Morning Meanderings….

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)26 Comments

It’s Christmas Eve and we have snowfall and lots of it. I just looked at the weather report and found this:

Statement as of 7:36 AM CST on December 24, 2009 … Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 6 am CST
Saturday…

* Road conditions will continue to deteriorate during the day.  There may be somewhat of a let up in the snow from midday into  early evening… but the next round of heavy snow will move back in tonight… and continue into Christmas day.

What does this mean for us?  Well – I work in the office today.  I have 4 wheel drive in my Durango so I can pretty much get anywhere.  I have a couple things I forgot to pick up at the grocery store I will hit that this morning as well….  and  I am stocked up to endure the weekend here in  the house if need be and that would actually be quite appealing to me after all the running of late.

Maybe the guys will get the snowmobiles out this weekend and if they ride – I get to stay home and read!  🙂

I’ll be posting through the weekend so stop back if you can…. and if you are traveling wherever you are drive safe and have a wonderful weekend!

**ONE REMINDER:  The Gift Card giveaway will end today for the YA Reviews.  Check that out here – one person will be receiving a $20 Amazon gift card!  Today is the last day to enter and by doing so you will be helping a wonderful person out!  🙂

For now I leave you with this (these are pictures of my yard this past April of 2009 as well as a couple other pics I took the liberty of adding……. I woke up and gasped…. it looked like Narnia.

Horrid Henry’s Christmas by Francesca Simon

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)11 Comments

A book that is sure to cause an outbreak of giggles… ~ Sheila

If you have a child between the age of 4 and 8, they are probably familiar with the shenanigans of Horrid Henry.  Author Francesca Simon has made Horrid Henry the #1 bestselling chapter book series for children in the UK.  With over 15 million copies of the Horrid Henry books sold,apparently readers everywhere are enjoying these tales…

This was my first time reading Horrid Henry and this book has 4 stories centered around Henry’s adventures over Christmas.  I have to admit, I really enjoyed the book.  The four short stories were witty and funny.  In the first story Henry is upset that he didn’t get the leading role in the Christmas play at school, however he takes his part as the Innkeeper to a whole new and hysterical level.

In the second story Henry battles over decorating the tree with his brother, Perfect Peter.  Henry had Christmas presents for people… but due to a series of events…. now he did not and he has to think outside the box of what to do….

In the third story it is Christmas Eve and Henry’s greed for gifts gives him the idea to ambush Santa.  Yeah… you heard me right.

And finally in the fourth story Christmas is here and by now I realize that Henry really is horrid!  Children would probably giggle themselves silly as this book is being read….  outrageous behavior, over the top horribleness…. Francesca has earned her way with these books that are sure to bring a smile to the most reluctant of readers!

This review copy came from Sourcebooks

Morning Meanderings…

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)25 Comments

I haven’t had a morning post in days…..  I hate that.  I love connecting in the morning and sharing what is happening and then hearing from all of you.  It kind if my thing…

I actually started a post yesterday, hurrying through it as I knew the clock was ticking closer to the time I was suppose to be at the gym.  The words were not coming together… and frankly, they were boring.  I was bored with my own words that were suppose to be witty – and well, I tossed it in the “DELETE” pile and went to the gym.

So this morning, I still have nothing brilliant say but did want to check in and say although life has been busy – I am still here.  Last night I put a post up for Mrs. Claus Explains It All and later today will be the results of my first ever Horrid Henry book, Horrid Henry’s Christmas.

I have one more small item to pick up and my groceries for Christmas dinner but other than that I am done.  (The word done echos in my head like the Liberty Bell).  I think if I had a little energy I would be doing a happy dance as well, but that is going to have to wait.

How about you?  Are you done with waiting in lines, and clicking “purchase” on line?  Are the searches over the perfect gift?  AND (this is important!) if you are one of those people who have finished months ago and these past few weeks have mearly been Christmas specials on TV and good books by the fireplace….  I want…. I NEED… the secret to your success.  Share it.  I must know…. I want to be the person who shops early but it has yet to happen in my 42 years.

Have a wonderful day everyone!  My plans are minimal for the next few days…. we dont have a lot of family so it will be the three of us here and I will be reading and posting.  Stop in when you can, I would love to hear from you.  For those who are traveling and have a crazy weekend ahead – drive safe and Merry Christmas!

Mrs. Claus Explains It All by Elsbeth Claus

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)22 Comments

A keepsake book that will be a hit year after year!  ~ Sheila

By: Elsbeth Claus, David Wenzel
Product ISBN: 9781402211058

Every year millions of letters to Santa reach the North Pole. Many are requests for presents. And many letters have questions about Santa, the elves and workshops, the reindeer, and, of course, the North Pole.

Now Mrs. Claus has her own gift for you – for the first time ever, she’s taking a break from her very busy schedule to answer real questions from children of all ages. Join her on a tour of the North Pole and learn some of the best kept secrets of Christmas from the person who knows it all – Mrs. Claus!

Each question is accompanied by the colorful illustrations of David T. Wenzel, whose projects have included the Christmas bestseller Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer by Robert L. May and the visualization of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit as illustrated in graphic novel format.

A big beautiful book that was exciting to pull off the shelf.  Page by page the questions are posted by the children with care…. and Mrs. Claus has the answers to share!

Dear, Mrs. Claus, what are their favorite songs?  It’s safe to say pretty much all the Christmas carols, of course.  Then there are quite a few favorites that are in the old Elfin languages, which I can;t include here because the letters don’t exist on my keyboard.  Elves love to sing rounds too, but you won’t catch Elves singing mushy love songs.

Fascinating and fun pictures that I enjoyed so much I know that the little ones would!

Great questions that the kids want to know…. Mrs. Claus has the answers!

I love oversize books and this large Christmas read is perfect for an evening of hot cocoa and a cookie or two.

My Amazon Review


This review copy is from Sourcebooks



Giveaway: The Concise King Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (audio)

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)55 Comments


For the first time, an edition of Martin Luther King’s most important speeches and selected sermons are assembled and available on CD as a value-priced edition. Hachette Audio believes that the timeless message of King, in his own words and voice, are essential listening for any American and for any world citizen interested in American history, social justice, or non-violent protest. We hope to make these incredibly momentous speeches, extraordinary historical documents, accessible to an even wider population via this affordable offering.

I have 3 of these to give away – here is how you can enter!

For one entry: Leave a comment here letting me know why you would want to win this audio

Extra Entries?  Sure!

For an additional entry tweet or blog about this giveaway and leave me a link here on a separate comment

Be a follower of this blog and let me know here (for another entry) or subscribe to this blog and let me know here on a separate comment and have two extra entries (doing both would be three extra entries)

That’s it – giveaway will end January 22.  USA and Canada entrants only

Giveaway: The Imperial Cruise by James Bradley (audio)

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)51 Comments


In 1905 President Teddy Roosevelt dispatched Secretary of War William Howard Taft on the largest U.S. diplomatic mission in history to Hawaii, Japan, the Philippines, China, and Korea. Roosevelt’s glamorous twenty-one year old daughter Alice served as mistress of the cruise, which included senators and congressmen. On this trip, Taft concluded secret agreements in Roosevelt’s name. In 2005, a century later, James Bradley traveled in the wake of Roosevelt’s mission and discovered what had transpired in Honolulu, Tokyo, Manila, Beijing and Seoul.

I have 3 of these to give away – here is how you can enter!

For one entry: Leave a comment here

Extra Entries?  Sure!

For an additional entry tweet or blog about this giveaway and leave me a link here on a separate comment

Be a follower of this blog and let me know here (for another entry) or subscribe to this blog and let me know here on a separate comment and have two extra entries (doing both would be three extra entries)

That’s it – giveaway will end January 23.  USA and Canada entrants only

Giveaway: Cleaving by Julie Powell (audio)

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)52 Comments

Thanks to Hachette Audio I have three copies of this audio to give away:

Julie Powell thought cooking her way through Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking was the craziest thing she’d ever do–until she embarked on the voyage recounted in her new memoir, CLEAVING.

Her marriage challenged by an insane, irresistible love affair, Julie decides to leave town and immerse herself in a new obsession: butchery. She finds her way to Fleischer’s, a butcher shop where she buries herself in the details of food. She learns how to break down a side of beef and French a rack of ribs–tough, physical work that only sometimes distracts her from thoughts of afternoon trysts.

The camaraderie at Fleischer’s leads Julie to search out fellow butchers around the world–from South America to Europe to Africa. At the end of her odyssey, she has learned a new art and perhaps even mastered her unruly heart.


I have 3 of these to give away – here is how you can enter!

For one entry: Leave a comment here letting me know one of your favorite meals (*you must answer the question to be entered!)

Extra Entries?  Sure!

For an additional entry tweet or blog about this giveaway and leave me a link here on a separate comment

Be a follower of this blog and let me know here (for another entry) or subscribe to this blog and let me know here on a separate comment and have two extra entries (doing both would be three extra entries)

That’s it – giveaway will end January 22.  USA and Canada entrants only


Giveaway: Hollywood Moon by Joseph Wambaugh (audio)

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)52 Comments

Another wonderful giveaway offered by Hachette Audio!

There’s a saying at Hollywood station that the full moon brings out the beast–rather than the best–in the precinct’s citizens. One moonlit night, LAPD veteran Dana Vaughn and “Hollywood” Nate Weiss, a struggling-actor-turned cop, get a call about a young man who’s been attacking women. Meanwhile, two surfer cops known as Flotsam and Jetsam keep bumping into an odd, suspicious duo–a smooth-talking player in dreads and a crazy-eyed, tattooed biker. No one suspects that all three dubious characters might be involved in something bigger, more high-tech, and much more illegal. After a dizzying series of twists, turns, and chases, the cops will find they’ve stumbled upon a complex web of crime where even the criminals can’t be sure who’s conning whom.


I have 3 of these to give away – here is how you can enter!

For one entry: Leave a comment here letting me know the name of a detective in a book that you enjoyed (detectives name and the book he/she is in)

(*you must answer the question to be entered!)

Extra Entries?  Sure!

For an additional entry tweet or blog about this giveaway and leave me a link here on a separate comment

Be a follower of this blog and let me know here (for another entry) or subscribe to this blog and let me know here on a separate comment and have two extra entries (doing both would be three extra entries)

That’s it – giveaway will end January 21.  USA and Canada entrants only

Run For Your Life by James Patterson Audio

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)8 Comments

Patterson sets the bar high for audios everywhere .  ~ Sheila

Over this past year I have had the opportunity to listen to some wonderful audios.  I have really found a liking not only for James Patterson’s books, but for the very impressive readers that take on the character roles on his audios.  This one, Run For Your Life, took my experience of audio to a whole new level.

In this read, Detective Mike Bennett finds himself in the middle of a case with bizarre random killings happening with increased frequency throughout New York.  As Mike tries to put the clues  together while putting in long hours on the job, he finds no rest at home as his ten (yes ten) kids all under the age of 12 have the flu. Told with fascinating scenes that take you from fear to laughter ( wait until the family cat scene!) in such a pace that you feel that you are trapped inside a fun house that you are not entirely sure you want out of.

With Dallas Roberts and Bobby Cannavale alternating the viewpoints of Detective Mike and of our killer…. this was an extreme audio that kept me on my toes.  With the sound of gunshots bringing the read to life I was captivated from the start.  When chapter 41 started,  the readers voice was so intense and creepy my skin tingled with chills and anticipation.

By the time I had made it to the 5th CD, the audio had left my car and entered my home as I could no longer wait to hear what would happen next.


Highly recommended – if you have not tried audio before, this is a great place to start.  If you have not read Patterson ever or even lately, I suggest you take a look at what this incredible author is doing.  He is quickly making his way to the top of my favorite authors list.

My Amazon Review

I won my copy of the audio from J Kaye’s Book Blog


Its Monday, What Are You Reading?

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)38 Comments

This weekly meme hosted by J Kaye’s Blog is one of my favorite book moments of the week!  Its the moment when Coffee Cup and I can go into my reading room and browse.   These next two weeks I have no real book commitments other than what I would like to read.  I still have reviews to catch up on posting so stay tuned for a few more Christmas reviews hitting yet this week.

Last week I finished:

A Blue and Gray Christmas by Joan Medlicott

Primal by Mark Batterson

The Ghost, The Egghead’s and Babe Ruth’s Piano by Larry Sweitzer

40 Loaves of Bread by C D Baker with a giveaway too!

I am currently putting the finishing touches on The Heretic’s Daughter by Kathleen Kent and last night I finished listening to Run For Your Life by James Patterson (which was so fantastic!)  Review will be up later today.

As for this weeks plan:

That’s the plan.  Two books I have heard wonderful things about that have been waiting on my shelf.  So this week I say Merry Christmas to me, and I have pulled them down to be the next stories I get to sink into!

What are you reading this week?  Be sure to link up your post over at J Kaye’s Book Blog!