Book Journey

Candyfreak by Steve Almond (yes, that’s really his last name)

Published on July 8, 2011July 10, 2011 by Sheila (Book Journey)24 Comments

Yes, author Steve Almond is truly a candy freak. In a witty, candy obsessed, and even informative ways, Candy Freak takes us through the world of candy making, candy packaging, and how the candy that tantalize us at the check out counters earns that prime spot. All of this through the experiences of Steve Almond.

Like Steve Almond… I have a sweet tooth. I am drawn to chocolate almost daily. If there is not chocolate in the house, I have been known to settle for chocolate chips. I am kind of chocolate snob and LOVE a good chocolate piece to go with my evening cup of coffee. Mmmm…. chocolately bliss. 😛

As a child, I remember quite well, candy hording. This practice took place after a big candy holiday like Christmas, Easter, or Halloween. I would hide my candy for months in dresser drawers and in my Barbie playhouse. I would ration it out to myself… savoring each and every piece. Some times… I just liked to look at it, knowing it was all MINE. Of course, eventually, mom or dad always discovered my stash, I would get a lecture about ants, and my candy would be thrown away. In this case, while disappointed, I knew another holiday would come and I would start the process again. (You will be relieved to know that I have outgrown that for the most part. Now I have a lone candy bar or two stashed in a desk drawer, purely there for comfort. 😛

Even Steve himself starts his book off admitting his addiction:

Some Things You Should Know About the Author

1. The author has eaten a piece of candy every single day of his entire life.

I want you to look at this sentence and think about it briefly and, if you’re so inclined, perhaps say a little prayer on behalf of my molars. This would not be unwarranted, and for supporting evidence, I refer you to Elizabeth Gulevitch, a highly competent doctor of dental surgery who spent most of the early Seventies numbing my jaw. I doubt Dr. Gulevitch is the sort to have established a hall of fame in her waiting room (she was more the Ansel Adams type) but I would like to believe that my run of seven cavities during the infamous campaign of 1973 stands as some kind of record.

~ Prologue, Candy Freak

I listened to this on audio and found it filled my heads with the memories of my favorite candies growing up. Steve covers everything from Pop Rocks and the urban legends that went with Pop Rocks, the laws of supply and demand when it came to Bubblicious gum (oh wow…. I had forgotten how much I loved Bubblicious!),

For some reason I found myself fascinated by this telling of candies that were described to the point of how they dissolved in your mouth – enough to make my own mouth water at the thought of them!

The first half or so of this audio is all about these “candyhood” memories, retellings, and the ones that were loved but discontinued. In some cases, Steve stock piles candy bars he knows are no longer going to be produced by buying them by the case loads. I found this walk through candy land very interesting and fun.

Then last half of the book is more about Steve’s discovery that he can tour candy companies and watch the bars being made. At first this is interesting, listening to the history of the company, many times handed down from generation to generation… people upholding the candy making quality year after year. And it was even interesting to hear how the machines worked and how the actual process of making goodies, oh lets say like Twin Bing, or the Idaho Spud are produced. But then, the next story and tour seemed a bit the same, and by the third tour I was wondering where this was all going and how it would wrap up.

There are some interesting tid bits in between…. for instance, I did not know about shelving fees, that the big name candy companies pay a substantial price for those prime checkout counter spaces in our grocery stores and big name retails companies like Wal-Mart. (You would think as someone who worked as Management at Wal-Mart for 14 years would have known this but I had not!)

I was also thrilled to hear that Steve also thinks Peeps are horrible (they are my personal candy nemesis).

Recently at the dollar store in my town I found…. Bubblicious. I was just finishing this audio so snatched it up with the brilliant idea to blow a bubble for this review. Well…. let’s just say, Bubblicious is not what it used to be. It took two pieces and about 20 outtakes before I got this picture. The gum would not form a bubble (and yes I totally blame the gum… not me… :razz:)

Was this audio worth my time? Absolutely! I had a lot of fun reminiscing about the candy of my youth, and learned a little something along the way too.

Amazon rating

Good reads review

The 2011 WHERE Are you reading map has been updated to include Candyfreak

I purchased this audio from audible.com

thanks to Jill from Fizzy Thoughts who’s review made me want to know more! 😀

Morning Meanderings: Bring On The New Releases!

Published on July 8, 2011 by Sheila (Book Journey)24 Comments

Good morning. I was just ~~drooling~~ looking over the fantastic new releases. What is it with this ever producing book world that fascinates me? The books keep on a coming and I keep on wishing and wanting to read more and more… in a life time I could not read everything I wish I could! 😀

Look at these beauties here below…

NEW RELEASES BY GENRE


fiction


nonfiction


young adult


children’s


history & biography


memoir & autobiography


mystery & thriller


romance


science fiction


fantasy


historical fiction


graphic novels & comics

At first glance I already know I want to read, Then Came You by Jennifer Weiner, Haiti by Paul Farmer, I have already read (and LOVED) Forever by Maggie Steifvater, Growing Up Amish by Ira Wagler, Never Knowing by Steven Chase, and The End Of Everything by Megan Abbott.

How about you – any of these stand out as MBR (Must Be Read) for you?

I am going to our cabin today with our Navy son Brad, and his best friend Andy who is also in the Navy. Brad has never seen the cabin before. We had a small one when the kids were growing up, very old school – no indoor plumbing, so tiny that when you pulled out the hide-a-bed it took up the whole living room, meaning you had to climb over the bed to get out the door. It did not have heat, we brought heaters….

AL (hubby and I) saved and saved and by the time Brad had graduated, we had finally found what we liked, a very nice double wide 2001 modular home with three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a nice large living room – and even a nicer kitchen than I have in my own home! I can not wait for Brad to see it! 😀

We will be back tomorrow afternoon, I still have commitments to out IHN week and Brad has people yet to visit before he goes back to Florida this next week. Posts and reviews are prepped while I am away.

Bloody Jack by L.A.Meyer

Published on July 7, 2011July 7, 2011 by Sheila (Book Journey)14 Comments

London. 1797. The plague is hitting full force and Mary “Jacky” Faber can do nothing as her parents and her only sibling are soon counted among the dead. Alone and penniless, eight year old Mary takes to the streets with a gang of orphans, doing her best to learn the way of the streets and how to survive. When the leader of the orphans is killed, Mary once again finds herself alone and struggling to find her way.

When an idea strikes, Mary cuts her hair short, dresses in men’s clothes, changes her name to “Jack” Faber and finds her way to employment as a ships boy on the HMS Dolphin. During the first battle with a pirates ship, her bravery saves the life of a fellow ship boy and earns her the nickname ‘Bloody Jack’.

As time goes on and “Jack” learns the way of the sea… she also turns her eye to Jaimy, the boy she saved. But what is a girl to do who is dressed as a boy, but so desperately wishes she could just be herself. If anyone finds out her true identity, she will certainly be thrown overboard…

yet she can not keep this charade up forever.

I have seen this series floating around for about a year now around the blogs. My first peek of interest was the raving of this series on audio. Good audio raving always peeks my interest. But really – a whole series around a young girl on a ship? Would I really find that interesting? Would I?

But the blog buzz continued and time and again I seen this title come up and my curiosity grew…

so….

I jumped on board.

(Get it? A little ship humor…)

At first listen, Katherine Kellgren’s narration of a rough voiced orphan girl with a thick accident takes a little getting used to. I honestly had to wonder if I would get into this…

It did not take long to change my mind.

Bloody Jack is an amazing story. Mary “Jacky” Faber tells her take of life on the streets to life on this ship in humorous detail.

“He’s got muscles like a horse and looks to have a brain to match”

With a variety of voices, narrator Katherine Kellgren covers everyone from the Irish sailor Liam, a Jamaican seaman, creepy and sinister Jacob Sloat as well as the other ship boys, including Jamey, the one who has stolen Mary’s heart – but he thinks she is just another ships boy.

Before I was done with this audio I had already requested and received the next book in this series, as I wanted to know more about the adventures of Bloody Jack!

Do not drag your feet like I did on this one, I highly recommend the audio version and sit back and enjoy a tale that I think will surprise you!

Amazon rating

Good Reads review

The 2011 WHERE Are You reading Map has been updated to include Bloody Jack

I borrowed this audio from our local library

Morning Meanderings… Do Not Let Anyone Ever Tell You No…

Published on July 7, 2011 by Sheila (Book Journey)14 Comments

Good morning. 😀

I feel as though I am reaching a finish line. 😀 Today I work, help out tonight with IHN (homeless program) and then prepare to leave tomorrow for a quick but exciting trip to the cabin. I am taking Navy son Brad and his best friend Andy to the cabin for a night. Brad has never been there and we have owned it now for four years.

I can not wait to experience this with him! He has little time to get around to see everyone before he goes back so we are popping up there on Friday afternoon and coming back Saturday afternoon.

Recently this part of America’s Got Talent (which I really enjoy watching!) was brought to my attention.

….I wept.

This is a wonderful reminder that it does not matter how old you are, what obstacles you may need to leap over (or blow up), never never never let anyone tell you that you can not do something.

Seriously, what a message this has.

Reading a little Harry Potter currently and starting the second book of Bloody Jack on audio as well as Born In Fire by Nora Roberts (LONG STORY :razz:).

Have an awesome Thursday!

The Secret Lives Of The Four Wives by Lola Shoneyin

Published on July 6, 2011July 6, 2011 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…

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 July 6, 2011 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.

Escape From Zobadak by Brad Gallagher

Published on July 5, 2011July 6, 2011 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 July 5, 2011 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 July 3, 2011July 3, 2011 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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😛 Have a safe and happy 4th of July!!!! 😛

The Maltese Falcon – Radio Theater Group

Published on July 3, 2011 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