Morning Meanderings… Don’t Just Pin It!!!

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)29 Comments

Good morning!  😀  *lifts coffee cup to mouth “ow ow ow!!!”*  *Puts coffee cup back on table “ow ow owww”* 

Yup, I went back to kick boxing last night after ten months off and I feel AWESOME.  Well and sore this morning, but in a good way.  HOnestly there is something about putting gloves on and bashing a friend that well, brings peace to the world…. 😛

Ok, I didn’t bash her… but she did ask me not to hit so hard.  😯 

I can’t explain it but it just felt good.  It made me feel strong and I love that feeling.  I am no good at this.  I dont remember the moves and the long chains of commands from the teacher with the “do this, this this, then this this this, then that and this , with a double that and end with 14 this and 6 that with a double twist of that”… yeah…. I get lost.

BUT… I will get better.  And I am determined.

 

So…. has anyone else besides me caved and joined Pinterest?  I wasn’t going to you know… I wasn’t.  I didnt need another time suck in my life and I knew from the little I had seen of it that it would be just that….. pretty shiny pictures drawing me in… craft projects I think look cool but really when would I fit that in…..  but then during The Dewey Read A Thon it was brought to my FULL attention that Pinterest and book reviews do mix.  Once I was told that when you pin your book covers to Pinterest it links back to the review (if you link it from the post), AND that people have been picking up significant visitors that way….

suddenly I was listening.

So yes, now the past few weeks I have been pinning not only books from the blog, but I also found fitness tips, recipes, things I want to look at more closely and things that I think are funny… and life has been blissful…. pin this, pin that….

and then…

Trish from Love, Laughter, and a Touch of Insanity totally calls me out on this:

Oh come on…

now I can’t only pin it, but I also have to do something with it?

GAH….

But she is right… I have pinned and pinned but I have not cooked one thing, tried one project…. so anyhoo…. I am in on this.  😀  You can click the picture above and read her whole post. 

 

In other news, yesterday I put up a read-a-long, check it out.  😀  Cami’s fitness giveaway is still going on…  and if you want to be my friend on Pinterest (or whatever it is called there…. ) I am Sheila DeChantal (and I think this is a link.)

 

 

 

The Secret Garden Read-A-Long May 1 – May 31

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)55 Comments

Recently in a post I mentioned that I was going to read The Secret Garden for the first time.  The comments that followed, shocked me…. there are a lot of you out there that have not read this book!  Suddenly I felt I was not alone on my little island of “Those Who Have Not Read The Secret Garden”…

and an idea was born.

Won’t you come and read with me?

If you are interested in doing this read a long with me it is open to those who have not read it before, and to those who feel they may be due for a re-read.

Then… on May 31st here, we are going to have a garden party! You will have a chance to link your reviews and there will be an online book discussion here, as well as giveaways…. all garden themed!

Want in?

Please grab the button above and either 1) write a post with the “woo hoo” I am going to do this read a long!  or 20 add this button to your sidebar or 3) both!

Please fill out this form if you are planning on participating:

Please link up below if you write a post regarding your participation.  I am excited to do this with you!  😀

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Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)11 Comments

I am so looking forward to this read, Camryn does a wonderful

job making me want to read it now!  😀 ~Sheila

Unraveling

Unraveling is a book by Elizabeth Norris that is about high school junior Janelle Tenner. Janelle lives with her younger brother, Jared, her dad, James, and her bipolar mother. Janelle, while leaving the beach, gets hit by a truck. She could’ve sworn she died. She felt her heart stop. Before she knows it, she is looking into the eyes of Ben Michaels, a loner from her high school that she hasn’t spoken to before. She knows that Ben somehow saved her, and she is determined to find out how.

 

Janelle, after being let out of the hospital, goes home with her dad, just to find out he has a strange case about unidentified people dying of extremely severe radiation. Janelle’s dad works for the FBI. Ever the eavesdropper on her dad’s work, Janelle decides to dive deeper into the case. Dead ends and meaningless information push her towards Ben. She needs to find out how he saved her, but instead, she finds herself growing closer and more dependent on Ben. Can she find out Ben’s secret and solve the case without falling for Ben, or will she die trying?

The Unraveling - The Australian Cover - how awesome is that?

I loved this book. It made me cry. In my opinion, any book that makes you cry for at least two minutes is a good book, but any book that makes you cry for more than five is amazing. This book was amazing. It had detail, and was impossible to put down after I started. I am looking forward to more from this author. I would recommend this book to anyone who wanted a fast-moving novel, who wanted a great read, or wanted to read a story of true. The ending kind of made me sad though, it ended kind of abruptly.  It was still amazing.

Camryn is 12 years old, soon to be thirteen and enjoys reading YA books of the fantasy and romance genre. A few of her favorite books are “Hourglass” by Myra McEntire, “The Other Countess” by Eve Edwards, “Hush, Hush” by Becca Fitzpatrick, “The Immortals” series, the “Marked” series and the “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” series.  When she’s not reading she enjoys watching Gilmore Girls or going to book sales for more books to add to her ever-growing collection.

Morning Meanderings… Have You Heard Of This On-Line Book Club?

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)9 Comments

Good morning and Happy Tuesday!  Today it is raining in central Minnesota.  I am anxious to get on my bike (although it may not be in the plans for today now…) and it looks like I may be going back to Kick Boxing tonight with my friend Christy after 10 months off due to my injury last June.  YES!!!  *fist pump in the air*

Today is Tuesday, and that means, it is Tuesdays With Camryn, the new YA reviewer who has graciously agreed to join me here on Tuesdays to chat about YA reads.  Today watch for her review of Unraveled by Elizabeth Norris.  Lets just say  I will be needing to read that one SOON.

Since it is looking to be a great YA day, I figured this is an excellent time to chat up the new exciting Harper Collins Teen Book Club.  They launched a few weeks ago on Facebook with this awesome logo:

Awesome yes?  YES!  The current read is INCARNATE by Jodi Meadows, but soon… the May read will be Bumped by Megan McCafferty (as seen in the yellow bar at the top of the Facebook page.  You have to check this page out!  There is a place for book discussion as well as to win some prizes!  If you are not a YA reader yourself, please pass this information on to anyone you know who is… what a smart way to interact with teen readers!

Epic Reads also have a Goodreads Group!

You have a month to join the active discussion around the month’s book, but the forums on Goodreads will live on forever, and people can look back through archives to participate for past books there!

I can’t say enough about this!  Teen readers are so important and YA is an awesome genre to really generate readers in the 11-20 age group (and yes, I know… there are many of us, including me, who also enjoy YA reads too! 😀 )

If you have been thinking about reading Bumped, this would be a wonderful way to do so and connect with others reading it too!

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)100 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.

This past weeks winner:

Lauren from Housekeeping Can Wait

Congratulations!  Please email me your book choice out of the recently cleaned up and LOVELY

Reading Cafe at journeythroughbooks@gmail.com. 

Another week has gone by already!  A little fun fact, this is the 136th week that I have hosted It’s Monday!  What Are You Reading?  That kind of blows me away.  That’s over two years.. and as I think about it, I have not missed a week.  It’s Monday has come to you from Florida when we were on vacation that very first week I did this in February of 2010, and a couple of times it has come to you from Honduras, when I was on mission trips.  That kind of makes me smile…

Ok enough with the memories…. 😀  This past week, once again audio dominated my book time.  Seems like my sitting and reading time has become a bit rare lately but my on the move and listening to audio has prevailed and saved me.  Here is what happened on the blog this past week:

My world book night recap!  Oh that was FUN!

 

Birthmarked by Caragh MD Brien (the 2nd post by Camryn, YA reader and reviewer extraordinaire!)

 

The Lifeboat by Charlotte Rogan

 

Whole Latte Life by Joanne Demaio (yes and actual BOOK review!)

 

Dance Upon The Air by Nora Roberts (I found the perfect way to enjoy a re-read!)

 

I signed up for Meg Cabot read-along!  You should join too!

 

The Snowman by Jo Nesbo…. for me, I think this author is a “Nes-NO”

 

Cami Checketts is celebrating her upcoming book release in a BIG way with an amazing fitness giveaway – sign up to win here!

 

Do You Judge A Book By It’s Author? 

 

Not a bad week (it always surprises me when I get to the end of the week and realize, oh yeah, I did read something!  😀  I feel I have a good week coming up as audio is coming to an end all over the place leaving me open to new audio which is always exciting, plus for the first time in two weeks, I am adding books to the reading mix:

 

Still Aliceis a compelling debut novel about a 50-year-old woman’s sudden descent into early onset Alzheimer’s disease, written by first-time author Lisa Genova, who holds a Ph. D in neuroscience from Harvard University.

Alice Howland, happily married with three grown children and a house on the Cape, is a celebrated Harvard professor at the height of her career when she notices a forgetfulness creeping into her life. As confusion starts to cloud her thinking and her memory begins to fail her, she receives a devastating diagnosis: early onset Alzheimer’s disease. Fiercely independent, Alice struggles to maintain her lifestyle and live in the moment, even as her sense of self is being stripped away. In turns heartbreaking, inspiring and terrifying, Still Alice captures in remarkable detail what’s it’s like to literally lose your mind…

This is out book club read for May.  I am a bit nervous as I find this to be such a heartbreaking topic…

 

 

In this irresistible memoir, the New York Times bestselling author and winner of the Pulitzer Prize Anna Quindlen writes about looking back and ahead—and celebrating it all—as she considers marriage, girlfriends, our mothers, faith, loss, all the stuff in our closets, and more.
 
As she did in her beloved New York Times columns, and in A Short Guide to a Happy Life, Quindlen says for us here what we may wish we could have said ourselves. Using her past, present, and future to explore what matters most to women at different ages.

I have read very little of Anna Quindlen through the years, but from what I have heard from this audio so far… I need to read more.  She is really incredible and she reads this audio herself.

 

 

Mary Lennox, grew up in India, and had everything she ever wanted as long as she stayed out of the way of her parents. Upon her parents death, Mary was sent to live with her widowed uncle who also had no time for her.  Mary took to exploring the gardens and found way more than she had bargained for in a very pleasant way.

True.  I have never read this, and thanks tot he heads up from April from Good Books and Good Wine who gave me a twitter heads up on the $4.95 sale on audible.com, I grabbed this one up for listening hopefully this week!

 

 

Years ago, they were all the best of friends. But as time passed and circumstances changed, they grew apart, became adults with families of their own, and began to forget about the past—and the terrible lie they all shared. But now Gordon (“Go-Go”), the youngest and wildest of the five, has died unexpectedly and the other four have come together for the first time in years. Suddenly each of these old friends has to wonder if the dark secret they’ve shared for so long is the reason for their troubles today . . . and if someone within the circle is trying to destroy them all.

Whoa right?  I mean really… I cant wait!

 

 

Some bonds can never be broken…

Addie Downs and Valerie Adler will be best friends forever. That’s what Addie believes after Valerie moves across the street when they’re both nine years old. But in the wake of betrayal during their teenage years, Val is swept into the popular crowd, while mousy, sullen Addie becomes her school’s scapegoat.

Flash-forward fifteen years. Valerie Adler has found a measure of fame and fortune working as the weathergirl at the local TV station. Addie Downs lives alone in her parents’ house in their small hometown of La Prairie, Illinois, caring for a troubled brother and trying to meet Prince Charming on the Internet. She’s just returned from Bad Date #6, when she opens her door to find her long-gone best friend standing there, with a terrified look on her face and blood on the sleeve of her coat. “Something horrible has happened,” Val tells Addie, “and you’re the only one who can help.”

Best Friends Forever is a grand, hilarious, edge-of-your-seat adventure; a story about betrayal and loyalty, family history and small-town secrets. It’s about living through tragedy, finding love where you least expect it, and the ties that keep best friends together.

OOH this could be an awesome week in books!

 

So thats the BIG plan but a lot is audio so I think I will at least get started on them.  Now I am hoping to see what you are all reading this week!  There are a lot of good books out there and I love seeing what treasures you have found!  Please link up below where it says click here:

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and those of you who read mainly children’s through YA reads – please also link your post here:

Do You Judge A Book By It’s Author?

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)22 Comments

Come on… admit it…

nobody is watching….

nobody knows you are reading this post right now…

admit it…

you’ve done it…

shoot, I HAVE DONE IT.

and more than once.

You read a book, it s not a fit for you for whatever reason.  There is a good chance that unless that author has some sort of reputation that makes you want to try again, you are most likely probably out for future books by this author.

And maybe that is the right thing to do.

Maybe.

There are always exceptions to every rule and I want to bring out some examples today of yup, I was wrong, books that I feel are our of an authors norm, and for me personally, a better author for it. 

*Note:  The authors I am about to mention are well established authors who know what they are judged for in their writing, I am not dissing them, or anyone who enjoys reading them.  Instead, what I am trying to do here is point out that if you have a pre notion of what an authors writing is like, these are examples of where it is different and mainly to prove my point here – that we shouldn’t give up on an author after one book.  😛

Nora is known for being an author of many many books.  She has been putting them out since 1981 and that is impressive.  When I think of Nora Roberts I think trilogies… I think the first book will introduce three men or three women…, one of these men or women will take the protagonist role for that book and somewhere early on a love interest will be introduced and by the end of the book – yay!  They are together.  The second book will take one of the two characters that were introduced in the first book and wallah, now they are the protagonist and the same thing will happen, and then again in the third book.  It is a tried and true formula.  It has worked time and again for Nora Roberts.

Now it is true that not all her books are trilogies, she does write some stand alone reads as well, many times with the same outline as I dictated above, but no, honestly I don’t think all. 

For me personally, I have never been a fan of the romance read.  The handsome men or the beautiful women all finding ways to each other does not a page turner make for me.  And that’s just me….

however, here is where Nora Roberts scored big with me.

Now I know you are looking at these three books and  thinking “Sheila, are you off your rocker?  It’s a trilogy!  There are three!”  And if you have read these then you also know… there is a little romance in them and then you may want to say, “Sheila, I know these books!  They are about three women!  They meet three guys throughout the three books…. this is the Roberts formula tried and true!  How are they any different?”

And for you I say, these are different… because the women….

are witches. 

It’s true, the story line in my opinion is superior and the strong independent modern-day women with powers is well… they are three of my favorite all time books. 

And as long as we are discussing Roberts, she does it again here:

Mmmm hmmm, yeah yeah yeah… another trilogy – yes three strong women again but again… with powers!  I don’t know why that gets me… but it does and I love that! 

Ok one more example:  Stephen King.  What comes to mind?  Sure, Christine, a possessed car.  Carrie, yes a possessed girl.  Thinner, creepy thin guy… yup.  It, ugh, probably the creepiest as I really don’t like dolls and It is a clown or to me… a big doll.  Pet cemetary, yes, people and pets back from the dead… gross, but keep going!  Cujo, spooky book and movie, and CRAZY scary dog.  Misery, yes crazed book fan, oh wait… I like that – no no I am kidding of course, she is nutso!  Anyhoo, you got this… Stephen King writes deep creeptastic stories.

And then… he writes this:

So what is this?  This is historical fiction, it is a little time travel…. it is a great “what if” story that simply blew me away when I listened to it a few months back.  This is not your typical Stephen King, in my opinion, it is some of his best work.  There is no more creep factor in this one beyond a bit of intense moments, and average mystery type happenings.    If you have not gone here…. do so.  Soon, if not now.  😀

Now it can happen in reverse too… I read Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard forever ago.  Laughed out loud silly and funny.  Every Linda Howard I have tried since… flat line.  Cant get into them. 

Now I turn this over to you.  I would love to hear your examples of the books that seem out of an authors normal writing genre or pattern that made you look twice at an author you perhaps would not have .  Please share your experiences below.

Dead Running By Cami Checketts – Celebration and HUGE GIVEAWAY!

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)27 Comments

Cassidy Christensen is running.
Running from the mercenaries who killed her parents.
Running from a scheming redhead intent on making her life miserable.
Running from painful memories that sabotage her dreams of happiness.
With two very tempting men competing for her attention, she hopes she’ll finally have someone to run to, but can she trust either of them? When secrets from her past threaten her family, Cassidy decides to stop running and fight for her future.

I first encountered Cami Checketts when she approached me just a few months after I had started blogging with an opportunity to read and review hew book The Sister Pact.  I was so impressed with her book that when I was done reading it I approaches her to see if I could interview her about the book, her writing life, and her life outside of books.  She said yes, and in fall of 2009, I learned a lot about Cami.

Even then she was a huge fitness enthusiast, and so it was so surprise to me when Cami approached me about her new book, Dead Running, that is was indeed centered around a character who works out.  I knew I wanted to read it and Cami not only rushed the books into my hands, she asked me if I would be one of the blurbs on the back on her book.  (oh yeah, insert SSSQQQUUUEEE here!) 

I couldn’t wait to get into this book, and expect a review this week, as it is currently out in E book format, the print version will hit the shelves in just a coupe days, on May 1st.

Today what I am here to chat about is the HUGE promotion that Cami has going along with the books release. 

Cami is working with the following companies to give away the following:

Experienced and beginner yoga packages from Hugger Mugger

Two MIO Global Active Watches

Three months online personal training from Fitcore Fitness

Three Lebert Stretch Straps

Fitness Apparel from Running Chics

One pair of running shoes from Altra Zero Drop

iFrogz Earbuds and Armbands

Six month adult membership: Smithfield Recreation Center

One month membership: Crossfit UAC

Autographed copy of Dead Running by Cami Checketts (SSQQUUEE!!!!)

To enter please leave a comment on this post as to what your exercise of choice is and why.  I want to know, what gets you moving?  It can be as extreme sport as you want, or it can even be a little dancing while cooking dinner…  😀

Your comment will enter you into a chance to win one of these amazing prizes.

If you have read this book, or you are planning to, a review of it on Amazon will earn you ten extra entries.

This giveaway will close on May 18th.

You can enter on all the blogs participating if you wish, they are listed below:

Morning Meanderings… Sunday Salon

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)34 Comments

 

Wow.  Sunday again.  Already!  My past week was a crazy busy one…

 

And now here I am on Sunday already.  I was supposed to go on a bike ride today around Mile Lacs lake with one of my bike teams and I am bowing out.  😦  Mainly because there was something I was hoping to get done last night and not have to do today but that did not happen. 

The ride today would bring me home late afternoon and I just have too much to do to escape for the day.  I am bummed… but there will be other rides. 

I did get a few books in the mail:

 

With the first week of May sneaking up on us here I will have some reading to do this upcoming week for a book tour and for my book club! 

What are your plans for this Sunday?

The Snowman by Jo Nesbo

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)42 Comments

"Nesbo", "The snowman"

On a chilly November evening in Oslo Norway, the snow if falling.  It is the first snowfall of the season.  When Jonas awakens in the night he discovers that his mother is gone, and in the yard a snowman has appeared, eerily facing the home instead of the street… and oddly wearing his mother’s scarf around its thick white neck.
Police Investigator Harry Hole is called to the scene of the crime and as the pieces start to fall where they may – Harry starts to see a pattern… many women throughout a series of years that have gone missing, on the first snowfall of a year.  When a letter addressed to him arrives all mysterious and creepy, Harry starts to see that he too is becoming a part of the killers master plan…
It looks like The Snowman may be a movie some day...

Jo Nesbo is an author I have heard much about.  I liked the titles and covers of his books and have felt for some time now that getting a Nesbo book under my belt was a must do.

Having now done that, I think I can check Nesbo off my “to do” list and move on.

What I liked about the book:  I can understand the fanship that has been created around Nesbo’s books.  He is well written, and the storyline is dark, yet fascinating.  The crime itself is well thought out and detailed so you can not only understand how Harry picks up on the clues and moves forward, but you can also understand how the killer thinks as well.  Well yes, CREEPY, it is also very well-developed both factual and fictionally.  The narration by Robin Sachs is melt in your mind fantastic!


What I didn’t like about the book:  Harry Hole (oh don’t even get me started on his name...) is in my humble and honest opinion… disgusting.   The language in the book at times made me cringe, even more so, the actions and descriptions of the many sexual acts that Harry is involved in made me come close to shutting off the audio many times and making an understandably DNF (Did Not Finish) claim to the book and move on.

Why I didn’t turn it off:  Unfortunately for me, and probably a win for Nesbo, is that if you could take out all the language and crap that made me want to vomit, the story line is a good one.  While this book as a whole did not appeal to me, I can see why it does appeal to others.  Nesbo can write great characters (ummm… not in their character itself, but as characters….) and great realistic descriptions.

Will I read Nesbo again?  Most likely no, while I did enjoy the writing, he would have to change into a completely different format for me to even consider cracking open one of his books or pushing play without cringing on an audio player. 

I had heard a murmur that these books were a bit like Stieg Larsson’s writing (Girl With The Dragon Tattoo), which I had only read one of his books but did not finish the series, I personally feel this book is darker and cruder that Stieg Larson ever was.

Ok, I will quit beating a dead horse…. errr, snowman here. 

Now… just because I love doing Beth Fish Reads Weekend Cooking, and I also love tying food into books I read… I am adding a simple recipe, but one that I would totally use if my book club was going to read this book (and I assure you, they are not!) as a group..

Cherries In The Snow

  • 1 (8-ounce) tub fat-free cream cheese
  • 1 cup sifted powdered sugar
  • 1 (12-ounce) carton frozen reduced-calorie whipped topping, thawed
  • 8 cups (1-inch) cubed angel food cake
  • 1 (20-ounce) can light cherry pie filling

Preparation

Beat cream cheese at medium speed of a mixer until smooth. Gradually add the sugar, beating until blended. Gently fold in whipped topping.

Place half of cake cubes in a large glass bowl; top with half of cheese mixture. Spread half of cherry filling over cheese mixture. Repeat layers with remaining cake cubes, cheese mixture, and cherry filling. Cover and chill.

*Not my recipe, this is from a favorite recipe site:  My Recipes.com

Goodreads Review

Here are some other reviews on The Snowman by bloggers I respect:

Leeswammes Reviews

Literate Housewife

Rhapsody In Books

Book Chase

You’ve Gotta Read this!

This audio was a win and a thank you to Jennifer from Literate Housewife,

even though I did not love this one, I am thankful for the

opportunity to experience Nesbo.

Morning Meanderings… Pics From Recent Life Stuff

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)37 Comments

Good morning and happy Saturday!  My FAVORITE day of the week.  I have had (I didn’t finish this post before I had to leave) a commitment this morning so need to get to the point today  so I am really late putting this post up this morning.  D

I want to participate in Alyce’s Saturday Snapshots but have not really thought of a theme or event of current interest so thought I would give you just a splattering of life happenings in the past two weeks or so…

 

You ever have people in your life you just have a blast hanging out with? My friend Amy here is one of them. A couple of weeks ago we went out to dinner with them and had a great time!

 

Hunger Games was my World Book Night hand out - SO FUN!

 

This is just one of the gorgeous items that was on the silent auction I was at for Camp Benedict on Thursday

 

 

The pups got a haircut on Friday... L: Sam (the stray we inherited three weeks ago) and R: Bailey, who has been with us for 13 years.

 

The gorgeous throw I won during The Dewey Read A Thon for playing one of the mini challenges arrived this morning. I will be curling up with this today on this cold afternoon while reading. 🙂

 

Please stop by and say hi to Alyce, the host of Saturday Snapshots and see who is else is showing pictures of their corner of the world today.  🙂

In other news… I am joining the Meg Cabot read a long because it sounds like good summer time fun! 

As for this cold breezy day in Minnesota, I think I will spend part of it under the above lovely throw reading a bit of the afternoon away, and finishing the audio books of The Snowman and Home Front, both of which are on their last cd.  I may see if hubby would like to go out to dinner or something tonight. 

How are spending your Saturday?