Welcome

I've set this up in order to connect to all the wonderful bloggers that I've been meeting through reading challenges, starting with the Classics Challenge and now, too many challenges to mention. See the novel challenges link on the sidebar.

I enjoy visiting other blogs, from link to link to link, and feel free to comment here. I'd love to read what you thought about a book I read. I'll always come back to visit you. I'm a mom to three kids, wife, and high school teacher who ignores the housework and plays on the computer too much, when I'm not reading. I used to run a lot more, but indoors is more fun these days; however, my waistline is beginning to protest.

This blog is for all things book related: reviews, lists, memes, and anything remotely related to books. There are other things that I muse about at livejournal.

WEEKLY GEEKS: Where in the World Have You Been?

This week's Weekly Geeks asks you to tell us about your globe trotting via books. Are you a global reader? How many countries have you "visited" in your reading? What are your favorite places or cultures to read about? Can you recommend particularly good books about certain regions, countries or continents? How do you find out about books from other countries? What countries would you like to read that you haven't yet?

Great question! I was never very conscious of where the books I read were from, but since landing in the book blogosphere in 2007, I've made a more concerted effort to read books from around the world. Readers like caribousmom and michelle 3M, have inspired me to expand my reading. Plus, there's the cool map to try and fill in. I've been keeping track since 2007 of the books and the countries they represent at my own personal blog.

My criteria is varied. I really want a sense of place when I read the book, unless the author is very much associated with their home country, then I may chose it for that reason. I pick both fiction and nonfiction to fill my map in. Here's what my map looks like these days:



visited 51 states (22.6%)
Create your own visited map of The World

2007: 23 countries visited
2008: 17 new countries visited
2009: 11 new countries visited: Mongolia, Channel Islands, Chile, Cuba, Colombia, Egypt, Brazil, Lebanon, Indonesia, Hungary, Myanmar

What are your favorite places or cultures to read about?

My favorite is definitely England and the United Kingdom, after Canada and the US. North America is my default choice of reading. I've been immersed in a few countries, like Italy, Iceland and Botswana, due to finding really good mystery series set in those locals. The more I read of a series, the more I get a good feel of the place.

What countries would you like to read that you haven't yet?

There are lots of countries in Africa and South America, and while I've filled in the big countries in Asia, there are still lots of small countries there to fill in.
Any one know a good Madagascar book? Or Thailand?


It's Tuesday... where are you?
Every Tuesday, I host a Meme that fits with this Weekly Geek theme. Readers post or leave a message sharing their reading location. We are usually all around the world, and I get lots of great ideas of books set in many different locales. Feel free to come by and play and get new ideas!

BOOK: I Was Amelia Earhart by Jane Mendelsohn

I Was Amelia Earhart by Jane Mendelsohn, 170 pages

Orange July

Amy Adams was Amelia Earhart in Night at the Museum 2, and I was enchanted by her - both Amy and her portrayal of Amelia. I even got that sense of Earhart - that broad from the 1930s, doing her own thing in a world of men, in the book.

The premise of the book is to explain, in first and third person - sometimes at the same time, what happened to Amelia Earhart when she and her plane disappeared with her navigator in 1937. At times charming, this little book had the potential to be a loved book, but this time, it was just good. Maybe I read it at the wrong time or place, and that would be at the soccer pitch, because on another day, I might have loved it. I liked Amelia, and her strength. She was a bit reckless. The writing was poetic, with lovely images and metaphors. If you have an hour or two, this was a great little dip into the imagined past.

BOOK: The Lizard Cage by Karen Connelly

The Lizard Cage by Karen Connelly, 510 pages

Orange July: Winner, New Author 2007; Book Awards III; 3rd Canadian Book Challenge; Reading Around the World: Burma

It's a political book, a spiritual book, and a horrific look at life inside a Burmese jail.

The first third of the book follows Teza, the Songbird, jailed for opposing the military government of Myanmar. (Note to self - learn more about Burma, the coups, the people, the Peace Prize won by that woman.) Teza and his Buddhist life profoundly affect several people in the prison, including one of the jailers, Chit Naing, and an orphan, Little Brother, living in the jail. The last two thirds becomes very intense as everyone has to make difficult decisions. I found it a difficult book to read and had to take several breaks, but it was so worth it to finish it, and by about halfway through, I knew I was going to love it.

It reminded me of A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry, just in the way that it was epic in scope and showed the beautiful humanity that can exist, or rather must emerge, amidst terrible violence and brutal conditions. It makes me wonder what quality it is inside some people that causes them to inspire caring and elevates the people around them. And why it is that other people hate that quality and will do what they can to smash it out, but they never can, further infuriating them.

Overall, an excellent if difficult book.

BLOGGING: It's Tuesday, Where Are You?

Good Morning! I'm loving this summer living, at the soccer pitch, and at the baseball field, reading books between innings. We finally had some lovely warm summer days. It rained again, again! this morning, but was nice by the afternoon.

In reading, I am in small town Wisconsin, unaware that I will grow up to be the first lady. It's pretty much small town life in the 1950s right now. (American Wife, Curtis Sittenfield)

I finally got out of that Burmese jail - it was a harrowing few weeks in The Lizard Cage (Karen Connolly)

Where is reading taking you? Leave a comment, write a post, spread the word.

BOOK: Clara Callen by Richard B Wright

Clara Callen by Richard B Wright, 415 pages

Book Awards III: Giller, 2001; 3rd Canadian Book Challenge; themed reading challenge: epistolary books

Dear Clara,
I thoroughly enjoyed my time reading your journals and letters from those four years during the 1930s. You provided a nice overview of events during the Depression, just as background, as well as what life might be like for a single lady living alone in small town Ontario. But more importantly, you showed the struggle to find personal happiness and our place in this world.

I liked your voice, and your mistakes, and your dignity in the face of difficulties. Your loving but realistic relationship with your sister, the big time radio actress living in New York City. I hope more readers discover your wonderful story.

In appreciation,
raidergirl3

BLOGGING EVENT: Midweek Morsels

Kristina at Kristina's Favorites hosts this weekly meme about what we've been cooking. I was invited to a barbeque this week and brought a salad. It was hardly noticed amongst the perfectly cooked t-bone steaks, and boiled new potatoes, but there my salad was, considered yummy even by all the carnivores.

I found this recipe at a Veggie Venture, which I suggest you add to your google reader. Did you know that there are at least as many recipe blogs out there are book blogs? I love having a new recipe land in the ole Reader. It cuts down a bit on the TBR pile, but it adds a whole other list of things to try.

Citrus Veggie Salad
1 apple, skin on
1 cup cantaloupe
1/2 an English cucumber, skin on
2 green bell peppers

1 orange
Zest and juice of a lime
Fresh basil, cut into ribbons
Cinnamon to taste
Salt & pepper to taste

Cut the apple, cantaloupe, cucumber and peppers into a small neat dice.

Zest the orange, then slice off the skin, cut the flesh into a small neat dice. Stir the orange zest, orange flesh and remaining ingredients into the fruit and vegetable mixture. Transfer to a serving bowl, garnish with a sprinkle of additional cinnamon and a piece of fresh basil.

note: I made the salad two days ahead of the party, and the apples were fine. I put the apples in the bowl last, and then squeezed the lime juice all over them. It worked great. Fresh basil from the garden and the cinnamon really was all that was needed. How healthy is that?

(I copied the picture and the recipe from A Veggie Venture site, because I forgot to take my own picture. I hope I haven't violated any copyright protocol.)

BOOK: Falling by Anne Simpson

Falling by Anne Simpson, 314 pages

3rd Canadian Book Challenge

On metaphors: A book focused on grief, Falling, uses Niagara Falls as its center point.

On the plot: The first line has seventeen year old Lisa dying in a tragic accident in Nova Scotia. The action then moves forward, nearly a year later, as her brother and mother travel to Niagara Falls, home of Lisa's uncle and cousin, to scatter her ashes.

On no quotation marks for conversations: I'll admit, it bothered me at first. But the whole novel is about grief, and the disorientation felt by Damien and his mother, so it felt true to their experience. This disorientation extended to past and present situations occuring in the same paragraph, same sentence for some characters. Again, this took some time, but really made me feel the characters confusion.

On the characters: Everyone is dealing with some form of disorientation. Uncle Roger, a former daredevil whose gone over the Falls twice, is now blind. Cousin Elvis has an intellectual disability. Damien meets Jasmine and they fall in love, rather dramatically

On loss: More than Lisa is lost, Ingrid, the mother deals with the loss of her marriage, and former loves; Roger loses his eyesight; Damien and Jasmine find and lose each other a few times; Jasmine loses her childhood home by running away; the neighbour at the cottage in Nova Scotia has dealt with much of his own loss of family

On poetry: Simpson is a published, honoured poet, and her writing is very reminiscent of poetry. Sometimes that causes me problems, but I was able to let go and let the book carry me along. There was a nice section in the middle, at a pivotal plot point, with a stream of consciousness, that was more poem-like, and beautifully set the tone and atmosphere of this most dramatic moment for Damien.

on my thoughts: I ended up liking it, but it wasn't an easy read. I found Simpson's use of details at times in the descriptions a bit distracting, but some other descriptions were very nice. This wasn't a linear plot, with classic structure, but it was compelling in characters and their struggles, with poetic writing

also (very nicely) reviewed at: pickle me this

BLOGGING: It's Tuesday, Where Are You?

Three great challenges start this month - Orange July, 3rd Canadian Book Challenge, and Book Awards III. I just need to find an award winning book, written by Canadian woman, that is on the Orange Prize list. It's surprisingly easy to find Canadian women on that list. I'm going with the author and book which won the New Writers award in 2007. Too bad I'm not signed up for the Chunkster Challenge as well.

I am in a solitary cage, a political prisoner in Myanmar, formerly Burma. (The Lizard Cage by Karen Connolly)

I am writing letters to my sister in New York from our home in Ontario, during the Depression. (Clara Callen, Richard B Wright, a Giller Prize Winner)

Where is reading taking you? Leave a comment, write a post, spread the word.

BOOK: Searching for Bobby Orr by Stephen Brunt

Searching for Bobby Orr by Stephen Brunt, 284 pages

3rd Canadian book Challenge; Non-fiction Five 2009

In the early 1970s, the heyday of Bobby Orr, he was the guest speaker at a small, local sports dinner. My father in law was one of the organizers, so took his two young sons, one of which is now my husband, to pick Bobby Orr up at the airport. He thought the boys, huge hockey fans, would love the chance to meet one of the greatest hockey players of the day. He neglected to take into account team loyalty, as his sons were rabid Montreal Canadian fans, bitter rivals of Orr's Boston Bruins. They had no interest in talking to the hated Bruin, even as they sat beside him for the half hour ride home. We take our hockey pretty seriously here in Canada.

This book is part biography (but unauthorized) and part hockey history. Beginning when Bobby Orr was just a lad, up to his untimely retirement at age 28, Brunt follows the career of one of the most dazzling hockey players Canada has produced. And because he retired so young, comparisons are difficult if inevitable. If only orthopedics surgery was better, if only he had played in the 1980s. He dominated so dramatically in his short time in the league (2 Stanley Cups, 3 time league MVP, 8 straight years best defenceman in NHL) it always seems a shame that he was felled by a bum knee.

Bobby Orr was one of the last from old-time hockey, entering the NHL when it was still just six teams after committing to the Bruins as a fourteen year old. He will also always be linked with Alan Eagleson, the first sports agent in hockey who negotiated one of the first good deals for a hockey player. It's too bad that Bobby Orr didn't want to talk to Brunt, because the distance is felt by the reader, even though Brunt manages to give good look at Orr's very private life. Brunt had lots of great little details, provided by people close to Orr, but I never felt like I got to know Bobby Orr. I certainly got to know his career, and a bigger hockey fan than I would appreicate some of the gamesand goals as they were described in detail.

I think there is also another story here to be told, about Alan Eagleson and his dealings with hockey players. That is another aspect I didn't feel was looked at much in depth, but it would be a much bigger story, and Bobby Orr is only a part of that one. It just gives me another book to look for. I enjoyed reading Bobby Orr's story, reading about the hockey players I grew up watching, and realizing how special Bobby Orr was. Brunt is a fan of Orr's but doesn't gloss over anything. I thought he did a good job of showing the different sides of Bobby Orr, warts and all, and depicting an interesting part of hockey history.

Brunt has another hockey book coming out later this fall, Gretzky's Tears, about Wayne Gretzky. I am more of Gretzky's era, and can remember where I was when I heard he had been traded to the LA Kings. Do you? Looks like a good Christmas present for my husband. I'm sure he would have talked to Gretzky in the car.

Who's the best hockey player? There's a little poll for you to tick.

poll by twiigs.com

GAME: Bookword Game

I'm a little late getting the results up, but this was a hotly contested battle. We needed a run-off vote, which practically ended in a tie as well, so I am calling this one: a nonfiction book that reads like fiction shall henceforth be known as TrueFiction, suggested by Suzanne. Thanks for the suggestion, Suzanne!

With the summer upon us, and life slowing down to a easier pace, the Bookword Game is also going to go on summer vacation. Stay tuned for September when Suey and I will revive our little game of coming up with words for some Bookword situations. If you think of something that needs a word, let either Suey or me know, and we'll add it to the game rotation.

Here's the list of Bookwords we all came up with this year:

RecommenDUD: A book you hate that everyone else loves.

CheckBook: A book that you find yourself checking to see how many more pages left, on every single page!

Memoread: A book that reminds you of another book you have already read, not necessarily in plot, but in tone and atmosphere.

Wait-listed: A book that continually gets moved to the 'next in the pile', but never gets read.

Marginally Challenged: a book with very little space between lines (likely, it's a public domain book/classic) giving deceivingly few pages to read

Misunderbook: A book that you LOVE, but everyone else (well, almost everyone) HATES.

A Flick Pick: A book you read after you've seen the movie

Oblibook: A book you read because you think you should in order to be well-read.

Whoopsabooksy: A book you buy that you forgot you already read/own.

TrueFiction: a nonfiction book that reads like fiction

Awesome, everyone! Thanks to Suey, my partner in words, and see you in September!

BOOK: The View from Castle Rock by Alice Munro

The View from Castle Rock by Alice Munro, 350 pages

celebrate the author; what's in a name: building; 3rd Canadian Book Challenge

My first Alice Munro book. I liked the way the short stories were connected, much like in Olive Kitteridge, with recurring characters. Munro has crafted a partially fact, partially fiction history of her family. She takes the past, beginning in Ettridge Valley, Scotland, and builds a possible story of the Laidlaws coming to America. The stories are based on legend, and her imagination. The second half of the book is ficitonalized memoir of Alice Munro's life, and her family. She states in the introduction that the stories are not true - "And the part of this book that might be called family history has expanded into fiction, but always within the outline of a true narrative."

Very readable, a version of one family's Canadian history, but with general family relationships.


Alice Munro, born July 10, 1931 was awarded the Man Booker International Prize in 2009 for her body of written work. "Generally regarded to be one of the world's foremost writers of fiction, her stories focus on the human condition and relationships through the lens of daily life."

BOOK: The Sister by Poppy Adams

The Sister by Poppy Adams, 275 pages

What's in a Name?: relative; 2009 TBR lite; DeweyBooks

If the measure of a book is how much it makes you think, then this book was great. There are several aspects to it: the behaviour of moths (the title this book is known by in the UK), the relationship amongst a fairly dysfunctional family, and the narrator herself.

The moths and their behavior is the family specialty, and the narrator, Virginia, has devoted her life to their study. The story begins with Virginia's sister, Vivien, returning to the family home after over 45 years away, with no contact at all. Why hasn't Vivien kept in contact with Virgina in all those years? Ginny's routine will be severely affected here, and it causes her to remember back on her life beginning during and after the second world war, at the time of her sister's birth. We travel back and forth between past and present, and some rather dramatic events, all of which we begin to see through Ginnie's rather suspect view of things. She continually states she is a scientist, and only looks at the facts, which covers up her lack of emotion and feeling.

Fairly early on, I gathered that the narrator was not all there, and that her view of events was severely restricted by whatever disorder she had. It felt like something was kept from her, and I would have liked to hear more from Vivien's point of view. But maybe it was not knowing what really happened that kept the story interesting; it is up to the reader to decide what really happened. I liked trying to see the parallels between the moths and Virginia, whereas I imagine many people skim over the moth stuff. It does get a bit tedious, and only the game of trying to see why it was written there kept me into that part of it. And that is why I think this book was so good: it really engaged me and had me trying to read between the lines.

The idea of the unreliable narrator, when I can recognize it, generally makes a book I will like. In ways I cannot particularly quantify, it reminded me of The Interloper, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, and ??( there's another one that's not coming to me now, something British, with remembering). I read a few reviews that found the ending ambiguous, but I liked the ending, and thought it made sense, for Virginia.

CHALLENGE: 3rd Canadian Book Challenge

Happy Canada Day, and what a perfect time to sign up for the next version of the Canadian Book Challenge hosted by johnmutford at the Book Mine Set. I feel like I'm cheating by participating in this challenge, because these are all books I would read anyway. We have so many great authors and books here.

Don't you just love the retro Canadian flag in the button? The rules are the same as last year - from July 1st, 2009 through to Canada Day 2010, read 13 books. I am going free form here, and just reading any 13 books. A little peek around my house finds the following books that I own which, as always, I hope to read:

• Searching for Bobby Orr, Stephen Brunt July 6/09
  
• The View from Castle Rock, Alice Munro July 4/09
• The Lizard Cage, Karen Connolly July 13/09
  
• The Gargoyle, Andrew Davidson
• Falling, Anne Simpson July 6/09
  
• The Book of Negroes, Laurence Hill
• Clara Callen, Richard B Wright July 10/09 Giller Winner 2001
  
• Fifth Business, Robertson Davies
• Microserfs, Douglas Coupland
• The Calling, Inger Ash Wolf
• Stories from the Vinyl Cafe, Stuart MacLean
• The Colony of Unrequited Dreams, Wayne Johnston
• Lost Highway, David Adams Richards
• 
  

Actual list may vary as per my whims.


Here's my wrap-up for last years challenge, books listed, and a small survey.



Books Read:
Crow Lake by Mary Lawson
The Birth House by Ami McKay
Before Green Gables by Budge Wilson
Exit Lines by Joan Barfoot
The Outlander by Gil Adamson
The Stone Diaries by Carol Shields
A Complicated Kindness by Miriam Toews
Mercy Among the Children by David Adams Richards
No Great Mischief by Alistair MacLeod
The Stone Angel by Margaret Laurence
High Spirits by Robertson Davies
Too Close to Home - Linwood Barclay
Remembering the Bones - Frances Itani
plus a few I read after I completed the challenge
DeNiro's Game - Rawi Hage
A Celibate Season - Carol Shields and Blanche Howard
Fugitive Pieces - Anne Michaels

John says:
Before we leave, a few facts about the 2nd Canadian Book Challenge:
1. The most popular book was Andrew Davidson's The Gargoyle, followed by Lawrence Hill's The Book of Negroes and a three way tie for third between Brian Francis' Fruit, David Adams Richards' Mercy Among The Children and Steven Galloway's The Cellist of Sarajevo

2. But don't worry, the women authors were left out in the cold. The most popular author was Lucy Maud Montgomery, followed by Robert Munsch and Margaret Atwood who tied for 2nd, and again Andrew Davidson in 3rd.

3. Of the 100 participants, 44 completed the challenge (13 or more), while many of the rest put in valiant efforts

A few survey questions for the participants, if you wouldn't mind...
1. What was your least favourite book and most favourite read for the challenge?
I can't pick my favourite book - Before Green Gables, and Crow Lake were among my top ten reads last year, and I expect The Outlander and DeNiro's Game to make it this year's list. No Great Mischief and Mercy Among the Children were both excellent, touching my Maritimer soul.
Least favourite? I'd put A Complicated Kindness, The Stone Diaries, and Fugitive Pieces as books that underwhelmed me, mostly based on their buildup, prize winning status and the general raves from other reviewers.

2. Any authors or books you want to read more because of the challenge?
I certainly plan to read two of the most popular books from the challenge last year, The Gargoyle and The Book of Negroes this year.

3. Any comments or complaints about how to make the challenge better?
nope, I am happily signing up for more, and will do my part to promote Canadian literature.

BLOGGING EVENT: Midweek Morsels

Sante Fe Salad from the Best of Bridge cookbook The Best of the Best

I must tell you first, that I do not like bean salads. I know they are healthy for me, and I want to like them, so I will try them, but usually they are too beany. However, this recipe works for me. It has the heading that I have written into my book - Good, for a bean salad. I was at a party last week were someone brought this salad, and I heard two different people state that they don't like bean salads, but this one was good. That's what reminded me of this recipe, and I have made a batch to take to my Canada Day potluck party. Happy Canada Day!



Cilantro Lime Dressing
1/4 C olive oil
juice of 2 limes
1/4 C chopped cilantro
1 tsp cumin
S &P to taste

Salad
19 oz can black beans (turtle beans), rinsed and drained
1 red bell pepper, diced
12 oz can kernel corn, drained
1/3 C red onion, chopped
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded & minced (I omitted this)

In a medium bowl, whisk together oil and lime juice. Add cilantro, cumin, salt and pepper and mix well. Stir in salad ingredients and correct seasoning. Serve at room temperature. Serves 6.

Check out kristina's favorites for more midweek morsel recipes. She hosts this every Wednesday.

BLOGGING: It's Tuesday, Where Are You?

Hey! Happy Canada Day, one day early. On July 1st, Canada will turn 142 years old. The original meeting to start the confederation of Canada was held in Charlottetown, PEI, just down the street from my house. We celebrate Canada Day at a potluck party at my parents house, playing bocce and lawn darts - the illegal and very dangerous kind that you can't buy anymore! Then we'll go to a soccer game my son is playing in, and then maybe we'll try to find a spot to see the fireworks from. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate.

Great job on the voting for the Bookwords! However, as of last night, it was still tied. sigh. So, we need an odd number of people of go and vote and break that tie. Not just the odd people, you are welcome to come and vote as well, but an odd number of people, five or seven, to break the tie. See if you can manage that. thanks. Results to follow on late Wednesday or early Thursday.

In reading, I am in England, present day and my sister has just returned home after over fifty years away. We haven't talked in all that time. I've been happy here in our estate, studying moths. It should be an interesting weekend. (The Sister, by Poppy Adams)

Bobby Orr, as a twelve year old playing bantam hockey in Parry Sound, has started attracting the attention of some hockey scouts. The poor hapless Bruins are hoping to sign him before anyone else discovers him. (Searching for Bobby Orr, Stephen Brunt)

BOOK: Fingersmith by Sarah Waters

Fingersmith by Sarah Waters, 548 pages

Man Booker short list 2002; Orange Prize Project; Orange July

setting: Victorian England, 1862, the hard-scrabble life in inner London and the gentle life on an estate

characters: Sue Trindle, Maud Lilly, Mrs Sucksby, and Gentleman (I can't give a description because no one is exactly who they say they are, maybe)

plot: no one likes spoilers and this book is so well plotted I am afraid to say anything for fear I'll say too much.

fingersmith: petty thief, or may also refer to someone who has mastered a skill involving the use of his or her fingers. (ooh, excellent title!)

themes: nature v nurture, sacrifices, betrayals.

what I liked: Victorian times, the plot and the twists, the cover, the overall tone of suspense in the book and the relationships amongst the characters.

what I didn't like: it was a little long, but I still couldn't put it down.

who else liked it: it was shortlisted for both the Orange Prize and the Man Booker in 2002

GAME: Bookword Game

We need to have a vote-off on last week's Bookword. After a week of voting, there was a four way tie to describe a nonfiction book that reads like fiction. A four way tie? Who would have thunk it. As a result, we will vote again. Please come by my blog in the next week and vote.

poll by twiigs.com

Results to be posted by next Wednesday.

BLOGGING: It's Tuesday, Where Are You?

The latest bookword is being voted on right now, and it is very close, with a lot of choices, so we need more people to go vote. Go over and vote, and then come back. OK, welcome back and thank you for voting. Also, if anyone has ideas for bookwords that need to be named, send you suggestions to myself or Suey. We appreciate all new ideas.


In reading, I am in London in 1862, a favorite reading time period for me. I am about to go on a scheme with the Gentleman, and I might make a pile of money. (Fingersmith, by Sarah Waters)

I am also in Parry Sound, Ontario in the 1960s, scouting out a very talented hockey player; some might say the best hockey player of all time. (Searching for Bobby Orr, Stephen Brunt)

Where is reading taking you today? Leave a comment, write a post, spread the word.

CHALLENGE: Summer Reading Challenge

Virginie is having a reading challenge. You should go check this one out. Here are the rules for this challenge. This looks pretty interesting. I probably won't be able to do it all, but it looks like it might be fun to follow along with. I've put my suggestions in italics, and I'll bold the category I get completed.

Virginie Says…

"So, I decided to make up my own challenge – mostly to push myself to get off the computer and read more! Plus, it will help me whittle down that TBR list…lol Here it is. Join if you like. It runs from June 1 to September 30."

My running total: 80 points
new this week: outside book = 20 pts,

5 Point Challenges

Read a Chick Lit book - Twenties Girl
Read a historical fiction book - The Book of Negroes
Read a book just because you like the cover - American Wife
Read anything by Jean Plaidy -
Read a book with a number in the title - Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

10 Point Challenges

Read a book about Royalty (biography or fiction) -
Read a classic - Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Read a book by an author you’ve never read before - The View from Castle Rock - Alice Munro
Read a celebrity biography/autobiography- Searching for Bobby Orr
Read a hardcover book - The Little Stranger, Sarah Waters

15 Point Challenges

Read a book with a one word title - Fingersmith, Sarah Waters
Read a book based on a Biblical character -
Read a book that was made into a movie - The Reader
Read a book by an author born in June, July, August or September - Keeping the Moon, Sarah Dessen
Read a book with a summer word in the title (summer, sun, sand, hot, etc.) - The Last Summer of Me and You

20 Point Challenges

Read a book in a series AND the one after it - The Smell of the Night and Rounding the Mark
Read a Danielle Steele AND a Maeve Binchy book -
Read a book from the 1001 Books to Read Before You Die list (http://www.listology.com/list/1001-books-you-must-read-you-die) - Fifth Business
Read a book considered Christian Fiction -
Read a book of your choice BUT read it outside - I Was Amelia Earhart

250 Points total

Virginie says: Anyone who joins me and posts their progress to my blog (I’ll post how I’m doing and you can comment how you’re doing) will be entered to win a book by Jean Plaidy.

BOOK: Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon and Dean Hale

Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon and Dean Hale, 144 pages
graphic novel illustrated by Dean Hale

genre challenge: western; herding cats

What a fabulous book! Shannon Hale does a wonderful job of rewriting fairy tales (The Goose Girl, The Princess Academy, The Book of a Thousand Days) and she continues here with the more well known Rapunzel. But what if Rapunzel lived in the American west? And her long hair could be used like a lasso? Exactly, a pretty awesome idea and very well executed. There are some other fairy tales thrown in here for the reader to recognize. I really liked the idea of making this set in the west, with horse stealing, mining, wanted posters, wild coyotes, and ghost towns.

The illustrations by Nathan Hale are also fabulous. I found them very colourful, and crisp, and textured. Rapunzel's red hair ropes stand out perfectly. I also liked how Rapunzel was brave and smart - this was no maiden in distress waiting to be saved by the prince. She takes charge and knows what she has to do.

My only quibble was a line on page 85, where Rapunzel teases Jack, her companion on the run, with, "Adorable, huh? Pretty fruity talk for an outlaw." In school, we try to discourage insults like fruit, or gay because it carries so much more than just that word, and is not inclusive. There must have been another word to use in that situation. But other than that, I very much enjoyed this telling of Rapunzel, both the western telling, and the beautiful illustrations.

BOOK: Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen

Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen, 228 pages

celebrate the author; southern reading challenge

Colie gets sent to stay with her aunt in North Carolina for the summer as her weight-loss guru mother takes a tour of Europe. Colie and her mother have both lost a lot of weight, but as Oprah fans know, losing weight doesn't make everything better, you have to make the inside feel better too. This is the lesson that Colie has to learn over the summer as she develops a friendship with Morgan and Isabelle, her fellow waitresses at the Last Chance Bar and Grill.

Nice, light and breezy young adult novel to kick off the summer. The setting was summery and the tone of the book was light. Self confidence comes from within, and you can't let other people decide your happiness.

Sarah Dessen's birthday is in June, like my own, so this is my book for the Celebrate the Author challenge. Most of her books are set in North Carolina, and many of her books have characters who appeared in other novels making guest appearances. I haven't read enough of her books yet to see this, but I always like that effect.

CHALLENGE: Orange July

jill at the magic lasso is once again hosting an Orange July after the very successful Orange January. The idea is to read books nominated for the Orange Prize. Over at the Orange Prize Project you can find a list of books that have won, or been nominated. You can also join up over there and keep track of your progress. For Orange July, you can set your own goal and decide what books you want to read. I've got a few books I've been wanting to read:

• Fingersmith - Sarah Waters (shortlist 2002)
  
• The Lizard Cage - Karen Connolly (winner 2007 - new author)
• American Wife, by Curtis Sittenfeld (longlist 2009)
  
• Poppy Shakespeare - Clare Allen (longlist 2007)
• I Was Amelia Earhart - Jane Mendelsohn (shortlist 1997)
  

Whether I read them all in July remains to be see. I'd like to read two of them in July. Thanks for hosting this fun challenge, Jill!

GAME: Bookword Game

Suey threw out a great bookword suggestion this week because there were tons of ideas. Some words seem to illicit more suggestions than others, and this one must be something lots of people recognized. For the bookword we need to know what we should we call a non-fiction book that reads like fiction?
We had for suggestions:

• fic-a-like by Melissa
• TrueFiction, RealFiction, and Lifenovel by Suzanne
• Novel Reality and Dramatic Reality by Jan
• te-rue-fic by Kristi
• non-friction and non-non-fiction by Julie
• Unbelievably-True" book or For Real(?) by thoughts of joy
• not-so-fiction by Chantele
• Niction by Twiga92
• RealImitation by Serena
• Docu-Fic by BookPlease
• ficumentary by Jennysbooks

Well done people! How will I ever pick to vote? How will you ever pick to vote? Come by my blog to vote in the next week, and I'll have the results next Wednesday (or so.)

poll by twiigs.com

BOOK: The Smell of the Night by Andrea Camilleri

The Smell of the Night by Andrea Camilleri, 221 pages

What's in a Name? Challenge: time of day

Another great Inspector Montalbano mystery, the sixth in the series. More Sicliy, more food, more cranky Montalbano, more great food, and great supporting characters. Once you find a series you like, it's like comfort food.

BOOK: Sacred Cows by Karen E Olson

Sacred Cows by Karen E Olson, 304 pages

around the states: Connecticut; herding cats

The start of a new mystery series, I've read literary feline and chris at book-a-rama rave about this author for a few years now. I'm so glad I finally picked this up at the library.
The characteristics I like in a mystery series protagonist:
strong female character lead: check
romantic dilemma between two great guys: check
daughter has mother issues: check
reluctant to get into dangerous situations, yet continually getting beat up: check
messy and eats out all the time: check

I know, this sounds like Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum, but I much preferred Annie Seymour to Stephanie Plum. I liked the humor more and the story seemed somewhat more realistic. I also liked Tom and Vinnie more as the romantic leads, especially Vinnie. I hope he's around for the next book. Annie is a reporter assigned to the police beat who happens to be, somewhat not very secretly, dating a cop. When a dead Yale student turns up, Annie is assigned to investigate. Things begin to escalate as she looks further.

The cow reference was very funny, as Hartford Connecticut is populated with huge decorated cows for the summer, and Annie hates them, but has to write a story about them, and of course, they are everywhere. I saw cows like that in Athens a few years ago:

That's me and my sister, ctoan, who comments here now and then. The cows are pretty awesome, but I can also see how they would be annoying in your own town, especially if everyone else is excited about them.

If you like the Stephanie Plum series, (even if you don't, like me), check out the Annie Seymour series by Karen E Olson. I will be looking for the next in the series, Secondhand Smoke.

BLOGGING: It's Tuesday, Where Are You?

My daughter's homework this week is to write a book review, How Does It Rate?
The questions include:
What I liked best about this book was ... because...
Another thing I liked was ... because...
What I did not like about this book was... because...
The best character was ... because...
I think the book would be better if...
One part I would not change is ...
The person I think would enjoy this book it ...
Then rank it from Forget It, Pretty Good, OK, Good, Super

It's a great outline for a book review, maybe I'll use it for my next book review.

Don't forget the Bookwords Game, taking suggestions at Suey's for "a nonfiction book that reads like a fiction book." There are a few good suggestions already, but you might have just had the perfect idea. Head on over there, and I'll have a poll here on Wednesday.

Reading wise, I am in Connecticut, investigating the murder of a Yale student. Looks like a good old fashioned murder mystery with the single, female journalist who is dating the cop, and she seems like a wise guy. (Sacred Cows by Karen E Olsen)

Where is reading taking you today? Leave a comment, write a post, spread the word.

BLOGGING EVENT: Midweek Morsels

I had a hankering for date squares this week after seeing some in a bakery, and wanting them, but then thinking, hey! I can make those. I froze half the pan for later, to keep me from eating them all when I get confused by all the oatmeal and think I am eating something good for me. Taste good? yes Good for me? probably not

Date Squares

1 1/4 C rolled oats
1 1/2 C flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 C brown sugar
3/4 C margarine

Date filling:
2 C cut up dates
1/2 C white sugar
1 C water
1 tsp vanilla
1 T butter/marg

Prepare filling: In a saucepan, cook dates, sugar and water, stirring often until mixture is thickened, about 5-10 minutes. Add butter and vanilla, Cool.

Combine oats, flour sugar and soda. Work in softened margarine with a pastry blender until mixture is crumbly. Spread half the rolled oat mixture in the bottom of a 9x9" pan patting down, cover with date filling, cover with remaining oat mixture. Pat lightly. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

BLOGGING: It's Tuesday, Where Are You?

Arggh, I'm in between books. I just left North Carolina and the magical garden with the apple tree that throws apples at people. It was a great visit. (Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen)
I'm not sure where I am headed next.

Where is reading taking you today? Leave a comment, write a post, spread the word.

BOOK: Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen, 290 pages

Southern Reading Challenge, Once Upon a Time III, herding cats

What led you to pick up this book?
I've seen it at the library for months, on the popular fiction shelf; it was recommended by jenny for the herding cats challenge; and it was time to read a southern book.

Summarize the plot, but don't give away the ending!
The estranged Waverley sisters of North Carolina are magical with an apple tree in the back yard. Each has a gift - one with food, one with hair, and are trying to learn to love.

What did you like most about the book?
It was very charming, and the magic worked in ways that I don't usually get, but it was so gentle and seemed natural.
The men were mostly perfect, and the southern local flavor was all over it.
I liked how the families in the town had traits, that everyone in the town knows about, and it is just understood. Like one family where the men marry older women. It's true in small towns with families that have been around for ages.

What did you like least?
Can't think of much. I'd give it a 4.5/5.

What did you think of the main character?
I really liked the sisters, Claire and Sydney, each making huge changes in their life and trying to begin a new relationship.

Any other particularly interesting characters?
I loved Evanelle, the old aunt whose gift was to give people something they would need. She never knew why they needed it, but she had to give it to them.

Share a quote from the book:
She was so southern that she cried tears that came straight from Mississippi, and she always smelled faintly of cottonwood and peaches.

You are who you are, whether you like it or not, so why not like it?

Some things couldn't be explained. Some things could. Sometimes you liked the explanation. Sometimes you didn't. that's when you called it myth.

Share a favorite scene from the book.
There was a pretty steamy scene under the apple tree, and I liked the scene with Sydney's high school sweetheart and his wife as they come to grips with Sydney's return.

What about the ending?
A little perfect but it matched the tone of the book and I would have been disappointed with any other ending.

Which of your readers are most likely to enjoy this book? Why?

most of these people liked it

also reviewed by : tinylittlelibrarian,
marg at reading adventures,
les at lesley's book nook,
lori at shetreadssoftly,
melanie the indextrious reader,
terri at reading,writing, and retirement
stephanie at confessions of a bookaholic
icedream reading in appalachia
maggie at maggie reads

BOOK: The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters

The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters, 463 pages

published in '09

I looked up the meaning of Gothic literature at wikipedia, and would have to agree that this book is a classic Gothic novel. All the main characteristics are here: terror, mystery, ghosts, haunted houses, castles, decay, and madness. Waters has taken the time period, the 1940s post-war England, of her last novel The Night Watch, and used to to craft and suspenseful period piece which chronicles the changing of life in England, especially for the aristocracy.

The beauty of a suspenseful ghost story is having the story play out, with no awareness of what is to come. Any detail I give will lessen the experience for another reader, so not many details from me on that count. I liked the characters, and the life at Hundred's Hall, home of the Ayres, was vividly brought to life. It represents a period of British history that changed so dramatically after World War II. I was on the edge of my chair as the plot slowly unfolded, and like most mysteries, my imagination was going in many different directions, wondering what could be happening, and was generally more vivid than reality. My scientific brain tried to analyse what was happening, much like the doctor narrator, and it conflicted with the evidence at hand. I was left a little confused at the ending, but this would make a terrific movie - picture Pemberley Estate for the setting. (if you read this book, and want to discuss any details of the books, so I am not posting spoilers here, feel free to email me)

If you like slow building suspense tales, British castles and Gothic romance perfectly described, this book should be great.

also reviewed by Jackie at farmlane books, jenny at jennys books, nicola at back-to-books,

BOOKING THROUGH THURSDAY: 15 Books

This can be a quick one. Don’t take too long to think about it. Fifteen books you’ve read that will always stick with you. First fifteen you can recall in no more than 15 minutes.

1. Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery
   
2. The Stand - Stephen King
   
3. A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
   
4. I Am the Messenger - Markus Zusak
   
5. A Good House - Bonnie Burnard
6. It - Stephen King
7. Evening Class - Maeve Binchy
8. I Want to Go Home - Gordon Korman
9. Forever - Judy Blume
10. Istanbul - Orhan Pamuk
11. Pillars of the Earth - Ken Follett
12. Never Let Me Go - Kazou Ishiguro
13. Life as We Knew It - Susan Beth Pfeffer
14. Hey Nostradamus! - Douglas Coupland
15. Einstein's Dreams - Alan Lightman

I tried not to read any one else's list before I wrote mine, so as not to be unduly swayed. This is what I came up with in 15 minutes. Did we have any in common?

ETA: ok. After seeing other lists, I wish I had added Life of Pi by Yann Martel and Fight Club by Chuck Palaniuk . I really wish I had remembered them because both have stayed with me, especially Fight Club.

BLOGGING: It's Tuesday, Where Are You?

Did you know that the Pulitzer Prize wasn't given out in 1974 and 1977? Imagine the discussions around that judges table where they make that decision. That would take some guts. Especially when you see some of the books that were nominated that year. Michelle has a little poll going on over at 1morechapter where you can have your say amongst the books that were published that year. Go on over, everyone loves a little poll.

I am still taking suggestions here for a book you buy that you forgot you already read/own. I know there are readers out there who have done this already, so what can you call this? The suggestions stay open until Wednesday, when Suey will put a poll up at her site. Then you can go vote again. Ticky boxes, woo hoo!

In reading:
I just landed in England and it is 1949 after the war. I am a doctor who is fascinated by a local mansion that is falling apart. (The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters)

Where is reading taking you? Leave a comment, write a post, spread the word.

BOOK: The Children of Men by PD James

The Children of Men by PD James, 241 pages

It's the End of the World challenge

Early this morning, 1 January 2021, three minutes after midnight, the last human being to be born on earth was killed in a pub brawl in a suburb of Buenos Aires, aged twenty-five ears, two months and twelve days. This first line drew me into the story immediately. How on earth do they know who the last person born on earth is? It turns out that all of a sudden one year, all the men on Earth became infertile. The first half of the book sets up the situation that exists on Earth. Imagine knowing that there were no more children to be born? The second half of the book is a much more suspenseful tale and more action, involving an attempted coup and a band of rebels on the run.

I've read other reviews that state that the movie is very good as well, but different. I imagine that the movie would be very good. There wasn't as much intrigue in the book as I had hoped. That may have been due to the main character who was rather cold and not that likable. That's a cliche in some ways, but he wasn't someone I was rooting for. The story in the novel was okay, but the situation had so much potential. I still liked the book, but I would love to see the movie and see the way this world would look.



This book completes my It's the End of the World challenge, reading 4 books that are apocalyptic or post-apocalyptic. I read:

Specials by Scott Westerfield April 2
The People of Spark by Jeane Duprau Mar18
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Apr 23
The Children of Men by PD James May 31

I still want to read the next book in the People of the Spark series, and the next book after The Hunger Games is being released in the fall, but I won't leave it that close. The best read was The Hunger Games, a great suspenseful read.

BOOK: The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell

The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell, 280 pages

Nonfiction Five; Dewey Decimal Challenge: 300s

How do ideas take off? Did you know another man left the same night as Paul Revere to warn of the British, but why did his message not take? How did Hush Puppies become trendy in the 1990s?

Gladwell takes his pop sociology and plain language to look at epidemics and the factors that cause/help/start/continue them. He brings in lots of academic studies to support his thesis and parses them down into the relevant information. We meet the type of people that spread trends, and that know a lot of people. We see how shows like Sesame Street and Blue's Clues had a 'sticky' message.

I read a succinct review at library thing that sums it up pretty well: Some interesting ideas, and a good enough read.
Yep, that about sums it up. I'll have to look for his other book, Outliers, to complete the 'trilogy' along with Blink.

BOOK: Survivor by Mark Burnett

Survivor by Mark Burnett, 228 pages

Nonfiction Five Challenge; Dewey Decimal Challenge: 700s

A couple of weeks ago I found a website that listed somebody's top 115 Funniest Moments in Survivor history. And since I don't have enough time suckers to amuse me on my computer, I read them. All of them. And it brought back some great memories, as I have watched Survivor from the first episode, calling out to my husband that he had to come watch this show, it was awesome! Somewhere in the midst of the Boston Rob and Rob C and Rudy and Rich references, there was a mention of a book written by Mark Burnett about the first season. Whee! My library had it and I put in my request.

Very soon after, season 1 was shown as a marathon on Victoria Day Monday here in Canada. I watched it all day and then as late as I could, and was impressed with how great it was all over again. So reading this book just puts the topper on my recent Survivor trifecta. I really enjoyed the book - producer Burnett wrote it as the show was being filmed on the island. It covers the timeline of the episodes, and the characters, and provides some insight into the production and the motivations of the castaways. Recommended for Survivor fans.

GAME: Bookword Game

The results are in! After taking numerous suggestions, and then voting for a week, we have a word for a books you read because you think you should, in order to be well-read.

With 50% of the vote, our new word is Oblibook, suggested by Jan. (I couldn't find a link to Jan)
Congratulations Jan, and thanks to everyone who voted. We appreciate everyone who participates and encourage anyone to play along with the next game.

Next in the queue, we need a word for a book you buy that you forgot you already read/own. This hasn't happened to me yet, but I imagine it could happen. So, suggestions? Leave an idea in the comments. All suggestions are requested, and don't worry if it's not perfect. Ideas become brainstorms, and one idea can lead to another. Who will come up with a great idea?

Suggestions will stay open for a week, and then Suey will have the poll next week.

BOOK: The Rebels by Sandor Marai

The Rebels by Sandor Marai, 278 pages
translated from Hungarian

Orbis Terrarum: Hungary

The Author:
Sandor Marai is better known for his novel Embers, published in English in 2001. His other books have been gradually been translated from Hungarian, including The Rebels in 2007, originally published in 1930. He left Hungary after the communist takeover and died in San Diego in 1989.

The Plot:
It's the story of four boys on the verge of adulthood, during the first world war. They are left in the town to finish school, without the men, all off at war, and are alienated, and rebelling against the establishment before they head off to the front. There is some betrayal amongst the friends.

Things I liked:
The alienation of the young well to do boys has been around for a while, and this book didn't feel like it was written in 1930. The antics of the boys could have been from today, just they rebelled in different ways. But apparently, rich entitled kids have been getting up to no good and always feeling like they are the first invent their particular unhappiness and rebellion.
I liked the feel and atmosphere of the book in Hungary during the first war.

Things I didn't like:
That literature feel, where I wasn't always sure what was going on, in particular, the ending. Huh? Lots of testosterone and overtones of homosexuality, and no real female characters, except of dying mother of one of the boys.

BLOGGING: It's Tuesday, Where Are You?

I am in Hungary during World War I with a group of boys on the verge of adulthood, rebelling against their fathers and adulthood. (The Rebels by Sandor Marai) Also, still investigating what has to happen to an idea to reach the tipping point and become an epidemic. (The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell)

Don't forget to come by and vote on our latest Bookword Game - books you read because you think you should, in order to be well-read. Do you read any books like that? I'll have a new word on Wednesday and take suggestions.

Where is reading taking you? leave a comment, write a post, spread the word.

BOOK: The Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread by Don Robertson

The Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread by Don Robertson, 211 pages

Booking Around the States: Ohio

Morris Bird III is nine years old in 1944 living in Cleveland, Ohio. He decides to skip school and walk across town to visit his friend who moved. What an adventure Morris Bird III has. It turns out that the same day he decided to walk across town, Cleveland had a huge natural gas explosion. The gas explosion was real but Morris Bird III was not.

In order to be brave, you have to be brave all the way. You have to understand that you must take the consequences for an Unexcused Absence.

It's a story about bravery and doing your best, and being determined. One of the reasons Morris Bird III makes his trek is to make allowances for his past misdeeds. One of these was imagining that he had a speedometer in his stomach that turned every year on his birthday. Also, he has a little sister.

There they went every morning, and oh my wasn't it ever sweet, dear little Morris Bird III leading his dear little snot of a sister by her dear little hand as they went, tra la la, hippity hop, off to school.

Oh what a picture. Ugh.
Hand in hand.

Ah, the world was gray and bleak, and no one suffered the way Morris Bird III suffered.

Stephen King described Robertson as one of the three writers who influenced him as a young man who was trying to "become" a novelist. (wikipedia) I can definitely see the influence. The repetition of words, the sounds, the run-on descriptions, and the overall great writing are all here and I could easily have believed that King might have written this. It's the folksy style but packed with a punch, and the repetition. Other people in Cleveland were affected by the explosion (over 200 were killed) and their stories are told as well, rather urgently in very long paragraphs, jumping from one person to another. It was a little confusing, but it all came together in the end.

Morris Bird III is a character that makes quite an impression. As the first sentence in the book states: The legless man was wise enough to understand that heroes can be found in the damnedest places. Which was why he didn't hesitate when he called the boy the greatest thing since sliced bread.