Morning Meanderings… Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes!

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)48 Comments

Good morning!  😀

No!  Dont run away!  It’s me!  😛

I have been itching to do some revamping of the site for a while now.  It was tradition to do blog updates and face lifts during the Bloggiesta but with no Bloggiesta this year – I had to suck it up and make the changes on my own. 

Working with CSS always makes me a bit nervous, but the very first time I messed with it, Natasha from Maw Books walked me through it step by step on Twitter.  Now I am a bit braver, and this time even learned how to add a textured pattern to the background.  (Note it did take me about three hours of messing around and tweaking but alas… I am happy with the results.)

Dont worry I am not one to continuously change my blog look… when other book bloggers do that often I get confused and unsure if I am on their blog, usually scrolling to the top to make sure whose blog I am on!  😛  Although… the occasional coat of paint gives a whole new look don’t you think?

My next task is to put some time into the sidebars… the books on them are outdated and I have had a few ideas I have wanted to implement for a while now but just have not done it. 

And of course, today is 9-11.  Ten years…. hard to believe isn’t it?  Ten years ago I was working at Wal-Mart when I heard about the first plane… I remember wondering if I should go to the school and pick up my kids… it was a time where you really felt you should be with your family.  I did stay at work, as we were encouraged to do so… but do you recall how quiet the skies were when they stopped all flights?  ANd I recall how odd it was to hear that first plane in the air days after the tragedy.

Where were you ten years ago when you first heard?

Looking for Blogger Posts For Banned Book Week Project

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)21 Comments

Banned Book Week is a week I look forward to every year.  If you are not familiar with this week, there was a time I was not either… but chances are – you have read a banned book.  Here is a little taste of books that are on the list:

To Kill A Mockingbird

Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret

The Bible

Twilight

Hunger Games

The Color Purple

Farenheight 451

The Handmaid’s Tale

Blubber

The Lorax (yes, Dr. Suess)

All Harry Potter Books…

Last year I read and reviewed only banned books during the Banned Book week and it was a lot of fun and informative too! 

This year, now that I am a seasoned banned book reader 😉 , I want to do more.  I will be hosting some giveaways here and am asking for book bloggers to assist me, by either a) reading and reviewing a banned book during this week, and/or b) sharing your thoughts on a banned book you have already read.  I need a minimum of seven participants – one for each day of Banned Books Week.

If you are interested, please fill out the form below and I will be in contact with you.  This is going to be a lot of fun.

**Note update to this post on 9/20/11:  I have filled the seven (turned out to be eight) blogger daily posts for the contest, however I would love to still have additional Banned Book related posts – such as book reviews, Banned Book Discussions, and giveaways.  I have updated the form to show this.  I would love to have YOU on the Banned Wagon.  😛

😀

You can find our more about Banned Book Week and the history behind it by visiting The American Library Association site.

Morning Meanderings… The Magical Powers Of Friends

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)24 Comments

Good morning and happy Saturday!  Another gorgeous day here in Minnesota… we have had low 80’s the past few days and looks like the weekend will stay true to that as well so as you can imagine…  I am smiling over here.  😀

A couple of evenings ago I went to my friend Cindy’s house in Motley with Sara and Heidi.  We had this in the planning for a while, she has a beautiful piece of property and is always doing new and creative things with her yard so it is fun to go and get ideas. 

Of course the day came for this to happen and it was all up in the air.  I had a crazy day at work, we were all trying to coordinate car pooling (it’s about a 25 minute drive), what time we could all leave…  suddenly it seemed like just “one more thing on the agenda”.

I told my hubby before I left that I wouldn’t be late, that I would rather just stay home but we had planned this so I was going.  I had laundry I should be working on, the yard needed mowing, and honestly… I was just tired. 😯

I pick up Heidi and Sara and we chat our way to Motley… catching up on each others lives since our last get together and as we near Cindy’s I can almost feel the stress melt away.

Cindy's home

We sit around a fire and talk and laugh.  We eat amazing food (thanks for grilling Jeff!) and we pick apples from her trees, tour her latest creative decorating in her home, eat some more, and stay until it is so dark we are just shadow people sitting around a fire…

Our fire at Cindy's

BUT  we are all smiling.

As we drive back to Brainerd, we actually had this discussion in the car about life being busy and we have to remember while it can be one more thing on the agenda…. its a good thing.  A really good thing. 

My dinner!

Friends.  Food.  Life. 

All good.

Beautiful grapevine growing over the bench

The moral of my story this morning (as I sit with COFFEE CUP at the kitchen table and count my blessings for having great friends) is that all of us need to make time for this kind of stuff.  Hanging out with friends, and just being…. not doing.  All that other life stuff…. can wait.

Have a super awesome day.  I am running around today picking up the last-minute things I need for tomorrows annual tailgate party.  We are having a fundraiser for a memorial for Fallen Minnesota Firemen and tieing that in with the memory of 9-11.

 

(Pictures are linked to Alyce’s Saturday Snapshot… which is a great weekly meme of the pictures of our lives…)

The Knitting Circle by Ann Hood

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)14 Comments

 

Knit one…

Mary Baxter lives in Providence, R.I..  After losing her five-year old daughter, Stella to meningitis, Mary struggles even getting out of bed.  Her marriage to her husband Dylan seems to be crumbling  as Mary’s depression makes it impossible to be there for him, let alone even smile.  Her job as a writer for a local newspaper has become unbearable and she has bitter memories of her child hood and even adult life connects to her own mother who always has seemed distant and aloof and currently resides in Mexico. 

 

Purl two…

At her mother’s urging, Mary joins a knitting circle and meets Alice who invites her to a weekly evening gathering of knitters which at first seems frightening to Mary, but then figures, what does she have to lose?  Instead of loss…. Mary gains insight into the women, and occasionally a few men, who make up the knitting circle…

Knit Two, Purl Two…

Harriet, Scarlett, Lulu, Beth, and Ellen all slowly knit their way into Mary’s life.  As Mary learns how to make scarves and hats, and even socks… she also learns that every one has hurts and her own life becomes entwined – with theirs…

 

Sometimes a book or audio can come to your attention at just the right time.  (Yes even in reading – timing does count!  😀 )  I had recently borrowed two audio from our local library that I thought were going to be fantastic, and turned out to not hold me at all.  Going to the cabin last weekend, a 3 1/2 hour drive… I needed audio that would sustain me, so I grabbed this one and another one I had just received as well for back up.

The Knitting Circle appealed to me right from the start for several reasons.

The cover… soft and inviting, I want to go hang out there

Perhaps my inability to knit and my fascination with those who do was an attraction

But mostly… the books draw for me was the cultivating of women’s’ friendships, a topic that always draws me in.  I think having a house full of boys really drew that out of me… knowing that I needed “girl time” to hang out with my girlfriends and talk about life and dreams and yes, even hurts. 

 

I enjoyed the flow of this story it was very paced, never hurried, and somehow that fit into the theme of a books knitted around friendships.  The message within the book for me (and I think for our author too, who had also lost a daughter), was the power of friendship.  It’s easy to get drawn into thinking we are the only ones dealing with certain pain and tragedy and when we open our eyes and our hearts find that there is a whole world of hurting out there, and together – we are stronger.

 

Amazon Rating

Goodreads Review

 

The 2011 WHERE Are You Reading Map has been updated to include Knitting Circle

I received this audio from Kathy (Bermuda Onion)

Thank you Kathy!  😀

Morning Meanderings… Crawling To The Laptop

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)12 Comments

Good morning.  This morning, Coffee Cup  and I are basking in a little morning “lounge time”.  I did not realize what a crazy pace I was keeping this week until last night when after coming home from my friends camp fire, I promptly fell asleep in the recliner while reading blogs. 

I have had a busy week at work and a big event this Sunday that I have been working on – a 9-11 Tailgate Event and donation for Fallen Minnesota Firemen.  There is a lot of detail work that I am trying to make sure I have taken care of…

we have ordered a large inflatable slide and bounce house for kids, a cotton candy machine, I have food coming from Famous Dave’s and about 40 tailgate vehicles…  today I need to go and meet with the guy who is bringing the road closure signs, and do a little last-minute preparation. 

Anyway, doing this on top of my other duties, Wednesday meeting, and last nights hang out in Motley MN has suddenly wiped me out.  😛

I may just remain in the recliner for a little while longer this morning….  😀

I hope going into your weekend is amazing….. I have a little bit of commitment each day but for the most part… I think I will be home working on a few projects and prepping for next Tuesdays book club meeting here over the book The Postmistress.

 

Oh… and completely random as that is the way I roll… found this Harry Potter clip…. yeah, still can’t let go.

 

The Knife Of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness (or… I Heart Patrick Ness!)

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)37 Comments

Todd Hewitt’s life for as long as he remembers has been in the New World.  When his parents came to the New World , then renamed Prentiss Town, a virus wiped out all the females, caused all animals to be able to talk, and all mens thoughts come right out of there in the open for all to see and hear.  This constant mind chatter is known as The Noise and Todd has never known silence, as his own Noise is always with him.  Nothing is private in Prentiss Town.

Todd, on the verge of becoming thirteen, is the only boy left in the town.  When you turn thirteen, you are said to become a man, and Todd will be the last one in this community to become a man.  He’s not even sure what that means… but he is about twenty days from finding out. 

Then, while out in the woods with his dog, Manchee, Todd discovers something… a skip in the Noise.  Yes, there actually is a silence and now knowing of this, Todd discovers quickly that his own thoughts betray him and soon the whole town knows what he has discovered and his life is in danger.

But why?

“Your Noise Reveals You Todd Hewitt!!!

Now Todd and Manchee are on the run, following the river  and having no idea what is out beyond, but having no choice but to run from the towns people who will not let this last boy go….

“If one of us falls… we all fall.”

 

 

This is a book that shows a great example why it is not smart to judge a book by its cover.  Sure, I heard of this book when it was first released in the fall of 2008 the cover did not appeal to me and I passed on it.

Passed on it.  (This could be the story I tell grandchildren some day…. Yup, I passed on one of the best books I ever read”)  You can imagine their big eyes… and the shame… oh the shame…

The Knife Of Never Letting Go came back on my radar when I seen the awards being won by the third book in this series, Monsters Of Men.  I was instantly drawn in, not connecting Monsters Of Men to this book at all until I dived in further…

here is where the shame begins…

Upon writing a post about my desire to follow this series, the comments started coming in about how amazing The Knife Of Never Letting Go was and how I had better have all three books at once as each is left with an incredible cliff hanger that you will not want to wait to move on from…. so on sheer push and book peer pressures (oh you know who you are :razz:) … I ordered all three books at once….

then sat waiting for them to arrive, hoping I had not made a mistake….

really… sci fi, not my thing.

When I started Knife Of Never Letting Go and in short time I was reading conversations with a talking dog, I thought, “hoo boy… I am not sure if I will get into this,” and then…

I did.

Big time.

I always enjoy when a story line goes outside the cookie cutter shapes that many books follow today.  A leap so to speak, of breaking the mold.  Patrick Ness did just that.  I would not call this book so much sci Fi as adventure dystopia.  At, may I add, it’s finest.

Within pages I was totally following this new character Todd, and had no problem at all with the talking dog Manchee… in fact, Manchee really (REALLY REALLY) grew on me.  Fast paced, as I like my books, soon I was running with Todd and Manchee, discovering the Silence, and feeling the dangers that lay ahead… and behind.

I found this book to be unique, fascinating, and ranks for me higher than Hunger Games (which is soooo rave worthy!).  I  can’t quite put my finger on what it is that I loved about this book so much, other than the characters feel real, flesh and blood real, dark and spooky real, painfully real.  Even the writing (and those of you who have read this before me know what I mean)… pages of Noise, impacted me as brilliant.  Font size…. touched me also.  Pages of words… let loose feelings of emotion. 

 

My recommendations if you are going to dip into this series –

1.  Set aside some time to READ… really I did not want to put the book down.

2.  Make sure you have book two close at hand – the end of this one will leave you wanting to dive right into the next (The Ask And The Asking)

 

A good 20 tear read… (kleenex also a must) I can not recommend this book enough.  You do not want to be on the outside looking in on this one. 

Amazon Rating

Goodreads Review

The 2011 WHERE Are You Reading Map has been updated to include The Knife Of Never Letting Go

Purchased from Amazon.com

 

Morning Meanderings… Feels Like Fall

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)30 Comments

Good morning.

One of my favorite things to do in the morning is stand on my back deck with a hot cup of coffee.  I love the feel of the heat of the day coming in.. first cool, but you can feel it in the air…. a warmness of things to come.

I am saddened this morning to admit that it feels like my hazy days of summer are a distant memory for 2011.

This mornings trip outside to the deck, coffee cup in hand… was a brief one.  The air is crisp, the fog rolling over the lawn adds an unwelcome dampness to my skin that did not give me a “yay fall!” feeling all over.

Honestly…

I am not ready.

Reading in mittens? UGH

I know some of you have had a HOT HOT summer, Ryan, Laurel, Amanda, to name a few.  We had a couple weeks of that, but not enough.  I am sooooo not ready for what feels like it will be an early winter.

 

Tonight a group of my friends are meeting at Cindy’s house for our annual campfire.  We will be grilling burgers, probably eating some unhealthy sweets, and catching up.  I look forward to the “friend time” and the warmth of the fire.

This afternoon, stop back in and check out my review of The Knife Of Never Letting Go.  The book easily moved to one of the top reads for me this year…. I am excited to share my thoughts about it with you.  😀

 

Morning Meanderings… HELP! I Need A Book For A Project!

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)36 Comments

Good morning book lovers!  😀

Have I mentioned I feel really good?  Last week I had that sinus infection that was knocking me out – but today…. this week, I am feeling awesome.

So… what’s up with my post title?

A few months back I was contracted by a local magazine we have here called Her Voice to write a book review on a book with a holiday or Christmas theme for their winter edition.  No biggie right?  Except… I am having the hardest time picking something to review and my deadline in October 5, 800 words.

I would like it to a newer release, preferably this year so I can cover a newer book.  I struggle… as honestly – I don’t really enjoy Christmas or holiday themed books as they tend to be a little light and fluffy…. not that I want to review something called “The Christmas Massacre” either, but you know… a happy medium.  😛

I am asking you if you know of any titles I should check out or be on look out for.  Obviously, I need to start reading this “mystery” book within the next couple of weeks here.  Any recommendations would be appreciated.  😀

Yesterday I biked the same 20 miles that Wendy and I roller bladed on Monday.  Lets say…. it is easier to bike the miles than to blade them.  Yesterday was a gorgeous day and I could not (would not) be trapped inside… these days are too far and few between and I am all too aware of the weather that will be coming…

Strengths Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)6 Comments

Do you have the opportunity to do what you do best every day?

Chances are, you don’t. All too often, our natural talents go untapped. From the cradle to the cubicle, we devote more time to fixing our shortcomings than to developing our strengths.

To help people uncover their talents, Gallup introduced the first version of its online assessment, StrengthsFinder, in 2001 which ignited a global conversation and helped millions to discover their top five talents.

In its latest national bestseller, StrengthsFinder 2.0, Gallup unveils the new and improved version of its popular assessment, language of 34 themes, and much more (see below for details). While you can read this book in one sitting, you’ll use it as a reference for decades.

I am one of those people that HAVE TO fill out those questionnaires that come by email… you know the ones, “favorite food, restaurant, color, “friend most likely to respond”… 😛  I dont know why, but I love to answer questions.  It is even better if it is a personality quiz or something like that so as you can guess book was right up my alley.

I had never heard of Strength Finders, but at work, our team was each given one of these books to take, and complete on our own.  The book has a code in a sealed envelope in the back of it and once you read the instructions, you tear open the envelope and go on line to take the test.

The test takes about 20 – 30 minutes.  It is important you take it when you are alone with  no distractions as you have 20 seconds to answer each question before it skips it and moves on.  The point of that is they want your first thought, not for you to dwell on how to answer.  The questions look like this:

You check the circle that is closest to how you feel.

The whole point of this book is that many of us are working outside our strengths, and we are all wired differently and some weaknesses (most weaknesses) will always be just that and focusing on them just makes us tired and stressed, and really feeling unworthy.  Instead, Strength Finders focoses on your strengths so tasks can be given you at your job, that you will not only enjoy, but succeed in.  (Did I mention I love stuff like this?)

Once you complete your set of questions you will receive your results within a minute.  This is where the book really comes in.  The results are then all in the book so you can see what certain things mean and how you can use them to better your work, as well as your life, just by knowing how you personally are wired.  Fascinating stuff!  Really!

So… what were my results?

My Top 5 Strengths

Maximizer

Input

Includer

Responsibility

Positivity

The book goes into bigger details about what each of these mean but briefly:

Maximizer:  Excellent not average is your measure.  Taking something from from below average to slightly above average takes a great deal of effort and in your opinion, not worth it.  Transforming something strong into something superb takes just as much effort but is more rewarding.  I am to seek roles where I can help others succeed.

Input:  I am inquisitive and like to collect information (words, facts, books…) My mind finds so many things interesting.  If I read a lot, it is not to define my theories, but to add more information to the archives of my mind.

Includer:  Stretch the circle wider.  I want all people to feel as though they are part of the group.  I actively avoid groups that exclude others.  I am an instinctively accepting person.  Regardless of race or sex or nationality or personality you cast few judgements.

Responsibility:  I take ownership in anything I commit to.  I am emotionally bound to finish what I start.  My willingness to volunteer will sometimes cause me to take on more than I should.

Positivity:  Generous with praise, quick to smile, always looking for the positive side.  People are drawn to you because your energy and optimism is contagious.

These are just small samples of the five that are me.  The book is actually very interesting with a full page description of what each of your strengths are, samples of what that looks like, ideas of how to utilize this strength, as well as working with others who also have this on their top five.
It really is pretty cool and I recommend it to anyone who works in a team environment, or if you just like to know what makes you tick.  I felt mine was right on and reading the parts in the book that pertained to me was really eye opening.  This book would make a wonderful gift as well as for yourself. 

Morning Meanderings… Short Listed and 20 Miles is about 5 miles too much

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)21 Comments

Good Morning!  😀

I had a great weekend and hope you did too!  We spent Friday, Saturday, and half of Sunday at our cabin up North.  We (hubby and I) went out to eat, rode motorcycle around the shore, hung out at the cabin… he became hooked on the Game Show Network 🙄 and I read The Knife Of Never Letting Go (WOWZA!)  On Monday we both spent time in our offices getting caught up for the week that is upon vote us.

I worked a short day on Monday and then went rollerblading with my friend Wendy.  We had not chatted in a while due to busy schedules so the trail is a great place to catch up while getting a work out at the same time.  At the seven mile marker Wendy suggested turning around but I thought we should set the goal of ten miles up the trail and so …. we did.  Perhaps, in hind site that was not the best plan as neither of us had bladed in the last couple of months and neither of us had went that far this year.   We started feeling the effects of that “choice” on the way back at about mile 15.  I told her I hope she didn’t mind if I whined the last 5 miles back, she said she did not as she planned to whine too.  😛

Well obviously I am typing this so…

we survived.  😛

However may not have been the smartest idea with my still recovering from the sinus infection and still taking antibiotics… (lets just say there was a point there I was coughing so hard I thought I was going to lose a lung….) 😯

In other fun news… It’s Monday!  What Are You  Reading made the short list for best book blog meme.  Ahhhh…. that’s so fun!  Make sure to take a minute or two this week to vote for the book blogs on the short list – there are many awesome categories and awesome blogs up for nomination.  I just love Book Blogger Appreciation Week (coming up September 12) there is so many incredible book blogs out there, set aside some time during BBAW to visit them!  😀