Book Journey

Morning Meanderings…Bloggers and Books…. What’s Not To Love?

Published on January 25, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)29 Comments

Good morning! Happy Sunday! It’s ME! Home and catching up on sleep and laundry, loving on my dogs, and just LOVING it!

I want to take a couple of minutes here and thank all the awesome blog sitters that popped in while I was gone and chatted up books here. I loved all the posts and had a great time reading them and the comments while in Australia and New Zealand. If you missed any of these great discussions, here are the links:

Judith from Leswammes Blog talks about the books we should look at again

Florinda from the 3 R’s Blog talks about CHOCOLATE and War… what is it good for?

Elizabeth from Silver’s Reviews digs into the books we have both enjoyed

Candace from Beth Fish Reads is all about Australia!

Laurel Rain Snow Talks about Books and Movie – Oh My!!!

Kathryn From Book Date Takes Us To The Beach

Ryan from Wordsmithonia Pulls Our The Big Guns To Find The Secret Garden

Lori from Escape With Dollycas hashes out Gone Girl

Donna from Writer Side UP! takes care of the cobwebs in my archives

Kim from Sophisticated Dorkiness brings tea and discusses non fiction reads

Laura Fabiani from IRead Book Tours comes over and starts a FIRE!

Sue from Book by Book chats about Author Justin Cronin

Jennifer from Literate Housewife discusses Team Mockingjay or Not

Elizabeth from Silvers Reviews Talks about The Hotel On The Corner Of Bitter and Sweet

Stacy From The Novel Life Talks Coffee and Books

This is a group of great bloggers that I have had thee chance to get to know on-line, through books, and some even in person. It was fun to reminisce how we met and what books they love. If you have not had a chance to check out their blogs, they are linked on their posts and I hope you explore what they are writing about. 🙂

And now…. the books.

I slowed down on making requests before I left and I was pleased to see when I came home that I was not overloaded:

I Was Here by Gayle Forman (audio)

The Work by Wes Moore (audio)

The Conspiracy Of Us by Maggie Hall (audio)

Lost and Found by Brooke Davis (audio)

Some Other Town by Elizabeth Collison

New Uses For Old Boyfriends by Beth Kendrick

Aristotle and Dante Discover The Secrets Of The Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz

Landry Park by Bethany Hagen

A great mix of genres and books and audio!

Today, I think I will be reading Harry Potter and The Goblet Of Fire. I think our readalong posts go up yet this month (I need to check) and I have a ways to go. 🙂 * Just checked – I am late on posting! LOL The link to add your posts is now up.

Dark Places by Gillian Flynn

Published on January 24, 2015January 24, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)43 Comments

Libby Day was seven years old when her two sisters and mother were murdered by her fifteen year old brother Ben. It was little Libby’s testimony that put Ben behind bars for life and now, 24 years later Libby stands by her testimony and has never went to see her convicted brother.

While Libby was a sole survivor of what was known as the “The Satan Sacrifice of Kinnakee, Kansas.”, the term “survive” is a loose definition. Libby is used to being cared for by a trust fund and has never held down a job. She suffers from bouts of depression and often finds it hard to get out of bed. However, the trust fund is running dangerously low after all of these years and Libby needs to figure out what she is going to do with her life and how to finally take control of her future.

When Libby agrees to be paid to speak to a group called The Kill Club, a group of people who follow true crimes, she thinks this will be an easy task. She is shocked to find out the group has other theories on what really happened that night and they believe Libby’s brother Ben is innocent. For a fee, Libby agrees to take another look at what happened the night of the killings, which means she will have to reconnect with the shadows of her past.

A few years ago a friend of mine recommended I read this book. She described it as being even better than Gone Girl (by the same author) and I meant to read it then, but we know how that can go. Finally, recently I picked up this book and found it engaging right from the start. While Libby is a strange protagonist (lazy at times, disengaged in real life…) she grew on me.

I flew through this book in two days and enjoyed another twisty turny read from Gillian Flynn. I guessed at the ending, and I guessed wrong. It was much more twisted than I had thought and I loved the super craziness of it all.

If Gone Girl was a book you enjoyed to be shocked by, do not miss out on Dark Places. This book will be a movie released in 2015. Be ready… I will be. 🙂

Paperback: 349 pages
Publisher: Broadway Books; 1 Reprint edition (May 4, 2010)

Morning Meanderings… A Look At The Hobbit Movie Set

Published on January 24, 2015January 24, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)49 Comments

Many of you know I just returned this Thursday from a 17 day trip to Australia and New Zealand. Fair warning: I am sure I will be talking about this trip and posting pictures for weeks to come.

Today, for Saturday Snapshot, I thought it would be fun to share with you my husband and my trip to Middle Earth, the bookish tour we were able to take part in New Zealand…. yes,

Hobbiton.

I absolutely would not be me if I did not take the opportunity to get my geek on. We were not the only ones… 1,500 people a day, seven days a week, on average visit this site. At $75 a person… that’s a lot of “cha-ching”.

When you first walk in, this is what you see…. a few Hobbit holes. The tree to the left is 100% fabricated. Over 10,000 artificial leaves were hand stitched for this tree and sent to the set from Taiwan where they were then individually wired on to the tree.

We were lucky enough to have out tour guide be a nephew of the owners of the property the Hobbiton movie set and tour is on. The story of how this came to be the permanent movie and tour set is an interesting one.

Book JOurney, Hobbiton New Zealand — 39 Hobbit holes are on the property.

When Director Peter Jackson was flying over New Zealand looking for a potential spot to shoot parts of the film, The Hobbit, he could not believe his luck when he seen a piece of property that had the makings of covering the Hobbit Village. The property is owned by a family named The Alexander’s and when Peter Jackson came knocking on their door with their idea they pretty much told him they were busy and shut the door. Peter Jackson showed up the next day with more people and more money…. and so it began.

The project was a BIG secret. Peter Jackson even had the air space above the property as a “no fly zone” to keep what was happening under wraps. The New Zealand Army brought the set up to the property in army trucks and if people asked questions, they were told it was exercises for the NZ Army.

Note: During filming two pilots did fly over the set. They were tracked down, made to give up any cameras, film, and memory cards they had that could carry pictures of the top-secret set. These pilots also lost their licenses to fly in New Zealand forever. It was that serious.

Initially the set was to be built, filmed, and then tore down restoring the land to its natural state. When it came time to tear it down, New Zealand was experiencing extreme weather conditions and the project was delayed by three weeks. During this time a few of the people on their tear down team went into town to a pub and proceeded to drink a little too much ( true story!). While in this pub they said a little too much about the filming of the movie on the property. Neighbors went nuts wanting to see the set, demanding to see the property and initially it was opened up a tour only for those who lived around the area.

Hobbiton, Bilbo Baggins, Book Journey, Sheila DeChantal — The most famous Hobbit home of all… Bilbo Baggins.

Then, a different idea came to be. With the potential of future movies being made, the set was rebuilt using sturdier materials and this time built as a permanent set. The windows to the hobbit houses were real glass heated to give the wavy “aged” look they have. Thatched roofs were built on some, the hobbit homes were painted and then sprayed with vinegar purchased at the local stores to give it the worn and aged look.

As seen above in the movie clip, Al and I walked on the bridge to the Hobbit Village where we had a snack along with special made beverages made only for the Hobbiton Village. I tried the cider beer and Al tried an Ale, both were very good.

This was a great tour! If you are ever in Matamata New Zealand I highly recommend you experience this village. I can only imagine how blown away JR Tolkien would be.

The Party Tree in Hobbiton Village... considered to be one of the most famous trees in the world. — The Party Tree in Hobbiton Village… considered to be one of the most famous trees in the world. Bilbo made one of his long speeches under this tree.

A closer look at the trees. The fake one (left) and a very real one (right)

Thanks for visiting Hobbiton with me! 🙂 Here is a link to the tours and more information.

The Aviator’s Wife by Melanie Benjamin

Published on January 23, 2015January 23, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)20 Comments

When Charles Lindbergh visited the Morrow home, everyone thought of the two sisters, surely the famous pilot would fall for the pretty well spoken Morrow sister Connie. To everyone’s surprise, Charles took a liking to the quieter more reserved of the two sisters, Anne who was home for the holidays from college.

Anne not only became the wife of Charles Lindbergh, but also the first licensed female glider pilot in the USA. She also becomes a mother, a mother of not only the sad and well-known story of the Lindbergh child kidnapping, but also went on to have 5 more children.

The Aviator’s Wife tells the Lindbergh story from Anne’s point of view. What was it like to be in the shadow of the man who everyone knew? What was it like to carry on as the happy Mrs. Lindbergh when Charles was away more than he was home and eventually the truth of where he was spending all of his time comes out in the end?

We chose The Aviator’s Wife as a book club read. Having grown up about 30 minutes from Charles Lindbergh’s childhood home, I honestly knew little of the man beyond the famous flights and the kidnapping and death of his first-born. This book seemed like an opportunity to learn a little more about Charles, but even more so, his wife, Anne.

I really enjoyed this read and learned much about the famous first family of the air. While this is a historical fiction read and some liberties are taken with Anne, the basic underline of the true story is there. I did not know about her pilot’s license, the other children, or the fact that she was also an author of several books, including editing Charles own book for him. Engaging. I was surprised by how little I really knew about the Lindbergh’s. I came out of this read with a lot of respect for Anne who had a hard role to play and from this read at least, did the best she could with the life she chose.

I plan to read more on this famous woman, including the book her daughter Reeve Lindbergh wrote, No More Words, which tells the story of her mother’s last years.

Paperback: 448 pages
Publisher: Bantam; 10/27/13 edition (November 26, 2013)

Morning Meanderings…. BACK in The USA!

Published on January 23, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)20 Comments

Hobbiton – The Lord Of The Rings Movie Set in New Zealand

Good morning! IT is late morning here but I had to post! I am back! Back in my home as of about 2 am this morning. It was a LONG travel day(s) home. We left the cruise ship in New Zealand at 6:30 am on Thursday the 22nd. We went on an excursion to the Glow Worm Caves and then delivered tot he airport at 4:30 pm. Our flight of 12 hours and 15 minutes left at 10:45 pm so we had 6 hours in the airport. After traveling through the night we arrived in LA California at 2:00 pm on the 22nd (again) as we lost a day in the time zones. We boarded our flight for Minneapolis at 10: 45 pm (again) and arrived in the cities (our time) 3 1/2 hours later at 11:09 pm. We then drove to Brainerd and arrived around 2:00 am on the 23rd. Today.

*whew* All that time travel!

I did read and I have reviews to write yet. Internet was 50 cents a minute for us to use so I was on very little, much less than I thought I would be. Of course, that is not a bad thing as instead of being on line I was out and about EMERGING (my word for 2015) myself in the trip of a lifetime.

Audio was a no go. I had shut the data off on my phone and was unable to listen to audible without it. I have not listened to audio in 18 days. CRAZY for someone who listens to books every day. LOTS of catching up to do.

As you can imagine I have TONS to do. Without the data I was unable to upload pictures and between myself and the group I was with – we have a TON of pictures to play with.

I am planning on laying low through the weekend. I feel good now but expect jet lag to set in at some point. I had the most amazing time but am so glad to be back home with my pups, in my own bed and unlimited internet 🙂

Stay tune for the pics – I am sure it will take me weeks of posts to get them up and organized but tomorrow for Saturday Snapshot I will be ready to start sharing. 🙂

Morning Meanderings… Stacy from The Novel Life, Coffee AND Books

Published on January 22, 2015January 5, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)30 Comments

Stacy here from The Novel Life! Hello!!! Ahhh, morning meanderings reminds me of a confiding stroll through Central Park on a warm Spring day. An outside brunch with my best girlfriend. Meeting for drinks in a quaint coffee-house or even better, a quaint coffee-house filled with books! For as long as I’ve known Sheila the Morning Meanderings has been a brief look into the life of a dedicated wife, reader and friend. Now, as she is touring Australia, I get an opportunity to try to fill her shoes {not that that feat is possible, but it’s fun to try nonetheless}.

In this unique and crazy world of book blogging it’s fascinating how we connect with others to the point we’d call them a close friend. I “met” Sheila several years ago when we were both newish blogs. We would comment on each other’s posts and in general became good acquaintances. Then we met at BEA ‘2010, and I can attest to the fact that Sheila is just as friendly in-real-life as she is on Book Journey! I interviewed Sheila for my blog’s feature “Sunday Serenade” in 2010 and then Sheila became one of my go-to experts in 2014 for “Ask the Bloggers.” Her advice is always spot-on! I know I can count on Sheila for encouragement, advice, and a good laugh or two!

In poking around Book Journey I’m reminded of the books we’ve both agreed were fabulous and touched us in meaningful ways ~ like Sheila, I listened to the audio {all 30+ hours!} of 11-22-63. In my mind the narrator Craig Wasson will forever be the voice of Jake Epping. That book was my introduction to Stephen King, and man, was I blown away. {see my review here}.

One book that we differed on was Me Before You by Jojo Moyes. My bookclub read it {my review here} and enjoyed the controversial plot discussion, but I felt this particular Moyes novel was more along the lines of a Nicholas Sparks kind-of read. Sheila loved it, giving it 5 stars although she does not even give star ratings! Funny how that works, right?

Having friends like Sheila is what truly makes book blogging the love that it has become. I feel with Sheila that there is such a sense of camaraderie and true friendship. I’m so thankful to have met Sheila, both in-real-life and through our book blogs. Thank you Sheila for inviting me to poke around Book Journey and to do a bit of meandering myself! Now hurry up and get back from that ah-ah-ah-mazing journey you are on and tell us all about it! Missing you dear friend!

Morning Meanderings… Elizabeth and Hotel On The Corner Of Bitter Sweet Reminiscence

Published on January 21, 2015January 5, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)19 Comments

Elizabeth from Silver’s Reviews here, checking in on the blog again while Sheila is away. Sheila and I both loved THE HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET, and Sheila in her usual style went way over the top on her book review by adding videos, photos, and background information.

4a - Copy — Click here for Sheila’s review

My review of this wonderful book was when I first started blogging so it isn’t as thorough as my reviews are now, but regardless, THE HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET is a book you don’t want to miss reading.

Wouldn’t you agree that Sheila and I both have awesome tastes in books? 🙂

Morning Meandering… Jennifer from Literate Housewife and Team Mockingjay (or not…)

Published on January 20, 2015January 5, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)27 Comments

Hello! Good morning! This is Jennifer from Literate Housewife. I read very few series. When I do, it’s more often than not completed. The Hunger Game series by Suzanne Collins was different. When Catching Fire came out with so much buzz, I couldn’t resist. I began the series in audio but, not caring for the narrator, I switched to print for Catching Fire the very day after I finished The Hunger Games. With everyone else, I eagerly awaited Mockingjay. In fact it was my first preordered eBook because I wanted to get started IMMEDIATELY.

Sheila, get your Spoiler Alert button ready:

I selected Mockingjay as the title for this Morning Meandering because Sheila had the reaction I wanted to have. She ♥loved♥ it and as I read her review I got a kick out of her “I Love Mockingjay” picture. While I wouldn’t say that I had the opposite reaction, I was deeply disappointed by the end of this trilogy. Neither Peeta nor Gale impressed me at all. That I ever preferred either of them felt irrelevant because they were at best poor imitations of the characters they once were. Then, when Pru was killed anyway, I had to restrain myself from throwing my eReader across the room. I mourned the Mockingjay that wasn’t and, in lieu of a full review, I recapped my thoughts in a six stanza haiku poem.

Now that I’ve pointed out that Sheila loved Mockingjay while I did not, don’t think that there will be a Team Book Journey / Team Literate Housewife thing happening. We agree more often than not and its differences like this that make the reading world go round. But, if you were to pick sides on Mockingjay, which team would you be on? Is this a love/hate kind of book?

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

Published on January 18, 2015January 17, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)13 Comments

Hello! Welcome to It’s Monday What Are You Reading? The meme that we use 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!

Another Monday! I am now in New Zealand, back later this week. What a trip! Here is this weeks link up! Add your “It’s Monday” link below where it says click here.

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For those who read mainly children and middle grade books please add your link here as well:

Morning Meanderings… Sue from Book by Book on Cronin

Published on January 18, 2015January 5, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)25 Comments

Oh, hello! This is Sue from Book by Book. Sheila asked me to help blog-sit while she is enjoying her vacation in Australia, so I just stopped by to water her plants and feed her ~~cat~~ errr…. dogs.

While I’m here, I might as well check out her books – don’t you just love looking at other people’s bookshelves? Oooh…Sheila has an amazing collection, with so much variety! Let’s see…read it, read it, read it, oh, want it!

Ah, here’s one that’s a favorite at our house: The Passage by Justin Cronin. My husband and I both read it a few years ago, but I just gave it to my father for Christmas and my 20-year old son finally took our advice and started reading it this week – I know they will both love it. Despite its big splash when first published, this is a book that stands up over time.

I just re-read Sheila’s review (one of many that made me want to read the book), and I agree with everything she’s said here.

If you are one of the few – like my son – who hasn’t read it yet, here’s a quick overview. The Passage is an epic post-apocalyptic thriller, covering over 100 years and several generations of people. You may have heard that it’s about vampires, but I’m not normally a fan of vampire books, and I loved it. The creatures in the novel are not traditional vampires of fictional lore but more a government experiment to create super-soldiers with a virus that went terribly wrong. Here’s my review, from 2011.

I see that Sheila also read and reviewed The Twelve, the sequel to The Passage. I agree with her review – that The Twelve is a good follow-up but is a lot more complicated and well, more everything. Here’s my review, too (no spoilers in any of our reviews).

So, if you are looking for some high-octane post-apocalyptic action, check out this unique and thrilling trilogy. Book 3, The City of Mirrors, is due out sometime this year – can’t wait! And word is that there is a movie adaptation of The Passage in the works – wow, that will be something to see.

I just know that my son and father will both love this book. Thanks to Sheila for reigniting my interest in it!