Book Journey

Morning Meanderings… If Wishes Were

Published on June 25, 2015June 25, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)24 Comments

Another lovely day here in Central Minnesota. I am up early as usual. COFFEE cup in hand I explore the deck off the back of the house, my way of bonding with the weather of the day deciding how to dress and mentally ticking off the “to do’s” of the day – or more likely in this time in my life, the lack of “to do’s”. Just “being” is about all I can do right now.

I am having these…. moments. Moments I think, “What would Justin say about that?” Imaging conversations in my head about his take on life happenings, Bouncing off the “what if’s” and planning for future get togethers. Get togethers I know (I know I know) can not happen. I think I am going to pick up a nice notebook and start writing things down that I would say to him just to put it out there. So much I have to say and no where to put the words.

Books have really been my salvation. I bury myself in reading and audio every chance I get. Safer now to be in someone elses world than my own. Yesterday I started Whisper Beach by Shelley Noble and I am devouring it…enjoying the beach atmosphere once again, friendships renewing, and a lovely vision of the Blue Crab Cafe which in my mind carries delicious aromas every time it is mentioned in the book. Born With Teeth I am just getting into, still learning about Katie Mulgrew’s childhood…. new to my Audible listening is Down The Rabbit Hole by Holly Madison, a once “top bunny” of the Playboy Mansion (so that may sound like an odd choice to listen to but the sample was really good, so we shall see…)

Today I may tackle a garden project… undecided at this point but I have perennials to plant and an idea forming in my head. Nothing big on my agenda today (thankfully!) and I think a quiet day here at home is just about as good as it gets these days. My upcoming weekend has slowly filled up with “to do’s” and it makes me nervous to be that FULL. I know life goes on, I see it all around me but I am not moving anywhere near the pace that it is.

bookends by Jane Green

Published on June 24, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)11 Comments

After recently finishing one Jane Green book (Summer Secrets), I went to shelf that one and found this one that I picked up at a sale years ago…. with a title like that, how I could pass on it? ~Sheila

Catherine, Simon, Portia, and Josh were the inseparable four during their college years. Catherine (Cat) always the side kick who blended well with the rest enjoyed her cozy life and circle of friends and like her comfy sweater, she was happy with things just as they were. Simon (Si) was always looking for love with just the right guy but love – true love for whatever reason eludes him. Portia is tall, slender and gorgeous. She is used to getting whatever she wants with just the blink of an eye but carries a coldness within her. Josh wishes he could win Portia’s heart but has more or less given up on that dream.

Then one fateful night of poor choices and damaged egos breaks the group apart and Portia finds herself left behind.

Years later Josh is married to the delightful Lucy. Cat and Si are still very single… Cat happily and Si not so much. The four get together frequently for dinners and talks. When Portia suddenly arrives back in their lives, her appearance unleashes events that threaten to push apart the friends. At a time when Cat is starting to believe in love again she instead has to deal with her old friend and the damage that can be done when trust is not an option.

Score another one for Jane Green! bookends was a delightful read and surprised me when I found out that bookends is actually the name of a book store within the book. Well hello good story! I enjoyed spending time with this group of friends as they lived out their dreams and their worst nightmares. I find that it is a bonus when a book makes you wish you knew the characters in real life and that is what bookends did for me.

Jane Green once again surprises me with a fun light read with real life issues. In bookends you will get it all – the fun, the pain, the reality of living in today world… the good, the bad, and the ugly. It’s good to have good friends to help get you through.

Jane Green fans do not miss this one. If you liked Summer Secrets, I think you will enjoy bookends as well. Jane Green will be an author I keep an eye on.

Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Broadway Books; Reprint edition (May 27, 2003)

All The Summer Girls by Meg Donohue

Published on June 22, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)14 Comments

Kate Harrington, Vanessa Warren, and Dani Lowenstein were inseparable in their youth. Then one summer choices that were made, a loss of a beloved friend and brother, and secrets separate the girls.

Now 8 years later, Kate is newly (and surprisingly) dumped by her fiance. Vanessa loves her life as a stay at home mom but recent circumstances have her thinking about the guy she left behind so many years ago and wondering if she made the right choice. Dani has a passion for writing but her old party habits of drugs and alcohol make holding down a day job near impossible.

When Kate calls the old friends together for an emergency “forget about him” weekend at her fathers beach house in Avalon, Vanessa and Dani jump at the chance to reunite and escape their own worlds for a while. Yet can the girls return to the setting of their unraveling? Can the secrets that have been hidden all these years remain buried? Sometimes those you think you know so well you find out you really don’t know at all.

Yes, yes, it is another book with three women looking out over the water… much like the last book I listened to. I admit it, the covers call to me… they speak of friendships and I like reading about friendships.

All The Summer Girls is a book with teeth. While at first sight you may think that this is another light beach read that is good but will not really stick you beyond the last page, but I have to say that is not the case. All The Summer Girls surprised me – a few twists caught me off guard and I was impressed with what I did not see coming.

I listened to this book on audio and enjoyed narrator Heather Henderson’s voice for the book. A good quick listen/read with a story line that impressed me.

One funny happening while listening to the audio that I have to share…. there is a part where the girls go out and are dancing. A guy approaches Kate and when she introduces herself I thought he responded, “I’m gay.” When listening I thought, oh good, he is just looking for someone to dance with then. A couple of chapters later when he comes up again, I catch it this time… his name is Gabe. 😳 That one is on me. 😉

Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 7 hours and 27 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: HarperAudio
Audible.com Release Date: May 21, 2013

Morning Meanderings… The Morning After

Published on June 21, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)27 Comments

Sunday morning. Feeling…

exhausted

reminiscent

emotional

loved

Yesterday was the benefit for Justin in St Paul. I was jittery all week about it… the day looming over me. Honestly, I had no idea how crazy hard is would be to see your child’s face on a poster for a benefit. It’s one of those things you look at and you say, “that just can’t be right.” Justin’s co-workers and friends are so AMAZING. What an outpouring of love this event was. Al and I had friends trickle in as well… it’s a good 2 1/2 drive from Brainerd to St Paul so we didn’t expect many to come from Brainerd but were happy to see a few that made the trek.

One nice surprise was a girl I graduated with. Tina and I go back all the way to grade school when her mom made us Little House on the Prairie dresses for something going on at school. I remember we both had the long dresses and bonnets and thought we were “it.” 🙂 It was so good just to have a chance to catch up a bit… part of the craziness of all this that is going on in my life is the amazing support of friends and this is just another example.

Sheila DeChantal, Tina Beyer — Tina and I

and then before we left part of the staff at Sweet Pea’s came and had a picture taken with Al and I.

Al DeChantal, Sheila DeChantal, Book Journey, Sweet Peas, St Paul, Minnesota — Three of Justin’s amazing co-workers: Will, Hollie, and Erica with Al and I

So today… laying low. Another holiday, Father’s Day. Brad is coming over later with his girlfriend Brittany and we will grill for dinner. Looks like it will be a beautiful day here in Central Minnesota and that is good. I need to find the beauty in each day. Maybe a little reading on the deck this afternoon and maybe I get to mow a bit (you know I love to mow).

Summer Secrets by Jane Green

Published on June 20, 2015June 20, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)11 Comments

Cat Coombs always seemed to struggle in finding her place in her world of London. She did not fit into the popular crowd, but eventually discovered that with a few drinks in her, she could bring on the liquid courage that seemed to make her fit. In her teen years and into her 20’s it became known that the party had not started until Cat had arrived. Sure, Cat did not always remember events that took place in these crazy drinking binges, and she did not always make it to her job as a journalist on time, but being “absent” from a dad that does not seem to really care and a mom that keeps her distance isn’t so bad.

When Cat meets Jason, a handsome guy who is a recovering alcoholic Cat tries to stop drinking for him (although she is sure she doesn’t have a problem) but a bombshell dropped by her mother sends Cat not only into a shock… but also to the states and Nantucket to stay with family she doesn’t know. This family is a lot of fun and Cat slips easily into old habits. A serious mistake destroys relationships all around her and sends her back to London planning never to return to Nantucket again and put what happened out of her mind.

But…. things have a way of popping up when not dealt with.

As Cat grows into her 40’s, now a recovering alcoholic who understands the importance of her meetings and never drinking again, she finds herself stuck on the 9th step in her recovery: Made direct amends to such people, wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

While Cat has completed most of this step, she has not addressed what happened in Nantucket or the people she hurt deeply. When an opportunity arises for Cat to write a story on Nantucket and she is able to spend two weeks there, she knows it is time to face whatever happens… even if it means risking it all.

I have to admit Summer Secrets surprised me. I found I liked Cat. This is the first book I have read that really placed me inside an AA meeting and I found that interesting. Of course I have heard of the steps, but learning more about the meetings through Cat’s character was interesting and really thinking how hard that 9th step has to be – to face those you have hurt, has to be so hard and yet so lifting as well, no matter what the outcome. Author Jane Green did an excellent job of covering this topic through Cat’s character without it ever feeling heavy or draining. Well done.

Summer Secrets has a great mix of people, places, and situations. This is not your typical “Nantucket read”. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and think that this would make a great book to pick up and enjoy this summer. If you enjoy summer reading, realistic family dynamics, great friendships, and learning a little something along the way do not miss out on this book.

Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press (June 23, 2015)

Morning Meanderings… Here We Go.

Published on June 20, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)19 Comments

Here we are at the day I have been looking forward to with anxiety and scared of all in one. Today is Justin’s benefit in St. Paul.

Looking forward to because of course it is a chance to see his friends and some of ours as well and that is always nice. Anxiety and fear because it is after all, a benefit for our son. My cousin put it well when she said, “it is like falling on the knife all over again.”

Yes it is.

I obviously want to be there… have to be there. The benefit proceeds will go the mission he loved in Honduras. It is for our son and I want to be a part of things for him but as you can imagine… it is also so hard to be there. I am afraid it is now just something I need to get through.

I think I may listen to audio on the way there. It is a 2 1/2 hour drive for us and keeping my mind else where may be a good thing. It is an overcast drizzly, dreary day here in Central Minnesota… the weather matches my mood and that is about right.

Have a good start to your weekend. I would love to hear what books/audio may be joining you on your journeys. I feel as though I am out of the loop on what are the must reads/listens of the season so please… enlighten me. 🙂

The Girls Of Mischief Bay by Susan Mallery

Published on June 19, 2015June 19, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)11 Comments

Do you just love this cover? It says so much… warm sunny days, beachy moments, and friendship… all things I value in my heart. ~Sheila

Nicole Lord does her best to be a good wife but when her husband up and quits his job with no warning because he feels he wants to write a screen play, Nicole is floored. Now juggling the children and her full-time job at her Pilates Studio as well as managing the household and the bills, Nicole knows something has to give and she feels she has given quite enough.

Shannon Rig prides herself on her accomplishments. Now Vice President of her company she is a force to be reckoned with, yet now she wonders if the cost for this success was too much. When Shannon has a change to connect with a great guy gives her hope – she discovers that the perfect “have it all” package may look different from what she has planned.

Pam Eiland has the perfect home, the perfect loving husband, and wonderful grown children. Now, as she looks around her perfect life she wonders what becomes of her now that all she had to do as a stay at home mom is over. Looking for ways to keep her marriage spicy may be the answer, but life as we all know… is full of surprises we do not see coming.

These three women who meet for Pilate classes and share their hopes and dreams find that friends can truly be like family when life takes you where you never thought you would be.

Author Susan Mallory is one of those authors that you can count on for a pretty smooth experience. You will meet characters you wish you were friends with and neighborhoods that you wish you lived in. That is exactly what I found in The Girls of Mischief Bay. I wanted to grab my mat and join them at the Pilates studio sharing trials and heartaches and knowing they were safe to share.

When I think of Susan Mallory I think “beach read”. My definition of a beach read is a good solid read that is not over the top with hard topics or twists and turns that cause frown lines in the sun. A beach read is a book that is kind to your soul and you usually meet characters you would like to be friends with.

The Girls of Mischief Bay turned out to be just an ok read for me. While I liked the characters well enough and enjoyed the story line it never really wowed me in any way. Problems arose, and then they were solved. No more really than a bump in the road. It is a good book on the power of friendships and much the same plots that you tend to find… guy troubles.

Narrated by Tanya Ebby, I did enjoy the flow of the words. While I found the audio “listen worthy”, this is the start of a new series by Susan Mallery and I do not feel I connected enough with the book to continue on with whatever comes next. (not to say it could not happen… I have done stranger things).

Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 10 hours and 23 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Audible.com Release Date: February 24, 2015

Morning Meanderings… A New Day

Published on June 19, 2015June 19, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)19 Comments

Friday. I have been up since about 5:30 am. I have learned that when I am awake it is best to just get up. COFFEE in hand, I have watched the day come in with sunshine, then clouds, not sure which way it will land today. I heard rain and that is ok. Today I have a lunch date for a friend’s birthday but that is all that is on the agenda and I am fine with that. Yesterday the card addressing went well and around 300 cards went in the mail… another 100 or so will go in today as I finish up looking for addresses for some.

FYI: Did you know it is possible to be kicked off of the White Pages website for using the resource too much? It is true… both myself and my friend Sherri were kicked off the site yesterday with a message that said we had used our limit for 30 days.

Anyway, as hard as it was to get together yesterday and work on that project, it was a good thing to do. Much was accomplished and friends told me that they were happy to help, had been wanting to do something and finally felt useful. I liked that I was able to reach out to friends and family once again with thanks and love… for some that are not close to us, that may be the last time I get to connect with them over my son. I needed that connection to be special.

Today will consist of a little reading (I am working on Summer Secrets) in book format, Girls of Mischief Bay on my phone and The Astronaut’s Wives Club in the car (loving the narration!). As early as I was up and if there is rain I will probably take a nap this afternoon too. It has been a fairly busy week – busier than I would like and I am ready to be done.

Morning Meanderings…. Dipping A Toe

Published on June 18, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)44 Comments

Thursday. 10 1/2 weeks into this new world.

Everything has changed.

I no longer have a “get up and going” attitude. Instead I get up with knowing it is another day to get through and oh I am so tired of having to get through. I try to go on because I know Justin would be so sad if I changed who I was and what I loved to do. But honestly, it is so hard every day.

Today a friend is having a little gathering at her home to help me address and stamp the thank you cards. I made my own because I didn’t like the generic feel of the ones that were given to us to send. I know those cards would have worked for probably about 95% of the population and most people would probably have been thankful that it was something they did not have to think about – but for me, the cards we were given did not say enough of what the support of friends and family has meant to us. I can’t even express that what people have done has helped lift us up over this awful chasm in our lives. Justin and I both have a creative side and the cards… well the cards were something I needed to do for both of us.

So that is today.

Tonight I have an invite from a girl in my book club to come over, talk books, and have a glass of wine. That sounds nice. I am trying day to day to move forward in some manner. What might not look like significant progress to the normal person, is a huge step for me. Even leaving my house to go to someone elses to work on thank you’s or to have a nice talk and a glass of wine is a big step.

Thank you for visiting me here at Book Journey and walking with me in all the ways you do through this process. In all the ways you reach out: leaving a comment, sending a card, saying a prayer, thinking of us…. this card is also for you.

Audio Book Month Giveaway!

Published on June 17, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)18 Comments

If you read me here at Book Journey you are probably well aware that I love audio books. Often, I listen to more audio than I read books because I can listen to audio while doing other things:

cook

clean

mow the lawn

work in the flower garden

sit on my deck

painting a room

Normally I make a big deal out of audio book month trying to talk my non audio book friends into trying an audio, offering up giveaways, narrator interviews…. Of course, I am searching to find a new normal so here we are the 17th of June and this is my first mention of audio book month. When it was offered for me to give away a couple of audio books here at Book Journey I though I can do this much.

So….

When fourteen-year-old Jace Wilson witnesses a brutal murder, he’s plunged into a new life, issued a false identity, and hidden in a wilderness-skills program for troubled teens. The plan is to get Jace off the grid while police find the two killers. The result is the start of a nightmare.

The killers, known as the Blackwell Brothers, are slaughtering anyone who gets in their way in a methodical quest to reach him. Now all that remains between them and the boy are Ethan and Allison Serbin, who run the wilderness-survival program; Hannah Faber, who occupies a lonely fire lookout tower; and endless miles of desolate Montana mountains.

The clock is ticking, the mountains are burning, and those who wish Jace Wilson dead are no longer far behind.

Listening Length: 10 hours and 30 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Hachette Audio

This giveaway is open to US addresses only. To enter please leave in the comments an audio book that you would highly recommend and why. (I am always looking for great audio). If you are not an audio book listener, please tell me in the comments what you would consider listening to if you were to try audio (ie. a memoir, comedy, favorite author, genre…) For an additional entry please subscribe to Book Journey by signing up to receive my posts by email (upper right side bar). If you are already a subscriber that is a free entry. Share link to this post on Twitter using the hashtag #audiomonth and/or #audies2015 for a third entry.

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Winner will be announced here on Sunday June 21st.