And now, a video for Halloween. One of my favorite songs from the Mannheim Steamroller Halloween album:
Friday, October 31, 2008
Review: Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson (and a Happy Halloween video!)
And now, a video for Halloween. One of my favorite songs from the Mannheim Steamroller Halloween album:
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Sad Margo!
Booking Through Thursday: Conditioning
Are you a spine breaker? Or a dog-earer? Do you expect to keep your books in pristine condition even after you have read them? Does watching other readers bend the cover all the way round make you flinch or squeal in pain?
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Weekly Geeks #22: Archive Digging
Megan at Leafing Through Life ranted way back at the beginning of this year in a post called "If life is a highway, could you point me to the nearest exit." I like rants. Rants make me feel like I'm friends with the person doing the ranting. But this rant ended with a really cool thing, which is that she got a comment by an author. To me, there's nothing more rewarding about book blogging then getting an author comment! So cool.
Darla D at Books and other thoughts has a lot of interesting blog posts and it was hard to choose. But finally, I decided on one called "What ARE Kids Reading?" which links to an interesting article listing kids' top twenty favorite books. Interesting stuff to ponder.
The Edgy Bunny at Books Are King has been doing a fun thing over the years in that he's telling about himself by doing what he calls and alphabiography... in other words he'll pick a letter and do a whole post on something about himself, or something he likes, which starts with that letter. I chose one from way back in January of 2007 where he lists the virtues of owning an iPod. Very fun! However, he's a rare Weekly Geek participant and I think we need to get him out more often. What a fun, quirky blog he has!
Ah, shoot, I think I'm going to have to add these guys to my Reader!
A couple other Weekly Geeks spotlights to check out:
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Blog Tour Stop of The 19th Wife: Part Two
Welcome to Day Two of my part in the blog tour stop featuring The 19th Wife and its author, David Ebershoff! Yesterday, I gave you my take on this book, so be sure to check that out if you haven't done so already. But today, it's the author's turn to have a little word.
First a bit about him. I lifted this information directly from his website:
David Ebershoff is the author of three novels, The 19th Wife, Pasadena, and The Danish Girl, and a short-story collection, The Rose City. His fiction has won a number of awards, including the Rosenthal Foundation Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the Lambda Literary Award, and has been translated into ten languages to critical acclaim. Ebershoff has taught creative writing at New York University and Princeton and currently teaches in the graduate writing program at Columbia University. For many years he was the publishing director of the Modern Library and now is an editor-at-large at Random House. He lives in New York City.
October, for me, has been an absolutely insane month! So, I wasn't able to get this book, The 19th Wife, read until just last week. That means I wasn't able to get questions to David in a timely manner, so instead, I asked him if he would be willing to do a guest post. Of course he agreed and sent the following inspiring story back to me:
About a month after The 19th Wife was published, I got an email from a man who told me he had heard me on the radio talking about the book and was now reading it. I thanked him and told him I hoped he would enjoy it. I love to hear directly from readers, and when someone tells me he or she is reading the novel I try to imagine the page they are encountering at that moment and how they might be responding. So when I received this email, I stopped to wonder if this man was reading one of Ann Eliza’s sections or Jordan’s? Only a few days later the man sent me another email, telling me he had finished the book and how much it had meant to him. He said that he had grown up in a prominent LDS family with ancestors who had been close to both Joseph and Brigham. When he was a boy, the man said, he had always been very proud of his heritage. He loved his church and its culture and the community of friends it brought him. When he thought of his future, he said, he thought of his life within the Church’s embrace. When he was a young man, he told me, he realized he was gay. This led to a rapid and complete unraveling of his world. He was, he said, forced to leave the Church. As he put it, the Church turned its back on him and so he returned the favor. A rift developed between him and his family. He decided to leave Utah. Not only was he leaving behind the people he loved, he was leaving behind his entire world. For the next twenty years, this man and his family were out of touch. He proceeded with his life as if they no longer existed. And then he read The 19th Wife. He told me the book reminded him of the LDS Church’s unique culture and its special role in American history. He said the book helped him recognize the complexities of faith. Ultimately he said the book reminded him that all families are imperfect and that sometimes those imperfections are the sources of love. Inspired, the man called his family. He told me he had begun to reestablish a bond he had thought could never be repaired.
When I hear a story like this I am humbled. The man concluded his email by thanking me, but the truth is I owe him, and all my readers, the thanks. I recently heard the wonderful writer Aleksander Hemon say that writing is like reading in reverse. When he reads he feels like he is in a private conversation with the writer, and when he writes he is in private dialogue with the reader. Readers make that two-way conversation possible. Readers bring books to life. Yet if no one turns the page, the story is doomed to the coffin of its pages. And so to all of you, I send my many thanks.
David Ebershoff
www.19thwife.com
Thank you so much, David, for that great story! It's been fun for me to participate in this blog tour and I wish you all best luck for this book and all the rest to come!
Monday, October 27, 2008
Review: The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff
Why would I be nervous you might ask? Being Mormon, and having polygamy in my family history, it hits a little close to home! But I was curious and wanted to see how the book handled this delicate yet interesting topic, and besides, I was interested as to how I would react.
First, a little summary of the book. It actually flips back and forth between two different stories and settings that happen to mesh a bit together in the end. One story is about one of the wives (perhaps his 19th) of Brigham Young, Ann Eliza Webb, her background and history and how, in the end, she divorces him and leaves the Mormon church. This part of the story was told using all sorts of documents, such as biographies, autobiographies, letters, speeches, songs, ads, school papers, etc. I loved this! However, it made me forget that I was reading a fictional novel and felt more like I was reading an actual historical account. But, it's important to keep in mind that this is fiction. The author explains this fact in detail in an author's note at the end of the book.
The second story takes place in the current day and follows the story of a young man, Jordan Scott, who years before had been kicked out of his polygamy family and FLDS (or Firsts as they are called in this book) community. His mom, who is also a 19th wife, has been accused of killing his dad... one of the leaders of their community. When he visits her and she says she didn't do it, he starts a quest to find out what really happened.
My reaction to the book, as you may guess, was mixed. On one hand, I totally enjoyed the story. It is gripping and fascinating. The writing style drew me in and grabbed me right from the start. I liked the use of all the different mediums to tell the story of Ann Eliza. I loved the characters and cared about them and rooted for them. It was fan easy- to-read, even if it was long, page turner.
On the other hand, I squirmed as nearly every single controversial thing that's ever happened regarding the Mormon church was brought up. I hated seeing how Brigham Young was portrayed, though I do agree he had some major issues. I didn't like the stereotypical portrayal of current day Mormons being all "hick town." Though at least they are helpful and nice to Jordan and come across somewhat intelligently in the end.
Also, I could have done without the homosexual relationship and all the curse words. But that's just me I guess. And yes, it does give the reader a better connection to these particular characters and gives personality to their voice. But still.
Anyway, so there you have it. My honest and true reaction to this book! I loved the writing and the story... but the subject was hard, though interesting, for me to read.
As part of the blog tour, the author David Ebershoff, has agreed to do a guest post. That will be up tomorrow, so come back then and check it out!
For other reviews, see these previous stops on the tour:
Wednesday, Oct. 15th: Maw Books
Friday, Oct. 17th: Reading, ‘Riting, and Retirement
Monday, Oct. 20th: She Is Too Fond Of Books
Tuesday, Oct. 21st: Age 30 - A Year in Books
Thursday, Oct. 23rd: A High and Hidden Place
Upcoming stops on the tour not to miss:
Tuesday, Oct. 28th: Musings of a Bookish Kitty
Thursday, Oct. 30th: Books on the Brain
Monday, Nov. 3rd: The Cottage Nest
Tuesday, Nov. 4th: B&B ex libris
Wednesday, Nov. 5th: Anniegirl1138
Thursday, Nov. 6th: The Tome Traveller
Friday, Nov. 7th: Educating Petunia
Monday, Nov. 10th: The Literate Housewife
Wednesday, Nov. 12th: Diary of an Eccentric
Friday, Nov. 14th: Book Chase
Sunday, October 26, 2008
The Sunday Salon: Random Tidbits
Friday, October 24, 2008
Lost: One Amazon Package!
Then can you please just send it my way! :)
Yeah. So, I ordered these books way back in August. And as some of you know, Paper Towns was just released last week, so I was so excited to finally get them sent out. I got the message from Amazon saying it was shipped on the 13th, and due to arrive the 20th. And they STILL aren't here!
And I'm watching and hearing all the Nerdfighters talking about Paper Towns and it's making me crazy that I don't have mine yet!
So I already emailed Amazon and they said they can send out a replacement package. So let's hope it works this time!
Meanwhile, if it ends up at your door, you'll know where it goes! :)
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Review: Brisingr by Christopher Paolini
Booking Through Thursday: Coupling
“Name a favorite literary couple and tell me why they are a favorite. If you cannot choose just one, that is okay too. Name as many as you like–sometimes narrowing down a list can be extremely difficult and painful. Or maybe that’s just me.”
Back when Literary Feline had her contest, I did a nice big blog post on literary couples, pictures and all! It was fun. I'll recap my favorites here:
I love the bantering between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth.
I love the intensity between Edward and Bella.
I love the romance between Anjuli and Ash.
I love the innocence of Anne and Gilbert.
I love the drama between Heathcliff and Catherine.
I love the loyalty and long suffering between John and Abigail Adams.
I love the uniqueness of Beauty and the Beast.
I love the classic timelessness of Romeo and Juliet.
Anyway, there's just a few. I pretty much fall in love with every couple I read about.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Disney Report
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Look Out Disneyland... We're Coming! (A Wahoo Wednesday)
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Weekly Geeks #21: First Lines
Monday, October 13, 2008
Lit Flicks Challenge October Questions
Review: Jamaica Inn by Daphne duMaurier
Sunday, October 12, 2008
The Sunday Salon: It's Crazy
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Inkdeath!
By the way, I saw the trailer for Inkheart today. Looks pretty good I'd say. See for yourself:
Friday, October 10, 2008
Book Fair Books
Deep and Dark and Dangerous by Mary Downing Hahn
Found by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Schooled by Gordon Korman
Elephant Run by Roland Smith
The Wimpy Kid Do it Yourself Book
Allie Finkle Rules for Girls: Moving Day by Meg Cabot
Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis
Seekers: The Quest Begins by Erin Hunter
The White Giraffe by Lauren St. John
Listen by Stephanie S. Tolan
The Key to Rondo by Emily Rodda
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Booking Through Thursday: Book Meme
Booking Through Thursday
I’ve seen this series of questions floating around the ‘net the last few days, and thought it looked like a good one for us!
What was the last book you bought?
Brisingr by Christopher Paolini.... I think.
Name a book you have read MORE than once
Pride and Prejudice, The Book Thief, Wives and Daughters, Twilight, Emma, Anna Karinina, East of Eden, The Grapes of Wrath, Great Expectations..... oh, did you say just one? And I was just getting started!
Has a book ever fundamentally changed the way you see life? If yes, what was it?
Sorry to say, not really. I'm shallow that way.
How do you choose a book? eg. by cover design and summary, recommendations or reviews
Covers are cool, but they're not how I pick a book to read! I go by a mixture of all the other three things listed. I don't think one of them stands out as the main reason for picking a book. Interesting.
Do you prefer Fiction or Non-Fiction?
Fiction for sure. Though there's plenty of non-fiction that I love too.
What’s more important in a novel - beautiful writing or a gripping plot?
I think I'd have to say plot. But I sure enjoy beautiful writing too.
Most loved/memorable character (character/book)
There's just too many. I love 'em all!
Which book or books can be found on your nightstand at the moment?
Brisingr, Jamaica Inn ( I haven't put it away yet), Man and Wife, War and Peace, Don't Know Much About Anything Else (which just came in the mail yesterday!), Suite Scarlett, 3 A.M. Epiphany, and The Blue Castle seems to be still hanging out on the nightstand too. On the floor is the 19th Wife, since there's no room on the nightstand at the moment!
What was the last book you’ve read, and when was it?
Jamaica Inn by Daphne duMaurier... last weekend.
Have you ever given up on a book half way in?
Oh, yes. Many times. Most recently... A New Earth. In the past: Moby-Dick, The Wings of a Dove, The Idiot.... just to name a few.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Review: The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery
Teaser Tuesdays: No More Giggling
Teaser Tuesdays
Grab your current read.
Let the book fall open to a random page.
Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
Please avoid spoilers!
From page 335: Brisingr by Christopher Paolini
"King Orrin limped over to the soldier, raised the heavy ax with both hands, and, with a single blow, chopped off the soldier's head.
The giggling ceased."
Monday, October 6, 2008
A Little (Big?) Monday Quiz.....
This one stolen from Notes of a Book Dreamer.
1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE
A Buddy Holly song that starts with Peggy and ends with Sue... but that's NOT my name! :)
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED
I cry a lot these days, but the very last time was probably a couple of days ago when I just felt too overwhelmed.
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
HATE it!
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE LUNCH MEAT?
Not a big fan of lunch meat, but I usually go with turkey. Or bacon.
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
Four kids ages 19 to 9.
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Interesting question, and I think I can say yes, thankfully.
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
Not a lot. A little maybe.
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
Nope, I lost them when I was three.
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
I don't think so. But maybe. No, I really doubt it.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
Honey Bunches of Oats
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
No. I refuse to.
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
As in can I do a push up? No way!
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
Cookies and cream.... or anything really really chocolate-y.
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
Hmmm.... I don't know! Smile? Eyes? One of these probably.
15. RED OR PINK?
Red
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVOURITE THING ABOUT YOU?
As I always say, "too shy shy."
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
Those babies I used to have.... those kids that are growing up too too fast.
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU?
Please no. But do it on your own blog if you feel the urge.
19. WHAT COLOUR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
Denim pants of course and my shoes are sort of pinkish tanish brownish grayish things.
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
I just had a bagel. What a nice healthy lunch, no? Oh, and a cookie. I made them yesterday.
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
Opps... wait... I forgot to put the music on! I hear the washing machine in the other room. Wait... let's see what music pops up first..... ARGGHHH.... it was Air Supply! I skipped it, now I'm listening to music from the movie Chocolat. Great stuff.
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOUR WOULD YOU BE?
Lavender
23. FAVOURITE SMELLS?
I have a gazillion of these: rain, baking cookies, cinnamon, pine trees, old books, new books, clean sheets, baking bread, clean babies.
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
My husband The Mr.
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS?
He didn't really send this, I just nabbed it, but yes, I find him very interesting... so yes, I like him! :)
26. FAVOURITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
Basketball perhaps, if the game is very exciting.
27. HAIR COLOUR?
Mousy brown with some lightish highlights that are now fading.
28. EYE COLOUR?
Blue
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS
Nope. Glasses.
30. FAVOURITE FOOD?
Chicken smothered in cheese, bacon bits, and onions
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
Happy endings for sure.
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
We rented and watched Speed Racer over the weekend. Weird movie that was. Entertaining though.
33. WHAT COLOUR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
Light blue.
34. SUMMER OR WINTER?
Winter
35. HUGS OR KISSES?
Both.
36. FAVOURITE DESSERT?
Ice cream on a brownie then drenched in hot fudge sauce.
37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND
No one.
38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND
Everyone.
39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
Brisingr by Christopher Paolini and I'm dying to get to it today.
40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
Pocahontas! Sheesh.
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT?
Amazing Race
42. FAVOURITE SOUND?
I got a gazillion of these too! Rain, kids walking in the door at night, babies laughing, bacon sizzling, birds in the morning, crickets in the night and Josh Groban singing anytime of the day!
43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
Beatles
44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
Denmark
45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
Not really. I do lots of things not very well.
46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Utah, USA
47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK?
Anyone who does this and sends a link in comments!
48. WHAT TIME IS IT NOW?
Just past 2:30 p.m. on a Monday afternoon
Sunday, October 5, 2008
The Sunday Salon: Welcome to Alagaesia
Happy Sunday Salon!
Today, whenever I get the chance to read, which I'm afraid won't be often, I plan on burying myself in the world created by Christopher Paolini. Yes, it's all Brisingr and Eragon and Saphira and Roran and Arya for me today. Last night and a bit this morning, I've managed just about 100 pages and so far I love it. This kid's way with words is amazing. Totally amazing. I look forward to the few moments I might manage to steal away and read today.
This coming week is the book fair that I help to make happen. All day Tuesday I'll be talking books with all the kids at the school. My part is to talk to the 4th through 6th grades about the books for "older" kids. My friend will do the younger kids. It makes the day much more doable to share the task. Then we open that afternoon and will be selling books also Wednesday evening and Thursday evening. It's a fun and crazy week. It's like having my own bookstore for a couple of days, however, real life continues to go on (including the new, real, job I'm still getting used to, and kid activities and a play I have tickets for that I forgot about, etc. etc.) which makes things very interesting.
This past week, book wise, I finished Jamaica Inn (loved it) and a went to a rousing F2F book club, after a summer break, where we hardly talked about books! It made me laugh. But we did figure out a who will host when and what books we'll read for the next couple of months.
Oh, also I won a drawing over at Susan's Bloggin' 'bout Books blog! It always amazes when that happens. But I'm very excited because the book sounds like a blast, it's called Don't Know Much About ... Anything Else by Kenneth C. Davis. Thanks Susan!
Also, I need to start preparing for another blog tour coming my way. I read a few pages of the book, The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff, and am already quite drawn into the story. I'm a little nervous about this one though! But it will be fun.
Well, here's hoping for a successful reading day. I wish you all luck likewise and have a wonderful, happy, peaceful Sunday!
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Review: Elephant Run by Roland Smith
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
September Recap
Magyk by Angie Sage: Babies are switched in the night. Jenna ends up with the Heap family. Who is she really? And what happened to the Heap's baby?
Revenge of the Cheerleaders by Janette Rallison: A not-so-nice guy makes up mean songs about his girlfriend's sister, who's a cheerleader. She decides to beat him in an American Idol style contest.
The Loser's Guide to Life and Love by A.E. Cannon: Ed is stuck with the video store name tag "Sergio." He decides to pretend to be someone he's not when a cute girl comes into the store.
A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson: Bryson's adventures walking the Appalachian Trail.
Found by Margaret Peterson Haddix: A plane lands out of nowhere with 30 babies on board. What happened to them and where did they come from?
Deep and Dark and Dangerous by Mary Downing Hahn: Ali spends the summer with her aunt on at a lake resort and meets a very strange girl named Cissy.
Schooled by Gordon Korman: Cap has been raised by his hippie grandma. When she gets hurt, he has to go to regular school and he has to deal with the kids there, but more interestingly, they have to deal with him.
The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson: Jenna wakes up from an accident with amnesia. Then the questions start flying. Who is she really?
A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban: Zoe wants to play the piano, but has to settle for the organ instead.
The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery: Valency is an old maid with a newly found attitude about how she wants to live her life.
Elephant Run by Roland Smith: Nick is sent to his father's teak plantation in Burma to be safe from WWII bombing in London. It turns out that it's much more dangerous in Burma!
ARRGGHH! I can't pick a favorite this month! They were all great!