tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69296999310673268692024-03-13T15:03:13.826-04:00Blue Duck Book ReviewsMargohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06371170709975827777noreply@blogger.comBlogger249125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929699931067326869.post-52674054435421841512011-09-26T20:40:00.005-04:002011-09-26T20:52:53.843-04:00A wonderful prize to be had by 1 lucky winner!<img src="http://school.discoveryeducation.com/clipart/images/big-prize-color.gif" /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zRVTZTxwByA/ToEeOF_iuqI/AAAAAAAAApk/4gT7stjSVJE/s1600/lostintime.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 211px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zRVTZTxwByA/ToEeOF_iuqI/AAAAAAAAApk/4gT7stjSVJE/s320/lostintime.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656835834429749922" /></a><br /><div></div><div><div> <br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks to Wiley (from Authors on the Web) I will be able to host a very special giveaway. As many of you may know <a href="http://melissa-delacruz.com/">Melissa De La Cruz</a> has published a new Blue Bloods book: <a href="http://bluebloodsbooks.com/includes/lostintime-synopsis.html">Lost In Time</a>. I will be hosting a giveaway where ONE lucky winner will win a SIGNED copy of the book! That's right - A SIGNED COPY OF THE BOOK! All entries will be put into a random generator (so as to be fair.) The competition will begin soon so keep your eyes peeled! </div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>So, if you want to be entered just give me your name and email address in the comments section below - if selected I will email you (you will have 48 hours to respond before another name is chosen) and I will send it off to Wiley and then you will get the book! </div></div>margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799660699178148622noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929699931067326869.post-78708332614610073072011-08-17T11:01:00.003-04:002011-08-17T11:15:22.787-04:00Dead to the World<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_qr5xIllWSc/TkvX5U468BI/AAAAAAAAApM/Ap0WsmqAJZY/s1600/deadtotheworld.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 198px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_qr5xIllWSc/TkvX5U468BI/AAAAAAAAApM/Ap0WsmqAJZY/s320/deadtotheworld.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641840338071646226" /></a>Sookie has made a promise to herself; she will no longer get beaten up. It has been a rough year for her. She was greatly injured in Dallas and again when she was trying to rescue Bill. She will not be the Supernaturals' bunching bag anymore. <div>
<br /></div><div>After a late shift she heads on home, and on the way home she sees a strange sight. When she gets closer she notices that Eric is running in the middle of the cold night only wearing pants. She stops to ask him what he is doing and his reaction is quite curious. Instead of his usual 'charm' with her - he extends his fangs and hisses at her. Startled, Sookie asks Eric what is going on, and his reply is even more confusing. He does not know who she is. Worried that something is wrong with Eric she convinces him to get into her car and then drives back home. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>When she gets home she calls Pam and tells her that she has Eric. Pam's directions to Sookie are simple: stay there and don't let Eric out of the house. Starting to worry even more, Sookie does as she is told. When Pam arrives Sookie gets let in on what is going on. Witches have cast a spell on Eric and erased his memory. There are no ordinary witches though; some are weres and they all feed on Vampire blood. What's worse is they're trying to take over the Sherveport area and will stop at nothing to make sure they win. Sookie has to try and help Eric while keeping her New Year's resolution. Can she? To complicate things even more - Jason has gone missing. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>
<br /></div><div>I like how the series is progressing. We are getting to know more characters like Pam and Eric. I am really starting to enjoy Pam's character - she is almost like the dry British humor. One cannot forget Eric though either. Last night while thinking over this book I couldn't help but think the Eric/Sookie action reminded me too much of Anita/Jean-Claude. On one of the covers someone praised Ms. Harris for her ability to add the Anita Blake quality but make it her own. I don't know if this is exactly true. I have been watching TrueBlood on HBO and I find it very irritating. The actress who plays Sookie reminds me of nails on a chalk board. What do you guys think? </div><div>
<br /></div><div>Dead to the World by <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 51); font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; ">by Charlaine Harris (New York: Ace Books, 2004.)</span></div>margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799660699178148622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929699931067326869.post-4560811499619967872011-08-07T08:59:00.002-04:002011-08-07T09:20:01.363-04:00Club Dead<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1MAXZz3JDEk/Tj6MaYO1YtI/AAAAAAAAApE/xtmgxQgw0u0/s1600/clubdead.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 221px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1MAXZz3JDEk/Tj6MaYO1YtI/AAAAAAAAApE/xtmgxQgw0u0/s320/clubdead.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638098168323597010" /></a>Sookie's boyfriend Bill, or Vampire Bill to the locals of Bon Temps, has been glued to the computer for weeks. Every time Sookie tries to glean information from him, she gets no where. One day Bill tells Sookie that if, for whatever reason, he does not return from his 'trip' that she is to swear allegiance to Eric and hand over the files he is keeping at her house. Sookie agrees. <div><br /></div><div>One night after work, Sookie talks to Pam, Chow, and Eric - and they all have bad news about Bill. He is missing. They question Sookie relentlessly about his project and if she knew <i>anything</i> about it, for there is going to be hell to pay if they cannot recover Bill or his project. She says she does not know a thing, when she in fact does. Eric sets up a way she can go into Mississippi and recuse Bill.</div><div><br /></div><div>She meets Alcide, her way into Mississippi and Club Dead. Club Dead is what the Shifters and Weres call the club owned by the Vampires. While at Club Dead they run into more trouble and invite the attention of the King of Mississippi - Russell. Sookie needed Russell's attention, because she believes he is the one holding Bill captive. But where? Is he even still alive?</div><div><br /></div><div>I really enjoyed this book. Even though the last book was featured in Dallas, I felt that this book had better feel to it. This might have occurred because of the introduction of Alcide, which I secretly hope he and Sookie will get together. I must admit that when I first started reading this series, and she had to chose between Sam and Bill, I voted for Bill. But now, I don't think they would be a good fit. At times, this book feels very similar to the Anita Blake series (Eric reminds me a lot of Jean-Claude). I also enjoyed the development of Sookie; she is becoming more independent and smarter. I must admit, I love reading the Souther dialect - it makes me homesick sometimes.</div><div><br /></div><div>One final note: I have often seen the advertisements for TRUEBLOOD and I have been curious to watch at least one show, but I do not own a television (shocking, is it not?) and I do not subscribe to Netflix. With that being said, I have seen who they chose to be Sookie and I do not like her for that part - nor Bill. From the glimpse I've seen of Bill on TRUEBLOOD he does not fit the persona I would have chosen. I've heard TRUEBLOOD is really good - is that so? For those of you who watch it - do you like it? What aspects of the show do you like? Does it follow the book series closely? </div><div><br /></div><div>Club Dead by Charlaine Harris (New York: Ace Books, 2003.)</div>margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799660699178148622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929699931067326869.post-62283396422692790782011-08-02T14:53:00.003-04:002011-08-02T15:05:14.318-04:00Living Dead In Dallas<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NEaPz_9t4-Q/TjhH--F1G_I/AAAAAAAAAo8/vQFRvBjrjiw/s1600/living%2Bdead%2Bin%2Bdallas.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 198px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NEaPz_9t4-Q/TjhH--F1G_I/AAAAAAAAAo8/vQFRvBjrjiw/s320/living%2Bdead%2Bin%2Bdallas.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636334080799087602" /></a>Sookie and Bill the vampire have been an item for awhile now. Per their request, they will be left alone if they help our Eric every now and again. Eric is the boss for the local Vampire group. Sookie agrees to it even though she does not agree.<div><br /></div><div>One her way to work one morning, she notices that Andy's car door is ajar, and trying to be a helpful citizen she decides to close the door. At first it won't close and when she tries again she sees the issue. Someone has left a dead body in the back of Andy's car. She immediately parks her car and calls the cops. The car was left in Sam's parking lot and Andy is a cop - things don't look too well.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sookie has to figure out who killed her good friend Lafayette but before she can accomplish this task she has to help the Vampires of Dallas - it is Eric's request (more like command.)</div><div><br /></div><div>The Vampires of Dallas want Sookie's help because one of their own has been missing for a couple of days. They want to find their missing friend quietly - if other vampires are aware that Stan cannot keep track of his own things might get messy. </div><div><br /></div><div>Sookie agrees to help Stan on the condition that all humans (regardless of being guilty or innocent) must be let go - Stan unwillingly agrees to the terms. Sookie uncovers a deeper plot - someone has bugged the inside of Stan's headquarters and Sookie believes that the missing vampire was taken by the Fellowship of the Sun. Sookie agrees to go undercover with Hugo to try and uncover what happened in the church. Things don't go according to plan and what Sookie uncovers is shocking.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have seen many of the adds on HBO featuring TrueBlood. I am not certain I want to watch that show - I never have enjoyed movies or shows made from books. It had been awhile since I had read one of the Sookie novels. This book was fun to read and nothing really stood out at me. Sookie's character is agreeable, and I find Bill to be interesting. I once rooted for Bill and Sookie but I might be changing my mind to Sookie and Sam. What do you guys think? Sookie and Bill or Sookie and Sam? </div>margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799660699178148622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929699931067326869.post-2623473995636101602011-06-01T20:03:00.003-04:002011-06-01T20:59:13.916-04:00The Stupidest Angel<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wgqLeAzjs30/TebTW1xrqfI/AAAAAAAAAnE/sDlUJr0YTqY/s1600/thestudpidestangel.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wgqLeAzjs30/TebTW1xrqfI/AAAAAAAAAnE/sDlUJr0YTqY/s320/thestudpidestangel.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613406374909946354" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(Blog note: My cover was cream colored but I really enjoyed the red boldness of this cover so I chose it instead.)</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I am very glad that I gave Christopher Moore another chance. If you recall from an earlier post - I was not a huge fan of <i><a href="http://bookwormbarista.blogspot.com/2011/05/dirty-job.html">A Dirty Job</a>. </i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This book focuses on the little town of Pine Cove during the time around Christmas. As we all know, the time period around Christmas can be very hectic - even more so the week prior to the big day. The book zooms in on certain key people like Lena (the ex-wife of Dale), Dale (a sordid person), Theo (the town constable), Maggie (Theo's wife and ex-B movie star), and Tucker (Lena's love interest). </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> When Raziel, the angel sent to deliver Christmas' miracle message, arrives to Earth he shakes things up. First of all - he doesn't blend in to the surrounding town. He is tall, blonde, blue eyed, and wearing a BLACK trench coat asking for a little boy. Not the kind of behavior that instills trust and faith in people. Meanwhile, Lena and Dale are fighting and while Lena is digging up a pine tree on Dale's property. Dale goes to attack Lena and in self-defense she kills him - accidentally of course. Two people witness this: a little boy and Tucker. Tucker helps Lena cover up the murder while the little boy goes home - to scared to tell anyone he just saw Santa Clause bite the bullet of death. When Raziel asks the child what his Christmas wish is - the little boy wishes for Santa not to be dead. What Raziel does, is raise ALL of the town's dead - making it a Christmas no one would forget. The town now has to fight off a horde of zombies that want to eat brains and then shop at Ikea (I loved that part!) </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It was such a wonderfully funny book. I loved all the characters, especially how they interacted with one another. The end of the book had an enjoyable twist. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Stupidest Angel by Christopher Moore, (New York: HarperCollins, 2004.)</span></div>margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799660699178148622noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929699931067326869.post-29609291594313609832011-06-01T19:32:00.003-04:002011-06-01T20:02:08.666-04:00War<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7ai2trRNLFU/TebOLytS3pI/AAAAAAAAAm8/tMiRhC6G1aQ/s1600/War.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7ai2trRNLFU/TebOLytS3pI/AAAAAAAAAm8/tMiRhC6G1aQ/s320/War.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613400687549537938" /></a> I had to read this book for my American Ways of War class. It was a phenomenal book, that really allowed the reader to understand the view points of the men in the 2nd Platoon of the U.S. Army. Mr. Junger lived with them in the Korengal Valley - Afghanistan's deadliest location. The book does not deal with the 'politics' of war - simply the <i>human</i> nature of it; the fear, the love, and the psychology of war. <div><br /></div><div> The thing that shocked me most, the lack of thought as to <i>why</i> they were fighting this war. They only cared for their brothers. If you spend all your days with a select few men, it is certainly understandable why you would only care for their safety. But wouldn't you be a bit curious as to why they are dying in the war?</div><div><br /></div><div> I became really attached to the men in the platoon, and felt as if they were my friends too. I became emotional when Restrepo, the medic, was killed in action, and felt that I had just lost him as well. </div><div><br /></div><div>The book really helped me understand how the men work - and I was allowed to see a glimpse into the much hidden world of a location acting outside the scrutinizing eye of the Top Brass. It gave me hope when the certain elder tribesmen of Afghanistan and certain men of the American military were working <i>together</i> to solve the many issues facing both factions. </div><div><br /></div><div>My favorite part in the book was when both the American military and the Taliban fighters acknowledge each-other's fighting ability. </div><div><br /></div><div>Eventually the base was destroyed and the American military pulled out of the location allowing it to fall back into Afghanistan's control. </div><div><br /></div><div>I strongly recommend that everyone reads this book. It is a fascinating glimpse into a world that is kept from public eye. There are no politics in this book - it is simply a book about WAR and the effects it has on the people with in it. </div><div><br /></div><div>War by Sebastian Junger (c) 2010</div>margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799660699178148622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929699931067326869.post-37238530022186209252011-05-21T20:49:00.003-04:002011-05-21T21:06:17.912-04:00A Dirty Job<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9NryUXcRLng/Tdhdr0XF6eI/AAAAAAAAAm0/EFVwS0N1CAs/s1600/A%2BDirty%2BJob.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9NryUXcRLng/Tdhdr0XF6eI/AAAAAAAAAm0/EFVwS0N1CAs/s320/A%2BDirty%2BJob.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609336343261211106" /></a>I had wanted to read Christopher Moore for a very long time, I just never had the time (I am <i>finally</i> done with this semester!!) I also, bought the Nook and wanted to add books to is - so why not do this one? I liked the cover and thought it would be amusing to read. Well, I was not <i>that</i> big of a fan when it came to his writing style (I am currently reading <i>The Stupidest Angel </i> and finding it hilarious!) OMFG! I just looked online and they're making a movie out of it? Hollywood - WHY CAN'T YOU BE ORIGINAL AND LEAVE THE BOOKS ALONE! (Ok, sorry about that!)<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Charlie Asher is your average Beta male, not too hot and not too cold. He has the love of his life Rachel who is a beautiful, smart woman. A woman, many would say, was out of Charlie's league. They are about to expect their first child, and both could not be more happy. Well, Charlie is starting to get a bit unhinged. He is starting to see glowing red objects where ever he goes. He doesn't know what to make of them, nor if he is the only one who <i>can</i> see them. When he tried to warn someone that their umbrella was glowing red, the man was instantly killed by a bus! And when Charlie tried to explain to people what had just happened - it was like he was invisible! </div><div><br /></div><div>When their child is born, both parents are excited (as every parent is). Suddenly, Charlie notices a dark figure in the room with him while Rachel sleeps. What is this man doing in his room? Charlie races to get the nurse but when he returns the man is gone, and Rachel will not awaken. She is dead. Charlie becomes heart-stricken and it is only with his sister's help that he begins to live again. </div><div><br /></div><div>His life however, takes a turn for the weird. People start to die around Charlie, and that is after their names appear in a note pad by his bedside. Furthermore, he hears voices. These voices do not reside in his head, but in the sewers below the road. They call to him, and they call him "Fresh Meat". What's even stranger is a big, black, raven follows him. What does this mean? Why are they following Charlie? Is he the new Death? </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Although I found his writing style to be a bit off (for me) I did enjoy this book. At one point I was in my bedroom with my dog sleeping beside me, when he got to to edge of the bed and started to do a deep growl - the kind that warns intruders to leave. It scared me because I was at the point in the book, where the Sewer voices could only be seen by dogs! Silly I know, but I could not help by be a bit scared. I enjoyed the relationship between Minty Fresh and Charlie. It was a wonderfully funny book and I cannot wait to read many more of his books. </div><div><br /></div><div>A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore. (c) 2006</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799660699178148622noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929699931067326869.post-64861181626520746862011-05-21T20:25:00.002-04:002011-05-21T20:47:24.833-04:00Mocking Jay<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ALxwgjm9mRw/TdhYPiFPgaI/AAAAAAAAAms/Fww70le3Jgc/s1600/Mockingjay.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 211px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ALxwgjm9mRw/TdhYPiFPgaI/AAAAAAAAAms/Fww70le3Jgc/s320/Mockingjay.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609330359760028066" /></a><br />Katniss has survived the arena once again, but what about Peeta? Is he alive? What is President Snow doing to him? All these thoughts keep floating around her head. She is alive though, and must repeat that. She is in the elusive District 13, alive. Is it a fate worse than death?<div><br /></div><div>Katniss must adjust to thin new life style. District 13 is completely underground and they support themselves. For a long time, District 13 was a legend, and now it is true and Katniss has been chosen to represent them as the Mocking Jay. Can she?</div><div><br /></div><div>She ignores the rules and lives as she chooses. Until one day, she understands her role, and if she is personally going to kill the President than she has to allow the leader of District 13 see that she is healthy enough to go into war. But that will be a challenge in itself, for once again Katniss is playing the role of a puppet - a role she swore she would never agree to. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I will not lie, I was very disappointed with the ending of this book; it seemed rushed. After all she had been through, that was the ending? Disappointing. With that being said, I found the events to be surprising and then expected. I wish she would have done a fourth book. This book felt too much like the 7th Harry Potter book in the way it ended for me. </div><div><br /></div>margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799660699178148622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929699931067326869.post-39880455064034429552011-03-28T16:12:00.002-04:002011-03-28T16:19:40.133-04:00Once Upon A Time Challenge...<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bnkWSKWJbxo/TZDr7ASVCmI/AAAAAAAAAmc/RjPhYvttGVM/s1600/once2011two300.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bnkWSKWJbxo/TZDr7ASVCmI/AAAAAAAAAmc/RjPhYvttGVM/s320/once2011two300.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589226536488471138" /></a>I love challenges, and I never complete them which is always a disappointment. So, I'd like to complete this one. <div><br /></div><div>The artwork is just amazing and breathtaking and kinda looks like where I live: DARK, COLD, and SNOWY. I picked this one because the poop of red made me feel a bit warmer.</div><div><br /></div><div>This contest is being hosted by Stainless Steel Droppings. <a href="http://www.stainlesssteeldroppings.com/">This is his sit</a>e, and <a href="http://www.stainlesssteeldroppings.com/once-upon-a-time-v">this is the site for the challenge</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I'm going to do "Challenge the Second" which entails:</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#003300;">"</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#003300;">Read at least one book from each of the four categories. In this quest you will be reading 4 books total: one fantasy, one folklore, one fairy tale, and one mythology. This proves to be one of the more difficult quests each year merely because of the need to classify each read and determine which books fit into which category. I am not a stickler, fear not, but I am endlessly fascinated watching how folks work to find books for each category."</span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>For mythology I'm going to read <i>Metamorphoses</i> by Ovid - which I should have read last semester. :P I haven't decided what my others will be. </div><div><br /></div>margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799660699178148622noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929699931067326869.post-74754410356510683432011-03-28T15:38:00.004-04:002011-03-28T16:01:42.457-04:00Demonglass<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lLJPVSN2Axc/TZDj3FHCmEI/AAAAAAAAAmU/Y1i2qADnz_A/s1600/demonglass.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 220px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lLJPVSN2Axc/TZDj3FHCmEI/AAAAAAAAAmU/Y1i2qADnz_A/s320/demonglass.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589217672970803266" /></a>Sometimes when I get a book, I like to think about the title and how it fits with the story. A few times, while reading a book, I'll have the "AH so <i>that</i>'s<i> how</i> the title works with the book" moment.<div><br /></div><div>There are other time were I like to understand how the cover of the book works with the story of the book. This was one of those cases. Before I started reading the book, I studied the cover. Liker her first book <a href="http://bookwormbarista.blogspot.com/2010/04/hex-hall-with-guest-post-by-author.html">Hex Hall</a>, the cover features image standing in front of a body of water with another image pointing back. The second image happened to be her wearing a wedding dress. "What", I wondered, "could possible happen in this story!?"</div><div><br /></div><div>Now if you haven' read the first book, please do so, and secondly - don't read the remainder of this post. I might let something slip and I'd hate to ruin the book for you.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Last year at Hex Hall was a hectic one with Sophie trying to solve a mystery and also save her friend for ruin. Now summer is upon them, and for the first time in YEARS Sophie's dad wants to spend time with her. She agrees to go to London if Jenna tags along. If you recall, Sophie wants to go through the removal because she saw how terrible demons can be and doesn't want to take the risk of one day going mental (I heard Ron Weasly's voice when I wrote that!)</div><div><br /></div><div>Her dad though, wants her to first get to know her demon side before she completely removes it. And besides, what could possibly go wrong on a trip where you spend the WHOLE time in London! I'm jealous that they could!!!</div><div><br /></div><div>All that glitters is not gold, and with in days of landing things begin to take a turn for the worst. First the two demons that they meet have been getting them into trouble, and they don't even know who created them. That is not good, because that means that someone is rising demons - which will make The Eye want to destroy them forever. </div><div><br /></div><div>That's not all. Before they left for London, Sophie found out that she is betrothed to Cal! How can she possibly marry Cal if she still as feelings for Archer - well does she still love Archer? Or like him? Maybe tolerate Archer? She doesn't know what she's going to do. But one things for sure, she has to help her father solve the mystery and save all of Prodigum. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>This book was awesome. There were parts were I just could not stand to wait till I got to the bottom of the page to find out what happened. I did not want to put the book down to walk the dog or do my homework. Who wants to do homework when you have an amazing book just waiting in your backpack?</div><div><br /></div><div>I also enjoyed the character development of Sophie. She was more mature and patient, you could tell she had grown. ALSO she had amazing references that made her more personal. </div><div><br /></div><div>Books in this series:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>1) <a href="http://bookwormbarista.blogspot.com/2010/04/hex-hall-with-guest-post-by-author.html">Hex Hall</a></div><div>2) Demonglass</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins (c) 2011.</div><div><br /></div><div>*This book was sent to me by Authors on the Web so that I could review it. </div>margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799660699178148622noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929699931067326869.post-66154055645749110152011-03-18T20:13:00.004-04:002011-03-18T20:31:08.320-04:00Undead and Unemployed<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5xXTX4dSHtk/TYP1LcPhczI/AAAAAAAAAmM/HONq3gBHwnc/s1600/UndeadAndUnemployed2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 196px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5xXTX4dSHtk/TYP1LcPhczI/AAAAAAAAAmM/HONq3gBHwnc/s320/UndeadAndUnemployed2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585577539778212658" /></a>This is my very first book which I read on the nook and I really enjoyed it! I found reading on the Nook to be very enjoyable and easy when I was trying to put my son down for bed. I only needed one hand to hold the Nook and flip the pages.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We first met Betsy in <a href="http://bookwormbarista.blogspot.com/2009/11/undead-and-unwed.html">Undead and Unwed</a> where her life had just completely changed. Or is that "unlife"? Now it's 3 months later and she starting to get everything back on track.....sort of. She still has to deal with Sincalir and that whole 'Queen of the Dead' thing, not to mention she now has to find a job.</div><div><br /></div><div>She doesn't want to live off of her best friend, Jessica's money. So what job will allow her to work nights? She finally finds her dream job working in the Macy's shoe department. That does sound like an amazing job, although I'd probably get fired quickly for all the shoes <i>I'd</i> try on.</div><div><br /></div><div>Life seems to be going pretty well for her until she finds out her little house had a termite infestation. And there there's the problem that people are now trying to kill vampires and are now after her. So between dodging bullets she has to fix the termite problem, solve who's trying to kill her and why, solve the mystery of the little girl (where is her mother), and avoid Sinclair. Easy right?</div><div><br /></div><div>I loved how sassy Betsy was and how she always had a comment to make about someone. Plus she reads J.D. Robb too! I wouldn't mind if she were my friend. But I wonder how she'll feel, when 780 years from now, Mark and Jessica are dead. Will she bring them over? I guess I must continue to read!!</div><div><br /></div><div>Books in this series:</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; color: rgb(0, 0, 51); line-height: 20px; "><div>1) <a href="http://bookwormbarista.blogspot.com/2009/11/undead-and-unwed.html">Undead and Unwed</a></div><div>2) Undead and Unemployed</div><div>3) Undead and Unappreciated</div><div>4) Undead and Unreturnable</div><div>5) Undead and Unpopular</div><div>6) Undead and Uneasy</div><div>7) Undead and Unworthy</div><div>8) Undead and Unwelcome</div><div>9) Undead and Unfinished</div></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Undead and Unwed by Mary Janice Davidson. Penguin Group, 2004.</div><div>Format: eBook from Barnes and Noble.</div>margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799660699178148622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929699931067326869.post-44885242049629938082011-03-13T21:35:00.001-04:002011-03-13T21:36:17.465-04:00I have many fun reviews coming up! AND I just bought an NookCOLOR! :)<div><br /></div><div>Stay tuned.... reviews are soon!</div>margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799660699178148622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929699931067326869.post-61813066186745736882011-01-26T07:23:00.004-05:002011-01-26T07:35:13.794-05:00Welcome Ms. Cruz!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GadxK6BTdQk/TUAUrchdalI/AAAAAAAAAl4/68rkLgRO91Q/s1600/meldlc.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GadxK6BTdQk/TUAUrchdalI/AAAAAAAAAl4/68rkLgRO91Q/s320/meldlc.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566471876053396050" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">*The photo was borrowed for </span><a href="http://melissa-delacruz.com/index.php/info/about/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">her own website</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> and is copyright of Denise Bovee*</span><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div>Ms. Cruz has been kind enough to answer some of my questions as well as write a little guest post!! Thank you so much Ms. Cruz!<div><br /></div><div>Her own website is<a href="http://www.melissa-delacruz.com/"> here</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>My questions for her are in <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">GREEN. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:10pt;"><p style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:10pt;"><span style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1) Why focus on these three people?</span></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family:arial, sans-serif;color:black;"></span></span></p></div><div face="arial, sans-serif" style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><p class="MsoNormal" face="arial, sans-serif" size="10pt" style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I wanted to tell the stories that mattered a lot, but also could stand alone. I was curious about how Oliver would get over Schuyler, and I had the idea from a long time ago that a new girl cures him, and allows him to experience love again, but it's more of a... I don't want to use the term "rebound" but I guess I just did! You know when you have a long dramatic love affair that ends badly, how a short fun one kind of "cures" you of the old one? And you don't end up with that "rebound" person but you're kind of grateful to have had that experience - it gets you back on your feet. And Oliver really needed Freya's magic.</span></p></div><div face="arial, sans-serif" style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><p class="MsoNormal" face="arial, sans-serif" size="10pt" style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "> </p></div><div face="arial, sans-serif" style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><p class="MsoNormal" face="arial, sans-serif" size="10pt" style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I'd planned to include Allegra's story in Misguided Angel but the book already had too many plots and I feared it would get lost. This is just the first part of the story, there is more of her and Ben (who is Stephen Chase, by the way, readers of Keys to the Repository know that Stephen is his first name and Bendix is his second) in Lost in Time (book six). It was fun to see Allegra as a young teenager, I like her spirit a lot. She's very different from Schuyler. I was the shy daughter of two very popular, very outgoing, social people, and it always fascinated me how my parents, when they were my age, probably would not have been my friend ;). You know, how does that happen? So I'd always wanted to write about Schuyler's parents, these two kind of ideal high school types, who created a daughter who was a wallflower. </span></p></div><div face="arial, sans-serif" style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><p class="MsoNormal" face="arial, sans-serif" size="10pt" style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "> </p></div><div face="arial, sans-serif" style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><p class="MsoNormal" face="arial, sans-serif" style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Schuyler and Jack's story is the main focus of the Blue Bloods series, and if they're going to get bonded, everyone's going to be invited to witness it! It was terrifically fun to write, and I love weddings. Especially ones with a lot of action and heartache in them. </span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal" face="arial, sans-serif" style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2) Why did she decide to start the book with Oliver?</span></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family:arial, sans-serif;"></span></span></p><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><p class="MsoNormal" face="arial, sans-serif" style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It was a fun way to begin - with a heartbreak and healing. Also we don't see that much of Oliver's POV in Misguided Angel, so it was fun to see it here.</span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal" face="arial, sans-serif" style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3) Why did she have Allegra fall in love with a Red Blood (over numerous times) if she knew it was wrong?</span></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family:arial, sans-serif;"></span></span></p><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><p class="MsoNormal" face="arial, sans-serif" style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I don't think authors "make" their characters do anything. There is a lot in Charles and Allegra's past that led to the end of their bond. I'm just starting to reveal what happened. I've known from the beginning why she did it and readers will find out in the next couple of books as the story becomes clearer.</span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal" face="arial, sans-serif" style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Below is her guest post!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family:arial, sans-serif;"></span></span></p><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><p class="MsoNormal" face="arial, sans-serif" style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "> </p></div><div face="arial, sans-serif" size="10pt" style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><p class="MsoNormal" face="arial, sans-serif" style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I like a love story as much as anyone, but Blue Bloods while it has several great love stories, doesn't really focus on it, more like the terrible things that happen when love goes wrong (ie Charles and Allegra--what did they do in the past?). So I thought it would be fun to concentrate on the romantic part of the stories for once and focus on three characters and their tumultuous love lives. It was a nice treat for me to write, since Oliver's story really has no bearing on the overall series plotline, but it's nice to see him happy, Allegra, it was great to finally see her in her youth, and of course, Sky and Jack, because, who doesn't love a wedding? I get a lot of fans saying waiting a year between books is torture, so I thought it would be a nice treat to have something right after finishing Misguided Angel. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="arial, sans-serif" style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="arial, sans-serif" style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="arial, sans-serif" style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="arial, sans-serif" style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="arial, sans-serif" style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="arial, sans-serif" style=" margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I would like to thank Mr. Wiley from Authors on the Web and Ms. Melissa De La Cruz for this wonderful oportunity. I hope everyone gets a chance to check out </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Bloody Valentine, </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">it is a wonderful book. </span></b></span></p></div></span></span></div></div>margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799660699178148622noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929699931067326869.post-86671954070688719932011-01-15T23:27:00.004-05:002011-01-26T07:22:18.789-05:00Blood Valentine<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GadxK6BTdQk/TTMFikDS1eI/AAAAAAAAAlw/Xwz266MldOM/s1600/BV.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GadxK6BTdQk/TTMFikDS1eI/AAAAAAAAAlw/Xwz266MldOM/s320/BV.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562796056083879394" /></a> The Ancient Greeks feared love because they knew how powerful it was. It was and is a force that cannot be stopped. As one famous saying goes, the heart wants what the heart wants. <div><br /></div><div><i> Bloody Valentine</i> opens with our friend Oliver, fresh in the grasps of the ugly side of love; the love that is painful and deadly. Every waking second stings with the love that is lost, gone forever. Every scent, sight, sound reminds him of the one that is no longer there. He enters the local pub <i>Holiday</i> to ease his aching heart. He has become a regular there, a place where underage drinking is allowed. He tries to lessen the painful memories of Schuyler by knocking back shot after shot. He then forms an idea in his head - one that might help erase her completely from his memory. As he is leaving for the night the bartender gives him on quick warning, "Whatever you are about to do, please don't. Because it's not going to help." (Cruz p 10)</div><div><br /></div><div> Next we meet up with Allegra Van Allen years before she is in a coma. She is a young teenager in 1985 and fully of life and happiness. She goes to Endicott and is on the field hockey team. While at the hospital recovering from a nasty hit to the head (one that would've injured any Red Blood) she becomes friendly with Bendix Chase the hottie of the school. Once Allegra and Bendix (who shared the same room in the hospital) are back in school they become closer than ever, much to the ire of Charles Van Allen (who remember is really Michelle). She has a dream that spooks her to the core - if she stays on the path that she in on only destruction will occur. </div><div><br /></div><div> Finally we see Schuyler. She is looking for the prefect bonding dress, in Florence. It hasn't been easy because the Venerators are always hot on their heels. After trying on dress after dress she almost gives up hope, but a small little fabric store saves her from loosing completely. She finds her dream fabric, a silk blue hue, and goes home and begins to fix her dress. Suddenly she is under attack from a Venerator. He tells her that she must place a cursed ring on Jack or lose her best friend Oliver. She must chose between Jack's love or the love she has for Oliver. </div><div><br /></div><div><i> Bloody Valentine </i>is a companion novella to her Blue Blood series and I LOVE IT! Of course, I love all of her Blue Blood book. I do not know how I will be able to wait till October to read her sixth Blue Bloods book, <i>Lost In Time</i>. </div><div><br /></div><div> My favorite section in this book dealt with Allegra. I really enjoyed getting some of Allegra's history: who she was before she became the living dead. It was really fun to see how more human she was, and less angelic/Queen and saviour. She really struggled with teenage wants/needs vs what she knew she had to do. I know I've been there. I also enjoyed how Melissa introduced a new character (which will be in a completely different series!) in such a way that leaves the reader begging for more. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>Bloody Valentine </i>by Melissa De La Cruz. New York (c) 2010</div><div>*This book was given to me by Hyperion. </div>margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799660699178148622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929699931067326869.post-14173100487836202692011-01-04T17:59:00.003-05:002011-01-04T18:47:00.907-05:00Special Offer<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GadxK6BTdQk/TSOnPeuJZTI/AAAAAAAAAlo/ZiIY5gMXBzY/s1600/bookblog.png"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 213px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558470249491817778" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GadxK6BTdQk/TSOnPeuJZTI/AAAAAAAAAlo/ZiIY5gMXBzY/s320/bookblog.png" /></a> David Vann author of the new book Caribou Island (coming out VERY soon) is giving away a FREE e-novella thanks to HarperCollins Publishers!<br /><br />There are some links right below!! I highly recommend you check them out!!<br /><br />Some quick information about his e-novella <em>Sukkwan Island,</em><br /><ul><li>David Vann is on The Daily Beat's "<a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-01-02/most-anticipated-books-of-2011/?cid=topic:mainpromo1">Most Anticipated Books of 2011</a>"!</li><li>It won France's most prestigious Prix Medicis award for best foregin novel</li><li>Was once published in the US as part of the <em>Legend of a Suicide Collection </em></li></ul><p>This is the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sukkwan-Island-Novella-Material-ebook/dp/B004H1U1UW/">link</a> for the Amazon Kindle.</p><p>This is the<a href="http://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/david-vann/sukkwan-island-free-novella-with-bonus-material/_/R-400000000000000323488"> link</a> for Sony e-reader.</p><p>This is the <a href="http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Sukkwan-Island-Free-Novella-With/book-fB2kqTTDI0m-OwhHIu1OXA/page1.html">link</a> for Kobo e books. </p><p>Both the Kinddle and the iBook (Apple's iTunes) will have this book soon. </p><p> </p>margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799660699178148622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929699931067326869.post-79775587789600553452010-12-28T20:58:00.005-05:002010-12-28T21:11:22.082-05:00Take A Chance Challenge #3<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GadxK6BTdQk/TRqXQRySNEI/AAAAAAAAAlg/gtOKn5nczZw/s1600/takeachance3.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 110px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GadxK6BTdQk/TRqXQRySNEI/AAAAAAAAAlg/gtOKn5nczZw/s320/takeachance3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555919396222940226" /></a> Last year, I signed up for the Take A Chance Challenge among other challenges that I thought I'd complete. I was so excited with the thought of competiting with my fellow book bloggers while reading many books. It was a win win in my book. But life, who does not care for my wishes, decided to make it busy; new baby, school, moving, etc. So, I have decided that this will be MY ONLY competition this year. I have always wanted to play and it looks so fun! <div><br /></div><div> If you too would like to enter, <a href="http://www.lifewithbooks.com/2010/12/its-back-take-a-chance-challenge-3/">this is the place to see!</a> Jenners is an amazing person and her blog is a wonderful place to lose track of time! (So being the extreme lazy person that I am, <b>I am coping <i>her</i> rules and pasting them here</b>.) I highly recommend you join! It's a perfect challenge for the New Year!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 22px; font-size:14px;"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; ">Several of you asked if I’d be hosting the Take A Chance Challenge again. At first, I wasn’t sure, but once I started thinking about it, I got all excited. So here are the details for the 2011 version of the challenge.</p><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline- text-align: center; font-size:14px;color:initial;"><span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; color: rgb(255, 0, 0); "><strong size="14px" color="initial" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline- "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Basic Information</span></strong></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; "><ul style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 1.5em; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 20px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; ">The concept of the challenge is to take chances with your reading by finding books to read in unusual or random ways. I’ve listed 10 different ways to find books below. Feel free to complete at many as you want. However, anyone completing all 10 challenges by December 31, 2011 will be entered in a prize drawing to win a book of their choice from Amazon.</li></ul></div><ul style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 1.5em; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 20px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; ">The challenge will run from January 1, 2011 until December 31, 2011.</li></ul><ul style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 1.5em; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 20px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; ">Crossover books from other challenges is fine. You can read books in any format.</li></ul><ul style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 1.5em; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 20px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; ">On January 1, 2011, I will post pages for each of the 10 challenges so you can link up your completed posts.</li></ul><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline- text-align: center; font-size:14px;color:initial;"><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; "><span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; color: rgb(255, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The 2011 Challenges</span></span><br /></strong></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; "><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; ">1: Staff Member’s Choice: </strong>Go to a bookstore or library that has a “Staff Picks” section. Read one of the picks from that section.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; "><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; ">2: Loved One’s Choice: </strong>Ask a loved one to pick a book for you to read. (If you can convince them to buy it for you, that is even better!)</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; "><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; ">3: Blogger’s Choice:</strong> Find a “Best Books Read” post from a favorite blogger. Read a book from their list.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; "><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; ">4: Critic’s Choice: </strong>Find a “Best of the Year” list from a magazine, newspaper or professional critic. Read a book from their Top 10 list.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; "><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; ">5: Blurb Book: </strong>Find a book that has a blurb on it from another author. Read a book by the author that wrote the blurb.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; "><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; ">6: Book Seer Pick: </strong>Go to <strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; "><a href="http://bookseer.com/">The Book Seer</a></strong> and follow the instructions there. Read a book from the list it generates for you.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; "><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; ">7: What Should I Read Next Pick :</strong> Go to <strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; "><a href="http://www.whatshouldireadnext.com/">What Should I Read Next</a></strong> and follow the instructions there. Read a book from the list it generates for you.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; "><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; ">8: Which Book Pick: </strong>Go to <strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; "><a href="http://www.whichbook.net/">Which Book</a></strong> and use the software to generate a list of books. Read a book from that list.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; "><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; ">9: LibraryThing Pick:</strong> Go to<strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; "> <a href="http://www.librarything.com/zeitgeist">LibraryThing’s Zeitgeist page</a></strong>. Look at the lists for 25 Most Reviewed Books or Top Books and pick a book you’ve never read. Read the book. (Yes … you can click on MORE if you have to.)</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; "><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; ">10: Pick A Method:</strong> Pick a method for finding a book from the choices listed below (used in previous versions of the challenge).</p><ul style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 1.5em; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 20px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; "><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; ">R</strong><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; ">andom Book Selection.</strong> Go to the library. Position yourself in a section such as Fiction, Non-Fiction, Mystery, Children (whatever section you want). Then write down random directions for yourself (for example, third row, second shelf, fifth book from right). Follow your directions and see what book you find. Check that book out of the library, read it and then write about it. (If you prefer, you can do the same at a bookstore and buy the book!)</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; "><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; ">Public Spying.</strong> Find someone who is reading a book in public. Find out what book they are reading and then read the same book. Write about it.</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; "><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; ">Random Bestseller.</strong> Go to <strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; "><a href="http://www.random.org/">Random.org</a></strong> and, using the True Random Number Generator, enter the number 1950 for the min. and 2010 for the max. and then hit generate. Then go to <strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; "><a href="http://www.hawes.com/pastlist.htm">this site</a> </strong>and find the year that Random.org generated for you and click on it. Then find the bestseller list for the week that would contain your birthday for that year. Choose one of the bestsellers from the list that comes up, read it and write about it.</li></ul><div><br /></div><div>Good Luck!!</div></span></div>margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799660699178148622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929699931067326869.post-84453433223899836372010-12-23T10:21:00.005-05:002010-12-23T19:18:13.730-05:00The Time Traveler's Wife<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GadxK6BTdQk/TRNo_Tms_uI/AAAAAAAAAlM/UsqOFgq3U34/s1600/the-time-travelers-wife.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GadxK6BTdQk/TRNo_Tms_uI/AAAAAAAAAlM/UsqOFgq3U34/s320/the-time-travelers-wife.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553898202281606882" /></a>Imagine that you could go back in time. See events replay themselves out, and you could get different viewing perspectives each time you went back. The catch is - you cannot chose when and where you go back, and you cannot stop it. <div><br /></div><div> Henry DeTamble has that problem. He is a time traveler. Although his past and future are intertwined, crossed, and tangled it is not always clear where he is going, and where he has been. </div><div><br /></div><div> He meets his future wife, Clare Abishire, when she is six in 1977. When they first meet, he is 36, and has already known Clare in the future - is already married to her. The friendship they forge will last years and Henry weaves in and out of it.</div><div><br /></div><div> Clare though, must struggle to live a life where Henry pops in and out of it. She has to deal with peer pressure in high school - the controversy that surrounds her - is she gay? Straight? Where are her boyfriends, or girlfriends?</div><div><br /></div><div> These two must endure both the test of time and love. Is their love strong enough to withstand those tests?</div><div><br /></div><div> This book is amazing! We often wish we could be time travelers, but we never stop and think of the consequences. We never stop and think how horrific it could be! Henry must relive some horrible events in his past, and he cannot escape them! Imagine reliving an embarrassing moment, that you can never let fade away in the past. I enjoyed being a part of their love story! It made me think of my own relationship to my husband, and how much I cherish every second with him - how I hate when he's away and cannot wait to see him again. It is hard for me to imagine my husband popping in and out of my past and future, never knowing when he will be gone, and for how long. </div><div><br /></div><div> I have one small issue with the book. When Ms. Niffenegger would have two dates, like November 23 1988, and July 12, 2000 she would not separate them. Hm. I'm trying to think of a better example because obviously when Henry time travels backwards the music and cloths would change. There were some dates that would run together and I wouldn't necessarily be able to tell present from past.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><i>The Time Travelers Wife </i>by Audrey Niffenegger. New York: A Harvest Book (c) 2003.</div>margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799660699178148622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929699931067326869.post-16020900658568479552010-12-17T21:08:00.003-05:002010-12-17T21:33:46.933-05:00Never Slow Dance with A Zombie<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GadxK6BTdQk/TQwXqTUQqmI/AAAAAAAAAk0/Yjou1Da8J6I/s1600/never%2Bslowdance%2Bwith%2Ba%2Bzombie.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GadxK6BTdQk/TQwXqTUQqmI/AAAAAAAAAk0/Yjou1Da8J6I/s320/never%2Bslowdance%2Bwith%2Ba%2Bzombie.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551838456148175458" /></a>Last year, October 2009, <a href="http://vanlowe.blogspot.com/2009/10/day-one-winner.html">E. Van Lowe</a> and <a href="http://aparkavenueprincess.blogspot.com/">Ms. Princess of A Park-Avenue Princess</a> were holding a Twitter competition to see who could coin a nice catch phrase with the title of Mr. Lowe's book. Mr. Lowe's name has been hyperlinked to the page on his blog where he mentions the first winner, ME! :) <div><br /></div><div>I was so happy when I won! I now can say, I'm happy I got a chance to read his book! IT WAS FANTASTIC! </div><div><br /></div><div>Margot Jean Johnson made a pledge that she would change her life. She would become popular and have a hot, popular boyfriend. Her best friend Sybil is going to help Margot attain that goal. </div><div><br /></div><div>Friends though, don't always see eye to eye. On the night of the big carnival Margot and Sybil get into a big fight. They don't go to the carnival, instead assume the other is having fun at said carnival. </div><div><br /></div><div>When the girls arrive the next day something seems strange. The students have a green tinge to their skin, and the most popular girl at school - well she looks like she has seen better days. All the students have turned into flesh eating zombies! Trying not to become among the living dead, they head over to the principal's office (since he clearly is among the living). The principal asks for a huge favor. Could they possibly NOT tell anyone about the student zombie population, and act as if nothing has happened. Class would continue like normal.</div><div><br /></div><div>At first the girls enjoy their new status: popular AND alive! Soon though they begin to tire, and think about trying to help the student body. Will they give up their newfound popularity though?</div><div><br /></div><div>I absolutely LOVED this book! I was laughing all the time, and I think I got strange stares from my fellow peers as I rode the campus connector to my classes. I enjoyed the descriptions of the type of zombie you could become (according to which clique you were in when you were alive.) At one point Margot thinks "Uh-uh! No way! I do not want to become a Goth-although black is slimming." (Lowe 63)</div><div><br /></div><div>This story was peppered with snarky remarks like that all through out the story. It did have a serious side. Margot has the tough question (we all face) Is it really worth it - to be Queen Bee of high school? </div><div><br /></div><div>If you want a funny, sweet, mysterious coming-of-age book then I suggest this one!!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Never Slow Dance with A Zombie</i> by E. Van Lowe. New York: A Tom Doherty Associates Book, 2009. </div>margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799660699178148622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929699931067326869.post-27760796598634121172010-12-17T20:53:00.006-05:002010-12-17T21:05:31.791-05:00Red Ted and the Lost Things<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GadxK6BTdQk/TQwUYbr-WPI/AAAAAAAAAks/Mp5vslUQrxQ/s1600/redted.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 224px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GadxK6BTdQk/TQwUYbr-WPI/AAAAAAAAAks/Mp5vslUQrxQ/s320/redted.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551834850622593266" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GadxK6BTdQk/TQwUJCzrzyI/AAAAAAAAAkk/aylaFdQkkeY/s1600/redted.jpg"></a>I first saw this book on the <a href="http://graphicclassroom.blogspot.com/2010/11/red-ted-and-lost-things.html">Graphic Classroom's site</a>. I knew instantly that I would have to get my hands on this book.<div><br /></div><div>It was such a cute little story, with beautifully done pictures!</div><div><br /></div><div>One day Ted (the little bear) has been left behind by his owner. A police man puts Ted away with all the other lost items. Ted asks Mr. Crocodile where he is, and is told that is in the place for Lost Things. Ted though, is determined to find his owner agin and devises a plan. Of course Mr. Crocodile does not want to be left behind, so he joins Ted. On their journey, they befriend a cat who helps them located Ted's home. </div><div><br /></div><div>I hope everyone gets a chance to read this to their young ones! It is such a cute story, and I wish I had a crocodile toy that looked exactly like the one in the story.</div><div><br /></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>My son, who is almost 6 months would look at this book and listen as I read it to him. From what I gather he enjoyed it very much! Of course this book is for older children, the Graphic Classroom says between the ages of</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; "><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; "><b>"Rating:</b><span style="font-weight: normal; "> Emergent reader and older</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; "><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; "><b>Publisher’s Rating:</b><span style="font-weight: normal; "> Preschool and older" (Chris Wilson) </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: normal; font-size: 16px; "><i>Red Ted and the Lost Things </i>by Michael Rosen. Illustrated by Joel Stewart. Candlewick Press, 2009. </span></span></div></span>margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799660699178148622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929699931067326869.post-43597284490431022292010-12-17T11:27:00.004-05:002010-12-17T11:58:55.007-05:00The Strangers Outside<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GadxK6BTdQk/TQuWixB7TfI/AAAAAAAAAkE/mZE9cJm9Et4/s1600/strangers.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 103px; height: 147px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GadxK6BTdQk/TQuWixB7TfI/AAAAAAAAAkE/mZE9cJm9Et4/s320/strangers.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551696489685405170" /></a>Thank you so much to <a href="http://vanessa-morgan.blogspot.com/">Vanessa Morgan</a> for allowing me to read her short story <i>The Strangers Outside</i>!! <div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Can I just say that it was a wonderful thriller? Late last night when I was reading it, I totally began to get scared that I had to finish it this morning - and even in the bright hours of the day I was still scared. </div><div><br /></div><div><div> It begins with two sisters, Jennifer and Louise, who are on their way to the beach resort. The resort is comprised of "<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">independent structures connected to a large </span></span></div><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">parking lot by meandering pathways that shone white in the waning darkness. ‘Military </span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">bunkers’ their grandmother used to call these brown houses with low flat ceilings. Even the </span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">long, narrow gardens looked exactly alike." (Morgan p.9)</span></p></div><div><br /></div><div> The girls begin to dance in excitement when suddenly Louise stops. There are strange men looking their way. Fear begins to make itself known, and Louise and Jennifer quickly go into the cottage. The strange men do not leave, and it is starting to get dark. When Jennifer goes to wash her face, a small problem arises - there is not any water! Louise quickly dashes out to the shed to turn on the water and has the prickly feeling of fear again. When she looks out into the falling darkness again she sees those strangers.</div><div><br /></div><div> She runs back inside and tells Jennifer to hurry up. The strangers are getting closer to the house and Louise has no idea why. Suddenly they are knocking on her front door and peering in through the back sliding glass door. Louise has to decided then and there what to do. Does she fight or let herself be taken by these strangers from outside.</div><div><br /></div><div> Even now, after reading the story, I cannot get the chill out of my spine!! When Ms. Morgan described their faces as being "lagers than they should be"(Morgan p.11) I could not help but picture these huge eyeless, noseless, mouthless blobs for faces. When they were at Louise's back door and the eyes started popping up I could not help but imagine them as RED CREEPY eyes! I'm glad it's still the day time! </div><div><br /></div><div> I thoroughly enjoyed how she made the details vague enough to let your own imagination take over! I was slightly disappointed at the end. I got so caught up in the drama and suspense of the strangers and why there were there that the ending seemed to come too rapidly. It is probably my own taste. The story was wonderfully suspenseful and totally chilling! </div><div><br /></div><div><i>The Strangers Outside</i> by Vanessa Morgan. (c) 2010</div><div><br /></div><div> </div>margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799660699178148622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929699931067326869.post-81059661567741081712010-11-19T21:53:00.004-05:002010-11-19T22:24:02.007-05:00Demon Possessed<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GadxK6BTdQk/TOc6mZDsWrI/AAAAAAAAAjk/4wmcKW09jww/s1600/demonpossessed.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 191px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GadxK6BTdQk/TOc6mZDsWrI/AAAAAAAAAjk/4wmcKW09jww/s320/demonpossessed.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541462297738500786" /></a>NO! NO! NO! AND NO!!! WHY!<div><br /></div><div>Ok. I absolutely HATE when I read a book out of series - the very first book I read and it's the WRONG NUMBER! UGH!</div><div><br /></div><div>With that being said, I wasn't overly confused about the plot - which is either good or bad. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, for those of you having read the books in order I'm sure the plot will make more sense to you than it did to me. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Megan Chase is a psychiatrist and is currently not happy with the meeting she's in. She is meeting with an FBI agent named Elizabeth Reid. Elizabeth is trying to get Megan to acknowledge, that Megan's boyfriend Greyson Dante (who also happens to be a head honcho in the Demon world) will be participating in a local meeting of all Demon Leaders (think The God Father). Megan pretends like she knows nothing.</div><div><br /></div><div>Later that week Megan and her hot (he's a fire Demon) boyfriend Dante arrive at the hotel and buckle in for the extremely long week. It's all politics and schmoozing as each leader of the Demon branch try to vie for power. Everything seems to be going well until Agent Reid shows up and someone attacks Megan. Oh and she learns some bad news pertaining to her boyfriend. Can Megan cope with it all while saving herself and Agent Reid? </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Hmm. As far as books go this one wasn't that interesting. I was so irritated by the constant use of similes that I wanted to burn the book, or throw it out the window! The ratio of similes to dialogue was 23094:2! It went something like this: Megan "I like cookies." Text "Megan liked cookies like a fat person loves cake. That is to say she loved them so much as if she couldn't live without them like a flower can't live without the sun. " (Gag!)</div><div><br /></div><div>Irritating there right? Now IMAGINE 3/4 OF THE BOOK LIKE THAT! On top of that, I found Megan to be so whinny and WEAK! And I later found out she was like 5'9" and 104 lbs. Not that's to say there is a connection. BUT COME ON! I cannot stand weak women characters that are protagonist! I hate being type casted as a woman that can't do work because I have two X chromosomes and I need a big burly man to stack wood, or open the door for me. Thank you for the help but I can also do it. But Megan but all the hard work of feminist back like 499 years! (Ok, not <i>that</i> bad.) </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;">She couldn't get over the fact that Greyson lied to her about some b.s. relating to demon politics. SO WHAT. Talk about it like two grown adults and then either repair the relationship or move on! She reminded me of Bella Swan in </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;">Twilight <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">which irritated me more because I found Bella to be vexing too. </span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">I finished this book a week ago, and apparently I'm still upset by it. I'm actually glad I didn't read the other two books because I doubt I'd get that far in the series. The book finally got good in the last 50 pages which is sad because the book is 321 pages and which isn't saying much.</span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">I'm curious to hear what others think of this book. Did you like it? If so what aspects? What did you think of the simile problem? Did it bother you? Did you notice? </span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Books in this series:</span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">1) Personal Demons</span></span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;">2) Demon Inside</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;">3) Demon Possessed</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;">Demon Possessed by Stacia Kane. Pocket Books: New York (2010).</span></div>margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799660699178148622noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929699931067326869.post-49815820184559103312010-11-07T07:35:00.003-05:002010-11-07T08:51:15.178-05:00Dead Until Dark<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GadxK6BTdQk/TNaePHYZ_PI/AAAAAAAAAjc/0HNsqmibZec/s1600/dud.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 198px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GadxK6BTdQk/TNaePHYZ_PI/AAAAAAAAAjc/0HNsqmibZec/s320/dud.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536786774415244530" /></a>FINALLY!!! I have been reading numerous books for school (Roman poets, Greek poets, books on WWI, WWII, Russian books, books on the Haitian Revolution - can you tell I'm going to major in history?) Well I finally got to read a book that wasn't mandatory! And I'm pretty proud of myself. I read the book in about 3 days! So without further ado here is the report!<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Sookie Stackhouse lives in Bon Temps, La. She works as a waitress at the local bar. Everyone knows that she has a 'disability' and for the most part they treat her well. Obviously they think she's crazy. Vampires have just now become more main stream, and people are beginning to believe that the reason vampires are the way they are is because of a virus. </div><div><br /></div><div>One night, while Sookie is working a man catches her attention. Pale with dark hair and eyes she is drawn to him like a moth to a flame. Soon they found out that the new stranger in town is Bill Compton a vampire returning to his old family estate. The town is enthralled to have a vampire amongst them. However, Bills arrival also marks the arrival of strange happenings.</div><div><br /></div><div>Soon the town of Bon Temps has other worries on their minds. At least two of the women have been killed. They were known 'fang bangers' so Bill might have done a way with them. But they also were known 'associates' of Sookie's brother Jason. By 'associates' I mean 'bed associates'. What's worse is that Sookie might be next. Her grandmother was killed, along with her cat Tina. The police are looking real hard into Jason's files, but he couldn't of killed his grandmother? Sookie has to solve the mystery fast before her time is up and her number is picked.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is probably a bad thing, but when I first read Sookie, I instantly thought of SNookie from <i>Jersey Shore. </i>I know, I know Jersey Shore is a corrosive show - but also a very funny one. Watching egotistical people act as if they weren't! </div><div><br /></div><div>I really enjoyed the characters in the book. It's always fun (for me) to read about vampires when their description is the same but different. Like Bill, he was described as pale (duh) but there were no mentions of his powers (like descriptions of Jean-Paul in one of Laurell K. Hamilton's <i>Anita Blake</i> novels.) Furthermore Sookie wasn't a skinny little twig. She had some meat on her bones which was nice. </div><div><br /></div><div>In closing - I didn't know that the True Blood series was based off this book series. I don't watch the show (I don't have a TV in my house). Although I'm not all together surprised seeing how now-a-days more and more TV shows and movies are based off of books. I'm not too happy with that. </div><div><br /></div><div>Books in this series:</div><div><br /></div><div>1. Dead Until Dark</div><div>2. Living Dead in Dallas</div><div>3. Club Dead</div><div>4. Dead to the World</div><div>5. Dead As a Doornail</div><div>6. Definitely Dead</div><div>7. Altogether Dead</div><div>8. From Dead to Worse</div><div>9. Dead And Gone</div><div>10. Dead In The Family</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris. Ace Books NY (c) 2001</div><div><br /></div>margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799660699178148622noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929699931067326869.post-56533224586714177222010-09-14T16:49:00.003-04:002010-09-14T16:52:09.394-04:00Napoleon: A life<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GadxK6BTdQk/TI_f2knq9xI/AAAAAAAAAjU/u5Jb0-6_PYI/s1600/napoleon.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GadxK6BTdQk/TI_f2knq9xI/AAAAAAAAAjU/u5Jb0-6_PYI/s320/napoleon.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516874197188146962" /></a>I tried to find a photo of the book were it didn't have this irritating "look inside" but alas I could not. <div><br /></div><div>I had to read this book for my class on the "history of Modern War and Society". Right away I loved the book. One of my favorite lines in the book is "more books and been written about Napoleon than anyone else - except for Christ". What is it that fascinates us about this little guy? </div><div><br /></div><div>I enjoyed the books smooth transitions and wonderful information. I didn't feel like I had to labour to read it (as I did while reading Cheese and Worms)</div><div><br /></div><div>Napoleon a Life by Paul Johnson</div>margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799660699178148622noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929699931067326869.post-64274701408158920752010-09-14T16:39:00.004-04:002010-09-14T16:49:07.422-04:00The Cheese and the Worms<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GadxK6BTdQk/TI_fWaUek7I/AAAAAAAAAjM/BHQu9WZ8lCQ/s1600/cheeseandworms.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 207px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GadxK6BTdQk/TI_fWaUek7I/AAAAAAAAAjM/BHQu9WZ8lCQ/s320/cheeseandworms.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516873644667474866" /></a>This will be a quick post about the book (I have to go read the Iliad - which I should've finished Monday -oops).<div><br /></div><div>The Cheese and the worms is written about a 15th Century miller in Italy during the time of the Inquisition. His name was Menocchio (well, nickname rather) and he was known for his radical thoughts and ideas. His fellow peers didn't hate him, but they also didn't agree with his brash outspoken ideas. When Menocchio is called to trial the inquisitors can't help but marvel at this man and his crazy ideas! The Virgin Mary isn't a virgin because she had a child? Say What??? </div><div><br /></div><div>The point of the book was to see how popular peasant thought intermixed with the religious beliefs and teachings of that time. </div><div><br /></div><div>I would have to say the only negative thing about this book was his writing style. I hated it. It was too confusing for me - at one point it was in Menocchio's POV and then suddenly it was the inquisitors or suddenly Ginzburg was trying to relay information. I didn't like the flow at all.</div><div><br /></div><div>Poor Menocchio, to be born at the wrong time with such radical ideas.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Cheese and the Worms by Carlo Ginzburg</div>margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799660699178148622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6929699931067326869.post-41675575449167513082010-08-24T12:11:00.000-04:002010-08-24T21:31:34.027-04:00Update.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GadxK6BTdQk/TEsR6fQ4PaI/AAAAAAAAAik/0kNdJBiEKQo/s1600/DSC03120.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GadxK6BTdQk/TEsR6fQ4PaI/AAAAAAAAAik/0kNdJBiEKQo/s320/DSC03120.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497507466658200994" /></a><br />Hi guys!! My posts (for awhile) will be a bit sporadic. I recently had a little boy so sleep has been on the back burner, even reading too. I'll slowly be reading - although I'm trying to quickly read <i>Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side</i> before it's due on Monday - we shall see. I hope everyone is enjoying their summer. <div><br /></div><div>This is my son :)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799660699178148622noreply@blogger.com13