The Wife’s Tale by Lori Lansens (Wordshaker On Line Book Club review)

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)46 Comments

Mary Gooch’s universe has shrunk to the trail she has worn from her bedroom to the refrigerator.  Disappointment and worry have worn Mary down to not leaving the house, hiding from the world behind food.

On the eve of their silver anniversary Jimmy, Mary’s very attractive athletic husband does not come home.  She is forced for the first time in years to action and she boards a plane alone to search for her husband.  So begins Mary’s to self discovery as she opens her eyes to a world she no longer believed in… only to find herself along the way.


This was our Wordshaker On Line Book Club pick and 24 people (both bloggers and non bloggers) who read Book Journey joined in on this read-a-long.  This was my first experience with Lori Lansen’s writing and I was really impressed with the style in which the book flows.

Of course, the main character Mary gave me mixed feelings.  On one hand you cant help but feel bad for this woman who let her eating go too far.  Yet on the other hand I wanted to shake her out of her slump and get her motivated to make positive changes.  Thanks goodness I was not a character in the book!  I would have been an annoying neighbor that would have asked her to come rollerblading or biking.  😛

Yet, author Lori Lansens knew what she was doing when she developed the character of Mary.  As Mary learns to make positive choices for herself – we can’t help but cheer her on.  And yes, Mary throughout the book becomes more and more likable, leaving you at the end a little sad that your time with her is over.

I have not had the opportunity (yet) to read any of Lori Lansen’s other books.  I have heard The Girls is a wonderful read and I look forward to having a chance to enjoy that one soon!

But this is just my thoughts…. here’s is what the Wordshakers thought of the book:

We had a good discussion on how people look and judge those who are obese.  The judgment and labels that are pinned on those who struggle with their weight is maddening.  Degrading.  And you can see why Mary would have chose to stay inside rather than venture into the world any more than she had to.

The discussion over how we felt about Jimmy was intense.  Some understood Jimmy’s reason for going away but others found this to be a cowards way out.  Over all, it did get Mary out of a lifelong slump and if Jimmy had not left, more than likely nothing would have changed.

The majority of the group felt that they would recommend this book to others.  On a scale of 1 – 10, 10 being the best out of the 24 who read it, 7 was the average rating.

Please watch for my upcoming Author Chat with Lori Lansen!

So – if you have read and reviewed this book please add your review to the LINKY below.  I have a very generous giveaway coming up with 9 (yes NINE) signed copies of books by Lori Lansens.  Anyone that shares their review here through linky will automatically get an entry into this giveaway.

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Morning Meanderings… I’m Walking On Sunshine…. and don’t it feel good?

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)38 Comments


Good Morning!  *pause for more COFFEE* After yesterday morning of “opportunities” I have updates!

My fine for parking in Itaska State Park has been reduced to $5.  YES.  Five dollars.  Apparently that was the original amount that it would have been had I purchased a day pass – had I known that I needed a day pass.

What a relief!

Then I had a meeting yesterday that was scary and exciting at the same time….  it was something I had been praying about for a while now and after yesterday’s meeting I am still scared and excited – but I finally have a yes…. and I am moving forward on my book.  You may not have known there was a book.  Or even the inkling of a book.  I was really nervous (and still am) to share about it in case it wouldn’t be.  Now however it looks like it will be and I still have a lot of work to do, and don’t want to say much more about it at this time other than a tired “SSQQQUUUEEE!!!”


Finally… and this is random… I signed up for Netflix again.  As I am reading all these wonderful books that I heard are also movies (especially some of the older titles), I can not find them at our forever closing video rental stores.  All we have in town are Red Boxes which carry a frightening low selection and they are so hit and miss, unless I have reserved one on-line – it’s not worth browsing.


I guess that’s all I have for news.  I guess that’s enough for today!  😀  I am still a bit shell-shocked with all the news of yesterday.  However.  I can leave you with this.

Feel free to turn up your speakers and dance around the room.

I am.  😛

Have an awesome day!!!

Where Are The Winners?

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)15 Comments


It is time to have some winners.  I am just in that kind of “winning” mood.  😛

Here are the latest winners over here at Book Journey.

A Signed copy of Summer at Tiffany coming straight from the author goes to:

Julie H

Entrants were asked to share a favorite summer memory.  Here is Julie’s:

One of my favorite summers was the year we went on a trip out East, to see Boston and nearby historical attractions. We made a side trip to Concord and took the time to visit Orchard House, made famous because of Louisa May Alcott. It’s still one of the best house tours I’ve ever been on.



Entrants were asked to share a book or audio that is a must read for me yet this year

3 Copies Of The Island (audio) by Elin Hilderbrand go to:

Karen K

who suggested I read anything by Dorthea Benton Frank

Cindi

Suggested the audiobook called Dimanche and Other Storiesby Irene Nemirovsky!

Kelly B

Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand


Entrants were asked to come up with a character and story line for a James Patterson novel

3 Copies Of The Island (audio) by Elin Hilderbrand go to:

Cindi

Cindi’s answer was:  Callie went missing over 15 years ago and now she has been spotted in Paris France ~

Sarah G

Sarah’s answer was:  Sunny Disposition – lifeguard and FBI informant, married to a mob hitman who is named Stormy Disposition

Nancye Davis

My new character would be Cindy Malone, retired school-teacher turned librarian/ undercover private investigator/ bank robber extraordinaire! Cool!

Monthly Winners for September

Each month I draw two random comment winners to win a book out of my prize box and I announce my top commenter who wins a $20 gift card from Amazon.  Here are the August winners:

Helen (Helen’s Book Blog)


Vasilly (1330V)


and top commenter for the month of September is (and this is a $20 gift card to Amazon!):

Wordlily!!!

Thanks everyone – I love chatting books with all of you!  😀

In The Presence Of My Enemies by Gracia Burnham

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)13 Comments

I read this book many years ago, pre blogging.  It had touched me very deeply.  This past weekend a friend of mine who I went to school with had the opportunity to meet Gracia Burnham and this triggered this post, and a little information from my good friend Barb.

Sheila


Gracia and Martin Burnham had been Missionaries in the Philippines for 17 years, starting in 1986.  They lived among the people and were well-known.

Then tragedy struck.  They were kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf, a terrorist group with ties to Osama bin Laden.   The Burnham’s were snatched away from friends and family and thrust into a life on the run in the Philippine jungle.  Others that were captured with them were either eventually released for ransom or beheaded.  The Burnham’s would remain in captivity for over a year, they faced near starvation, constant exhaustion, frequent gun battles, cold-hearted murder—and intense soul-searching about a God who sometimes seemed to have forgotten them.

The kidnappers demanded $1,000,000 for their release. A ransom of $330,000 was paid, yet the kidnappers refused to release them. During the eventual rescue attempt by the Philippine Army on June 7, 2002, Martin was killed by three gunshots in the chest and Gracia was wounded in her right leg.

This is their story as told by Gracia Burnham.


This book touched me deeply.  I could not imagine such a terrifying experience as what Gracia and Martin had gone through, day-to-day not knowing if this would be the day that they died.

Here is what Barb emailed me about her time with Gracia Bunham this past weekend:

Gracia was wonderful sharing her story of faith and forgiveness ….sometimes teary but mostly, surprisingly made us laugh. After a brief video explaining her terrifying time in the jungle, she talked about the time spent there and what has happened in her life since. She showed us the clothing she wore in the jungle, one was her (don’t remember what it was called) but it was a giant piece of fabric sorta like a sarong but sewing in a circle. They had thrown it to her on the boat to cover herself since she was only in shorts and a t-shirt. Besides for clothing, she used it as a blanket, her bathroom (by pulling it up around herself and holding it with her teeth), and in the same way her changing room WHEN she had clothes to change into after bathing in the river (since her captors never let her out of their sight of course), a tear wiper, and a giant kleenex, and also the other captors used theirs with a large branch as a sling to haul off their injured. Many of her captors are now in prison for life and a few actually WRITE her from time to time! One letter she had to have translated was very “nice” sounding:  “Dear Gracia…..Do you remember our time in the jungle?” (at this she said something funny, like how could she forget?) and the bad guys actually sent her a bright orange prison t-shirt that said “DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS” across the front and they WROTE MESSAGES to her on it! She said, “What am I suppose to do with this? It’s not something I could wear to the mall!” But amazingly, three of her captors have given their lives to Jesus Christ! Her two oldest kids are married to kids of New Tribes Missionaires and her son is now flying planes the same as his dad ……. I wish I had brought a notebook and took notes. I had her sign my book In the Presence of my Enemies, and then went and bought her other book. I thought, Darn I should have bought this first so I could have had her sign this too. I decided on the hard cover version. When I opened it last night, it was already signed!

Barb (back left), her daughter Lexie, and Gracia Burnham

I still own this book and if you are interested in a read that is emotionally charged, and a brilliant example of strong faith under the worst of circumstances, I highly recommend you read In The Presence Of My Enemies.

The Burnham’s capture and captivity were the subject of a July 2008 episode of the TV series, Locked Up Abroad.

I purchased my copy of this book many years ago

Morning Meanderings…My Letter From The State and a Fine (Life is never dull…)

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)41 Comments


Good morning.  Hope everyone had a lovely weekend.  Mine was crazy busy but I have lived through it and am ready to start this week with a bit of energy that I think I have stored up over night.  It’s not a lot – but I think it will be enough to spark me forward.  😛

Last month you may remember that my friend Wendy and I went on a 75 mile bike ride that started and stopped in Itaska State Park.  We drove there that morning, got lost, and finally made it there about an hour and a half later than we had hoped to start.  The man who was working for the bike ride committee told us that the main parking area was full and asked us to park  in this other lot that he pointed to.

We completed the ride in hot weather but came back triumphant from completing our goal.  We loaded up the bikes, stopped for our Dairy Queen award and went home.

Then came the letter.

The letter states that a vehicle may not enter a state park, state recreation area, or a state wayside over 50 acres in area without a state vehicle permit.  Currently my fine and court fees are $125.00

WHA???

So needless to say, I was on the phone yesterday calling the Itaska State Park Operations Supervisor who had signed this letter with the phone number.  The message said the office closes at 2 pm each day.  I left a message expressing my concern over this letter (and *gulp* fine).  Then I thought I had better call the people who set up the bike ride as well as they are the ones who would have my name registered as a rider and I am a bit upset they would have me park in an area that I shouldn’t.  I mean, if we are going to participate in this ride, no where during sign up did it say that my vehicle would need to have a Park permit.

So… I am looking for the phone number on their website… scrolling down scrolling down…. and then I stop.  What was that?  I scroll back up and almost bust a gut laughing….. the picture on their website is Wendy and I.  Not a scrolling through pics of the event… nope.  Wendy and I.  I had no idea.

So yes, I did find the phone number for the coordinator and left them a message as well.  I am hopeful today I will get some calls back and we can get this cleared up.  The picture is random – they have no idea who the pic is other than riders for the event.  I think it is HILARIOUS that I am the one who will be speaking to them about this fine and I have real proof that I was on the ride – because there I am.  (Pre – letter happy)  😛

So that is my latest in event worthy news.  Today I have work, an exiting afternoon meeting I hope to share more about with you soon, and kick ball (I know, I know) tonight.

Picture clicks to website

I hope your day is filled with sunshine and that your parking is ticket free.

😛

When Life Throws You Lemons… Make Cranberry Juice! by Shari Bookstaff

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)20 Comments


When my kids were learning to walk, I remember walking behind them, ready to catch them if they stumbled backward. I never dreamed that thirteen years later my kids would be walking behind me, ready to catch me if I stumbled backward.

I was 42 years old when I was diagnosed with a benign, operable, brain tumor. Doctors predicted a short hospital stay followed by a speedy recovery. Complications arose, giving me unexpected life-long obstacles.

A divorced mother of two beautiful, talented, wonderful children, I had high hopes for a bright and happy future. I had a secure job that I loved, and I was beginning to date again when my brain tumor was diagnosed.

My life since that fateful day has been focused on regaining basic human functions: breathing, swallowing, walking, etc. I am working again, and trying to be a good mother to my two beautiful, talented, wonderful children.

Putting a positive spin on life’s disasters doesn’t always work, but looking for, and accepting, positive things in spite of life’s disasters works. Instead of making lemonade out of lemons, I add life’s sweet sugar and cranberries to my lemons. This makes life much more palatable.

Shari Bookstaff

Ok… yes I admit it… I was partially drawn to this book because book is in the author’s name. It’s true.. I am that girl.  😛  BUT, before you go rolling your eyes (if it’s not too late) I did find more in this book than a really cool authors name… I found a fighter, a survivor… and a down right funny woman!

What Shari goes through in this book would put some of us down for the count.  In a time that would be easier to go lay back in bed with the covers up to your eye brows, Shari writes of a determined spirit.

Here is a part of the book:

At night when I couldn’t sleep, I asked myself some very difficult questions.  I had questions about the value of my life, questions about my future, questions about why this happened to me, and questions about my dogs capacity for humor.  My questions had no right answers just like my problems had no solution.

These were some of the questions I asked myself:

What should I do if my life is over but I am still alive?

When I get to Heaven, will I be able to walk normally?

It is said that as long as you have your health, you have everything.  Well what if I don’t have my health, then what have I got?

Is my glass half full or half empty?  Who cares if I don’t like the beverage?

How can I accept my physical limitations and believe that I can continue to improve physically as well?

Where’s Nemo?

Page 116

I enjoyed reading Shari’s story very much.  This is a book that as Shari would say, helps you exercise your right to choose how you are going to go forward from the lemons that life tends to toss our way.

AMAZON RATING

I received this book for review as part of a Pump Up Your Book Blog Tour


It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)94 Comments



It’s Monday! What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.  It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

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.  You receive one entry for every 10 comments, just come back here and tell me how many in the comment area.

Last weeks winner (using Random.Org) was:

Kathy Martin   Inside Of A Dog


Congratulations!  Please choose an item out of the PRIZE BOX and email me your choice with your mailing address as well!   journeythroughbooks@gmail.com


I feel awesome!  I had a great reading week and really think I lived out Banned Books Week to the fullest.  I had a chance to read and review books that were ones I have wanted to read for a long time – but also new titles to me that I enjoyed as well.  Let’s recap shall we?



Are You There God?  It’s Me Margaret. by Judy Blume (For Banned Book Week and well… its Judy Blume… so it might have been for me too :D)


When Reality Hits You Right In The Face (Seriously – did you see this?  You have to see this!)


Harry Potter and The Order Of The Phoenix by J K Rowling (Oh yeah a BANNED BOOK review)


SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson (the BANNED BOOK that has recently caused quite a stir!)


The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel pie Society – book review (remember the pinky swear?)


I am going to be a part of a book panel and need your help


Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury – Banned Book Review


Reminder that the Wordshakers On line Book Club will be discussing The Wife’s Tale by Lori Lansen this week – not to late to join in!


Last week to jump on the group meet up of Minnesota and surrounding area Book Bloggers,  check this post for details 😀


I did have a good week!  *pause while I review the list again with an odd pride and a little rebellion*


This week I think will be exciting as well as this week will end with the Read-A-Thon on October 9th and if you have not signed up I have to tell you that you are going to miss out on some FUN!  Scoot on over there and get your name on the list.  I will wait here.  😛

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Ok, awesome – you are back!  Anyway, as I was saying, I think the weekend will provide some good reading time and I hope to add to what I am posting here – but the plan this week is:


Hoo Hoo!  I have been wanting to read a cozy mystery for a while now and this one has double – or triple excitement for me!  One is that of course the book looks fantastic!  Two is that the author is a Minnesota author and seriously lest give it up for the home team!  Three is that Laura Childs is so super awesome that she will be author chatting with me about this book and what’s new and whats what…. and well…. I am a little exited!



This is another one that as I read the back of this book I get a little chill as to what could be inside – I have high hopes for this one!  Oh and guess what?  I have two.  TWO!  What to do… what to do….. OH!  I think we will have a giveaway!  Watch for that this week.  😀



This one looks like it will just be a fun lite read.  I am hopeful that it is funny and that when I am done with it I can pass it on to College Son .


So that’s my plan as well as the reviews I need to post from last weeks non Banned Books read.  I have to confess… once I got into the banned books theme it was and is hard to back my way out.  I need more time!  I still have several on my kitchen table that I am hoping to read before they have to go back to the library.  I love being able to read these tiles and then being able to discuss them.  😀


I am so looking forward to stopping by and seeing what you are reading!  This is actually one of my favorite things to do each week.  Add your What Are You Reading post to the linky where it says CLICK HERE and we all can visit the posts!  :razz:

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Don’t Forget!!!! Wordshakers On Line Book Club Read

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)8 Comments

Dont forget!  For those of you who are joining in on the current Wordshaker reading of The Wife’s Tale, we are going live with our posts and conversation on October 6th!  It’s not too late to join in.  There will be an authors chat and a BIG GIVEAWAY with signed additions to Lori Lanssen’s books.  Those who are doing the read-a-long with me and linking their reviews on the 6th will receive an extra entry in the giveaway.

Stay tuned!

Morning Meanderings… Never Say Good Bye

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)13 Comments


Morning!  Ok let’s try that again.

Good morning!  😛

Sunday morning here and Banned Books Week is officially over.  Wow.  I kind of miss it.  I had a week of reading books that I have wanted to read for quite some time as well as experiencing a couple new to me titles.  Over all, I did not read one book that I could say I found offensive and agreed that this book should perhaps have limited access to certain ages.  In fact, most of them really surprised me that they were banned and some I had to look up to see exactly what people found so offensive.

Of course, as I mentioned yesterday morning, I still have banned books checked out from the library and if I can squeeze a couple more in as I return to my regular reading habits I sure will.

I do not have a lot of time this morning as I am getting ready for church and as usual am pushing the time envelope but I want to leave you with what I would like to refer to as a great theme song for Banned Books:


And… well honestly…. if you are an 80’s fan…. just a great song – period.  😀

Have an awesome Sunday everyone!  Tonight we are going out to dinner with Navy son.  It’s hard to believe he leaves tomorrow, but he is going to be in Florida for a while and with a little luck – back for Christmas.  😀

Morning Meanderings… A Girl Walks Into A Library…

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)34 Comments

Good morning!  😀  Where was I?  Coffee Cup… check…. making Snickerdoodles for this afternoon… check…..


Oh Yeah.  A Girl Walks into a library…. oh wait, that’s me.  And it’s true!  I walked into the library yesterday afternoon to return the banned books I had on loan for Banned Books Week.  At the beginning of banned books week I had mentioned how disappointed I was that I had been in our library, local bookstore, and a few other books stores in the area in the past week no one had even a peep up around banned books week.

So… I am in the library (every time I say what I want to add with the candle stick or the rope…) AND as I am returning my books I see behind a glass case police tape saying “CRIME SCENE” and a banned book display.  In the center of the display was a large book with a padlock punched through it making it impossible to open.

Pause for dramatic effect.

I was thrilled and as I went up to the window to look at their selections I seen books I would love to read.  When I asked the librarian she I could borrow whatever books I wanted to in the case and they would replace them with the books I had just returned.  (LOVE my library!) So I left with three books out of the display as well as the books I had on reserve when I walked in.

Here is what I have:



Why is Beloved Banned?  They cite violence and sex.  I read also that is very graphic as it is about a woman who kills her daughter to keep her from becoming a slave.




Why is The Lorax banned?  The Laytonville, California School District challenged this book on grounds that it “criminalizes the forestry industry.”  The book says that cutting down trees is bad.


Why was Black Boy banned?  ‘Black Boy’ is a memoir about growing up in the Jim Crow-era South, a story of survival in a sick society that treated 1/3rd of its population as sub-human chattel.  Black Boy was not banned because of Wright’s Communism (excusable considering that-until the 1950s-the US Communists were the only political party committed to racial equality) but rather because it offended many Southerners, and also due to the book’s frank descriptions of sex, violence, and racially-charged language.

“The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” is about a young resident of an Indian reservation who decides to attend a white high school.There is sexual language and foul jokes, along with themes encompassing racism, alcoholism and violence. There are also descriptions of how the protagonist, Junior, tries to realize his dreams while surviving both life on the reservation and at a new school.


This last one just looked interesting and I looked through it a bit last night.  It lays out 100 different banned books with author, publisher, date of publishing, what the book si a about and why it was banned.  I wish I would have found this book at the beginning of the week.


And yes, today is the last day of banned books week and here I am with another pile of books as well as a couple from my original trip to the library.  Maybe they do not all get read this time around…. maybe I will find that some are not for me.  I really have enjoyed learning more about the books and why they were banned and what I have read so far this week has been an adventure in reading and one I would gladly hop on board for again.


Today I am helping at a funeral for most of the early afternoon.  I plan to be home in time to finish the lawn (seems like I am always mowing these days!) and pick out a new audio at audible.com for my mowing enjoyment.  Any audio suggestions?  Any fun plans this weekend?