This is the weekly meme where I encourage anyone who wishes to play along to take those crazy word verifications they have had over the past week and create a fake definition for them (much like how you play the board game Balderdash). This is all in fun and makes commenting on blogs a bit more interesting when the verification may just give you the best definition of the week!
Concab: The latest ring sweeping the east coast that consists of ex cons (or are they?) that fake as taxi drivers and take unsuspectiong tourists out into the city and take all their cash and occasionally all their gum too.
Worster: Hill Billy talk for when things are worse than worse…. I mean really bad…. the worstest. 😉
Baraid: The latest standard addition to cell phones! An automatic number programmed into your phone so that even a random stranger can grab your phone and dial it to connect with that poor unsuspecting friend who is your emergency ride home when you have had too much to drink and can not drive yourself home.
I would love to see what you come up with! To do your own, simply grab the picture meme and add it to your own post. Link back to this post and leave a comment here letting my know you have and I will add your blog post to this one so people may see other participants. Let the fun begin!
I woke up this morning to a great smelling pot of coffee (if you have not tried Cameron’s Chocolate Covered Cherries coffee – bagged by the bean, I would highly recommend it. Smooth and not bitter.) LOL I sound like a commercial!
I was reading the Amazon top ten list for 2009 this morning… not the editor’s picks, but the customers picks. It is funny as the two lists are so different and looking over the Editors picks, I seen a couple I would consider reading and on the customers list there were more I would like to read as well as some I have. I had read none on the Editors List.
1. The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown: This would be a “yeah I want to read it” for me. I am excited as I have actually won this book when I participated in the Dewey’s Read A Thon last month and won in hour 10! I cant wait to receive it!
2. Liberty and Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto by Mark Levin – This one holds no interest for me.
3. Glenn Beck’s Common Sense – The Case Against An Out Of Control Government Inspired By Thomas Paine : Again, this one I would pass on.
4. Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man by Steve Harvey. Uhhhhh…. no. I am good. Thanks though.
5. The Help By Katherine Stockett. yes, yes – 1,ooo times yes! In my opinion, this should have been number one on this list. The book is amazing! Dont miss out on this book!
6. Eat This, Not That by David Zinczenco. I read this earlier on this year and it is a fantastic book. This is one I will return to again and again. Considering my recent eating habits… I should probably turn to it soon.
7. Diary Of A Wimpy Kid, The Last Straw by Jeff Kinney. These look great and I have not had the opportunity to read any of them. Have you?
8. Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris (Sookie Stackhouse book 9). I haven’t read any of these yet either. I know! I have heard such good things and once I get one in my hot little hand I am going to read it!
9. The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan. I honestly dont think I have ever even heard of this one. It looks readable but I have no background info on it and dont recall seeing it in the reviews I have read.
10. Cook Yourself Thin by Lifetime Television. I would buy this for sure. I like these type of cook books and am always looking for healthy recipes.
So… which have you read?
Which would you like to read?
What books are not on this top ten customers choice that you would have put on it?
Ok… Playing a wee bit of catch up here and I have a few giveaway winners to announce.
So first we need to go to the wonderful Royal Spotlight Giveaway where the delightful Amy of Royal reviews spotlighted me and my blog at her castle! She offered a $10 Gift card on her blog for commentors and I did the same on mine. Here are two royal winners of that giveaway:
Sheere (commented over at Royal reviews)
Pam R (commented here on the spotlight post)
Congratulations to you both! Your gift cards have been purchased and emailed.
Congratulations Melissa! Please click on the box link above and let me know here on this post as well as by email with your address so I may send you what you have chosen! 🙂
And congratulations to all winners tonight! Be sure to watch my giveaway page for current giveaways – I add new ones several times a week so check back often!
I have been giving quite a bit of through to first sentences… I love opening sentences to books and many of the great ones stick with lovers of literature for life:
Call me Ishmael. ~ Moby Dick
Marley was dead: to begin with. ~ A Christmas Carol
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way-in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only. ~ A Tale Of Two Cities
“My name was Salmon, like the fish; first name, Susie. I was fourteen when I was murdered on December 6, 1973.” ~ The Lovely Bones
There was a boy called Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it. ~ Voyage Of The Dawn Treader
Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much. ~Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone
Do you have any favorite first sentences? What do you think of the first sentence you read in a book, or does that first line not stay with you and you relate more to the first chapter? At what point does the book stick with you or does it vary book to book?
For those who love all things Narnia… along comes the Magic Warble ~ prepare to be amazed… Sheila
Dwarfs, gnomes, fairies, talking animals, and an evil queen – all these and more can be found in The Magic Warble, an enchanting tale of adventure and friendship.
Twelve-year-old Kristina Kingsly feels like the most unpopular girl in her school. The kids all tease her, and she never seems to fit in. But when Kristina receives an unusual Christmas gift, she suddenly finds herself magically transported to the land of Bernovem, home of dwarfs, gnomes, fairies, talking animals, and the evil Queen Sentiz.
In Bernovem, Kristina not only fits in, she’s honored as “the chosen one” the only one who can release the land from Queen Sentiz’s control. But it’s not as simple as it seems. To save Bernovem, she must place the gift she was given, the famous “Magic Warble” in its final resting place. And she must travel through the deep forest, climb a treacherous mountain, and risk capture by the queen’s “zelbocks” before she reaches her destination. Guided by her new fairy friends, Clover and Looper and by Prince Werrien, a teenage boy, as well as an assortment of other characters, Kristina sets off on a perilous journey that not only tests her strength but her heart.
My Thoughts…
Occasionally a book comes along that seems to be the right book for the time. This was that book for me. In laymans terms, this book hit the spot. I was taken in right away by the magical motion of the book as I swept into the pages and actually felt myself relax into the words. The Narnia feel to this book gave me a sense of thrill, knowing I was about to embark on an adventure.
For a little while I was in another world of fantasy… and I do enjoy a good fantasy read! The pages I swear turned themselves as I followed Kristina to Bernovem to a place that she no longer is the missfit….
Two words: Loved it.
Who Is Victoria Simcox?
Victoria, known as Vicki, was born in 1966, in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada, to an Austrian immigrant mother, and a Dutch immigrant father. She has one older sister, Jeannette. When Vicki was 7, she moved with her family to British Columbia. In her early twenties Vicki moved to Western Washington and now resides in Marysville WA. She has been married to her husband Russ, for nineteen years and they have three children; Toby, who is fifteen, Kristina, thirteen, and William, eight. She has home schooled her children for the past nine years, and she also teaches elementary school art. Vicki’s other family members are, a Chihuahua, named Pipsy, two cats, Frodo, and Fritz, and two parakeets, Charlie, and Paulie. She did have a pet rat named Raymond when she started writing The Magic Warble, but sad to say, he has since passed away of old age. Vicki enjoys writing, painting watercolors, watching movies, hanging out with her family, and chauffeuring her kids around to their many activities. Her favorite author is C.S. Lewis, and one of her fondest memories is when she was twelve. She would sit at the kitchen table and read The Chronicles of Narnia to her mother while she cooked dinner. These magical stories were very dear to Vicki and she remembers wishing, If only I could go to Narnia like Lucy and Susan. Vicki hopes that maybe, she can touch someone with her story in a similar way.
I received my review copy from Dorothy of Pump Up Your Book Promotion
I just witnessed a murder…. and I am still reeling from it… the girls name was Salmon. Yes, like the fish. Oh but that was her last name. her first name was Susie. Was.
It is December 6, 1973. I just witnessed a murder. And I know who did it.
~ The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
(audio I started on my drive to book club last night)
Morning all! Coffee Cup and I are slowly settling back into a routine. I wake up at about 6:15 am and get the coffee going. Pretty much pre – anything else…. I pop some lotion on my face, this morning we are going with the full out face mask to hopefully replenish the damage I did last week in the sun, and then open up my lap top…. which to me feels like opening a treasure box on an Indiana Jones Adventure.
Its funny to think that this routine started in June of 2009 when I discovered book blogging. 5 months later – I still love it so much!
Yesterday afternoon I was excited to discover I won a book over at With A Good Book. The book is called Fablehaven and I love love love the look of this book! Seriously look at this cover:
This is going to be their November book discussion book at With a Good Book. I participated in their October discussion on a Book Thief and that entered me in this giveaway. Super way cool and made my day!
Today I have a book review popping up in a couple hours and I have some giveaways to clear up later today so take time to enter while you can! I am also reminded that I need to plan another Word Shaker book club read…. hmmmmmm….
A book of lessons that we are never too old to learn… ~ Sheila
Claudette Fioré used to turn heads and break hearts. She relished the glamorous Hollywood lifestyle because she had what it takes: money, youth, fame, and above all, beauty. But age has withered that beauty, and a crooked accountant has taken her wealth, leaving the proud widow penniless and alone.
I used to be a beauty… too good for our dusty little town… destined for greatness.
Armed with stubbornness and sarcasm, Claudette returns to her shabby little hometown and her estranged sister. Slowly, she makes friends. She begins to see her old life in a new light. For the first time, Claudette Fioré questions her own values and finds herself wondering if it’s too late to change.
My Thoughts…
This book covered a great topic that usually hits home for me…. the character of Claudette Fiore’ (doesnt the name even fit the ‘tude?) starts off as this person who is used to getting her way no matter what the cost. I have to admit – I did not like her.
As the book evolves and Claudette hits things that are inevitable… we see the changes that take place in her. I liked where the story was going but found it to be a bit predictable. There were a few “aha” moments as we see the world now through the older Claudette’s eyes and the message of “it is never too late”, rings true.
About our Author:
Melody is an award-winning, best-selling author of nearly two hundred books for teens, children, and adults, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the Secret Life of Samantha McGregor series, the True Color Series, and Notes from a Spinning Planet series. Melody has two grown sons and lives in central Oregon with her husband, where they enjoy skiing, hiking, gardening, camping, and biking.
I received my review copy of the book from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group
A look at family secrets and colorful characters that leave you with an important reminder… ~ Sheila
Piper Wick left her hometown of Pickwick, North Carolina, twelve years ago, shook the dust off her feet, ditched her drawl and her family name, and made a new life for herself as a high-powered public relations consultant in LA. She’s even “engaged to be engaged” to the picture-perfect U.S. Congressman Grant Spangler.
Now all of Piper’s hard-won happiness is threatened by a reclusive uncle’s bout of conscience. In the wake of a health scare, Uncle Obadiah Pickwick has decided to change his will, leaving money to make amends for four generations’ worth of family misdeeds. But that will reveal all the Pickwicks’ secrets, including Piper’s.
Though Piper arrives in Pickwick primed for battle, she is unprepared for Uncle Obe’s rugged, blue-eyed gardener. So just who is Axel Smith? Why does he think making amends is more than just making restitution? And why, oh why, can’t she stay on task? With the Lord’s help, Piper is about to discover that although good PR might smooth things over, only the truth will set her free.
My Thoughts…
I have not read Tamara Leigh before this book and found her characters to have life breathed into them which I really like. Characters that I can relate to, and find them to be real is always a plus and I enjoyed how Tamara took many of her characters and made them enjoyable to get to know.
The topic centered around family secrets was another plus. I like to read about how families deal with things they try to bury in their past, especially when it comes in a Christian format such as this one. I for one find great comfort in letting go of the past and moving on with a sense of known forgiveness and an honest approach to where I have been. A light easy read that I enjoyed.
What about Tamara Leigh?
Tamara Leigh is the best-selling author of twelve novels, including award-winning “Splitting Harriet” (2008 ACFW “Book of the Year”), “Faking Grace” and “Leaving Carolina” the first book in her new “Southern Discomfort” series. A former speech and language pathologist, Tamara lives with her husband and their sons in Tennessee. Visit her website at: www.tamaraleigh.com
This review copy was sent to me by WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group
A quick written, quick witted book about a teenage girl… loved the green tips! ~ Sheila
Sixteen-year-old Maya Stark has a lot to sort through. She could graduate from high school early if she wants to. She’s considering it, especially when popular cheerleader Vanessa Hartman decides to make her life miserable–and Maya’s ex-boyfriend Dominic gets the wrong idea about everything.
To complicate matters even more, Maya’s mother will be released from prison soon, and she’ll want Maya to live with her again. That’s a disaster waiting to happen. And when Maya plays her dad’s old acoustic guitar in front of an audience, she discovers talents and opportunities she never expected. Faced with new options, Maya must choose between a “normal” life and a glamorous one. Ultimately, she has to figure out what matters most.
My Thoughts:
This was a fun, quick read. I like how it is written in a journal type format. It seemed to fit perfectly for Maya and brought me back to my team years when I too journaled my days (of course then we called it a diary). 😉
I found the book to be unique with Maya’s Green Tips Of The Day. Loved it. Going into this read I did not know this was the third in a series called Diary Of A Teenage Girl. What I have missed is A Not So Simple Life and Its A Green Thing. Two books that if I came across them, I would not pass up.
About Melody…
Melody Carlson has published over ninety books for adults, children, and teens, with sales totaling more than two million and many titles appearing on the ECPA Bestsellers List. Several of her books have been finalists for, and winners of, various writing awards, including the Gold Medallion and the RITA Award.
I received my review copy of the book from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group
This is the weekly meme where I encourage anyone who wishes to play along to take those crazy word verifications they have had over the past week and create a fake definition for them (much like how you play the board game Balderdash). This is all in fun and makes commenting on blogs a bit more interesting when the verification may just give you the best definition of the week! 
Book Journey 