Book Journey

Late Meanderings… Lets Talk About That Bench

Published on May 18, 2016May 18, 2016 by Sheila (Book Journey)9 Comments

Whoa… wait… what?

I lost the morning. I had every intention of putting up an earlier post and then life just gets in the way.

I had a meeting at the library this morning and I parked where I usually do near the benches. THE BENCHES. I was there yesterday as well and spent a little time at the bench and took a couple of pictures.

You may notice a little something on the bench in the right hand corner…

This little rock has the word ‘TRUST” written on it. I have no idea where it came from, but I LOVE it. Thank you to whoever for putting such a powerful message out there. I have no idea what it means to the giver, but I imagine knowing my son there is a ton of meaning behind it.

So today, as I walk into the library a group of teens are approaching the benches (there are three benches) and the four of them choose to sit on Justin’s bench and the tears start to flow. I can imagine that he would love this. I also noticed the rock was still there which also warmed my heart through the tears.

When I left the library, a different person, a lone girl was sitting on the bench and again … oh my heart.

I did not get to visit the bench today due to the activity around it. I did not want to approach and let anyone know my personal connection to that particular bench. That’s awkward and unfair to those using the bench… although I secretly hoped that perhaps at least one of them knew Justin, or his story and were spending a little time with him –

just like the trust rock.

I am behind on the BEA posts, I had another post planned for yesterday but it did not happen. Hopefully today will be the day I invite you to the Audie Awards. Put on something nice 😉

BEA Book NOTE!

Ashes by Laurie Halse Anderson

Setting: Revolutionary War, Valley Forge

Compact Synopsis: The conclusion to the trilogy that started with Chains and continued with Forge. Isabel and Curzon are now reported as runaways. They are determined to find Isabel’s little sister Ruth who is enslaved in a Southern state and danger of being captured is all around.

The Draw: Hello! Have you ever read Laurie Halse Anderson? If not, you are truly missing out. SPEAK was the first book I read by her (a banned book) and I was hooked. Known for writing about hard issues, this book excites me! And the cover? WOW. That caught my eye even before I seen who wrote the book.

Morning Meanderings…. BEA…. Those First Few Hours

Published on May 17, 2016May 17, 2016 by Sheila (Book Journey)11 Comments

Good morning all. Started out to be a beautiful sunny day and then went to overcast and a bit chilly – I guess a good day to be at the library working on projects that the Friends are involved in. Got to get in that weekly library dose! 😉

Continuing from where I left off yesterday, last Wednesday was the first official day of the Book Expo in Chicago. It was a bit different from in past years as the expo floor did not open until 1:00 pm. That left us with a lot of time to check things out. Candace (Beth Fish Reads) and I had breakfast and met with Jill (Rhapsody in Books). Always awesome to see her! Then I headed to registration to pick up my badge:

OOOOH! AHHHHH! This is always a highlight as I collect these badges and have every year of the Expo that I attended as well as other book panels and bookish events I have been a part of. Yes…. I know… I am letting my dorkiness show.

As the time drew near to the expo opener (lol…. had to say that)…. we all gathered in the hall. I had a chance to see Jennifer from Jenn’s Bookshelves as we waited. LOVE seeing the regular BEA group! It was also interesting to watching the diehards scramble for a foothold in the entrance area while those of us who have “been there- done that” waited out of the crazy zone.

Even better…. there was another entrance apparently unspotted by this group that had no surge of people at all. When the time came… we just walked in. No limbs were harmed in the opening of the expo 🙂

I tend to mostly walk the floor alone. I had no method to my madness. Some people come with carefully laid out plans of whom to see and when and that has always been more than I usually do. I like to walk the floor hitting the big name publishing areas first as they tend to have pretty amazing book drops for you to choose from and then I trickle my way through the expo watching for titles that catch my eye and publishing houses I need to connect or reconnect with.

By 4 pm, Candace and I met up to head back to our room with our treasures for the day and to get ready for the Audie Awards. The Expo was open until 5:30 but we were done and I was happy to get out of the hustle of people and books for a while…. besides…. I did just fine with my book haul:

So that was the Expo day 1. Later today we will move on to the amazing Audie Awards that Candace and I were lucky enough to attend that evening.

BEA BOOK NOTE!

The Littlest Bigfoot by jennifer weiner…

Setting: a boarding school

Compact Synopsis: Twelve year old Alice Mayfield goes through life mostly unnoticed by her family and with no friends. When she one day rescues Milly Maximus from drowning, Alice feels she has found the friend she always wanted.

One thing though…

Milly is a Bigfoot, part of a group of Bigfoots that live in the woods and fear people (“No-Furs”). It is up to Alice to find a way to keep her new friend safe and keep her secrets. It is also a time for both Alice and Milly to put faith in one another… faith they need to pull form deep inside.

The Draw: Jennifer Weiner is an author I have enjoyed in the past with books such as Certain Girls, Good In Bed, The Next Best Thing, Best Friends Forever, and Fly Away Home (just to name a few that I have read. So yes, to me…. author name recognition as well as this sounds like a pretty cute Middle Grade read!

Age Range: 8 – 12 years
Grade Level: 3 – 7
Series: The Littlest Bigfoot (Book 1)
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Aladdin (September 13, 2016)

Fuzzy Mud by Louis Sachar and Narrated by Kathleen McInerney

Published on May 16, 2016May 16, 2016 by Sheila (Book Journey)3 Comments

Seventh grader Marshall Walsh has been walking his neighbor 5th grader Tamaya Dhilwaddi to school ever since elementary. When a bully by the name of Chad Hilligas forces them off the road home one day both Marshall and Tamaya wind up cutting into the woods in hopes of escaping Chad. While trying to find their way out of the woods and avoid Chad at the same time, they stumble into an area that has strange mud that appears to have fuzz floating on top. Little do they know the danger they are all in by being near this mud – but they are about to find out.

You may think that Louis Sachar sounds familiar and you would be right – he is the author of Holes which brings a smile to my face just by saying that title. Another incredible MG read and movie.

Fuzzy Mud contains Louis’ unique story telling style. He amazes me how he can pull a subject out of nowhere and create an interesting story within that not only captivates, but contains a lesson as well. He did it in Holes, and he does it again in Fuzzy Mud. I loved the story and the parts where the senate and authorities get involved explaining what has happened. Brilliantly done.

I listened to this on audio on my way home from Chicago. Kathleen McInerney has a voice that works well in this book. She can really bring out her inner child and captures Tamaya as well as the other tweens flawlessly.

This is a perfect family audio book for a road trip. One I think all ages can enjoy, I sure did.

Listening Length: 4 hours and 5 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Listening Library
Audible.com Release Date: August 4, 2015

Book Expo Arrival and Day One

Published on May 16, 2016 by Sheila (Book Journey)11 Comments

As promised, I said I would write a series of posts about this years expo.

I left Minnesota on Tuesday May 10th at 5:30 am to drive to Chicago for the book expo. I had decided that between driving to Minneapolis, paying for parking there, paying for luggage, and plane as well as cost of shipping books back – this could be a wash as I would just have gas costs and parking at the hotel. For the record – it was more cost-effective to drive so I got that right. YAY me!

I planned to arrive at the hotel around 2:30 with breaks for gas, bathroom, or food. In reality – with the traffic in Minneapolis and then getting lost in Chicago for a stressful hour…. it was closer to 4:30 when I finally parked and met up with my roommate Candace of Beth Fish Reads.

After unpacking we walked around the expo area a bit looking at all the great posters promoting books I was excited about….

Don’t those look great? We finished up our day by going to eat at the pub in the hotel. He had good food and a glass of wine, talked and caught up, and anticipated what was to come…. tomorrow we will talk about Day 1 of the expo and the Audie Awards!

Morning Meanderings… Coffee Around The World With The BEA Girls

Published on May 16, 2016May 16, 2016 by Sheila (Book Journey)27 Comments

Good morning all! Happy Monday and all that. I think I have made a full recovery from BEA over the weekend. I did close to nothing yesterday… a little laundry, a little organizing, and dinner – that’s it. I meant to mow the lawn… I never got there.

SO this past Friday evening, Candace (Beth Fish Reads) and Florinda (3 R’s Blog), and I, were having dinner together in Chicago as it was our final evening of the expo. Kim (Sophisticated Dorkiness) was having dinner with her cousin who lives in the area. Florinda mentioned how sad it would be to go home and on Monday morning not be able to have breakfast with all of us like we had been doing the past few days.

This morning…. a series of planned texts went out to Florinda so we could make that happen.

Representing Wisconsin, California, Minnesota and Pennsylvania. Breakfast around the world!

In other super news…. I have not unpacked the car from books yet. LOL….I know, I know… today is the day. However – I did open the back of the CRV today and pulled out the first book I touched so I could talk about a BEA book… expect LOTS of this coming up 😉 :

The Ringmaster’s Wife:

Setting: Turn of the Century Chicago World Fair (score!) and also the Roaring 20’s! (Double score!)

Compact Synopsis: Turn of the century, a young girl named Mable steps away from all she knows at her family farm and is swept into the World Fair where a chance encounter with none other than John Ringling, changes her destiny forever.

Fast forward 25 years later and the 20’s are in a literal full swing, Rosamund Easling boards a ship to America and crosses paths with none other than the now famous, Mable Ringling. The encounter causes Rosamund to toss away all other plans and stay on with the Ringling Circus as a trick rider.

The Draw: The gorgeous cover caught my eye, the synopsis made me buy the ticket to board this story as soon as possible!

Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (June 7, 2016)

That’s it for now… as promised, a post will come up today about the first day of the Book Expo.

First Women by Kate Andersen Brower and Narrated by Karen White

Published on May 15, 2016May 15, 2016 by Sheila (Book Journey)7 Comments

first women, kate andersen brower, karen white, narration, audio, book journey

If you think the President has a tough job, imagine being the First Lady! From uprooting your children from their homes, schools, friends, to be in the very public eye; to letting go of any sense of privacy, the ability to go shopping/drive for yourself, or even take a nice quiet walk in a park. You are “on” 24/7 standing next to your husband supporting his decisions (both good and bad), being scrutinized by the public for the way you dress, talk, your weight, your habits, and your contributions to the world at large. You run a staff in the White House and are in charge of decorating and planning White House events.

First Women takes you up close and personal to witness Michelle Obama’s desire to leave the White House as soon as possible hating the constant over attention and lack of any private life. Lady Bird Johnson’s struggles, Patricia Nixon’s ability to hold her head high, Jacqueline Kennedy’s marriage and heartbreak, Rosalyn Carter removing all alcohol from the White House, Nancy Reagan’s refusal to use a paper napkin, Barbara Bush being a part of the White House not only once, but twice with her daughter in law Laura, and Hilary Clinton…. potential to return to the house that blew her personal life up to the public and yet she wants back in.

I absolutely enjoyed Kate Andersen Brower’s book The Residence. I loved how she gave us an inside look into the inner working of the White House through the staff’s eyes. I gobbled up every word and was thrilled when I heard she was going to do it again but this time with the focus on First Women to our Presidents. As someone who values their privacy and down time I can not even imagine a life in the constant spot light.

Karen Andersen Brower once again does an amazing job of sharing with the reader/listener the inner dealings of the First Women of the White House. If you do listen to this one on audio, know that Karen White (who also narrated The Residence) does an exceptional job of capturing each of these women’s essence through her words. I listened to this audio from Minnesota to Chicago and thoroughly enjoyed all of it.

Highly recommended to those of us who enjoy great non fiction with interesting facts about people. I hope that whatever Karen Andersen Brower offers up next includes Karen White’s narration again… enjoy this duo!

I picked up First Women from the Brainerd Public Library

Listening Length: 12 hours and 26 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Harper Audio
Audible.com Release Date: April 12, 2016

Morning Meanderings… Return From The Expo (BEA!)

Published on May 15, 2016 by Sheila (Book Journey)35 Comments

Home.

As many of you know I was in Chicago this past week for the Book Expo (BEA). In the past, I have blogged from the expo – pictures, happenings, events…. this year, it was enough for me to just go. I forgot my two boxes of business cards at home, and after that initial “DOH!”, decided this was the year I would reconnect and took it easy.

I met up with my roommate Candace (Beth Fish Reads) on Tuesday late after noon after I drove the supposed-to-be-8-hours-and-is-actually-closer-to-10-hours drive from Minnesota to Chicago. We made it to our room, organized and then had appetizers and a glass of wine with Florinda (3 R’s Blog) and Kim (Sophisticated Dorkiness).

As this week goes on I will give you a day by day break down of the who’s and whats of this years expo. I will share about the show, about the Audie Awards (SQQQUUUEEEEE), narrator connections, publishing connections, fellow bloggers (♥!), and more.

Today I just wanted to share that the Expo was a good decision for me to attend. It was good to get out of the house for a while and function like I used to. I have a long ways to go to coming back into some form of me, but this was a good start.

It is so easy to get caught up in the reconnecting with Publishers and people you have worked with in the past with reviews and write ups. It is also easy that while you are talking with these publishing houses to accept the 3, 4, 5,… books that the know you will just love and the pitch for these books leave you thinking that you must read this book. Their enthusiasm is contagious. I mention all of this because what i will share with you as this week goes on is how you go from driving to the expo with a few audio books in the front seat to keep you company (thank you Karen White you were an excellent road trip companion) to this….

LOL. Some people thought this would be pretty funny to stage my car and make it look over flowing with books. Anyway, stay tuned… there are plans and posts for these books as well as a save the date event (June 9) my 7 year Blogiversary where there will be the usual BEA giveaway packages to celebrate bloggers all over.

Until then… happy reading.

Morning Meanderings…. Mother’s Day

Published on May 8, 2016 by Sheila (Book Journey)9 Comments

It one of those days that I want to take out my Harry Potter wand and say,

“Riddikulus”

Of course 1. I do not own a Harry Potter wand. and 2. well, it would not change a thing.

I planted flowers yesterday in the back yard and this morning while out sitting at Justin’s bench I took a couple of pictures of my handy work. I have been on an emotional roller coaster with Justin’s benefit last weekend, his birthday this past Monday and now Mothers Day. I feel around this time of year that I can not catch a break.

A break is coming though. On Tuesday morning I will get into my car, put on an audio book and start driving to Chicago for the book expo. That is pretty crazy for me who has really come to like my home A LOT this past year – yet I know this will be good for me to get out into the world doing what I love and seeing other reviewers such as many of you. That…. makes me smile.

Today my son Brad and my husband Al are grilling and making a brunch for me. That is sweet as Justin was the planner in the family for things such as this and to watch these two try to come up with a plan is sweet. They know I do not want to go out anywhere so we will stay here, in my own little sanctuary where I can smile, and laugh, and cry all at once and not have people look at me that do not understand.

“Riddikulus”

And with that – Happy Mother’s Day to all of you. No matter where you are at today or what those word’s mean to you. For all of you hurting on a day like this, please think about something positive to make you smile and know and know and know that you are not alone.

Allegiant by Veronica Roth Narrated by Emma Galvin and Aaron Stanford

Published on May 5, 2016May 4, 2016 by Sheila (Book Journey)8 Comments

The final chapters in the Divergent Series….

Tris and Tobias along with a few of the gang we have come to love (or hate), continue to try to make things right. As the factions are no more, Divergents such as Tris are no longer outcasts, by considered genetically pure. Tobias who was once a strong leader of the Dauntless is not considered one of the genetically damaged. As both Tris and Tobias try to make sense of this new world, coming to term with past hurts, family, and what the future holds there is still an underlying plan humming through the city that can once again..

change everything.

I have a funny history with these books. I loved Divergent and everything is stood for. I read the follow-up of Insurgent and continued to love the books. When Allegiant was just a whisper with a release date I pre-ordered the book to read as soon as I could get my hands on it….

and then the buzz began…

about a week before the book released the word was out that the alternating chapters of Tris and Tobias from their point of view was not appealing. The word on the net was that a golden opportunity with this series was missed and I, I am ashamed to say, caught up with the hype, put the book on my book shelf…

unread.

Fast forward to the movies…. I loved the first two movies and seen both in the theater. Then it came time for Allegiant to come out, and I still had not finished the series. My rule (occasionally bent) is that I read a book before I see a movie made from it. So Allegiant was not a movie I seen at the theater. And then, I found the audio available for download from my library. Well then….. let’s do this.

My review…

After that LONG lead in, here we go. This is a good example of why we should not listen to others thoughts on anything and always see for ourselves. I did not mind the alternating chapters at all. Maybe it flowed better on audio, I do not know as that original book I bought is STILL unread on my shelf. I enjoyed this final to the series, how the world would work when you think you have fought for freedom that never really comes free.

The narration was wonderful. LOVED both narrators and I thought that Aaron Stanford was the perfect rough, young, dare I say sexy, voice that was right on for Mathias. Emma Galvin handled Tris’ character perfectly with just the right tone of self-confidence and intelligence you expect out of Tris.

My over all thoughts – initially I felt the books could have ended with Insurgent. Now I see why Allegiant was necessary. It is not the ending I would have wanted…. it is the one it needed to be.

Listening Length: 11 hours and 55 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: HarperAudio
Audible.com Release Date: October 22, 2013

Morning Meanderings… Positive Decisions

Published on May 5, 2016 by Sheila (Book Journey)10 Comments

Thursday morning. I would like a little more sun then what I am currently seeing in the sky, a little more energy to do all I need to do, and a little more COFFEE.

Yesterday afternoon after much heartfelt consideration I sent in my resignation from the Minnesota Association Of Library Friends Board. It was a hard decision to make. I enjoyed being a part of the decisions that Minnesota makes for their Friends groups and their Libraries. The dynamics of these meetings being over two hours away for me to attend was part of the decision. Two hours there, 3 to 4 hour meeting, two hours back. It was a full day commitment. It also, inevitably always collided with something else… my Friends (local) meetings, our book sales; the next one would have been Monday and Tuesday I leave for Chicago so it would have been a full day on Monday in St Paul and then leave Tuesday morning for Chicago and drive it again plus.

Even more than all of that – in this new world I have here, I prefer to stay closer to home. I have plenty to keep me involved locally. And I enjoy my time here. So for now… I take a step back. While my heart works on some sort of healing, I will do life a little closer to home. ♥

Today – I will work outside a bit while listening to audio. A couple of friends are stopping by this afternoon and later I will start to pack for next week trip. Moving forward day to day, little by little.