Challenges – Book Journey

First Book 2018 Updated

Published on January 2, 2018January 2, 2018 by Sheila (Book Journey)8 Comments

Good morning! Happy January 2nd. It has been fun to watch my E-mailbox fill with these pictures and stories about to be/being enjoyed. Each title inspires me and as some of you noted on yesterday’s post – with as many entries as we have, there is not one duplicate. I love that in so many ways. The diversity in our choices.

This morning, my friend Mary sent in her book choice of Gone Girl with a message that her son asked her to read it so they can discuss it. This opened up a flood of memories for me. On our last trip to Happy Potter world in 2014, Justin and I went to the movie. I had already seen the movie, and I had already read the book prior to that, and wanted to EXPERIENCE (see what I did there?) this with him.

He loved it. We left the theater in an Orlando mall and we immediately walked over to the malls book store where he purchased the book. We talked about it for weeks afterwards. Differences between the book and the movie, plot… I cherish those conversations.

AND that is just one of the many delights of a good book. Not only experiencing it for yourself… but sharing it. I love the book you hand to a friend and say, “Call me… as soon as you are done. We need to talk about this.” ♥

Here is the UPDATED post of the 2018 books. 93 of you in all submitted your First Book. Thank you. This is always so much fun to do and kick starts my year in books, and in blogging, off right. I am bringing over much of the info from yesterday’s post (the places and the book links) to this post so you can click away and perhaps find your second book here.

(The top 2 sets are the newly added pics)

Here are the areas where these books were sent in from: Alabama, Arkansas, Australia, Bermuda, California, Canada, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Jamaica, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, New Zealand, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Scotland, Singapore, Switzerland, Tennessee, Texas, UK, Virginia, Washington DC, Wisconsin and Wyoming

First Books:

Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie

Just Between Us by Rebecca Drake

Left Neglected by Lisa Genova

Renegades by Marissa Meyer

Fitness Junkie by Lucy Sykes

Into The Water by Paula Hawkins

The Hearts Invisible Furries by John Boyne

Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Mrs. Fletcher by Tom Perrotta

The Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchett

The Sandcastle by Iris Murdock

Breaking Free by Rachel Jeffs

A Distant Heart by Sonali Dev

The Wake Up by Catherine Ryan Hyde

Leonardo da Vinci by Walter Isaacson

Ginger Snapped by Gail Oust

Wonder by RJ Palacio

The Promise Between Us by Barbara Claypole White

Copy Cat by Alex Lake

Jack Reacher The Midnight Line by Lee Child

Sourdough by Robin Sloan

Every Breath You Take by Mary Higgins Clark

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

The Little French Bistro by Nina George

Still Me by Jojo Moyes

Bear Town by Fredrich Backman

The Power by Naomi Alderman

Les Miserables by Victor Hugo

Exit West by Mohsin Hamid

The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

Tremontaine by Ellen Kushner

The Papers of Tony Veitch by William McIivanney

Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

Curse on the Land by Faith Hunter

Degrees of Love by Lisa Slabach

Killers Of The Flower Moon by David Grann

The Leavers by Lisa Ko

My Antonia by Willa Cather

A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms by George RR Martin

Freya by Matthew Lawrence

The Lost Girls of Camp Forevermore by Kim Fu

The Chalk Man by CJ Tudor

The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks

American War by Omar El Akkad

Palo Duro by Max Knight

American Indians American Presidents

Travels With Charley by John Steinbeck

The Reminders by Val Emmich

The African Trilogy by Chinua Achebe

Year One by Nora Roberts

Reset Reset Reset by Ellen Pao

The Mayflower Bride by Kimberly Woodhouse

Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly

Crown of Stars by Sophie Jaff

180 Seconds by Jessica Park

Jacqueline Willoughby by Schuyler Randall

The World To Come by Dara Horn

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

Those who Leave and Those Who Stay by Elena Ferrante

All The Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood

White Bodies by Jane Robins

Tell Me More by Kelly Corrigan

Uprooted by Naomi Novik

I liked My Life by Abby Fabiaschi

Best Day Ever by Kaira Rouda

Origin by Dan Brown

Gilded Lives, Fatal Voyage by Hugh Brewster

Faithful by Alice Hoffman

The Listener by Robert McCammom

What If God Wrote Your To Do List by Jay Payleitner

The One Hundred and One Dalmatians by Dodie Smith

In the Moment by Karen Kingsbury

A Man Called Ove by Frederick Backman

The Perfect Girl by Gilly MacMillan

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

Hunger by Roxanne Gay

The Man In The Black Suit by Sylvia Reynard

Glittering Images by Susan Howatch

Christmas Cakes and Mistletoe Nights by Catherine Matthew

I Am A Truck by Michelle Winters

Sitting Murder by AJ Wright

Swimming Lessons by Claire Fuller

Lighthouse Road by Peter Geye

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

The Weirdstone of Brisingamen by Alan Garner

Weave A Circle Round by Kari Maaren

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

River City Secrets Stories from Richmond by Lana Krumwiede

Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout

The Alice Network by Kate Quinn

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Morning Meanderings… The Day Of The Eve

Published on December 31, 2017 by Sheila (Book Journey)10 Comments

Good morning. *Yawns stretches* How are we doing this New Years Eve Day?

I am sitting here with LAPTOP and COFFEE looking out at a very chilly day (22 below is the current Minnesota temp) and thinking of all the little things I want to accomplish today.

I have some laundry in the works, and a website I am building for an upcoming event, and pictures to go and take for an article, and what to make for dinner… and I am of course thinking about The First Book Of The Year… not only the post (which I love love love) but also… what my book will be.

My book will possibly be at least partially completed on audio since I leave early to get to a 10K run in the AM in St Paul and listening to audio makes that 2+ hour drive way more enjoyable… but alas… which book? (The first book is almost as hard to pick as the word of the year lol)

If you are considering participating in First Book or if you are reading this thinking what the heck is First Book? Here is a link to that post. It is not to late to send in a pic to me of you and the book to add to the collage of readers going into 2018.

I am also looking at Goodreads. I love that challenge, I am just trying to think what I can realistically do. There was a time I could read over 100 books a year. Now with all the things I have added in my life, I do not think that is a reachable goal. I want to partake for sure, and I don’t want to drop the ball on it like I did in 2017.

So thats me.

The First Book post will go up early due to my run. If you miss getting your pic in on time, do not worry – I almost always have some that come in after the posting and I add them to a post on January 2nd.

In the mean time… enjoy this day as we close out 2017 and all it has held… and look forward to 2018 and what this New Year will bring.

Morning Meanderings… A RUNNING kick off to the year and MORE First Books

Published on January 2, 2017 by Sheila (Book Journey)14 Comments

“Well…

I guess we are doing this. “

Little known fact about me…. that line above is how I usually think right before I have to complete whatever I agreed to do or signed up for. 😛 True story…. The first year of Wine and Words… we planned it – I envisioned it, found authors, held meetings, and then the day of the event…

I was all butterfly’s and twirling tummy… and thought…

“Well, I guess we are doing this.”

That still has not changed.

I sign up for things and agree to things- because they are who I want to be… I want to be a runner. I want to be a biker and a hiker. I want to be a thrill seeker. I want to be energetic. I want to have events in my community that are fun and successful…. and so I plan things. I agree to things… and I do them.

Yesterday was no exception. Doing the Polar Dash on January 1st each year is insane, The weather is usually freezing…. it is a 2 1/2 drive for me to get to the event to run in this freezing weather.

Yet to see all the people that do this…. I like being a part of that crazy. I like to start out a new year with something positive and shiny. And here is how it went…

I ran with my two friends Sheila (yes another one!) and Belinda. The weather was fantastic – in the mid 20’s….. if my knee would have been feeling top notch, I would have loved to have does the 10k instead of the 5. We ran, we got our free beer ticket at the end and we had a delicious lunch. I felt I hit the mark for shining day one of 2017.

Also – if you did not see and read the First Book post from yesterday, please do. LOVE LOVE LOVE the participation. I had a few late comers to the party and I am happy to add them here today. Look in this mix for our Emcee of Wine and Words, author Lorna Landvik.

Thank you to all once again for ringing int he New Year with me and with great reads. I love looking at all the titles and seeing what I should be reading. Also – did you find me in yesterdays post? I am there. ;P

First Book – 2017…. Day One To SHINE

Published on January 1, 2017 by Sheila (Book Journey)57 Comments

Happy New Year People Of The Book.

There is a lot I like about a new year. It is indeed a fresh start… it’s a new deck to play with. I retired my word of 2016 (COURAGE) at midnight last night. The word has served me well and will always be a part of me now that I have spent a year learning to live that way. Excitedly, today I have opened the door to my new world for 2017…. SHINE. I hope to SHINE this year and be an example for myself as well as others that circumstances do not have to destroy you, that you can live with amazing grief.

And of course…. a new year is new book adventures. Long before I had a blog, I was doing First Book by myself. Every year I made a big deal out of choosing that first book of the year. It is exciting to see by the outpouring from all of you from all over the world coming forth to share the excitement of that first book with me.

As I have done the past 4 years, I am very excited to present to you, the books that we are reading as we go into 2017:

Thank you all for once again joining me for one of my favorite events of the year. I am off this morning to run my first 5K of the year, the Polar Dash In ST Paul with my friend Belinda. I am excited to kick off my word right from the start.

Happy New year to all of you.

Shine Always,

Sheila ♥

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Cruising Into The NEW Year

Published on December 20, 2016January 2, 2017 by Sheila (Book Journey)

This is a sticky post up to the New Year. Please do not miss the two events I host every year….

First Book Of the Year

One Word (your word for the year!)

All new posts will be under this one.

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Morning Meanderings….Count Down To Christmas

Published on December 19, 2016 by Sheila (Book Journey)20 Comments

Good morning.

I hope all of you are well and snug and warm and ready for the week to come.

This season is odd for me now.

No tree is put up in our home. I am not bustling around and wrapping gifts and making lists….

The joy of the season – for me is gone. For now anyway. And I hate even writing that because it makes me sad but it is also so true.

So what do I do?

This week I will do what I have been doing the last 5 months. I will stay busy. I will go to the gym, walk in the arb, have coffee dates and find my way through. My friend Amy and I are going to make a make shift 5k for Christmas eve eve (yes the eve before the eve) because having something to focus on works for me.

Enough of that though….

lets talk books.

WHAT????? Books?

Yes yes.. ha ha. I have not written a review in ages. I need to. I want to. I am ready for a New Year in that sense as I can start my Good Read goal again…. the one I blew this year as I just…. didnt.

AND be sure to check out First Book of the year….. AND soon to be coming/posting will be One Word…. our word for the year which I am still sorting through as I do every year…trying to pick just the right one. It is a BIG DEAL.

So that is a brief what is happening with me. I am off to the gym, making biscotti this afternoon while listening to audio and perhaps a walk in the arb with a friend.

Working my way back.

I am.

The First Book Of The Year 2017

Published on December 11, 2016 by Sheila (Book Journey)41 Comments

Yes. YES! We are totally doing this again. This is the fourth year that I am thrilled to host the First Book Of The Year. As always, I hope you will join in this fun event. I absolutely LOVE seeing the pictures from all over the world of all of you with your first books.

So what is First Book of the year?

The First Book is a book that maybe you have been wanting to read for a while but have not had time for, a coveted book, an old favorite re-read – whatever you want. The point is that this is the book that will kick off the year for you. What will it be?

Our posts of what we are reading will go live on January 1st. You do not need to be done with the book on January 1st, just reading it on January 1st and yes, you can start on the 31st and be reading into the New Year. I would like to link up all your posts here on the 1st as well so others can visit you and cheer you on! If you are interested, please fill out the short form below.

Here are the pictures sent in from last years First Book:

Here is all you need to sign up and to know what to do. Please help me to spread the word…. lets fill January 1st with the great First Books!

Good to be back all…. good to be back.

Morning Meanderings: We Now Return You To Your Regularly Scheduled Program

Published on December 11, 2016December 11, 2016 by Sheila (Book Journey)13 Comments

I do exist.

I have no excuses. I just went about life and didn’t make it here. I needed time to find me again… it is still a work in progress but I feel as though I may be getting there.

AND – I have been DOING. Which…. is actually a great word.

I am going to quickly update you as I have TONS to catch up on with reviews and crazy things that have been happening (in good ways)…

Most importantly at this moment – YES to those of you who have asked if I am doing First Book again. YES! I love first book and this will be my 4th year doing it and I absolutely want to own this one again. I will have the sign up ready today – I hope you will join.

Did I mention I LOVE First Book?

Next – YES I am totally doing ONE WORD again as well. This will be the 5th year I have hosted the One Word and as you know from last years post, I LOVE this as well. I am still thinking about my word…… posting soon on this. Yes I promise 🙂

As for everything else…. I have been running, dressing up, biking, hanging with friends, getting out of the house, working with non profits, working with a fun online project, creating websites, walking in the snow, going back to the YMCA, lifting weights, saying YES more… and remembering that I am doing this life for two now… and I can not let Justin down. (Yes there are sample pictures….)

I miss all of you. I just have not been taking the time to be here and I need to do that. Minnesota is cold…. damp… and it s a good time to get acquainted with this blog again and all of you.

Thanks for waiting for me. ♥

Sheila

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Morning Meanderings… A Little Downton Abbey Moment

Published on December 16, 2015December 16, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)13 Comments

I am here.

I don’t know why I don’t post as much as I used to and I really wish I did. I think about posts… and I dialogue them in my head… what I will say, what I will share…. a review, a funny moment, a hard one….

and then for whatever reason the days pass and I will think, “huh, I never did post about that.”

Really though… my whole life is like that now. I struggle to get the simplest things done. I would rather be at home than run an errand. I still avoid crowds as much as possible, and I am working hard to avoid the retail stores this season as I just do not want to see all the decorations or the hustle of people happily gathering things for their soon to be celebrations.

But this…

is not about that.

I have been a Downton Abbey fan for the past couple of years since I first discovered this addicting PBS show. Seriously if you have not watched this… you must. All previous seasons are on Netflix. In the past few months I have watched them all again…

That’s just good stuff.

A friend of mine told me that our local College Theatre was having a pre showing of the next season premiere that will not air in the United States until January 3rd. It was a free event and people were encouraged to dress the era. I was not up to dressing he part, but I was all in for going to the premiere.

The premiere was last night and it was fun to see those who did dress up. Got to love our “Stars Hollow” style community.

The premiere was wonderful. The gentleman in the above pic to the right had trivia for us. Some of the questions were:

What is the first machine you see in the first episode, first season?

What is Mrs.Hughes first name?

What is the name of the man who came to an untimely death in season one?

What has just happened in the opening scene of Downtown abbey season one episode one?

We also received some swag..

That was my evening… and it was a nice one.

In other news, First Book Of The Year is coming along nicely and I am thrilled about that. We currently have 65 signed up to participate! I think this meme, and the book I choose to read will be my way of getting through the end of this year and entering the next.

Happy New Year: Reading Around The World 2015

Published on January 1, 2015January 1, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)78 Comments

Happy New Year everyone! I hope everyone had a wonderful night and now here we are on January 1st 2015. YAY to a new year!!!

This is the second annual First Book Of The Year Meme where I have offered book lovers around the world to send in a pic of themselves with the first book they will be reading this New Year. For myself, that first book has always been a big deal… a book I have been wanting to read for a while, sometimes it is a comforting re-read… whatever.

The past few days my email has been a treasure of fellow readers sending in that first book. It is always exciting to see what everyone chooses as their first read, and it is fun to see people from all over the world join in.

Here are this years participants:

There they are! If you see me in the bottom left corner, I have been so eager to read Stations Eleven after hearing all the great reviews of it. I will be in my cozy chair today digging into this one. There are many great titles here and thank you to all the book lovers who sent in a picture! I seriously tear up when I see how many get behind this idea.

If you wrote a post to go with this First Book Of The Year Meme please link it here where it says Click Here 🙂

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