Book #49: LibraryLove November 28, 2010

The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May & June by Robin Benway

Book description~ I hugged my sisters and they fit against my sides like two jigsaw pieces that would never fit anywhere else. I couldn’t imagine ever letting them go again, like releasing them would be to surrender the best parts of myself. Three sisters share a magical, unshakeable bond in this witty high-concept novel from the critically acclaimed author of Audrey, Wait! Around the time of their parents’ divorce, sisters April, May, and June recover special powers from childhood—powers that come in handy navigating the hell that is high school. Powers that help them cope with the hardest year of their lives. But could they have a greater purpose? April, the oldest and a bit of a worrier, can see the future. Middle-child May can literally disappear. And baby June reads minds—everyone’s but her own. When April gets a vision of disaster, the girls come together to save the day and reconcile their strained family. They realize that no matter what happens, powers or no powers, they’ll always have each other. Because there’s one thing stronger than magic: sisterhood.

Phew. After FOUR, yes, FOUR Thanksgivings meals shared with both family and friends over the last few days, I finally had this morning and afternoon COMPLETELY unscheduled and uninterrupted to read, read, read like the wind! Although I enjoyed every moment of spending time with friends, families, and babies this weekend, I’ve felt the pressure of this challenge now more than ever. Back in the summer, I was inundated with books to read and review and unfortunately didn’t get to them all. This book fell by the wayside and I finally got around to it this week. Special thanks to Penguin Books and Young Adult (YA) author Robin Benway for sending me this galley copy of April, May & June to review. What a fun and unexpected read! Although I do enjoy the YA genre from time to time, this story was really well-written and could be enjoyed by adults and not just young readers.

“No thanks. I know smoking kills and all that but also, you get these really weird pucker lines around your mouth. And I haven’t been using moisturizer every night since I was ten for no reason. “

The story is focused around the three sisters, named sequentially after the months in which they were each born, each with unique abilities (think Jedi mind tricks!). Dealing with the emotions of being a teenager is more than enough for these three girls. Add on to that a painful divorce for the girls’ mother and you have yourself the starting threads for this fun, suspenseful tale of love, sisterhood, and teen angst. The girls are trying to navigate through high school while missing their father, who now lives states away. The girls’ mother starts to date and so too, do the girls. However, as I was trying to sink my teeth into this quick read, my main criticism is that the mysterious and suspenseful juicy rising action of the plot line didn’t unfurl until almost 200 pages in, then the book suddenly halts and leaves the reader wanting more. I loved April & her love interest Julian’s storyline; I would have much preferred more of them than some of the other extraneous half-developed characters. What is it with most YA novels these days? YOUNG kids are reading 600+ pages of Harry Potter and/or Lord of the Rings; why can’t YA books go a little more in-depth too??

This was a fun and for the most part lighthearted book. Although rated as Young Adult, many of the “party scenes” in this book, to me, wouldn’t be what I’d want my teenager reading. Alright, off I go to enjoy the afternoon with my hubby and puppies in front of the fireplace and excited to crack open of my friends’ suggested reading of The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. Off I go….stay tuned!

3/5 stars

49 down, 3 to go!

xoxo,

LibraryLove

Book #45: Fabookulous November 26, 2010

The Grace Awakening by Charles Swindoll

Book description:

“Bound and shackled by legalists’ lists of do’s and don’ts, intimidated and immobilized by others’ demands and expectations, far too many in God’s family merely exist in the tight radius of bondage, dictated by those who have appointed themselves our judge and jury.”-Chuck Swindoll [from the Introduction]

The Grace Awakening calls all Christians to wake up and reject living in such legalistic, performance-oriented bondage. The God of the universe has given us an amazing, revolutionary gift of grace and freedom. This freedom and grace set us apart from every other “religion” on the face of the earth.

In this best-selling classic, Charles Swindoll urges you not to miss living a grace-filled life. Freedom and joy-not lists and demands and duties-await all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.

With his characteristic style and gentle authority, Swindoll disarms the counter-attack of all those who would not preach grace-filled living and who would claim that focusing on grace would fill our churches with wild, undisciplined people with no godliness in evidence. Yes, Swindoll says, teaching and preaching grace is risky. Some may push the limits and misuse their freedom. But grace is the message of the gospel…the good news of salvation. As Christians, we sing about God’s amazing grace. We understand that we are saved by grace. Let’s learn to live by grace! Discover how in The Grace Awakening.

While Christian non-fiction tends to be my favorite genre, an audiobook of that genre feels like a very long sermon. Which is okay, but just needs to be taken in a little at a time. Which is why I took almost a week to get through this audiobook. I love Charles Swindoll’s books and have been making my way through his Great Lives series. This is the first book of his I’ve read (er, listened to) out of that series; he certainly has a lot to offer in the way of Biblical teaching!

Swindoll shares some valuable insights regarding grace and our ability to abuse it or misuse it. While it is offered freely to us, we tend to abuse that privilege and view it as a right or as permission to keep doing what we want. But what I appreciated most from this book is the discussion on legalism in Christianity. So many Christians follow a list of rules or regulations and then stand in judgment of others who do not do the same. (This isn’t even necessarily restricted to Christians) I love a good discussion on legalism in the Christian faith because among the many denominations, folks really do get caught up in the rules of it all. Swindoll gently reminds us (in a nutshell) to do as we see fit and allow others the same freedom. Isn’t it all about freedom anyway? Why do we put ourselves in a box most of the time and limit our ability? Ah yes–because rules are restrictive.

Swindoll is a mature and seasoned Christian who offers wonderful insight and wisdom. I will probably want to read the rest of his books rather than listen to them and save my audiobook experiences for fiction. But I think I got enough take away from this one to make it worth it anyway!

4/5 stars

Fabookulous

Book #44: Fabookulous

Good Dog. Stay. by Anna Quindlen

Book description:

“The life of a good dog is like the life of a good person, only shorter and more compressed,” writes Pulitzer Prize-winning author Anna Quindlen about her beloved black Labrador retriever, Beau. With her trademark wisdom and humor, Quindlen reflects on how her life has unfolded in tandem with Beau’s, and on the lessons she’s learned by watching him: to roll with the punches, to take things as they come, to measure herself not in terms of the past or the future but of the present, to raise her nose in the air from time to time and, at least metaphorically, holler, “I smell bacon!”

Of the dog that once possessed a catcher’s mitt of a mouth, Quindlen reminisces, “There came a time when a scrap thrown in his direction usually bounced unseen off his head. Yet put a pork roast in the oven, and the guy still breathed as audibly as an obscene caller. The eyes and ears may have gone, but the nose was eternal. And the tail. The tail still wagged, albeit at half-staff. When it stops, I thought more than once, then we’ll know.”

Heartening and bittersweet, Good Dog. Stay. honors the life of a cherished and loyal friend and offers us a valuable lesson on our four-legged family members: Sometimes an old dog can teach us new tricks.

Earlier this week, while at a lunch with co-workers, someone asked how many books I had left in this year’s 52-book challenge. When I told them and said I needed short books so I could read a few during the long holiday weekend (in between the turkey-induced naps), two of them said Good Dog. Stay. by Anna Quindlen. The next day, I was lent a copy and it jumped to the top of my “power mode finish” for the year.

I was excited to read this book, and if I’m completely honest, it was for the sole reason that it was a quick read. I’ve realized over this year that you tend to get what you expect when it comes to books. I don’t know if it’s because you’ve already made up your mind or what, but this one was exactly what I expected: a short book.

I’ve read memoirs on dogs before, as well as fiction about dogs and their meaning to our lives, and they’ve all left me satisfied and smiling. While I’m sure Beau was a very special dog, it’s not displayed often in this short read. The book is full of pictures (they are all very cute!) but when reading about a dog, one can appreciate him more when one can read about the dog’s special personality. (Think Oogy or A Dog’s Purpose)

That being said, this was cute, VERY quick to read (think one-sitting actually) yet left me wanting so much more.

2.5/5 stars

Fabookulous

Book #43: Fabookulous November 24, 2010

The Christmas Bus by Melody Carlson

Book description:

It’s only two weeks before Christmas, and Edith Ryan is disappointed to learn that none of her children are coming home for the holidays. Her large house, which doubles as The Shepherd’s Inn the rest of the year, will feel so empty without them. And it’s too late to open the inn for Christmas reservations-surely everyone else has their plans made by now. In a town where Christmas is a way of life all year long, going through the holidays alone is just about enough to bring her to tears.

Suddently Edith knows what she has to do- she’ll invite strangers to book those rooms usually reserved for family during the week of Christmas. When the guest list shapes up to include a cantankerous old woman and a mysterious young couple with a broken-down hippie bus and a baby on the way, Edith wonders if she made the right choice. Will it blow up in her face? Or could she be entertaining angels unaware?

During the Christmas season my mom reads a lot of Christmas themed books. She just loves a good Christmas story. Years ago she bought The Christmas Bus and thought of my paternal grandmother, who drove a school bus. After passing it around the family, it’s been sitting on my desk for a while waiting for me to get to it. And I’m glad I finally did; it is such a cozy little read!

This is a quick read, but it’s a great kick off to the holiday season! With Thanksgiving tomorrow, Christmas is just around the corner and it’s that time of year to watch Christmas movies and read the stories and just smile and be thankful. The Christmas Bus offers valuable lessons about how we treat others during the frenzied holiday season. Things aren’t always what they seem, and while a predictable story, this was still a good book. Simple and to the point, the reader doesn’t feel overwhelmed with the details of several side stories.

When the bus rolls into town, folks in the small town setting get riled up about it’s taking up space in the streets. Lonely widows, young couples, new moms, and a crotchety older woman are among the strangers that Edith invites to the inn for Christmas. Grab a cup of hot cocoa, a fuzzy blanket, and read this short novel as we begin to prepare for the most wonderful time of year!

4/5 stars

Fabookulous

Book #48: LibraryLove

The Fabulous Girl’s Guide to Decorum by Kim Izzo and Ceri Marsh

Book description~ Etiquette is In. A new generation of FGs (Fabulous Girls) are coming up with a personal style that includes grace under fire and consideration for others. This detailed guide includes modern advice on timeless situations (birthdays, marriage, funerals) as well as more contemporary conundrums, such as office gossip and living together.

With the holiday season in full swing, I have even LESS time to devote to reading than I would like. I’ve come too far and I simply will not rest until I’ve met my goal of 52 books. This review will be short and sweet because I need to jump right in to the next book.

I stumbled upon this title at a little tea shop I visited with friends months ago. In sorting through my books to find the most manageable (no chunksters!), I decided it was short and just what I needed. I put down the 600+ pager5 I was reading and will save that for January because I’m in the homestretch!

“People are rude and inconsiderate to each other every day and in every circumstance, and what’s worse, they don’t seem to realize it. Perhaps they just don’t know any better. As every well-mannered person knows, to correct someone else’s breach of etiquette is itself an infraction. Manners are an integral part of good citizenship. Consideration for others and not only for one’s own wants and needs is necessary if a person is to be a valuable member of her world. When people of varying cultures and economic brackets must, increasingly, live side by side, etiquette becomes a modern requisite. Pleasant manners are just plain more appealing than bad manners. Behaving in a thoughtful way helps both morally and aesthetically to make the world a better place.”

Watch out Miss Manners, Izzo and Marsh are your Canadian competition! Cornering the ‘etiquette market’ with their series of fun and funky books, Izzo and Marsh have a great thing going! What perfect timing to brush up on your manners, as the party and social landscape ramps up for another holiday season. The holidays mean traveling or attending gatherings with inlaws, mixed families, friends, co-workers, and a possible run-in with someone you aren’t so fond of. With alcohol usually a factor, things can get a bit dicey at times if you aren’t on your best behavior. No better time to head into this year’s party season with this quick reference guide. A wonderfully cheeky and light-hearted palette-cleaner,  Decorum is a fun read that definitely puts you in the spirit of socializing, even if just to observe others’ manners or even lack therof!

Miss Manners is still a classic, but Izzo and Marsh do a great job of bringing the idea of navigating the social and professional landscape to our generation’s more modern sensibility. The book is quite broad in scope, covering the following general topics, just to name a few: society, friendship, couples, intimacy, weddings, divorce, home, entertaining. The book then goes into more detail on such areas as coping with an office backstabber, taxi and door-holding protocol, hosting the perfect dinner party, top 10 things to always carry in your purse, and saving face when a male buddy has become too attached. Sure, most of these things apply more to a bit younger of an audience, ladies who are just getting themselves out there and starting to date as adults. But, we can all use a little Manners 101. Rudeness is everywhere and wouldn’t it be nice to make a little effort to try and be a little nicer, especially to strangers? Or if you’re out holiday shopping with crowds and long lines? It’s easy to get pressurized and be short or snub the salesperson while on your phone chatting. But if the roles were reversed, wouldn’t you appreciate someone giving you 2 minutes of their attention while cashing out at a store? I know I would and now it’s one of the things I always make sure I do, end my phone call before I get inline at a store.

One criticism is that I wish they’d come out with an updated edition, as many things that plague our social scene now were left out. How rude is it to see a couple at a romantic dinner and one of them is on their crackberry the entire time? Or when someone comes to talk to you at your desk, and you continue to click away typing an email giving them only half your attention? Maybe including a chapter on etiquette in using technology would be nice to see in the next edition. But, I’m loving these girls’ wit and charm and hope to get my hands on the other books in their series, entitled The Fabulous Girl’s Guide to Life and The Fabulous Girl’s Code Red: Grace Under Pressure

 

 

4/5 stars

Feeling the pressure….48 down 4 to go!

In progress, The Extraodinary Secrets of April, May & June

xo♥xo,

LibraryLove

Author Spotlight:: Donna Chrobot-Mason November 19, 2010

Who wouldn’t want to learn how to become a more effective leader in both their life and work? For the last 5 days, I was given the privilege of attending the Center for Creative Leaderships’ Leadership Development Workshop. With 25 hand-picked powerful career professionals from all over the world, we were psychoanalyzed by ourselves, our peers, our leadership life coaches, and spent the most powerful days together.  I can truly say my life is forever changed in the 27 new friendships I’ve made over my week at CCL by the people I met and the stories I heard. I hope to see each of the people again someday.

Among the participants,  I had the privilege of getting to know Donna Chrobot-Mason, professor  the University of Cincinnati and author of Boundary Spanning Leadership. The insights Donna offered throughout our week together  will stay with me for a lifetime. Her kindness, gentle demeanor and spunky laugh make me want to share her work with all of you.

 

Here we are down in front in the group photo:

At the end of the week, Donna was sweet enough to sign my copy of her book. I cannot wait to sink my teeth into this labor of love, to continue my development as a leader both in the workplace and as a woman balancing all the facets of life. Stay tuned for my review of her latest book!

From the CCL website, here is some background on Donna:

“Donna Chrobot-Mason has been teaching, consulting, writing, and researching issues around leadership and diversity for fifteen years.  She is committed to helping both scholars and practitioners better understand the challenges and opportunities that exist in leading a diverse workforce.

Donna is an associate professor in psychology at the University of Cincinnati.  She has taught courses in organizational psychology, diversity, leadership, and research methods to undergraduate and master’s level students.  Recently, Donna became the Director of the Center for Organizational Leadership at the University of Cincinnati.  As center director, she spanned boundaries to create and lead a cross-disciplinary research team that examines leadership from a variety of theoretical and methodological perspectives.

As a researcher, Donna has presented at nearly 50 conferences, coauthored five book chapters, and published 12 peer-reviewed articles in journals such as Human Relations, International Journal of Human Resource Management, Journal of Organizational Behavior, and Group and Organization Management. She is co-author of the book, Boundary Spanning Leadership: Six Practices for Solving Problems, Driving Innovation, and Transforming Organizations (McGraw-Hill Professional). Donna also serves on three editorial review boards for leading management journals.

Donna began her career as a practitioner in human resources at the Xerox Corporation. She also consulted with numerous organizations to evaluate diversity climate and develop training programs. Her skill as a diversity scholar and passion for applied research landed her an invitation to join the Leadership Across Differences project at CCL, eventually leading to the partnership that created this book.

Donna has a Ph.D. in applied psychology from the University of Georgia.  She lives near Cincinnati, Ohio with her husband, son, daughter, and two cats. When not working, Donna enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and water-skiing at the lake.”

LibraryLove

Book #47: LibraryLove

Anything But Typical by Nora Raleigh Baskin

Book description~ Jason Blake is an autistic 12-year-old living in a neurotypical world. Most days it’s just a matter of time before something goes wrong. But Jason finds a glimmer of understanding when he comes across PhoenixBird, who posts stories to the same online site as he does. Jason can be himself when he writes and he thinks that PhoneixBird-her name is Rebecca-could be his first real friend. But as desperate as Jason is to met her, he’s terrified that if they do meet, Rebecca wil only see his autism and not who Jason really is. By acclaimed writer Nora Raleigh Baskin, this is the breathtaking depiction of an autistic boy’s struggles-and a story for anyone who has ever worried about fitting in…

As if the teenage-angst years weren’t hard enough, imagine how frustrated and confused you’d feel if you struggled with Asperger’s Syndrome as well as being a typical teenager? For Jason, his life is “Anything But Typical”. If you may recall from my earlier review of House Rules by Jodi Picoult, we met a teenage boy with the same disease, a mild form on the autism spectrum that affects social behaviors and the way you view and articulate your world. In Typical, Baskin’s latest novel, the main character and budding young teen author Jason Blake, also struggles with Asperger’s, living in a wo rld that is a confusing one that he can’t quite seem to grip. His two major outlets- writing and surfing the online writer’s forum he joins, help him make sense of the world as he knows it.

“There are only seven plots in the whole world: Man vs. Nature, Man vs. Man, Man vs. Environment, Man vs. Machine, Man vs The Supernatural, Man vs Self, Man vs Religion”.

Jason uses writing as an outlet for his creativity and along the way builds his confidence independently while having other members of the online writer’s forum critique his works. One day a girl named “PhoenixBird” stumbles upon his writing. Through providing feedback to each other, they develop a friendship where they correspond through email about writing.

“I click on one from PhoenixBird, the one I was saving until I got home. Now I am home. [“I feel I could have written your story. It is so beautiful. I have to go to cheerleading practice but I can’t wait for your next story”.] I think this girl has just said something nice to me.”

As the rising action develops, a writer’s convention comes up in a nearby town. As a surprise, Jason’s mom springs him with tickets to the convention. He and PhoenixBird have a chance to meet but of course, Jason is so socially awkward, the story unfolds into a heartwarming, sad, and uplifting tale about coming of age and acceptance.  Teen angst mixed with more social awkwardness than any one teenager should bear, and you’ll finish this book in a day or two. It brings me back to that “interesting time” where as teens, we overanalyzed every action and reaction, word, movement, etc.

“Truthfully, language arts is my best class, but not because I have a good grade in it. I like it because there are no right answers, even if the teachers says there are. Even when they mark something wrong on your test or book report, it’s really just their opinion and in my opinion they could be wrong. It’s like when you read the directions on the back of a package of brownie mix. Chewy or cake like? There is not wrong answers. Books are like brownies. “

I haven’t read a young adult novel in a while, but to quote Jason in the phrase above, one of my favorites from the book,  sums up why I just love the genre. Thanks to Sarrina for recommending I pick up this book from my library. I couldn’t put it down. I laughed and cried and wanted to give Jason a hug. He dreams of meeting his mother’s expectations, but by the end of the novel, Jason’s mother realizes how much he actually teaches her every day.

I would have liked to see another 100 pages fleshed out of this story, but as a young adult novel, I have to keep the author’s audience in mind….but dang you, oh good book for making me want more!

I would write more, but I’m exhausted from a recent week-long business trip and I need to move on to the next book which is quite a chunkster, at 600+ pages! The year is almost over. Eeek!

4/5 stars

Happy Thanksgiving one and all 🙂

47 down 5 to go!

In progress- True Colors

xo♥xo,

LibraryLove

Author Spotlight:: W. Bruce Cameron :: November 17, 2010

I just finished reading A Dog’s Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron and loved it so much, I knew an author spotlight had to be featured on our website!

A hilarious writer, Cameron is the author of 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter which after it’s popular reception became a hit TV show. Also the author of How To Remodel a Man and 8 Simple Rules for Marrying My Daughter, Cameron’s writing is laugh out loud funny and hard to put down.

Good things are worth waiting for and Cameron certainly did his share of waiting before becoming a New York Times Bestselling author. After writing eight unpublished novels, he decided to write something for himself instead of to get published. In Cameron’s own words (from his website):

As I wrote it, I found something interesting: it was funny. Apparently, when I stopped writing to sell and just wrote from my own voice, it made me laugh. Also in 1995 I started an on-line Internet column. I began it with six subscribers, four of whom were related to me or were me. I asked people to pass it along to others if they liked it, and they did. At its peak, the Cameron Column had 40,000 subscribers in 52 countries, if you count Texas as a country.

Meanwhile, Oliver North took an interest in 8 Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter and it was later co-developed by Disney as a feature film and a TV show. The screenplay was picking up momentum until the tragic death of John Ritter when progress came to a hault.

If you haven’t already seen my review on A Dog’s Purpose, check it out and then get the book! W. Bruce Cameron has even created a website (www.adogspurpose.com) where you can enter YOUR beloved pup in the Dog of the Week contests. How did he come up with the idea for A Dog’s Purpose? Taken from his website:

I was probably 8 years old, playing in the back yard of our house in Prairie Village, KS, when my dad opened the gate and in rushed a 9-week-old Labrador puppy. I fell to my knees and spread my arms and that dog leaped into them as if we had loved each other our whole lives. It’s a scene that shows up in A Dog’s Purpose—a puppy and a boy meeting each other the very first time, both of them full of unrestrained joy.

We named the dog Cammie. She arrived in my life when I was just beginning to connect some of the dots in my memory to make a picture of who I was, forming my identity as a child. I remember every skinned knee and bicycle ride in the context of Cammie, who was always there for me. And I lost her just as I was starting to leave childhood behind, passing on after I’d spent a year in college. That’s Cammie, the dog of my childhood.

Years later I was riding my bicycle in the mountains outside of Pine, CO. A chance decision to bounce down a dirt road led me past a few scattered ranches and one small house near a creek, set back from the road at least 50 yards. A single “woof” from a dog caught my attention, and I braked and stood in the dry, clear air, regarding the dog who had called out to me.

She was on a chain by the house, and a fence stood between us, so I remained on the road even though I could see that the dog, a black lab mix with a crazily active tail, was clearly friendly. I gazed at her and the dog sat, attentive, staring into my eyes exactly the way my first dog, Cammie, used to look at me, really seeing into me.

And that’s when the thought hit me. What if this wonderful dog was Cammie? What if dogs live over and over again, and always remember us?

I dismissed the thought, waved at the dog, and rode away, but days later the idea came back to me. What if?

W. Bruce Cameron has become a new favorite author and I look forward to reading his future materials, joining the Cameron Column mailing list, and looking for any book tour dates in our area.

Happy reading,

Fabookulous

Book #42: Fabookulous

A Dog’s Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron

Book description:

All dogs go to heaven…unless they have unfinished business here on Earth.

This is the remarkable story of one endearing dog’s search for his purpose over the course of several lives. More than just another charming dog story, A Dog’s Purpose touches on the universal quest for an answer to life’s most basic question: Why are we here?

Surprised to find himself reborn as a rambunctious golden-haired puppy after a tragically short life as a stray mutt, Bailey’s search for his new life’s meaning leads him into the loving arms of eight-year-old Ethan. During their countless adventures, Bailey joyously discovers how to be a good dog.

But this life as a family pet is not the end of Bailey’s journey. Reborn as a puppy yet again, Bailey wonders- will he ever find his purpose?

Heartwarming, insightful, and often laugh-out-loud funny, A Dog’s Purpose is not only the emotional and hilarious story of a dog’s many lives, but also a dog’s-eye commentary on human relationships and the unbreakable bonds between man and man’s best friend. This moving and beautifully crafted story teaches us that love never dies, that our true friends are always with us, and that every creature on Earth is born with a purpose.

I’ve read a lot of books. That is obvious considering this year’s challenge and the purpose of this blog. But A Dog’s Purpose has shot immediately to my all time Top Five list of favorite books. I usually shy away from animal stories for the sole reason that I don’t want to read about anything sad happening to an animal. But this book took me on a heartwarming journey that left my heart smiling and me wanting more of it!

W. Bruce Cameron writes in a beautiful way and crafts a story of a dog’s life from the dog’s point of view. (Reminiscient of The Art of Racing in the Rain.) It’s hard not to fall in love with Bailey from the very beginning, laughing out loud at his thoughts on human behavior and interaction. Bailey is such a good dog and his bond with Ethan is instant. This is an endearing, witty, insightful, and wonderfully told story. While there are twists and turns and Bailey is reborn, I loved the author’s imagination the entire time and did not want this book to end. I don’t usually say that about a book simply because I get so excited I can’t wait to see what happens next. But I fell in love with Bailey and I wanted to spend more and more time with him!

Surprisingly deep, there are more layers to this book than I expected and I loved every minute of it. Everything that happens to Bailey has a purpose and often I found myself with happy tears and smiling. The ending was done beautifully and will leave the reader more than satisfied.

For all dog lovers, I suggest you get a copy of this book today and cuddle up with your loved pups while you read it! This book will make you wonder what your dogs think and really want to love them even more. I cannot imagine a life without them. This is a book I’ll be keeping (which is rare; typical protocol is to read them then swap them either on PaperBackSwap or give to someone else.) But this one I know I’ll read again and want to share with friends and family. 🙂

For more information on the book, or to nominate your pup in the Dog of the Week contest on the author’s webpage, visit www.adogspurpose.com. Stay tuned for an author spotlight on W. Bruce Cameron!

5/5 stars, without a doubt

Fabookulous

Book #46: LibraryLove November 12, 2010

ROOM by Emma Donoghue

Book description~ To five-year-old Jack, Room is the entire world. It is where he was born and grew up; it’s where he lives with his Ma as they learn and read and eat and sleep and play. At night, his Ma shuts him safely in the wardrobe, where he is meant to be asleep when Old Nick visits.

Room is home to Jack, but to Ma, it is the prison where Old Nick has held her captive for seven years. Through determination, ingenuity, and fierce motherly love, Ma has created a life for Jack. But she knows it’s not enough…not for her or for him. She devises a bold escape plan, one that relies on her young son’s bravery and a lot of luck. What she does not realize is just how unprepared she is for the plan to actually work.

Told entirely in the language of the energetic, pragmatic five-year-old Jack, ROOM is a celebration of resilience and the limitless bond between parent and child, a brilliantly executed novel about what it means to journey from one world to another.

First, I want to say a special thank you to both Little Brown & Hachette Book Companies for sending me a complimentary copy of Emma Donoghue’s ROOM to read and review on the blog. Shortlisted for the 2010 Man Booker Prize, I had a gut feeling that this book be such an amazing read, I selected it for December book club discussion sight unseen. I couldn’t be happier and can’t wait to discuss this book at length. This year is all about reading outside my comfort zone and for someone who isn’t particularly fond of small spaces, this book fit the bill.

For Jack’s 21-year-old ‘Ma’, ROOM is a story about survival; for Jack, ROOM is his whole world and he is content with the 11×11 space he’s be confined to, up until his 5th birthday, when his life is turned upside down. Kidnapped when she was 19 years old, Ma’s incredible story of a mother’s love is so strong, she puts everything aside to create a safe world for her son, her only reason for living, with what little she has. Ma loves her son and holds strong to hope.

Without spoiling the awesome plot twists, ROOM will shock you, but you will keep on reading because the idea alone, is gripping and enthralling. I don’t know about you, but I cannot even wrap my MIND around the idea of being held captive for 7 years, from 19-26, then to mother a child from my captor, and be forced to raise him in captivity?? And the implications if we ever got out? Emotionally? Developmentally? Psychologically? What would life be like? How would I explain the grass, the sky, the rain, a barking dog to my son? For Ma, love for her son propelled her to do the impossible; plot escape…

“Jack, he’d never give us a phone or a window. We’re like people in a book, and he won’t let anybody else read it.”

ROOM is officially on my short list of life-changing novels. No matter who you are, I can guarantee you will feel changed by this book. I literally could not put this book down. I was so consumed by it, which conveniently created an awesome diversion from my reality of the last 3 weeks. Sidebar: My mom is still in the hospital, although finally on the upswing. Being by her bedside brought such comfort so when she slept, I would read. My husband and Mom love to hear the synopsis of the books I read, so of course, they were both so intrigued because this is loosely adapted from a true story, they kept joking with me to hurry up and finish because they too, wanted to know Jack and Ma’s fate.

“I drove myself crazy looking at my watch and counting the seconds. Things spooked me, they seemed to get bigger or smaller while I was watching them, but if I looked away they started sliding. When he finally brought the TV, I left it on twenty-four/seven, stupid stuff, commercials for food I remembered, my mouth hurt watching it all. Sometimes I heard voices from the TV telling me things. “

Even halfway through this book, before I’d gotten to the twist, I was so engaged and haunted. I’ve been texting back and forth with some of the book club babes who have already stepped into ROOM; this is definitely a book you’ll want to discuss with friends immediately after!

“I keep messing up. I know you need me to be your Ma but I’m having to remember how to be me as well at the same time and it’s…”

I love the choices Donoghue made, and she is truly an artist of the written word. I felt like I was with Jack the entire time. Her ability to believably create a world where as the reader, we are seeing the world through Jack’s 5-year-old naive eyes, was done is such a genuine way. The first 20 pages or so, I was a bit thrown off by the ‘child-speak’ tone, I had to get my bearings. ROOM reminded me of Flowers for Algernon a bit. But once I sunk my teeth into the story, I didn’t notice the choppy language because it added so much depth to the story.

“I mean of course when I woke up in that shed, I thought nobody’d every had it as bad as me. But the thing is, slavery’s not a new invention. And solitary confinement- did you know, in America we’ve got more than twenty-five thousand prisoners in isolation cells? Some of them for more than twenty years. As for kids, there are places where babies lie in orphanages five to a cot with pacifiers taped into their mouths, kids getting raped by Daddy every night. Kids in prisons, whatever, making carpets till they go blind. “

Rich in intensity and naivete, the book is paced perfectly. Although I definitely finished ROOM wanting to know more and wanting to keep reading, Donoghue does such a perfect job of tying up the novel giving it a truly satisfying ending.  I want to write so much more but a) I simply WILL not give anything away because I really want you to read ROOM!, and b) I’m so beyond exhausted and now must go pack for a week-long business trip.

Aye carumba!

5/5 stars

46 down, 6 to go!

In progress- Anything But Typical

xo♥xo,

LibraryLove

Book #41: Fabookulous

When God Winks on New Beginnings by SQuire Rushnell

Book description:

Whether you’re starting out or starting over, it’s comforting to know that you’re never alone- God is watching and guiding your every step. Oftentimes He sends little assurances to you through so-called “coincidences” or suddenly opens a door of opportunity and encouragement at just the right time- little “godwinks” letting you know He’s there.

If you’re standing at a new threshold in life and need a boast of reassurance, When God Winks on New Beginnings will ignite your spirit with powerful, true stories of people just like you who have followed the “signposts of encouragement,” and watched how godwinks mapped their paths to destiny.

I’ve read and loved all of the “When God Winks” books by SQuire Rushnell (and yes, the Q is supposed to be capitalized.) These books are filled with stories about “coincidences”, which SQuire refers to as little “godwinks” in your life which are God’s way of letting you know you’re on the right track or something is meant to be. These books appealed to me a couple of years ago with the first one because I do not believe in coincidence. I do, however, wholeheartedly believe in what I now know to be “godwinks” and I love hearing others’ stories of these little (or big) experiences.

From a long lost couple who turn out to be soul mates, to that “sign” (godwink) that this is the right job/career path; from knowing when to buy a home (and which one), to flying cross country for a vacation, God is guiding us all the way. When God Winks on New Beginnings focuses on those times where you may be “starting over” in a particular area of life. Whether it be love, career, relationships, or finances, this little book will inspire you and make your heart smile. If you read this book, you will probably relate to one or two (if not several) of the stories and may begin to notice the godwinks you’ve experienced.

I’ll share one and this is actually a godwink on behalf of another. I sent this in to SQuire’s website, where he asks for godwink stories for future books. Here’s the following story I sent in (and I’d LOVE a Godwinks book about pets and animals, but alas I am not the author) 🙂

My aunt suddenly and tragically lost her dog a few years ago. His name was originally Bear but the people she adopted him from had renamed him Tyler. She had lost her previous dog to cancer and a little while later, Tyler was a 40th birthday present from her sister and brother-in-law. He was a lab mix and he brought such joy to her life after going through the pain of losing her longtime pet before him. Tyler was just four years old when he was struck with Lymes disease. While taking him on his normal 3.2. mile walk that he loved, I was by myself with him one day and he started to lay down during the walk and just couldn’t take it anymore. That was highly unusual for Tyler and he was always so full of energy, it was an immediate tip off that something was wrong. When we got home, he had no appetite and couldn’t do much but lay on the carport and mope. It was only a few days later that he passed and my aunt, family, and myself were devastated. We missed him so much and couldn’t understand why he’d be taken so soon from us.

My family members have always had dogs in their homes and it wasn’t long before my aunt began to crave that companionship and love from another pet. So she began her search for another dog that needed a home. After looking at a few, she found one that looked JUST like Tyler! It reminded her of him and she wanted to meet him. It was love at first sight! And his name was….wait for it….Bear! (Tyler’s original name before it was changed) As my aunt went through the adoption procedure with the animal rescue, all of the paperwork and information was exchanged just in time for her to pick Bear up and bring him home. And of all days, she brought him home on her birthday! (Just like Tyler was a birthday present) The fact that his name was also Bear, he looked just like Tyler, and that it all happened on her birthday was enough to convince my aunt this was the dog for her. God was winking the whole time He led her to Bear.

One week after Bear came home, my aunt adopted another dog named Mona and the two of them are the best of friends. And now my aunt has double the unconditional love pets bring to a home!

Whether you like love stories, funny stories about “chance” (godwinks), or to feel inspired and warm and fuzzy, I recommend the When God Winks series to you! You’ll enjoy them all, so just pick one and enjoy. And then stop by to let me know what you thought and if YOU have any godwink stories!

5/5 stars

Fabookulous

 

Book #45: LibraryLove November 5, 2010

Burnt Toast and Other Philosphies of Life by Teri Hatcher

Book description~From America’s most beloved comedic actress and the star of Desperate Housewives comes a personal, heartfelt, and often very funny manifesto on life, love, and the lessons we all need to learn — and unlearn — on the road to happiness. Teri Hatcher secured her place in America’s heart when she stood up to accept her Golden Globe for Best Actress and declared herself a “has-been” on national television. That moment showcased her down-to-earth, self-deprecating style — and her frank openness about the ups and downs she’s experienced in life and work. But what the world might not have seen that night is that Teri’s self-acceptance is the hard-won effort of a single mother with all the same struggles most women have to juggle — life, love, bake sale cookies, and dying cats. Now, in the hope that her foibles and insights might inspire and motivate other women, Teri opens up about the little moments that have sustained her through good times and bad. From the everyday (like the importance of letting your daughter spill her macaroni so she knows it’s okay to make mistakes) to the rare (a rendezvous with a humpback whale — and no, he was not a suitor), the message at the heart of Burnt Toast — that happiness and success are choices that we owe it to ourselves to make — is sure to resonate with women everywhere.

This book definitely found me at just the right time. Burnt Toast has been taking space in my bookshelf for about a year although I’ve been wanting to read it since it was published in 2006;  I never got around to it. Then, I decided I needed a quick and lighthearted read and picked it up…

Since October 25th (12 days and counting), after complications from back surgery, my mother has been in the hospital in critical condition. My dad and I have taken turns everyday being there to advocate for her when she couldn’t speak for herself and to make sure we were there for her comfort. Thanks to free Wi Fi and VPN access to share drives, I’ve got ample time to work and read from mom’s bedside while she rests. Last week was probably the scariest week I’ve ever lived through; not knowing if my mom would survive a 7-day spinal fluid leak, blood clots, and a laundry list of issues.

“It’s so hard to let things sit messy. To let life be messy. To live in and with the mess. But sometimes you can’t figure everything out on your timetable. SO you have to look for the moments when it’s not so hard to tell what your coice should be. Shooting stars or aspirin? Mysteries of the galaxy or dental floss? Those are the easy ones. It’s not always that simple. It takes work to not try and fix things all the time.  Sometimes you just have to let it sit. “

Anyway, the point of all of this is that times like these really make me thankful to have my amazing network of support. Life, mobility, and our health are all things we each take for granted everyday. Reading Hatcher’s memoir was just what I needed to keep my spirits up and keep me motivated so I could be the rock my family needs me to be right now.

Like me, I’m sure you’ve taken the broken piece of pie or the less perfect cut of lasagna or, as the book suggests, the burnt toast, so others could have the better, more perfect serving while you ‘took one for the team’. But there comes a time that you realize that doesn’t quite set the right example to your children or loved ones when through your actions, you  don’t feel you deserve good things in life.

“What you see in the tabloids is not what you and I have in common. Buying coffee. Pumping gas. Who cares about that stuff? It has nothing to do with who you are. The real story of what we have in common is emotional , truthful, and human. It’s how we try to live and love and find happiness, and work toward finding peace in ourselves and in the world.”

If you’ve ever seen Hatcher do an interview, you too would see how down-to-earth, relatable and humble she is; it’s shocking to think she’s an award winning actress on a prime-time hit TV show (among other accolades). This book was such a refreshing and great read this week and something that helped me get through a very frightening time. She shares her heartache, the joys of raising her daughter Emerson, and her practical and insightful parenting tips that I hope to apply someday, along with hilarious follies of dating and motherhood. I bet when you think of Hatcher and her glamorous days on Seinfeld, Lois & Clark or Desperate Housewives, you wouldn’t imagine her and her 7-year-old daughter roadtripping up the Pacific Coast Highway in a Scooby-Doo 70s VW van with no heat or a/c.  Or could you imagine Hatcher and Emerson taking freezing cold showers at campsites and laughing hysterically?  Pick up this book to read what I mean; Burnt Toast is a quick, fun, and uplifting book; I couldn’t help but smile throughout it and I know you will too.

“Remember to give and take. Society is so good at asking us to give. Drive the carpool. Lead the Girl Scouts. Hand make a costume for the school play. Cook dinner for your husband. Everyone’s asking something from you. Teach your child that you deserve adult time. You need to teach them how to put a slide of bread in the toaster, wait for it to brown to perfection, pull it out, and enjoy it. You need to show them that if you’re distracted and the toast gets burnt, you’ll try it again because you’re worth it. You value yourself. You need to show them that you know how to take what you deserve. That’s the best way to teach your children to value themselves.”

5/5 stars

45 down, 7 to go.

In progress, ROOM by Emma Donoghue…

xo♥xo,

LibraryLove

Book #40: Fabookulous November 2, 2010

It’s Not About Me by Max Lucado

Book description:

There really is more to this life than you’ve been told. We’ve been demanding our way since day one…”I want a spouse that makes me happy and co-workers that always ask my opinion.”

“I want weather that suits me and traffic that helps me and a government that serves me.”

Self-promotion. Self-preservation. Selfcenteredness…

“It’s All About Me.” They all told us it was, didn’t they? And we took them up on it. We thought self-celebration would make us happy…

But believing that has created chaos- noisy homes, stress-filled businesses, cutthroat relationships. We’ve chased so many skinny rabbits, says Max Lucado, that we’ve missed the fat one: the God-centered life.

If you want to shift into high gear with purpose, this is it: Life makes sense when we accept our place! Our pleasures, our problems, our gifts and talents…when they’re all for the One who created us, we suddenly gain what we’ve been missing and find what we’ve been seeking.

This is a book that I started reading a couple of years ago, then saw a study guide that goes along with it in a bookstore. I then purchased the study guide with the intention of starting over and really getting into it. I never did. Until now.

Starting at the beginning again, this book is so refreshing! It seems a regular topic lately is how self centered we all are. Everyone struggles with this; after all we are human. We want, want, want, then we take credit when we receive. We hurt others to make ourselves look better, we pat our own backs when we are successful, the more we have the more we want, and so on and so forth. Of course I’m speaking generally and some folks probably are worse than others (as with anything).

This book is a great reminder WHY we don’t deserve the credit. Why God deserves glory, why He is so amazing and awesome, why we were created. After all, if it were all about us, wouldn’t everything God did be to please us? Wouldn’t we have more say in what happens? But it’s not and we don’t. How comforting!

Max Lucado remains one of my favorite bible teachers, and he speaks so clearly. It’s Not About Me is a great reminder to get off of our high horses. It’s NOT all about us. (Shocker!) This is a very short read yet will provide principles and ideas that will stick with you. I do want to go back to the study guide one day, but for now I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys Christian non-fiction as much as I do. May you be better for it!

5/5 stars

Fabookulous

I’m feeling the crunch as I have 11 more books to read by the end of the year! This has been a fun challenge, but it is a CHALLENGE. If you see a review of “Goodnight, Moon” you’ll understand the pressure got to me. 😉 I kid, I kid. Thanks for following our blog all year- we are in the last two month stretch!