Book Journey

Morning Meanderings

Published on December 15, 2009December 15, 2009 by Sheila (Book Journey)36 Comments

I have pulled Coffee Cup off the shelf at 5:45 am this morning. Why? Because I made a commitment to work out with a friend (do I use this term loosely because of the time we have committed to?) at 6:30 am at the YMCA.

On paper, this sounds good…. get up early – get it out of the way…. move on with my day and not have the pending workout hanging over my head.

In reality? I am tired… unmotivated… and going to really not be happy if she is thinking the same thing and says forget this and doesn’t show up.

SO…. while I have a few minutes here for a second cup of coffee before I grab my work clothes and head out the door… I want to talk books. Have you see this?

This is the set of all 8 of the Sookie Stackhouse books for $35.46 at Amazon. I seen this last week and I keep looking at it. I think it is a good deal… I only have the first on e in this series and believe I paid at least $8 for it. It still sits on my shelf unread… but I do find comfort in the fact that I can pick it up and read it any time I want.

They seem to have such a following and so many people have read them and are loving them.

So have you read any of these? Are they good?

I have to run…. later on there is of course a review… and if I can find some time later – I have a few giveaways I need to post as well!

It’s Monday, What Are You Reading

Published on December 14, 2009December 14, 2009 by Sheila (Book Journey)20 Comments

This is the weekly meme hosted by J Kaye’s Blog that takes a look at what is on on our reading agenda for the week….

I am pleased to say that in light of the mega reading I have been doing lately – I am taking this week to catch up on some reviews that seem to be piling up all around me and only working on reading one book this week – The Heretic’s Daughter by Kathleen Kent:

I know, right? Me the person who strives for 5 or 6 books a week needs to take a step back! I have plenty of reviews to get posted this week and with my son here for the month now from college and my other son having left for the Navy…. I am just going to slow down a bit.

In my car I am listening to James Patterson: Run For Your Life and I am loving it!

Last week I read and reviewed:

The Secret Of The Christmas Box by Steven Hornby (a quick read and a good holiday story)

The Carpet Boy’s Gift by Pegi Deitz Shea (This book through me for a loop – a great read on child labor!)

Home For The Holidays by Rebecca Kelly (The book didn’t impress me, but the review did!)

Say You’re One of Them by Uwem Akpan (I had been listening to this on audio for the past week)

Gringos In Paradise by Malana Ashlie (A look into an area that I know well, it was fun to read about Honduras)

So that’s my plan…. I am doing a discussion next Monday afternoon here about The Heretic’s Daughter that I I hope many will join in. If you have read it, let me know as I will be linking reviews here to those who join in the discussion of what I am hoping is going to be a fascinating read!

40 Loaves by c.d. baker with Giveaway!

Published on December 14, 2009December 14, 2009 by Sheila (Book Journey)31 Comments

A refreshingly different devotional that left me hungry for more and hopeful that there are 40 more loaves in the oven… ~ Sheila

“Why don’t I have more faith?”
“Why am I so bored with Jesus?”
“Why are Christians so hard for me to like?”

There are many questions we’re not supposed to ask when playing by the religious rules. It makes people uncomfortable. So why is it that Jesus invited questions and even asked some of them himself? What is it that you’re afraid to ask God? It’s a risky prospect to begin asking–but far riskier to continue simply trying to get by without knowing. Author C. D. Baker asked himself 40 soul-searching questions which started a conversation in his heart and ultimately showed him more about God than He ever expected.

Can we become more honest with who we really are and find who God says He really is at the same time? Come indulge yourself in daily readings with an honest exploration of your secret fears and thoughts, and know that you will always be welcomed in God’s unconditional love.

Search me, O God … and know my anxious thoughts.

–Psalm 139:23 NIV

This is the kind of book that you want break into the bread of each day to find insights to great questions such as they are listed above as well as others. Chapter after chapter c. d. baker offers up a fresh topic – 40 actually. These topics are thought provoking and each chapter ends with a little food for thought as well a prayer that either came out of the Bible, or many times a prayer from another author which I really enjoyed.

The book is not overly preachy, instead peppered with modern stories, each chapter leads you through a question and some thoughts to take away. Written in short 4 page chapters, this is something that you could read through while you have your morning coffee. Each chapter asking the questions that we feel we shouldn’t be asking… but are so glad that someone did. I think this book could be given to anyone at any level of Faith and they would find understanding within the pages.

This book should be read in 40 days. I would recommend taking a chapter a day to breathe in the aroma of God’s words and really take those words to heart as you go through the 40 days, hopefully coming out the other side with a fresh perspective. Even if you think daily devotional type books are not your thing, I think you would find this book to be different and interesting. I plan on going through this book again starting the first of the year and doing just that.

Want to win this book?

Leave a comment here with your favorite kind of bread (I know… random right?) *you must answer the question to get in the giveaway!

Bonus entries

Tweet or blog about this giveaway and leave the link here in a separate comment for 2 extra entries!

Giveaway will end January 7

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group

Morning Meanderings…

Published on December 14, 2009December 14, 2009 by Sheila (Book Journey)11 Comments

In a word. I am tired.

I could add more words… Heavy hearted. Excited. Exhausted. (I think I am too tired to think of words…LOL)

If you read yesterdays morning post you know that we spent the day with our oldest son Brad and then drove him to Fargo to catch his plane this morning to go to the Navy Boot Camp in Illinois. On top of the fact that his birthday is this Wednesday, and or course not here for Christmas – the drive to Fargo is 2 1/2 hours in some pretty blah snowy weather. The way home was slick and we pulled back into the yard around 11 pm. I am tired and exhausted for those reasons.

I do want to let anyone know who has read The Heretics Daughter, or has it sitting on their shelf – we are doing a Word Shakers Book Group discussion on this book next Monday, December 21. Anyone is welcome to join in this discussion and I hope to get questions out later today to those who I know are participating. Drop ins to this discussion are welcome so feel free to join in and ask your questions as well. 🙂

As for me- I am going to read a little bit, relax – and try to start this day over in an hour or so. I have a review going up in a little bit on 40 Loaves.

Secret Of The Christmas Box by Steven Hornby

Published on December 13, 2009December 13, 2009 by Sheila (Book Journey)16 Comments

With the scent of pine, and a rustle in the tree… this book is sure to open up a new window to the imagination… ~ Sheila

It’s a couple days before Christmas and the Ferguson’s have put the tree up and just settled into their beds for the night. As the house becomes still there is a stir from the tree as the ornaments awake from their year long slumber. The secrets of the Christmas Box unfold as Larry, a snowman ornament searches the tree for his brother Terrance.

The book comes alive with colorful characters which are largely played by the ornaments and the family actually are secondary characters. Written from a unique perspective I enjoyed this middle grade (MG) read from the ornaments view. I envision this to be a family read that can be pulled off the shelf and become a tradition each Christmas that the children could really enjoy – especially while decorating the tree.

Just this evening my son and I decorated our tree and as I brought each ornament out of box I was reminded of this book and it almost added a little something extra to this years tradition (I even insisted that all decorations went up this year and none were left in the box!) I really enjoyed this read.

*One caution: The Secret Of The Christmas Box and what happened to Terrance could be a bit disturbing for a young child. I would recommend that an adult read the book themselves and make a decision if this is right for the children they will be sharing this with.

I received my review copy from Partners Publishers Group

Morning Meanderings…

Published on December 13, 2009 by Sheila (Book Journey)17 Comments

I need much coffee today. My heart is a little heavy this morning and I know it will be a pretty weepy day (try as I will to not cry…) Today will be our last day to hang out with our 22 year old son Brad before he leaves for the Navy. We are going to hang out today, maybe play some wii, take in a movie, dinner… and then we drive him to Fargo where he will get on a plane for boot camp and then off to Florida from there.

I am so proud of him, but of course sad for me. Even last night as 19 year old Justin and I put the tree up I cried quietly as we put the ornaments in place.

So – in saying all that…. (*taking a big girl sigh and pulling myself together here*) I wont be on line much today. However I do have a fascinating review popping up in a few hours so I hope you will take a look at that.

Have a wonderful Sunday everyone!

In My Mailbox…

Published on December 13, 2009December 13, 2009 by Sheila (Book Journey)14 Comments

The mailbox was working over time this week. I received some pretty exciting reads and I am super excited to share them here:

I received several audio books for review this week – which I am so excited about! I have become a big audio fan since summer and these are going to be fantastic to listen to this winter:

Dear John by Nicholas Sparks

Hollywood Moon by Joseph Wambaugh

The Concise King Martin Luther King Jr

The Murder of King Tut by James Patterson

I, Alex Cross by James Patterson

The Imperial Cruise by James Bradley

Cleaving by Julie Powell

Books for review:

Penguin Luck by Kay Mupetson

The Green Bronze Mirror by Lynne Ellison

The One Day Way is a blog tour in January with a giveaway!

A Rainbow In The Night by Dominique Lapierre

I, Alex Cross by James Patterson

The Lotus Eaters by Tatjana Soli

Horrid Henry’s Christmas by Francesca Simon

Mrs. Claus Explains It All by Elsbeth Claus

Wins and Surprises:

Pollen Ring Of Harmony by Williams came from a win at J Kaye’s Blog

The Recipe Club by Andrea Israel and Nancy Garfinkel sent from my friend Esme just so I could enjoy this read! (I know, so sweet right?)

Santa In A Stetson and Sugar Cookie Murder I received at my book club during our gift exchange

Poisoned Palms by Buckingham was part of my Santa swap and came from a great new blog for me -Hawaii Book Blog!

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown was a win from the Readathon (my bad – I forgot I had won this and had bought a copy at Amazon…. I guess this may be a New Years Giveaway now that I have two….)

Books Purchased:

The Disreputable History Of Frankie Landau Banks by E. Lockhart was my purchase today at Barnes and Noble… I just couldnt leave empty handed and this looks really good.

So that’s what came in my home this week. How about you? Link up to this great meme at Kristi at Story Siren’s Blog… I would love to see what came in your mailbox!

The Carpet Boy’s Gift by Pegi Deitz Shea

Published on December 12, 2009December 12, 2009 by Sheila (Book Journey)9 Comments

If you share a compassion for children in need – you must read this book. ~ Sheila

Occasionally I will open a book and be startled by what I am reading. My main character is Nadeem. He works in a carpet factory in Pakistan. His parents sold him into child labor three years ago and he now works seven days a week from dawn to sundown seven days a week.

And that is just page one.

At this point I go back and read the inside flap of the book and for the life of me cant recall knowing that this is what this book was about. And now, I am ashamed I took so long to review it as obviously there is an important message within these beautifully illustrated pages and as I read I try to imagine this book being read to or by those who the book is meant for – grades 3 – 6. It is making me take in a deep breath… what would an 8 year old think?

As the book goes on page by page I am witness to Nadeem’s life, weaving rugs day in and day out with the occasional glimpse of the outdoors when he helps load the rugs onto the trucks.

While the story is fictional, it honors a real boy, Iqbal Masih who escaped from a child labor factory and through his work he was able to liberate thousands of child workers like Nadeem. Iqbah had been sold into child labor at the age of 4 where he wove carpet for 12 hours a day for six years until his escape. He learned about the laws against child slavery and began to work to help others. Iqbah’s work won him the Reebok Youth In Action Award and recognition at the International Labor Conference. Upon Iqbah’s return to Pakistan after these recognitions, he was fatally shot while riding his bicycle. He was only twelve at the time and he had already made an impact for children all over the world.

The book made me cry to think of all the injustice out there in this world. While my own children have been given choices all there lives, there are so many areas where this is not the case. I will treasure this book for years to come and every time I look at it on the shelf I will remember a boy I met within its pages called Iqbah.

The last three pages of this book has many resources of information you can link to on line about childrens rights, other child advocates like Iqbah, things you can do with your children and more. I highly recommend this book.

Child Labor In Depth

International Labor Organization If you are curious to know more of the facts about child labor, this kid-friendly site will help you learn more about how much child laborers earn, what work they do, and how much time they spend at their jobs. There are also links to many other useful sites on child labor, and some ideas of actions you can do to make a difference.
http://www.ilo.org/ilokidsnew/index.html

Time Magazine Discover the facts by reading articles on the issue of child labor online. See what other children’s news organizations write about child labor today.
http://www.timeforkids.com

Scholastic News Zone This news site has lots of information including a map of children in the labor force, country close-ups, voices from the field and ways to help.
http://www.scholastic.com

Morning Meanderings….

Published on December 12, 2009 by Sheila (Book Journey)5 Comments

I came home yesterday to not one, not two… no…. six (SIX!) packages on my doorstep from UPS. And yes, you dont even need to ask…. they were all books. 🙂

That was kind of exciting. There were a few audios I had been waiting for – a book I didnt know I was getting but was so excited to see I did… and one that caused a poorly imitated happy dance that I was glad I was the only one in the house so I had no witnesses to. 😉

I am not trying to be really secretive about what these treasures were, just that they will show in my In My Mailbox post late tonight and I want to wait until then to reveal what has arrived! On Twitter yesterday a friend asked me if I only posted review books for my Sunday post…. “Oh no”, I replied, any book that comes in to the home is on that list – either by mail, books I have purchases, or have borrowed from the library.

Today I am taking our kinship partner Chance to St Cloud for lunch at Mongo’s (OH YUM!), take a movie in what I hear is the covetted theater in the area with great comfy seating… and a stop at The Army Surplus store which is all for him because he loves that stuff and I thought that would be cool to let him pick out something for Christmas there. The treat for me will be a mandatory stop at Barnes and Noble as I think that is a written law whenever I go to St Cloud. I dont really need a book… but I do want to atleast step inside and breathe in all the words…. (who am I kidding, there will probably be a book leaving with me….)

My son Justin will be meeting us for lunch in St Cloud and then be with us all day as he is on his way home from College and will be staying at the house for the next month. I think that will be very helpful to me as on Sunday, we take our oldest son to Fargo where he will get on a plane and head out to bootcamp in the Navy, Truly a bittersweet weekend that I have described as putting myself through a paper shredder. I am happy for him, and scared, and proud, all rolled into one.

I have a review coming up in a little while today and everyone enjoy your Saturday!

Christmas Giveaway: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

Published on December 11, 2009December 29, 2009 by Sheila (Book Journey)39 Comments

Julie H was the winner of this giveaway!

I am in the mood for a giveaway and thanks to Random House Publishing, I get to do just that with this beautiful new copy of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.

This giveaway is going to have a twist though…. in celebration of Christmas – the winner will give me a name of who they want this book sent to (USA and Canada Addresses only please) and I will wrap it and mail it off to them from you. So with this being a Christmas present giveaway – we will only run this until December 17th so I can mail it out and hopefully they get it in time for Christmas! 🙂

Here is how to enter:

for one entry – let me know a Christmas tradition or Christmas memory of yours. (* Question must be answered to qualify for giveaway)

Extra Entries:

For two extra entries become an email subscriber of this blog (upper right sidebar) *If the winner of this giveaway is a confirmed email subscriber I will add chocolate to be sent with the book. Put this information in a separate comment please

If you blog about, tweet about, and/or follow this blog – receive one entry for each of these you do – let me know in separate comments please (*You may tweet about this giveaway up to 2 times a day and receive an entry for each Tweet is you let me know here with the link)