Waiting On John Green (Write John write!!!)

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)23 Comments

 

 

It started in late June of this year.  I was just back from BEA (Book Expo of America) for a few weeks and had been staring down that copy of The Fault In Our Stars for far too long.  It was starting to feel like summer and I was in the mood to try this author I had heard so much about.  I opted to go audio with this one as life was already getting active and audio works better for me in the busy summer days. 

I will never forget that I finished listening to The Fault In Our Stars from the back on my husbands motor cycle on the fourth of July…. crying.  Now before you say, “Uh no thanks Sheila, why would I put myself through a painful book about young people dying of cancer!”, let me remind you that you would also probably never wanted to read the Hunger Games, a book about kids killing kids.  BUT – if you read Hunger Games, chances are you loved it (if you haven’t you are missing out – but that is a whole other post for a whole other day… :razz:).  What I am saying is that The Fault In Our Stars is blow you away good and one of the best audio books I have listened to this year and I am certain it would also be one of the best books.

 

And so, it was on the Fourth Of July that I finished The Fault In Our Stars, and began listening to Will Grayson, Will Grayson.  While Will Grayson x 2 took a little longer for me to get the flow of, I was soon loving it as well… listening to it throughout my day and while mowing the lawn.  I now knew that John Green was not a one hit wonder.  He has a knack for creating characters that are smart, and witty, and bookish, and even a bit geeky and all things I LOVE.  And so my book love affair with John Green grew….

 

 

Now on a John Green self-appointed read-a-thon I found my way to Looking For Alaska, and find myself in a college setting of characters alive and “college style daring” – pranks and rule breaking and I am now even more infatuated with these fun and flawed characters that have been brought to life through John Green’s imagination and created through his fingertips as they are written out on paper and tapped out on keyboards. 

 

Then in August I finished up listening to Paper Towns and found that Margo reminded me a bit of Alaska, reckless…. but Margo even more so in a self-centered sort of way that fascinated and annoyed me all at once.  Margo did not make the book for me but the other characters did and that is another brilliant thing about John Green’s characters… there may be a main character, but all of his other characters play big supporting roles and you see that throughout all his books but can really see it and feel it in this one.

 

 

An Abundance Of Katherine’s was an impracticable story (really… only dating girls names Katherine?) BUT – in John Greens way with words… this did not matter.  I loved this one for the sheer joy of listening to the characters come alive, for laughing out loud about crazy scenes (really… a wild boar?) and just because John Green makes me smile.   This is also my second encounter with John Green where he uses two characters who share a name and something about that… seems smart, like why would you do that?  And more importantly… why wouldn’t you do that? 

 

 

And so now here I am…. going Green… but I seem to be out of books.  😯  Yes, I know he has a Christmas read, but I can not read Christmas books when the temps outside remain in the 80’s.  That one will have to wait.  It’s hard to explain all the wonderfulness of John Green’s writing.  He is extremely quote worthy.   You will be reading along this funny YA read and suddenly something written will give you pause.  You find yourself tucking it away in your brain files or writing it down on the scrap peace of mail that is closest to you so you can refer back to it later. 

 

SO John Green, this message is to you.  Are you writing something new?  How long must I wait for this work of awesomeness?  Is there anything I can do to help move this process along?  Bring you coffee?  Mow your lawn?  Walk your dog?  Send you manilla envelopes filled with gum wrappers with potential character names written on them?  Talk to me. 

Sheila

Morning Meanderings… A Recap Of My Week At Camp Benedict

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)39 Comments

This is my first morning since this past Monday that I will not be hearing “Good Morning Campers!” 

I cam home yesterday from my week at Camp Benedict, a camp for adults, children, and families dealing with AIDS.  Camp Benedict is in the bar just underneath my blog header year around.  If you click on that link, it will tell you my background story and connections to the camp.  This year was my second year at camp and I didn’t think I could be even more impressed on than last year…. but I was.  This week for the Saturday Snapshot (check out Saturday Snapshot at Alyce’s At Home With Books) , I am going to share with you a few pictures from this weeks camp experience:
The camp brings in people from around the state (occasionally beyond) for a week of connecting, sharing, and education.  My friend Connie who organizes the camp offers this week to the campers for free.  You read that right.  She does not want the cost to be a burden to anyone so the money we raise at the spring benefit dinner and then the summer CCB ride, all goes to support the camp and pay for the week.  And… it is a nice week.

 

 

The camp is beautiful – right on the lake with education each morning and evening, and afternoon free time activities like horse back riding, swimming, pontoon rides, tubing, and more. 

 

Morning Exercise and meditation with the ball

 

On Tuesday morning we were all lead in a group exercise session using the ball. This was a lot of fun and it was exciting to see everyone give it a try.  Some of the moves were basic stretches and some more advanced.  We ended the session with a time of meditation, relaxing laying back and reflecting.  Many people mentioned how much they enjoyed this.  I personally love working out on the ball and I picked up a few new tips to try at home.

 

Meal prayer

Before every meal we are led by Camp Staff (and occasionally a few bonus people) in a prayer.  The prayers are always set to a theme song… this one is said to the Superman tune.  😀

 

The education classes are wonderful, a speaker came in and talked to us about stigma, an emotional talk where people could share their stories.  We also had a repeat speaker, Bill, who does a wonderful job of sharing the latest information on medication, up and coming information, and the importance of being consistent on the meds.  Another speaker spoke on the companies that can assist you with getting the medication you need, and yet another doctor was there to answer any questions.  There may….. have been a few camp pranks played….. I am not at liberty to say.  😉

It is always a roller coaster of emotions during the week.  Some moments are sad, and other time we are laughing and on a pontoon on our way to get ice cream at the Dairy Queen.  It is definitely a week I will reflect on throughout the year.  Some of the people have been there before, and some are new… and for the new ones, it is amazing to watch them blossom throughout the week as they feel the acceptance of the camp and make connections to keep themselves healthy and to new friends as well.  In the past two years that I have went to this camp I have left with old friendships being stronger, and new ones being developed. 

 

Tailgate Party!

Mid week we have a tailgate party where people who live around the lake and the camp come and grill for us.  Our weather this week was perfect! 

Camp K staff doing their typical good bye at the end of the week!
Connie and I at the CCB Ride this year.

Of course… the final day is bitter-sweet.  It is always hard to say good-bye hoping you will see people next year.  The people who go to camp are amazing people.  If you want to know more about this amazing camp, please check out the website here:  Camp Benedict.org  and my original connection to the camp is posted here:  My connection to Camp Benedict.

The bus leaving at the end of the week.

Today hubby and I are heading to the Minnesota State Fair.  We have not been there in years so this should be an experience.  😀

An Abundance Of Katherine’s by John Green

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)16 Comments

 

From grade school on, Colin Singleton has had a thing for girl’s names Katherine.  And it would seem that Katherine’s have a thing for Colin as well – except…

he always winds up getting dumped. 

After the 19th Katherine (henceforth known as “K19”) drops Colin, he and his best friend Hassan (picture a quite overweight high school graduate who LOVES Judge Judy) decide to take a little road trip to anywhere, just a chance to get away one summer.  They find themselves in Tennessee in a town called Gunshot where they meet a girl names Lindsey and wind up getting jobs from her mother. 

While Colin works on a mathematical theory on who will be the dumpy in any relationship, he encounters another Colin (henceforth known as the “other Colin”), a wild boar, and many interesting characters that keep this book moving forward to a place where Colin finally finds his way through the enigma that is a Katherine.

Colin’s Equation…

 

Why did I read this book?  I listened to this on audio as I have been doing all summer with John Green’s books.  I have found him to be such a an interesting author and I am loving his stories…. An Abundance Of Katherine’s was next on my list :D.

 

An Abundance Of Katherine’s was a typical smartly worded read by John Green.  I find that this characters are usually a smarter than the average bear breed, and usually borderline geeky as well.  (These are the characters I love).  Colin in this book is a child prodigy, he is word smart and makes anagrams constantly out of names and places.   Author John Green I have notices has a way of taking his characters and giving them brains and fun facts that are sprinkled casually throughout the books he writes so by the last page you actually come out having learned something.  I also love that his characters are usually bookish and book references really… make my day.  😛

I have to say – I thought the idea of this book was a bit silly…. a boy who has dated only girls named Katherine?  BUT – at the same time John Greens typical witty humor made me overlook the improbability of this book and just read it and enjoy.  (Don’t judge me… you know you have overlooked realism a book or two just for the sheer fun of reading!)

In the end – while not a favorite John Green book, a worthy one that I did enjoy.  John Green has a way of taking several characters and making them all 3D, so much you feel that you could pick them out of a line up and chat with them on the street. 

My recommendation – if you have not read John Green, you are missing out.  I would recommend, Will Grayson, Will Grayson (do this one on audio!) and The Fault In Our Stars ( a definite favorite read of this year!)

 

Purchased off audible.com

The Crying Tree by Naseem Rahka (A Bookies Review)

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)12 Comments

Irene and Nate Live a happy life in Illinois with their two children Bliss and Shep.  When Nate is offered a job as a Deputy Sheriff in Oregon, he surprises the family by jumping at the offer and moving them.  Irene is angry with her husband’s decision, but the family moves and as they start to get settled into their new life,

tragedy strikes.

During what appears to be a robbery of their home, 15-year-old Shep is shot and killed during this event.  The Stanleys fall apart in the wake of this tragedy.   The man who shot Shep, Daniel Robbin, is caught and put away for life.

Many years later, Irene receives the letter she has both waited for and dreaded, the announcement of the date that Daniel Robbins will be put to death by lethal injection.  Things are not as they once were for Irene and she is not sure that she still feels that Daniel should be executed, a thought she has kept to herself through the years.. .never sharing this with her husband Nate or her daughter, Bliss.

What secrets Irene carries are heavy… but Irene is not the only one to have secrets.  The result being a head on crash of emotions and explosive opinions that will leave your head spinning to the very last page.

Why did I want to read this book?  My friend and fellow Bookie Angie gave me a copy of this book after she read it and loved it.  Angie’s tastes in books usually are god ones that I enjoy too so I was excited to read this book that she said led to great inner thought.  Shortly after it was given to me, it was also chosen as our August book club read.

The Crying Tree was a book I picked up and instantly fell into the flow of the read.  Told in alternating chapters, I started to understand the flow of the “that was then” and “this is now”.   The Crying Tree was a beautiful story of deep family secrets that only build on one another as the story unfolds.

The secrets that can define us is a huge theme in this book and as The Crying Tree opens, page by page secrets are revealed to you, the reader, that are both shocking and thought-provoking at the same time.  The deeper you travel within this book, the more you are let in on the secrets of The Crying Tree.

WOW.  Oh WOW.  That’s my take and I am sticking with it.  What I thought I knew about The Crying Tree in the early part of the book was nothing compared to what was revealed as I became a part of the book.  Sometimes I don’t know why I do not see what is going to happen next but int his book I did not see it coming and I am so glad I didn’t because the tight grip I had on this book as my mouth hung open in shock…

was…

well…
SO WORTH IT.

The Crying Tree is not a book for everyone, it does deal with hard subject matter, however… I think it is a book that should be read by everyone because it does make you think and look at yourself honestly and say “what would I have done?”  A powerful read that will remain on my bookshelves as a reminder to myself as to how powerful the written word is.

 

BOOKIES THOUGHTS….

The Bookies book club gathered in my home in August 2012 to review this book.  I had twenty questions prepared for discussion and our questions brought up such good thoughtful discussion that I had to eliminate about half the questions or we probably would still be reviewing this book. 

The discussion was phenomenal… it was hard, truthful, and passionate.  We really wrapped ourselves around the idea of forgiveness and how much (if anything) is too big to forgive.  Do you need faith in God to forgive?  (This was a question due to the fact that Irene starts out as a strong Christian woman but as the book unfolds and a very poor example of a pastor is her “go to for faith” guy… she walks away from her faith. 

We also spent time discussing how well in today’s world we know our kids… at the time the book was written (in the 80’s), Irene admits that she did not always know what her children were up too when she was at work or out running errands.  She believed they came right home after school, but if she was honest… she did not know that for sure.  Those of us in the discussion feel that even with the addition of cell phones, we still can not be sure we know what our kids are doing all the time – and lives if anything, have just become more cluttered with activity.

The overall thoughts from our book club was on a scale of 1-5 ( 5 being the highest), The Crying Tree rated a 4 average.

Of course… we brought food:

Teardrop Salad

 

 

 

 

Kale chips

 

 

 

Not pictured:  Our main dish – “Last Meal” Chicken Yellow Squash hotdish and The chocolate mint pie.

Bookies discussing The Crying Tree

 

 

I received this book from my friend Angie

Morning Meanderings…. I cant believe I forgot to post the MUCKRUCKUS Pics

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)23 Comments

Good morning.  I am at camp this week and internet seems to be very S L O W here so we will see how this goes. 😀

As I was reviewing my posts from this past week I realized I never posted the pictures from two weekends ago of the Muckruckus.  “Doh!”  So,this morning, here is my recap of the Muckruckus.

First off – the Muckruckus ROCKED.  Second of all, the Muckruckus was HARD and it kicked my butt.  Note to self…. next year I need to actually train for that event.  😀

Before we were dirty: L: Amy, Me, and Wendy

Some of the things we did

Oh yeah.. thats me in the front in the blue

 

 

 

 

The two crazy girls sliding across the finish line are sadly.. not me. They are my friends Amy and Wendy and by the time we finished my feet hurt so bad from bring filled with mud and rocks I could hardly walk…. next year though… I am rocking this.

 

So there is my brief recap.  I have lots more pics but as I mentioned I am at camp and having a good time, doing a little writing and talking with a lot of people.  I will be around all week, should have a review up yet this afternoon.

 

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)51 Comments

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.

 

Lori from Escape With Dollycas!!!

Congratulations!  Please email me your book choice out of the Reading Cafe at journeythroughbooks@gmail.com. **And note, once I get the new shelves in there will be a lot of additions to the giveaway shelves.

I think the big question is “am I reading?”  I am, really I am…. and listening to audio – AND enjoying both… but it seems as thought you wouldn’t really know it here.  I have been planning on posting our book club review of The Crying Tree since Wednesday but each day I am doing something else and by the time I sit down to do it… I am too tired, and in the mornings, no time to write it out.  GAH.  I hate talking about the time thing week after week and I am praying that it will pass quickly and I will be back on my review track soon.  😀

Here is what I did post this past week:

Anastasia’s Secret by Susanne Dunlap (YA review by Cameron)

 

Saving Sammy The Boy Who Caught OCD by Beth Maloney (audio review)

 

My Library Sale Finds (the books…the movies and yeah, the audio too!)

 

What I Learned By Working The Book Sale (I spent a day working our fall library sale and learned a few interesting things that I did not pick up on when I am on the shopping side of it)

 

It has been a long time since I have had 4 or more reviews in a week like I used to… can not wait to get back to that!  😀

This coming week, starting Monday afternoon I will be at Camp Benedict until Friday afternoon.  I am taking audio and a couple books and hope to get some reading time in.  Here is what I will be taking with me for the weeks reading:

 

Alaska in the 1920s is a difficult place for Jack and Mabel. Drifting apart, the childless couple discover Faina, a young girl living alone in the wilderness. Soon, Jack and Mabel come to love Faina as their own. But when they learn a surprising truth about the girl, their lives change in profound ways.

That’s a really poor synopsis right?  However I have heard good things on the blogs about this one so this will be my listen!

 

 

 

Tollie Erasmus, an unsavory bank robber on the run, is found dead hanging from the neck in a remote location. A bible is stuck in his left hand and at first it seems that this is a simple case of suicide. Lieutenant Kramer and his Bantu assistant Mickey Zondi are not convinced though. Soon another criminal ends up at the end of a noose; a message to Kramer and Zondi: Someone is upholding a code of justice that goes beyond the South Africa court system.

Somewhere there’s a killer who knows far too much about the hangman’s craft, and Lieutenant Kramer and Zondi must find him before his trail of death continues.

 

 

 

Cam has raised her daughter Aubrey alone ever since her ex left to join a cult. But now the bond between mother and daughter seems to have disappeared. While Cam is frantic to see Aubrey, a straight-A student, at the perfect college, on a path that Cam is sure will provide her daughter success and happiness, Aubrey suddenly shows no interest in her mother’s plans. Even the promise of an exciting gap year saving baby seals or bringing clean water to remote villages hasn’t tempted her. She prefers pursuing a life with her wrong-side-of-the-tracks football-hero boyfriend and her own secret hopes. Both mourn the gap that has grown between them, but Cam and Aubrey seem locked in a fight without a winner. Can they both learn how to hold onto dreams . . . and when to let go to grasp something better.

 

Thats the plan, I will be taking Laptop with me so I will be checking in and hopefully – reviewing as well. 😀  I would also like to know what you are reading!  Please add your what are you reading post to the linky below where it says click here.  Also, share your post on Twitter using the hashtag #IMWAYR

 

 

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Morning Meanderings… The Occasional “Non Bookish” Perks Of Writing Reviews

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)21 Comments

Good morning.

Obviously there are a lot of perks to reviewing books.  First of all the delicious books that arrive on your doorstep and you get the pleasure to read and chat about.  And of course there is the conversation itself that generates around the book, and of course, the relationships we book bloggers build together as people who love to read and love to chat books. 

Occasionally, we can be asked to review something other than books just due to something we mentioned we enjoy and I think that is kind of fun too.  In the past I have been given the occasional movie to review, at one time reader glasses, and a couple of years back… a bookshelf.  😛

In my mail yesterday, this arrived:

Telestrations is a “telephone like game”  Sketch, Pass, and Guess!  It is no secret that I love board games, and this would not be the first board game I have been sent to review.  I think when we are at the cabin in a couple of weeks with friends I will try it then.  😀 

 

I also had a few books trickle in this week:

Yesterday we car shopped – we think we found something, Hubby is processing (its how he shops, looks… and thinks….) So we will know more on Monday but I am excited to hopefully have that over with.  😀  This morning I am going to church and then packing for my week at Camp Benedict that starts tomorrow afternoon.  I will talk more about that on Tuesday morning. 

If you are a book reviewer, have there been any cool things that you have been asked to review other than books?  Have there been any not so cool things you have been asked to review?  (I remember once they asked me to talk about Ug Boots…. I told them they had no connection to books or to my life whatsoever… I couldn’t do it.)  😛

Morning Meanderings… What I Learned by WorkingThe Book Sale

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)56 Comments

Good morning!

Yesterday I spent my whole day volunteering for our Friends Of The Library Book Sale.  I was really excited to do it having for years been a part of the other side of it… waiting outside for the doors to open, rushing in and working my way through all the people to find just the right books for 50 cents a piece, supporting my local library and supporting my reading habit.  😀

I eagerly started my shift at 8 am, my job at that time was to go through all the books on the tables, add books from the boxes underneath the tables if there was room, and make sure there are no trip hazards.  When the doors opened at 9:00 am and the people started coming in I was surprised to see it was a slow trickle.  My morning started out by offering to take people’s books from them to the front and bag them if they had a huge handful and filling in book gaps to keep all the books standing upright and pretty.  As it became late morning the traffic at the sale became more steady and I found myself having a lot of fun looking for books for people, or subjects, and answering bookish questions.  Here are some of the things that I was asked:

Do you have any books on WWII?  (we did)

 

Where are your books on the Renaissance era?  (nowhere that I knew of)

 

Do you have Jodi Picoult?  (we did)

 

Do you have Stephen King’s The Dome?  (we did not)

 

Where do all the books come from?  (people donate them to friends of the library for the sale)

 

Do you have to read the Sue Grafton Books in order?  IE. A Is For Alibi, B is For Burglar, C Is For Corpse…  (I had never read Grafton but was familiar with the series and told the lady that I did not believe you would have to read them in order as Sue Grafton was now on “W” and I think that would deter new readers if they thought they had to start at “A” and work their way to “W”.  However, I told the woman I would “phone a friend” (I don’t think she got my humor) and ask the ladies at the check out table.  They informed me that while the series has to do with the same Private Investigator Kinsey Milhone,  you did not have to read the books in order.

 

 

There were a few other fun tidbits of information I picked up by walking the books of the sale for 11 hours…

Author who had the most books there:  Danielle Steele (there were boxes and boxes of paperbacks and hardcovers)

 

The book we had the most copies of for sale:  Dan Brown’s The Davinchi Code in hard cover.  There were 10 of them.  I strategically placed them throughout the books hoping to entice someone, I think when I left last night they were still all there. 

 

Author asked for the most?  Stephen King

 

There were 12,000+ books at this sale.

 

For Alyce’s Saturday Snapshot this week,  if you seen my post yesterday morning, I did purchase books at the sale on Thursday:

and yes, you guessed right, there was no way I worked a book sale for 11 hours and walked out with nothing… here are my finds from Friday:

 

The Ella Minnow Pea book was a book mentioned to me by my roommate from BEA this year, Gail from Ticket To Anywhere.  I was fascinated about the book and THRILLED when I found not one, but two copies of it at the sale – both pictured above.  I plan to use this book in a way during my beloved Banned Book Week that will take place September 30 – Oct 6.

When my shift was over at the book sale I was sad to go, I really had a lot of fun talking books with people, answering questions and just being in an environment surrounded by books and bookish people.  😀

Be sure to stop by At Home With Books and see other participants in the Saturday Snapshot meme. 

Have a super day, my hubby and I are looking for a vehicle today, hoping we can do this quickly and painlessly…. and then my Saturday is open and I am glad.  I am a little tired out today and could use a day with a little book time.  😀

Morning Meanderings… Library Sale Finds!!! (You know there will be giveaways!)

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)37 Comments

Good morning everyone!  Happy Friday!  Yesterday I mentioned I was on my way to the library sale in the wee hours of the morning because I just think it is fun to get their early and start the line… well guess what?  At 6:30 am (sale opens at 9 am), I was not first.  Nope.  😛  Epic fail on my part, I stopped for coffee on my way in and a lady beat me by 5 minutes…. LOL

It was still a great time… I love that the regulars know me by name and I enjoy talking books with the people who are around me. Our sale is 50 cents a book – paperback or hardcover, 50 cents for a movie or audio book (my heart…. be still!) and they have a few newer titles they ask a little more for – between 1 and 3 dollars.

So…. I left with this:

I spent $23.00’s.  I am thrilled with my haul!  

I meant to put up a review yesterday afternoon of our Bookies review (and food!) to go with the book The Crying Tree but time once again got away from me.  Instead, I spent my time setting up a Meal Train for a friend of ours who has been going through some tough health issues.  If you have not checked out this site, please do so.  I just learned about it myself and Meal train is super cool and easy to set up meals deliveries for a new parents, someone going through an illness, new home, or death in the family.  AND – it is free.  😀

Today I work at the Library Sale – all day.  They were short on help this year so I had told them they could have me all day.  I start at 8.  I may be there until 8 pm tonight. That’s ok… I am kind of excited (in a dorkish bookish way) to help people with their books.  😀  Laptop is going with me in the event there is an afternoon lull and I can sit and write up the review.  I hope this weekend to actually get around to seeing some blogs… I miss checking out what everyone has going on… life has just been…. FULL.

Happy Friday everyone.  Any fun weekend plans?