Book Journey

Good morning!  It’s me, Lori From Escape With Dollycas.  I “met” Sheila a few years ago when she took over the It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? meme. I absolutely love her blog and she is a fantastic person. She is always busy doing something for the local library or running a race or biking somewhere. She is like the energizer bunny. I am amazed she even finds time to read a book let alone review them. But she does! And she does it so well!

Now that she and her hubby are off on a well-deserved vacation she has asked several bloggers to fill in for her Morning Meanderings. I am thrilled to be one of those asked.

 

I decided to talk about the book Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. This book came out on June 5, 2012. Sheila reviewed it July 27, 2012. I saw everyone was reading it and after Sheila’s review I ordered it. When it arrived I put it on the top of my TO-BE-READ stack where my oldest daughter saw and took it home with her. She kept it for a few months, failing to tell me it had made the rounds with her co-workers. She then passed it along to her sister who shared it with a couple of her friends too. It really didn’t faze me that the book was missing because I have a huge supply of books to read. Then one day I saw the movie trailer and realized I still had not read the book. I asked the girls where it was and my youngest daughter said, “It’s on my keeper shelf.” I told her since it was my book that maybe I should be able to read it before it took up residence on her shelf. She then brought me the book.

Thankfully the hard cover book was still in very good condition after all its travels. So I finally was able to read and review this book last September. You can read my review here but I had the same feelings Sheila did only she wrote it much better:

“WHAT?”
“Noooooo….”
“That can’t be, ri… oh. It is.”
“NO WAY!”
“That’s crazy!”
“That’s brilliant!”
“Oh no he didn’t!”
“OH NO, she didnt!”

Then at the end I wanted to throw this book at the wall.

I needed to talk this through with someone so I called up my daughters and we had quite a discussion. This is not a book where you get to the end and feel the mystery is all tied up in a neat little bow. It is a book that left me feeling ‘WHAT” or as the younger generation says “WTF”! When the movie came out both daughters wanted to go and maybe they did and haven’t told me. I was too upset to go see it. I am sure the actors are wonderful but I probably would have been yelling at the screen. Very bad etiquette for a person my age 😛 I do see the movie comes out on DVD January 13. I may have to purchase it so I can yell at the screen in the privacy of my own home. Maybe I can call my daughters and we can have a movie night together. Watch out there will probably be popcorn flying. I will be sure to share it on my own blog if it happens!

Thank you Sheila for letting me blog sit today! I hope you are having a fabulous time.

Lori/Dollycas

 

Hi!  I am Ryan from Wordsmithonia.  It seems like I’ve known Sheila for forever.  She wasn’t the blogger that got me hooked on the idea of blogging itself, but she was the first new blogger I met, and she couldn’t have been kinder.  I’m pretty sure it was actually through the Ning Book Blogs site that I met her.  I had just started blogging, back in the summer of 2009, and I was trying to check out as many resources as I could.  I came across a group for Minnesota book bloggers, and while I don’t live there now, it is my home state, and ended up talking with Sheila.  She was more than gracious to this newbie, and she was there, willing to answer any questions I had, and give as much encouragement as she had the time for.  She was a godsend back then, and I couldn’t have been more grateful to her.  I’ve cherished our blogging relationship ever since then, and I know it will be a relationship I can look forward to for years to come.  I guess I’m using all these words as a way to say how frickin excited I was that Sheila asked me to pop on in, and do some blog sitting for her.

One of the things I’ve always adored about Sheila is her ability to get me, and others, to read books we wouldn’t have read on our own.   There have been many over the years, but when I put on my excavating gear, and actually started to nose around in her archives, I quickly realized two things; how much she really did influence my own reading habits, and how many books we had in common.

Now we all know how many books she has reviewed over the years, so I wasn’t about to head into her archives unprepared, or by myself.  It took me a few day to assemble my team, get the equipment gathered, and psych myself up for such a awesome journey.  I knew I needed the legendary explorer, Professor Von Hardwigg to spearhead the expedition.  Anyone who has been to the center of the Earth, was more than prepared for the daunting task that laid before us.  I also knew that I wanted to have Tom Sullivan and Paul Harris on the team.  The work they did on the Hypnerotomachia impressed the hell out of me. They were essential to my plan to excavate any rare and valuable tomes that we came across, and I wouldn’t have been able to undertake such a journey without them.  I rounded out the team by inviting Professor Karen Holloway.  I had been impressed with the way she handled the whole Houses of Stone incident, and I knew she could be counted on to help explore Sheila’s Archives just as easily.

It must have been towards the end of day three, that we started to look for somewhere to set up base camp.  We needed to find a good centralized location from which we could develop a good strategy, and come up with an overall map of the place.  For a second, I considered using the 2 bedroom, brownstone apartment that the Wendt’s had used, but I remembered the issues they had with it, and I wasn’t wanting to deal with the same thing.  I thought about using the Mississippi home of Silas Jones, but figured that he and his brother were still needing space to fix their relationship.  I even considered setting up near the Borgo Pass, but didn’t want to deal with the temperamental Count who lives near by.  When none of the other suggestions made a lick of sense, I racked my brain for hours, trying to come up with an alternate solution.  Then it hit me, why not use a location that Sheila herself introduced me to.  Why I didn’t think of that secluded, secret garden before was a mystery to me, but I knew it would be the perfect spot.

Sheila had actually organized this huge party a few years ago, introducing many of us to this magical place.  Though it had been a few years, I still knew the general location in the archives, and figured it would be a good, central location from which to continue our explorations.  Once we had indeed found it, and started to settle in, we experienced a sense of contentment and peace, something that we were woefully lacking after such an arduous first leg of the trip.  We were made to feel at home by the three lovely children who regularly visited the garden, and they graciously provided us with hours of entertainment.  I wasn’t expecting to have the same emotional reaction to the garden as I did the first time around, but I couldn’t help but feel as if I had come home once again.  The history behind the garden, the stories that developed around it, and the way it had influenced the lives of the children, made this particular garden a peaceful haven.

Now I’ll be the first to admit that I was reluctant to even visit the garden the first time around.  I had always viewed garden parties as something of a more “feminine” past time.  I even remember writing in my journal of my initial hesitation, and the eventual transformation I went through once I shrugged off my hesitancy and allowed myself to enjoy my stay there. I had no such doubt in my mind this time around.  I knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that the garden would make a lovely headquarters as my team continued to explore Sheila’s Archives.  Maybe, someday, I’ll even let you guys in on some of our findings.

 

Hi!  Good morning!  This is Kathryn from The Book Date.  Well by now you all know that Sheila is away at the moment, actually she is visiting us Down Under. I was delighted to hear she was coming to Australia and even more delighted when she revealed that she is visiting my own country New Zealand.  Hope you are loving both countries Sheila.  Australian beaches are the best!  And a little shopping in Sydney – not to be dismissed. Remember folks its summer here, so Sheila is escaping your winter for a little while.

I first heard of Sheila before I “met” her. I used to have a teacher blog and joined Jen at Teach Mentor Texts where she ran the children’s and YA version of the meme It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?  She always acknowledged Sheila at Book Journey and I wondered who this person was!  I never really ventured in to find out.  It wasn’t until I began my own reading blog for myself that I eventually discovered Sheila at Book Journey.

 

I love Book Journey because it oozes energy, fun and variety and a great love of books.  Now I link up to her meme It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?  It has been where I have discovered all kinds of reading blogs and readers.  I love it.  I also love her 1st book of the year meme and the challenges she hosts.

Anyway while Sheila is away I’ve been taking a little book journey through her archives.  I was excited to find a post that had my name on it! It jogged a memory button. Its from July 2009 and the book she was talking about is Beach Girls by Luanne Rice.  I enjoyed The Lemon Orchard by this same author in 2013 but haven’t read any more since. It’s true about that adage – “give old posts a little love”, and I’m loving this post from back in 2009.

 

I have this ‘real’ book on my TBR  shelf. I keep passing over it, not even choosing it for challenges I’m doing to clear my TBR in 2015.  Now I’ve read Sheila’s review of Beach Girls I am thinking, “ why have I been avoiding it?” It sounds like a great read.  Friendship, a strong female and what sounds to me like some emotional angst. Hey this is my type of book!  And.. what’s more Sheila mentions there is a follow up, Last Kiss.  And I did mention its summer down here, perfect read.  It is going on my “must read” list for this summer.

Thanks, Sheila from a very happy Kiwi.

 

Good Morning!  Laurel here from, well… many blogs. 🙂  While Sheila is away with her hubby enjoying some well-deserved playtime, I am going to chat with you about how I first connected with her…and also talk about a favorite topic of mine: books that have found a home on the Big Screen.
It was 2009, and my first blog, Creations by Laurel-Rain Snow (now Story Corner) had been around for a year, but I hadn’t done much with it. We connected on a site called Book Blogs, and when I first visited her blog, I discovered that I had to grab a cup of coffee so I could be in the groove for the Morning Meanderings.

I enjoyed the idea of bloggers connecting regularly around coffee and chatting, which was what Morning Meanderings was all about. I discovered Sheila’s love of Gilmore Girls, and have since become a binge-viewer of the entire series (on Netflix).
So grab some coffee, and let’s talk about books that have been made into movies.
Do you love seeing film adaptations of some of your favorite books? Some of my favorites in 2014 were If I Stay, The Fault in Our Stars, and Gone Girl. I had read all of these books before seeing the movies…and I am glad I did.
In the New Year, there are going to be several book-into-movie productions, and one of them will be John Green’s Paper Towns, coming in June 2015. I haven’t yet read it, but I have the e-book on Sparky. Here is Sheila’s review of Paper Towns.

 

Paper Towns by John Green

On the heels of The Fault in Our Stars’ success comes the next John Green adaptation of Paper Towns. The movie stars Cara Delevingne as Margo Roth Speigelman and Nat Wolf as Quentin Jacobsen in the story that brings two sort of friends together via a mystery. Filming has begun for the movie, which is slated to be released June 19, 2015.

 

Do you find that you enjoy the books more than the movies, or vice versa? I have had mixed reactions…but in the case of If I Stay, I loved the movie more because of the music. Yes, you can read about music, but actually hearing it comes through best in a film, IMO.
Gone Girl was another book that really translated well into film. The intensity between the characters was brought out successfully through the wonderful performances of Rosamund Pike and Ben Affleck. I was gripping the edge of my seat throughout, and then said “wow” several times as I left the theater.
What are you looking forward to in the New Year? What exciting books and movies are on your list?

 

Good morning!  This is Candace from Beth Fish Reads hanging out here at Book Journey. Although I don’t always comment, I rarely forget to pop over to check out what Sheila is up to—and Morning Meandering is the best way to see what she has going on. As you already know, Sheila is currently halfway around the world visiting one of the places I’ve always wanted to see: Australia.

I can’t tell you why I have a soft spot for Australia or why I’m drawn to books set there. Maybe it’s the exotic wildlife, the sense of wilderness, or the beauty of the land. In any case, as I’m thinking of Sheila’s adventures Down Under, I’m reminded of some of my favorite books set in Australia.

In no particular order here are two books and two series that I loved, loved, loved:
Who hasn’t read the Thorn Birds saga by Colleen McCullough? If you haven’t, then get yourself to the bookstore immediately. Forbidden love, family drama, and almost sixty years on a sheep station in the heart of Australia: this novel has it all.

 

So you think you want to visit Australia? After reading Bill Bryson’s In a Sunburned Country, you might end up with mixed feelings. The beauty of the outback is definitely tempered by a multitude of dangers. Bryson’s humor and the stories of his adventures as he travels throughout the country are not to be missed.

 

John Marsden wrote my all-time favorite alternate history books set Down Under. The Tomorrow series (Tomorrow When the War Began, etc.) and the Ellie Chronicles (While I Live, etc.) together consist of ten action-packed, gut-wrenching, beautifully written novels of a group of teens who are forced to survive on their own after Australia is invaded by an outside enemy. Seriously good books (and great audios!).

 

A Book you might not have known was set in Australia: Jo Nesbo’s The Bat, the first in the Harry Hole series.

Two terrific Australian authors: Liane Moriarty (The Husband’s Secret, etc.) and Shaun Tan (Lost & Found, etc.).

 

Okay, Sheila, your trip may have an end, but your adventures in Australia have only just begun. Hope you find something here to take you back to your fabulous vacation.

 

Hi all!  Elizabeth here from Silver’s Reviews.  Sheila and I met at the BEA in 2013 entirely by a wonderful accident.  Yes…accidents can be wonderful at times.  🙂

We were discussing via e-mail before the BEA that we hopefully would run into each other but highly unlikely so we weren’t counting on it, but lo and behold we did meet.

Sheila and I were in line for the Book Bloggers Conference along with hundreds of other bloggers, and we just happened to be next to each other as we made our way into the line.  We started chatting and introducing ourselves and laughed when we found out who each of us was.  I loved it and so did Sheila.

Sheila has a wonderful blog that makes you want to read EVERY book she has read, but there is no way I can do that nor can I keep up with her activities.  Sheila has so many activities and does so much she makes me tired.  🙂  Sheila has a fantastic personality and smile that is very inviting.

I want to live in Minnesota so I can be in her book club.  🙂  That is one lucky book club to have Sheila in it.  The Brainerd Library also is one lucky library to have Sheila involved.

Sheila has a review archive that I can’t even come close to.  I did read a few of the books Sheila has read and that we both enjoyed.

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
The Husband’s Secret
I’d Know You Anywhere

I could look around Sheila’s blog ALL day and still not be tired of looking around.  Sheila has posts that pull you in and make you want to come back.  The sign of a great blogger.

I know Sheila loves HUGE mugs of coffee so I thought I would join in with a photo of my favorite mug and mug shot.  🙂

Happy New Year to all and Happy Reading in 2015.

 

Hi!  This is Florinda from The 3 R’s Blog enjoying a cup of coffee at Book Journey.  I’m glad Sheila invited me to be one of her blog-sitters  while she’s on a real-life journey of her own, although I’m more than a little envious she gets to go to Australia.

I’ve known Sheila and Book Journey for so long I can’t actually remember when we first “met” virtually, but I absolutely remember meeting her in person for the first time in New York City during the week of Book Expo 2011. That was my first time at BEA, but not my last, and hanging out with Sheila has been one of the highlights of every visit there–because if you know how much fun she is on her blog, you can just imagine what she’s like in person!

Knowing Sheila has influenced me in two major ways: as an audiobook reader, and as a reader/re-reader of Banned Books. The annual celebration of Banned Books Week is one of my favorite features at Book Journey, and I’ve joined in several times. In 2012, we both posted reviews of the often-challenged YA novel The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier. It was a re-read for me, and I said:

“My recollection was that The Chocolate War was a pretty dark novel, and it certainly is, but its dystopian world is that of the contemporary high school–and at almost forty years old, it barely feels dated at all. In fact, its bullying theme may be, sadly, even more timely now. Cormier’s characterizations aren’t terribly complex, but his adolescent boys behave believably. The novel’s plotting is tight and the tension rarely lets up. There’s a good deal of violence here, both psychological and physical…The Chocolate War is chilling, unsettling, and very true to life, and I can see many reasons why it’s frequently challenged, It’s also a defining work of young-adult fiction that needs to be read and discussed for many years to come.”

Sheila listened to the audiobook, and she said:

“Can you say we have a winner? The Chocolate War is the portrayal of a dystopian type world where you just need to fall in line with what you are told to do… (think Pink Floyd, The Wall video). When Jerry comes on the scene and at first is bullied into not selling the chocolates like everyone else and then decided to not sell at all.. things get pretty crazy in this book.

“Bullying is a strong theme throughout the book, and not just the physical kind – and not just from the students…. really the book is powerful and sad but really made an impact on me. I am so glad I read it.”

(This is just one of the hundreds of reviews you’ll find in Book Journey’s review archives–go take a look, and see what books you and Sheila have in common!)

Banned Books Week 2015 will take place the week of September 27-October 3. I’m sure Sheila will be observing it here at Book Journey, and I’m marking my calendar now so I have some reading planned for it–you might want to do the same! Till then, thanks for Meandering with me today!