Reconstructing Amelia- Sign Up for June Read-Along w/ Book Lovers Unite

Looking for a new book to read for June? Join in and read Reconstructing Amelia (beginning May 31st!)

Do you have to sign up and let people know you are going to read? No, but since being in a book club is supposed to be fun (and you wouldn’t go to a book club in real life without introducing yourself 😉 So, in the comments section, just say something like “I’m In!” or “Can’t Wait to Read!” Are on Twitter? Let us know (if you want to connect with book loving folks!)

Here are some links that will provide answers, guidelines and more about Book Lovers Unite Online Book Club (and the reading schedule for Reconstructing Amelia!)

Book Lovers Unite Online Book Club

Reading Schedule for Reconstructing Amelia

Reconstructing Amelia (Book Lovers Unite Online Book Club June 2013 pick)

Hope to see you around!

Happy Reading,

Traveling With T

Reconstructing Amelia (Book Lovers Unite Online Book Club June 2013 pick)

It’s May 24- which means we are 1 WEEK away from the beginning of Book Lovers Unite Online Book Club- in case you did not know, this is a club that I’ve been wanting to begin for some time. Having my own online book club has been a dream for some time- and it’s happening! Book-Alicious Mama is going to co-host (so thankful for having a co-host who’s passionate about reading!)

Ok- here are some guidelines for this month:

1. Read ahead, read along, come in late, whatever- BUT each Friday questions and thoughts for the weeks reading will be posted on Traveling With T. Please only comment about that weeks reading in that post (don’t “spoil” for the readers who are actually reading along (and for anyone who might join later!)

2. You may have seen #bookloversunite being used- as of now, we will not be having a Twitter chat or discussing Reconstructing Amelia on Twitter (at least not a scheduled discussion!) You may wonder why- and this is it: With Twitter we have character length to worry about- and I’d like for us to have a deeper discussion if at all possible.

How will the hashtag #bookloversunite be used? I’m so glad you asked! I’ve made a Pinterest board to post pictures of Reconstructing Amelia (and future Book Lovers Unite Online Book Club choices!) So help a girl out: If you are reading Reconstructing Amelia, take a pic of the book with your coffee, on your bedside table, with your pet posing with the book- whatever (obviously no obscene pictures, though). When you post them to Twitter, use #bookloversunite and you may see that pic on Pinterest!

When each Friday’s questions/thoughts are posted- I’ll post on Twitter and use #bookloversunite.

I’m working on some more surprises- and if/as things happen, you’ll be sure to know!

3. It was asked if we’d have blog buttons to post on each person participating blog- WE WILL. Where are they? I have someone creating them- and as soon as they are finished- then they will be posted. Feel free to “take” them- but please do not use them for your own personal projects.

4. Most importantly- this is to be fun! So, get your book (buy or borrow), and join in on reading Reconstructing Amelia!

Here are some links of previous news regarding Reconstructing Amelia:

Reading Schedule for Reconstructing Amelia

Book Lovers Unite Online Book Club

Literary Friday ya’ll…

It’s the Friday of Memorial Day weekend. And I don’t know what your plans are- but mine is this: Sun, cool drinks, grilling out (corn on the grill = AMAZING), and other fun things (plus some reading!)

1. Deep South Mag and their #literaryfriday: A sneak peek at some of the Summer Reading List, news of Zelda Fitzgerald, David Sedaris, Erika Robuck, and Mary Kay Andrews events, and more!

2. Enter to win THE GLASS WIVES by Amy Sue Nathan at Great New Books!

3. My #fridayreads THE GUEST HOUSE by Erika Marks & NEVER TELL by Alafair Burke. What is your #fridayreads?

4. Book Lovers Unite Online Book Club hosted by me, Traveling With T, begins it’s inaugural month on May 31. Join me and Book-Alicious Mama as we read this book, RECONSTRUCTING AMELIA. Look for the hashtag #bookloversunite on Twitter for when questions are posted, pictures of us reading the book, and other fun things!

5. Be sure and check out Traveling With T on JUNE 3rd. There will be a Kate Carlisle #giveaway that you do not want to miss!

6. If you will be in the Georgia area on Tuesday, May 28th, go see Erika Robuck at Fox Tale Book Shoppe. Sadly, it did not work out that I would be able to be in town- but Book-Alicious Mama is snagging me a signed copy so at least I’ll have that!

7. Christina Baker Kline’s Orphan Train will be discussed at She Reads all next week. Come and discuss! May 27-June 3rd!

Have a Happy Memorial Day and Happy Reading! xoxo

Thanks- from me, T, to everyone!

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Thank you for the follows, the likes, the comments- Traveling With T began with just a glimmer of an idea in my head (mainly it was to help me prevent from online shopping so much when “bored”) and it has evolved into something that I’m super proud of. It wasn’t easy- sometimes I even wondered if it was worth it. But, the follows, the likes, the comments- that shows me it is. Thank you.

Best,

Traveling With T

Thursday Mashup

It’s a lot of reading lists popping up, some e-books on sale, and some reviews…. It’s Mashup style!

Summer Reading Lists

3, count them 3, reading lists have popped up the last few days- and have mercy- they all have some great sounding books (and none of them are mentioning the same books! So no belly-aching saying “I don’t know what to read this summer” because book lovers- you are in for some treats!

Great Thoughts has posted their reading list with 20 books- The Best Books to Read on Memorial Day Weekend– and it’s got some great ones!

I’ve read and reviewed 2 that made the list: The Affair and The Other Typist.

And Reconstructing Amelia, the book we are reading at Traveling With T for the inaugural Book Lovers Unite Online Book Club also made Great Thoughts list! So pick the book up, join in on the fun at Traveling With T and let’s read! HERE is the reading schedule for Reconstructing Amelia!

Jen Lancaster has posted her (Early) Summer Reading List– and Calling Me Home by Julie Kibler made that list!

Deep South Magazine has posted a teaser of their Summer Reading List (the rest will be revealed in June). Of the 5 books, I own 3 and have read 2- so I must have good taste, right? 😉

My review of Topped Chef has been posted, I’ve read; but currently working on my review for Looking for Me (get the Kleenex folks!) and I have The Cherry Cola Book Club– but have not read (YET). I did meet Ashton Lee and HERE is my post about that memorable experience!

E-books on Sale:

Meg Waite Clayton’s The Wednesday Sisters is currently on sale for .99! 99 cents! That’s cheap! If you haven’t bought it, get it! If you have it in paperback, but have a Kindle or Nook- buy it for that just in case you get the hankering to read it again and you are on vacation or something. Got a book club? Consider being generous and buying everyone a copy so they can see what the fuss is about. Got a family member graduating? Give them the gift of reading by getting them this e-book (bonus points for generous spirit if you buy them the e-reader device as well.)

Assignment today: Go check out the reading lists, grab that 99 cent e-book and report back what book you are excited to see make a reading list!

Bad Publicity by Joanne Sydney Lessner

Title: Bad Publicity

Author: Joanne Sydney Lesser

Series: Isobel Spice Mysteries

Publisher: Dulcet Press

ISBN: 978-0615777412

Source: Cozy Mystery Reviews

Isobel Spice wants to be an actress- but without a steady gig; she knows she has to have other employment (rent, groceries, and other essentials aren’t going to happen without a steady flow of cash, y’know?) So, Isobel has found the perfect solution- she’s an office temp! Able to still have time to go to auditions- and yet keep a flow of cash coming in her life! Except- maybe being a temp is not the best for Isobel as trouble seems to follow her in these temp jobs. While Isobel is working at Dove and Flight Public Relations, she finds a body- and since he was very alive when she served him coffee- Isobel is understandably nervous.

To add to her confusion, James, her temp agent- knows the deceased and does not have fond memories. James tries to talk her out of looking into into the death- but is he looking out for Isobel or wanting to protect himself? Isobel continues to be a temp at Dove and Flight and soon learns that there is no shortage of suspects- each person potentially had their own reason to see Jason die- and with the shake-ups happening at Dove and Flight, someone may have the best reason.

Isobel knows she must find out what is happening at Dove and Flight- not only for her; but because someone is willing to play dirty in the world of public relations.

Blogger’s thoughts:

This is my first Isobel Spice mystery. While it is the 2nd in the series, you do not have to read the first in order to appreciate Bad Publicity. While this is a “cozy” be aware that there is stronger language than in most. This is not your average cookie/coffeeshop/knitter/older lady cozy- this is more Stephanie Plum style! For me, not a problem- but for some,potentially.

The characters are interesting, Isobel is funny- and there is some romance in this series. Also, Shakespeare references- if you like that sort of thing. Overall, if you are looking for a book- maybe one a little “Spice”-ier (hee hee), then you should try Bad Publicity.

Want to win a Kindle copy of Bad Publicity? Comment on my blog (leave your email address, please- you may use the AT and DOT to help prevent spam) or any of the other blogs participating in this tour (HERE is the list!) Good luck! Contest ends 11:59 PM EST May 27. Winners will be contacted by email shortly after.

* Bad Publicity was provided to through Cozy Mystery Reviews. All above opinions and thoughts are mine alone. Giveaway is being sponsored by Cozy Mystery Reviews and not Traveling With T.

The Other Typist by Suzanne Rindell

I’ll freely admit that I’d not heard the term “unreliable narrator” before- but when people speak of a book having “a great unreliable narrator” I was definitely curious. For those who are unsure exactly what an unreliable narrator is- according to Wikipedia it’s this: An unreliable narrator is a narrator, whether in literature, film, or theatre, whose credibility has been seriously compromised.

Meet Rose Baker. Prim and proper- she’s a woman who types men’s confessions at a NYPD office. Rose is living in New York in the 1920’s- a time that is confusing with women bobbing their hair, Prohibition and speakeasies. Women’s roles are ever-changing- and for Rose, a person who likes to know rules and procedures- this is hard to understand. One day, Odalie, walks into the NYPD for a job as a typist- and even though the reader will not understand at that point, Rose’s life will have changed. It’ll be up to the reader to decide if the change was positive or negative.

Odalie, a pretty and vivacious little thing, takes to the fact that women’s roles are changing- perhaps, even a bit too easy. As the reader begins to learn more about Odalie, more about Odalie’s and Rose’s friendship- it’s easy to see how someone could get caught up in the sparkle and glamour of Odalie. The friendship between the girls develops and Rose finds herself part of Odalie’s world- a world that is foreign and yet enticing.

The first couple of chapters, for me, were a bit hard to get into. I couldn’t quite decide what to think. But, as I began to read and find more details out (although one could never be sure if the details were true), I enjoyed the story more. By the last half, I was on pins and needles to find out what made Rose the “unreliable narrator”. By the end of the book, I felt completely drawn into the book, entertained, and ready to go to a speakeasy.

The Other Typist is a book you should read with friends. With book clubs. With someone who has a fondness for “unreliable narrators”. And, just in case you are curious- this is a perfect book to introduce a friend to the meaning of “unreliable narrator”.

Traveling With T’s thoughts:

Enjoyable. Interesting. 2 thumbs up. The Other Typist has all the makings of being a highly discussed book of 2013- perhaps even the most discussed book of 2013. Buy. Read. And see what all the fuss is about The Other Typist.

* This book was sent to me by Amy Einhorn Books/Putnam for consideration of recommending to a book club. The above thoughts and opinions are mine alone.

3GAB on Traveling with T

Thanks Danna 🙂

Danna Pycher

Thanks to Tamara at Traveling with T for a well thought out interview on her blog.

And look at what nice things she had to say about 3rd Generation and Beyond:

“This is a book that makes the reader think- it’s not heavy-handed, though, it’s advice, it’s stories, it’s about ways to be the best person you can be- not just for you; but for the people you impact, the legacy you leave behind. 3rd Generation and Beyond inspires and motivates.”

Thank you so much for being part of the tour, Tamara.

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Monday Mashup

It’s been a while since I’ve done a mashup- so I’m bringing it back!

#giveaways:

A Novel Review is giving away THE LAKE HOUSE by Marci Nault (! Day left to enter- so get those entries in there!)

#onlinebookclubnews

The Book Wheel and Love at First Book are still rocking on with their nonfiction pick for May. If nonfiction floats your boat- then there is still time to join in on the fun!

Traveling With T (that’s me!) and Book-alicious Mama are working hard on getting RECONSTRUCTING AMELIA ready for June. Thanks to a special person, I hope to have blog buttons by June. Plans for the hashtag #bookloversunite will be revealed on Friday.

Southern Lit Lovers on Goodreads are discussing Julie Kibler’s CALLING ME HOME. If you missed the chance to talk about it with me at She Reads- do stop by Goodreads.

My review of CALLING ME HOME by Julie Kibler.

#justgoodnews

The Book Wheel has started her own literary consulting company. Read her blog post for the details.

On Danna Pycher’s blog- I was given a lovely shout-out for my interview with Danna that posted on Friday. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

More good news for me: I won an autographed copy of TIME FLIES by Claire Cook– I don’t think I even need to explain how excited I was since TIME FLIES since it made my Beach Bag Reads list!

#books

I reviewed THE COTTAGE AT GLASS BEACH today. Beautiful cover, good book, mystery and intrigue- worth a read!

Do you like a little chill in your reading for the summer? Marybeth Whalen, co-creator of She Reads, has got a list of summer reads for you then! Looking over the list of A Little Chill in the Summer– I already have marked to read LIE STILL by Julia Heaberlin- looks like I have more to add!

I created a Book Signings board on Pinterest- go check it out- it’s every book signing that I’ve been to!

Last week was Bout of Books– here is how my week went with that!

LASTLY: Twitter chat with CHRISTINA BAKER KLINE, author of ORPHAN TRAIN Thursday, May 23 at 8pmEST. Use #srchat to join in! It’ll be fun and fabulous!

My review of ORPHAN TRAIN by Christina Baker Kline

Bout of Books (overview of goals and analysis)

From May 13-19th was Bout of Books- a week of reading and completing other book-ish goals. Being my first Bout of Books, I was a bit ambitious in my goals- maybe too ambitious as I’d forgotten about some things going on last week that could be potential distractors from the goals.

My goals for the week were:

My goals for Bout of Books 7.0 are the following:

Books I Plan to Read/Finish:

1. Oscar Wilde and Murders at Reading Gaol by Gyles Brandreth

2. Looking for Me by Beth Hoffman

3. The Other Typist by Suzanne Rindell

4. The Guest Book by Erika Marks

5. 3rd Generation and Beyond by Danna Pycher

Other Book-ish things:

1. Post my review for The Glass Wives

2. Post reading schedule for Reconstructing Amelia for my 1st online book club beginning in June!

3. Post review for Oscar Wilde and Murders at Reading Gaol

4. Post interview with Danna Pycher

5. Update my Goodreads page

6. Tweet about Danna Pycher Twitter chat on May 22 #3gab ( thanks to Love at First Book)

7. Update my blog with reading challenge info, book blog tour info, and other things.

8. Attend The Cherry Cola Book Club by Ashton Lee book signing!

Last Wed I updated my goal process- here it is:

My goals for my first Bout of Books (still going on my friends!) were not super lofty. Read a bit more. Write a bit more. Do some things to my blog. Update my Goodreads page. You know just normal things.

So today’s Wednesday- let’s see how my Monday and Tuesday have shaped up goal-wise!

Monday:

Went to The Cherry Cola Book Club signing as planned- check!

Finished Oscar Wilde and the Murders at Reading Gaol by Gyles Brandreth- check!

Not too bad- 2 goals finished!

Tuesday:

Posted my review of The Glass Wives- check!

Posted my review of Oscar Wilde-check!

Finished Looking for Me by Beth Hoffman-check!

Made 2 minor additions to my blog- check!

And holy heck, updated my Goodreads page- reviews, books for TBR, and more- CHECK!

Tuesday was a good day!

Wednesday (so far)

Read about 30 more pages in The Other Typist. *Wednesday is not looking good so far- darn Tuesday for being so productive!

Here’s the final update as the week went to heck in a handbasket- and yet, I still completed many things!

Monday:

Went to The Cherry Cola Book Club signing as planned- check!

Finished Oscar Wilde and the Murders at Reading Gaol by Gyles Brandreth- check!

Not too bad- 2 goals finished!

Tuesday:

Posted my review of The Glass Wives- check!

Posted my review of Oscar Wilde-check!

Finished Looking for Me by Beth Hoffman-check!

Made 2 minor additions to my blog- check!

And holy heck, updated my Goodreads page- reviews, books for TBR, and more- CHECK!

Tuesday was a good day!

Wednesday

Read about 30 more pages in The Other Typist. *Wednesday is not looking good so far- darn Tuesday for being so productive!

Began reading The Cottage at Glass Beach (not in my original goal post)

Thursday

More reading of The Other Typist, The Cottage At Glass Beach.

Wrote blog post and interview with Danna Pycher

Updated blog.

Friday

Wrote blog post about Ashton Lee book signing.

Posted Reconstructing Amelia reading schedule.

Saturday

Not 1 drop of productivity

Sunday

Finished The Cottage at Glass Beach

Wrote review for The Cottage at Glass Beach

Updated my Pinterest reading boards: The TBR List That Ate An Entire Town, , Book Signings, and Beach Bag Reads 2013

Began Bad Publicity for this week’s blog tour

So.. all in all- while I did not complete every goal- I did add some that weren’t in the original post. I feel I had a pretty good book week!