It’s probably no big surprise with the lifestyle I lead that I don’t get around to watching the news much or getting into any super in-depth on-line “happenings”.
That said… it was not until Tuesday evening when I opened my email that I found out from WordPress about a US legislation that is threatening our internet freedom, apparently including those of us who have personal blogs.
WordPress gave us an option to “go black” today in protest of this, however I am on a book tour today for Wine To Water, otherwise I would have.
What I was able to do was put the ribbon on my blog that you will see in the upper right hand corner. That will remain on Book Journey until January 28th. I am however, taking Team Kickin It, down for the day in support of those working to make a difference in our favor.
Here is what was sent to me from wordpress:
Many websites are blacked out today to protest proposed U.S. legislation that threatens internet freedom: the Stop Internet Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Protect IP Act (PIPA). From personal blogs to Wikipedia, sites all over the web — including this one — are asking you to help stop this dangerous legislation from being passed.
I will be back to respond to comments after 8 pm tonight. I hope everyone has a wonderful day enjoying a GREAT read! 😀
It’s 1996 and Josh and Emma have not only been neighbors all their lives, but also close friends. When Emma gets a new computer and Josh brings over a free AOL CD they received in the mail to install on it. Yet there is an error in the CD and when they log on it automatically loads up to something called Facebook. Something that won’t be around for eight years. And they see their future selves.
At first they are weirded out by the fact that people share so much about their lives. After all, who really cares what someone is making for dinner, or how long it took them to get to work in the heavy traffic? But more interesting is where they find themselves in the future. While Josh is extremely thrilled that way it seems his life will turn out, Emma has concerns for her future self. She learns that her decisions she makes today – can change her tomorrow…. and she tests that theory. Yet when Emma changes her future, it also affects Josh’s and those around them.
My biggest draw to this book was author Jay Asher. I really enjoyed Thirteen Reasons Why and felt it held some strong messages within its pages, so I was excited to see what The Future Of Us had in store.
The book is just smart. For me, it was odd to think of the years before Facebook. When Emma and Josh are surprised how open people are on Facebook, I was startled to remember that people were not always so open with their personal lives. There was a time, not all that long ago when I did not know where my friends were going for dinner, or who was in town for the night, or who had a crappy day at work.
When I thought about how Josh and Emma could see their future and yet change it in present day it reminded me of Back To The Future…. except trade the Delorean for an old school computer. 😉
Emma's computer kind of works like the Delorean!
Jay Asher did not let me down, The Future Of Us was not only entertaining it was smart and was a good reminder that no matter how old or young we are, the decisions we make today can effect our futures.
I have not read Carolyn Mackler yet, but I think I need to make a point too.
A great YA read with a good message. I think all ages would enjoy this read.
Good morning! Tuesday already? Smoking through the week…. 😀
Hubby and I usually drive to church separately. He almost always heads one direction after church (things to pick up for our business or a job to check on) and me to the grocery store, the gym, or home. Soooo…. this past Sunday I am booking to church at 8:30 am and go in and do not find hubby in our usual spot (don’t ask me why we all have usual spots but I think it is true of all of us… odd… but true).
Anyhoo.. I do not see him. So I pop back out into the hall and call his cell phone asking where he is and is he on his way. I leave a message. I go back in. I scan the room… nada… nothing… no hubster. I go back in the hall… I call again. No answer. I go back in and I sit towards the back, alone… but I am texting. ANGRY texting.
Me: Where are you?
(2 minutes later)
Me: Seriously. You better be on your way!
(3 minutes later)
Me: You are making me angry!
At this point we all stand up for a song and I notice a man who could possibly be my husband sitting on the end of an aisle about ten rows in front of me. (I know… I know… after 24 years you would think I could recognize the man!) As my row is empty except for me, to the beat of the song I sidled down the row until I am behind my friend Sandi. I whisper in her ear, “Sandi, is that my hubby up there?”
To which she replies, “Yes. I was wondering what was going on with you two!”
Well… in my defense he was wearing gray when I seen him in the morning and now it was a reddish sweatshirt. I sidled back to my seat… grab up my stuff and make my way towards him. Once sitting… I lean in and whisper “Just ignore your phone messages when you get them later.”
Holy meltdown batman!
😳
In other news (Yes, I am changing the subject) 😀 My friend and BEA two time roommate Reagan at Miss Remmers Reviews has an interesting little project going on. She is calling it Book Blogger Readers Appreciation Week and I think it is a pretty sweet idea. You can check out her post here, I have already added it to my sidebar, and I will talk about it again as we get closer to the dates of the event. I love things like this that build up the community so way to go Reagan!!!
And last but not least, Tuesday is check in day for Mari at Bookworm with A Views Checkpoint and I have posted my work out week here:
Rees Dolly comes from a life of pure poverty. At age 17 she struggles to take care pf herself, her two brothers, and her sickly mother. Her father, a meth addict is constantly out of the picture and dealing with the law. When Rees learns that her father has skipped out on bail AND that he had used the family home for his bond, she embarks out on her own to find him and bring him to his court date to save the family from becoming homeless.
Her journey is not one of ease as the terrain of the Ozarks is rough and the relatives she meets along the way just as unpredictable as the land.
I read many thoughts on Winter’s Bone in the last couple of years. It was always in the back burner of my mind that this would some day be a book I would like to try.
When I recently found it on audible.com I was thrilled that I could try it on audio. My results from this listen are not as raving as other reviews I have read.
First, let me say – it may have been the fact that I listened to it on audio. As much as I LOVE audio, occasionally I find one that may have worked better in book format for me. I think this may be one of those times.
I found myself lost in the Ozarks much of the book. I had trouble following the different routes that Rees was taking along the way, the people she met, and ultimately her discovery.
Honestly…. I think it was me.
I will watch the movie now that I have experienced the audio. I still think this has a lot of potential and I don’t think I connected well, but feel I missed something early on that left me baffled the rest of the time. A wonderful review of this book can be found at Linus’ Blanket. This is one of the reviews I had read that made me want to read this as well.
Fun Fact: Just as I was getting ready to post this review I took a second look at the actress who plays Rees in the movie. After a fast search on Google, I discovered that the actresses name is Jennifer Lawrence, and as per my suspicions… she is also the actress who is playing Katniss in the Hunger Games movie.
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.
Well, the week wasn’t all that I had hoped book wise. I actually had a FULL week of long work hours and evening plans every single night Monday thru Friday. So busy in fact, I hardly made it around to see any of your posts. I had little book time until these last couple of days which has been wonderful.
The week was skimpy but I have plans for this next one. While I will have evening events Monday and Wednesday and possibly Thursday… I should get a little time during the week, late evenings and over the weekend.
The plan?
Doc Hendley never set out to be a hero. In 2004, Hendley-a small- town bartender- launched a series of wine-tasting events to raise funds for clean-water projects and to bring awareness to the world’s freshwater crisis. He planned to donate the proceeds through traditional channels, but instead found himself traveling to one of the world’s most dangerous hot spots: Darfur, Sudan.
There, Doc witnessed a government-sponsored genocide where the number-one weapon wasn’t bullets-it was water. The Janjaweed terrorists had figured out that shooting up a bladder containing 10,000 liters of water, or dumping rotting corpses into a primary water source is remarkably efficient for the purposes of mass extermination. With limited funds, Doc realized that he couldn’t build new wells costing $10,000 a pop, but he could hire local workers to restore a damaged well for a mere $50 each. He’d found his mission. Today, Doc and Wine to Water continue to help stricken peoples repair and maintain water- containment systems in places like Darfur, Cambodia, Uganda, and Haiti.
Doc is a regular, rough-and-tumble guy who loves booze, music, and his Harley- but he also wanted to help. Wine to Water is a gripping story about braving tribal warfare and natural disasters and encountering fascinating characters in far-flung regions of the world. It is also an authoritative account of a global crisis and an inspirational tale that proves how ordinary people can improve the world.
This book is seriously right up my alley and I can not wait to read and chat with you about it!
Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .
Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.
Ok… we will see on this one. It may be a genre stretch but I LOVE this cover!
The noise between Patch and Nora is gone. They’ve overcome the secrets riddled in Patch’s dark past…bridged two irreconcilable worlds…faced heart-wrenching tests of betrayal, loyalty and trust…and all for a love that will transcend the boundary between heaven and earth. Armed with nothing but their absolute faith in one another, Patch and Nora enter a desperate fight to stop a villain who holds the power to shatter everything they’ve worked for—and their love—forever.
While still listening to the second in this series, Crescendo, Reagan from Miss Remmers Reviews raved to me about the third book. Silence…. so…. onward we go! 😀
After graduating from Emory University in Atlanta in 1992, top student and athlete Christopher McCandless abandoned his possessions, gave his entire $24,000 savings account to charity and hitchhiked to Alaska, where he went to live in the wilderness. Four months later, he turned up dead. His diary, letters and two notes found at a remote campsite tell of his desperate effort to survive, apparently stranded by an injury and slowly starving. They also reflect the posturing of a confused young man, raised in affluent Annandale, Va., who self-consciously adopted a Tolstoyan renunciation of wealth and return to nature. Krakauer, a contributing editor to Outside and Men’s Journal, retraces McCandless’s ill-fated antagonism toward his father, Walt, an eminent aerospace engineer. Krakauer also draws parallels to his own reckless youthful exploit in 1977 when he climbed Devils Thumb, a mountain on the Alaska-British Columbia border, partly as a symbolic act of rebellion against his autocratic father.
A book I have wanted to read for years… and never had. Until now.
Thats the week. How is yours looking? I am hoping to make my rounds and see what you are reading. Please add your linky below where it ways Click here.
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and for those who read mainly YA, Middle Grade, and Childrens books, be sure to add your link to the MG version as well here:
Steve Martin. Probably a household name, if not for his stand up comedy act, then for his many movies through the years: The Jerk, Three Amigo’s, Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, Pink Panther, Cheaper By The Dozen, It’s Complicated, and Father Of The Bride (my fav!) just to name a few that I am aware of.
At age 10, Steve Martin got his start selling guidebooks at the newly opened Disneyland. In the years that followed, he worked in Disney’s magic shop, print shop, and theater, and developed his own magic/comedy act. By age 20, he was performing a dozen times a week, most often at the Disney rival, Knott’s Berry Farm.
As time went on, Steve found himself being hired in clubs to do his magic act and stand up comedy and for many years these night clubs were close to having no patrons come see his show, or in one case, a group of Japanese salesmen who did not speak any english.
When Steve did become a big name – it was fast and it was furious and taught Steve not only about the business of acting – but much about himself as well.
I remember in about 8th or 9th grade I became fan of Steve Martin. I had his comedy act on a record (20 somethings and younger ask your parents what this is…) and my friends would come over and laugh ourselves silly while listening to it. I remember it was the first record (that word again) that I was allowed to have that had any sort of mild foul language in it and I thought it was fantastic.
The funny thing is that until I listened to this audio, I have no idea how old Steve Martin must have been when I was listening to him in the 80’s. I discovered the year I was born…. he was 21. That would put him probably in his mid 30’s by the time I started listening to him and thinking he was funny. I think that is a little mind-blowing to think from his perspective that as his career is starting to take off at age 21, I am born and it will be another 14 – 15 years before I laugh at him. 😛
I really wanted to love this audio… I really did. In all honesty perhaps it was other audio memoirs that I have listened to recently that made this one a bit of a disappointment to me. Rob Lowe’s story blew me away. Jane Lynch’s tell all was informative and funny.
So what was wrong with Steve, Sheila?
I felt it lacked pizzazz. While Steve read this himself, which I LOVE, he almost read it monotone. Even when he talked about the jokes , and tag lines he had been known for (IE. “I am a wild and crazy guy!!!!”), they came off as thought Steve was reading from a script.
As the audio, went on, it was interesting. I liked learning about the early days, when he almost gave up as he performed to minimal audiences, to the 5 years of amazing career, when the age of stand up comedy exploded and Steve rose to the top filling arenas with 45,000+ people a show. I can imagine that is some pretty heady stuff.
It was also interesting learning about his family. His fathers lack of approval in what Steve was doing, and his distancing himself away from his entire family, including his sister who adored him.
And then, I think most disappointing was that as his on stage career came to an end – so did the audio. Abruptly. As in I was getting ready this morning and thought the audio was pausing between chapters… but no, it was over. Steve did not go into his steps beyond the comedy. He talked little of his movies, relationships, or other stars he friended along the way. It felt lacking and left me….
hanging.
I feel a little bad about this as I read other reviews and they are raves. Yet I honestly checked my audible account to make sure it wasnt a two-part audio and I had missed something. It really felt… unfinished.
Is the audio worth listening too?
Sure. I think maybe I was expecting more and discovering this audio is only about his stand up career…. was disheartening, and that is all on me. Steve shares a true rags to riches story that is interesting, but a lot of details even during that time period feel left out.
Is this weekend moving fast or what? I had a few free hours yesterday afternoon and today is spotted with activity…. church in the morning… an early afternoon workout…. Floor Hockey starts tonight at 7…
I am basking this morning in the quiet of the house in the en minutes I have here before I need to start moving. Hello COFFEE CUP. 😛
After such an activity this past week I am looking forward to a little book time. I want to finish The Future Of Us today (its good…. real good…) and hope to start on Ellen Degeneres’s Seriously I am Kidding by later afternoon.
Books.
What is it about them that brings us such joy? Is it the escape, is it living in someone else’s world for a while? I don’t know but I absolutely love my time spent in books. AND I get excited when I see others reading as well. College son started reading again and after we celebrated Christmas with Navy son last night, College son found a $25 Amazon gift card laying on his Kindle last night. I know he can’t afford to be spending money on books and I am more than happy to feed that habit. 😀
My friend sent me a video yesterday about books… I thought it was rather cool:
New Year’s resolutions, a healthy goal, commitments to do better…. almost everyone at one time or another has made a vow to make positive changes in their habits. Of course, this is easier said than done, especially in today’s hectic world of too many time commitments, jobs, meetings, kids events…
What wellness coach Brett Blumenthal presents in this book is a way to motivate readers in the right direction by making one small change a week. The changes are realistic from healthy eating habits, to stress relief, mental wellness, and even your home environment. 52 Small Changes is a step by step road map to a happier, healthier you.
I am as guilty as the next person when it comes to the New Year and “new me” promises. This year, I started it with Team Kickin It and plan to be consistent in what I am doing to hopefully motivate others – as well as their input motivating me. Is it easy? No. Some days I am a rock star… other days I am looking at the empty Burger King bag wondering why did I just do that?
What I really like about 52 Small Changes is that each week is that not only is the change a small tweak in the way you do life already… but the chapter goes on to tell you the benefits of this change, how to do it, options and keeping it real….
For instance chapter one is called Drink Up! Water is one we are all suppose to be doing, but few of us get the amount of water we really need daily. It goes on to give you a road map to success, accessing your needs, how to remind yourself, and keeping it real. While you might think this is a no brainer, actually reading the chapter gave me tips to getting my water intake in each day as well as back up substitutes (like tea) or adding things to make it taste better – like fruit or cucumber slices.
Moving on, chapter 2 is about getting enough sleep, chapter 3 is about getting off the couch, and chapter 4 is about keeping a food journal, etc… etc…
I like that each chapter is doable, you stay on it for a week, then add a second one and so on. Martha at Martha’s Bookshelf mentioned doing a group thing with this book and I like that idea.
You can check out my take on this challenge by clicking on the Team Kickin It avatar below.
Good morning! Cranking out a post this morning before I head to a meeting…
basically… it has been a week.
Monday was run run run from work, to work out, to pick up diner, to group… home at 8:30 pm
Tuesday was Book Club at my house – so work, grocery shop, cook, clean, BOOKIES!!!, a little bra burning, and house empty at 9 pm
Wednesday Bailey had surgery for a sore he had on his back side…. work, surgery, stayed late at work, volunteer with students, home at 8:30 pm
Thursday was Navy son’s dinner request so work, grocery shop, home, cook, have fun chatting it up with Brad (Navy Son) and Andy (best friend also in Navy) and everyone left to go visit friends at 7:30 pm and I promptly fell asleep on the couch within minutes of everyone gone. 😛
Friday – DAY OFF!!!! Worked the morning catching up on writing reviews, blog visiting, writing… then went to work out with friends (only the second time to gym this week!), then to help with a concert for the homeless in our community. Home at 8:45 pm
And now it is Saturday. I am helping with a meeting this morning that is from 10 – 11:30 am. Then I need to run a few errands, then chill at home a bit, tonight College Son will be here too and we are having Christmas with Brad since he was not here for it, going out to dinner and then Brad is heading out-of-town to visit with friends in ST Cloud for the night.
Whew. What a week! 😀
And for Alyce’s Saturday Snapshots, I do have a few random pics of the week…
Brad (Navy son) cleaning off the deck on Tuesday - yup, no snow!
Delicious cupcakes for book club in honor of our book
The book (Henry's Sisters) started with a bra burning so we ended our meeting with.... a bra burning.
Bailey after surgery... he has to wear the cone for two weeks.
Last nights concert - my friend Key led the music and it ROCKED!
Ok… I am out of here for a while but back later with a review. I am currently reading The Future Of Us and it is getting GOOD!
Just after midnight, a snowdrift stopped the Orient Express in its tracks. The luxurious train was surprisingly full for the time of the year. But by the morning there was one passenger fewer. An American lay dead in his compartment, stabbed a dozen times, his door locked from the inside. With tension mounting, detective Hercule Poirot comes up with not one, but two solutions to the crime…
The latest version of the book - and OOOOH so good!
Uh….. confession time. Up until now… I have never read Agatha Christie. 😯 I know, I know. I have wanted to…. I just never did.
Ryan from Wordsmithonia is a huge fan and he inspired me. Then Julie at Booking Mama held a contest and I won a copy of the book and seriously as excited as I was, you would think that was enough of a push….
yet…. it sat.
Then I came across it on audible.com and I knew that would be the answer – I would go audio. And, Christy fans, or newbies like me…. this was a fun choice.
David Suchet was the perfect narrator. When he would do the voices of the women on the train (especially the snippy ones) I laughed out loud. Seriously. I may have even snorted a bit. 😀 Fantastic narration. You can listen to him here.
As for the story itself… it was an experience. There are a lot of character/suspects. I tend to like books with less characters as when there are so many I tend to either get confused on who is who, or I feel they are not developed well enough for me to remember them beyond the turn of the page…
However – as each character was interviewed about the crime… I felt as though I did get a feel for who each of them were (even if I did wrongfully accuse a few!). There were twelve other passengers on the train… each with some connection….
Does everyone remember the original game board Clue?
LOL…. seriously though. Fantastic listening experience. I do plan now to go through it again in the book. I am always impressed when an older (much older) read touches me. I tend to read more modern books… and Murder On The Orient Express was originally published in the UK in 1934.
The original UK cover. 1934
I would recommend that if you have not experienced Agatha Christie that you make it a point to do so in 2012. This book was exciting, funny, and interesting…. a brilliant over all experience.
Book Journey 