The Literary Giveaway Blog Hop is hosted by Leeswammes’s Blog. Follow the link I provided here to sign up for many fun literary giveaways from now through Wednesday.
I am offering here an international chance to win one of 2 $10 Amazon gift cards! *I will email the gift cards to the winners so as long as you have access to an Amazon you are good to go! Simply leave me a comment here telling me what book you wish you currently had in your possession and why. That’s it! 😀 Party on fellow book lovers 😛
Randy Pausch was young, an inspiration, hard-working, family man. He was a computer scientist at Carnegie Mellon… and he had terminal cancer.
When asked to give a lecture about life and act like it is your last lecture… Randy did not have to pretend. He knew very well this would be his last lecture. Yet instead of lecturing about dying, he chose to talk about LIVING. Randy’s lecture included dreams from his childhood, over coming obstacles, not taking no for an answer when you really want something, enabling others to dream, and seizing each moment as none of us know which will be our last.
With humor, brutal honesty, and a sprinkle of intelligence, Randy pours his heart into a lecture he hopes will be a life lesson for his small children who would grown up without him, but not without what he stood for and believed in. Randy’s lecture, is a love letter to his family – and a message of hope and strength to the world.
What I love about my book club, response #2049. 😛 I jest, but you all know I love my book club. Smart, incredible women who gather once a month to talk on one of my favorite subjects…. books.
In May, this was the book that was chosen for our June read. What I love about this is that a few years ago… this group of
Part of the Bookies Book Club (14 of us total)
women would not have touched this book. It would have never won the vote. Why? One its non fiction and we do not do a whole lot of that as a group. Two, it is a pretty serious and the potential to be a sad read and my book club – at least a few years back, would have avoided that for something lighter.
By review time – I did not have this book read. Since they picked it I had been to New York for a week for BEA, two large bike rides on the weekends, and a nasty injury that threw me off my game. I also could not find it in my library and really did not want to order it, not knowing much about it. When it did come in for me at the library it was in audio and it was also the day of the review.
There is always food at Book Club 🙂
Their discussion… made me want to read it all the more.
So finally – after a crazy trip to Chicago, I had time to tune in and catch up and here is what I thought of The Last Lecture.
My thoughts…
Randy Pausch has a gift of words. I entered into this read knowing very little about Randy, or this lecture which apparently is now quite famous. What I learned quickly is that Randy did not lack for self-esteem. He saw what he wanted and went after it. End of story. He speaks of this in The Last lecture as “brick walls”, advising that when we come up against a brick wall we are to keep on trying to get over it, be it a personal opportunity, a job deeply wanted, or, as in Randy’s case – a death sentence.
Yes, I can see where Randy may come off as arrogant, but as I ended this reading…. I didn’t think so. It’s probably a fine line between arrogance and drive and Randy rode it right down the middle. Where most of us would probably wilt under the weight of Randy’s diagnosis, Randy seemed to be energized. In the 18 months from diagnosis to passing, Randy used this time to prepare his family for life without him, including moving the family to a home closer to his wife Jai’s family so she would have help with the kids after he was gone.
This book was a firm reminder that life is what we make of it, we choose our responses in every situation… Randy lived life to the fullest as long as he was able. With a quick wit and sharp mind he reminds us to never give up on our dreams, seize the moments, overcome all obstacles.
I laughed a little, I cried a little and am glad to now know a little of who Randy was.
Pausch died from pancreatic cancer at his family’s home in Chesapeake, Virginia on July 25, 2008, at the age of 47. He is survived by his wife, Jai, and their three children, Dylan, Logan, and Chloe
I fully expected to be on the road by now, sNOOKie and I are road tripping to Barnes and Noble this morning. Sadly, this really is a road trip as B & N is in St Cloud, about an hour away from me. I am hoping to get there early enough to talk with the NOOK representative and learn more about my NOOK….
then I just want to browse… 😀
Last week I went to Chicago with three of my friends for a much longer (MUCH LONGER – 10 hours) road trip. It was a lot of fun and even though the arm cast was a hindrance, I am so glad I went.
Two years ago you would not have caught me with an e reader.
No way.
No how.
Not a chance.
I am from the school of a book is a book. I want to touch it. Smell it. Feel its weight in my hand. Enjoy how it looks on my shelf…. or in a stack… or haphazardly tossed on the coffee table, the couch or the lawn chair. A book… is not only a book… it is home decor… it is art with reading glasses on top… or perhaps a coffee cup. A book tells you something about the owner…. they love adventure…. facts… fantasy…. knowing more about whatever…..
One year ago I was curious… but under the radar curious.
I still teased the one girl in my book club who had a Kindle. I gave her all the reasons listed above about the love of books. BOOKS. Not electronics. Yet…. I inquired at the gym when I would see people on the tread mills or ellipticals with the e reader while I had one hand holding open my book.
Did they like it? Oh yes was the consistent answer.
I stared reading up on them on-line, on blogs… pros/cons….. and then….
which one?
Obviously there was Kindle…. and then Nook… and a Sony Reader….
I made lists of what features I liked and in the end….
I asked for a NOOK for Christmas, and received the NOOK Color (as my hubby the over achiever thought that would be better even though I still have had no use really for the color…)
My final decision on wanting an e reader was mainly for travel. For years I had packed 6 – 10 books in my carry on for a vacation, lugging them both ways and usually bringing a few more home than what I left with. Heavy, bulky….. you know….
So when the NOOK arrived prettily under the tree I was quick to set it up….but not so quick to read on it. The draw of my shelves filled with books always won out over the reader.
Until…
BEA – New York, the end of May. I was going to go E Reader or bust. I allowed myself one real book for the trip…. and sNOOKie (Wha…. you don’t name your toys?) sNOOKie was loaded with a few book choices to draw me too it. And on the plane, after starting with the old stand by book…. I put it down and read Delirium in its entirety on the NOOK.
Feedback:
On the plane I loved that I could set it on the tray table and read it without holding it open. I thought I would miss that but soon discovered once into the story I was thrilled not to have to hold the book. It saved my place without a book mark. It was light weight and east to travel with. It scored high applause from me.
Now that I am in an arm cast… I love that I do not have to fight to hold a book open. LOVE IT.
Tomorrow I am road tripping to St Cloud to chat with the NOOK representative. There is a lot I still need to learn about the NOOK that I have not tried yet. I want to know more about the online access (have hardly used that). I still don’t get the color purpose although my friend Angie said it is fantastic for kids books and the pictures move.
Will I ever go 100% E Reader? No. My books are all I stated above and I need to be surrounded by them. Some people have blankets or nicknacks…. I have books. Tomato, tomahto….
My questions to you:
1. Have you gone E Reader yet? Why or why not?
2. What E Reader would you choose (or have you chosen) and why?
3. What ways would you primarily find an E Reader useful in your lifestyle?
Good morning! 😀 I am late but it is still morning here in Minnesota.
Today is my first full day off, no commitment day in over two weeks. I am beyond giddy and thus the late post. I slept in… I took my time getting ready for my day… I had my coffee on the deck and cereal too (I never take time to do this!!!)
The day is gorgeous and as soon as I am done here… I will be out there, book in hand… taking in the rays that I have not yet had time for in 2011. You will find me:
On the back deck...
Or…
On the swing in the back yard...
Or…
Sitting in a lawn chair by my hostas...
Or…
On the deck swing...
No matter what I choose I am getting some outdoor time! 😛
And as for the news, my awesome friend Alison at Alison’s Book Marks had mentioned the news on Pottermore yesterday and I about sssqqqqquuueeeedddddd with excitement. Ok…. not “about”…. I did. 😛
Newly married Patrick and Margaret decide to make a trip to Kenya. Patrick a doctor, is busy with his practice and Margaret a photography novice, finds she has much idle time on her hands. When her car breaks down, Margaret finds herself being helped by an English couple Arthur and Diana. The couples quickly become friends and Arthur and Diana offer Patrick and Margaret a nice cottage to use on their property. In short time it is discovered that Arthur and Diana are planning a trip up Mt Kenya and invite the other couple along. Margaret is unsure, but Patrick is excited and encouraging so the trip is planned.
The trip turns out to be a big mistake in more ways than one and a tragic accident where Margaret plays a role, changes the dynamics of life for Patrick and Margaret forever.
I have read and enjoyed Anita Shreve before. Her book Testimony, blew me away. However I have to say this story eked me in so many ways and does not rate more from me than an unfortunate rant, in which I apologize for before I even begin.
First off… I listened to this on audio and it seemed to take forever for the story to get moving. I believe it was disc three before it became interesting and that was actually the highlight of the audio/ book… the actual climbing of Mt. Kenya and the moments before and after the big plot drop. I actually loved that part and thought ok…. now we are going….
but…
shortly after the big happening the story dropped off for me again. While more interesting than the beginning (as now there was the *happening* to deal with), it just overall fell flat.
Margaret was extremely unlikable. And no I do not have to love all my main characters, but they do need to have something behind the unsuitableness and Margaret was just… bland. She had no fire or spunk. Se also had no sense of right and wrong, and no conscience (ok… maybe that’s the same thing…). I also felt I really never knew Patrick. Margaret mainly takes the center stage and Patrick pops in and out of the picture. I never felt the urge to cheer him on or yell at him to wake up. he was kind of “ehhh”.
With all that said, in the end it felt like the story line just stopped. No big triumphant “ah ha” moment… just kind of end of the journey. Period. The End. Roll Credits. Thank the academy.
It was really a “meh” read. Errr…. listen (audio).
I will certainly venture my way back to Anita Shreve as she touches on some powerful subjects ands gives me the feeling of a stronger personalitied Jodi Piccoult. And of course, check out other opinions on this one. I could certainly be in the minority here. But my two cents are that Shreve has done better and I think if you were new to this author this would not be the one I suggest you start with.
In recap this book was an “ehhh”, “meh, “errrrr” read.
I have been sitting here thinking about the last month and my lack there of my regular scheduled work outs. I can not even really blame the bike injury as it started weeks before then… actually mid May.
Prior to BEA (New York) I was too busy with regular work stuff and meetings to do my kick boxing and group power lifting… back from New York I was recovering from New York (does this happen to anyone else? Where you need to recover from the vacation? Just wondering…)… that weekend I had a 40 mile bike ride…. woo hoo…. bit of exercise….
then nothing until the MS 150 the following weekend where I crashed at mile 71 and have done nothing since…. 😯
So – pity party aside…
here is my game plan of what I CAN DO…
I CAN still roller blade. I have a deep gash on my right ankle but I think if I cover it I will be ok.
I CAN walk and jog on the tread mill
I CAN use the elliptical
I CAN take my dogs for walks in the nearby park… something I always plan to do… but never do…
I CAN bike…. (yes, I can!) and today I get my bike back – woo hoo!!!
So there is the “plan B” in my life… I do not have to be inactive, and I need to get moving in a stronger more positive direction. 😀
LAPTOP made it home yesterday and is working fine! My bike (which I call Opportunity Drive) will be home this afternoon. I WILL make a full recovery from this injury and move forward starting today.
Ok… no idea where all that came from other than I am tired of sitting around with the TV on. Back to the books and the fun. 😀
Work out with me this weekend…. share your ideas for getting a little exercise while having fun doing it. I would love to know!
Tina Fey’s book Bossypants is her own story of how she grew up in Pennsylvania (with an over protective dad who will do anything to save a buck), to the early days of saturday Night Live (when women could not have a leading role), her honeymoon cruise because her husband does not like to fly (very Poseidon Adventure and includes a fire on the ship), to her Sarah Palin impression that she did not have time nor want to do, to deciding if one child is enough…
All in all Tina Fey is as funny sharing her own life triumphs and tragedies as she is on TV in her many roles.
Tina Fey and Amy Polter - Improv is their gifting!
I knew when I seen this book was coming out I had to read it. When I seen the audio was going to be narrated by Tina herself, I decided scratch the book, I now wanted to hear Tina tell her story. I am so glad I did.
Call it a guilty pleasure but I do really like good funny quick-witted humor. I love my “funny” to have intelligence with it and Tina Fey delivers all that in an audio that I will cherish as good laugh at yourself moments because what else are you going to do – and that is kind of the way I like to live my life too. 😛
I have enjoyed Tina Fey not so much on Saturday Night Live (mainly because I never really watched Saturday Night Live), but more for her movie roles. I enjoyed her in both Date Night and Baby Mama. Not only is Tina funny but she is also an advocate for women’s rights and strongly supports a program Autism Speaks.
So…. here is the visual of my listening to this audio book. I had it downloaded on my IPOD. I am mowing our 5 acres of yard on the riding mower… where once I would listen to music and frighten the neighbors with my singing… now instead I listen to audio. For me that is three hours of non interrupted “book” time. This particular audio however had me at times laughing out loud to the point I am sure the neighbors were ready to call the “crazies hot line”.
Yes, at times she can be a bit raunchy – and thankfully that is few and far between on this audio. Over all it was a pleasurable audio that I would recommend over the book just for the reason that it is Tina Fey herself narrating and she has that matter of fact tone that just makes me smile.
I am feeling a bit handicapped today – I went in to have the large obnoxious cast taken onn yesterday and instead it was replaced with a bigger – more obnoxious cast. 😦 Apparently my wrist is not strong enough yet and my fiongers need to be more stabalized. *sigh*
But I am not the only thing in my household that is on the blink…
First off…. my bike has been in the bike shop for over a week. I hate that. It’s not that it is that banged up (I hope not anyway)… it’s that they have been too busy to love on it. I am sure they are thinking that a girl in a cast is in no hurry to get her bike back.
They would be wrong. 😀
Secondly… Laptop caught a Virus Sunday evening and hit the black screen of death. I took him in on Monday and they hope to have him ready to go again some time today. This is the same Laptop that died for two days a couple months ago and came back to life… not once, but twice. I know soon I am due for a new one.
Currently I am using hubbies laptop which I just do not like as much as my own. For one – he only uses Internet Explorer and I never use Internet Explorer…. my blog and everything works differently with Explorer. It’s also slower than mine… to comment, takes me twice as long to submit.
So that is what is happening here… everything is getting repaired…including me. Hopefully soon we will all be well running machines again. 😛
It started in Shiver when Grace finally understands her connection to the wolf who has watched her from the woods behind her home since she was a young girl… it continued in Linger as Grace now along with Sam fight to find a way to be together…
and now concludes in Forever, when everything seems to be falling apart…. the wolves are being hunted, the truth can not possibly be shared and now it seems to have all come down on the shoulders of Sam, Grace, Cole, and Isabel… all who know the great cost of what is happening and running out of time to find the answers…
Whoa. Hold the trilogy phone – I think we have a winner. The much (much much) anticipated third book made its way into my hot little hand at BEA this year. I could not believe my luck when I was walking the show floor and seen a lady handing out this book. No where was this on my radar that this book would be among the books at BEA, yet there it was – in my hand.
IN MY HAND
😯
**This review may contain spoilers for anyone who has not read Shiver and Linger – it will not however contain spoilers towards this book.*
Forever started out alternating the chapters of the four main characters of the story at this point. We have Grace of course, now living a very different life as a wolf, and as a seventeen year old girl. When wolf – it is about survival… when girl… it is about Sam.
Sam of course, is all about Grace. He worries for her 24 hours a day… we worries about the talk of the towns people to kill off the pack and he wonders how to get her to safety…
Cole is still wise cracking, quick witted, and annoying Isabel… but underneath it all he has a new layer. A depth to him that did not exist before. Instead of the selfish “all about me” Cole, we are now seeing a Cole who is working hard to figure out a way to cure the pack – to save Grace, and to keep those he now loves like family, close to him.
Isabel has also changed – a bit. Still angry, sometimes for no reason (even she does not understand her responses), she also wants to help her friends as long as it is on her terms and does not have to do anything with Cole. Well… at least not much…. well… maybe a little bit…… *GAH!*
As the story begins to flow for me, reminding me of the who’s and the where’s and the whats of the previous book I feel like in the beginning I am playing catch up until suddenly there is a moment in the book where the world of Mercy Falls splits wide open for me and I am in…. ALL IN. As in “do not make me put this book down or I will bite you” in.
I am impressed with the writing, many times the way phrases were worded they gave me pause. I had to refelct a moment on the words.
There is no better taste than this: someone elses laughter in your mouth. ~ Sam page 78
Suddenly, I am part of the pack. I am reading in amazement as author Maggie Stiefvater brings in all the elements left hanging in the previous books and packs them into this final one with great talent. I read as though I am personally affected by the outcome… and in the end…
I am.
Is Forever everything I had hoped for? Yes
Is there any questions left, and stones unturned? Yes, but I believe Maggie wanted it that way. I am left with a question on my lips, and hope in my heart…
and that is probably one of the best ways to leave a story…. leaving your reader…. wanting more. 😛
Book Journey 