Meanderings – Page 90

Morning Meanderings… Feels Like Fall

Published on September 8, 2011 by Sheila (Book Journey)30 Comments

Good morning.

One of my favorite things to do in the morning is stand on my back deck with a hot cup of coffee. I love the feel of the heat of the day coming in.. first cool, but you can feel it in the air…. a warmness of things to come.

I am saddened this morning to admit that it feels like my hazy days of summer are a distant memory for 2011.

This mornings trip outside to the deck, coffee cup in hand… was a brief one. The air is crisp, the fog rolling over the lawn adds an unwelcome dampness to my skin that did not give me a “yay fall!” feeling all over.

Honestly…

I am not ready.

book-cold-girl-hand-memories-quote-Favim.com-75775 — Reading in mittens? UGH

I know some of you have had a HOT HOT summer, Ryan, Laurel, Amanda, to name a few. We had a couple weeks of that, but not enough. I am sooooo not ready for what feels like it will be an early winter.

Tonight a group of my friends are meeting at Cindy’s house for our annual campfire. We will be grilling burgers, probably eating some unhealthy sweets, and catching up. I look forward to the “friend time” and the warmth of the fire.

This afternoon, stop back in and check out my review of The Knife Of Never Letting Go. The book easily moved to one of the top reads for me this year…. I am excited to share my thoughts about it with you. 😀

Morning Meanderings… HELP! I Need A Book For A Project!

Published on September 7, 2011September 7, 2011 by Sheila (Book Journey)36 Comments

Good morning book lovers! 😀

Have I mentioned I feel really good? Last week I had that sinus infection that was knocking me out – but today…. this week, I am feeling awesome.

So… what’s up with my post title?

A few months back I was contracted by a local magazine we have here called Her Voice to write a book review on a book with a holiday or Christmas theme for their winter edition. No biggie right? Except… I am having the hardest time picking something to review and my deadline in October 5, 800 words.

I would like it to a newer release, preferably this year so I can cover a newer book. I struggle… as honestly – I don’t really enjoy Christmas or holiday themed books as they tend to be a little light and fluffy…. not that I want to review something called “The Christmas Massacre” either, but you know… a happy medium. 😛

I am asking you if you know of any titles I should check out or be on look out for. Obviously, I need to start reading this “mystery” book within the next couple of weeks here. Any recommendations would be appreciated. 😀

Yesterday I biked the same 20 miles that Wendy and I roller bladed on Monday. Lets say…. it is easier to bike the miles than to blade them. Yesterday was a gorgeous day and I could not (would not) be trapped inside… these days are too far and few between and I am all too aware of the weather that will be coming…

Morning Meanderings… Short Listed and 20 Miles is about 5 miles too much

Published on September 6, 2011 by Sheila (Book Journey)21 Comments

Good Morning! 😀

I had a great weekend and hope you did too! We spent Friday, Saturday, and half of Sunday at our cabin up North. We (hubby and I) went out to eat, rode motorcycle around the shore, hung out at the cabin… he became hooked on the Game Show Network 🙄 and I read The Knife Of Never Letting Go (WOWZA!) On Monday we both spent time in our offices getting caught up for the week that is upon vote us.

I worked a short day on Monday and then went rollerblading with my friend Wendy. We had not chatted in a while due to busy schedules so the trail is a great place to catch up while getting a work out at the same time. At the seven mile marker Wendy suggested turning around but I thought we should set the goal of ten miles up the trail and so …. we did. Perhaps, in hind site that was not the best plan as neither of us had bladed in the last couple of months and neither of us had went that far this year. We started feeling the effects of that “choice” on the way back at about mile 15. I told her I hope she didn’t mind if I whined the last 5 miles back, she said she did not as she planned to whine too. 😛

Well obviously I am typing this so…

we survived. 😛

However may not have been the smartest idea with my still recovering from the sinus infection and still taking antibiotics… (lets just say there was a point there I was coughing so hard I thought I was going to lose a lung….) 😯

In other fun news… It’s Monday! What Are You Reading made the short list for best book blog meme. Ahhhh…. that’s so fun! Make sure to take a minute or two this week to vote for the book blogs on the short list – there are many awesome categories and awesome blogs up for nomination. I just love Book Blogger Appreciation Week (coming up September 12) there is so many incredible book blogs out there, set aside some time during BBAW to visit them! 😀

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

Published on September 4, 2011September 4, 2011 by Sheila (Book Journey)92 Comments

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading is where we share what we read this past week, what we hope to read this week…. and anything in between! D This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!

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 telling me how many you visited. **You do not have to have a blog to participate! You receive one entry for every 10 comments, just come back here and tell me how many in the comment area.

Last weeks winner:

Lori – Dollycas’ Thoughts

WOO HOO!!!! Please choose an item out of the Reading Cafe Grab Shelves and email me your choice with your mailing address as well! journeythroughbooks@gmail.com

In case you wonder why I offer a book giveaway for those who visit others who do this meme, it is because I LOVE community. This is not a Blog Hop – this is hopefully, you checking out what people are reading and maybe finding new blogs you would enjoy visiting. Book Blogging is all about sharing our love for books with one another. By visiting some of the other participants – you never know where you may find that next awesome read – or a blog that becomes one that you want to read more often.

What a fantastic weekend. I had such an insane week I can not even tell you… but the goal – was the weekend and I made it… and it was fab. I really wanted to spend some time reading and relaxing and that is exactly what I was able to do…. here is what was accomplished last week:

Tick Tock by James Patterson (the continuing series of Michael Bennett – audio LOVE!)

Winter Garden by Kristen Hannah (an audio that caused a meltdown in my kitchen!)

Escape by Barbara Delinsky (book review – good read but not a great read)

The Alchemist by Paul Coelho (audio review – and wow wow wow – I think audio made the difference…)

So I think another productive week! I have two more reviews to post from this past weeks reading a more to come this week! Here is what is on tap:

(click on picture to get book description)

I have been drooling over this one since the end of May at BEA – and I have had it for just as long but held out waiting… waiting for almost release time. Well – the time has come and this baby is on the reading shelf for this week! 😀

(click on picture to get book description)

… this past weekend I read the first book in this series, The Knife Of Never Letting Go and let me say… WOW. I am running full steam ahead in to this second book in the series.

(click on picture to get book description)

I have been wanting to read this book for a while now! I am hoping to get to it this week to review for next weekends Weekend Cooking.

(click on picture to get book description)

I started listening to this audio this weekend on my way tot he North Shore and back ( that’s about 7 hours of audio time!)

That’s what is new this week… I am finishing up a book from last week too so I should be plenty full 😀 I am excited to see what you are reading this week so please add your Monday What Are You Reading post to the link below where it says “click here” I hope to get around to all of you this week and see what you are reading! 😀

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

Oh – It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? Is on the long list for best Book Blog Meme – dont forget to vote! 😀

Morning Meanderings… Live From The North Shore

Published on September 3, 2011 by Sheila (Book Journey)36 Comments

Good Morning! 😀

Coming in a little late but that is a good thing from this neck of the woods. Hubby and I are currently in Finland, Minnesota at our cabin. This is where he grew up. It was originally supposed to be us and friends but they had to cancel and we decided to come up alone and enjoy the cabin. We do not do this nearly enough….

I came up yesterday afternoon by jeep with the dogs, Elmo and Bailey. Al (hubby) followed a couple of hours after by motorcycle so we could tool around over the weekend. We have no internet service at the cabin (for that matter, no cell phone service either) so this morning I come to you live from a small cafe in Silver Bay Minnesota. My destination was the Silver Bay Library but they are closed for the holiday weekend.

I thought I would participate this morning in Saturday Snapshots by posting pics of the trip so far…. which mainly.. has been road trip….

001 — Elmo in the front seat next to my audio books

Audio I am listening too... disc 2, The Knitting Circle

012 — Elmo and Bailey getting restless.... it is a 3 1/2 hour drive after all...

I wont be in “internet range” long. I abandoned hubby who was still lounging around the TV when I left with the promise I would not be gong too long. I still need to finish my review to go live here in a few hours as well. We are planning a motor cycle ride this afternoon, maybe into Two Harbors or up towards Grand Marais. Either way – looks to be a lovely start to the official end of summer.

Oh – and yes I am reading – can you guess what it is?

My hint is: “Sheep! Sheep!” 😉

Morning Meanderings… Fun things in my mail box and a couple winners too

Published on September 2, 2011September 2, 2011 by Sheila (Book Journey)20 Comments

Good morning! 😀

Yes I am still a bag full of sniffly sneazy coughy “GAH” over here…. BUT – not on antibiotics so hopefully this too will pass. 😛

We leave for the cabin today which is a big “woo hoo” for me… I don’t know why I feel I need a weekend away from it all… but for some reason I just want to get out of dodge and not deal with people, or phones, or commitments…

That said, my recent mailbox arrivals are timely and beyond appreciated:

Thank you so much for the necklace for pre-ordering Ashes by Ilsa Bick and for the two audio books that recently came in the mail from me from fellwo book lovers – SSQQQUUUEEEE!!!! Thank you Nise (Under The Boardwalk) for Blink and Kathy(Bermuda Onion) for The Knitting Circle. 😀

I also need to mention winners for the two audio books I recently offered up to a reader that would like to give them a go… and here are the two winners:

MarthaE!

Beth S

**Please email me your addresses at journey throughbookks@gmail.com and I will mail these audio books next week. 😀

On a completely random note… in September of 2010 I wrote my review for ROOM by Emma Donoghue. Along with that review I also wrote a Spoiler Page (I LOVE using the spoiler page button!). The Spoiler Page is something I use when I find I want to discuss the book more deeply with those who have read it, so I create a safe area where we can chat freely about the book with no fear of saying anything that would be considered spoilers to those who have not read the book. I bring this up becuase recently that page has drawn a little attention again and I can not figure out why. I am getting Spoiler Page comments – which I love…. just curious why suddenly it is being dug out of the Book Journey basement. 😛

Have a super awesome (and safe!) weekend. I am hoping to be able to get a little internet access here and there as I do have reviews ready to roll out…. plus, honestly…. I really like to start my morning chatting it up with all of you. 😀

Morning Meanderings…. September – Fall Reading Kick Off!

Published on September 1, 2011 by Sheila (Book Journey)18 Comments

Good morning.

Scraping in a little late this morning but had a huge day yesterday – home about 9:30 pm from an event and yeah…. still sick. I may have to suck it up and go to the doctor today. Hate that. 😦

While Summer is my absolute FAVORITE time of the year, fall has really earned my respect. After all… fall to me is a bookish season. It’s like how some of our favorite tv shows return…. good books seem to hit the shelves as well…. and that is always exciting.

So what is coming up in reads?

The Art of Fielding

by Chad Harbach

What It Is Like to Go to War

by Karl Marlantes

We the Animals

by Justin Torres

Maphead

by Ken Jennings

Daughter of Smoke and Bone

Just My Type

Reamde

Habibi

Feast Day of Fools

by James Lee Burke

Awesome right? The Night Circus is the one I am SUPER excited about and I will be reading next week…. (watch for a giveaway copy – also coming with next week…) 😀

Fall also means Banned Books Week and I am planning big things over here at Book Journey so be on the look out…. more on this soon!

Morning Meanderings… AUDIO Morning!

Published on August 31, 2011 by Sheila (Book Journey)24 Comments

Good morning.

No, not feeling better. Still coughy…. and yeah, coffee. :sick:

Yesterday after work I made a little trip to my library for strictly one reason…..

audio.

I have cleaned myself out of cd audio. I have plenty for my IPOD, but I have a CD player in the kitchen and one in the jeep that need to be fed and I have went through all I own, all I had borrowed, and all I purchased recently.

It was really an audioergency. 😛

Friday I am driving to our cabin and I think hubby is planning on taking his motorcycle so we can tool around the back roads when we are there. This translates to – 3 1/2 hours in the Durango ALONE… which really means – AUDIO TIME!

Like a kid in the candy store I perused the shelves and finally came out with these:

I have to get ready for work so I do not have time to link them to synopsis… but there they are in all their glory! On an average day – I listen to three audio … one in my car as I drive around, the one in my bathroom (IPOD) while I get ready for work, and the one in my kitchen while I make meals.

Tomorrow I have two audio winners to announce from last week.

Morning Meanderings… Oh My GAH!

Published on August 30, 2011 by Sheila (Book Journey)24 Comments

Good morning!

Excuse while I cough and cough and cough.

*cough*

I have had a sinus infection since Saturday and it is getting old.

FAST.

Seriously annoying…

With a big event on the schedule for tomorrow I need to have my A game on.

Ummmm….

has anyone seen it?

On a completely Random note….. (because I don’t feel well…. it’s my blog and I feel like being random…)

Has anyone else been coveting this book?

I have adored this cover ever since I seen it and want to know more about the book. How about you…. read it? Want to?

Morning Meanderings…. Decisions Have Been Made

Published on August 28, 2011 by Sheila (Book Journey)29 Comments

Good morning. Sunday already! 😀

Several decisions were made around here yesterday – 2 bookish/ blog related…. one random.

First of all let me just say that it is that with a heavy heart that I finally had to realize that Laptop is not going to fully recover. Our time now is short…. he has brief moments of being coherent – and then his screen goes black. So…. yesterday I went out to Best Buy and came home with….

Meet Asus. He is new to the family and yesterday we spent a lot (A LOT) of time together transferring pics and files off of Laptop when Laptop cooperated. I was going in with my heart set on a Dell (I am pretty brand loyal) but this guy was right around the same price and I liked his keyboard, size, and shape better. Here is hoping we have a long and happy life together.

Second decision of yesterday…. you may remember last week I mentioned for the BEA nominations I was nominated for Best Audio Book Blog and Best Eclectic Book Blog. Both very exciting! 😛 BUT – I had to choose and finally decided to go with Audio blog as I have become a bigger and bigger advocate of audio over the past couple of years. It was fun to choose the posts and we will see what happens… it was fun to be nominated. 😀

Finally – the third decision was hubby Al’s and that was what movie we seen yesterday afternoon. He wanted to see either Conan The Barbarian or Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes. (UGH…. to both)…. I craved a little girly movie or comedy but he rarely chooses the movie so off we went, a smile planted firmly on my face as we went and discovered – Conan had started 30 minutes earlier than what it said online so – Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes it was. Turns out…. it was pretty good. Sad in that “abused animal” sort of way, but good.

Ok – off to get things done. I have two audio finishing today and at least two books… possibly three. 😀 (Oh, and this is the first post written on Asus.) 😛