Book Stuff – Page 91 – Book Journey

Morning Meanderings….

Published on July 14, 2009July 14, 2009 by Sheila (Book Journey)14 Comments

Good morning! What a wild weekend I had! A ball game Friday night, Saturday the hubby and I went out to dinner, and Sunday I met my cousin at 5:30 a.m. to drive about 90 miles to participate in the Tour of Saints bike 50 mile bike ride. I had so much fun!

And now, as I sit here… honestly all I can wrap my brain around is that tonight is out annual Book Club (The Bookies) Queen Event at Kiwanis Park. What we do is we take July off from choosing a book because well… its July. Instead we meet the second Tuesday (always) dressed in formal gowns (only in July LOL) and we all try to win the coveted position of Queen of the Bookies for the next year.

It’s true. I couldn’t make this stuff up. ; )

It actually is a lot of fun. We all bring potluck food to share, our books we want to give to our own charity sale, and we sit and chat about what we read and what we should read, eat and then nominate a Queen. The Queen privileges are:

If we are voting on a book to read and there is a tie, the Queen breaks the tie
If the person who is to choose the next months meeting spot is not in attendance, the Queen chooses the place.
It’s good to be the Queen.

We also have a runner up position too, you know, in the event that the Queen is unable to perform her duties… I guess this would be a Vice Queen? There is a scepter, a crown… and yes, even a royal throne.

This all came out of a book we read in 2007 called Same Sweet Girls by Cassandra King. This actually became our book club pick of the year.

So today… I was shocked to discover that we read this before I blogged so while I have my review written in my book journal, it is not here. Or I should say wasn’t here. I am putting it up now as my meandering moment – which today… took me back to 2007, and a review about a book, that changed the way we do book club…

I am still working on my speech for tonight! This is our third year doing this and we get more talented as we go. I am deciding between a poem and changing the words to the Brady Bunch song to The Bookie Club…. either way, I’ll probably post it with the pics….I think I need to make a wand with a foil star on the end….. it’s all part of the speech…. 😉

Have a super fab awesome day!!!

Weekend For Awards…

Published on July 13, 2009July 13, 2009 by Sheila (Book Journey)17 Comments

So wow! I am gone like a day and come back last night to some pleasant surprises! I have been given an award! Actually more than one!

Thank you to Bambi Reads, andFor The Love Of All That is Written, for the Humane award. Be sure to check out their amazing blogs.

Thank you to Shona’s Book Shelf , Reminder List and Never Not Reading for the Kreativ Blogger ward. I am so excited to have these and appreciate you thinking of me!

So here is what I need to pass forward. For the Humane award, this is to go out to:

The Humane Award is to honor certain bloggers that are kindhearted individuals. They regularly take part in my blog and always leave the sweetest comments. If it wasn’t for them, my site would just be an ordinary book review blog. Their blogs are also amazing and are tastefully done on a daily basis. This award is to thank them for their growing friendships through the blog world.

Here is my current award winners for this award…. just a few of the many wonderful friends I have made through book reviewing and sharing…

Raidergirl3

Laurel

Books & Java

Okbo Lover

Alexia’s Books and Such

The Kreativ Blogger award, just a few of the blogs that I enjoy looking at (there are way to many to list and I know even now I will be missing some of the ones I love). For starters I have to list 7 of my favorite things….

Time with the hubby, family, and friends

Relaxing in my reading room with a good book surrounded by other good books ; )

Going to the cabin (which also involves reading!)

hanging out with the lap top

Biking, rollerblading, group power….

doing fun and adventurous things

No commitment weekends! (YEAH!)

Then list blogs that I think are very Kreativ in their day to day postings and layout….

That’s a Novel Idea

Miss Remmer’s Review

Trisha’s Book Blog

At Home With Books

You 2.o Blog

I would reccomend stopping at any one of the great blogs listed here. They are active bloggers with great reviews and a lot of things happening daily!

Sunday… week in review

Published on July 13, 2009July 16, 2009 by Sheila (Book Journey)4 Comments

If you go back the past 7 days you will see I did get a few reviews done as well as a few other book related events. Here is what came in the mailbox:

An exciting delivery from the author herself Laura Bingham. Laura has given me a review copy as well as a giveaway copy. Watch for this giveaway to be posted later this week.

From Bostick Communications I received The Light, The Dark, and Ember In Between

Imposters Daughter which is a giveaway that ends July 15! (5 copies available!)

Any Minute by Joyce Meyer from Hachette Audio – I will be announcing the three winners tomorrow

Thanks to Hachette books this will be a giveway for July 15! 5 copies available

Hachette Audio sent me this great audio to review plus 3 copies to give away – must sign up before July 15!

This little treasure I found at a Book Store sale to support the local library. It is an advanced reader copy

Bostick Communications sent me this read to review

Received from the author, Nancy Werking Poling and read this over the weekend… review is here

Two books I won have arrived!!! Y I P P Y!!!!!

Plans for this week:

I have book blog awards to give out tomorrow!

Hoping to read: Pride and Prejudice, The End of Grace, Off Season, Hunter, Avalon, and I would love to squeeze in time to read the Harry Potter book that is coming out in the theaters this Tuesday.

I have Bookies Book Club on Tuesday and it is the annual Queen event! (My dress and speech are ready!) See last years event here

Tuesday at Midnight I am taking our Kinship Partner to the midnight showing of Harry Potter!

Lots of fun stuff this week so please visit often!

*Tour of Saints Bike Ride that was today – 50 miles. This is me and my cousin Jarrod.

Morning Meanderings (sort of…)

Published on July 12, 2009July 12, 2009 by Sheila (Book Journey)6 Comments

I am actually in a great little town this morning about 90 miles form my home (and my computer) called St Joseph, Minnesota. My cousin and I are participating in the Tour of Saints, a 50 mile bike ride through the area. Its a lot of fun, this will be my 5 year, his 2nd. This is my third bike tour this year, gearing up for the big 175 mile tour this September (never done that one before!)

I was hoping to find a meandering moment for you Saturday evening but alas…. I am just too tired. I will be posting later on Sunday with a couple book reviews and my Sundown Sunday (Week in Review) post…..

Have an awesome Sunday!

Morning Meanderings…

Published on July 11, 2009July 16, 2009 by Sheila (Book Journey)8 Comments

So my morning starts out like this…. I get up and see another beautiful day coming across the horizon. I start the coffee, prep my work space, pour a cup of coffee, and set it by my computer, let the dogs out, stand on the deck and feel much joy in the warmth of my favorite time of year, pour myself a cup of coffee and sat down to get started.

Did you catch that?

Yup…. I look across my work space and I have poured myself not one… but two cups of coffee. LOL. Whatever…. I drink them both. 🙂

So… the “coffee cups” and I start our ritual of email checking, and blog visiting. This morning is a bit different because I am not returning to write this post with a book to check out (well, in a way I am….) but more with a question and an answer.

Over at My Friend Amy’s, she presented her Faith N’ Fiction Saturday question as to what is the best Christian Fiction book we have read so far this year. Hmmmm….. great question!

I came back with the answer as In Search of Eden by Linda Nichols. The question is timely too because I have several great reads in this category that I have purchased and are now waiting on the book shelf. I actually pulled a couple off the shelf and added them to my TBR pile.

Morning Meanderings….

Published on July 10, 2009July 10, 2009 by Sheila (Book Journey)2 Comments

Good morning! I am off and running this morning with a list of “to do’s” and then I will be back this afternoon to post the winner of last weeks Freebie Friday (that means you still have time to sign up!) and put up the new contest. Make a memo to stop back later today…

In the meantime, as me and the coffee cup traveled this morning I found this little treasure at Books, Movies, and Chinese Food: Faking Grace by Tamara Leigh. The review made me laugh, and I really like Deborah’s blog. It’s clean looking and fun! Take some time today to stop by Book’s Movies, and Chinese Food and tell her hi as well as check out this great read. I might just hit the book store and pick this up before I come home.

(Thank you to Mike at A Few Minutes With Michael who is working on a Morning Meanderings meme for me! This is the first draft… he is still tweaking a bit but couldn’t wait to use it!)

Humane Award (x2)

Published on July 9, 2009July 18, 2009 by Sheila (Book Journey)2 Comments

When my husband’s birthday comes around in September, he likes to claim it not only the day of his birthday, but as his “birthday week”. (Pause for a sigh here).

Honestly, after today, I think I finally understand. My Blogoversary was yesterday, but well wishes have still come in today and I have met so many new people and been introduced to many more great blogs. I am kind of thinking I am having a Blogoversary week. 🙂

So – that being said, a thank you to J. Kaye’s Book Blog for presenting me with my 2nd Humane Award!

Thank you so much J.Kaye! This is really nice! In a few days I will pay it forward.

Blogoversary Recovery and Winners!

Published on July 9, 2009July 16, 2009 by Sheila (Book Journey)9 Comments

Wow. If you stopped by yesterday and celebrated my two year blogoversary with me – thank you. It was so much more than I had imagined. I met new people, I am thankful for those who I am already getting to know.

Thank you to Michael at A few Minutes With Michael who is making me a button for my blog. What a great gift! Thank you to Never Not Reading who graciously posted on her blog the “balloon post” for this event as well as Loving Heart Designs. Thank you also to Miss Remmers’ Review for posting my review of The Book Thief in order to try to draw Young Adults (YA) towards books they may enjoy.

It has been a very good day.

So as I pick up the falling down streamers and cake frosting off the wall (Laurel? Was that you? ) I have to just breathe a big happy sigh. That was a great party.

Our winners of the package drawings as as follows (I use Random.org to choose the winning comment numbers):

Congratulations to Raidergirl at An Adventure in Reading

Congratulations to: Anna at Diary of an Eccentric!!!

Congratulations to Kerri!!!

Congratulations to Roseanne!!!

CONGRATULATIONS WINNERS!

Emails have gone out to each of you please. Please email back with your mailing address as soon as possible so I may get these in the mail to you. Emails not responded to by Monday will result in my having to draw another name.

Be sure and check out all the action going on today in the below posts. I have new reviews to post today. That’s right… while you all partied at my place yesterday, I was in the corner curled up with a good book. ; ) LOL

What’s on Your Desk Wednesday

Published on July 9, 2009July 9, 2009 by Sheila (Book Journey)3 Comments

Yes…. I am well aware that it is Thursday. “Sheesh!” However – in my defense (who I really hope is a good looking John Grisham type Lawyer) I was busy with the Blogoversary Party yesterday and just could not participate even as much as I really really wanted to! Hosting a party is a lot of work! 😉

I was honored to be chosen to do this by OKBO Lover and here is how this works:

What’s On Your Desk Wednesday? is a weekly bookish meme hosted by Sassy Brit of Alternative-Read.com .

Here are the rules:

You can do one of two things or both.

1. Grab a camera and take a photo of your desk, or anywhere you stack your books/TBR pile. And no tidying! Add this photo to your blog. Tag at least 5 people, and then return to Sassy Brit’s blog and leave a link back to your photo in the Mr. Linky.

2. List at least 5 BOOKISH things on your desk. List at least 5 NON BOOK things. Tag at least 5 people to do the same. Return to Sassy Brit’s blog and leave your link, so everybody can come and visit your blog.

Here’s my desktop:

Second half of this was to list 5 “Bookish” things in the pic… well, (1)the red book under the post its and pen is my reading agenda where I log when books come in, what tours and reviews I have signed up for, etc… (2) my reading glasses, (3) under the glasses is my current read, Pride and Prejudice, (4) to the right of my computer, under my cell phone, is the pile of reviews I am working on, and (5) the computer is on my blog page.
5 “Non Bookish” things in the pic would be: (1) The coffee… book or no book, there must be coffee, (2) cell phone, (3) in the back there is gum on top of the “pile”, (4) the “pile” is papers for our business, and (5) the lone white piece of paper in the back right is a recent resume that came in.

As I am a day late on this, I will not post the fab 5 that I am choosing to do this until next Wednesday.

Welcome to the Blogoversary Party!!!

Published on July 8, 2009July 16, 2009 by Sheila (Book Journey)82 Comments

I am so glad you were able to come! Grab a party hat and join in the festivities! This party after all is to celebrate you – the ones who come and read my rambling on about books, book events, authors and such. Thank you! I have so much fun just hanging out with you!

Starting now you are welcome to join in the 24 hour Giveaway! I have 4 giveaway sets that by leaving a comment on this blog you will be eligible for. US and Canada only please and no PO numbers. Please be sure that I have a way to contact you if you are a winner! I will announce winners on Thursday and send your package out yet this week.

So ready to see what you can win? I am so glad you asked!

Package #1 (Grand Prize) Consists of: In honor of this movie release; My Sisters Keeper by Jodi Picoult, Dandelions in a Jelly Jar by Traci Depree, and The Necklace (read through once) by Cheryl Jarvis. Also included is chocolates from the Chocolate Ox In Nisswa Mn, and a cool magnetic book mark from Rainy Day Books, also in Nisswa. Colored post its to make notes in your books without making notes in your books, coffee from my time in Honduras this past February, and a copy of our recent church cook book.

Package #2 consists of: In honor of this movie release; My Sisters Keeper by Jodi Picoult, in honor of the Jane Austen Challenge going on right now; a copy of Emma by Jane Austen, chocolates from the Chocolate Ox in Nisswa Mn, the super cool magnetic book mark from Rainy Day Books in Nisswa, Crumb Cake Gourmet Coffee from Bookworld in Baxter, Mn, and the colored post its to make notes in your books without making notes in your books. 🙂 (*Note: Emma is from The Rainy Day Book Store)

Package #3 consists of: In honor of this movie release; My Sisters Keeper by Jodi Picoult, The Bronte Project by Jennifer Vandever, chocolates from The Chocolate Ox in Nisswa MN, fun seasonal book plates from Rainy Day Books also in Nisswa, yummy Heavenly Carmel Gourmet Coffee from Bookworld in Baxter Minnesota, and the color post its to make notes in your books without making notes in your books. (*Note that the book The Bronte Project is also from Bookworld in Baxter Minnesota).

Package #4: A fun read, Doing Good by Pamela Morsi, and (not pictured) a copy of our recent church cook book (see a pic of it in package #1), the always amazing chocolates from The Chocolate Ox in Nisswa Minnesota, Almond Toffee Gourmet Coffee from Bookworld in Baxter Mn, and (say it with me now….) the colorful post its for marking in your books without marking in your books!

You may notice by the Blogoversary widget that I am no where near my Blogoversary date…. but this is not my original blog… see here for the story and a link to my very first post! Click here

Have fun everyone!

Special thanks to the great Chocolate Ox in Nisswa as well as the super friendly staff at Rainy Day Books. Thank you also to the great assistance of the ladies working at Bookworld this past Tuesday afternoon as we chatted about local authors and book reviewing.