Tuesday, September 30, 2008

An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination: a memoir

Photograph of Elizabeth McCracken

Title: An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination: a memoir
Author: Elizabeth McCracken
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Pages: 188
Yearly Count: 61

In this AMAZING memoir Elizabeth McCracken tells her story, the life she has and the one that she lost. A book for those gone, so early in their little lives that it would seem they were almost a figment of our imagination. Written by a woman who knows what it feels like, what it looks like and how it is all perceived. What? A stillbirth, the loss, the pain, grief, the lists of firsts, of places never returned to, of a child that faded way before he was even seen.

McCracken's emotion in this book is not theatrical, over dramatic, or written about in a long prose of self-mope. It is a book of reality, of memories, and memories that should have been, but were not and of the life that continues and the loss that is still felt even when others forget.
If I had a stillbirth, this is the book I would grab, and if you haven't this is still the book I would recommend. I do not know this pain or the suffering that surrounds the death of a child, of one not even allowed to experience the first breath. An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination speaks soothing while raw words, from the depths of honesty inside McCracken's stunning pen-shaped-heart.

As powerful as Elisabeth McCracken's memoir is, it is endearing, hopeful, sad and unique. This is the story of a woman, and her husband in a country not their own. The story of a baby that was not born, and his brother (born later) who would not ever take his place, but who would fill his parent's hearts with joy, even if they would never forget their sweet Pudding (that is what they endearingly named their first child). In reading it I felt encouraged, and uplifted, the way Elizabeth puts it down really mostly makes you think. It makes you see things in a new light, and from the angle of someone who has gone through loss. Ya gotta read it!!

Audio Excerpt by Elizabeth McCracken
Chapter Excerpt An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination

Blog Tour Stops for: An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination

i gotta have me these:

The books are linked to who's blog I saw them on first when I decided I wanted to read them:
My Father's Paradise by Ariel Sabar (review from Trish's Reading Nook)
Strange Times, My Dear: The PEN Anthology of Contemporary Iranian Literature
See You in A Hundred Years: Four Seasons in Forgotten America by Logan Ward
(review from Bermudaonion)
Lulu in Marrakesh by Diane Johnson (S. Krishna's Books)
The Boy Who Wore Striped Pajamas by John Boyne (review from The Sleepy Reader)
The Hunger Games by Suzzane Collins (the Book Nest)
Empress Orchid by Anchee Min (from Violet Crush)
The Last Empress by Anchee Min (from Violet Crush)

Monday, September 29, 2008

Darfur

http://dusteye.files.wordpress.com/2007/03/darfur.jpg

home is gone
life smells dank
youth is no loner young
food does not nourish

loss, fighting, war
severance of love
gone is my family

do people know?
are they coming to help?

b.

http://128.97.251.217:8080/img/photos/2007/11/01/web.ae.screenscene.darfur.picA_t820.jpg

they are not a political stance
not a sign to put on your lawn
your house, your car
or a hat to wear

they are a people
a proud nation
our brothers, sisters

real voices, real hopes
desires
a part of us that needs help

they are a people
a proud nation
our brothers, sisters

so put on your "save darfur" paraphernalia
wear your hats, ties, bracelets, shirts
bring on the awareness


but don't make Darfur your status symbol
a symbol of who you are
and what you stand for
of how you will vote
let them break your heart
over and over
don't grow cold
always hear the cries
don't neglect the need

they are a people
a proud nation
our brothers, sisters

b.











I heart your blog!



I feel so honoured, I received this award from Ramya, Tricia, literate housewife, Amanda, and Avis
Thank you so much!!! I love awards :)

So the low down is: You can nominate or not, post it or not, this gift comes with no strings attached :) just enjoy.It seems this is going around, so I am not going to worry if those who I nominate have it already, here it goes:

Ramya's Bookshelf.
I enjoy the honesty, and the time she puts into each of her reviews. I love that she is interested in people around the world, and that she has been one of the greatest supporters of my orbis terrarum challenge. She recently even updated her blog, it is beautiful in its simplicity and design :) We recently bonded over blog design as well.

Caravana de recuerdos
This is not only a book blog, but there are tons of amazing books reviewed there. It is something of a celebration of sorts. I love that Caravana reviews books in Spanish and English and watches movies and gives reviews and insight. R-LO found me a while back, and I am so happy he did! He makes me feel a little piece of "at home" whenever I read a Spanish tid-bit on his blog. Se habla espaƱol, I heart bilingual :)

The Book Lady's Blog
Since book blogs are all about reviews, this lady writes some of my favourite reviews, and therefore I have to include her. I don't know her as well as I know the rest of the peeps mentioned here, but I am over and over again stunned by her high-quality, reviews and choices for books. I always check to see what new stuff she has going on, and there is always something worth checking!!!!

Just A (Reading) Fool
I know Just a reading fool does not actually accept awards...but I want to put him on my list of praise anyway :) (I do not want you to accept this award...but your blog is too great for me to not include it!!!!) There are so many women book bloggers, and amongst a sea of us there is Just a (Reading) Fool. I love the perspective he brings, the reviews he writes and even his selection of books. We have read several books together for our online book club and he brings loads of insight. I do heart your blog :)

The Literate Housewife Review
I heart her blog, her comments, and her supa- positive outlook :) She recently posted pics of herself at the National Book Festival, her smiles will tell you she is an authentic book lover! I am in her book club, and love seeing the amazing things that she does for this book community. She reads, she blogs and she does it with elegance and supa-style. Thanks Housewife, for being so truly literate!!!

Maw Books Blog
I heart her blog for several reasons, but the most important one is that she doesn't just read, she doesn't just blog. She goes all out and crates a movement, an amazing place where you can learn, donate, and share about the atrocities of Darfur. There are many people who can talk the talk, but Maw books goes beyond, much, much beyond that to walk the walk. We can all read about all the horrors of the world and say : "oh, now, isn't that sad...things really need to change", or we could change them. Yes Maw is changing things. I wish I could have helped out this time, but her event for Darfur caught me by surprise...I dream of putting something on like this, and she did it. I heart Maw Books.



I know...there should be seven but I can't pick a last one!!!! There are many other blogs I would love to nominate....so I will just leave the last spot open. :)








Sunday, September 28, 2008

24-hour-read-a-thon!!!!

Who is in? You don't even HAVE to stay up all night...Dewey says it is okay to get some sleep...come on! (is that enough peer pressure for you!?!?)
I personally cannot wait! I have so many books to read, and the read-a-thon really helps in that process. I did it in June and it was so fun, really it was an amazing time of all of us bonding over books. Folks check on you, comment on your posts, and give you prizes. And I can ask my hubby (B) to watch the boys ALL DAY LONG! Oh, how much better does it get, it does get better....I can go to a coffee shop and read :) What a lovely treat.
Who is in?

For all the juicy details go over to lovely Dewey's page where she gives all the facts of the 24-hour-read-a-thon!!!




Sunday Salon- reviews, and kill word verification!

This week has been filled with reading and blogging, and altering my blog look, but mostly the last one :) I have read some and here are the reviews from this week:
Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai
Front Porch Prophet by Raymond L. Atkins
What if...? by Steve N. Lee

Oh, and an author interview with Kathryn Maughan, the author of Did I Expect Angels?

One more thing that I just posted: kill word verification
The post is mostly for fun, but I am serious about getting rid of word verification, please, please consider it!?



I'll be back to check in later today.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

kill word verification: rid the world of useless typing


I have created a button, that hopefully becomes a movement. A movement for what? Well I am going to call it "Kill Word Verification: rid the world of useless typing". Below I have an explanation of what I am talking about, but just in case you don't know what word verification is it is those jabber words that you have to fill out (as a security measure) on blogs. Words like this: jimmex, meiwnl, jkehgd, wrttyl, leosbte, wligvfd, tehdjkgne,meihuguen, piihdkks, eisgeki....AHHHHHHHHH!

Should I really use the word hate to describe my feelings about word verification on blog comments? YES! no doubt at all. Word verification is not fun, it is not useful, and it decreases the amount of comments you receive on your blog!!

I have disabled the word verification on my blog, and have had it that way since I started my book blog in march, and on my personal blog I have had it that way for over two years. You know how many times I have gotten spam comments?? less than 10 (and that is for both blogs).

How to rid yourself of word verification?? There are two ways :)

First: get rid of word verification on your own blog, here is how:
1. click dashboard at the top right corner (in between your email address and the sign out links)
2.click on the "settings" link on your desired blog
3. This will take you to the basic settings tab, click on the "comments"tab (upper left)
4.)scroll down to the bottom of the page, it is a few questions from bottom and it says :
Show word verification for comments? click: NO
5.) Click on the "save settings" button at the bottom of the page to confirm and you are SET!


Second: let your readers know that they have the power to change their blogs as well:
Do you want to kill word verification too??? add this button to your blog, write a post for your readers....let's spread the news....we no longer have to submit to the powers that engulf us in useless typing!!!!!

You know what they say, "hate the sin, not the sinner!" hahahaha....seriously now though...consider helping all your commenters out and kill the word verification!!!!

take the button :

Be sure to leave me a comment if you agree, or disagree....no hate mail though :)

Inhearitance of Loss

http://www.paper-pills.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/desai.jpghttp://media-2.web.britannica.com/eb-media/14/97214-004-104EE1FA.jpg

Title: Inheritance of Loss
Author: Kiran Desai
Pages: 357
Yearly Count: 60
Awards: Winner of the Man Booker Prize 2006

I have been searching for this book and didn't even know it was this book I searched for. I wanted a book of daily details, of life of the people of India, a book that would be not so much filled with Indians who live outside of India, but of those who are there. I know this is a novel, and that it is not fact. I also know that I fell in love with the small details of India, the way tea is prepared, the way the pastries and food are rambled about, the words used to display affection, desire, and hate. I loved the storytelling qualities of Desai, working little every day Indian details and descriptions up into a stunning form of art. I was interested in the story, the plot, the characters and in a dream-like way immersed in a culture so far away.

The Inheritance of Loss is a book that follows several different people, their thoughts and dreams laid bare to the reader, they are vulnerable and real. The silliness of the wealthy is shown, placed in obvious display of ridicule...which I found endearing, and at the same time sad in many ways. Desai filled her novel with current (when it was written) details, of uprisings, protests, violence and how the general joe lives. I haven't found a better glimpse into the society of India.

I have read several books about India, or mostly about Indians, I have read Interpreter of Maladies, The Namesake, Karma and Other Stories by Rishi Reddi I am not sure this is my favourite, because I really did like The Interpreter of Maladies, but it is about equal with that read for me. I enjoyed it because it was different, a deeper portrayal, a darker glimpse, and one of those who stayed in India. It filled in answers, explained rivalries, and political issues...I really did enjoy it. I will say that sometimes I found it a little hard to follow, or at times slow. It is certainly worth a read though :) enjoy.

Other blogger reviews:
Wendy at Caribou's Mom
Gentle Reader at Shelf Life

Have you reviewed this too??? Let me know and I will link to you :)

Friday, September 26, 2008

new header!


I have a new header!! Stop by and take a look, I really had fun making it :) I need to get back to reading though!!! I have been working on getting better tabs, and my new header...I am really falling behind in the reading...but not tonight!

Happy weekend reading to you all!

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Author Interview with Kathryn Maughan


I am thrilled to present to you today's TLC stop for Did I Expect Angels? by Kathryn Maughan! Even thought I had read and reviewed Did I Expect Angels? already (and LOVED it), I really wanted to be a part of this blog tour, so I asked if Kathryn would do an interview with me. Can you believe it, she agreed!!?!?!
TLC Book Tours Presents: Interview with Kathryn Maughan by Bethany Canfield (of B&b es libris) enjoy:

How did the idea of Did I Expect Angels? come about?

This is a long story, actually. I got so many different ideas from so many sources. The most notable is September 11, as I’ve written about. There was so much grief and death all around us, and I couldn’t help but think about what the rest of these families’ lives would be...how long people would tolerate their grief before feeling uncomfortable and telling them to “get over it”...what holidays would look like from now on. I got the inspiration for Henry from a Cuban man. He and his family came to the US from Cuba in the sixties and had some of the same struggles Henry did, though his path turned out very differently. He told me of the three jobs he worked to support his family, how tired he was, how hard he worked; and he said over and over again, “But we had children. What else was I going to do?” I was so impressed by his determination and stoicism and willingness to do whatever he needed to keep going, and I wondered if I could directly contrast him with a main character. The character of Diego I got from my friend Marisol, whose family came from Puerto Rico in the fifties. Her father acted as a beachhead to his friends and family, doing what Diego did for Henry: getting him established, taking care of his needs, paying his bills. I asked her why he would do that, and she said, “It’s family. That’s just what you do.” Wow.

Of course, the most direct inspiration for the book was my dad. He and I were talking one day and he told me that, for my own good, I needed to get myself together and write a book. I told him that, for his own good, he needed to get himself together and join Weight Watchers. He said that if I’d write a book, he’d join Weight Watchers. Well, I wrote a book...and he didn’t join. So he still needs to fulfill his part of the bargain.

Besides writing books, what are some of your other favourite things to do?

I love most "artsy" things -- theater, movies, opera. There's a lot of this in New York, and I have to ration myself or I'd go broke, but I really enjoy the occasional Broadway play or musical and the opera. I took voice lessons for about 10 years, and while I'll never be a professional singer I do love to sing. I was in a semi-professional choir for a few years, and now I have to content myself with a church choir and the occasional amateur solo performance. However, when I sing karaoke, I kill.

I'm also a really good cook and baker, if I do say so myself. Cooking and baking are the perfect antidote to being a writer: you have an immediate finished product, and no one ever turns it away!


What is a typical day for you? Have you had many of these since you wrote and published your book?

I still have a day job; I'm finding out firsthand just how difficult it is to make a living as a writer, published or not! So my alarm goes off at 7:45 and I hit snooze until 8:10 or so (that is, if I consciously register that my alarm is going off, and don't dream I'm turning off an alarm over and over and just can't figure out why it won't quit blaring) and then go to work. At work, I set up meetings most of the day: phone meetings, in-person meetings, out-of-town meetings, travel arrangements. I do fit in some time to look at manuscripts now and again, but I can't really address the writing full-on until I get home at night. I always try to make time to go running or go to the gym, after a day sitting at a desk, and then it's time to write. I usually don't get into a groove until 10 p.m. or so, and I try to get to bed by midnight, so I have to be really focused during those hours.

Of course, sometimes I just turn on the TV. :)

Is being a published author different than you expected? In what ways?


I think most people who get into the arts believe that it's going to be easier than it is. Sure, everyone says it's hard, and sure, you know they're right...but you don't know HOW right they are. With most projects -- with most PEOPLE -- nobody wants you until everybody wants you. The trick is sticking with it to get past the initial phase and make everybody want you. I'll let you know how to do that...once I figure it out.

For anybody just starting out, I can't emphasize enough the importance of stability. For me, this means having a solid job (and benefits) that I fit my writing around. It might be different for some people, but you're not doing yourself any favors by not having a job and not having insurance and desperately hoping you don't get sick and your book hits the big time soon. Everything goes much more slowly than you'd like it to, even when it's "hot," and desperation is no fun.

What would your perfect day look like?

I’m such a night person...I get my best sleep AFTER 7 a.m. So I’d love to sleep until 10 a.m. or so, get up and have a run or a class at the gym, do some errands, see some friends, work on new hobbies (a new language, learning to paint, etc) and then start writing. Write until late, late, late (3 a.m. or later) and then go to bed. Sigh. I don’t have many of these days.

I am guessing you can relate to many characteristics of the different characters in your book, but who do you relate to the most?

Jennifer polarizes people; they either really relate or they think she's terribly irresponsible and selfish. I have to say, I really relate to her. She is real to me, and her struggles are real. She's being very honest -- a little TOO honest -- with her pain, and dwelling on it to the point that she can't focus on anything else. People want her (need her) to step up to the plate and deal, and all she can say is, "I hurt." She was on one particular journey with her husband, and that journey was wrenched away in the worst way possible, and she doesn't want to take the new journey that she's suddenly been put on. I can relate to that, too. That said, I've learned so much from other people and the way they deal with their own pain; I’ve figured out a bit more how to “step up” and be stronger than you sometimes feel like being. Susan is an inspiration to me. Initially I had thought that Susan would be a prototypical awful, overbearing mother-in-law, but immediately she spoke to me; she practically told me that no, she was an example and she would step in.

Do you have ideas for your next book? Have you started writing your second book? What can you tell us about it?

I started writing the second book a while ago...a long while ago. And I know a lot of what happens, but I don’t know what happens to the main character. I feel like I don’t know her yet. And meanwhile I’ve been working really hard on a screenplay, so I haven’t had time to delve into her character and what she would do. But I can tell you that it is very, very loosely inspired by a true event that rocked my little Utah community back in 1982, so I have to do a lot of research on (and try to remember) my growing-up years. I have also made friends with a now-retired policeman, who is my go-to source for legal research. These are the only hints I can give you. :)

What would you say to any budding authors out there who are interested in taking on the adventure of writing their own book?

First, I’d say that you just have to write. A lot of people want to write a book; very few people (comparatively speaking) actually do. You’ll never get it done if you don’t start. You’ll always find reasons not to start, to criticize yourself, to feel like you can’t do it. Give yourself permission to write—even to write badly!—and just write. Natural talent will always come out.

Once you’ve written...there are other things to remember. One is that it is an adventure, and you have to savor the small victories along the way. Managed to write for two hours today? That is a victory. Managed to finish a chapter? Ditto. Managed to finish an entire book? You rule. Take a moment and realize, you did something that so many people want to do and very few people actually do. There’s a musical by Stephen Sondheim called Sunday in the Park with George, and the painter, Georges Seurat, sings, “Look, I made a hat where there never was a hat.” It is an achievement. There are plenty of roadblocks and difficulties along the way (Rejection! Rejection! Rejection! Bad reviews! No sales! No one shows to your reading! More rejection!) but you have to say, yes, I made a hat where there never was a hat. And that means something.

What do you think of book bloggers??? :)

Ha ha, I’ve addressed this question already. See a guest blog I did:

http://www.myfriendamysblog.com/2008/09/bbaw-guest-kathryn-maughan.html


Thank you Kathryn for the interview!!!

Find out more information about Did I Expect Angels? and Kathryn

TLC Book Tours
The TLC Book tour stops for Did I Expect Angels?:

Tuesday, September 2nd: Booking Mama

Friday, September 5th: The Friendly Book Nook

Tuesday, September 9th: Book Club Classics!

Thursday, September 11th: Mabel’s House

Friday, September 12th: A Patchwork of Books

Tuesday, September 16th: Bookfoolery and Babble

Friday, September 19th: dontcallmebecky

Thursday, September 25th: B&b ex libris

Friday, September 26th: MollyCoddle

Saturday, September 27th: Catholic Bibliophagist

Monday, September 29th: Blue Yonder

Tuesday, September 30th: Boston Bibliophile

Date to be determined: Bobbi’s Book Nook



Monday, September 22, 2008

the front porch prophet

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Title: The Front Porch Prophet
Author: Raymond L. Atkins
Pages: 308
Publisher: Medallion Press

Seemingly appearing from nowhere, a man named Raymond Atkins has decided to write and publish his first novel, entitled The Front Porch Prophet. Readers everywhere should be rejoicing at this fact. If Mr. Atkins' second book is anywhere near as good as his first, and if he continues to write novels, then these same readers should be dancing in the streets.

This is an absolutely wonderful novel. Period. It is so wildly humorous, so unrealistic and so down-to-earth at the same time, so gosh darn in-your-face enjoyable, I am afraid that the next few books I read are destined to pale in comparison.

The story centers on two life-long friends and half-brothers, A.J. Longstreet and Eugene Purdue, who live in Sequoya, Georgia. A.J. is a devoted husband, father of three, mill supervisor and all around responsible guy. Eugene lives alone in a school bus in the mountains, bootlegs alcohol, and throws hand grenades off his front porch for fun.

He is also dying of cancer, and due to the fact that Eugene has alienated just about everyone else in his life, it falls to A.J. to take care of him.

What follows is a hilarious, wild, heartbreaking, breathtaking story of a deep friendship between two men and the southern town that raised them. That's right - this is a book about a man dying of cancer, and it is laugh-out-loud hilarious. This also means that the book is more than a little off-color and not even close to politically correct. I get the feeling that Atkins would not have written an honest novel if it were any other way.

Imagine that Garrison Keillor has stopped mixing Prozac in his coffee and has instead started getting into raw southern whiskey and bourbon. This will give you an impression of Atkins' writing style. He swings for the fence in everything he does, filling his pages with raucous humor, razor sharp dialogue, and truly touching insights into the human soul.

Here is the highest compliment I can pay this book: it carries a message about God and His role in human affairs that I adamantly disagree with. And yet, I can say with no reservation that this is my favorite book I have read all year. Atkins writes with a perspective on life that is very, very different from my own - but he does it with such honesty, such gusto, such pure outright talent, that I can only say, "Please, keep the novels coming."

Raymond Atkin's Page


Have you read and reviewed this book??? Leave a comment with your link!!

Other blogger reviews:
BLOG.LITERARILY.COM
Book Zombie



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WINNERS!

http://www.randomhouse.ca/images/dyn/cover/?source=9781400063970&height=300&maxwidth=170 http://www.randomhouse.com/images/dyn/cover/?source=9780307277169&height=300&maxwidth=170

Winners!!!!

The 19th Wife winner:Paige

Matrimony winner: S. Krishna

Congratulations!!! I need addresses from you both :) click on the 'email me' button in my header to get those to me.

Thanks to everyone who participated!!!! There was an amazing turnout for both giveaways.


Sunday, September 21, 2008

What if...?

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Title: What if...?
Author: Steve N. Lee
Pages: 352
Publisher Blue Zoo
b's yearly count : 59

Oh, it is so hard for me to figure out how much to divulge of the plot and events of this book, since I am the type that will not (if possible) read any reviews on a book before I have had my chance to form an opinion, by way of reading the book myself. I know there are more out there like me as well. But as a reviewer I need to give a basic idea I will try to do it and at the same time not give you too many hints. Since this is a different genre than I typically read, it is a thriller, I know that the surprise factor is of even more importance. Here it goes:

What if..? is the story of John, a vagrant who has hidden away for 19 years, afraid to fail- but maybe even more afraid to succeed. Mary, a regular woman going through the motions of a life she is disappointed with comes into contact, through a string of events, with John. He saves her. How did he? Why did he? She should be dead, no question. Mary in her search for answers bites off more- maybe too much, but could John's gift be what this world needs? Starvation, death, pain, disease, thirst, could John help them all?

This thriller is an intense read of our current world, filled with tons of up-to-date facts and questions we are all asking ourselves. What if...? Will hint at some answers, but will create many more questions in the process. I never read thrillers, I am not sure why...I think because the covers aren't as pretty maybe, or they seem too end-of-the-world-ish for me. As far as thrillers go, if you are into them, and don't care how ugly their covers are this one is for you!!

What didn't I like? The "good guy" characters are always preaching. What do they preach?: political correctness, all faiths lead to the right place, and that really evil isn't as evil as you would think, and evildoers are only trying to do good in their own way. I am incredibly founded in my beliefs, and felt the wavering in What if...? from good, to bad, to grey quite unsettling. Political correctness, or the horror that it causes spoke to me like I got popped in the head! There is no wrong, only right, any wrong (even killing) done with good intentions, was righted, and praised. I am not sure the author was trying to push his beliefs, but sometimes it seemed that way. Others it seemed the "good guys" were really not all that good, and that that is what the author was trying to communicate. However, whenever a book is about politics and faith there are going to be toes that are stepped on, and not matter how stepped on mine were What if...? was a thrill of a thriller!

What did I like? The honesty of feelings, the rawness. Mary, the narrator was constantly wavering, questioning, and then finally reasoning and understanding. The characters seemed fully human, even more so since they were filled with doubt, fear, jealousy, pride, and envy. I also enjoyed reading What if...? It was interesting, different, and I found the intensity rewarding. I was stirred by the concepts of donating, using less, not buying as much, spreading the wealth we have, and constantly thinking about how we can help those that are not as fortunate to be born in the US with all the genetically predisposed benefits that we completely take for granted. What can each of us do to help? What can we do to bring aid?

Does that give you enough of a glimpse? I really hope so. This thriller, What if...? will take you so many places you have never been before, and if you are like me you will have a love/hate relationship in going along. Love because you see the good, and hate because you see that there is so much that needs to be changed in our world today. What do you think? Ready for this thriller???

Oh, and what do you think of the cover? I don't really like white covers, and it is a little text-booky. What do you think, do you have an opinion?? Should a book be selected by its cover? Huh, I already know the answer to that one :)

Some important links:
Steve N. Lee's site
Lions Led by Sheep (author's blog)
What if...? Chapter samples

Have you read and reviewed What if...? by Steve N. Lee. Leave your link in a comment and I will be sure to link to you.

Other blogger reviews:
Downwarden
She Reads Books
Book Chase



Saturday, September 20, 2008

Sunday Salon:books. reviews. GIVEAWAYS.

The Sunday Salon.com

Happy sUnDAy SaLoN to you all!!

http://www.randomhouse.ca/images/dyn/cover/?source=9781400063970&height=300&maxwidth=170 http://www.randomhouse.com/images/dyn/cover/?source=9780307277169&height=300&maxwidth=170

Okay, so first off I am having two giveaways right now, that you should enter :) One is for The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff and the other for Matrimony the novel by Joshua Henkin (Joshua is who graciously is sending the book out....but not without his siggie!!!! Joshua Henkin has to be the best book promoter in the universe!!)



Since the last time I stopped in to chat, I have read and reviewed some great reads. Here are the links to my reviews:

Run by Ann Patchett
The River, By Moonlight Camille Marchetta
Eating for Energy by Yuri Elkaim
The American Boy's Handy Book by Daniel C. Beard
From A Distance by Tamara Alexander
Surviving Ben's Suicide by C.Comfort Shields
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
by Mary Ann Shaffer
and Annie Barrows
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
Deep in the Heart of Trouble byDeeanne Gist

Oh, and one that try as I promise I did I could not read one more page of its horror:
http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/26910000/26914955.JPG

here is my non-review: What's wrong with me, help!?

I have also just finished The Inheritance of Loss, and am currently finishing up What if...? by Steve Lee. I'll be writing these up soon.



That is all for me, happy sunday folks!!! Enjoy the beginning of fall!





Friday, September 19, 2008

thank you AMY!!!!



Thank you so much!!! You united book bloggers like no other :)

Thursday, September 18, 2008

the bible salesman

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0fmjd6K8gYf31/340x.jpg http://www.ncwriters.org/images/cedgerton02.jpg
Title: The Bible Salesman
Author: Clyde Edgerton
Pages: 256
Publisher: little brown company

I am honestly having a very hard time deciding what to write about this book. It was pleasant enough - a short, fairly enjoyable little read. There are also some very funny parts. But after finishing the last page I felt unsatisfied, as if I needed to go back to read the book again to see if I missed anything.

The plot centers on Henry, who is a young traveling (and less than honest) Bible salesman. He gets unwittingly mixed up with a car thief named Clearwater, and the two of them set off across the countryside, causing trouble, looking for love, and ultimately finding themselves in a cliffhanger at the end of the book.

All of that sounds fairly interesting and exciting, but it somehow amounts to less than exciting and interesting in the book. Edgerton alternates constantly between Henry's present and his childhood, and to me this slowed the pace of the book down too much.

I don't mean to be too harsh on this book, because Edgerton is obviously a very good writer. I may just need to read another book by him, because I don't think this is his best effort.


If you read this book and disagree, I'd love to hear your take.

Reviewed this book?? Leave a link to your review!

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Wednesday, September 17, 2008

The 19th Wife GIVEAWAY BBAW

http://www.randomhouse.ca/images/dyn/cover/?source=9781400063970&height=300&maxwidth=170


okie-dokie book reading peeps! How fun has BBAW been so far??? Well, I have had a blast entering all types of giveaways, and adding tons more of you to my reader, so thrilling to find amazing new blogs that I have never seen before, yay!

On to the giveaway. In honour of BBAW I am doing another giveaway!!!

Somehow I ended up with two of these, and I only can read one...well I could read both, but how silly is that!!?!? Anyway, so one will be sent out to one lucky commenter.

I haven't read it yet, but it seems to be getting rave reviews:
the 19th Wife on Amazon
the 19th Wife at Presenting Leonore

How to enter:

1.) leave a comment on below telling me one book from my list that you have read, or would like to read.

2.) for TWO extra entries post about this giveaway on your blog and let me know!

You will have until the 22nd to get your entries in!!!!

Happy commenting to you all!!

ps make sure your check out (and enter) my other giveaway too!!!