Book Journey

Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell

Published on October 16, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)26 Comments

How does one do a synopsis of Gone With The Wind?

Well… for this first time reader and having never seen the movie (still haven’t), I will give you the synopsis in my own words as though I were telling a friend about this book…. (after all, we are friends right?;) )

Gone With The Wind is about a plantation… about a family… about a war… but mostly, about a girl named Scarlett. Scarlett is in modern terms, a mean girl. She is spoiled, selfish, and while she is not beautiful, her personality drawn men to her – and in Scarlett’s opinion (after all, what other opinion is there?) that is everything.

When the Civil war breaks out Scarlett learns that not everything comes as easy as it once did. In fact many things are going to take all that stubbornness she possesses as she learns to adjust to the changing times… but Scarlett is not your typical girl of the south and the way she chooses to live her life and survive can come as a surprise, even to her.

First up… I need to say how proud I am of my book club for choosing to read this books for our Annual Classic Read. This has been a bucket list book for me forever and our book clubs choice to read it as a group is what finally pushed me to opening this book.

I am so glad I did.

I was pleasantly surprised with Scarlett, while she is not very likable, the girl has gusto. Her selfishness at times is laughable… at other times, it is sad. She is, and I say this thankfully, not a damsel in distress but instead a witty sprite of a girl who learns many lessons the hard way, but does not allow her spirit to be broken.

You kind of have to admire that.

While I did start reading this book, I found that my time commitments did not allow me for a lot of “sit down and read” time, so I switched to audio. Let me say, if you love Gone With The Wind and have not experienced it in audio, I highly recommend you do. While I have been canning these past weeks, Linda Stephens narration was just the thing to pass the time and keep me engaged.

My over all thoughts on the book was it is a win. I do not agree with those that call this book a romance … God’s Nightgown, no…. this is a whole new level of dysfunction at its finest! Going into this knowing barely the story line I was happy to read that the book was not the predictable read I thought I was encountering – yet a fascinating time hop to the civil war and a plantation that worked like no other, Tara.

If you have not experienced Gone With The Wind this is my recommendation that you do make the time to read (or listen to) this book. It is truly worthy of the classic title.

Author, Margaret Mitchell died after being hit by a drunk driver while crossing the street with her husband on their way to see a movie. Gone With The Wind is Mitchell’s only book, and one she wrote because she was bored.

Paperback: 960 pages
Publisher: Scribner; Reissue edition (May 3, 2011)

Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 49 hours and 7 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Recorded Books
Audible.com Release Date: October 1, 2009

*Be sure to watch for my book clubs thoughts on this book as well as the food we ate AND the clothes we wore to celebrate Gone With The Wind.

Passing The Baton…

Published on October 15, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)30 Comments

So here is a story.

In February of 2009 I was a fairly new blogger. I had about 6 months in. I was in Florida with my husband for the equipment auctions when a blogger named J Kaye, messaged me. J Kaye ran the blog j-kaye-book-log. She was the creator of the Meme “It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?” and I loved it – the book conversation, the linking up, the going back to read the comments because she always responded to the comments. J Kaye was contacting me to say she was dropping out of blogging to work on her career as an author and would I be interested in taking over the meme.

Me?

The meme had over 200 followers. For a newbie like myself, this was a goldmine of bloggers and book lovers that would follow the meme to me and perhaps like the way I chatted up books. SO of course I said yes, promising to love the meme and nurture it and…

I did.

It’s Monday never missed a Monday from the time I took over the meme. I even posted when I was in Honduras and this past year when I was in Australia I passed it on to another blogger to watch while I was away. The meme went on…

until April.

When my life hit the rocks, the meme as well as pretty much everything else came to a halt. While, after a while I started posting again, for whatever reason I could not wrap my mind around keeping up with It’s Monday. I planned to bring it back in September and in the past 4 weeks, I forgot about it twice. It seems to be something I can no longer commit too… yet I love that meme and in many ways, it brought me many readers who have stuck with me through it all.

So…

I did what J Kaye did. I looked for a follower of the meme who was a consistent blogger. Someone who would take it over and love it as I had, and hopefully I too can participate in the meme without the pressure (self inflicted I am sure) of owning it.

AND…

(Of course she can choose her own meme button… I was just playing around)

I am pleased to announce that Kathryn from The book Date will be taking over It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? I am so excited to see the meme continue in her capable hands. I will help with the transition of directing traffic her way and I will probably participate myself 🙂

Thank you to everyone who has patiently hung in there with me while I figured this out. I am happy with this decision. I don’t know how many years J Kaye had It’s Monday, but I had it for 6 years and it will go on.

On another note…. canning today and finishing up between today and tomorrow. I have been enjoying some down time at home, book club and the Gone With The Wind review was on Tuesday and yes – there are some fun pictures to go with that. I am listening on audio to Admissions and enjoying it.

Morning Meanderings…. Channeling Scarlett

Published on October 13, 2015October 13, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)14 Comments

The crispness of fall has hit central Minnesota.

On Sunday it was beautiful and 80 degrees… these past two days the temp has dropped to the high 30’s…. the sky s hazy… the wind has that biting chill.

I am sooooo not ready.

I have never been a fan of winter and this year – tripley so…. I don’t like the cold, the wet, the slip. I stay inside and this year… that scares me a bit.

Ahhh…. and I digress. It is not winter. It is Fall. And tonight…. is book club.

Tonight my home will turn into Tara, the plantation from Gone With The Wind. We have been encouraged to dress the part…. you know I love that. There will be sweet potato pie, fried chicken, corn bread, a Scarlett drink, and…. Angie in my book club is bringing “Frankly My Dear, I Don’t Give A Ham sandwiches”.

Have I mentioned lately how much I LOVE my book club?

So today…. I bustle around prepping my home, making signs, dropping my large dog at a friends, baking, and prepping fun discussion questions.

Should make for fun discussion and fun pictures.

Also – I have a giveaway going on my latest book sale haul. Be sure and check out that post as the winner will be announced on Thursday morning. 🙂

Have you read Gone With The Wind? What do you think would make a great discussion question for our group?

YOU Choose The Next Book I Read and Then You Win That Book!

Published on October 11, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)41 Comments

choose

Hey everyone! Happy Sunday! If you have been around here lately you know that:

There has not been a lot of action (I don’t like that)
Our friends of the library just had their Fall booksale! (I LOVE that!)

What I have done in past years is I post my book sale haul…. (do not judge me… I am a book-a-holic who justifies book purchases by believing there are worse things I can do with my time and money…. like being a crack dealer or a hit man) See? That said, book buying…. not so bad AND….

our book sales books are 50 cents each.

I know right????

Ok, so I am about to post my haul and you tell me in the comments which book you would love to read. I will choose a winner by submitting comments into random.org. If you win and it is a book I already read, I will send it to you right away. If it is a book I have not read, I will read it next opportunity I have and then send it to you. This is a fun way to have a giveaway and at the same time give me a gentle push to read the books I have purchased.

Please note the following pictures are my entire book sale haul. Below each pic I will list titles (if any) that are not included in the giveaway, ones I wish to keep for my own collection. I will choose a winner this coming Thursday morning and post in the Morning Meandering. Please check back to see if you are a winner (I will also email the winner).

Ready?

Fun Fact – both of the Elizabeth Gilbert books are signed by Elizabeth to her grandmother

Keeping: Scarlett and the Angels and Demons copy (which is a cool large book with illustrations)

Keeping: Wizard of Oz and 100 Banned Books

There they are! Have fun choosing 🙂 To enter please leave in the comments the title of the book you would love to win and why.

Saturday Snapshot… A Look Into Minnesota Libraries

Published on October 10, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)6 Comments

I am still surprised how time gets away from me. I thought for sure I would have posts up this week but the book sale ended and a board retreat began and meetings this week and canning and a friend having surgery and company and delivering apples to neighbors and…

well you get the picture.

Along with all of that was the annual Minnesota Library Association Conference which is always a good time. I believe this is my fourth year attending. They have one day that is focused on Friends of the Libraries – ie. workshops, brainstorming sessions and awards. The second day while more oriented to libraries I also find interesting as there are sessions that share what other libraries are doing and the speakers are exceptional.

So today, for Saturday Snapshot I thought I would give you a little peek into the MLA….

I am on the Board for the Minnesota Library Association of Friends. This group is a plethora of information! A retired judge, financial adviser, and a past State Librarian who I love to talk to. We had a booth that I sat at when there was no session I was interested in attending.

Here is the group I attended with. These women are so much fun! L: Diane (Brainerd check out desk), Laurel (Reference desk), Julia (past Brainerd Librarian and now Mankato), Darcy (Children’s Librarian) and Jolene (our Lead Librarian for Brainerd).

They also have a small silent auction both days of the conference that assists in raising money for the Minnesota Library Foundation. I took pictures of some of the fun and interesting ones…. I love that Night Circus is paired with Freakshow wine!

Of course… I love a good silent auction and when it all ended I had won a few goodies…

The books were all one auction… I had my eye on The Child Garden. LOVE the cover! The audio book was not getting bids, and the package of homemade cards I LOVE as I try to send out cards every week. I love cards and messages 🙂

I left with a good deal of ideas! I came home yesterday afternoon and today is audio and catching up on laundry, mowing the lawn and apples waiting to be processed. A lazy Sunday (or as lazy as it gets for me) is just what I am glad to be a part of. I love being a part of this but the larger group stuff takes its tole on my through my grief and alone time… or time with just Al and I is what I long for to recharge 🙂

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

Published on October 4, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)21 Comments

I am just eternally behind and I am just going to own it. I am…

whelmed.

And that said… here is the mini version of this post…

This meme is used to share what we read this past week and what our plans are for the upcoming week. It’s a great way to see what others are reading and add to your own To Be Read list. You never know where that next great read may come from!

Here is what I posted this past week:

Banned Book Week Kick Off

Banned.. Yes It Is That Time Again

Banned Aid

Banned In Boston… A Guest Post

Banned COFFEE????

Banned Books… Did You Know?

Having You Cake…

Hand To Mouth by Linda Tirado

Final To Banned Book Week

I have a busy week ahead so not going to list anything here… I hope to read…. thats about all I can say. Please add your posts to the link below:

Powered by Linky Tools

Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list…

Morning Meanderings… Final to Banned Book Week and 6 Months

Published on October 4, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)10 Comments

This is the post that should have been yesterday however with the book sale… my overextended schedule this past week and my inability to sleep through the night – I did not get it posted. I did not forget – just had to let it go for a bit. 🙂

Soooooo. with that…

Here is the final day of banned book week post. Let me just say, what a week. I am bummed it hit during our Fall Book Sale as I had no time to really dig into the books or the posts. Thank goodness for all of you who grabbed the banned book week banner and waved it high. Here are the final day thoughts on banned book week from wonderful readers:

Laurel at An Interior Journey shares her thoughts on the banned book, Forever by Judy Blume. I was a huge Judy Blume fan growing up!

Kai at A Fiction State of Mind talks about the trending Magna books and their tendency to be banned as well as her thoughts on the book The Color Of Earth by Kim Dong Hwa.

I do hope you will check out their posts as someone this week will have a picture within their post and if you find that post (AND comment on the post) and email me (journeythroughbooks@gmail.com) to tell me who’s post you found it on you will go into a special drawing for…

This mug will be shipped directly to one of our commenters on the Banned Book Post you find THIS picture on:

**Important note** A few of you have emailed me with your responses of where you found the above picture and something I did not anticipate is that some of the blog posts this weeks used the above logo in their posts which is not the giveaway one. Look closely at the picture – it will be the one above which has a frame and my website on it. Sorry about any confusion – I will be more creative next year 🙂

Thank you to all who participated in banned book week! Please check out my posts of earlier this week and catch up on the great reads and giveaways. I will announce our winner for the Banned Book Cup tonight with Its Monday What Are You Reading so you still have time to look for the image hiding in one of the banned book week posts as described above.

Real quick – here is what has come in the house in the past two weeks as bookish! I am not going to link them as I usually do as I have so much going on today just trying to catch up on a weeks worth of not being around. Laundry and canning are on the itinerary as well as white chicken chili, and I need a new audio 🙂 Later today watch for my thoughts on the Banned Book Gone With The Wind. It is also 6 months today since Justin’s accident. Unbelievable. It has been the hardest 6 months of my life and I can not imagine what the next 6 months will hold. I am indeed a broken mess of a person just trying to find a new normal that I can accept. Thank you as always for being a part of my life – even those who I only know from your words here… thank you.

Hand To Mouth by Linda Tirado

Published on October 2, 2015August 24, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)4 Comments

The Author of the popular “Poverty Thoughts” essay puts into her own words what it is like to be poor in a world that expects more from you even if you don’t have the means to grasp for more. Author Linda Tirado shares what it is like to not have the money to get the clothes, to get the car, to get the education,to have what it takes to get the job that one needs to make a living that is actually to provide LIVING.

This is why I usually don’t chose to read and review non fiction about authors lives or memoirs unless Ihave purchased the book/audio myself. It is so hard to review a non fiction about someone’s life without somehow it being taken as a personal jab on that person. Basically, what I am trying to say is that it is hard to separate the book from the author when it is about the authors life.

When I accepted this audio for review I had never heard of the essay “Poverty Thoughts”. I chose this book because I thought it would be interesting to hear from a person who struggles to make a living and make ends meet. I totally understand that it is a hard world we live in and it is hard to get ahead – and in many aspects in this book, Author Linda Tirado has valid points on working for minimum wage, trying to cover rent costs, etc.. and get ahead of the bills – that I get.

However –

I did not enjoy hearing about her smoking habit and how she is tired of hearing people tell her how she should not smoke (waste of money) when clearly she feel she must smoke (stress). The same goes for her reasons to drink. AND if we are going there, and I guess we are – she also had excuses of why it is ok to have sex with random people because poor people are also lonely people.

Linda has very poor teeth and she talks a lot about this int he book and how they stop her from getting better paying jobs. I understand that. She says she can not go to the free clinic because of how many appointments she would need and how much time it would take off work and I understand that as well, however something as important as your appearance seems to me like it would be worth making it work out in the long run doing whatever it takes.

She complains about the low paying jobs she has had and the lack of respect that comes with them, calling out Walmart many times. Again, I know that not all Wal-Marts are created alike – but I worked at our local store for 14 years and not only was I paid a good wage, I was treated very well.

She also talks about the expense of having a child but speaks of the child at times as a piece of property and not in very flattering ways.

Ok – I may be way off base on this one. I feel that Linda Tirado may have been on to a decent book here, the one that I had hoped to get when I agreed to review this. I did not need to listen to sexual stories or why she has bad habits. It started to seem like she was just talking about anything to make it book length.

This review is absolutely nothing against the author or her family. This is my personal opinion on what was said in this book. It was not a win for me. The essay however – was interesting to read. And in Linda’s defense, I am not in her shoes, so maybe – most likely – that opinion is all my own.

Listening Length: 4 hours and 24 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Publisher: Penguin Audio; Unabridged edition (October 2, 2014)

Morning Meanderings…. Having Your Cake…

Published on October 2, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)9 Comments

Friday. Holy wow. What a week.

This morning at 5:00 am I was baking brownies for a funeral of a really good friends father. I will be cutting out of the book sale for a while today to attend the visitation and I am bringing brownies for the funeral tomorrow.

It made me think of banned book week and how some feel that they can say what can and cannot be read by others… but don’t you dare judge what they read….

It’s like having your cake and eating it too….

It’s like saying I own a Honda vehicle so everyone else should too and all other cars should be obsolete. Ford, Dodge, whatever your poison is… you drive what you drive… it may not be for me – but it works fine for you.

Any hoo… here are today’s awesome banned book week selections. I do apologize if I have missed anyone this week. Banned Book Week had to hit on the busiest week I have had in a month and I am trying to write these posts whenever I have a moment (today that would be at 6 am before I go to the book sale) however it is that important to me that Banned books are discussed.

Worth Getting In Bed For discusses the banned book, Perks Of Being A Wallflower (loved this one!)

Author Nadine Feldman talks about her encounter with Author Sherman Alexie and his book, The Absolute True Diary Of A Part Time Indian.

Writers Flow offers up a smart Banned Book Cartoon.

Sue at Book by Book writes her thoughts on John Green’s banned book, Looking For Alaska

Julia from Diary Of A Book Nerd shares 5 Things You Should know about Banned Books with a giveaway!

Holly at Gun In Act Once shares a banned book by author Ted Dawe, an author who had won a New Zealand Post Childrens Book Award. His book, Into The River currently can not be distributed or displayed anywhere in New Zealand.

Charli at Goth Girl Reads says WHO are You To Tell Me What I Can Read?

Fun fun fun posts!

Please look at my other posts this week as each day I have links to awesome bloggers sharing banned books – reviews, information, giveaways, and fun stuff!

This mug will be shipped directly to one of our commenters on the Banned Book Post you find THIS picture on:

Thats all…. brownies are done and I have a sale to get to! Have a super day! 🙂

Banned Books…. Did You Know????

Published on October 1, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)4 Comments

Woo… the day got away from me! Last night I was too tired to prepare this post. After leaving the library at 4 pm after the sale set up I thought I would grab a few quick groceries and then go home… for the record… nothing happens “quick” in my life anymore. Every where I go I run into people I know who want to check in with me and I wind up talking with them…. I am not complaining – I a thankful for these wonderful people in our life… they are the lifeblood of my existence right now however….

I made it home at 6 pm.

Making dinner, trying to catch up on my house, the lawn needs mowing, I had to move the tomatoes off my tables so I could use them for the book sale and well…

Yeah.

This morning I left the house at 5:40 am to set up the childrens sale and now I have a little break before I go back to the sale so here, with no further rambling from me are the posts for banned book week today:

Stacey at the Novel Life writes about You Can’t Read That, her personal story of growing up in a family that did not sensor her reading and the banned books she loves. She also has a pretty sweet giveaway going on!

Jenna at JMill Wanders has a giveaway going on for a banned book of your choice.

Sue at Book By Book shares her thoughts on Persepolis

Tracy at Uncharted Parent takes the time to talk about the book It’s Perfectly Normal and has some great insight on the book and bannings. She also has a giveaway for a copy of the book!

Heather at Based On A True Story talks about the banned book Into The River by Ted Dawe (A new title to me!) She also has a giveaway for this title.

Kelly The Well Read Redhead talks about Banned Picture books! Yes its true and you will be surprised at the titles!

Julie at My Book Retreat reviews SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson – one of my favorites!

Please look at my other posts this week as each day I have links to awesome bloggers sharing banned books – reviews, information, giveaways, and fun stuff!

This mug will be shipped directly to one of our commenters on the Banned Book Post you find THIS picture on:

Have a great weekend of reading a banned book! I am back to the book sale!