Teaser Tuesday-June 30

Check out Teaser Tuesdays from Should Be Reading. TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:

Grab your current read.

Let the book fall open to a random page.

Share with us two “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.

You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!

My teaser is from Beach Trip by Cathy Holton:

"If you had, you might a learned something, by God."

Sarah giggled over Nosepick and Numbnut, but Mel just sat there with her eyes moving from one to the other like the steady swinging of a pendulum clock.

pg. 66

Monday's Movie-Evelyn

A Novel Menagerie asks us to post about a movie that you watched the week before. We usually watch quite a few movies over the weekend and it is sometimes difficult to only discuss one.

The movie that tugged at my heart this weekend was Evelyn.


Here are the details of the film:

Genre: Drama

Starring: Pierce Brosnan, Aidan Quinn, Julianna Margulies

Runtime: 1 hr, 33 mn

MPAA Rating: PG

Here is a synopsis of the movie from the MSN Movie website:

One man takes on the Irish family law system and the Catholic Church in a bid to be reunited with his children in this drama, based on a true story. In 1953, Desmond Doyle (Pierce Brosnan) was a house painter and decorator who, despite a strong work ethic, had a hard time holding on to steady work. Desmond's wife had grown tired of her marriage and her husband's financial problems, and one day walked away from her home, leaving Desmond to raise their three children on his own. While Desmond struggles to keep body and soul together for his children, his sporadic employment eventually attracts the attention of the law, and a court order sends his two sons and young daughter to separate Catholic orphanages until Desmond can prove he's capable of properly supporting them. However, Desmond discovers merely getting work is not enough to bring his children back to him, and when he learns that his daughter, Evelyn (Sophie Vavasseur), is having a rough time of it at the hands of several stern nuns, he becomes determined to win their custody in a court of law. Through Bernadette (Julianna Margulies), a barmaid who has caught his eye, Desmond meets Michael Beattie (Stephen Rea), a lawyer and Bernadette's brother. While Michael doesn't believe Desmond's case can be won in an Irish court, his partner Nick Barron (Aidan Quinn), an expatriate American who lost custody of his own children in a divorce proceeding, is eager to help, and they agree to take the case. However, they both realize they're fighting an uphill battle, and so they persuade Thomas Connolly (Alan Bates), a former football star who became one of Ireland's most respected barristers, to lend his knowledge and prestige to the case. Leading man Bronson also served a co-producer for Evelyn; Bruce Beresford directed, who previously collaborated with Pierce Brosnan on Mister Johnson. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

My Movie Thoughts:

Boy I have really been on a kick when it comes to watching movies based on true stories lately. Evelyn was yet another example of one man's battle against the legal system to be reunited with his children. Desmond Doyle finds himself struggling to raise his three children after his wife leaves them behind. Desmond finds himself unemployed, and during this time in Ireland, if a mother was not present and the father was unemployed, the legal system would take the children away. It was heart wrenching to see Desmond's children being taken away from the one man that cared for them. They were put into orphanages that were full of children with similar problems whose only wishes were to be returned home to a parent that loved them. The courts indicated this would only be temporary, but as time went on it was becoming more and more difficult for Desmond to regain custody of his children. It was very educational to see exactly how the court system in Ireland worked at that time, and how one man helped to set the bar for future cases that would put the interest of the children before all else. My husband and I both enjoyed this movie and I am going to rate it 4 out of 5 bags of popcorn.

Friday Finds-June 26

Should Be Reading asks you to share what books you discovered this week that interest you!

The book that caught my eye this week was The Walking People by Mary Beth Keane that I found over at Peeking Between the Pages. And guess what--she is also having a giveaway for this book!

Here is a summary of The Walking People from the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishers website:

Greta Cahill never believed she would leave her village in the west of Ireland until she found herself on a ship bound for New York, along with her sister Johanna and a boy named Michael Ward. Labeled a "softheaded goose" by her family, Greta discovers that in America she can fall in love, raise her own family, and earn a living. Though she longs to return and show her family what she has made of herself, her decision to spare her children knowledge of a secret in her past forces her to keep her life in New York separate from the life she once loved in Ireland, and tears her apart from the people she is closest to. Even fifty years later, when the Ireland of her memory bears little resemblance to that of present day, she fears that it is still possible to lose all when she discovers that her children—with the best of intentions— have conspired to unite the worlds she’s so carefully kept separate for decades. A beautifully old-fashioned novel, The Walking People is a debut of remarkable range and power.

So what books caught your eye this week?

Audiobook Review: So Brave, Young, and Handsome by Leif Enger

Here is a summary of So Brave, Young, and Handsome by Leif Enger from the Grove/Atlantic Inc. website:

One of Time magazine's top-five novels of the year and a New York Times best seller, Leif Enger's first novel, Peace Like a River, captured readers' hearts around the nation. His new novel is a stunning successor—a touching, nimble, and rugged story of an aging train robber on a quest to reconcile the claims of love and judgment on his life, and the failed writer who goes with him.

In 1915 Minnesota, Monte Becket—"a man fading, a disappointer of persons"—has lost his sense of purpose. His only success long behind him, Monte lives a simple life with his loving wife and whipsmart son. But when he befriends outlaw Glendon Hale, a new world of opportunity and experience presents itself.

Glendon has spent years in obscurity, but the guilt he harbors for abandoning his wife, Blue, over two decades ago, has finally lured him from hiding. As the modern age marches swiftly forward, Glendon aims to travel back into his past—heading to California to seek Blue's forgiveness. Beguiled and inspired, Monte soon finds himself leaving behind his own family to embark for the unruly West with his fugitive guide—a journey that will test the depth of his loyalties, the inviolability of his morals, and the strength of his resolve. As they flee from the relentless Charles Siringo, an ex-Pinkerton who's been hunting Glendon for years, Monte falls ever further from his family and the law, to be tempered by a fiery adventure from which he may never get home.

With its smooth mix of romanticism and gritty reality, So Brave, Young, and Handsome often recalls the Old West's greatest cowboy stories. But it is also about an ordinary man's determination as he risks everything in order to understand what it's all worth, and follows an unlikely dream in the hope it will lead him back home.

My Review:

This is my first experience with Leif Enger, but I have heard such wonderful things about Peace Like a River that I thought I would give this one a chance. I picked this audiobook up at the library so we could listen to it as we were driving to my son's college graduation. I've found that audiobooks really help to pass the time when you are trapped in a car!

The main character, Monte Becket, has written a very successful novel, but now finds himself struggling as he tries to continue his writing career. When Glendon comes into Monte's life, he starts to re-evaluate everything that has become important to him. He feels that maybe he is starting to head down the wrong path so he decides to take a journey across the Wild West with his new friend Glendon.

There are many things that happen along their cross-country trip that strengthen their friendship and test their loyalty to each other. I think the part of the journey that I recall most vividly is when they were travelling down a river on a raft and encountered a snapping turtle. Some unruly characters decided that they would take control of the raft for themselves, but with the help of the snapping turtle that did not happen. If you use your imagination I think you will get the idea!

Since Monte left his family at home in Minnesota to follow Glendon across the country, he takes special care to write a letter to his wife from almost every town that they stop in. While writing these letters, Monte finds himself reflecting on his life and relationship with his wife, thinking that they have somehow grown apart over the years. Along this journey Monte learns what is missing from his life and what he must do to bring back the man that his wife first fell in love with.

I really was hoping that I would enjoy this story more than I did. I loved the fact that while Monte was off trying to figure out his life that he remained loyal to his wife and family. He could have just disappeared off the face of the earth and made many immoral decisions knowing that his wife would never know, but he didn't. I didn't really enjoy this one as an audiobook, but I may have enjoyed it better had I read it. I had a real hard time staying focused on this story and I think the narrator actually made me tired, so please keep in mind that my rating pertains to the Audiobook.

My Rating: 2/5

Current Giveaways!!!

Here are some giveaways that I found for the Night Gardener by George Pelecanos:

All About {n}-- Contest ends 6/26
Peeking Between the Pages--Contest ends 6/28.
Alternative-Read.com --Contest ends 6/30.
Pudgy Penguin Perusals --Contest ends 7/2.

And here are a few other giveaways that have caught my eye this week:

Passages to the Past is giving away The French Mistress by Susan Holloway Scott--Contest ends 7/6.

Luxury Reading is giving away Off Season by Anne Rivers Siddons--Contest ends 7/7.

Booking Mama is giving away Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen by Susan Gregg Gilmore--Contest ends 7/8.

Booking Mama is also giving away A Summer Affair by Elin Hilderbrand--Contest ends 7/8.

Booking Mama is giving away The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein--Contest ends 7/9.

Bookin' With Bingo is giving away The Host by Stephanie Meyer, with a Twilight Bonus--Contest ends 7/15.

Peeking Between the Pages is giving away The Walking People by Mary Beth Keane--Contest ends 7/17.

Good luck everyone!

Wondrous Words Wednesday-June 24

Bermudaonion asks you to share new words that you have learned during your reading adventures in the last week. Feel free to join in the fun!

Here is a new word that I found while reading Cutting Loose by Nadine Dajani:

Carpaccio: (kär-pä'chō) Very thinly sliced raw meat or fish, especially beef or tuna, garnished with a sauce.

Here is how carpaccio was used on page 290:

I said that's just because the appetizer in question happened to be octopus carpaccio marinated in white truffle oil and served with lemon sorbet and micro lemongrass.

So what new words did you learn this week?

Teaser Tuesday-June 23

Check out Teaser Tuesdays from Should Be Reading. TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:

Grab your current read.

Let the book fall open to a random page.

Share with us two “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.

You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!

This week my teaser is from Cutting Loose by Nadine Dajani:

They can do that-they're a tremendous asset to the magazine, the only assets besides me, you might say, and they know it. Not like a certain little hussy I could think of.

pg 178

Monday's Movie-Flash of Genius

A Novel Menagerie asks us to post about a movie that you watched the week before. We usually watch quite a few movies over the weekend and it is sometimes difficult to only discuss one.

One movie that we watched this weekend and really enjoyed was Flash of Genius.

Here are some of the details from the film:

Genre: Drama

Starring: Greg Kinnear, Lauren Graham, Dermot Mulroney

Runtime: 1 hr, 59 mn

MPAA Rating: PG13

Here is a synopsis of the film from the MSN Movie website:

Greg Kinnear stars in director Marc Abraham's man-against-the-system docudrama Flash of Genius as inventor Robert Kearns, the visionary who developed the modern intermittent windshield wiper. Kearns submitted the invention to each of the big three auto companies, each of which promptly rejected it; the companies then turned around and put the device to use. The enraged inventor spent several decades attempting to collect on his patent, and mounting lawsuits that traveled all the way to the Supreme Court; he eventually collected over 30 million dollars for his obsession. Abraham co-authored the script with Scott Frank and Phillip Railsback, adapting an article by John Seabrook that originally appeared in The New Yorker. Dermot Mulroney plays Kinnear's best friend, with Lauren Graham rounding out the supporting cast. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide

My Movie Thoughts:

I love a movie that is based on a true story and this one did not disappoint. I enjoyed watching the birth of the new invention that was created, followed by the dreams and plans that this man's family made as they were counting on this product to take off in the marketplace. Little does Kearn's know that his dreams will be stripped away by the greed of large corporations. This was very heartbreaking to watch, as Kearn's dreams are shattered he loses focus of everything in his life except for his invention. His obsession costs him his marriage, family, and his mental health. After years of trying to gain recognition for his invention the court system finally goes full circle and the big corporations can no longer avoid the inevitable. As Kearn's fight is nearing the end, his family is back to support him realizing that his journey is more than a pipe dream. I really don't want to give too much more of this movie away, except that it was an excellent vision of one man's fight for the American Dream. My family enjoyed this movie and I am going to rate this one 4 out of 5 bags of popcorn.

Review: Two Brothers-One North, One South by David H. Jones

Here is a summary of Two Brothers-One North, One South from David H. Jones website:

Walt Whitman feared that the real war would never get in the books - the true stories that depicted the courage and humanity of soldiers who fought, bled, and died in the American Civil War.

Exceptionally researched and keenly accurate to actual events, along with the personages that forged them, David H. Jones's novel spans four years in the midst of America's costliest and most commemorated war.

The journey is navigated by the poet, Walt Whitman, whose documented compassion for the wounded and dying soldiers of the war takes him to Armory Square Hospital in Washington, D.C., and finds him at the bedside of William Prentiss, a Rebel soldier, just after fighting has ended. As fate has it, William's brother, Clifton, a Union officer, is being treated in another ward of the same hospital, and Whitman becomes the sole link not just between the two, but with the rest of their family as well.

The reader is taken seamlessly from Medfield Academy in Baltimore, where the Prentiss family makes its home, to the many battlefields where North and South collide, and even through the drawing rooms of wartime Richmond, where Hetty, Jenny, and Constance Cary are the reigning belles.

Ultimately, Two Brothers -One North, One South is a story about patriotism.

My Review:

This was such an interesting novel that was packed full of historical information about the Civil War. It brought us from the high society in Baltimore, Maryland, to battlefields in Virginia, and finally an Army Hospital in Washington, D.C.. Walt Whitman is introduced very early in the book as he spends time with a young wounded soldier named William Prentiss. During their time together, Whitman learns of many significant events that have happened to William over the course of the last four years.

Shortly after William passes away in the hospital (since this happens very early on in the book I don't think I'm giving much away) Whitman is asked to meet with William's brothers and share the conversations that they had during his last days. As Whitman recounts his conversations, and William's brother Clifton shares his experiences, we are given a vivid picture of how the Civil War could affect a family that harbored different political views.

This book was quite the history lesson for me! During this time period, Maryland obviously joined the United States of America, but the Confederate States of America was still a force to be reckoned with. From what I understood in the novel, Abraham Lincoln was the President of the United States as Jefferson Davis was also the president of the Confederate States. For some reason I really had a problem grasping this concept.

John Prentiss is the father of William and Clifton, and is in support of the Union actions. Although he sees the differences in his sons, as William supports the Confederacy, and Clifton supports the Union, he longs for his sons to set their politics aside to remember that they are brothers. As the brothers are preparing to depart for battle they bump into each other on the street one day. The following excerpt explains their brief reunion from page 69:

The brothers stood staring at one another, the stark difference in their uniforms declaring that they had chosen opposite sides in the looming conflict. Their facial expressions were a mixture of shock and dismay. After a moment, Clifton pushed by William and resumed his fast pace.

It was very interesting to learn about the import roles that women had played during the Civil War. Hetty and Jenny Cary were good friends to the Prentiss family and unwavering in their support and loyalty to the Confederacy. Although these ladies were the cream of Baltimore society, it was not uncommon for them to put themselves in harms way by delivering weapons, supplies, or personal letters to the fields of battle.

I am finding that the more I recall about this novel the more I appreciate the writing and research that went into it. I was so surprised by the different battles that were described with such detail. I think my only disadvantage with this novel was that because I have not been familiar with the Civil War previously, a lot of these details went right over my head. I found myself having to read sections over again to be able to comprehend what was being told. Here is one example of a battle plan that was described on page 192:

The Confederate battle plan for the second day at Gettysburg called for attacks on both Federal flanks by the Army of Northern Virginia. Lee anticipated that Longstreet would make his attack on the Union left flank in the morning, but Longstreet dawdled while positioning his troops and the attack was not made until late afternoon. Unfortunately, for Ewell, who was to simultaneously attack the Union right flank, the Federal troops on Culp's Hill spent the morning and early afternoon hours reinforcing and improving their entrenchments, making any attempt to capture the hill later in the day a much costlier affair.

Obviously political differences was one of the major themes of this novel, but I found it interesting that even during the Civil War, people found ways to get ahead just by knowing someone. Unfortunately, that is still going on today, but I want to share one last excerpt that describes Clifton's frustrations regarding General Ben Butler, who apparently was known as a political General. The following excerpt is taken from page 232:

"More importantly, I have nothing but disdain for anyone who acquires or maintains his position through political power. Butler was the first major general of volunteers appointed by a grateful President Lincoln in May of 1861. That mistake had terrible consquences in terms of unnecessary casualties and opportunities lost. As a field officer, I deplore the high cost paid by the common soldier for the failures of political generals. Thank God I never had to serve directly under one."

I did enjoy this novel, but it did take me a bit longer to read just because everything was so unfamiliar to me. I do think that this is a good thing as I believe that we all should be continually learning. So I want to give a special Thank You to David H. Jones for giving us a story about a family ripped apart by war, but finding their way back to each other. I also want to thank Paula from Author Marketing Experts, Inc. for providing me with a copy of this book to review.

Friday Finds-June 19

Should Be Reading asks you to share what books you discovered this week that interest you!

A couple of books have caught my eye this week. The first one is The Painter from Shanghai by Jennifer Cody Epstein. Peeking Between the Pages(who is also giving away this book) and Redlady's Reading Room both gave great reviews of this book. I've always loved books that give me a glimpse into another culture so this one is right up my alley.

Here is a summary of The Painter from Shanghai from the W.W. Norton website:

Down the muddy waters of the Yangtze River and into the seedy backrooms of “The Hall of Eternal Splendor,” through the raucous glamour of prewar Shanghai and the bohemian splendor of 1920s Paris, and back to a China ripped apart by civil war and teetering on the brink of revolution: this novel tells the story of Pan Yuliang, one of the most talented—and provocative—Chinese artists of the twentieth century.

Jennifer Cody Epstein’s epic brings to life the woman behind the lush, Cezannesque nude self-portraits, capturing with lavish detail her life in the brothel and then as a concubine to a Republican official who would ultimately help her find her way as an artist. Moving with the tide of historical events, The Painter from Shanghai celebrates a singularly daring painting style—one that led to fame, notoriety, and, ultimately, a devastating choice: between Pan’s art and the one great love of her life.

When I saw Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen over at Lynne's Little Corner of the World I just laughed! I love the cover and the title and it appears that Lynne enjoyed the book so that's enough for me!

Here is a summary of Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen from the Random House website:

Sometimes you have to return to the place where you began, to arrive at the place where you belong.

It’s the early 1970s. The town of Ringgold, Georgia, has a population of 1,923, one traffic light, one Dairy Queen, and one Catherine Grace Cline. The daughter of Ringgold’s third-generation Baptist preacher, Catherine Grace is quick-witted, more than a little stubborn, and dying to escape her small-town life.

Every Saturday afternoon, she sits at the Dairy Queen, eating Dilly Bars and plotting her getaway to the big city of Atlanta. And when, with the help of a family friend, the dream becomes a reality, Catherine Grace immediately packs her bags, leaving her family and the boy she loves to claim the life she’s always imagined. But before things have even begun to get off the ground in Atlanta, tragedy brings her back home. As a series of extraordinary events alters her perspective–and sweeping changes come to Ringgold itself–Catherine Grace begins to wonder if her place in the world may actually be, against all odds, right where she began.

So has anything new caught your eye this week?

Current Giveaways!!!

The popular contest that I have noticed out in blogland this week is for Secrets of Happiness by Sarah Dunn. Here are just a few places that you can win it from:

Savvy Verse and Wit--Contest ends 6/18.
Drey's Library--Contest ends 6/19.
Booking Mama--Contest ends 6/26.
Bookin' With Bingo--Contest ends 6/26.
Peeking Between the Pages--Contest ends 6/30.
A Bookworm's World--Contest ends 7/8.

Here are some of the current contests that I have found recently:

Pudgy Penguin Perusals is giving away Cut, Crop & Die by Joanna Campbell Slan--Contest ends 6/21.

Drey's Library is giving away April & Oliver by Tess Callahan--Contest ends 6/23.

A Circle of Books is giving away Stand the Storm by Breena Clarke--Contest ends 6/26.

A Circle of Books is giving away The Host by Stephanie Meyer--Contest ends 6/27.

Bermudaonion is giving away Into the Beautiful North by Luis Alberto Urrea--Contest ends 6/28.

Peeking Between the Pages is giving away A Summer Affair by Elin Hilderbrand--Contest ends 6/30.

Peeking Between the Pages is also giving away Stand the Storm by Breena Clarke--Contest ends 6/30.

Starting Fresh is giving away the Night Gardener by George Pelecanos--Contest ends 6/30.

she reads and reads is giving away Last Night in Montreal by
Emily St. John Mandel--Contest ends 7/1.

All the World's a Stage has a great Kick Off Summer Giveaway--Contest ends 7/5.

Peeking Between the Pages is giving away The Painter from Shangai by Jennifer Cody Epstein--Contest ends 7/5.

Savvy Verse & Wit has a great Blogiversary contest--Contest ends 7/11.

Wondrous Words Wednesday-June 17

Bermudaonion asks you to share new words that you have learned during your reading adventures in the last week. Feel free to join in the fun!

Well I have finally finished Two Brothers-One North, One South by David H. Jones, but I did learn a few more new words before I completed it:

Irascible: [ih-ras-uh-buhl] easily provoked to anger; very irritable.

Here is how irascible was used on page 97:
"My friend Private Nicholas Watkins," he said as he clasped Nick's shoulder, "was in a more irascible temper than usual-so he stepped a pace forward from the ranks, dashed his cap violently to the ground, and said 'I resign!'-'Watkins,' said Captain Murray sternly, 'take your place back in the ranks,' which he did."

Preprandial: [pree-pran-dee-uhl] Before a meal, especially dinner.

Here is how preprandial was used on page 229:
He took "morning bitters" with one group, "an eye-opener" with another, a "preprandial aperitif" with a third, and all together they imbibed an "appetizer."

Fusillade: [fyoo-suh-leyd] a simultaneous or continuous discharge of firearms.

Here is how fussilade was used on page 296:
Following instructions perfectly, they were soon delivering fusillades along the interior walls in both directions.

This was such an interesting book that was packed full of historical information about the Civil War. Please stay tuned for my review within the next couple of days.

So what new words did you encounter this week?

Complete List of Book Club Picks

I have kept an ongoing list of what I have read with my book club on the main page of my blog. I have decided to just start a separate post for this that I can add to and link my reviews, as the list is only getting longer! We have been together for almost 5 years now and I love all of these ladies like sisters. We always have a great time and even if we didn't particularly enjoy the book, we have found it always makes a great discussion!
This last year we have started rating the books that we read on a scale of 1 to 5(1 being the lowest), so the rating that I include in this post is the Average Rating (will be indicated as BC Rating) from our members. We originally started meeting in September, so our calendar basically follows the school year since we do not regularly meet in the summer.

2014/2015
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith, BC Rating: 4.5
The Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline, BC Rating: 5
An Unexpected Grace by Kristin von Kreisler, BC Rating: 1.5
And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini, BC Rating, BC Rating: 3
Christmas Jars by Jason Wright, BC Rating: 4.5
The Prime of Miss Jean Brody by Muriel Spark, BC Rating: 1
The Saturday Night Big Tent Wedding Party by Alexander McCall Smith, BC Rating: 4
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand, BC Rating: 4.5
Still Life With Bread Crumbs by Anna Quindlen, BC Rating: 3
Stella Bain by Anita Shreve, BC Rating: 4.5

2013/2014
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski, BC Rating: 3
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood, BC Rating: 3.5
In the Land of Blue Burqas by Kate McCord, BC Rating: 4.5
The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey, BC Rating: 5
A Wedding in Decmeber by Anita Shreve, BC Rating: 3.5
The Little Giant of Aberdeen County by Tiffany Baker, BC Rating: 4.5
The Double Comfort Safari Club by Alexander McCall Smith, BC Rating: 4
The Promise of Stardust by Priscille Sibley, BC Rating: 3.5
Wonder by R.J. Palacio, BC Rating: 5
Carrie and Me: A Mother-Daughter Love Story by Carol Burnett: BC Rating: 2.5



2012/2013
Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese, BC Rating: 4
Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls, BC Rating: 5
Peace Like a River by Leif Enger, BC Rating: 3.5
Looking For Salvation at the Dairy Queen by Susan Gregg Gilmore, BC Rating: 4
The Christmas Wedding by James Patterson, BC Rating: 2
Home Front by Kristin Hannah, BC Rating: 4
Tea Time for the Traditionally Built by Alexander McCall Smith, BC Rating: 4
Another Piece of My Heart by Jane Green
Between Shades of Grey by Ruta Sepetys
The Sisters by Nancy Jensen


2011/2012
The Help by Kathryn Stockett, BC Rating: 5
Angel Sister by Ann Gabhart, BC Rating: 4
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, BC Rating: 4.5
House Rules by Jodi Piccoult, BC Rating: 4.5
A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg, BC Rating: 3.5
Night Road by Kristin Hannah, BC Rating: 3.5
The Miracle at Speedy Motors by Alexander McCall Smith, BC Rating: 4
The Heretic Queen by Michelle Moran, BC Rating: 5
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, BC Rating: 1
Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin, BC Rating: 3.5



2010/2011
Home in Carolina by Sherryl Woods, BC Rating: 2
Things I've Been Silent About by Azar Nafisi, BC Rating: 3
The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent, BC Rating: 4
The Good Husband of Zebra Drive by Alexander McCall Smith, BC Rating: 4
Comfort and Joy by Kristin Hannah, BC Rating: 5
Prayers for Sale by Sandra Dallas, BC Rating: 5
Nefertiti by Michelle Moran, BC Rating: 5
The Guersey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows, BC Rating: 5
They Almost Always Come Home by Cynthia Ruchti, BC Rating: 2.5
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein, BC Rating: 4.5


2009/2010
Blue Shoes and Happiness by Alexander McCall Smith, BC Rating: 3.5
Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin, BC Rating: 5
Made in the U.S.A.  by Billie Letts, BC Rating: 4
'Tis the Season by Lorna Landvik, BC Rating: 4
My Antonia by Willa Cather, BC Rating: 3.5
Matrimony by Joshua Henkin, BC Rating 2
The Blood of Flowers by Anita Amirrezvani, BC Rating 4.5
The Quilter's Apprentice by Jennifer Chiaverini, BC Rating 4
Where Grace Abides by BJ Hoff, BC Rating 3
Ellen Foster by Kaye Gibbons, BC Rating 4

2008/2009
Charms for the Easy Life by Kaye Gibbons, BC Rating: 4
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Housseini, BC Rating: 5
The View from Mount Joy by Lorna Landvik, BC Rating: 2
Tallgrass by Sandra Dallas, BC Rating: 4
Peony in Love by Lisa See, BC Rating: 3
Finding Noel by Richard Paul Evans, BC Rating: 4
Names My Sisters Call Me by Megan Crane, BC Rating: 4.5
Open Secrets: A Memoir of Faith and Discovery by Richard Lischer, BC Rating 2
Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult, BC Rating: 5
In the Company of Cheerful Ladies by Alexander McCall Smith, BC Rating: 5

2007/2008
Happiness Sold Separately by Lolly Winston
Beyond Tuesday Morning by Karen Kingsbury
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, BC Rating:4.5
Gardens of Water by Alan Drew, BC Rating:4.5
The Virgin of Small Plains by Nancy Pickard, BC Rating:5
Midnight Before Christmas by William Bernhardt, BC Rating:1
Resistance by Anita Shreve, BC Rating:3
The Full Cupboard of Life by Alexander McCall Smith, BC Rating:4
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
by Mark Haddon, BC Rating:3
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett, BC Rating 4

2006/2007
One Tuesday Morning by Karen Kingsbury
Breakfast With Tiffany by Edwin Wintle
The Christmas Train by David Baldacci
My Sisters Keeper by Jodi Picoult
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
The Kalahari Typing School for Men by Alexander McCall Smith
Oh My Stars by Lorna Landvik
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See

2005/2006
A Virtuous Woman by Kaye Gibbons
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
The Good Earth by Pearl Buck
Shoot the Moon by Billie Letts
Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith
Light on Snow by Anita Shreve
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
Morality for Beautiful Girls by Alexander McCall Smith
Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts

2004/2005
A Patchwork Planet by Anne Tyler
Crazy Ladies by Michael Lee West
Where Trouble Sleeps by Clyde Edgerton
The Honk and Holler Opening Soon by Billie Letts
Tall Pine Polka by Lorna Landvik
My Darling Elia by Eugenie Melynk
The Art of Mending by Elizabeth Berg
The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
The Way the Crow Flies by Ann-Marie MacDonald

Monday's Movie-The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

A Novel Menagerie asks us to post about a movie that you watched the week before. We usually watch quite a few movies over the weekend and it is sometimes difficult to only discuss one.


The movie that I want to share with you today is The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.




Here are some of the details from the film:

Starring: Asa Butterfield, Jack Scanlon, & Amber Beattie

Genre: Drama

Runtime: 1 hr, 34 mn

MPAA Rating: PG13

Here is a synopsis of the film from the MSN Movie website:

Vera Farmiga, David Thewlis, and Asa Butterfield star in Little Voice writer/director Mark Herman's adaptation of John Boyne's novel concerning the forbidden friendship that between an eight-year-old German boy and a Jewish concentration camp prisoner in World War II-era Germany. The innocent son of a high-ranking Nazi commandant, Bruno has been largely shielded from the harsh realities of the war. When Bruno discovers that his father has been promoted and that their family will be moving from Berlin into the countryside, he doesn't take the news well. Increasingly bored in his sprawling yet dreary country abode and forbidden by his mother from exploring the backyard, young Bruno searches for something to do while his older sister plays with dolls and vies for the attention of handsome Lieutenant Kotler (Rupert Friend). One day, bored and gazing out his bedroom window, Bruno spies what first appears to be a nearby farm; his parents refuse to discuss it, and all of the inhabitants there are curiously clad in striped pajamas. But while Bruno's mother naïvely believes the "farm" to be an internment camp, her husband has sworn under oath never to reveal that it is in fact an extermination camp specifically designed to help the Nazis achieve their horrific "Final Solution." Eventually defying his mother's rules and venturing out beyond the backyard, Bruno arrives at a barbed wire fence to find a young boy just his age emptying rubble from a wheel barrel. Like Pavel, the kitchen worker who cooks all of Bruno's meals, the young boy is wearing striped pajamas. His name is Shmuel (Jack Scanlon), and before long the two young boys become fast friends. But the closer these two boys grow, the more Bruno becomes awakened to the horrors unfolding all around them. His mother is catching on quickly as well, a fact that causes great tension in her marriage to Bruno's father. Later, after Bruno swipes a piece of cake for Shmuel, Lt. Kotler accuses the Jewish boy of stealing and delivers a swift punishment. When Bruno's father announces that the young boy and his mother will be going to live with their aunt in Heidelberg, Bruno grabs a shovel and makes his way to the camp, setting into motion a tragic and devastating sequence of events. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

My Movie Thoughts:

I have read this book for the WWII challenge and you can see my book review here. I don't want to go into too much detail about this movie as it is very well explained by the synopsis provided above. The movie does follow the book pretty well, so if you read my review you will also have a very good understanding of this fable. The makers of this movie did a great job of showing the Holocaust through the eyes of a young boy. One thing that I did notice in the movie is that the term 'Out-With' was not used at all. I thought that this was a pretty important part of the book so that surprised me a bit. All in all, my whole family enjoyed the movie and I would definitely recommend it so I am going to rate this one 5 out of 5 bags of popcorn!

Friday Finds-June 12

Should Be Reading asks you to share what books you discovered this week that interest you!

This week I have been enticed by Sunnyside Blues by Mary Carter from a few blogs! Booking Mama and A Novel Menagerie gave rave reviews of this book and both have contests to win it! I also read a great review of this book over at Book Chatter and other stuff.

Here is a summary of Sunnyside Blues from Mary Carter's website:

Twenty-five-year-old Andes Lane has spent nine years moving restlessly from place to place as she searches for somewhere that feels right. In the little blue houseboat bobbing on a Seattle lake, she thinks she’s found it. But Andes has barely had a chance to settle in before her new life is upended by her landlord, Jay, and his ten-year-old son, Chase.

Smart, secretive, and precocious, Chase touches a chord with Andes even as he plays on her last nerve. When Jay needs someone to take care of Chase temporarily, Andes agrees to accompany the boy to Sunnyside Queens, on a quest she’s sure will prove fruitless. But in this new, strange, and unexpectedly welcoming city, Andes will confront the secrets she tried to leave behind and the lies that have kept her running. And against all odds, she’ll discover a place, a man, and a newfound peace of mind that feel very much like home. . . .

So what new books caught your eye this week?

Current Giveaways!!!

Here are some of the giveaways that I found this week:

My Friend Amy is giving away The Host by Stephanie Meyer--Contest deadline not noted.

A Novel Menagerie is giving away Sunnyside Blues by Mary Carter--HURRY becasause this contest ends tomorrow, 6/12.

A Circle of Books is giving away A Summer Affair by Elin Hilderbrand--Contest ends 6/13.

Drey's Library is giving away The Last Prince of the Mexican Empire by C.M. Mayo--Contest ends 6/16.

Booking Mama is giving away Sunnyside Blues by Mary Carter--Contest ends 6/17.

Drey's Library is giving away The Host by Stephanie Meyer--Contest ends 6/18.

Savvy Verse & Wit is giving away The Secrets to Happiness by Sarah Dunn--Contest ends 6/18.

A Novel Menagerie is giving away The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff--Contest ends 6/19.

Bookin' With Bingo is giving away April & Oliver by Tess Callahan--Contest ends 6/20.

Peeking Between the Pages is giving away The Host by Stephanie Meyer--Contest ends 6/27.

A Sea of Books is offering a huge Dads and Grads Giveaway--Contest ends 6/27.

At Home With Books has a June Bookshelf Cleaning Giveaway--Contest ends 6/29.

Drey's Library has an awesome Dads & Grads Giveaway--Contest ends 6/30.

A Reader's Respite is giving away The Blue Notebook by James Levine--Contest ends 7/7.

Good luck everyone!

Wondrous Words Wednesday-June 10

Bermudaonion asks you to share new words that you have learned during your reading adventures in the last week. Feel free to join in the fun!

Here are a couple of new words that I have learned this week from reading Two Brothers-One North, One South by David H. Jones:

Reconnoiter: [ree-kuh-noi-ter] to inspect, observe, or survey (the enemy, the enemy's strength or position, a region, etc.) in order to gain information for military purposes.

Here is how Reconnoiter was used on page 59:
"You will reconnoiter the streets between the two aforementioned railroad stations to gain a sense of the public attitude."

Perfidious: [per-fid-ee-uhs] deliberately faithless; treacherous; deceitful.

Here is how perfidious was used on page 68:
"Did William participate in this perfidious conduct?" Melville asked, his tone distasteful.

Acquiescence: [ak-wee-es-uhns] Passive assent or agreement without protest.

Here is how acquiescence was used on page 70:
"I must say, Sarah, that your position on this matter has greatly softened, but your friendship with Southerners cannot allow acquiescence to what is simply wrong."

So what new words have you learned this week?

Teaser Tuesday-June 9

Check out Teaser Tuesdays from Should Be Reading. TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:

Grab your current read.

Let the book fall open to a random page.

Share with us two “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.

You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!

It has been a busy couple of weeks for me so once again my teaser is from Two Brothers: One North, One South by David H. Jones:

The tigers were armed with Mississippi Rifles and each carried a wicked-looking Bowie knife. They had the reputation of being formidable fighters, although they were also notorious in the Confederate Army for their unruly behavior.

pg. 146

Just so you all know, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth! I have just been wrapped up with the high school graduation activities. I will probably post something about those festivities later, but now that those activities are done for the most part, I am hoping that I will be able to finish this book within the next couple of days.

Winners of the Mother's Day Giveaway!

First of all I would like to apologize for taking so long to post the winner of the Mother's Day Giveaway--It's just been a tad bit crazy around our household with all of the graduations taking place.

So without further babbling I want to send out a huge Congratulations to the following ladies for winning this fabulous set of books from Hachette Book Group.

Gaby317

Laura's Reviews

Lifestooshort

Congrats again ladies! I also want to give a special Thank You to Valerie from Hachette Book Group for offering this contest!

I will be emailing you all shortly, so please get back to me as soon as possible with your mailing information so the publisher can mail out the book for you.

Wondrous Words Wednesday-June 3

Bermudaonion asks you to share new words that you have learned during your reading adventures in the last week. Feel free to join in the fun!

Here are a couple of new words that I have learned this week from reading Two Brothers-One North, One South by David H. Jones:

Convivial:(kuhn-viv-ee-uhl) friendly; agreeable.

Here is how convivial was used on page 29:
In fact, most of the people in attendance were well-acquainted with one another, creating a comfortable and convivial atmosphere for the evening.

Manumit: (man-yuh-mit) to release from slavery or servitude.

Here is how manumit was used on page 35:
"I should explain that our family was amonth the first in Virginia to manumit slaves."

So what kind of words did you learn this week?

Winners of the Asian Heritage Month Giveaway!

Congratulations to the following ladies that all won these complete sets!

Valorie

Carolsue

Stacybuckeye

Congratulations to everyone and thank you to Valerie from Hachette Book Group for offering this contest!

I will be emailing you all shortly, so please get back to me as soon as possible with your mailing information so the publisher can mail out these books for you.

Teaser Tuesday-June 2

Check out Teaser Tuesdays from Should Be Reading. TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:

Grab your current read.

Let the book fall open to a random page.

Share with us two “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.

You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!

This week my teaser is from Two Brothers: One North, One South by David H. Jones:

William and George appraised the situation and dispatched the first courier to report that the 6th Massachusetts Militia Regiment had arrived to a noisy reception. William noted that the Massachusetts militiamen wore long blue coats with gold-fringed epaulets and very distinctive shako type hats with large brass shields on the front.

pg. 61

Monday's Movie-Defiance

A Novel Menagerie asks us to post about a movie that you watched the week before. We usually watch quite a few movies over the weekend and it is sometimes difficult to only discuss one.

Defiance is the movie that we watched this weekend that I wanted to share with you all.

Here are the details from the film:

Starring: Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber, Jamie Bell

Genre: War,Drama

Runtime: 2 hrs, 16 mn

MPAA Rating: R

Here is a synopsis of the film from the MSN Movie website:

Inspired by a true story, director Edward Zwick's epic World War II drama Defiance tells the tale of three Jewish Eastern European brothers (Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber, and Jamie Bell) who narrowly escape certain death at the hands of the Nazis, subsequently vowing to avenge the deaths of their loves ones by launching a desperate battle against the forces that seek to exterminate their entire race. The year is 1941, and the setting is Nazi-occupied Poland. The Final Solution is in full effect, and the Jews of Eastern Europe are being slaughtered wholesale. Tuvia (Craig), Zus (Schreiber), and Asael (Bell) have miraculously managed to escape into the dense surrounding forest. Having played in these woods since childhood, the brothers have a distinct advantage over their adversaries, and soon decide that simply surviving is not enough. In order to make a difference, they must take action, but in order to take action they will need support. As whispers of their bravery take wind, others like them appear determined to lay their lives on the line for the cause of freedom. Tuvia has become the de facto leader of the group, but he's still somewhat reluctant to take on such a heavy responsibility and his brother Zus expresses concern that his idealistic plan will ultimately bring about the group's downfall. With winter setting in, everyone works to create a functioning community that will help them endure the frigid months that lie ahead, and Asael reluctantly finds himself caught in the crossfire of his older siblings' rivalry. Is it possible to keep faith alive in a time when the world seems devoid of humanity and survival becomes a way of life? ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

My Movie Thoughts:

I have always loved books from this theme and time period, so movies like this one are usually right up my alley. I remember hearing stories of how some people had hid in the woods, but it was very interesting to see how this actually came about. As the movie began three Jewish brothers decided to take their close friends and family into hiding in the forest. They figured that since they knew the forest like the backs of their hands they would have a very good chance of survival. Before they know it, several others are seeking their protection and it grows from just being a few people to the size of a village. Everyone works together, sharing tasks and chores, but when winter sets in food becomes scarce, and illness finds its way to their community. You can see the disputes and power struggles emerge as they become confined after such a long period of time, but they are able to keep their priorities in order and do what is in the best interest of all to survive. This was actually based on a true story and they survived like this for about two years. I really loved this movie and think that it was very historically informative, so I am going to rate this one 5 out of 5 bags of popcorn.

Current Giveaways!!!

Every week I enjoy sharing some book giveaways that I have found in blogland. With a blog tour going on for Mating Rituals of the North American WASP by Lauren Lipton I found a few chances to win this fun and entertaining book:
Diary of an Eccentric--Contest ends 6/3.
Savvy Verse and Wit--Contest ends 6/3.
Drey's Library--Contest ends 6/7.
Booking Mama--Contest ends 6/10.
Peeking Between the Pages--Contest ends 6/15.
The Burton Review--Contest ends 6/18.

Here are a few more contests that you may be interested in:
The Novel Bookworm is giving away The Last Bridge by Teri Coyne--Contest ends 6/2.

Savvy Verse and Wit is giving away Reunion by Theresa Fowler--Contest ends 6/4.

Diary of an Eccentric is giving away Precious by Sandra Novack--Contest ends 6/5.

Peeking Between the Pages is giving away Sea Changes by Gail Graham--Contest ends 6/11.

I also posted about quite a few contests last week that are still going on that you can view here. Good luck everyone!