REVIEW - THE LUMBY LINES

This book is for 2 of my challenges.
100+ Challenge
Countdown 2010 Challenge(2005)

"The Lumby Lines" by Gail Fraser
Product Description(Amazon.com)
Nestled in the Northwest is a quaint little town that its quirky residents are proud to call home. With charming shops lining its one main thoroughfare, Lumby is home to the oldest apple tree in the county and the smallest bank in the state. And though it's hours from the nearest big city, readers will always find Lumby close to their hearts.

When Mark and Pam Walker, a vacationing couple from the East Coast, decide to restore Lumby's ramshackle Montis Abbey and turn it into an inn, it takes a while for the locals to warm up to them. Especially the irascible William Beezer, owner of The Lumby Lines-the newspaper "worth the paper it's printed on." At every turn, he tries to hinder the Walkers' efforts. But the couple soon learns that for every citizen like William, there are many more willing to lend a hand-and that Lumby isn't just a place, it's a way of life.
# Paperback: 336 pages
# Publisher: NAL Trade (May 1, 2007)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 0451221397
# ASIN: B00164CMPU

MY THOUGHTS: This is the second book in the Lumby Line I have read. It is also the first book of series of Lumby books. Now that I've read this one the other one makes much more sense. Just like me to read them out of order! This book takes you from the beginning. Pam and Mark are at a stage in their life when they need a change. They are on a retreat and kind of stumble onto The Montis Abby. It's for sale and Mark and Pam decide to buy it and turn it into a bed and breakfast place. And of course you always have some people who don't welcome newcomers into a community. That is until you get to know them. There is a big festival in Lumby called the River Raft Race. Mark and Pam enter a raft and afterwords the whole town is invited to the Abby for refreshments. There are also characters introduced in this book that carry through to the other books. My favorite character is Hank the Flamingo. He is kind of a town mascot. He appears all dressed for occasions that are happening in Lumby. It's a mystery as to who or why Hank is always present. If you want to start a new series of books you should give this one a shot. It's full of whimsy and laughter. You should also check out Gail Fraser's book site, lots of interesting stuff there.

MY RATING: 5

[This is a free review book]

REVIEW - SONS

This book is for 7 of my reading challenges.
Read Your Own Books Challenge
100+ Challenge
TwentyTen Challenge
52 Books in 52 Weeks(Wk.13)
Reading From My Shelves Project
Global Reading Challenge(Asia)


Year of the Historical

"Sons" by Pearl S. Buck
Product Description(Amazon.com)
Second in the trilogy that began with The Good Earth, Buck's classic and starkly real tale of sons rising against their honored fathers tells of the bitter struggle to the death between the old and the new in China. Revolutions sweep the vast nation, leaving destruction and death in their wake, yet also promising emancipation to China's oppressed millions who are groping for a way to survive in a modern age.
# Paperback: 313 pages
# Publisher: Moyer Bell (November 1992)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 1559210397
# ISBN-13: 978-1559210393

MY THOUGHTS: This is the second of 3 books written by Pearl S. Buck in a trilogy. The last book is A House Divided. These 3 books follow one Chinese family through the generations. This book Sons is following the sons of Wang Lung. Wang the Eldest, Wang the Second and Wang the Third. Wang the Eldest is very lazy and waits for everyone to bring his money to him. He lives a corpulent life style. Wang the Second is very greedy, but miserly. He works and saves to become richer, but lives like a peasant. Wang the Third has left his family and went out on his own. He is with the military trying to make a name and place separate from his family. This book is full of history and his set during the revolution of China's history.

MY RATING: 5

A VIRTUAL EASTER BASKET

Free to anyone who follows the rules below.



HERSHEY’S BETTER BASKET BLOG HOP RULES

* Copy and paste these rules to your blog post.
* Create a blog post giving a virtual Easter Basket to another blogger – you can give as many Virtual Baskets as you want.
* Link back to person who gave you an Easter Basket.
* Let each person you are giving a Virtual Easter Basket know you have given them a Basket.
* Leave your link at BetterBasket.info/BlogHop comment section. You can also find the official rules of this Better Basket Blog Hop, and more information about Better Basket with Hershey’s there.
* Hershey’s is donating $10 per each blog participating to the Better Basket Blog Hop to Children’s Miracle Network (up to total of $5,000 by blog posts written by April 4th, 2010).
* Please note that only one blog post by each blog url will count towards the donation.

I am inviting/tagging the following people: Everybody who reads this and thinks that it's worth a few minutes of their time to earn $10 for the Children's Miracle Network.

I got this over at James place, Newtown Area Photo. James also does the meme Weekend Reflections.

BEAUTIFUL BLOGGER AWARD

Wendy's Minding Spot has given me an award. Thanks lots, I really appreciate it. Here are the rules of receiving this award.



Thank and link to the person that gave you the award. Pass this award to 15 bloggers you've recently discovered and think are fantastic.Contact the blogs and let them know they've won. State 7 things about yourself.

1. I Crochet and Scrapbook
2. I have been married 42 years(to the same guy!)
3. My son and girlfriend are expecting twins, boy and girl.
4. I am retiring from my job June 2.
5. CSI is my favorite t.v program - all of them.
6. I like to play games on my computer.
7. I have 2 Miniature Dachshunds, Katie and Bubba.

Now to pass this on to 15 bloggers I have found and like.

1. She Read A Book
2. Unfussy Living
3. The House of the Seven Tails
4. Book Snob
5. BookyWooky
6. Constance Reader
7. Cornflower Books
8. Geranium Cat's Bookshelf
9. Lost in Books
10. Medieval Bookworm
11. My Cozy Book Nook
12. Paperback Reader
13. Ready Steady Book
14. Roses Over a Cottage Door
15. The Reading Diary

FRIDAY MEMES

Becky over at Page Turners is the host for Book Beginnings on Friday and Tonya over at Storytime with Tonya is the host for Friday 56.

BOOK BEGINNINGS ON FRIDAY

Anyone can participate; just share the opening sentence of your current read, making sure that you include the title and author so others know what you're reading. If you like, share with everyone why you do, or do not, like the sentence.

By Reason of Insanity by Randy Singer

Quinn Newberg rose to face the jury one last time. The pressure of the case constricted his chest and pounded on his temples.

This pulled me into the book as I wanted to find out what the trial was for.

FRIDAY 56

Rules:
* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of this blog.
*Post a link along with your post back to this blog.
* Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

Page 56 5th sentence - At one time or another, various parts of the house had been displayed in Vegas lifestyle magazines. By Reason of Insanity - Randy Singer

Hop over to Becky's place or Tonya's place to check out all the folks sharing their books today. You could possibly find your next book.

MY FAVORITE READS

Alyce over at At Home With Books is featuring a favorite book. She is calling this feature My Favorite Reads and you can join her.

My book this week:

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wrobdewski(2009)

Born mute, speaking only in sign, Edgar Sawtelle leads an idyllic life with his parents on their farm in remote northern Wisconsin. For generations, the Sawtelles have raised and trained a fictional breed of dog whose remarkable gift for companionship is epitomized by Almondine, Edgar's lifelong friend and ally. Edgar seems poised to carry on his family's traditions, but when catastrophe strikes, he finds his once-peaceful home engulfed in turmoil.

Forced to flee into the vast wilderness lying beyond the Sawtelle farm, Edgar comes of age in the wild, fighting for his survival and that of the three yearling dogs who accompany him, until the day he is forced to choose between leaving forever or returning home to confront the mysteries he has left unsolved.

I read this book last year. It was one I saw floating around on several blogs. It sounded interesting so I thought I would read it. I so enjoyed this book. The authors storytelling is so good I actually could envision myself living in the north woods raising dogs. Edgar's relation ship with Almondine is truly amazing. I could really believe there was such a place. If you haven't read this book, you should really pick it up and read it. It's really an awesome book! If you have a favorite book to share, hop over to Alyce's place.

REVIEW - SHE-RAIN

This book is for 7 of my reading challenges.
Read Your Own Books
100+ Challenge
TwentyTen Challenge
52 Books in 52 Weeks[Wk. 12]
Countdown to 2010[2010]
Reading From My Shelves Project
Monthly Mixer Melee

"She-Rain" by Michael Cogdill
Product Description(Amazon.com)

In the early 20th Century, a pair of North Carolina mountain children sow the seed of a love that becomes their only solace in the hard yet beautiful world they know. They grow it from steep ground of poverty, ignorance, and violence. A landscape so brutal it can kill hope long before claiming life.
Bloodshed years later finally sends Frank Locke on the run, deep into wilderness, abandoning his extraordinary love, Mary Lizbeth. When a whitewater river washes this desperate soul into the hands of Sophia, he discovers a luminous woman steeped in mystery, trapped in a tragically brilliant life. Far ahead of her time. Secreted from the world. As she awakens Frank’s mind, they rise to meet a love that binds three people for a lifetime.
This love triangle forms a beauty no one sees coming. From the wilds of Appalachia, crossing nearly a century, it runs deep into a lush American fortune, and lives in letters of adoration and hope of the least expected.
In a rhapsody of Southern voices, mingling hilarity and sorrow, She-Rain speaks of lives soaring beyond heartbreak, fundamentalism, and self-destruction. Through the most graceful longing, two women in love with one man ultimately prove the power of human hearts to answer high callings. They show us all how to heal -- and thrive -- to the very end.
# Paperback: 360 pages
# Publisher: Morgan James Publishing (March 31, 2010)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 1600377025
# ISBN-13: 978-1600377020

MY THOUGHTS: This is an awesome book!! I wondered about the name of the book. On the front page it explains what She-Rain is. It's not a person or persons. She-Rain definition:Scraps of fog, on the ridges of Appalachia. It appears as lacy mist blown off the clouds of a high-mountain rainy day. The expression comes from folklore and the authors grandmother, Dovie Ella Crowe Keys.
I really enjoyed following Frankie, Sophia, and Mary Elizabeth's stories and their lives. This author, Michael Cogdill is a great writer of a story. This is a wonderful life story of one little place in the Appalachian Mountains. Of the sorrow and happiness, pain and grief, and above all the love that dwells there. Frankie finds his love with Mary Elizabeth and a different love with Sophia. If you get a chance to read this book, I highly recommend that you do.

MY RATING: 5

[This is a free review book]

SCENE OF THE BLOG

Cathy over at Kittling Books has a feature every week at her place. It's called Scene of the Blog. She features a blogger every week. Well, guess what, it's my turn this week. Yep, you heard right. Me, Just Books is being blogged about. You should hop over to Cathy's place and check this out. You never know, she may ask you to be a feature blogger at her place.

The picture she has of where I blog, that's one of the things she asks you, well, I got a new desk since that picture was given to her. This is my new desk.



Just look at it, you'll never see it that clean again! That's when it was first put in the room, all shinny and new. Now don't forget to head over to Cathy's place and check out her post about my place, Just Books.

IT'S TUESDAY, WHERE ARE YOU? AND TEASER TUESDAYS

Raidergirl is the host for It's Tuesday, Where Are You? and MizB is the host for Teaser Tuesday. Go on over and check it out, you know you want too.

IT'S TUESDAY, WHERE ARE YOU?


I am a Lawyer in Las Vegas and also a Newspaper Reporter in Virgina. Someway both are going to meet because of a serial killer.

TEASER TUESDAY


Newspaper Reporter - "Accordingly, I am holding you in contempt of court for refusing to divulge your source, and I am ordering you confined to the Virginia Beach city jail until such time as you choose to reveal the source or until such time as a suspect is apprehended, whichever occurs first." P. 47 By Reason of Insanity - Randy Singer.

Lawyer - "On the count of murder in the first degree, we the jury find the defendant, Anne Newberg..." The clerk paused for what seemed like and inhumane length of time. "...guilty as charged." P.14 By Reason of Insanity - Randy Singer



Go check these out over at Raidergirl's place and MizB's place. You might find your next book there.

SPRING READING THING

Katrina over at Callapidder Days is hosting Spring Reading Thing again. I did this last year and was lots of fun picking out books. Here are the details:

* Make a list of books you want to read (or finish reading) this spring. Your list can be as long or as short as you’d like. (Also, feel free to modify your list during the challenge if it’s not working for you.)

* Write a blog post containing your list and submit it to this post using the Mr. Linky below.

* Get reading! The challenge goes from today, March 20th, through June 20th, 2010.

* Check out other participants’ lists and add to your own to-read-someday pile!

* Write a post about your challenge experience in June, telling us all about whether you reached your goals and how the Spring Reading Thing went for you. But remember: this is a low-pressure challenge that should be fun. As long as you do some reading this spring (and enjoy it!), that’s good enough for me.

So here's my list:

1. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night - Mark Hadden
2. 4:50 from Paddington
3.The Twin in the Tavern - Barbara Brooks Wallace
4.City of Ashes - Cassandra Claire
5.City of Glass - Cassandra Claire
6.Four to Score
7.Weedflower - Cynthia Kadohata
8.The Dragon Lord's Daughter - Bertrice Small
9.City of Refuge - Tom Piazza
10. Darfever - Karen Marie Moning
11. Bloodfever - Karen Marie Moning
12. No Good Deeds - Laura Lippman
13. The Graveyard Book - Neil Gaiman
14. Taggerung - Brian Jacques

It's Monday, What Are You Reading is over at Book Journey.

This is last week in review........

Musing Mondays - Picture Books
Little Men(Book Review)
A-Z Wednesday-Letter "F"
The Wind in the Willows(Book Review)
Kids Konnection
In My Mailbox{2 Review Books)
Winter Haven(Book Review)

This Weeks Plan............

By Reason of Insanity - Randy Singer



Over Sea, Under Stone - Susan Cooper



Review Book
She-Rain - Michael Cogdill



Plus I am trying to get through Sons - Pearl S. Buck. But it's not going to good. Can't figure this out, loved The Good Earth. Don't forget to head over the Book Journey to see what everyone read last week and plans to read this week.

REVIEW - WINTER HAVEN

This book is for 3 of my reading challenges.
The Christy Awards Challenge
100+ Challenge
TwentyTen Challenge[Up To You!]

"Winter Haven" by Athol Dickson
Product Description(Amazon.com)
A Remote Island Enshrouded in Heavy Mist and Cloaked in Secrecy...

Thirteen years ago, Siggy Gamble ran away from home, never to be found--until his body washes ashore on the tiny island of Winter Haven off the coast of Maine. Now his sister, Vera, travels north to claim the body, and finds herself tangled in the impossible.
Her brother hasn't aged a day since last she saw him.
Determined to uncover the cause of Siggy's mysterious end, Vera soon learns there are many secrets haunting the island--tales of lost colonies, tales of a witch bent on revenge, and a towering forest where no creature dares to live. Hemmed in by unearthly fog, distrusted by the locals, and forced to rely on the enigmatic owner of a grand but dilapidated mansion poised on a rocky cliff, will Vera's desperate questions lead to answers, or will her story become yet one more dark Winter Haven legend?
# Paperback: 336 pages
# Publisher: Bethany House; Reprint edition (March 1, 2009)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 0764206567
# ASIN: B002YNS3KK

MY THOUGHTS: This is the first time I have read any of this author's books. He is a very good writer. Giving you lots of clues as to what is going on. Plus all the little extras that makes the story riveting. As Vera fights her own childhood memories, she also tries to find out what happened to her brother and why he didn't age. I admit this one had me puzzled. I couldn't figure this out. It came towards the end of the book. You'll never guess until you get to the part that tells you why Ziggy still looked 15 years old, although in actuality he was 28 years old.

MY RATING: 5

IN MY MAILBOX

In My Mailbox is over at The Story Siren's place. Go check it out!

I got 2 review books this week.



"Lamb Bright Saviors" by Robert Vivian
Product Description(Amazon.com)
“Robert Vivian’s prose is lyrical and harrowing—harrowing in the Biblical sense,” Sven Birkerts said of The Mover of Bones, the first book in Vivian’s Tall Grass Trilogy. That same lyrical power carries this new volume to a place of hard-won hope and redemption at once both spiritual and earthly.
# Paperback: 198 pages
# Publisher: Bison Books (March 1, 2010)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 0803213808
# ISBN-13: 978-0803213807



"The Life O'Reilly" by Brian Cohen
Product Description(Amazon.com)
At once a bittersweet love story and a young lawyer's journey of self-discovery, this auspicious debut delivers an emotional wallop and will move readers in unexpected ways.
# Hardcover: 276 pages
# Publisher: iUniverse.com (October 21, 2009)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 1440150273
# ISBN-13: 978-1440150272

From the Library

Winter Haven - Athol Dickson
Over Sea, Under Stone - Susan Cooper
By Reason of Insanity - Randy Singer

KIDS KONNECTION

Julie over at Booking Mama is the host for Kids Konnection. Hop over and visit her, she has a new kids book on her post today.

I just recently read and reviewed "The Wind in the Willows" by Kenneth Grahame. This is a great book with lots of colorful graphics for little minds to see. It is a little long so maybe for little ones it could be read over a two day stretch.
# Reading level: Ages 9-12
# Hardcover: 224 pages
# Publisher: Palazzo Editions; First Edition edition (April 28, 2008)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 0955304636
# ISBN-13: 978-0955304637



Don't forget to head over to Julie's place to check out all the people sharing their kids books.

REVIEW - THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS

This book is for 5 of my reading challenges.
100+ Challenge
What's In A Name III(Plant)
52 Books in 52 Weeks(Wk. 11)
What An Animal III
Fill In The Gaps

"The Wind in the Willows" by Kenneth Grahame
Product Description(Amazon.com)

Mole, Water Rat, Badger, and the mischievous Toad live a quiet life on banks of the River Thames with the rest of their animal friends. But Toad tends to get into trouble, and his passion for cars eventually results in his being caught and kept a helpless prisoner in the remotest dungeon of the best-guarded castle in all the land. Dressed as a washerwoman—and with some help from his friends—Toad manages to escape the castle and begins his journey home to Toad Hall.
# Reading level: Ages 9-12
# Hardcover: 224 pages
# Publisher: Palazzo Editions; First Edition edition (April 28, 2008)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 0955304636
# ISBN-13: 978-0955304637

MY THOUGHTS: This is a great book for all those little minds. They can see all the wonderful animals and the places they live and dream. The illustrations are beautifully done and very colorful.

MY RATING: 5

A-Z WEDNESDAY

A - Z Wednesday is over at Reading At The Beach. The letter this week is "F".

Post:
1~ a photo of the book
2~ title and synopsis
3~ link(amazon, barnes and noble etc.)
4~ Come back here and leave your link in the comments.
If you've already reviewed this book you can add it also.
Be sure to visit other participants to see what book they have posted and leave them a comment.
(We all love comments, don't we?)
Who knows? You may find your next "favorite" book.
THIS WEEKS LETTER IS: "F "

This is stretching it a bit, but one of the words has an "F".

"Postern of Fate" by Agatha Christie
Product Description(Amazon.com)
In this ingenious puzzler-the last novel Agatha Christie ever wrote-Tommy and Tuppence Beresford discover a clue to a killer's identity within the pages of a children's storybook.
# Paperback: 240 pages
# Publisher: Signet (July 10, 2000)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 0451200535
# ISBN-13: 978-0451200532

Don't forget to head over to Reading At The Beach to check out all the books. You might find your next book to read.

REVIEW - LITTLE MEN

This book is for 3 of my reading challenges.
18th & 19th Century Women Writers Challenge
100+ Challenge
Monthly Mixer Melee

"Little Men" by Louisa May Alcott
(from back cover)
Little Men, the sequel to Louisa May Alcott's best-selling Little Women, follows the daring exploits of a group of lads of various ages whom Jo March and her husband have taken into their home and into heir hearts. From brutish Dan and self-indulgent Stuffy, to dreamy Nat, scholarly Demi and his inseparable twin sister, Daisy, Jo's "children" are as diverse as they are unique. Yet these youngsters share one thing in common: the compassionate love of one of literature's favorite tomboys, who tenderly instills goodness, honesty, and integrity into her little men.
Amazon.com
# Hardcover: 252 pages
# Publisher: Weatern Publishing Company Inc.; 1ST edition (1965)
# Language: English
# ASIN: B000CDRAVM

MY THOUGHTS: I loved this book. It just carries over from Little Women. The way Jo and her husband handle these boys is amazing. I think we could use some of their thoughts in today's world. Wonderful book. I love reading Louisa May Alcott. Her books are set in a period that seems out of place today, but so welcoming. If I had to choose a time frame to live in this would be it.

MY RATING: 5

MUSING MONDAYS

Rebecca over at Just One More Page is the host for Musing Mondays. What is the question this week:

Do you have a favorite picture book, either from your own childhood, or reading to you children?

I went to college when I was 40. I wanted to work with kids. I have an Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education. One of the classes in this course was children's books. So I got to read lots of them. One of my favorites was Tuesday by David Wiesner. The pictures in this book are awesome. You should read this to your children, they will love all the frogs flying on lily pads.



Another favorite is Corduroy by Don Freeman. I had a teddy bear that I made a pair of Corduroy pants for. He was so cute. The kids at the day care loved him. When I read the book to them they got to pass Corduroy around.



Some of my most recent favorites are Laura Joffe Numeroff's series of books. If You Give A Mouse A Cookie, If You Take A Mouse to School, If You Give A Pig A Pancake, If You Take A Mouse To The Movies, and If You Give A Moose A Muffin. They are all great books. The first one I read in this series was If You Give A Mouse A Cookie. I of course had to read the rest. I actually bought several of them for my own collection of books.



Do you have a favorite children's book? Head over to Rebecca's place and check out all the folks that are sharing their favorites.

IN MY MAILBOX

In My Mailbox is over at The Story Siren. Got check it out!

I got two review books in the mail this week.

"Legacy of a False Promise" by Margaret Fuchs Singer
chronicles the years during which the author's parents were exposed as former Communists and her father was subpoenaed before the House Un-American Activities Committee. In this memoir, Singer details her quest as an adult to learn about her parents' former political life and whether they ever spied for the Soviet Union.
Based on eight years of research using family records, FBI files, American University archives, personal interviews, and the declassified Venona cables, Legacy of a False Promise offers unique insights into the McCarthy era. Most "red-diaper babies" who have written on the subject had parents who refused to give in to HUAC's demands. Singer's work instead recounts the shame and series of betrayals that her father's decision to name names brought to her family. Furthermore, it explores the nature and activities of secret Communist underground cells, the motivation of New Deal government workers who spied for the Soviets and the campaign of the liberal anti-Communist movement to publicize its political position while defending a fired ex-Communist professor. Fuchs is believed to be the only American college professor who cooperated with the government and was fired.
Amazon.com
# Hardcover: 360 pages
# Publisher: University Alabama Press; 1 edition (October 28, 2009)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 0817316744
# ISBN-13: 978-0817316747

"The Clouds Roll Away" by Sibella Giorello
Product Description(Amazon.com)

Raleigh Harmon's life seems as impossible to solve as the high-profile case she's pursuing.

Closing her assignment with the FBI's Seattle office, forensic geologist Raleigh Harmon returns to her hometown of Richmond, Virginia, expecting a warm welcome. Instead she finds herself investigating an ugly cross burning at a celebrity's mansion and standing in the crosshairs of her boss at the Bureau. And the deeper Raleigh digs into the case, the murkier the water becomes...until she's left wondering who the real victims might be.

To make matters worse, Raleigh's personal life offers almost zero clarity. Her former confidant is suddenly remote while her former boyfriend keeps popping up wherever she goes. And then there's her mother. Raleigh's move home was supposed to improve Nadine's fragile sanity, but instead seems to be making things worse.

As the threads of the case begin crossing and double-crossing, Raleigh is forced to rely on her forensic skills, her faith, and the fervent hope that breakthrough will come, bringing with it that singular moment when the clouds roll away and everything finally makes sense.
# Paperback: 336 pages
# Publisher: Thomas Nelson; Original edition (March 16, 2010)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 1595545344
# ISBN-13: 978-1595545343

Don't forget to go visit The Story Siren. You might find your next book there.

REVIEW - SARAH'S KEY

This book is for 8 of my reading challenges.
A - Z Challenge[Titles]
Read Your Own Books Challenge
100+ Challenge
TwentyTen Challenge[Up To You]
Winter Words[Snow]
Reading From My Shelves Project
Year of The Historical
Monthly Mixer Melee

"Sarah's Key" by Tatiana De Rosnay
Product Description(Amazon.com)
Paris, July 1942: Sarah, a ten year-old girl, is brutally arrested with her family by the French police in the Vel d'Hiv' roundup, but not before she locks her younger brother in a cupboard in the family's apartment, thinking that she will be back within a few hours. Paris, May 2002: On Vel d'Hiv's 60th anniversary, journalist Julia Jarmond is asked to write an article about this black day in France's past. Through her contemporary investigation, she stumbles onto a trail of long-hidden family secrets that connect her to Sarah. Julia finds herself compelled to retrace the girl's ordeal, from that terrible term in the Vel d'Hiv', to the camps, and beyond. As she probes into Sarah's past, she begins to question her own place in France, and to reevaluate her marriage and her life.
# Hardcover: 293 pages
# Publisher: St Martin; 1st edition (2007)
# Language: English
# ASIN: B001PBRCVI

MY THOUGHTS: This was my book clubs selection for March. This is a very moving and enjoyable book set in 1942 Paris. The way the author has written this book is very readable. You are jumping between to worlds. Sarah's 1942 world and Julia's 2002 world. This book really reminds me of The Boy in The Stripped Pajamas, but with a happier ending. Sarah makes it out of the camps to safety, but what happens to her after is the story of Julia's obsession to find out. If you have a chance to read this book, I highly recommend it. Very good book for a first time author. I couldn't put this book down, because I wanted to find what happened to Sarah and Julia.

MY RATING: 5

WHAT AN ANIMAL III READING CHALLENGE

I was out surfing around book blogs and came across this reading challenge. I can't remember where I found it! I did this one last year so thought I would join in again. Yvonne over at Socrates' Book Reviews is the host for What An Animal III. Here are the details.

1. Read at least 6 books that have any of the following requirements:

a. there is an animal in the title of the book

b. there is an animal on the cover of the book

c. an animal plays a major role in the book

d. a main character is (or turns into) an animal (define that however you'd like).

2. The animal can be any type of animal (real or fictitious)--dog, cat, monkey, wolf, snake, insect, hedgehog, aardvark...dragon, mermaid, centaur, vampire, werewolf...you get the idea...


3. Challenge runs from March 1, 2010 to February 28, 2011. That’s a full year to read at least 6 books (you can read more if you’d like). You can still sign up after March 1st as long as you can get 6 books read by February 28, 2011 ;o).


4. Books can be fiction or nonfiction.


5. You may make a list of books at the beginning of the challenge or you can just list them as you find them.


6. Book titles may be swapped out at anytime (assuming you made a list to begin with).


7. Crossovers with other challenges are permitted and encouraged.


8. You don't have to have a blog or write a review, but you can if you want to.


I haven't got a list yet, but I will be working on that one. You can find my list of books for this challenge at the top of the page under Reading Challenges. Just click and you will be there.

An Award

Caroline over Caroline Bookbinder gave me an this Honest Scrap Award. Thank you very much Caroline. For this award I have to tell you 10 honest things about myself. Then pass it along. Since I am feeling lazy today, if you are reading this post, you can help yourself to this award. Just right click on the award and save it to your computer. That simple!

10 Honest Things About Me

1. I crochet! I love crocheting and have been doing this since I was a child.
2. I am a quilter. I am a self taught quilter, via magazines, books and t.v.
3. I have been a substitute teacher.
4. I have been a recess monitor.
5. I have been married 42 years to a great guy, Thomas.
6. My son, Tommy, is a Computer Engineer.
7. I am retiring this year, June 3rd.
8. I have been to Canada twice.
9. I am addicted to Reading Challenges.
10. I have 12 blogs at Blogger.

THE FRIDAY 56

Tonya over at Storytime with Tonya is the host for The Friday 56. What is this? Here are the details:

Rules:
* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of this blog.
*Post a link along with your post back to this blog.
* Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

The book nearest me is Sarah's Key - Tatiana De Rosnay

Paris, July 1942: Sarah, a ten year-old girl, is brutally arrested with her family by the French police in the Vel d'Hiv' roundup, but not before she locks her younger brother in a cupboard in the family's apartment, thinking that she will be back within a few hours. Paris, May 2002: On Vel d'Hiv's 60th anniversary, journalist Julia Jarmond is asked to write an article about this black day in France's past. Through her contemporary investigation, she stumbles onto a trail of long-hidden family secrets that connect her to Sarah. Julia finds herself compelled to retrace the girl's ordeal, from that terrible term in the Vel d'Hiv', to the camps, and beyond. As she probes into Sarah's past, she begins to question her own place in France, and to reevaluate her marriage and her life.

Page 56 5th Sentence(plus extra)

They don't care, thought the girl. They don't care what is being done to us, where we are being taken to. (This is from Sarah, the little girl who is being taken away.)

Don't forget to head over to Tonya's place to check out all the folks doing The Friday 56 this week. You might find your next book here.

REVIEW - THE POWER OF HALF

This book is for 5 of my reading challenges.
A - Z Challenge[Titles]
Read Your Own Books
100+ Challenge
Countdown 2010[2010]
Reading From My Shelves Project

"The Power of Half" by Kevin Salwen & Hannah Salwen
Product Description(Amazon.com)
It all started when 14-year old Hannah Salwen, idealistic but troubled by a growing sense of injustice in the world, had a eureka moment when a homeless man in her neighborhood was juxtaposed against a glistening Mercedes coupe. "You know, Dad," she said, pointing, "If that man had a less nice car, that man there could have a meal."

This glaring disparity led the Salwen family of four, caught up like so many other Americans in this age of consumption and waste, to follow Hannah's urge to do something, to finally just do something. And so they embarked on an incredible journey together from which there would be no turning back. They decided to sell their Atlanta mansion, downsize to a house half its size, and give half of their profits to a worthy charity. At first it was an outlandish scheme. "What, are you crazy? No way!" Then it was a challenge. "We are TOTALLY doing this." Each week they met over dinner to discuss their plan. It would transport them across the globe and well out of their comfort zone. Along the way they would inspire so many others wrestling with the same questions: Do I give enough? How much is enough? How can I make an impact in the world? In the end the Salwens' journey would bring them closer as a family, as they discovered, together, that half could be so much more.

Warm, funny, deeply moving and wholly uplifting, The Power of Half is the story of how one family slammed the door on the status quo and threw away the key.
# Hardcover: 256 pages
# Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (February 10, 2010)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 0547248067
# ISBN-13: 978-0547248066

MY THOUGHTS: This is one of those books that make you think..........what can I do to change the world around me. The Salwen's learned they could give up their home, plus lots more that they had. They also learned to work together to make all this come together. The kids, Hannah and Joe, leaned to be responsible and independent of their parents. Everyone learned to be a family together. If you want to read a thought provoking book this is the one. It makes you think about what you could do to help people in need.

MY RATING: 5

[This is a free review book]