February Recap

Published on March 3, 2012March 3, 2012 by Sheila (Book Journey)19 Comments

February sailed by didn’t it? With the nice numbers I put up in my January recap, I have to admit I was curious to see where I would land for February. February just felt off…. I felt too busy to read much and too tired to read in the free time I did have. Then I gave up and returned quite a few audio books that I didn’t get into…. total DNF.

So…. how did it line up?

I added 12 books to my 16 in January (Thank God for audio…. seriously!) but added only three new states to the Where Are You Reading Challenge… ugh… already duplicating states! 😯 I added no reads outside of the United States.

Of those 12, 6 were audio books. Busy lives people – I am telling you, audio is the fix you need! 😀

2 books into the ebook challenge, sticking with my goal of reading all book club books this year on my Nook… 2 for 2 😀

No progress made on the Dystopia challenge but I am craving the genre…. luckily Pandemonium sits on my kitchen table right now… hopefully being picked up this week.

No progress here either… and looking at this list again, I need to get a move on it as there are some great reads on here that have been on my shelf too long!

For the year I am at 4,587 pages and audio equals 5 days and 38 minutes which sounds scary…. like book coma scary, but remember that is mostly active audio time as in house cleaning, getting ready in the morning, cooking, and drive time.

While February this year was down from last February by 4 books.

SO how did your February come out?

Morning Meanderings… A Retreat

Published on March 3, 2012 by Sheila (Book Journey)31 Comments

A quiet Saturday! Just what I wanted and needed! A day to catch up on some reading, a little bit of working out and a couple of reviews.

Isn’t it weird what a difference a week can make? Last week at this time I was exhausted and at a Women’s Retreat… which really sounds like an oxymoron right? I mean the words “women’s retreat” brings up visions of relaxation and down time and girl chats….

and it was all that – but I went into it wrong. I had a hugely busy week last week and by the time I arrived at the women’s retreat on Friday evening, stick a fork in me… I was done. 😯

Don’t get me wrong – it was a lovely time.. I was just tired. I had a chance to chat with some friends and make a few new ones.

Part of the camp we stayed at — **Part Of the camp we stayed at - Trout Lake Camp**

026 — **An area that was in the main lodge.... my favorite hang out space!**

033 — **Me... ready for the winter activities!**

**Loading on to the bus to be driven to the dining hall**

**The massive fireplace in the dining hall**

All in all the retreat was fun! We ended the second night with a purse action. Throughout the retreat you could earn “dollars” to bid on purses. I did not win a purse but t was a lot of fun to watch people go a little crazy over the purses!

These pics are my contribution to the fabulous Alyce’s Saturday Snapshots. Pop over and see what others have taken pictures of. 😀

Have a fab morning – I am going to make an egg white omelet while listening to the end of an audio book. Later I am back with my February recap and possibly later yet (to get myself on track) a review.

Morning Meanderings… Commercials CRACK Me Up!

Published on March 2, 2012March 2, 2012 by Sheila (Book Journey)18 Comments

Good Morning!!!

Friday! SO EXCITED!

Why?

No commitment weekend! I have no have to’s!!!

Put that on pause though as I do have a half day at work today – and this morning as I sit her with COFFEE CUP contemplating life and what to wear… I thought I would share with you the commercials that cracked me up when I watched the Oscars and have continued to do so since…

First off… kudos to JC Penney’s for these funny and smart Ellen Degeneres commercials that have been airing since the Oscars. Seriously – the ones over the holidays that Penney’s had going with the screaming people were awful!

BUT – all is forgiven now as I smile every time I get a chance to see these funny commercials about returning items…

Ok… that is some good stuff. 😀

Have a great morning everyone!!!

Mental Floss The Book… only the greatest lists in the history of listory

Published on March 1, 2012March 1, 2012 by Sheila (Book Journey)10 Comments

Do you like facts? Fun facts, interesting facts, facts that are conversation starters? Then this book is for you! Filled with lists of facts that are just funny, interesting, and yeah… sometimes down right odd…

Here are a few examples:

Five Presidential Fashion Flubs (did you know that Thomas Jefferson sometimes greeted dignitaries while wearing his PJ’s?)
Questions that probably need answers Immediately (can a pregnant woman drive in the carpool lane – appears that is a yes)
Eight Everyday Items Brought To You By NASA (smoke detectors is on the list, so are cordless tools… but something is conspicuously missing!)
The Stories Behind 9 Muppet Favorites (did you know Kermit was born in 1955 and originally made his appearance on a show called Sam and Friends?)
6 Laws Of Cartoon Physics (such as the fact that weapons never work well and you can pull anything out of a bag or coat)
Missing Body Parts of Famous People (While Stonewall Jackson is busied in Lexington, VA, his arm… well that is busied elsewhere…)
Six Tasty Foods Names After People (Graham crackers and nachos are on this list..)

There is even a magazine called Mental Floss for information junkies!

When both my boys were home a few months ago this book was on the coffee table (yes in the family room we still have a coffee table…. sounds so 70’s when I type it out…) and we poured over this book. We took turns sharing random facts, sometimes laughing out loud, others times saying “What? How can that be?”

In the end we all felt we knew a little more and were a little more prepared if we were ever chosen to be on Jeopardy. 😛

This really is a fun book that I will keep out on that coffee table, ready to be picked up again by company or by me, as I love to read facts out loud to Al and try to stump him. Did you know there are 5 traditions that were invented to make us buy stuff? See? I can’t even stop now!

Amazon Rating

Goodreads Review

Morning Meanderings… It’s March? Wha… Wait…

Published on March 1, 2012 by Sheila (Book Journey)13 Comments

Holy coffee cup batman…. where did February go?

It certainly went out with a bang here as I mentioned yesterday we were DUMPED on by the snow fairies….. I shouldn’t complain too much – it was not as bad as was predicted and it is all over now except for all that snow… which I am not a fan…which I know I live in Minnesota and do not like snow. It’s true.

February is usually a great reading month for me but I don’t think it was this year. Seems like as of late reading has been hard to find the time. I am behind on books, but not reviews because I need to read the books to do the reviews… you get the picture. 😀

In the next couple of days I will work on my Feb stats and get that posted but I think it will be disappointing, mainly because I have several books going that I want to finish… just need to make the time to do so.

In other news – I was FINALLY able to put my review on Amazon for The Book Club Cookbook, which I LOVED and I am excited to be the first to review it there!

Today I work and work out – tonight I must finish my reviews for Her Voice magazine – the books are read the reviews are written I just need to put them in a word document and send them. It does not sound hard right? Yet night after night I claim I am too tired…. what is my issue? 😯

Well… here’s to March… may it be filled with great reads and time to read them 😀

Morning Meanderings…. SNOWMAGGEDON!!!

Published on February 29, 2012 by Sheila (Book Journey)50 Comments

Good snowy morning to you! 😀

Brainerd Minnesota is under a winter storm warning as I type until 6 pm tonight. It is coming down pretty hard right now and due to continue to 6 pm tonight. Here is what it currently looks like:

085 — My back deck... was snow free last night...

Its snowing and blowing and some may be able to call this a snow day but here is the good and the bad about where I live. I live right off a main highway that takes me directly to work which is about 3 miles away – straight stretch. Of all people, I am the one that can get to work.

Being from Minnesota, of course both my vehicles have 4 – wheel drive….

So – while I was hoping it would be a complete white out and I could stay at home… I dont think that is the case so I am off to get ready for work…

IF this had been my ~~dreamed of~~ an actual snow emergency my day would have been:

writing my book reviews that are due
READING!
Making Soup

and part of that reading would have been what arrived in the mail at my house yesterday:

SQQQUUEEEEE!!!!

Ok… seriously – I have to get ready for work…. my three mile drive and my snow filled driveway might be interesting 😀

Deal Breaker by Harlan Coben

Published on February 28, 2012March 2, 2012 by Sheila (Book Journey)13 Comments

Myron Bolitar is a Sports Agent heading for the big time. So is Christian Steele, a rookie Quarterback and Myron’s prized client. When Christian gets a phone call from a girl he had given his heart too and had disappeared over a year ago, things get a little odd. This missing girl is Kathy Culver and she has been believed to be dead. She also is Myron’s true love Jessica’s sister.

Trying to figure out the truth behind Kathy’s disappearance, keep Christian on the straight and narrow, and once again find himself immersed in Jessica’s presence in his life… Myron finds himself up against the dark side of his business. Secrets and lies woven into a family, where image and talent can make you rich – but the truth can make you dead.

This is the first of the Myron Bolitar series, where Myron began to be developed from the witty brain that is Harlan Coben. On audio, narrated by Johnathon Marosz, the book is true wit and mystery and at times “snort worthy” (snort worthy: that embarrassing sound when you laugh and it comes out a short noise that comes through your nose instead of your mouth).

This being my second dip into the Bolitar books I have come to appreciate the surrounding players…. his best friend Winston Horne Lockwood III (or “Win” to his friends) and his assistant Esperanza Diaz.

The constant twist and turns – unraveling of a mystery and funny FUNNY wit moments, so hard to explain, but if you have experienced this world of Myron’s, and I hope that you do…. you will know what I mean. Yes, a book can at once be a mystery and funny. Think the Stephanie Plum stories, but an ex basketball player instead of a New Jersey girl, and Myron is not ditsy… he is smart and gets his man….errr…. woman…. errr…. well – you know.

It was fun to listen to this first book of the birth of a great character. While I do not plan to listen to all the Bolitar books one after another…. I would not be disappointed if our paths did cross again.

Who would like this book? If you like smart and witty humor, two good-looking guys solving a crime, and funny scenarios as they do so…. this book would be for you.

*Note: This particular book has a character with a huge fowl mouth…. frequent language is used the last fourth of the book, something I did not notice when I listened to One False Move last week.

Morning Meanderings… I’d Like To Thank The Leg err… Academy

Published on February 28, 2012 by Sheila (Book Journey)35 Comments

Good morning! 😀

Did anyone else watch the Oscars on Sunday night? I admit… I first was watching Amazing Race with the hubby… BUT as soon as that was over I tuned into the Oscars. While not a die-hard fan, I do like to look at what people are wearing and this year in particular – I was interested as so many movies from books were up for awards…

Highlights for me were of course the supporting actress award going to Octavia Spencer for The Help.

If you did not see her acceptance speech grab a tissue and watch it. If you have yet to see The Help, I highly suggest you do and do it soon. Octavia is a hoot (yes I said hoot!) throughout the movie and in case you did not know… she is also the voice of Minny on the audio version of the book. Nice pic all the way around and standing ovation on her best supporting actress award.

As always the Oscars in surrounded with wonderful announcers and one stands out to me…. Angelina Jolie parades out to the stage front and center and immediately takes a stance that I was sure was going to be the topic of today:

So at first umm…. glance, you (I) would think well… she is in very good shape why not show off a little…. er, a lot of leg….. although this was when she was presenting an award… prior to that moment there was…

1aaaaa — and on the red carpet, Angelina with her leg

Ok … I am picking…. I mean if I had legs like that I may have a tendency to show them off a bit too…. what surprises me is that Angelina has a history of awkward Oscar moments (oh if only I could forget the year of her acceptance speech about her brother….), but again… I pick. Honestly I think this whole thing went down something like this:

(Scene: The Pitt/Jolie home. Afternoon, pre- Oscar arrival, Brad and Angelina meet in the foyer after each getting dressed in their separate rooms)

Brad takes a look at Angelina…

Brad: That dress shows off quite a bit of leg

Angelina: So? I have quite a bit of leg.

Brad: Well its going to be hard to not draw attention to yourself my dear.

Angelina: Jealous much my much shorter darling?

Brad (smugly): Ok, fine, we don’t have time for this. I DARE you to bare your leg….. ALL of your leg at least ten times during the Oscars. Oh and it must be caught on camera!

Angelina: Fine, you are on. If I win you owe me a green bean. I am famished!

😛

LOL

Ok enough of Angelina…

In other Oscar moments I realized I have missed out on a few movies that I did not think I would enjoy but after seeing highlights now I have added them to my “must see” list…

and my nominees are….

Hugo

Moneyball

Iron Lady

and of course, I need to own The Help.

Did you watch the Oscars? Have you seen any of these movies or want to see any of these movies?

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

Published on February 26, 2012February 26, 2012 by Sheila (Book Journey)70 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:

MarthaE

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

Well.. it was another week around here. If you read my morning post today you know just how crazy it was. With hardly a free hour all week between work and evening commitments, books fell again to the wayside and believe me…. that does not make me happy. I am person who needs down time to re energize, and books in my life. When things are out of whack…

I am out of whack.

LOL…. couldn’t resist. Anyway – here is what did happen here last week:

What’s Your Number? Movie review

Very Valentine by Adriana Trigiani ( a re – read but this time with my book club and oh…. the food!!!)

The Making Of A Book Club (I was asked to talk about my book club and what we do and how we do it… and as I love talking about my book club…. this is that post 🙂 )

One False Move by Harlan Coben (audio book and Coben lOVE!!!)

Fun Facts!!! (Have you played yet? If not, please do – it is so much fun!!!)

The Eyre Report #2 (week two and my journey with Jane Eyre…)

The books on my radar did not for the most part get read last week so I am sticking with them and only adding…

Every day Christine wakes up not knowing where she is. Her memories disappear every time she falls asleep. Her husband, Ben, is a stranger to her, and he’s obligated to explain their life together on a daily basis–all the result of a mysterious accident that made Christine an amnesiac. With the encouragement of her doctor, Christine starts a journal to help jog her memory every day. One morning, she opens it and sees that she’s written three unexpected and terrifying words: “Don’t trust Ben.” Suddenly everything her husband has told her falls under suspicion. What kind of accident caused her condition? Who can she trust? Why is Ben lying to her? And, for the reader: Can Christine’s story be trusted? At the heart of S. J. Watson’s Before I Go To Sleep is the petrifying question: How can anyone function when they can’t even trust themselves?

Doesn’t that sound good? Cant wait to start it?

Best friends Sydney, Kelly, Alexia and Raven have seen each other through everything…until three of the girls are dumped by their respective boyfriends…on the same night! Reeling from this, the girls decide to create a list of rules to help them avoid future heartache. But soon they find out that while breaking up is hard to do, sometimes staying broken up is even harder!

I mentioned I have been desperate to find audio…. this is from the library – it is a cute listen, I am about half way through.

Think about life and God. These goofy ideas and beliefs are assumed by millions to be rock-solid truth . . . until life proves they’re not. The sad result is often a spiritual disaster–confusion, feelings of betrayal, a distrust of Scripture, loss of faith, anger toward both the church and God.

But it doesn’t have to be so. In this delightfully personal and practical book, respected Bible teacher Larry Osborne confronts ten widely held beliefs that are both dumb and dangerous. Beliefs like these:

• Faith can fix anything
• God brings good luck
• Forgiving means forgetting
• Everything happens for a reason
• A godly home guarantees good kids

…and more.

We are reading this for my weekly small group study and I am interested in cracking into this one and discussing with the group.

I think that is all I am going to add right now. I have several audio books requested from my library but no telling which will come in first or when… hopefully soon. I have sever audio on my IPOD but none coming up for my kitchen CD player or the car…

I am curious what you are reading and listening to! Please add you link below where it says click here!

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If you read mostly MG (middle Grade), Childrens, or YA, then also add your link here:

The Eyre Report #2

Published on February 26, 2012February 26, 2012 by Sheila (Book Journey)27 Comments

Week two of my heir to the Eyre challenge (I am really tired today – please just ignore the ramblings… ). My goal was to average 10 pages a day and today, 14 days in I have just closed the book at page 140. AND in all honesty, I read the majority of my commitment for this week this afternoon.

So where am I?

Jane is now in Thornfield Hall and in these last 70 pages has met her charge, explored the lands, met Mr. Rochester, and now I have just finished several pages of his (Rochester’s) interrogation of Jane…ie. where do you come from? How did you get this job? Where is your family? Do you find me handsome?(yeah… I thought that was random and awkward too).

Yet Jane is…. growing on me. Yes it is too early to say yet if we will be BFF’s…. but I am finding it a bit ironic that I have recently praised Harlan Coben this week for creating witty characters that I love… and now here is Charlotte Bronte bringing to life this witty 18-year-old Jane who is quick to respond and not afraid to add some zip to her responses, even in the presence of her employer. And I am sorry to say Harlan Coben but I have to give extra snaps to Charlotte Bronte for being witty and brilliant about a hundred plus years before you were born.

So here we are… I am not really sure what Mr. Rochester is getting at by being mostly closed off and grumpy and then occasionally chatty (is booze involved? I don’t know..) but currently he reminds me a bit of Heathcliff (Wuthering Heights) dark and broody and I did not like Heathcliff EVER so am wondering if I will ever like Rochester… and then because I am tired and rambling I wonder why the brilliant Bronte sisters write of such dark unpleasant men, and I wonder where they found such a man appealing and I wonder what their dad was like?