Book Journey

Every Last One by Anna Quindlin

Published on July 2, 2011July 2, 2011 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 July 2, 2011July 2, 2011 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.

041 — 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 July 2, 2011July 2, 2011 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.

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. 😛

Love You More by Lisa Gardner

Published on July 1, 2011 by Sheila (Book Journey)23 Comments

Tessa Leoni is happy with her life. Having raised her daughter Sophie as a single parent for the early years of her life, Tessa loves nothing more. To better herself and give Sophie a good life, Tessa works as a state trooper. The hours are not the best, but the money is good, and the benefits give both Tessa and Sophie security in their future.

When Tessa is introduced to Brian Darby by a fellow officer, Tessa proceeds cautiously into a relationship. She realizes soon enough that Brian loves Sophie as his own daughter and soon after Tessa and Brian are married and start a happy life together.

Yet why is it that Detective Bobby Dodge of the Massachusetts State Police Department, is now standing in Tessa Leoni’s home looking at a very battered and bloody Tessa, Brian’s dead body on the floor, and six-year-old Sophie nowhere to be found? Tessa is taken to the hospital – but Tessa is not talking.

What has happened? Was there a lovers quarrel? Was Tessa an abused wife? Was Brian killed in self-defense or cold-blooded murder? And most importantly of all, where was Sophie?

Bobby Dodge looks at her partner D.D. Warren with a look of resignation. It is going to be a long, long day.

I read Lisa Gardner a bazillion years ago when I read The Survivors Club (way…. pre blogging). I loved it, loved the strong female characters, the story line, the quick never dull pace. Which leaves me sitting here now in the after math of Love You More wondering what took me so long to get back to reading this author.

From my first reading of Lisa Gardner to this now recent one, I find nothing has changed. Lisa still knows how to write a fast paced twisting and turning novel that leaves you out of breath with every turn of the page.

Just when I thought I had it all figured out, I turn the page and discover that can’t be right, and off we go again in a completely different direction. I feel like I am on the Tilt a Whirl at the fair, you are rapidly going one way – spinning, spinning, and then you stop and do an about-face and go just as fast int he other direction.

For the record – I can not do the Tilt A Whirl anymore, makes me sick – however I absolutely plan to read more of Lisa Gardner!

Tessa Leoni is just the kind of character I enjoy. She is strong-willed, tough, and is a quick thinker. Love You More is told in some parts from the perspective of Detective D D Warren, and at other times from the point of Tessa. This makes for an exciting read as D D tries to figure out what sort of person Tessa is – a loving mother, or a heartless monster…. all the while I was also getting Tessa thoughts too, which lead for an exciting – EXCITING story line!

It wasn’t until the end of this read that I discovered that this is actually book 5 of the DD Warren Detective series, but readers, do not moan, as I did not notice this was a series and am willing to believe that each of the books while having familiar characters are written as stand alone reads. Of course, now I want to read more about these characters….. 😉

Towards the end a couple of the “happenings” felt a bit too much to me and I admit being a bit disappointed as I was thinking the book was so fantastic. Then… as I thought about it, I wondered if it really was over the top. How far does a mothers love extend? What extremes would I myself go to so my child was safe?

Over the top or not, Love You More is a book (audio) that I recommend highly to those of you who love a good thriller…. you will not be disappointed.

Amazon Rating

Good Reads Review

The 2011 WHERE Are You Reading map has been updated to include Love You More

I listened to this on the audio I purchased through audible.com

Morning Meanderings… Where I Went and blog hop winners ;)

Published on July 1, 2011July 1, 2011 by Sheila (Book Journey)22 Comments

Good morning!

So….. in case you wondered why a happy jolly morning post on Wednesday as usual and then….

crickets…

Ok… lets see… lately I have just been in love with sleeping. I have been waking up later than usual leaving me little time to write my morning post, and in the evenings I am too tired to write my reviews.

Thursday morning I woke up and did not even have time to look at Lap Top as I had to get to work, and while I did plan on writing when I got home…. I just did not have the energy. GAH.

Whats zapping my super powers? June has been a HUGE month. I had a 40 mile bike ride the first weekend, the second weekend was the MS150 and I had my accident at mile 71, part of my job at work is Special Events Coordinator and we have had an event each week for the last three weeks and now this coming Saturday is our annual potluck picnic that I am in charge of organizing for 300 people. I have been shopping and prepping in my spare time. Then this coming Sunday is our serving week with the homeless which is a passion of mine so yeah… I organize the food, the overnighters, etc, for that. Yup. Looking forward to July 10… that’s all I am saying. 😛

Any hoo…. besides a typical crazy life style here are some positive things happening:

Brad – Navy son is home for two weeks! WOO HOO!!! His “friend hang out schedule” keeps him busy but next weekend we are going to the cabin for a day and a half.
I am taking Monday and Tuesday off from work and can not wait!!!
I am going back to the gym tomorrow to ease back into working out.
Justin (College Son) comes into town on Monday – Thursday next week, both boys in town at the same time! 😀

And finally in bookish news I completely changed my audio plan when I read a review of Candy Freak by Steve Almond on Jill’s blog, Fizzy Thoughts. For some reason I was drawn to the story… fascinated about a book all about candy and within seconds I had it from audible.com. Ummmm…. can anyone say audio addict? 😯

and finally – the Literary blog hop winners, which wow. You gave me some interesting answers to my book question… I almost want to gather up those coveted reads and check them all out! 😀 Our winners of the two $10 Amazon gift cards using Random.Org are:

Chloe Hopper (#76)

Sarah Sparrow (#112)

Congratulations!!! Your gift cards will arrive by email! 😀

Minnesota is finally HOT. 92 degrees yesterday and suppose to hang through the weekend!

Morning Meanderings… Once Upon A Book

Published on June 29, 2011 by Sheila (Book Journey)14 Comments

Good morning! Quite the lovely weather in Minnesota currently and hopefully staying that way through the weekend. I am in charge of special events where I work and this Saturday is our annual picnic, approximately 300 people with children and we are using a new camp for this event so I do have a wee bit of anxiety that it all goes off without a hitch 😛

This morning I was taking a quick read through my morning Shelf Awareness email and came across a small article about The Grey Zone by Daphna Edwards Ziman. I seen this book at the Book Blogger Convention in May and was not overly drawn to it. YET – during the Speed Dating session of BBC, this was a session where bloggers and authors met for 10 minutes to let the author discuss their book and the bloggers to ask questions and then you would get a new author to chat with. BRILLIANT IDEA. But I digress….

Daphne was at our table with her book, The Grey Zone which is about a 6 year old child, Kelly, who witnessed her other murdered and her father wrongfully accused. Through foster homes she is neglected, abused, and involved in human trafficing….

As I sat and talked with Daphne, still not sure I wanted to read this, we started connecting on child endangerment. When I told her about my working with street kids in Honduras, we had hit a connection. Suddenly – we were both sharing experiences at once and Daphne told me how she was worked to ensure child protection in foster care… wow.

Suddenly Daphne’s book took on a whole new meaning… and now that I knew the passion behind the book. I wanted to read it.

I have not read the book yet, but I do have it with my BEA books, given to me by Daphne.

Daphne (Left) as pictured in Shelf Awareness today

Daphne and I at The Book Blogger Convention

Have you ever had a book that you almost passed on but then for whatever reason, you found yourself drawn to it later, either by a friend, review, hearing the author…. I would love to hear your stories! 😀

Miss Timmins’ School For Girls by Nayana Currimbhoy

Published on June 28, 2011June 28, 2011 by Sheila (Book Journey)20 Comments

1974. After a scandal that disgraced her family, Charulata Apte, almost twenty-one, travels to Miss Timmins’ School For Girls in Panchgani. While teaching Shakespeare to the privileged Indian girls, where she is drawn to the charismatic fellow teacher Moira who teaches her what freedom really can be like.

When one night a body is found near the school, fingers are pointing at Charu. Three of the students take on the task of trying to solve the murder to show the true innocence of their teacher.

There is a setting here that appealed to me…. a remote area of India (one honestly, I had never heard of before), a young teacher trying to start over and make meaning of her life, and a murder that sets the stage for something more.

What I appreciated about the book was how author Nayana Currimbhoy brought to me a main character in Charu who did not like herself much. She has a past she has tried to leave behind. Her shyness and low self-esteem are heart breaking, yet enter Moira, who breathes life into this painful shell of a girl.

It is after the murder that you really start to see Charu come into herself.

The murder wasnt the attention grabber of the book I was thinking it would be. If you read this for yourself you will find it to be more of a “plot builder.” While I like the big “Holy cow! What just happened???”. moments in books… this fit with the flow of the book.

I have said before that I struggle with books with loads of characters and this book does have many. I personally prefer books where I get to know a handful of characters well, then many characters sort of, and I tend to spend time thinking of who they are, and backtracking in the book to see if they are they the one that _____________.

In the end, while an interesting read, it was over stuffed with information that made me wonder if it would not have been better served as a two or three book series to give the reader a chance to really ease into a book that has great potential of hitting a home run.

I received this book as part of a TLC Book Tour

Morning Meanderings… When life gives you lemons, get a pedicure and half a mani ;)

Published on June 28, 2011 by Sheila (Book Journey)27 Comments

Good morning! A little short on time this morning so I will get right to the point 😛

Yesterday I had my third doctor appointment for my hand. I was again hopeful for a smaller cast…

and I was again denied.

In fact I found out yesterday that while I am healing well (yay super powers!!!) I do have to wear this cast for another 4 weeks.

Stupid, faulty, super powers. 😯

HOWEVER…

Not one to remain down in spirits (that really is a downer…) I went into our local nail shop. The guy asked me how can I help you and I responded, “I would like a pedicure and half a manicure.”

When he looked at me I held up my hands.

So that is what I did.

I snuch a pick of my hand when the doctor removed my old cast yesterday — I snuck a pick of my hand when the doctor removed my old cast yesterday

Have an AWESOME day!

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

Published on June 26, 2011June 26, 2011 by Sheila (Book Journey)76 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:

Lisa’s World Of Books

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

**Updates have been made to the Reading Cafe Grab shelves!

I had a strong review week, mainly because I did not write posts on anything last week and have a lot of catching up to do. I still have posts to write! 😀

Here is what last week looked like:

The Zookeepers wife by Diane Ackerman ( a non fiction read that will blow you away!)

Forever by Maggie Steifvater – oh yes…. that’s all I can say right now 😀

Bossypants by Tina Fey – audio) Oh wow… I laughed so hard! 😛

A Change In Altitude by Anita Shreve (ughhhh…. we may have a new character to add to the all time worst characters list…)

E Readers – Yay or Nay? (Because I love sparking conversations!)

The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch (our June book club read)

Witches Of East End by Melissa De La Cruz ( A BEA pick up on cover love but did not hit a home run with me)

Literary Blog Hop – let me know on the link provided here what book you are wishing for currently and be entered to win one of two gift cards!

Yup. Told you it was a good week. 😀

As for whats up this week – here is the plan:

With the plague running rampant in London in 1797, Mary’s parents and sister are soon counted among the dead. Left alone and penniless, the eight-year-old is taken in by a gang of orphans and learns survival skills. However, when their leader is killed, Mary decides to try her luck elsewhere. She strips the dead body, cuts her hair, renames herself Jack Faber, and is soon employed as a ship’s boy on the HMS Dolphin. When the vessel sees its first skirmish with a pirate ship, her bravery saves her friend Jaimy and earns her the nickname “Bloody Jack.”

Ok – ok… I have heard enough raves about these audio through the blogs I frequent to have to try them for myself. I started this one today.

When Uncle Gary mysteriously disappears, all he leaves behind is a mountain of sawdust and a nightstand that his eleven-year-old nephew, Billy, inherits. When Billy is awakened at night by noises from inside the nightstand, he takes a closer look and discovers a hidden panel that opens to an antique maze of wooden corridors. He and his sister Sophie believe that Uncle Gary is hiding somewhere in the nightstand. As Billy, Sophie, and their two friends, Chris and Maggie, begin to explore the ancient hallways they discover far more than they expect. Billy must make a terrifying choice: let the police handle things the conventional way, or escape to the nightstand and try one last time to find Uncle Gary before it’s too late.

Oh come on, doesn’t this sound fun? 😀

Long before selling secondhand belongings on Ebay and Craigslist was the rage, a preteen Chitoka Webb sold what others saw as junk to the residents of her neighborhood and made a profit. At the age of thirteen, she talked her way into a job as the youngest checker at a local grocery store. Without a college degree, through tenacity, grit, and a healthy dose of faith in herself, Chitoka became the owner of several businesses before the age of thirty.

In Something Inside of Me, Chitoka Webb shares her poignant, funny, and inspiring life story, from her humble beginnings in the Nashville housing projects to her rise as the CEO of several companies. Through stories of the many struggles she faced, from poverty to racism to the loss of her vision, Chitoka demonstrates the amazing human ability to triumph over extreme adversity through willpower, faith, and a constant love for oneself.

I met this lovely lady at BEA this year and her story was one I wanted to know more about!

Introducing James Bond: charming, sophisticated, handsome, chillingly ruthless, and licensed to kill. This, the first of Ian Fleming’s tales of Secret Agent 007, finds Bond on a mission to neutralize a lethal, high-rolling Russian operative called “Le Chiffre”—by ruining him at the baccarat table, forcing his Soviet spymasters to “retire” him. It seems that Lady Luck has sided with 007 when Le Chiffre hits a losing streak. But some people just refuse to play by the rules, and Bond’s attraction to a beautiful female agent leads him to disaster—and to an unexpected savior.

Mmmmm hmmmm, wondering where this came from? It is part of The Shaken Not Stirred party that I won an audio book to! Twitter party is Sunday June 26th under the hashtag #shakennotstirred at 9:30 pm EST followed by the watching of Casino Royale at 10 pm. Should be interesting… I have never watched a 007 movie in my life 😀

The first in a projected trilogy about the lives of three Irish sisters, Born in Fire gets the series off to a fine start, telling the story of talented glass-artist Maggie Concannon’s contentious relationship with Dublin gallery owner Rogan Sweeney. Country-dwelling Maggie is otherworldly, prickly and outspoken, while Rogan is an urban sophisticate; nevertheless, the attraction that springs up between this unlikely pair is both believable and compelling, thanks to Roberts’s (Private Scandals) skillful character development.

Ok – do not laugh at me!!! Ok… laugh a little 😛 Here is my story – for some reason I have wanted to read this trilogy forever. Really probably 10 years – oddly enough, I had books 2 and 3 and never picked up the first one. I found this on audible.com and thought lets see where this goes…

Ok – before you say “holy heavy schedule batman”, know that three of these are audio and they are done…. when they are done 😀

A little update on my injury from a couple of weeks ago. I had a doctor’s appointment this past Tuesday and I was so sure I was going to get a smaller easy to function with (what I mean is easier to Blog but don’t tell my doctor) cast. Instead, after the x-rays I was given a bigger cast… one that now covers my left hand fingers. GAH. You may wonder how I am still typing… totally right-handed peck peck pecks and I use my left thumb for capitals. Yes…. it is a lot of work…. but I really like to write these posts 😀

Anyway – my point of sharing all this is that I really want to get around and comment, please know that… it just takes me longer to do so and I am not as quick and my hand tires so know that once I am “cast free” things will return to my nosing around your posts more :razz:. I have a doctor’s appointment again Monday afternoon so I am hopeful for a change although he did tell me it could be 6 weeks. 😦

Please add your link to your What Are you Reading post below where it says “click here” so others (hopefully me too!) can stop in and see your reading happenings 😀

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Witches Of East End by Melissa De La Cruz

Published on June 26, 2011 by Sheila (Book Journey)10 Comments

Freya and Ingrid Beauchamp. Sisters. Freya looks between 19 and 24 years of age, and Ingrid between 28 – 33. Truth be known… the lovely Freya and the librarian Ingrid are much much older….

it really is had to keep track of the years when you are a witch.

Along with their mother Joanna, the three women live in North Hampton off the tip of Long Island. Their life is pretty hum drum day in and day out as long ago (think Salem witch trials) they were banned from using their magic.

Joanne has the power to reverse death and heal serious injuries. Ingrid can predict the future and weave knots that can solve infidelity and infertility. Freya, the wild child, can create potions that can cure any heartache.

Then one day Freya sees an opportunity to help out a friend… and really, what’s a little magic about friends? The magic done and successful and seemingly no repercussions, she does it again. Soon Ingrid and Joanne catch the fever and start using their abilities to help the locals as well and for a while, things are wonderful!

Then things start to happen…. people are becoming sick, the water has a sticky black substance to it, people are missing and some are dying…. suddenly everyone is looking and pointing the finger at the Beuchamp’s. Yet Joanne, Ingrid, and Freya know there is a darker force at hand and while trying to clear their name they are also looking closely at a dark presence that they have encountered before…

The popular Blue Blood series is also by this author

I picked this book up ay BEA and I was hooked on the book cover…. what could it mean? Who is the girl? I had not read Melissa De La Cruz before but I wanted to give her a try. I dabble a little in paranormal reads and many YA so why not?

At first I wasn’t sure I was going to enjoy it. I did not like Freya’s looseness which was almost from the beginning and I stumbled through the first 50 pages not feeling committed to the story at all. And then, it started to get interesting… the parts about Ingrid held me to the book (she was nice AND worked with books – what’s not to love?) and while Ingrid leveled the playing field, Freya grew on me (a little). Her own infidelity bothered me (especially since her own sister has powers to stop it).

This is a book I had really expected to love and, well… I didn’t. Some of the dialogue seemed choppy and story lines sprouted every which way and some were followed through and some I wondered what happened to… while I was interested enough in the story to see where it was going, and some parts of the book were awesome good, in the end it was an ok read and gave me a few hours of relaxing in the sun on my deck.

Fair warning – this is book 1, so if you dive in, know it is more than a one read story 😀