The Secret Lives Of The Four Wives by Lola Shoneyin

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)35 Comments

Bolanle Alao is about to cause an uproar.  She has just become the youngest wife, the fourth wife , of Baba Sigi.  Bolanle is smart, educated, and beautiful – but naive when it comes to the relationship dynamics among the other three wives. 

Baba Segi is an overweight businessman who welcomed Bolanle into his home, no questions asked.  Bolanle whose mild manner and sweet looks quickly becomes Baba Segi’s most valued possession.  Baba’s other wives, particularity Iya Segi and Iya Femi, come up with a plan to make sweet Bolanle leave, only to be met with disaster when a secret is uncovered that the three other wives have long guarded and now this secret will change everything…

Alternative covers

I didn’t just happen upon this room.  I dreamed of the pale green walls before I arrived.  Now the built in wardrobe was mine and so is the ceiling fan.  ~  Opening lines to The Secret Lives Of The Four Wives

I am sitting here this morning posed over my laptop trying desperately to think how to put my feelings about this book into words.  Everything I type, I delete as I do not think it does this book justification. 

Raw with emotion, packed with powerfully written words, I think I melted into this read from the very start…. it just… became a part of me.

It’s not often where I find a multi character book that develops each of the characters to the point that I feel I knew them all.  This was the case in The Secret Lives Of The Four Wives.   I felt as though I would recognize them on the street, Iya Femi with her love of money and what it can do, Iya Tope, kind but shy and always afraid, Iya Segi – the one to watch out for as she shows  no mercy to those she feels have crossed her, and of course the lovely Bolanle, intelligent and beautiful and therefore a threat to the other three.

A polygamous marriage was not the plan for any of these women, but occasionally – you have to deal the hand you got. There were times I had to laugh at the results of these four women wanting the attentions of one man, and at other times I had to think what a different life style this would be to the point I felt a little sorry for each of them.  There are a few hard topic lines as well including:  rape, and while sex is part of the book, it is detailed out to the point of TMI, but as a natural part of the story being told.

The setting of this tale is in Nigeria and is beautifully detailed with the words that carried me from page to page to page….

A breathtaking read.

This book was sent to me as part of the TLC Book Tour

Morning Meanderings… Diana Galbaldon – OUTLANDER and a visitor from the Navy

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)55 Comments

 

 

Good Morning!

I slept in my own bed for the first time in three days last night and it was NICE.  It was actually good just to be home, and for the most part I was home most of yesterday. 

Catching up on my e mail reading I noticed that Diana Galbaldon’s Outlander was re-released in hard cover yesterday.  This is a series that I have heard so much good about and have yet to read.  As I am looking at this lovely book I am thinking now may be the time to do so. 

  I think I am having book envy.  😛

Have you read this series?  Do you want to?

 

 On a fun note – both boys were home last night for dinner.  We had Honduras Lasagna, and strawberry shortcake for dessert and sat on the deck and talked for hours.  It was a good time.  I made sure we captured a couple of pics of Brad and I before he heads back to the Navy next week.

Brad and I

 

Ahhhh.... such a good boy!

Escape From Zobadak by Brad Gallagher

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)5 Comments

Billy (11) and Sophie (9) love it when their Uncle Gary comes to visit.  He is quirky and fun and always has little gifts for them.  Their mom likes Uncle Gary fine, it’s the sawdust from all the furniture he builds that seems to follow him everywhere that she would prefer not to deal with.

Then one day Uncle Gary disappears, leaving behind a mostly empty home and only a lone night stand in the basement.  Odd that someone who worked on furniture all the time yet never sold a thing, would not have a home bursting with wood projects.  Billy inherits the nightstand but soon learns there is something different about it.  At night noises seem to be coming from inside the nightstand.  When taking a closer look, Billy finds a hidden panel that opens into a maze of corridors – big enough for Billy, his sister, and their two friends Chris and Maggie to all climb into and explore the massive hallways of drawers and doors.  Billy is certain that Uncle Gary is in there somewhere!

Meanwhile, Billy and Sophie’s parents are being harassed by some odd-looking men wearing brown suits and toting business cards from Zobadak Wood Company.  They are looking for Gary Frye (Uncle Gary!) stating that a delivery of special wood was sent to him accidentally and they need it back.

Where is Uncle Gary and what did he do with this strange company called Zobadak?  A company that no one has ever heard of?  Are all the answers somewhere inside the secrets of the nightstand?

From the moment I first spied this book on Shelf Awareness I wanted to read it.  The cover, dark and mysterious, the title with attention-getting words like “escape” and “Zobadak”…. it made you want to know more about what was inside….

not only the book…

but the nightstand.

Pack a lunch before you dive into Escape From Zobadak because you are not going to want to put this fun middle grade read down.   The mystery of Uncle Gary’s disappearance, the unusual looking men that keep popping up looking for Gary, and of course the nightstand itself, are enough to keep a middle grade readers nose to the pages.

Shoot, who am I kidding?  My nose was to the pages.  😛

I found this book to be entertaining with elements of 100 Cupboards by N D Wilson and a touch of Harry Potter too.  The creativity of the nightstands dwellings was an excellent dose of middle grade fantasy at its best! 

My only grumble is that the first 3/4 of the book sailed by with a fast pace story line that kept my hopping and then when it got to the last fourth, it seemed to drag with detail.  Part of that was due to a character named Krandall who is supposed to be a little light in the head from being in the nightstand all his life, but at times the rambling was excessive.  I am hoping perhaps a middle grade reader will find this part fun.

Escape for Zobadak won the MEMSPA Children’s Book Award.  It is in fact a good read and in the end leaves an opening and a hint that there will be another book.

Amazon Rating

Good Reads Review

The 2011 WHERE Are You Reading Map now includes Escape From Zobadak

Thank you to Shelf Awareness for sending me this book for review

Late Morning Meanderings: Traditions

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)19 Comments

Good morning!  😀

I spent the last two nights staying overnight with the homeless in our community and just got home this morning to start laundry, cook some eggs, and of course reach for COFFEE CUP.

Ahh….. its good to be home.  😀

I am not a big holiday fan, I of course enjoy them when they involve a day off, but that is about the extent of it.  Yesterday I had no plan, both sons are currently in town for a few days but had plans with their friends.  I reluctantly went with hubby to the parade mainly because we have a group of friends that secure a nice location each year where they camp and grill.  About 50 of us showed up for this event, and while I was originally tired and not feeling like hanging out with people…. as I finally relaxed sitting in the sun I think the stress of the past few days melted off me too.

Last night while driving back to where I would be staying overnight, the fireworks were going strong ending the days festivities.  As I drove through town I seen people standing in their yards and outside businesses watching the sky.  I had to smile at the thought of how this tradition of lighting up the sky to celebrate the fourth really brought people together. 

I don’t have a lot of personal or family traditions… things I must do or experience that I carry with me year to year.  Things really changed for us when my mom and step dad died and I had to develop my own ways of doing things while the kids were growing up.  I admire those of you who do have the traditions that go from generation to generation…. family gatherings at certain times of year, holiday happenings, yearly events… 

What traditions do you have for your own family, or that  have come from your families? 

 

I hope everyone had a wonderful and safe Fourth Of July!

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)81 Comments

It’s Monday!  What Are You Reading is where we share what we read this past week, what we hope to read this week…. and anything in between!  D  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.

Last weeks winner:

Joy From Books And Life


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


Happy 4th of July!!!   I had a crazy busy week this past week and seriously am looking forward to DOWN TIME soon! 😀  Here is what I managed this week:


Miss Timmins School For Girls by Nanaya Currimbhoy (A Book tour with a book of great potential!)

Love You More by Lisa Gardner ( Wowza… another great one!  Have you read Lisa Gardner?)

Chicago Hot Dog ( how to make it and I double DOG dare you to not like it!)  😉

Every Last One by Anna Quindlin (whoa!  I mean whoa!  Did I say whoa???)

The Maltese Falcon by Radio Theater (audio)  – Don’t knock it until you try it 😛

So… a strong week for audio, and this one coming up will be too as I am just finishing Candy Freak, Casino Royale, and Bloody Jack. 

 

For this upcoming week I look to have no book tours on the horizon so I am going to focus on whats next in audio and a bit of totally fun reading…. here is the plan:

After being exposed as a girl, Jacky Faber is forced to leave the Dolphin and attend the elite Lawson Peabody School for Young Girls in Boston. But growing up on the streets of London and fighting pirates never prepared Jacky for her toughest battle yet: learning how to be a lady.

Everything she does is wrong. Her embroidery is deplorable, her French is atrocious, and her table manners–disgusting! And whenever Jacky roams the city in search of adventure, trouble is never far behind. Then there’s the small matter of her blue anchor tattoo. . . .

So will Jacky ever become a typical lady? Not bloody well likely! But whether she’s triumphing over her snobbish classmates, avenging a serving girl’s murder, or winning over a stubborn horse that’s as fast as the wind, one thing’s for sure: Jacky’s new life in Boston is just as exciting as her old one on the high seas.

Ok… to all you bloggers out there that drew me to this series, you know who you are – (Nise’, Heather…) ha ha…. yup you got me… I am now hooked on these audio about a young woman disguised as a boy on a pirate ship.  How did that happen?  😛

 

 

In 13th century England, the legendary figure known by generations as Robin Hood leads an uprising that will forever alter the balance of world power and will make one man of humble beginnings an eternal symbol of freedom for his people.

An expert archer once interested only in self-preservation, Robin now serves in King Richard’s army. Upon Richard’s death, Robin travels to Nottingham, a town suffering from a despotic sheriff and crippling taxation. There he falls for the spirited widow Lady Marion, who is skeptical of the motivations of this mysterious crusader from the forest. Hoping to earn the hand of Maid Marion and to save the village, Robin assembles a gang whose lethal mercenary skills are matched only by its appetite for life. Together, they begin preying on the indulgent upper class to correct the injustices of the sheriff.

With their country weakened from decades of war, embattled from the ineffective rule of the new king, and vulnerable to insurgencies from within and threats from afar, Robin and his men heed a call to ever greater adventure. This unlikeliest of heroes and his allies set off to protect their country from slipping into bloody civil war and return glory to England once more.

I am working on the audio I have “in-house” and this is another one from BEA from Blackstone audio.

 

And finally, I have a couple reads I am finishing up and then….

I would like to say I would read them all but I don’t think that is possible right now so first and last are my goal.  I am excited about the first one as I picked it in New York at the exhibit and it is an anniversary copy.  It has narrations from J K about the idea behind the book, the characters, etc….

 

And that’s it.  I am excited to see what you are reading!  I have not been able to make the rounds to see your reading the past few weeks but with the holiday I am SSSSSOOOOOOO looking forward to doing so this week!  Please add your What Are you Reading post to the link below where it says “Click Here”. 

 

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Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list…

 

😛 Have a safe and happy 4th of July!!!!  😛

The Maltese Falcon – Radio Theater Group

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)12 Comments

When a beautiful woman begs for Sam Spade’s help, well what’s a San Fransisco detective to do but risk his tough guy reputation to help her? 

Sam is a real man’s man and tough enough to bluff confessions out of the thugs.  When Sam’s partner is murdered on a stakeout the cops all but blame Sam… no wait, they actually do blame Sam for the death.  Sam knows people in low places and has the pull to get people working to assist him in solving the crime , as look for the payoff that everyone wants – a valuable gold statuette of a falcon.

Who has the falcon?

What will it take to get it back?

As a motley crew of characters gather in Sam’s hotel room, all searching for the same answers, you have to wonder – can Sam, Mr. Cool, Mr. Smooth Talker himself, solve this crime and mystery?

 

 

Ok…

Hee hee.

I picked this audio up from the amazing Tanya of Blackstone Audio (can I get a WOOT!) as well as the great blog, Dog eared copy.  I met Tanya at BEA this year and always interested in dipping my listening ear into different genres and mixes, I jumped at the chance to listen to this audio. 

I find that I am more experimental in my audio then I am in books.  Something about listening to an audio… I usually give it more of a chance to grab me then I will a book. 

In this case, The Maltese Falcon was a surprise in many ways.  For one, I didn’t pick up on the fact that this was Radio Theater.  Or if I did, I did not really think what that meant.  When the audio started with this dramatic  music, sound effects and voices… I was well, take a moment and listen for yourself:

 

Ok…. so now you see where I am at.  😛

So – I will admit I was surprised, not necessarily pleasantly so as I thought I was going to hear this book read by an assortment of narrators…

The second way this audio surprised me was…. it grew on me.  Suddenly, I got into the way this one played out and I would be in the kitchen laughing to Sam Spade’s over the top solving of the crime, and the search for the maltese falcon.

Que the scary music soundtrack….

 

Ok I jest…. it really turned out to be a unique experience – one that I really did enjoy.  I have never seen the movie, so I went into this knowing title alone and nothing else.  Both readers, Michael Madsen and Sandra Oh did a wonderful job.  This was actually quite fun.


I have updated the 2011 WHERE Are You Reading map to include Maltese Falcon

Thank you to Tanya and Blackstone Audio!

 

Morning Meanderings…

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)5 Comments

Good morning! 

Excuse me a moment.

*yawn*  *Stretch*

Ok.

GOOD MORNING!  😛

WOW.  yesterday was a whirlwind of activity!  I made it through the picnic, and made it home by 7:15 pm.  After 10 hours of activity prepping, doing, and then cleaning up…. I was in bed by 10 pm.

Today I have the morning and afternoon to chill and spend time with College son who was driving in to town last night from Mankato.  I am so excited – I have not seen him since May and I still have his birthday gift, the signed Rick Riordin book, from BEA! 

SO…. this I am looking forward to.

Later, I stay overnight tonight with my friend Jennifer for our week of staying with those without homes in our community.  We will have supper there and hang out and take the families to the day center tomorrow at 8 am….

and then….

TWO DAYS OFF.

YUP.  😛

I took the fourth and fifth off of work and right now it seems like an illusion, but I know it is true.  TWO DAYS! 

Whatever will I do with myself?  😀 

I can tell you one thing I have some awesome reviews coming up!  I am finishing up listening to Casino Royale, Bloody Jack, and Candy Freak and I have to tell you I am liking them all very much.  I am also reading (yes…. I read too :razz:) Escape From Zobadak, which is also turning out to be AWESOME! 

All I am saying is stay tuned because each of these will be finishing between today and Tuesday :D.

Have an awesome start to your day – weather is remaining in the 80’s here in Minnesota and this is the first day that I get to sit outside and enjoy it.  😀

 

Every Last One by Anna Quindlin

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)16 Comments

Mary Beth Latham really has it all.  A loving and devoted husband, three teenage children – the twin boys Alex and Max, and her sweet outgoing daughter Ruby.  Their home is filled with the joys of family and Mary Beth wouldn’t want it any other way.

When Ruby one day announces that she is breaking up with her long time friend and boyfriend Kirenen, Mary Beth feels sad for both her daughter and Kirenan who has really become like one of the family.  Yet, at the same time her son Max is sinking into a depression over his much more athletic and popular brother Alex. A popular daughter, a depressed son and an over-confident son.  In a way, this is what life with teens can be like…

And then one night after a New Years Eve party everything changes.  An incredible act of violence throws Mary Beth’s life into the blender and when she comes out the other side, she is nowhere near the same… nothing is… NOTHING is.

Left with almost nothing, Mary Beth struggles to make a life again for herself, grasping at anything that can be considered “normal” and wondering when the floor will  drop out from under her again.

Powerful read.  I actually have to take pause as I write that.  Having just finished this book I am now of an author who has astounded me  with this well written novel, and her profound knowledge of grief.  As I listened to this on audio, I had to nod my head as the level of despair is so correctly described that I have to believe if Anna Quindlin has not experienced this level of grief herself, then she did a lot of research to understand it well.  Just listening to it made my heart beat faster in a sense of my own grief of what I was hearing. 

The “happening: in this book is blind siding… when it hits it hits hard and only an experienced author could pull off such a plot and be able to maintain the story beyond that. 

The narration itself reminded me a bit of Elizabeth Berg novels, the narrator, Hope Davis is almost monotone, but in this case, as the story is told from Mary Beth’s perspective – it should be, as grief takes you to a level of going through the motions of life… one foot in front of the other, and no emotion is really safer.

Intriguing, passionate, thought provoking…I am left feeling a sense of loss now that the book is over.  I will be visiting author Anna Quindlin again.

Amazon Rating

Good Reads

I updated the 2011 WHERE Are You Reading map to include Every Last One

I borrowed this audio from my local library

which I ♥

Weekend Cooking – Chicago Dogs for the July 4th Weekend

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)26 Comments

Minnesota has taken a turn for the HOT and I am so glad that summer is really here!   😀

Recently when I was in Chicago I experienced my first REAL Chicago Dog.  (When in Rome…)   I wanted it with the works and that is what I got.  Now I am no big hot dog fan, but after tasting this explosion on the taste buds, I realize it is because I had never experienced the Chicago Dog. 

Chicago Dog - purchased and eaten on the Navy Pier

 

All that said…. is your mouth-watering yet?  I thought this would be a fun weekend treat.  The Fourth of July is all about grilling anyway… and what fun to dress up the standard hotdogs? 

So here is how to make a Chicago Dog

 

All Beef Hot Dogs

Poppy Seed Buns (I could not find these so used a bakery wheat bun that was YUM)

tomatoes, sliced

onion, chopped

relish

pickle spears

sports peppers (I substituted banana peppers)

Celery salt

Mustard – Never Ketchup!

 

Grill up those tasty hot dogs.  While they are grilling, wrap the buns in foil and warm them either in the oven or on the grill, being careful not to toast them, just warm. 

When dogs are done – place a pickle spear in each bun.  Place dog on top and load with the other toppings.  Sprinkle celery salt over all and add mustard.

Mouth watering delicious!!!!

The ones I made were fully loaded 🙂 I needed a bigger bun.

This post is part of Weekend Cooking, hosted At Beth Fish Reads.  Stop in and see what else is cooking this weekend.  😀

Morning Meandering: Hang On It’s Going To Be A BUMPY RIDE!

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)34 Comments

Good morning all.  I am sitting here with COFFEE CUP enjoying the absolute quiet of my home before the day explodes. 

Ahhhhh…..

silence.  😛

In an hour I need to leave for Camp Jim where I will be organizing a potluck picnic with some amazing people.  Picnic starts at 4 pm.  I hope to be out by 7 – 7:30 and home.

Tomorrow is kick off to our serving week with the homeless.  Currently 17 people in the program in out county.  I need to purchase food and pick them up at 4:30 where my friend Jennifer and I will be staying with them on the 3rd and the 4th.  I have volunteers lined up for the rest of the week beyond that with me just popping in around 4:30 – 5:30 each day. 

So that’s my next three days.  Taking a book along?  Yes.  Currently I am finishing up Escape From Zobadak which is pretty good.  I am having a hard time putting it down! 😀

For Alyce’s Saturday Snapshot I have a couple of pics from a couple of weeks ago when my friends and I were in Wisconsin Dells. 

Back right: Heidi, Sara, (front) Cindy
Me, Cheese Mouse, Cindy

Good times!  Stop over at Alyce’s blog and link to your own Saturday Snapshots!  😀

I have another post to write before I head out here so need to move…. in the meantime enjoy the “bumpy ride” scene from Harry Potter (sssqqquuueeeee – 13 days!!) Yup… that looks about the way I feel.  😛