What's in a Name 4 Challenge!

I was very excited to see that Beth Fish Reads has decided to host this challenge for 2011.  I've had a lot of fun participating in this challenge for the last couple of years, although I'm still not quite done with the 2010 challenge.  I know I'm cutting it close but I think I will be able to do it!

Here is what is lined up for the challenge for 2011 as indicated on the sign-up page:

Between January 1 and December 31, 2011, read one book in each of the following categories:

1. A book with a number in the title: First to Die, Seven Up, Thirteen Reasons Why
One Summer by David Baldacci--Completed 11/12/11

2. A book with jewelry or a gem in the title: Diamond Ruby, Girl with a Pearl Earring, The Opal Deception
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls--Completed 10/31/11

3. A book with a size in the title: Wide Sargasso Sea, Small Wars, Little Bee

4. A book with travel or movement in the title: Dead Witch Walking, Crawling with Zombies, Time Traveler's Wife
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein--Completed 5/31/11

5. A book with evil in the title: Bad Marie, Fallen, Wicked Lovely
The Traitor's Wife by Kathleen Kent--Completed 8/19/11

6. A book with a life stage in the title: No Country for Old Men, Brideshead Revisited, Bog Child
The Girl in the Garden by Kamala Nair--Completed 4/24/11

I really appreciate that this is a pretty flexible challenge in that you do not need to make a list ahead of time and you can use various modes of reading, such as e-books, audiobooks, or even the real thing!  I will update this post as I read books for this challenge.  So what are you waiting for?  Head on over and sign up now here to join us for 2011.

Review: The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent

Here is a summary of The Heretic's Daughter from the Hachette website:

Martha Carrier was one of the first women to be accused, tried and hanged as a witch in Salem, Massachusetts. Like her mother, young Sarah Carrier is bright and willful, openly challenging the small, brutal world in which they live. Often at odds with one another, mother and daughter are forced to stand together against the escalating hysteria of the trials and the superstitious tyranny that led to the torture and imprisonment of more than 200 people accused of witchcraft. This is the story of Martha's courageous defiance and ultimate death, as told by the daughter who survived.

Kathleen Kent is a tenth generation descendent of Martha Carrier. She paints a haunting portrait, not just of Puritan New England, but also of one family's deep and abiding love in the face of fear and persecution.

My Review:
This was a fascinating book that gave us a glimpse at what life was like for those persecuted during the times of the Salem Witch Trials.  This book is actually Sarah's story, who was a young girl that was thrown in prison along with her mother for practicing witchcraft.

Events spin out of control as the town slowly turns against the Carrier family.  The Carrier's were just another hardworking family that were just able to make ends meet.  After surviving the smallpox epidemic with minimal casualties one would think that life would get back to normal for the family.  But when the family took in a young girl, Mercy, to help with the farm chores, little did they know how this one girl would impact their future.

After Mercy has a falling out with the Carrier's she is sent to another farm to work.  Mercy obviously is harboring ill feelings over what took place and decides to make implications towards Martha Carrier every chance she could get.  It still amazes me to think that one girls claim of witchcraft could cause the incarceration and eventually the death of an innocent woman.

As they imprisoned these women, one after another from erroneous claims, they eventually would arrest the children for practicing witchcraft also.  Most of the children were released after admitting to the practicing of witchcraft, as long as they were able to survive their time in prison.  The conditions in the Salem jail were as inhumane as I could possibly imagine.  Everyone was housed together from babies to old men and women, there really was no segregation or privacy allowed, except for separating the individuals that were sure to be hung.

Eventually Sarah was incarcerated with all of her family, given the exception of her father.  Unfortunately she did not get the opportunity to be with her mother during this time since she was on the other side of the hall.  When she was able to inch close to the hall she could catch a glimpse of her mother who would always offer survival tips and words of encouragement.  This part of the story was just horrifying for me and some may find it difficult to read.

This was a very engaging story that taught me a lot about the events that took place during the Salem Witch Trials.  I really did not have much knowledge about this part of our history before reading this book.  Since my entire book club also enjoyed this book I do not hesitate in recommending this book for your group.  There are some great discussion questions and more information from the author available at the Hachette website here.  With themes of love, honor, pride and family this book will keep you turning the pages.

My Rating:  4/5

Disclosure:  This book is from my personal collection and I read it for my own entertainment.  I actually received this book from Alyce from At Home With Books as a gift from the Book Blogger Holiday Swap from a couple of years ago...so thanks Alyce!

Books Won Reading Challenge Completed!

I am very pleased to announce that I have officially completed this challenge.  I was thinking about waiting to post about completing this one, in the event that I read more books that I had won before the end of the year, but I don't see that happening any time soon!  I want to give a special Thank You to So Many Precious Books, So Little Time  for hosting this challenge!  As you can see from my original post I signed up for the Bronze level, which means reading 4-6 books that I have won.  Well I successfully finished this challenge by reading the 6 following books that I have won.  You should be able to click on the titles to see my reviews.

Matrimony by Joshua Henkin--Completed 1/27/2010
The Unnamed by Joshua Ferris--Completed 3/14/2010
The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova--Completed 5/17/2010
Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith--Completed 6/2/2010
Cross Country by James Patterson--Completed 6/19/2010
Absolute Power by David Baldacci--Completed 7/20/2010

So there is another challenge completed!  Have you participated in any reading challenges this year?

Mailbox Monday-Dec. 13

Thanks to Marcia of The Printed Page for starting the Mailbox Monday Meme that has us list the books that we received last week. Although Marcia isn't going to be hosting Mailbox Monday any longer, she set it up so different bloggers have the opportunity to host this meme for a month at a time. This month the host is Let Them Read Books and you can go to her blog to see what everyone else got last week or to play along.

Here is what I found in my mailbox:

Wench by Dolen Perkins-Valdez

I received this one for a blog tour that I will be participating in towards the end of January so stay tuned!  Was there anything fun in your mailbox?  And yes, I am sad that the Packers lost yesterday!

Winner of Brava, Valentine!

I'm very excited to announce that the winner of Brava, Valentine by Adriana Trigiani is.....

skkorman

Congratulations!  I will be emailing you shortly to get your mailing information so I can get this book sent to you in time for Christmas!  Thanks to everyone for entering the contest!

The Winner of Oogy!

I am so happy to announce that the winner of the Oogy audiobook is

Ruthie

Congratulations Ruthie!  I will be emailing you shortly to get your mailing information to forward to the publisher.  I've absolutely loved listening to this audiobook and I hope you do too!  Thanks once again to Anna from Hachette for offering this giveaway on my blog.

Current Giveaways!!!

Here are some giveaways that I found recently that might interest you!  If I missed posting about your giveaway please feel free to add the link in the comment section below.

A Sea of Books is giving away the audiobook of The Reversal by Michael Connelly--Contest ends 12/10.

Bookin' With Bingo is giving away Cleopatra by Stacy Schiff--Contest ends 12/21.

At Home With Books is having her December Bookshelf Cleaning Giveaway--Contest ends 12/26.

The Eclectic Reader is having a Festive Season Giveaway--Contest ends 12/30.

And don't forget to check out my giveaways on my sidebar!  Good luck everyone!