since our last chatty-chat I have read and reviewed a couple of books and am working on my third, here are the links to my reviews: The Society of S by Susan Hubbard Did I Expect Angels? by Kathryn Maughan Both books were very good, I breezed right through them and the fully kept my undivided attention (which many times takes some doing!) I am currently about 90 pages from finishing Vanishing Moon by Joseph Coulson which is so well written I could scream! I will write a review later on this week, you have to be sure to check that one out.
Other stuff has gone on this week, I got two blog awards, and I finished up a giveaway...oh, but I have another one!! You have to be sure to head over to the Did I Expect Angels?GIVEAWAY and comment to be entered in the giveaway!! The book blew me away, you are sure to want a chance to win it!! Today is the last day, so do it now!!! (I will select a winner tomorrow)
I will write another post later on today...but just wanted to get word out about the giveaway! :)
Looky here folks! I got an award! oh, this is too fun. The Literate Housewife gave me this super cool Blogging Excellence award, and said this about my bloggy-blog:
B&b ex libris ~ Bethany has a wonderful, warm book blog. She writes some great reviews and from time to time we’re treated with pictures. I really enjoyed the read-a-thon. Her pictures were really portraits of the reader as a young woman. Bethany won my Mrs. Lieutenant contest and I’m looking forward to talking about the book with her when that time comes.
Can you believe it!?!?! YAY! I am just incredibly blessed, this is too sweet.
Here is my list 5 of tag-you're-it amazing blogs that I love:
oh, I love this blog, I love the diversity and Diane's reviews and just so much about it. Oh, and the super-cool header with the goldfish and the really fun goldfish awards she gives out to her favourite books. just superfastic.
This is the sweetest reader and reviewer ever! Ramya is so excellent in all that she does, it is fascinating to see. I love her blog and her quiet, sweet spirit. She has really good taste in books too! Ramya is amazing.
oh yes of course Corinne! I love the book enthusiasm, the really insightful reviews, and her encouragement! Corinne's Book Nest is always jam packed with splendid reviews. It seems to me we have pretty similar tastes as well, which always makes it fun :)
Trish's Reading Nook is what introduced me to book blogging, I had no idea this wonderful world existed. I love reading Trish's reviews, and enjoy that she comments back. Another superfastic blog!
I love the Beastomomma site, it has so much more than most blogs, a discussion board, her thoughts, her reviews and so much more! I so enjoy reading her reviews and listening to her thoughts about "the food police" (let's hope her mom never figures out how to get to her blog:)! A wonderful world is Beastmomma.
there are many more blogs that I love. but as the literate housewife said, "I really should leave some blogs for my well-deserved recipients to nominate". However, no tagging necessary when you win this award...but it is fun to pass the love around!
I just had to put this up when I saw it. the joy in international dancing was just too much for me:) goofy dance the world, it makes sense, right? boundaries are broken and fun is had. I want to do it!!!
I am proud to display this trophy....the Arte y Pico Award, bestowed upon my by Diane at carp(e) libris reviews!!! Here is what she said about B&b ex libris:
B&b ex libris of Oregon - She writes great reviews of books that take you all over the world, and I love her selection. Hey, with titles like “A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian,” how can you not be curious?
Anyway, it is a pretty little treasure that I am honoured to receive...sweetness, my first ever award!!!
Here are the five people who I love to read, who's artisticness blasts me and to whom I wish to award this award given to me, or I could also say "these is my peeps": bookgirl's nightstand beautiful blog, packed tight with talent and books. she makes books, reads books and loves books. I enjoy the reviews she writes and the beauty of her site
The Literate Housewife brilliant, informative and always contains something new. She is fun to read, and I really like her book choices.
Fizzy Beverage I love reading softdrink's reviews, and she has tons of fun giveaways (which I enjoy winning:) Just all around super spiffy!
Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin'? I love the artistic layout of her pages, and she is SUPER witty and fun! she always has something fun to say, and I enjoy reading it!
A High and Hidden Place I just started reading this blog, but the pictures are beautiful, the layout sweet and...I just love it.
Thank you Diane, I love this award it is so pretty :)
What would you do if, all of a sudden, your favorite source of books was unavailable?
Whether it’s a local book shop, your town library, or an internet shop … what would you do if, suddenly, they were out of business? Devastatingly, and with no warning? Where would you go for books instead? What would you do? If it was a local business you would try to help out the owners? Would you just calmly start buying from some other store? Visit the library in the next town instead? Would it be devastating? Or just a blip in your reading habit?
oh, what would I do? I would read the books that I have, I probably have enough to keep my busy for some time...years and years. So, maybe that would be what I would do. I read books mainly from the lib, and ones that I find at goodwill or the local arc (used store) or the Book Bin. I head up to Powell's every once in a while....but they are too expensive when I am used to getting bargains. I only go there if I want an outing, and really want a specific book.
So, what would I do....I guess find another source or read what I have!!! I really should read what I have anyway.... Oh, and I am having a GIVEAWAY!!!!! Make sure you comment here(Did I Expect Angels?) and here (The Heartbreak Diet) to enter, plus blog about it and you'll get two more entries!!!
Title: Did I Expect Angels? Author: Kathryn Maughan Pages: 182 Yearly Count: 41 (July book 4)
The power of a testimony, or one's life story, is sometimes all that will shake us from our own grief long enough to enable change. Did I Expect Angels? is a book that shows just how powerful it is to listen and to be heard, and to let those that love us know that we are not doing well, to cry out for help. Humans can be angels, it all depends on if they are the right person at the right time, and if they are willing to invest a little. We all have angels.
In Did I Expect Angels? the grieving Jennifer meets an unexpected angel, Henry who tells her the story of his life. She never thinks to listen until her story becomes so much like his that her mind is finally able to focus on someone, on something besides her pain. Life does not make pretty, endings are not always good but if we try to pretend that we have gotten better, improved, or no longer need anti-depressants when we do, it is just a matter of time before our momentum will decrease and our life will fall apart with it. Jennifer was exactly in that spot when she met the greeter at a the local 24 hour store, an older man from Costa Rica. Jennifer thought the world would be a better place without her, that her daughter would do better in the loving arms of someone else rather than being surrounded by her own mood swings and depression.
Did I Expect Angels? is a new take on 'It's a Wonderful Life', this is a novel that does not smoothe over, it does not dumb down pain. A captivating read, it shows the power of one life impacting another. Kathryn does a spectacular job in the writing. It is not mystical, surreal or strange at all, the angels are modern day heroes who mostly just happen to be the perfect person in the right place and time. I loved this book, the whole way through I was emotionaly tied in to the book. I highly recoomend it, really. It blew me away.
And I have a giveaway copy up for grabs!!! Kathryn sent me an extra copy for a super special commenter who would love to read this book as well. That could be you!!! Leave a comment on this post for one entry and post about it on your blog for another two entries! (make sure you let me know you have posted about it) I will give you through Sunday to do it, and on Monday I will pick one lucky winner.
Q:Since we’re past the Fourth of July and the summer season has officially started, what are your plans for the summer? Vacations, trips? Trips that involve reading? Reading plans? If you’re going somewhere, do you do any reading to prepare? Do you read local literature as part of your trip? Have you thought about using the LT Local feature to help plan your book-buying?
A: We are going to take tons of day-trips this year. To go hiking, swimming, and maybe some overnighter camping. I am not super brave yet with my 2 and 4 year olds. I guess I like my sleep, and I like it when they get theirs :) We will be able to do more this year, and more next...it just keeps getting better and better!!
I will read no matter where I am. I have a huge pile of ARC and I really am working on getting a handle on them this summer...it is going well so far, but I can't slack off since there are always more coming. I love getting them in the mail, but I hate seeing them while they sit there awaiting me on my shelf....it is my physical to do list. I don't have to visualise it, it is right there. There are about 25 or so right now.
Reading to prepare for trips? well, we use google maps to see where we are going, but besides that we usually know what is there so we don't need to.
I usually don't worry about buying books when I am away from home either, unless it is a dire need (as in I finished the books I brought with me!) I do like to brows used bookstores in small towns, it seems like their prices are so much better. And know, I don't think to plan things out like searching for them on LT local...I am more of a play-it-by-ear type o' gal. But I am sure the planners really know what is good, too bad I don't even think to do that!:)
Title: The Society of S Author: Susan Hubbard Pages: 312 Yearly Count: 40
I have never read a vampire book before, and I was a little nervous about reading this one, I am easily spooked. I loved this book though, it was such a great read. Ari, is trying to figure out who she is, her father has always done strange things, and cannot go outside in the daytime, but what about her? Up until now she has not been affected by these strange habits and is quite normal, in the Society of S she finds out who she really is and what that means for her future. Susan Hubbard does an incredible job of telling a tale in which vampires are trying to cope with life, and learn to live with humans. Interested in how that goes for them? Read it!! It is not a blood-sucking gore of a book, but one that develops the characters, lets you feel for them and allows room for wiggle, and in the case of Ari that gives way to hopes and dreams that she longs to reach for.
I think I loved this book because it was so different than anything else I had read before. But also because Ari loves reading, education and is very mature for her age. It is well written, and just takes you in and asks you to have a seat (and stay for a long, long time!). I am so thankful that softdrink over at Fizzy Thoughts was sweet enough to send this on to me :) (THANK YOU!!!) Softdrink also sent me the next book in the series The Year of Disappearances, which I am so SUPER excited to read as well!!
I know that right now there is the Twilight series that is HUGE, have you read that!? I am considering it, but I am a little nervous that it would be too scary, what are your thoughts on that series? I know it is YA, but still. Have you read other vampire stories that you were surprised by, that you loved? Tell me about them, I'd love to find some more stories that I could read.
Well, oh well...this has been a good reading week, and I have completed several reviews as well. I joined in on the book blowout fun, and my goal is to read 12 books this month. I am doing well so far as I have read 3 and will probably finish my 4th soon. Great fun! I have several interesting posts this week you'll want to check out:
I am going to interview the author of BELONGING, so be sure to check back for that too!!! ************************
I just finished The Society of S by Susan Hubbard that I will try to review today, I LOVED IT!! I am currently reading Did I Expect Angels by Kathryn Maughan which is incredible as well, not finished with it yet....I will have a giveaway for that next week....so be sure to check back! ********************** the giveaway this week:
want a book?! here is my giveaway of The Heartbreak Diet by Thorina Rose, leave comment on that post get an entry!!!
Title: The Heartbreak Diet Author: Thorina Rose Pages: 178 Yearly Count: 39
A book about life, about changes and making the best of what comes our way even when we wish it wouldn't. The Heartbreak Diet is all about moving on. I really wanted to enjoy it, it is a graphic novel autobiography....doesn't that sound great!? I guess I was hoping for more, I think it ended before I felt like she got her pride back again, or before her husband got what he deserved, but I need to not give away any more than that. It is very hard to know what to say about someone's life, you can't criticize content.
Besides that, it is a good read, a super quick read....it only took one of my little boys' nap time to finish it, maybe an hour or so? I enjoyed it, and I thought the format of an autobiography in graphic novel form was really neat! Interested?Want to read it?? leave a comment and on this post by Thursday! I'll pick a new home for it on Friday. it is BAFAB week right? or that was last week...whatever.
The power behind poetry is as much in what is written as what is left unsaid. Poetry is the art of a few punctuating words that evoke a meaning so deep within, reaching to a place where thoughts cannot be explained and words would not do justice. To read a book of poetry, is to immerse yourself in a place where not all can travel, only those with feeling and sometimes an eager imagination. BELONGING is poetry of life, of death, and of existence. A book of poetry gathered together, edited and translated by Niloufar Talebi, which brings the modern poetry of the Iranian people into the hands of those who read in English.
BELONGING is a powerful book of courage and bravery, bringing a light on a culture that is judged so often, and misunderstood even more frequently. To know a people, is to know what causes their pain, grief, joy, and hope, and my belief is that once you know that you cannot go back to the fear that the unknown enjoys. Far from political, far from justification,defensive or offensive words, BELONGING is a union of Iranian voices from around the globe that shows the talent and beauty they bring especially as they are joined together.
I personally enjoy poetry, but not all of it. I love the modern, non-rhyming lines that actually don't choose their words based on what would make a meter or rhyme, but on what would convey the feeling and bring forth the meaning that is intended with their words. BELONGING is filled with that, with simple, modern, true, rough, and honest writing, I loved it! This is a book of truth, not over dramatization or draining emotional writing. It is poetry of the people and of words that we can all relate to.
Niloufar Talebi has joined together many Iranian authors from all around the world, translated their works and put them in a book called BELONGING, but that is not all she has done. There is an amazing art festival that will travel around the US to perform and bring awareness to the Iranian arts, it is called The Translation Project. It encompasses poetry, dancing, acting, and music, all a splendor of celebration and art from the Iranian culture. (Below are some videos of poetry performances!!)
Sit tight for an interview with the author of BELONGING, Niloufar Talebi who is also the founder of The Translation Project.
Honestly, what can I say....a guilty pleasure or brainless?! Oh, well I still enjoy a sit-com book every once in a while. Becky gets into trouble again, and we all know what will happen then...she'll figure it all out in the end. I do enjoy these, but nothing is gained from them at all, seriously nothing.
I can't help but be pretty annoyed that she can do whatever she wants financially and in the end it all works itself out!! Now, if that is not a fairytale book than what is?! I would hope that people who are living in the real world would understand the concept of overdraft fees, delinquent bank accounts, overdrawn, and maxed out line of credit!!!! Ah, it freaks me out that probably some people read these and think that things really do end up tied in a neat bow even if you outrageously over spend, that things will all be fine in the end. So, yeah..that I do not like about this series of books.
EXCLUSIVE WORLD-PREMIERE CLIP from The Secret Life of Bees Sue Monk Kidd's The Secret Life of Bees is a powerful coming-of-age story about the ability of love to transform our lives. Kidd's cherished novel has been adapted into one of the most anticipated movies of the Fall starring Dakota Fanning, Queen Latifah, Jennifer Hudson, and Alicia Keys, and you can watch a world-premiere clip below.
MRS. S over at blue archipelago is hosting this insane book blowout for july!!! Go to her to join up, she has a Mr. Linky poised and ready! Here is what she has to say about it:
Book Blowout:The rules are simple - read as many books as you can between July 1 and 31 - and then by August 7 post a list of all of the books you read on your blog. Reviews are not required to take part.
How do I join in the fun?
You can sign up any time between today and July 14 - just because I’m a bit slow to announce this!
To join you need to post about the Book Blowout on your blog - and set yourself a target number of books you will try to read - go on challenge yourself! (Please note: If you do not have a blog I am perfectly happy for you to post your target in the comments below - and then the list of books in the wrap-up post in August)
Use the Mr Linky below to link to that post so we can all see how many books you’re taking on in the Blowout
Post a list of the books you managed to read by the deadline of August 7 to complete the challenge
What rules do I need to know?
Only books read between July 1 and July 31 count towards the challenge
You can include re-reads - as long as they are read within the month of July
Books you abandon will only count as half a book
If you read to your children you can include all books which have more than 100 pages
You can include up to two graphic novels
You can include up to two audio books - (if you have a visual impairment that prevents you from reading then you can use just audio books for the challenge)
Books you read for other challenges are eligible - use this as an opportunity to catch up!
If you start a book before July 1 and then finish it during the month of July then you can count is as half a book
How many books will I read?
I am going to shoot for 12 books this month, it is a lot for me, but we'll see!!!! :)
Looky here folks! I got an award! oh, this is too fun.
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