Ok… so that is not my normal picture I put at the top of the Morning Meandering posts but I put this one up first and thought “eh” and moved on…
So what you are looking at are the books that have graced my doorstep this past week. All but the top one 47, are sent for review. 47 I ordered for the “A More Diverse Universe” Blog Tour that will take place the end of this month, hosted by BookLust.
I am out of the house early today, setting up our churches tailgate party, I wont be home until late afternoon, and will probably be wiped out. Hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday!
In 1948, in a small town in Virginia, not much happened and the people liked it that way. Your mail, your routines, were predictable and comforting, and no one….not one person had any inkling as they sipped their coffee and enjoyed their newspaper; that all… was about to change.
Charlie Beale arrived in this very small town, yes, the one I just spoke of above, with two suitcases. One was filled with his earthly possessions. The other, with money. Charlie is self-assured, fairly good-looking, well-mannered and clean. He has no trouble securing a job at the local butchers with his amazing skills of butchering just right and every cut is mouth-watering tender. Charlie feels welcomed and soon buys himself a home and spends his free time fishing and playing ball with his bosses son Sam.
Elsewhere in town, Harrison Glass, the richest (and possibly the meanest) man in the area, has “saved” a poor family from loosing their homestead by offering to buy their pretty daughter to become his wife. Sylvan is only 17 years old, she is a beautiful long-legged creature with little education. Once married to he much older Harrison, she takes a liking to picture shows and magazines filled with glamorous dressed women. Sylvan finds a local woman to sew her the fine garments that she sees in the movies and in the magazines, and while the whole town finds her ridiculous dressed in such finery and going nowhere…. one person, finds her irresistible. Charlie Beale.
When Charlie first lays eyes on the beautiful Mrs. Glass he can not stop thinking about her. Soon he is finding excuses to stop by her home, bringing along Sam and his new dog Jackie Robinson to keep the visits looking innocent. Sylvan has no love lost between herself and her husband. Harrison merely wanted a trophy wife but she easily annoys him and he is quick with his fists. In Charlie she finds a much gentler man, one she never knew existed.
Of course, small towns do not miss much and it is only a matter of time until there are whispers of Charlie’s truck parked at the Glass house mid day while Harrison is away. And a young boy and a dog may make it seem all so innocent… but truth has a way of climbing and crawling to the surface…
As shared on Algonquin books site
Why did I want to read this book? I had seen the buzz about it on the blogs and thought the story line sounded wonderful. When I was able to pick it up on audio thanks to Audio Jukebox, I was excited to give it a try.
Heading Out To Wonderful was narrated by Norman Dietz. Norman had a great voice for this novel, soft and crackly at the edges, he tells the story smoothly and gave me visions of an elderly man sitting on a front porch sharing a tale.
Heading Out To Wonderful was a well written book that moved smoothly through Charlie coming to town to Harrison’s purchase of a wife, back and forth the two story lines swing as though on a pendulum, keeping time and never losing me as each story heard steadily towards the other. I don’t think author Robert Goolrick missed a beat when he wrote this. Usually in a book with so many details and happenings a loose end lays to the wayside and as the book closes I think about the loose end… where should it have went? Why was it not tied up? That was not the case here. Even as I think back fondly on this story for this review, I can not think of one thing that did not come into closure.
And really people, what a story. If you can imagine, Charlie Beale, the man that everyone in town has come to love (for reasons I can not mention in this review to avoid spoilers) falling for the girl who no one really knows or likes because of her odd sense of dress, her inability to socialize with the other women in town, and of course the man she is married to.
Never dragging, never dull, there are plenty of small town happenings to keep our readers minds busy throughout and then at the end… at the end… when all comes to a head… I was shocked, and yet it made sense after I let that initial emotion run its course… as the audio came to an end, I breathed in deeply knowing I had indeed just experienced something wonderful.
I suggest treat your self to the book or the audio, I suspect both are amazing.
Good morning. I know many of you are waiting for fall and love the cooler weather but for me…. I already am missing summer. My house is a little cool this morning as I sit here in the chair with COFFEE CUP and a blanket.
The one good thing about fall is that I suddenly do not wish to go outside in the cool weather so that means more blogging and boy.. do I need that! Thank goodness Bloggiesta is at the end of this month because I am behind on reviews, challenge updates, and well… everything! 😀
Life is still busy here. Tomorrow I am organizing our annual tailgate party for about 250 people at church. I have a great team of helpers so I am pretty relaxed about it and how it will go. On Monday I am meeting with the library after work and setting the Banned Book Week window. Then that evening I have a library meeting. Tuesday is book club and while I found the book HORRID (oh yeah, I said it….) I have a fun plan for the food. Wednesday is out Church Annual Meeting, I think I have a good handle on that right now, Thursday is dinner with friends, Friday is out for Al (hubbys) birthday, and Saturday I go to the Cities with some Bookies to have dinner with Sandra Brannan and then attend her book signing.
Yup… life has not slowed down. 😯
For this mornings Saturday Snapshots (Hello Alyce!!! 😀 ) I though I would post some memories from a year ago… I opened up my picture files this morning and looked at last August September and thought it would be fun to reflect on a year ago:
Fall 2011: We went riding with friends (hubby in picture)
Fall 2011: Brad was home for two weeks from the Navy!
My friend Amy and I had finished our first mud run – The Warrior Dash
Callie just adores the theater and jumps at the chance when the school production is announced as Moon Over Mississippi. Callie knows the story well but signs up to be the set designer due to her terrible singing voice. While Callie’s dreams for the set are BIG, the budget is small and Callie thinks of ways to do things the way she has hoped but at a lesser cost.
If the play’s trials and errors was not enough on Callie’s agenda, twin boys start at her school… and errr…. did I mention they were CUTE??? Callie balances her onstage and off stage life cautiously but the drama becomes DRAMA as the cast is selected, emotions and jealousies flare up, props fail, and no matter what…. the play must go on!
Why did I want to read this book? I was honored to have been at Scholastic this past June when Raina Telgemeier read a part of Drama to us. I loved that this was written as a graphic novel and wanted to know the rest of the story.
DRAMA is such a fun read. I really enjoyed the story line and the tiles double meaning. Raina’s graphics add so much as well! It was cool to not only read but see what was happening. The characters acted just as kids their age would… their emotions are a bit over the top as they should be at that age and I just kept turning the pages.
The book touches on real life situations that are not always what you see in a middle grade read. I was impressed to see Raina go there, and go there well. While the subject line may not be for everyone, it is true to school life today and I say kudos for authors who take the road less traveled and at the same time do it age appropriate.
I have only one small peeve about the book and the more I think about it I can’t make up my mind if it annoys me or if it is brilliant on the authors part. It is enough to cause me to create a spoiler page so I can discuss it with others who have read this book. If you have – feel free to follow the spoiler link below and let me know your thoughts as well. 😀
Final thoughts: DRAMA is a really good middle grade read. I think it is a good discussion book for parents and their kids to discuss together. The book handles situations well and respectfully but definitely brings up some great discussion questions I think, for kids to talk about with their parents. I was impressed with Raina’s story and the characters. I am definitely going to read more from this author, and already have my eye on her book, SMILE.
You know I hate to admit it… but September is clearly here. I have been fighting the rumors that summer is over even through the signs are here – my lawn has turned a little darker in color and no longer seems to be growing, the leaves are changing colors… and now – I see activities are multiplying across the blogosphere.
If you just want to chill into your fall with a good read and a cozy blanket, I recommend you join my Bel Canto read-a-long. I am reading it now and really enjoying it.
Next week is Book Blogger Appreciation Week (that snuck up on me!) Sept 10 -14 and that is so much fun – check it out here.
Is it time for that fall blog tune up? Side bars neglected, links no longer working – or maybe you just do not have a clue how to do something? Bloggiesta is for you – Sept. 28-30th
And I posted yesterday about Banned Book Week coming Sept 30 – Oct 6 and this will be my third year hosting a banned book week party here with daily book reviews and giveaways as well as inviting other blogs to participate and also have a chance to win!
Judith over at Leeswammes blog has even more events posted so be sure to stop and see what she has to offer as well.
So now I am off to the YMCA. I am already late but was so tired last night that I could not prep this post. After work today I hope to come home and catch up on some bloggy stuff and some prep work I am doing for our librarys display for Banned Book Week.
*Note: This is a sticky post. All new postings are below this one.
Banned Book Week is coming! Banned Book week is coming! This is my third year being involved in Banned Book Week and I enjoy being a part of helping others experience the great banned and challenged books out there!
According to the ALA (American Library Association) website, this is the definition for challenged and banned books:
A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group. A banning is the removal of those materials. Challenges do not simply involve a person expressing a point of view; rather, they are an attempt to remove material from the curriculum or library, thereby restricting the access of others. As such, they are a threat to freedom of speech and choice.
What draws me to celebrate banned books is that many of these books are among some of my favorite reads: The Harry Potter Books, To Kill A Mockingbird, The Color Purple, Hunger Games, SPEAK, and so many more. For a full list of banned books see this ALA page.
This year I am looking for bloggers to participate in Banned Book Week by Choosing to read one or more of the Banned Books on the list or to write a post about banned books week. All participants will go into a drawing for a $20 Amazon gift card as my thank you for participating in a week that is near and dear to me. I would like each participant this year to consider hosting a giveaway along with their post. Some giveaway suggestions are: A copy of the book you reviewed, a gift card, book marks, or some other bookish item.
To participate please fill out the form below. I will be in contact before banned book week to confirm your day and what you will be posting. I will also promote your post from here on the day you are posting. If you plan on doing more than one post, please fill out one form per planned post.
Thank you in advance! This is going to be a lot of fun!
Good morning! It doesn’t take me long to get back into town and then get involved in something. It started with some innocent blog visiting (or so I thought) and then WHAM! I go visit Jill at Fizzy Thoughts and read this:
I know your TBR list is huge. I know your commitments are many. I know that there are so many things on which you must take a stand, and it can be exhausting to make reading a political activity. But this is so important to me, and I really think it should be important to you, too. None of us lives in a monochromatic world, and yet the fact that terrifying hate crimes still occur makes it clear that we do not fully understand or trust each other. And maybe part of the reason is because the media we consume does not accurately reflect the diversity of our society. And books are such a massive part of the media we consume that we should demand and fight for those that do represent minorities and those that do present the world from a different perspective than the one we are used to. So please – participate. You may just discover a character or an author or a setting or a story that will completely change your life.
So of course… all of this “too much on my plate already” applies to me but now my curiosity is piqued so I follow the Bloggy trail to BookLust and learn more about this Diverse Universe Blog Tour that is important and informative and basically had me signing on the dotted line. The basic plan? Read one book written by a person of color between September 23 and 29. If you are stumped at what to pick.. lists are provided.
So after reading all that I checked out the lists and set up to be a part of the tour and my book I will be reading is:
If you want to participate sign up here. Thanks Jill for letting me know about this 😀
This morning I have hauled my sleepy self to the YMCA where I have committed to meeting my friend Trish for morning workouts. I have not been to the YMCA in months, but fall is here and its time to commit to an exercise regimen so here I am trying to get started…. out plan was to meet at 6:30 am. I am already tired just thinking about it…
After her husband had passed away, her garden and her thriving plant business is her sanctuary. Between that and her son Isaac, Tilly finds enough to keep her mind busy and to avoid sticking a toe out beyond her own little world. Its safe in Tilly’s world and it is enough.
James Nealy has money to spare and when he wants something… it is just a matter of tossing money at it to make it so. As an in demand software developer he has trouble quieting the activity in his mind, but he has a plan to do just that… by creating a garden. He has seen Tilly’s work and wants her to be the designer even as she doesn’t think she is the right person for the job – after all, she sells plants, she does not design gardens.
And so the story goes, a family emergency creates a new way to escape for Tilly and as she retreats with Isaac to where she grew up she finds that while on the outside things look wonderfully the same – they clearly are not. Her best friend has a secret, her mother is plotting, and an old boyfriend is available and that is a temptation Tilly does not want… but does.
And then suddenly there is the compulsive and attractive James knocking on her door, asking again about an idea he has for a garden…..
As featured in Book Page magazine
Why did I want to read this book? Well… cover love for one! This was offered to me through a TLC book tour and I thought the synopsis sounded fun.
AND The Unfinished Garden was fun… an adventure really. Barbara Claypole White’s characters jump off the page. I was reading this book this past week and while at first it seemed a bit jumbled (those first pages…) do not be discouraged! Suddenly the book was flowing nicely along and I really found myself enjoying Tilly and her strength. While James is not normally the type of character I would find myself drawn to (the impulsiveness, the guilt he carries) I dd find myself waver a bit… it was not a love, but I was able to like him.
The book provided a nice story line that kept me engaged and interested. I am not a fan of romance reads, but this one never felt heavy in that department and I am thankful for that. This book to me was a story about second chances and finding the strength to let go… and in ways that are both sweet and surprising, I think you will find that both Tilly and James are characters with flaws that are endearing because they reflect some of the same flaws we can find in ourselves.
Good morning! After 5 glorious days up North at our cabin, I am now home again, rested, and ready to jump into September. This month is another busy one, work wise and life wise, every weekend has something. You think after this summer I would be used to that kind of activity.
Recapping the past week, I went to the cabin on Wednesday afternoon. It is about a 3 1/2 hour drive from here. I went with two of our three dogs, Bailey and Sam the small ones went with me, Mater had to go to a kennel, too big and too puppy yet to go and hang out with people. Our friends Chad and Amy and their girls came on Thursday evening, my hubby Al, and out friends Dan and Key came on Friday afternoon.
When I was alone, I read and watched a couple movies, even did some writing.
There are quite a few awesome things coming up in September including my read a long of Bel Canto which we will be discussing and doing give aways for next Tuesday, and I will be putting together sign ups this week for participants for this years Banned Books Week which will start at the end of September going through the first part of October, and the Bloggiesta will also be at the end of September.
So while fall is not my favorite season (mainly because I know what follows…..) there are some great events happening in the book world, and in activities that will keep me going. 😀
How was everyones weekend? Did you do anything fun? Any fun plans for the week?
Welcome to It’s Monday! What Are You Reading! 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.
**I will choose last weeks winner when I get back in to town tomorrow afternoon 🙂
So…. I hope everyone’s Labor Day weekend was wonderful. I have spent mine with wonderful friends and my hubby at our cabin up North. We have had great food, conversation, laughter, exploring, and a campfire, and a birthday celebration. While through out this morning and afternoon they have all trickled back home, I am staying through tonight, enjoying a little R and R and reflecting back on a wonderful summer. I will post more about this on Tuesday.
AND since I am currently sitting at a picnic table in Silver Bay Minnesota writing this post as I do not have internet service at the cabin I am going to keep this brief as I need to get in to the store I came into town for before it closes. 😀
As far as reading has gone, it has been a great weekend fr that. I have read three books (I was here two days before company came so have had some GOOD book time, I plan to read another book yet tonight and by the time I finish driving home tomorrow I will have an audio book in as well. Since I am not near my books I am not really sure what I am reading this week, but I will be reading. 😀 I do miss this good reading time that I was able to experience this weekend.
Please add your Its Monday What ARe You Reading tot he link below and check out what others have read this past week and are planning to read this week. I should get some time to visit when I return home tomorrow. When posting what you have been reading on Facebook, please add the hashtag: #IMWAYR
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Share with me… what book/audio has been with you this weekend?
Book Journey 