Literary Friday ya’ll…

Friday. Pretty spring day. I’ve been enjoying my morning coffee while watching these 2 small brown birds make a nest near the breakfast nook area.  It’s a good day.

1. Deep South Mag and their #literaryfriday: A honor for Square Books, news about The Great Gatsby movie, and much more.

2. #giveaways: Luxury Reading is giving away a copy of Wendy Wax’s latest While We Were Downtown Abbey and She Reads is giving away a copy of The Promise of Stardust by Priscille Sibley.

3. Other She Reads news:

1. Books and Wine: A Pairing for The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow.

2. She Reads April Book Club Selection: And Then I Found You by Patti Callahan Henry

3. Book Review: Tapestry of Fortunes by Elizabeth Berg

4. A Room of Her Own: The Writing Space of Patti Callahan Henry

4. What is your #fridayreads? Mine is Going, Going, Ganache by Jenn McKinlay.

5. Books that I have read lately and really enjoyed:

1. The Affair by Colette Freedman

2. And Then I Found You by Patti Callahan Henry

3. Learning to Fly: An Ucommon Memoir of Human Flight, Unexpected Love, and One Amazing Dog by Steph Davis

4. Nickled and Dimed to Death: A Devereaux’s Dime Store Mystery by Denise Swanson

5. The Mermaid of Brooklyn by Amy Shearn

6. Life After Life by Jill McCorkle

6. Have you made your bucket list? What about your book-ish bucket list? Here’s mine: Traveling With T’s Book-ish Bucket List

 

Happy Reading 🙂

 

Traveling With T’s Book-ish Bucket List…

Thanks to the bright minds of Rebecca (Love at First Book) and Allison (The Book Wheel), in response to their 50 Bookish Things You Must Do Before You Die– I decided to create my own. Mine will most definitely be a more evolving list- updated as I think of things or actually complete things. Some will be outlandish wishes- while others will be very do-able. Join in the fun and make a book-ish bucket list of your own 🙂

Traveling With T’s Book-ish Bucket List

1. Write a blurb for a book.

2. Be an inspiration for a character.

3. Have a book dedicated to me/ or have someone write “Thanks” to me in Acknowledgements

4. Attend Girlfriend’s Getaway Weekend in Jefferson, TX.

5. Take my Key West Food Critic Mysteries books to Key West, FL for sightseeing/picture opportunity.

6. Host my very own Online Book Club on Traveling With T.

7. Take part in more blogging events

8. Literary Road Trip (with the help of Deep South Mag’s Literary Trail App)

9. To actually print and use business cards

10. For my blogging, tweeting, and other things I do in the book world to lead to more involvement in the world of books (more of an active role in the publicity development)

11. Reviewing books for more publishers.

12. To plan a week at the beach- with some of the best beach reads for summer and to do nothing but read, enjoy the beach and leave the phone in the hotel.

13. To meet Sue Grafton. I have been a fan of Kinsey (her character) for so many years and would love to meet her.

14. To attend more book events.

The Affair by Colette Freedman

This book will be April’s #gr8books book club discussion! Use #gr8books to join in on April 9th, 8-9pm CST.

Colette Freedman takes a subject (in this case, an affair) and instead of making it a very black and white, right and wrong, he said/she said book- she turns it into a book that that has lots of grey. Lots of things to debate. Makes each charatcer human, even relatable. This book could have been so boring- but with the ways she wrote the characters, situations and ending- boring would not even be in the top 50 words I’d use to describe. Find a group to read this book with and let the discussion fly!

Kathy and Robert Walker- married for 18 years, 2 teenage children. They have a nice house and things appear to be ok with them. The marriage is not as exciting as it once was, Kathy’s busy running a house and shuffling 2 teenage children to countless events, activities and just doing the day to day life of a wife and mother. Robert’s not around as much- he misses out on activities and family time because he’s always working- or is he? Kathy finds a name in Robert’s phone while looking for an address- and the name gives her chills- since it’s the same name of the woman she accused him of having an affair with years ago- an accusation that nearly destroyed their marriage.

It’s Kathy’s worst nightmare all over again- she’s afraid to know, but wants to know. And knows that she must have concrete proof this time if she does accuse Robert.  Taking place a few days before Christmas, the story is told from multiple viewpoints- and with each telling of the story- the reader begins to understand what each person is feeling. Is there a clear cut “bad” person? Yes and no, in my opinion. And that is what is so delicious about this book- the reader can identify with the characters.

Many times, the mistress is thought of as the “bad” person- the one who poached a person who was supposed to be untouchable. One of the themes of this book is the thought process of “a person can’t take something that did not want to be taken”- and for this book, it casts a lot of “grey” around the mistress. Is she a husband stealer or a woman who fell in love with a man who she thought was available? Should the wife take any blame for the affair? Is the husband really the one at fault?

Colette Freedman takes these type of questions and creates a book that will make a reader evaluate their thoughts on love, committment, and cheating.  Prepare to discuss with a group of friends- this book could lead to many interesting conversations.

And Then I Found You by Patti Callahan Henry

Can the lost ever be found?

This is an idea that Patti Callahan Henry explores in her newest book, And Then I Found You, a beautiful and yet heartbreaking tale of love, making difficult choices, and what being a mother entails. This story, while technically fiction, is based upon Patti Callahan Henry’s family story of adoption.

Meet Kate Kate Vaughan. To the outside world, she has everything. A thriving business, good looks, a wonderful family, and a boyfriend that adores her. Life should be good- and it is, as long a Kate does not think about things too much. Kate knows that there is something that keeps her from wanting to commit to the adoring boyfriend.

Kate, years ago, made the toughest choice a woman can make- to give up her child for adoption. A choice that she made for the sake of her child- and not a day goes by that she does not think of that choice. Nor of the other choices she made in relation to the giving up of her child.

Kate feels as if some situations from her past were resolved, some doors that have been left slightly open were closed- that she could move on with her life, accept the pain, and fully commit to the adoring boyfriend she has.

What Kate finds is this: Sometimes doors aren’t meant to be closed- and sometimes the things we wish we want will not happen. Lastly, while we may not be able to vocalize our innermost wants and desires- sometimes life has a funny way of knowing and opening a connection.

Heartbreaking at times, heartwarming always- this is a book that is meant to be shared. To be enjoyed. To be discussed. Read. Share with friends. With book-clubs.  Highly recommended. While this is my first book of Patti Callahan Henry’s, with the way she tells a story- it certainly will not be my last.

Nickled- and Dimed to Death: A Devereaux’s Dime Store Mystery by Denise Swanson

Dev is back in the second book in Devereaux’s Dime Store Mystery series.

Dev has a hot date planned with the hot US Marshal Jake- until he gets the last minute call that he’s able to go back to duty and on a hot case. Dev’s disappointed( who wouldn’t be after buying a new dress?), but when Dr. Noah Underwood calls asking her to accompany him to an event and saying he has a business connection she needs to make, she decides not to waste the dress!

While at the event, she gets a phone call from Boone, one of her best friends. He’s at the police station and a suspect in the Elise Whitmore murder. Dev and Poppy know Boone could not murder someone- so with the help of Noah, they start digging into Elise Whitmore’s murder. Between the 3 of them- they find some interesting suspects- but do they find the murderer?

To top off Dev’s days- she’s got 2 hunky men wanting to be with her- Jake and Noah. And neither one looks like they are willing to throw in the towel when it comes to Dev.

Funny. Enjoyable. Great little cozy series. While it is different than Denise Swanson’s other series (Scumble River) this series defintely stands on it’s own. Cozy readers, sit back and enjoy Dev’s world.

Learning to Fly: An Uncommon Memoir of Human Flight, Unexpected Love, and One Amazing Dog by Steph Davis

Steph Davis has a pretty good life- she’s living life on her own terms, climbing when and where she can, is known in the climbing community, has sponsors, has a book coming out, and is married to a climber- a man who she loves and shares a passion with. Life is good for Steph- until her husband makes a controversial climb in a national park- and life quickly spirals out of control. The media runs with the story, the climbing community forms opinions, and many of Steph’s sponsors drop her. With her husband being unable to deal with the media fallout- the stress not only takes a toll on her marriage- it takes a hammer to her marriage- and breaks into a million pieces.

Steph, trying to regain her life- trying to pick up the pieces of herself, to find herself- begins to do something she said she would never do: skydive. It goes against everything in her climbing mentality; but since her world has been shattered- climbing has not been the same for her. She needs to find a way to get back to herself, to get back to a good place. With Fletch her dog and learning to skydive- Steph begins slowly picking the pieces of life back up and learning that she is stronger than the situation that broke her.

As she gains more confidence with her sky-diving abilities, Steph knows she also has to begin climbing again- that she has to regain the good feelings she associated with climbing before everything happened. With the help of friends and Fletcher- Steph explores a new world and puts a new perspective on her old world. She learns about trusting herself, trusting the choices she’s making. And she learns that even after life has been twisted around- even after your confidence and trust has been shaken- that with help from friends, sheer will and determination- that life can be good again. That life can be filled with adventures, friendships and love.

 

Literary Friday ya’ll….

Friday. Tomorrow going to a baseball game- fingers crossed for NO RAIN.

1. Book Blogger Twitter Con 2013– here are the details, the website, and more. Read and find out about it! #bbtc

2. Amazon Buying Goodreads. Here’s the thing: I don’t hate Amazon. I know some people are clutching their chest at that statement, but it’s the truth. Am I a total fan girl ready to defend Amazon to my last dying breath? No. But when you live in a small town, a town that barely has a grocery store- and never mind any Target/Walmart- Amazon becomes a place where you can shop, where you can get things that you can’t normally get. Now, I’ll admit: I’m a little cross with Amazon over stopping their “4 for 3” promotion because that is how I’d buy a ton of my cozy books, but not cross enough yet to cross them off my shopping sites.

Some scream “What about the indies?” And, yes, I suport the indies. Because, as much as I like Amazon- they haven’t figured out to have a bk signing virtually yet. I still like walking through the indie bookstore, seeing the books, and listening to people talk. I’ve even met some interesting people while I’m a indie store. I do my part to help keep the 3 indie bookstores that are near me in business- and I plan to continue. For me it all comes down to time, though. When you have to drive an hour to the nearest indie- it does get frustrating. But I do it as much as I can because I adore book signings. I walk in with my list of books that I plan to look at either before/after the signing- and I select a few. Sometimes, if I’m feeling super-generous- I buy an extra of the book that’s being signed- then I treat a friend.

For me- whether Amazon buying Goodreads is a good thing, bad thing, or will not change my opinion of Goodreads is yet to be seen. It’s just too early in the game- and there are too many variables (for me) at this point to formulate an educated response.

3. The Battle to Save Bookstores.

4. Deep South Mag and their #literaryfriday.

5. Tell Me Something True: A Visit With Lisa Wingate

6. The Magic of Childhood Reading

7. A Final Word From Rita Leganski

8. The Rita Leganski/The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow discussion is still happening at She Reads.

9. What is your #fridayreads? I have 2! And Then I Found You by Patti Callahan Henry and Learning to Fly by Steph Davis.

Happy Reading 🙂

The Mermaid of Brooklyn by Amy Shearn

Jenny Lipkin, mother of 2 girls, married to Harry. Living in Brooklyn. Struggling with her life as a mother of 2 young girls- feeling overwhelmed most days. One day, asks her husband Harry to pick up some cigarettes- and he doesn’t return. And that is the beginning of Jenny’s life changing.

If Jenny thought she was overwhelmed earlier- well, without the help of Harry- life begins to spin in ways that she never thought possible. Her in-laws wonder where Harry is, her kids want to know, and her friends as well. On a day that should have been a normal day, just a day where her mother in law watches the girls and Jenny has a bit of a break- she makes a deciscion that alters Jenny’s life in some dramatic; yet honestly truthful ways.

Jenny’s ally, a ruesalka, makes Jenny take a look at her life- a look at her role as a wife and mother. Through the ruesalka, Jenny has to reassess her perception of motherhood, marriage, and relationships with friends and family. Through this, Jenny learns about herself, life lessons, and happiness.

Jenny’s role as a mother, her interactions with the kids, her thoughts that she’s afraid to tell others- it’s a refreshing and honest look at motherhood. Amy Shearn does not sugar-coat the emotions  a mother of 2 young children could feel- it’s a story that mothers should read; however, it’s a book that others can enjoy as well. The Mermaid of Brooklyn combines wit, life lessons, and learning about yourself into one delightful book.

Monday Mashup!

Well- I’m back. After a fun-filled few days raising money for Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital, hanging with my Queen-ly friends, and many costume/outfit changes- it’s back to the normal, every day world. Time to put away the tiara and other glittery items until next year!

And, on a side note, I completed my first 5k- the Color Me Rad Run/Walk- we walked it in a pretty decent time and had fun while doing it! Plus- got totally rad with color!

Monday Mashup notes:

The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow discussion is happening at She Reads today (and all week!) Come join in and see what questions I post each day for the discussion!

Tell Me Something True: A Visit with Peggy Hesketh– plus a #giveaway!

Deep South Mag posted their 49th #literaryfriday while I was away Friday at the Big Hat Lunch event- but here it is for your enjoyment!

And look soon for She Reads to announce their April Book Club Pick!

 

Literary Friday ya’ll!

Friday AND St. Patrick’s Day weekend festivities happening- some people will be having a great time! I do believe that I’ll be going to see Oz, do some shopping, and just enjoy this pretty weather we’ve been having!

A note about next week: Going to apologize in advance- the blog posts will be sporadic- I’ll be out of town the latter part of the week, and the early part will be finishing work projects so I can enjoy my 4 day weekend & not worry about the things left behind.  Don’t miss me too much 🙂

1.#literaryfriday and Deep South Mag go together like peanut butter and jelly, right? This week’s round-up has news from Joshilyn Jackson (sequel news!),  Alice Walker and Wendy Wax While We Were Watching Downton Abbey news about her Georgia promotion tour. And,naturally, much more!

2. #giveways! Bookmagnet is giving away Family Pictures by Jane Green, A Woman, a wife, and mom is giving away The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow, A Utah Mom’s Life is giving away Calling Me Home by Julie Kibler, Goodreads is giving away a copy of Erika Marks new book, The Guest House,  and Drey’s Library is giving away Allie Larkin’s Why Can’t I Be You?

3. Julie Kibler’s getting more good news: Not only is Calling Me Home a pretty big deal- but Warner Bros. picked up the rights to “Calling Me Home”. So, how long till we it on the screen? I’m not sure- but Warner Bros.- CALL ME. I discussed all last month who would make a great cast for a movie!

4. My #fridayreads is The Mermaid of Brooklyn– it won’t be in stores till April 2nd- but so far, I’m enjoying it. Looking like a great book to give your “mom” friends! What is your #fridayreads?

5. This article was on HuffPost this week- and I saw a group on Twitter discussing it. Planning a Blog Tour? Think Twice. is the name of the article. I’ve read it- and my take is this: A blog tour CAN be a good way to get attention for you book- but I don’t think a blogger is required to love the book. Now, does that mean a blogger should trash a book? No. It means they can give their opinion, can say why they did not like it, and things of that nature.

I was thinking about the last line of the article- talking about real life book signings that books get sold, people attend and more- I guess we have not always attended the same type of book signings. I have been to signings where I’m the only person there- or there are so few people there, it’s almost sad. I always feel a bit of sadness for the author when I see turn-outs like this; but it happens.

Read the article- and tell me what you think. Would love to hear your thoughts. And, if you’ve been to a book signing- let me know how well attended it was.

6. Don’t forget- Twitter Chat with Rita Leganski on Wed, March 20th, 2-3pm EST. Use #srchat to join in and tweetchat.com. And Rita Leganski is on Twitter now- follow her @ritaleganski!

Happy Reading!