along at home, here or on your own blog. You can even take the little picture meme I made if you like and use it. Link your words here in a comment and I will add you to this post so other readers may go and check out your list as well! 🙂

See the fun word definitions at:

My Ever Expanding Library

My World

Wordsmithonia

Alexias Books and Such

It’s Tuesday Where Are You?

Published on October 20, 2009October 20, 2009 by Sheila (Book Journey)17 Comments

This is hosted by An Adventure in Reading

I am on the Caribbean Island of Nevis with Meg Owen looking over her newly inherited property of an old plantation house. I am getting a sense that there is something more here… piano music playing at odd hours of the night, a diary, and the rumors of ghosts….

I have to wonder what could have happened here on this property so many, many years ago? Does it lie with the secrets of the Dall family who used to live on the property? What has caused the restlessness of the spirits and what can I help Meg do to put them to rest?

Receive Me Falling by Erika Robuck

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

Published on October 19, 2009October 19, 2009 by Sheila (Book Journey)15 Comments

This is a weekly Meme from J Kayes Blog. Today I am actually into two books. I am reading Receive Me Falling by Erika Robuck and just getting into the rhythm of the book. I am also casually reading What To Do When The Roof Caves In by Marilyn Meberg. While Catch Me Falling is a historical fiction read… What To Do When The Roof Caves In is a humorous look into the issues that rain down on us in our life times and how to handle these “opportunities” with grace. I just seen Marilyn Meberg speak over this past weekend and she continuously cracks me up with her candid way of telling her story.

If you have not had the pleasure of ever hearing Marilyn speak – here is a clip to get a little sample:

For this week I am finishing up the two books I just mentioned above and Family Plot is a book tour today and I have that one almost ready to go. My main reading this week is going to be focussed on The Help by Kathryn Stockett as this is going to be our first book review for and discussion for the Word Shakers online book club. I am nervously excited as we have quite a group reading this book and then we are going to have a group post here next Monday as well as links to the other reviews. I have never done anything like this before so I am hoping I can do it well and hold the interest of the group and of course the readers.

What are you reading?

Be sure to stop by J Kaye’s Blog and link in so others may check out what you are reading as well! 🙂

It’s Tuesday, Where Are You?

Published on October 13, 2009October 13, 2009 by Sheila (Book Journey)10 Comments

This is hosted by An Adventure in Reading

I am in Brooklyn with Francie Nolan. We are in school and Francie is telling a lie – a BIG lie to her teacher about taking a small pumpkin pie to a poor family, instead of admitting she ate it herself. Pride is a terrible thing and I wish I could reach out and comfort Francie. I wish I could give Francie several whole pies instead of watching her bony shoulders hunch as she bows her head and tears fill her eyes.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith – page 198

The Heretic’s Daughter by Kathleen Kent – Giveaway

Published on October 13, 2009November 16, 2009 by Sheila (Book Journey)94 Comments

I am excited to be able to offer this book, The Heretic’s Daughter for giveaway thanks to Valerie at Hachette Book Group

This giveaway is now closed 11/15/2009

Martha Carrier was one of the first women to be accused, tried and hanged as a witch in Salem, Massachusetts. Like her mother, young Sarah Carrier is bright and willful, openly challenging the small, brutal world in which they live.

Often at odds with one another, mother and daughter are forced to stand together against the escalating hysteria of the trials and the superstitious tyranny that led to the torture and imprisonment of more than 200 people accused of witchcraft.

This is the story of Martha’s courageous defiance and ultimate death, as told by the daughter who survived.

Reading Group Guide for book clubs and group discussions!

So how to enter? I will give one book away for every 10 comments up to 5 books…

1) Leave a comment here

2) for an additional chance follow this blog and or me on twitter (leave a separate comment here saying you do so)

3) for a third chance – blog about this on Facebook and let me know here on another comment

**This giveaway is open to USA and Canada residents only… Giveaway will end on November 12

It’s Monday, What Are You Reading?

Published on October 12, 2009October 12, 2009 by Sheila (Book Journey)21 Comments

Today I am cruising through A Tree Grows In Brooklyn. This is our book club read that is being reviewed tomorrow night and I have procrastinated on getting it read. The review is taking place here at my home and we are going to potluck to the theme of the book. One thing I have discovered about A Tree Grows in Brooklyn – there is a lot of talk about food. It should be interesting to see what everyone brings.

Last week I finished:

The Cinderella Society by Kay Cassidy

Extraordinary by John Bevere (and giveaway!)

Football is For Lovers (blog tour this week – review will be up on Wednesday)

Swimsuit by James Patterson

The Finanical Lives Of The Poets by Jess Walters (blog tour this week, review up on Wednesday)

As for my week of reading… I have set another lofty goal but as you look at the plan know this…

I have finished Novel Destinations last night so that one is off the pile.
Receive Me Falling I started last week and had to put down to get going on A Tree Grows In Brooklyn.
The 13 Days of Halloween is a blog tour and that review is up yet today, read and scheduled at this time.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Pie Society is going in the car with me when we road trip tot he cities for the Women of Faith Conference this coming Thursday afternoon. I am not driving so that means I can read a bit! 🙂
The 39 Clues is a book I am curious about and this one as well is going in the car with me for the weekend conference

Yes… as always a lofty plan but when I break it down, I think doable. Chance goes home tomorrow afternoon after being with us for a month. I am saddened by this as I love having him around. With this move, my reading routine should increase as I will no longer be playing video games and watching TV with him late into the evenings.

What are you reading this week? Stop over to J Kayes Blog and be sure to add your reading post to Mr Linky so others may stop by and visit you!

Swimsuit by James Patterson (Audio Book)

Published on October 10, 2009October 11, 2009 by Sheila (Book Journey)14 Comments

Shockingly addicting…. from the very beginning I was captured with a story line that made my heart beat a little faster and I wanted to know… had to know, how it was all going to end. ~ Sheila

THE BEACH…
A breathtakingly beautiful supermodel disappears from a swimsuit photo shoot at the most glamorous hotel in Hawaii. Only hours after she goes missing, Kim McDaniels’s parents receive a terrifying phone call. Fearing the worst, they board the first flight to Maui and begin the hunt for their daughter.

…WILL NEVER BE…
Ex-cop Ben Hawkins, now a reporter for the L.A. Times, gets the McDaniels assignment. The ineptitude of the local police force defies belief—Ben has to start his own investigation for Kim McDaniels to have a prayer. And for Ben to have the story of his life.

…THE SAME FOR YOU AGAIN.
All the while, the killer sets the stage for his next production. His audience expects the best—and they won’t be disappointed. Swimsuit is a heart-pounding story of fear and desire, transporting you to a place where beauty and murder collide and unspeakable horrors are hidden within paradise.

Buy this book

My Thoughts

I am fairly new to audio books. Over this past year as I have had much time in the car as I went here and there across out great state of Minnesota, I discovered that I really enjoyed listening to the books.

With Swimsuit by James Patterson I was really surprised how quickly the story line swept me in. As I was listening to the early parts of the book, at the point that I was still deciding if this was a fit for me…. I was pleasantly shocked at the fast pace of this thriller…. moving with speed through the scenes that reflected in my mind. There were a cople moments where I caught my breath, had I heard that right?

The opening story line of this audio with the Super Model Kim and her parents is good, very good. Yet Jame’s Patterson’s Swimsuit is so much more. It is a close up look into a killers mind. What makes him tick and even as the book goes on all the pieces do not fall into place until the very end – as well written novels are capable of doing.

I ended up being very glad that I had this opportunity to listen to this book. A good murder mystery for me are few and far between. this one left me waiting for the next opportunity it take a drive so I could continue on with this captivating story.

A storyteller like no other, James Patterson…

Holds the New York Times bestsellers list record* with 47 New York Times bestselling titles.

In 2007, one out of every fifteen hardcover novels sold was a Patterson title. In 2007, an estimated 16 million James Patterson books were sold in the United States alone—more than John Grisham and Stephen King sold, combined, and more books than there are people subscribing to satellite radio.

Is the founder of the James Patterson PageTurner Awards which, for three years running, has given away cash prizes totaling more than $600,000 to groups and individuals who do outstanding work to spread the fun and excitement of books and reading. Patterson is also on the board of the charitable organization First Book whose mission is to get the first book in the hands of underserved youth and has donated thousands of books to troops overseas.

I received this audio book from Hachette Audio Books

I rate this audio R for graphic details and some sexual content

The Book Cover….How Important Is It?

Published on October 10, 2009October 10, 2009 by Sheila (Book Journey)47 Comments

I had a little time to blog hop yesterday afternoon and I found myself over at a new blog (to me) lucy was robbed. LOVE the name of this blog and I love the explanation of the name which you will find on the blog header.

What really caught my eye was that in one of the recent reviews there was a bit about covers having nothing to do with the book. I know this has been touched on a bit on blogs that I have seen and probably even ones I have not seen, so forgive me if this is just a repeat of what has already been hashed through. I think what made me really start thinking about this was a quote that said, in this particular case, that “potential audience was lost”.

I don’t want to reopen a particular discussion on a particular book so lets not go there. 🙂 What I am thinking about is the bigger picture (no pun intended). I have said it before and it is no secret that I love a great book cover. In most cases when browsing through a book store it will be the cover that causes that initial pause in my travels to pull the book off the shelf. Even if I have went into a book store with a title in mind for purchase, it is usually because I have SEEN the cover on someones blog or online and the COVER made me read more about the book.
The cover is not the reason I buy the book, but it is the initial “getting to know you” phase where I pick up the book to see what it is about and that can be what makes or breaks the connection.

It’s true and I hope that’s not shallow of me.

What I find concerning is reading how authors in many cases really do not have a lot on say on the books cover once it goes to the publisher. Authors really can be putting their baby so to speak, in the hands of another… and really that can make or break a book.

What I am asking today is do you think covers affect sales? Can a non appealing cover truly cause sales loss on a book?

I am interested in hearing your take on all of this… I may dive into this subject in more depth in future posts but do to time restraints today I just wanted to put this out there and see where it goes. I would like to interview a couple authors and book cover designers as well to hear how this all works from their more experienced views.

Morning Meanderings…

Published on October 8, 2009October 8, 2009 by Sheila (Book Journey)25 Comments

Never really completed what I had hoped to yesterday. Busy day… went to a poorly done movie last night, All About Steve. Yikes. A little funny…. but really not so much.

I was mentioning on Twitter last night that I am in a reading slump….the books I had prepped to read this week all feel heavy… does that make sense? I am sure they are great reads… I think its me. I think I have Readers Block….;) With the business of the banquet this weekend and Chance with us and everything… I just think my mind isn’t wrapping around some of these books.

Last night I picked up a different book from my shelf…. Receive Me Falling by Erica Robuck. I cautiously opened it and read the first few pages. When I put it down for the night, I knew I wanted to know the what next… “Whew!” That’s a good thing! Hopefully that will break up the readers block…..

Today I work, then spend the rest of the day prepping the auction baskets for our Missions Banquet that takes place this Saturday. Hopefully the baskets wont take all night! I have now been up for two hours… still unprepared for my day – just getting the last of the payroll in and hoping to sneak in a few minutes here to prep this post and make sure my review is ready to roll yet this morning.

“Readers Block” ever happen to you? What did you do about it?

Morning Meanderings…

Published on October 7, 2009October 7, 2009 by Sheila (Book Journey)13 Comments

Is it just me… or is morning coming faster? Or should I say is it morning or still Twilight? It is still dark out but I am still due up to get ready for the daily school drop off and then the office. Today awaits me about 4 hours of mandatory videos on a new program we are rolling our the end of this month so with joy…. I am enjoying my pre-office time with you and Coffee Cup.

This morning I opened an email that kind of made me smile. Ok… really made me smile. I just love how movies come up with all the little extras you can purchase. The great ones have t shirts, notebook covers, board games, pens, pencils… and yes. Even dolls.

Ok… seriously… this cracked me up a bit. I don’t know why, obviously it is a good likeness so kudos to Mattel. yes, there is a Bella too but not as close a resemblance I didn’t think. Without the Edward doll next to her I am not sure I would know she was Bella.

I just wanted to share this today as I like to share the ones that remember folks – they were books before they were movies! 🙂 HIgh five to Stephanie Meyer. I am off for now but will be back later for a book review.

I would love to hear if anyone has purchased any other movie related paraphernalia. We have Harry Potter Scene It