I am so proud of my book club. If you have been reading this blog for any amount of time you probably know that. Most of us have been together in this group for the past 7 or 8 years. A few of us, have been there the entire time – it will be 10 years of Bookies in August. That’s 120 book club meetings. That’s 120 book club book choices and 120 book club books read.
The Royal "Throne"
Every July we have a free read month. July is so busy in Minnesota, the weather is finally pretty reliable, people have weddings, and family gatherings, weekends at the lake, camping, fishing. grilling…. anyway, we do not have a mandatory read in July. Just read what you want and share at the event. And so, that being said, here is what The Bookies read and recommend :
We ate and laughed and talked books. What to read, what to skip…. We talked movies and summer plans. And we sat ina beautiful yard just enjoying the company.
Another great year and event – we crowned our new Queen Lori (see that picture in my morning post -it’s awesome!).
Yesterdays Queen Event for our book club went wonderfully. We had a nice evening – not too warm out and not too cool. We were at Sharon’s home which is a lovely spot on the lake, ate wonderful food, talked books, and chose a new Queen for the year.
Every July we dress up, have a potluck, pick our August read, and our October Classic. We read one classic a year as a group and choose it in July so people have time to secure a copy and read it (because seriously, some classics do not read through quickly).
After many wonderful selections brought up for our August read – we chose Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger. Our Classic for October will be The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath.
I have more to share about the event – but I am saving that for my post later today. I will have more pictures up as well as what everyone read and recommended in July.
Crowning the new Queen - Lori N! Runner up is Brenda W
Its dark and gloomy here this morning. In fact it is so dark it looks like it is about midnight. We are in for a big storm and I am just now starting to hear the rain pound the glass of the windows. Too bad I have to get to work – this is ideal weather for a good mystery…
Recently I had the privilege to dig into a wonderful mystery, The Missing Element. One of the draws for me to this book was that author John Betcher is a fellow Minnesotan. As Johns story centers around Minnesota areas I enjoyed reading about areas I was familiar with first hand.
What started out as a “I want to read Minnesota authors!” goal…. became more as I found elements, if I may use your word of choice John, in this read that I have missed in may other reads of this genre. With a bit of humor and a refreshing look into marriage, I found myself really liking the characters that John had placed into his book. His characters…. have character. 🙂
So – with no further raving and babbling by me…. I am thrilled to share Book Journey space today with author John Betcher.
John Betcher
John, welcome. I am so glad you were able to make time to join me today and talk books. Before we get down to business, how do you take your coffee?
John: Thanks for the offer, Sheila. But I picked up a Diet Mountain Dew on the way in.
John's beverage of choice
Nice touch John…. note to self…. John likes Diet Mountain Dew. When did your writing career begin and what was your first publishing?
John: Other than 25 years of legal writing as a private practice lawyer . . . I started writing for publication about 5 years ago. My first published materials consisted of three feature articles in Coaching Volleyball magazine, the AVCA Journal. The last of these, in 2009, was a cover story. http://www.virtualonlinepubs.com/publication/?i=13938I jokingly say that U.S. Men’s Volleyball Olympic Gold Medal Coach, Hugh McCutcheon, had to wait until the next issue to get his picture on the cover — Hugh and the Olympic team were, indeed, the cover story for the following issue.
Were you a reader when you were younger? If so, what genres drew you in and do you have a favorite (or two) book/author?
John: I was an avid reader during my pre-school and elementary years. I credit my mother, a reading teacher, for that. I used to love the Boxcar Children and the Laura Ingalls Wilder books. In Junior and Senior High I read a lot of historical biographies. Now I enjoy mysteries and thrillers.
I have many favorite authors: John Sandford, Brian Haig, Jeffrey Deaver, Kurt Vonnegut . . . the list goes on. But the author I was reading the most of right before I began writing fiction was the late Robert B. Parker. Must’ve read about 20 of his Spenser detective books in a row. I would have to say that Parker’s writing has had the greatest influence on my own style.
John as you know, I really enjoyed The Missing Element. As a fellow Minnesotan, I enjoy reading about areas I am familiar with. What reasoning did you have in choosing the area that you did for this book?
John: Well . . . I’m also a native Minnesotan and current resident of Red Wing. Having spent all of my life here, Minnesota was the natural choice for my book’s setting. I’m familiar with not only its geography, but its people, history and culture. I tried to draw on those familiarities to add texture to the book.
Beyond these reasons, the Twin Cities are widely known for their contributions to high-technology. 3M, Seagate, IBM, Medtronic and many other prominent technology companies operate, and were even founded, here. The University of Minnesota also has widely respected computer security experts on its staff. Since the book has a rather large cyber-espionionage component, what better location for the technological suspense?
I really enjoyed your characters The Becker’s. I am very curious what made you decide to go with a married couple, almost “dynamic duo” for this suspenseful read. I thought it was an unusual move, as most main characters are out saving their world alone or with a “love interest” but not a spouse. I found it to be a refreshing way to create your characters.
John: One of the aspects of the Parker novels I always enjoyed was the loving relationship between Spenser and his S.O., Susan. I just took that relationship a bit farther in The Missing Element. Having a strong and loving marriage of my own for the past 27 years was also a factor. And I love strong women in fiction. While Beth may not feature quite as prominently in future books, their relationship will always be there. I suspect she will continue to add her own expertise, intellect and support to all of Beck’s activities.
I also enjoyed Beck’s friend and big help throughout the book. Bull. He was a handy guy to have around. Does Bull represent anyone in your life that you would consider to be that “go to always has your back” guy?
John: Bull is a guy who is very much like Parker’s “Hawk” character in the Spenser series. Nebulous but intriguing background. Always willing and available to help out. Very effective in providing “muscle” (and many other special skills) when necessary. Loyal . . . but mysterious.
So the answer to your question is, “No.” He’s more based on a American Indian version of Hawk than on anyone I know in real life. Thank goodness my life is mundane enough to not require Bull’s sort of assistance! Haha!
The 19th Element is your new release and I was pleased to see that this as well has James Becker. I am curious about the title – as you went from The Missing Element to the Nineteenth Element. What does this title mean and how does it tie into The Missing Element?
John: The use of the word “Element” in the title of the Beck series of books is intended to be a sort of “branding” of the series — like Sandford’s “Prey” series, or Janet Evanovich’s numerical sequencing.Beyond that, just as “The Missing Element” has a meaning in this book, “The 19th Element” has a specific meaning in the second book . . . one that I’d rather not disclose at this point.
What is currently happening in your life?
John: As a self-published author, I’m spending a lot of time marketing my two new books. The publishing industry has changed so much in the last year or two, and will likely change even more in the next couple years. I’m trying to get ahead of the industry and target my marketing efforts — local, regional and national — where they will work most efficiently in this new environment. Part of my marketing effort is maintaining a blog at Self-Publishing Central Blogspot and a website at www.johnbetcher.com. Suffice it to say that all of this is a formidable challenge for a small town writer — especially one who is trying to keep his day job.
I do have another novel in the works — not a Beck book though. But if Beck catches on, it’s a series I would love to pursue.
And I continue to do research into areas that I think might be interesting for Beck, et al to explore. My next interview is with a law enforcement specialist about drug enforcement and trafficking. Just two days ago I interviewed a geneticist to see what interesting plots might arise out of the arcane knowledge in that area.
Can you tell I love to learn?
John it is a tradition for me to ask the authors I chat with to share a little known fact about themselves.
John: I probably hold the highest level of volleyball coaching certification of anyone you know. I’ve even had the privilege of studying with the gurus at the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.
I published the second book in the Beck Series before the first. The real Book One of the Series is THE 19TH ELEMENT. I had reasons . . .
Ooh – now I am curious! Thank goodness I just received The Nineteenth Element in the mail and get some answers to the mysteries. Thank you John for your time today.
John: Thank you, Sheila. I appreciate you inviting me for this chat.
Readers can find out more about John Betcher and his books at:
Morning. 😀 I had a fantastic Monday and hope you did too. Group Power in the morning, worked, and roller bladed. My aunt was in town from Alaska. I went out to dinner last night with her and another aunt and uncle of mine. We do not get together often so it was a nice time catching up. Busy full day….
And tonight is our annual Bookies Book Club Queen event. Time to pass the crown on to whoever takes the vote tonight. It should be fun, potluck and hanging out at one of our members homes. Tomorrow I should have pictures for you as well as book recommendations from the Bookies. We do not read a book for July, this is our free month to read whatever you like and then we get together during the Queen Event and discuss the books we chose.
2009 Queen Event (rained out so was held at my home)
So that’s the big day coming up! I work today and then have a few things to prep for tonight. I will wear the crown tonight for the last time – until I pass it on to our Bookies Queen of 2010-2011. 😀
Hope you have a wonderful day – I cant wait to relax tonight and sink into a good book! I am finishing up a pretty good one that should be reviewing in the next couple of days.
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.
Congratulations! Please choose an item out of the PRIZE BOX and email me your choice with your mailing address as well! journeythroughbooks@gmail.com
It really has been quite the week around here. I was not overly busy on the home front so was able to get a bit of reading in AND get my work outs back on track. I already can feel my energy level going up! 😀 Here’s what bookish things happened this past week:
Deliver Us From Evil by David Baldacci, available for giveaway in Hard Cover, and in Audio format.
Word Shaker On line Book Club has been dusted off, tuned up – and is finally ready to go! What are we reading? Check it out!
Born Under A Million Suns by Andrea Busfield (review coming up this week)
D U F F by Kody Keplinger (review coming this week)
Between Sisters by Kristen Hannah (still reading)
I am feeling good at this pace. I have petty much given up on Summer TV (I can never find anything on anyway) so my reading in the evenings has increased and I am really enjoying it! So whats brewing this week? PLENTY of EXCITING STUFF!!!
A World War II story told through the eyes of a young German Girl.
A pink apron came with this review book…. I am thinking I may have to wear the apron and make some cupcakes for this review
My conversations with this author alone have been funny – I am curious to see what this book has in store…
I have to admit, this book scares me a little. I am a huge animal lover and I just have this feeling that this one is going to be good, but also pull at my heart-strings. This review will also have a giveaway of a copy of this book.
Oh, and watch this weekend for Bookworming in the 21st Centuries Book Extravaganza – I am participating and think it will be a lot of fun! 😀
As if the books are not going to be a fun enough week, Tuesday is also my book clubs annual Queen Event and I am so excited! We dress up in formal wear and have speeches of why we should be Queen. (This is out of the book Same Sweet Girls by Cassandra King). We potluck and have a blast! I am the reining Queen and I will be passing on my crown, scepter and throne (which is a gold spray painted port a potty because that is just how classy we are! 😀 ) I love my book club and I can not wait to see what talents we have this year! **Watch the Wednesday post for the recap of this event!
Books I won and am giving away at our Bookies Queen Event - they each come with a Dairy Queen Gift certificate! Oh.... and whats that t shirt I am wearing? That would be my Edward from Twilight T shirt I won from I'd So Rather Be Reading Blog
Ok – enough chatter – I am ready to see what you are reading this Monday! Please enter your link where it says “click here” and I as well as hopefully many of the other wonderful Monday memers will stop in to say hi and peek at your books! 😀
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Click here to enter your link and view the entire list of entered links…
Word shakers on-line book club is back on. The plan – a book will be announced here every six weeks. There will be a sign up form if you are interested in taking a part in the discussion that will go along with the book. Questions will be emailed out to the participants to answer and email back. Parts of the responses may be used in the post of the book review, as well as a Linky set up to link all your reviews too. *You do not have to be a blogger to participate in this book club.
If you have already read the book you are still welcome to join in. A six-week window will be given for each book to give participants enough time to secure the book and read it. If you would like to be included in a mailing group that will be notified each time a new read is announced, leave me a comment below saying so and I will add you to the group. (*You do not need to post your email, I receive it with every comment)
Where did word shakers come from? I read a lovely book called The book Thief, and if you have not read it I highly recommend it. There is a part in the book when one of the characters writes a story involving a word shaker. The whole story is beautiful, and if you have the opportunity to read even the word shaker part of the book it is pages 445-450. The part that touches me deeply is:
THE BEST word shakers were the ones who understood the true power of words. They were the ones who could climb the highest . One such word shaker was a small, skinny girl. She was renowned as the best word shaker of her region because she knew how powerless a person could be without words.
I think this one touches me so because I am a word lover, much like many of you, and therefore – we are all word shakers.
Join me for this months read: The Wife’s Tale by Lori Lansens
Hmmmm….. what is that smell this morning? Is that bacon and pancakes? Couldn’t be….
But it is! 😀
Normally life is so busy for Al and I we rarely have breakfast. I may grab a banana on the way out the door or an instant packet of oatmeal to take to work with me but that’s about it. Breakfasts – real breakfasts only happen when we get away for the weekends like to the cabin. Even though we didn’t make it there this weekend, I still had purchased items to make the rare breakfasts. (We pretty much have been eating everything I had packed in the cooler this weekend).
This morning – honestly…. we slept in. We had a wonderful time at our friends house for dinner last night. We sat on their deck and grilled chicken and enjoyed a lovely meal, and conversation until 10:30 at night! This morning neither one of us were in any hurry to get up and I have to say that was kind of nice too. So breakfast it is! And I have to say, it does smell gooooooood!
Today I am going to catch up on a few things around the house, I may time a bike ride, spend some time with Chance and basically stay mellow before I hit the ground running tomorrow.
Couple “Blogkeeping” things:
June commenters – I adore you and have not forgotten you. Using random.org here are my two comment winners who get to choose out of the prize box. (And yes, this comment thank you continues each month – I just really need to make a sidebar widget for it!)
#348: Jill Weatherholt
#541: Esme
And my #1 commenter from June was:
Wordlily!!!
The top commenter each month wins a $20 gift card to Amazon! Yay to Hannah! 😀
Dont forget that the survey that has been posted on top for the past month ends on July 15th. If you had not taken a minute to fill out that form I would really appreciate it if you would…. I will post the overall results!
Thank you Hachette for giving me three copies of this audio book to give away!
DELIVER US FROM EVIL
Evan Waller is a monster. He has built a fortune from his willingness to buy and sell anything . . . and anyone. In search of new opportunities, Waller has just begun a new business venture: one that could lead to millions of deaths all over the globe.
On Waller’s trail is Shaw, the mysterious operative from “The Whole Truth,” who must prevent Waller from closing his latest deal. Shaw’s one chance to bring him down will come in the most unlikely of places: a serene, bucolic village in Provence.
But Waller’s depravity and ruthlessness go deeper than Shaw knows. And now, there is someone else pursuing Waller in Provence-Reggie Campion, an agent for a secret vigilante group headquartered in a musty old English estate-and she has an agenda of her own.
Hunting the same man and unaware of each other’s mission, Shaw and Reggie will be caught in a deadly duel of nerve and wits.
How To Enter this Giveaway
David Baldacci is the author of 19 best selling books. Looking at that list have you read any of these books – and if not, which book really catches your eye as one you would like to read (besides this one of course!) (*This must be answered to be entered)
Want more chances to win?
(*not a requirement, just for those who wish)
For two extra chances to win, become a subscriber (or be a current subscriber) of this blog (do this in the upper right side bar) and let me know in a separate comment
Blog about this giveaway and let me know in a separate comment and receive two more entries
Twitter about this giveaway or link tot his giveaway on Facebook and let me know here for another entry
This giveaway will end on July 30. USA and Canada entrants only please.
Please see the separate giveaway being held for this in Hard Cover copies
Thank you Hachette for the opportunity to give away three copies of this book!
DELIVER US FROM EVIL
Evan Waller is a monster. He has built a fortune from his willingness to buy and sell anything . . . and anyone. In search of new opportunities, Waller has just begun a new business venture: one that could lead to millions of deaths all over the globe.
On Waller’s trail is Shaw, the mysterious operative from “The Whole Truth,” who must prevent Waller from closing his latest deal. Shaw’s one chance to bring him down will come in the most unlikely of places: a serene, bucolic village in Provence.
But Waller’s depravity and ruthlessness go deeper than Shaw knows. And now, there is someone else pursuing Waller in Provence-Reggie Campion, an agent for a secret vigilante group headquartered in a musty old English estate-and she has an agenda of her own.
Hunting the same man and unaware of each other’s mission, Shaw and Reggie will be caught in a deadly duel of nerve and wits.
How To Enter this Giveaway
For me, I actually have a certain atmosphere that calls for me to crave a good thriller. To enter this giveaway, please leave a comment here letting me know if there is a certain time of year, or setting that causes you to crave a good suspense/thriller. (*This must be answered to be entered)
Want more chances to win?
(*not a requirement, just for those who wish)
For two extra chances to win, become a subscriber (or be a current subscriber) of this blog (do this in the upper right side bar) and let me know in a separate comment
Blog about this giveaway and let me know in a separate comment and receive two more entries
Twitter about this giveaway or link tot his giveaway on Facebook and let me know here for another entry
This giveaway will end on July 30. USA and Canada entrants only please.
Please see the separate giveaway for this book in audio format
Ahhh…. the best laid plans. After completing all my little errands yesterday around town, shopping for our trip to the cabin, loading the bikes on the rack, filling the cooler with all our refrigerator items, and 40 pounds of ice…. we had to cancel.
The plan was that I would get everything ready to go, Al would work in the office and prep to leave the business for the weekend, and we would meet back at the house early afternoon and hit the road. About 4:00 pm I sent a text to my husband seeing when we were leaving. He called me back and we had a snag in our plan. A dump truck we had purchased and had been waiting to be delivered was coming through Duluth on Saturday and would need to be picked up by us and brought to Brainerd. This piece of equipment is important to the current state job we are doing…so alas, we had to wave the white flag and change our plan.
I am not really too bummed…. yes for the cabin and for the relaxation but this has happened before and I have kind of learned to roll with the waves. 🙂 Instead we ate a late dinner at home, I watched a somewhat odd Lifetime movie and went to bed.
So plan B. I am hitting the gym this morning and then probably driving with Al to Duluth to get the truck. I have been bribed with lunch and a book store stop. I am still in need of a copy of The Color Purple so I am all about the book store stop. Maybe later I will take Chance to a movie or take a bike ride.
There’s a big bike ride in the area tomorrow that I have had my eye on. Tour of Saints is a ride I do almost every year and this year because of our cabin plans I didn’t sign up. I am watching the weather for tomorrow – chance of rain, but if it clears I may go do that ride…. maybe. 🙂
Here is the song in my head today…. it brings back memories of my best friend Traci in high school and road tripping to Cambridge Minnesota to see her family. We would be in her old mustang that we fondly called “Rustang” because of all the rust and this may have been the song we blared out of the speakers.
Book Journey 