Now here is a challenge for me. Why? Because as of right now I am not a card carrying Library user. I know…. shameful right? I just never get there….. easier for me to pick up a book I want to read through Amazon or a local book store and not worry about it being due back….
2010 is going to change that. With J Kaye introducing this challenge I have thought more and more about the importance of supporting our local libraries. SO this is the year!
There are four levels:
–The Mini – Check out and read 25 library books.
–Just My Size – Check out and read 50 library books.
–Stepping It Up – Check out and read 75 library books.
–Super Size Me – Check out and read 100 library books.
I am going for the Mini…. 25 library books this year. This is huge for me. I dont think I have checked out 25 library books in the past 20 years combined.
A book I thought was going to just be sweet and “Christmasy” – turned out to have a deeper purpose for our book club. ~ Sheila
Its a story of Christmas really. Set in a small town called Acorn Hill, where three sisters own a place called Grace Chapel Inn. When the sisters decide to take a break over the Christmas season and not take any guests so they can enjoy the holidays with each other, our story really begins…
First it starts when a group of tourists find themselves without a tour leader and the sisters decide they will help these people out by showing them around their town. They travel through the towns beautiful Victorian homes seeing traditional pieces and collections (see pictures below). Then it continues when a snowstorm leaves the group stranded and Chapel Inn becomes a place of refuge for those who can not continue on their way. The quiet Christmas the sisters were planning is soon evaporated into the cold winter air.
Reading this for book club, I found the book just incredibly sweet as seems to be the theme of Christmas reads. I was a bit dissapointed that the plot did not seem to be stronger and I never developed a real feel for the characters – which is always a plus to be in a book. I like to connect. I walked into book club having not finished the read and a little anxious on how we were going to pull a good discussion out of this book.
I should never doubt the power of The Bookies. 🙂
Like a Christmas miracle I watched my beloved group of fellow Bookies grab on to this book and found ourselves in the middle of a fantastic discussion of Christmas traditions. Just like what happened in the book, we found a common ground within the traditions and it was just enjoying to hear what things we hold on to year to year – either handed down from generations, or started anew with their own family. I found myself taking notes rapidly, and ended with a deeper appreciation and understanding of this group.
When Angie (my long term partner in crime who has been with the Bookies with me since Aug. 2001) brought out pictures of things discussed in the book so we could understand the Victorian culture more, it was truly the icing on the cake.
Advertising Thimble CollectionJumping Jacks
Prayer BenchTramp Art Box
Folk Victorian HomeGerman Inglenook Bungalow
Overall, the Bookies rated this book an average to a slightly below average read. The review however – was top notch and for going in with no idea what we were going to discuss…. I left with a really good feeling and over the next two days – finished the book so I too could share in all that it had to offer.
Author Rebecca Kelly wrote her first book at age thirteen and hasn’t stopped writing since. When she’s not writing or being a mom, Rebecca volunteers weekly at an animal shelter, creates comfortable quilts that are distributed to children hospitalized for cance treatment and teaches creative writing to local public school students. Rebecca was recently honored by the United States Air Force for her efforts over the last six years in sending books and other reading material every month to soldiers serving in Iraq.
What I found interesting about this series, Tales From Grace Chapel Inn (this is book #6) is that each book, while focused around Acorn Hill and the Inn, each book is written by a different author. I think that is awesome as guests to the Inn would be of all different walks of life, and a unique voice to each book seems right.
This is my weekly meme of the great word verification we that make comments on blogs have the annoyance pleasure of typing again and again…. (I have missed this the last couple of weeks but now I am ready to roll again)!
I know it is a necessity… I get that. You leave a comment, chances are you going to be word verified. Yet being a comment junkie… it slows me down. So to make this a bit more enjoyable… I came up with a plan.
I love word games (not as much as commenting). To entertain myself and maybe some of you… I decided to share with you a little thing I do while I type in the verification. I play Balderdash in my head. Yup. As I am typing in the word, I think if it was a real word… what would it mean. Some come easy. Others…. I really have to stretch the imagination.
The definition of Balderdash: An oft used strategy to elect your own fake definition in an attempt to give it credibility in the minds of your fellow players. …
Cercula: Dracula’s half brother who has an inner ear infection which causes him to run in circles…. thus taking the fear factor away from potential victims as they can just…. well…… walk away.
Revent: When one becomes so upset about something they have to just get it out so they vent about it. Then…. hours later, something triggers this anger again and causes one to revent.
Promila: Godzilla’s sister who is obsessed with going to the prom. Always worried about her breath and working on shining up her scales.
Gaspr: Casper the Ghost’s annoying cousin. Due to Gaspr’s asma…. he is always trying to get in more air and creating breathy noises that really can ruin a good night of haunting. Since Casper is the friendly ghost, he often is the one chosen to hang out with Gaspr.
Yes…. I know that for the most part they kind of theme today and I have no idea why… LOL. Perhaps I watched too much tv as a child… 😉
Wanna play? I hope you do! Write your post, feel free to take the Balderdash meme and them comment here with your link to your post. I will add your link here so others may stop by and see your words!
Check out others in the Blogespere who are playing along!
In a word…. breathtaking. In another word… heartbreaking. ~ Sheila
Ever since this book showed up in my email on a book list I have wanted to read it. While not a big fan of Oprah’s Book Club selections – this one caught my and my heart from that first look at the cover, to the details of what the book was about on the back…
Each story in this jubilantly acclaimed collection pays testament to the wisdom and resilience of children, even in the face of the most agonizing circumstances.
A family living in a makeshift shanty in urban Kenya scurries to find gifts of any kind for the impending Christmas holiday. A Rwandan girl relates her family’s struggles to maintain a facade of normalcy amid unspeakable acts. A young brother and sister cope with their uncle’s attempt to sell them into slavery. Aboard a bus filled with refugees—a microcosm of today’s Africa—a Muslim boy summons his faith to bear a treacherous ride across Nigeria. Through the eyes of childhood friends the emotional toll of religious conflict in Ethiopia becomes viscerally clear.
Uwem Akpan’s debut signals the arrival of a breathtakingly talented writer who gives a matter-of-fact reality to the most extreme circumstances in stories that are nothing short of transcendent.
Uwem Akpan talks about living together in the world:
When Hatchette Audio offered me aa chance to review the audio version of this book, I jumped at the chance. Three Cd’s long, I started listening to these stories in my car as I ran my errands around town – and from that very first story, being told in a thickly accented voice that only added to the read – my heart caught in my throat.
My friend Heidi, had just read the book for her book club and she passed it on to me and I did something I have never done before, I woudl listen to the audio in the car, and at home I would read the same stories through the book. Visual through sight and sound – both formats were so real, so intense with reality that I wept.
My time in Honduras had me witness to some of the things that were discussed throughout this read, but at the same time I found my eyes open to new things I had not thought about until they were brought up here…
While I had seen children on the streets of Honduras huff glue, and I knew it was to take away their hunger…. I had never thought about families huffing glue – or offering it to their children to help them ease the pains of lack of food. That amazes me that I had never thought of that before.
I had also seen prostitutes in Honduras…. but this audio (and book) explains a deeper purpose to the young women standing on the corners. When there are no jobs, when you have no means to survive and the only resource you have is yourself… you do what you have to do to survive. I’ll never look at them the same way again.
This book brought to me a new deeper level of compassion that I thought I had understood and now feel as though I had only grazed the surface. Ewem Akpah takes you for a walk in the shoes of children that should never know such pain, such forms of reality… and there is nothing left out as these stories rip through your mind, and seem so harsh they cant be real – but I know they are based on truth.
On the end of the CD and in the back of the book there is an interview with author Uwem Akpan that was a pleasure to listen to as he describes where the stories came from and how he chose to tell the ones that he did. Both formats were soaking in breathtaking reality.
Uwem Akpan was born in Ikot Akpan Eda in southern Nigeria. After studying philosophy and English at Creighton and Gonzaga universities, he studied theology for three years at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa. He was ordained as a Jesuit priest in 2003 and received his MFA in creative writing from the University of Michigan in 2006. “My Parents’ Bedroom,” a story from his short story collection, Say You’re One of Them, was one of five short stories by African writers chosen as finalists for The Caine Prize for African Writing 2007. Say You’re One of Them won the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for Best First Book (Africa Region) 2009 and PEN/Beyond Margins Award 2009, and was a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Art Seidenbaum Award for First Fiction. In 2007, Akpan taught at a Jesuit college in Harare, Zimbabwe. Now he serves at Christ the King Church, Ilasamaja-Lagos, Nigeria.
Listen here to the song that was inspired by Say You’re One Of Them, written by Angelique Kidjo.
I have three copies of this audio book to give away – to sign up see the giveaway here
Thank you to Hachette Audio Book for the audio to review
Thank you to my friend Heidi, for the use of her book
How much fun is this? They sent a wonderful 2010 Hawaii calendar, coconut Creme Latte Coffee (which is so in my cup this morning – uh…. YUM!) , turtle luggage tag (I never need an excuse to travel!), a book mark, post its, super cute foot notes and this book that themes with everything: Poisoned Palms byDorothea Buckingham.
AND…. did you check out the really sweet card they sent along? Thank you to Missy and Alex – you made my day! I now have a new blog to check out and HELLOOOOO – it’s in Hawaii!!!! 🙂Stop by their blog and check them out!
Good morning! Just a little bit of time here before Coffee Cup and I make a mad dash for the office! 🙂 I had to share with you that last nights book club was so much fun! We had our annual Christmas meeting where we potlucked with delicious foods at Kaydi’s home and discussed our book, Home for The Holidays by Rebecca Kelly. I will post our review later but need to say that for this lovely light holiday read, we pulled a great discussion out of it!
This was also our 100th meeting so I had brought a cake for this celebration. We joked that it took up a little over 8 years to get to 100 meetings… to reach that 200 meeting goal we would be ….. well….. older.
Bookies December 2009
Finally we wrapped up our night with our gift exchange. We each bring a gift averaging around $10 and we wrap it up. We roll dice and if you get a seven or doubles you get to choose a gift. Once everyone has chosen a gift, we go one more round with the dice and if you get a seven or doubles you can trade your package with someone else that may look more tempting. Then we all open them and show off what we got. I got two good looking reads, Santa is a Stetson and Sugar Cookie Murder along with some bath soak. Love it!
I am so thankful for this incredible group of women!
Gringos in Paradise: Our Honduras Odyssey by Malana Ashlie is a delightfully amusing and lighthearted autobiography chronicling her move from Hawai’i to the Caribbean Coast of Honduras. When she and her husband decide to relocate to a more secluded paradise the fun begins. She shares the trials and triumphs of building a new life in Central America, in what can best be described as a spiritual journey of faith.
Of special appeal to the swelling ranks of expat retirees in Mexico and Central America (over one million strong, according to 2005 census estimates), Gringos in Paradise shares the adventures — and misadventures — two retirees face as they set off to the Caribbean coast of Honduras in search of financial freedom, personal fulfillment, and peace.
In My Opinion:
My initial draw to this book was the fact that it was set in Honduras. I have been to Honduras myself 7 times and when I seen this book come up for review I wanted to read about Americans who actually live there. As the book states, “Visiting a third world country is much different than seeing it as your home.”
I found the book a delightful look into an area I know, and found myself nodding as Malana describes what the driving is like I remember my first time there ( as a passenger in a van) I just closed my eyes I really couldn’t watch! As Malana talks about not taking water for granted that is really an eye opener as well to be where you dont always have it.
Chapter by chapter I laughed and felt as though Malana had literally brought my along with her. With a journal type flare, Malana shares the adventures and misadventures and I walked beside her page by page and am thankful for the journey.
I received my review copy from Pump Up Your Book Promotion
This is one of those days where I kind of have this excitement going through me like a kid on Christmas morning. Tonight my book club meets for the Christmas party/potluck review and it is also our 100th meeting! I am super uper pumped! We do a gift exchange, review our read and I hand out sheets to the members where they can rate our year. It is fun to get the results back and at our January meeting we will reveal which book won the vote for the best (and the worst) Bookies Book Club read of the year.
Here is what we read this year for Bookies Book Club:
December: Home For The Holidays by Rebecca Kelly (not yet reviewed)
Tonight I hand out the sheets where the Bookies can choose their answers from these books we have read as a group as well as other books they have read this year. Here are the questions:
You have been a Bookie Since
Favorite Bookie Memory
Favorite place to do a book review
Best female character in a book club book this year
Best male character in book club book this year
Best new author we were introduced to this year
Best author of the year (doesn’t have to be new)
Worst Book Club read for 2009
Best Book Club read for 2009
I just love my book club! They are such a blast. If you are not a member of a book club either off line or on line – I highly recommend that you join one. These girls have become such a part of my growth in reading and our discussions have really evolved through the years!
**If you want to join an online bookclub – I have one here at Wordshakers On Line Book Club, there is also one at Barneys Book Blog and at With A Good Book. I have had discussions at all three of these on line reading groups and they are a lot of fun.
Do you belong to a book club or book group? Any fun ideas you can share on how you do reviews or fun things you do would be wonderful!
It is Monday! I am currently reading my book club book that is up for review tomorrow, Home For The Holidays beRebecca Kelly. This will also make it on to my Holiday Reading Challenge! Tomorrow is our 100th book club meeting! Any suggestions for something cool to do? It is our Christmas potluck meeting and I am bringing a cake to celebrate the big 100 but have been racking my brain for months for a reasonably priced something to give each of them to commemorate this milestone! I am currently thinking book marks….
ANYWAY…. 😉
Here is the reading plan for this week:
Yup there is a theme here. Working on the Christmas spirit so have pulled out three Christmas related books that will hopefully push me in the right direction since so far I really am not there (I don’t even have my tree up yet).
A Blue and Gray Christmas by Joan Medlicott
What a Christmas! by B R Roberts
Secrets of a Christmas Box by S Hornby
and for a book tour on Wednesday…
Gringo’s In Paradise: Our Honduras Odyssey by Malana Ashlie (chosen to read becuase of my Honduras experiences)
Over the weekend I was reading two of the books that were on my list for last weeks post and suddenly just felt that I needed a break. This resulted in my pulling Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone off the shelf and curling up with the old friend I found within the pages.
**Reminder that on Dec 20th we will be reviewing and discussing The Heretic’s Daughter for the online book club, Word Shakers. All are welcome to join in! Let me know in a comment and I will be sure to include you in the email questions.
How about you? What are you reading this week? Be sure to link your post up over at J Kaye’s Blog so we can all stop over and see!
Ooh…. I am a little later than usual. I am trying to break a habit of getting up and on non office days (like today) not hanging out on the computer for the first three hours of my day and then rushing to get everything done that I have procrastinated on. One of the big things for me is my workout. I take a Group Power Class on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. It is weight lifting to great music and I love the class. On Mondays they offer is at 8:15 am, and at 12:15 pm. I am trying to breakbreaking the habit of going to the noon class and getting back on track with the 8:15 am one.
So – that was my delay this morning. Now I am back and with Coffee Cup, I wanted to share this morning what I think are great Christmas Gifts for the bookish people on that list. Here are some things that I think are super fab….
For that someone who is a game board junky this is a fun twist on Monolopy called Bookopoly! With thngs to buy and fun facts about books and authors – oh, I am excited just talking about it!
Yup – Trivial Pursuit Book Edition is another win for the book lover!
Like to have something to keep track of all those book recommendations so next time you do to the book store or library you are not fumbling with, “now what was that title again?” This great little binded book inspired by library check out cards is just what the book lover ordered!
Love this (in fact after I seen it I had to order it!) Areas to jot down notes, record meeting dates, member contact info, book rating stickers and more! Oh man… I really like this one!
Love this banned books bracelet!
A great start for the pre teen reader is your life… book suggestions, invitations, book marks and even an online component!
I have heard good things about this reference book on how to write good reviews.
For discerning bibliophiles and readers who enjoy unforgettable classic literature, 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die is a trove of reviews covering a century of memorable writing.
Any other suggestions? Sometime in the next week I will do book titles that would make great gifts so save those ideas for then….
Book Journey 