Top Ten Tuesdays - Bookish Memories

 

Today's Top Ten Tuesday is Bookish Memories

1.  Visiting the library when I was little: This is probably one of my earliest bookish memories.  My mom and I went to the library constantly. In the summer, my mom would ride her bike with me on the back, until I was old enough to ride a bike myself.  We would go to the park afterwards and eat a lunch and look through our books. Once we took a bus there because I was obsessed with buses and really wanted to ride one. The library is the same one I still go to, and up until last year, the librarian was the same librarian.

2.  Reading in my yard in a tent: When I was little, my parents set up a tent one summer that I read in everyday.  I felt very cool and adventurous. That was also the year I read Harriet the Spy, which inspired me to carry a notebook with me everywhere for a while, writing down my observations.

3.  Attending a writing workshop given by Connie May Fowler:  My dad and I are huge fans of Ms. Fowler, and when we saw she was holding a small writing workshop in St. Augustine a couple of years ago, we of course had to sign up. I flew out alone from Detroit and met my dad in Orlando, and we drove from there to St. Augustine.  The workshop was about ten people and Connie May, in a living room at a beach house. It was awesome.  Everyone else seemed to be a serious writer, in the process of writing a book already - except my dad and I.  Regardless, it was an amazing experience, and I learned a lot in case I ever do write a novel. The best part was eating lunch, just hanging out with Ms. Fowler and her husband and the rest of the group, in the beach house kitchen and balcony, looking out at the Atlantic.  I also had my favorite book by her, Remembering Blue, signed.

4.  Starting my book club:  Book club meetings are one of my favorite days a month. Nerdy I know, but it is always fun.  We try to encourage reading out of our comfort zones.  We also spend a lot of time catching up on each others lives.  

5.  The first time I read Prince of Tides: This was before the movie that we will not talk about. I read this when I was in high school, and I faked being sick so I could stay home and finish it.  I cried my eyes out, but it was love at first sight for me and Conroy's books.

6.  Starting my book blog: I have really enjoyed blogging - it is awesome to see what other people are reading and talk about books. I enjoy this community of big time readers like me. I am not always the most consistent blogger, but that is my goal for the year.

7.  Meeting Kim Harrison:  This was such a fun night.

8.   Meeting Jonathan Rand: The school librarian and I arranged for Rand to speak to our students.  He was very cool to talk to behind the scenes, very down to earth and interesting.

9.  Getting my husband to read, and like it:  My husband is dyslexic, and always hated reading. Reading is such a huge part of my life, and when were dating, I really wanted him to love it as much as I do.  I began by reading books out loud to him - the first book was Bag of Bones, and he loved it.  It was kind of a neat thing, to spend time reading together.  After reading a few more though, I started reading Harry Potter to him. And stopped. Before finishing. He wanted to know what happened and wanted me to read more - I said no, if he wanted to know, he had to read it. So he did, and since then he has become a reader who reads everyday.

10.  Seeing an advanced screening of The Hunger Games: This was amazing. My sister-in-law received free passes to an advanced showing of The Hunger Games from Barnes and Noble, something having to do with a Nook. Seating was by bracelet color, and we had the color to enter the theater first. We waltzed in ahead of everyone, picked the best seats, and minutes later the movie was playing. Everyone there was serious about watching, and there were no people talking, getting up, anything. There weren't even any previews. It was super fun.

It's Monday, What Are You Reading?

It's Monday, What Are You Reading is a weekly blog meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey where you list the books you read last week and the ones you hope to read this week. 

Read Last Week:

I had total reading A.D.D. last week - twelve of my library holds came in, and I kept hopping around from book to book. I couldn't make up mind about which one I wanted to read.  I am going to focus this week for sure!  We also hosted a dinner party on Saturday that consumed much of my time as well.  I am pretty sure I might blog about it as well this week. 

Horns by Joe Hill: Our book club book for January. My review will be up after Thursday, along with a book club recap post. 

Reading this week:

Radio Shangri-La by Lisa Napoli: I love this kind of memoir. Not so much Eat Pray Love, but most memoirs like this. 

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor: I keep reading about how good this series is, so I am going to try it out.

Winter Town by Stephen Emond: I read a bit of this last week, I plan to finish it this week.

      

It's Monday,What Are You Reading?

It's Monday, What Are You Reading is a weekly blog meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey where you list the books you read last week and the ones you hope to read this week. 

Read Last Week:

    

Ever After: Loved it!! Harrison just keeps getting better and better. I had such fun at the author signing!! Review with be up Wednesday. 

Horns by Joe Hill: This book has the best opening paragraphs ever! I am still reading it, and my review will be up after book club next week. 

Reading This Week:

  

Habibi by Craig Thompson: I loved Blankets so much, I want to read this one. 

Winter Town by Stephen Emond: I love winter and I love this cover. 

Reviews Posted:

   

Inside Out and Back Again - Thanhha Lai

Let the Dead Sleep - Heather Graham

Let the Dead Sleep - Review

Title: Let the Dead Sleep
Author: Heather Graham
Source: NetGalley

Goodreads Summary:

It was stolen from a New Orleans grave – the centuries-old bust of an evil man, a demonic man. It’s an object desired by collectors – and by those with wickedness in their hearts.

One day, its current owner shows up at Danni Cafferty’s antiques shop on Royal Street, the shop she inherited from her father. But before Danni can buy the statue, it disappears, the owner is found dead…and Danni discovers that she’s inherited much more than she realized. In the store is a book filled with secret writing: instructions for defeating evil entities. She’d dismissed it as a curiosity…until the arrival of this statue, with its long history of evil and even longer trail of death.

Michael Quinn, former cop and now private investigator, is a man with an unusual past. He believes that doing the right thing isn’t a job – it’s a way of life. And the right thing to do is find and destroy this object weighted with malevolent powers. He and Danni are drawn together in their search for the missing statue, following it through sultry New Orleans nights to hidden places in the French Quarter and secret ceremonies on abandoned plantations.

Cafferty and Quinn already know that trust in others can be misplaced, that love can be temporary. And yet their connection is primal. Mesmerizing. They also know that their story won’t end when this case is closed and the dead rest in peace once again.

My thoughts:

If a book is set in New Orleans, I will read it. A bit like Field of Dreams. "If you build it, they will come. " For me, if it is set in New Orleans, I will read it.  I have read other books by Graham set in the city, apparently she enjoys it as much as I do.

 A haunted antique, voodoo, a secret family history, the French Quarter and plantations, and interesting characters made this book entertaining and fun. It was easy to get lost in the words, and the answer to the mystery veiled just enough that you thought you knew it all but then you learn at the end, you didn't quite know it all.  The only criticism I have is that it became a little repetitive - the characters would get up, have breakfast, hunt for the bust, go home, shower, eat dinner, then get up and do the same thing all over again. 

This book is definitely a fun, easy read, pure escapism. If you like Heather Graham, or romantic supernatural thrillers, pick this one up for sure. 

Ever After - Review

Title: Ever After (The Hollows #11)
Author: Kim Harrison
Source: Nicola's Books - Book Signing with Kim Harrison!

Goodreads Summary:

The ever after, the demonic realm that parallels the human world, is shrinking. If it disappears completely, so does all magic. It's up to witch-turned-daywalking-demon Rachel Morgan to avert catastrophe and keep life from changing... for the worse.

While saving the world is important, it isn't Rachel's only motivation. There's also the small fact that she caused the ley line to rip in the first place, setting off a chain reaction of unfortunate events. That little mistake has made her life forfeit unless she can fix it. It's also made her more than a few enemies, including the most powerful demon in the ever after—a terrifying entity who eats souls and now has an insatiable appetite for her. He's already kidnapped her friend and goddaughter to lure her out, and if Rachel doesn't give herself up soon, they'll die.

But Rachel has more than a few impressive and frightening skills of her own, and she isn't going to hand over her soul and her life without one hell of a fight. She's also got a surprise: elven tycoon Trent Kalamack. With this unlikely ally beside her—a prospect both thrilling and unnerving—she's going to return to the ever after, kick some demon butt, rescue her loved ones... and prevent an apocalypse before it's too late. Or, at least that's the plan...

My Thoughts:

I always feel weird reviewing books that are in a series, when I haven't started with number 1.  It makes me feel like I am in the starting  during the middle of a story - which I guess I basically am.  So I apologize for doing this, if this is a series you are not familiar with. 

At the signing, Kim said that there only going to be 13 books in the series, and that number 13 is already written, its just in editing.  I don't want this series to end, I am not ready to say goodbye!! I understand though, I read a few series simply for the fact that I have always read them, and I have seen their deterioration, such as with the Sookie series and the Stephanie Plum series.  They should have ended a few books ago, in my opinion.  But so far, the Hollows have not gone downhill, and in fact, have only gotten better! Harrison is able to change the characters, make them grow, without ruining the books.  In doing so, the characters have not stagnated either.

I knew when I bought this book, that I would want to read it until I finished, cover to cover, without stopping, so I didn't read it immediately. I waited until Saturday, as my husband was working, and  I could devote my whole day to reading  the book. I am so glad I did, because I was right, I didn't want to put it down!  I don't want to give any spoilers, so I will keep my comments simple.  This book has shot to the top of the list of my favorites in the series, and is in the top spot, surpassing my long time favorite, A Fistful of Charms.  It was a roller coaster ride, and I didn't know how it was going to end.  I even shed some tears. A few times. I really don't want to say anymore, for fear of revealing anything, so I will stop here. But I do recommend this series to anyone who enjoys reading urban fantasy. 

If you have read this and want to talk about it more with me, feel free to email me directly!

Challenges and Giveaways..

       

I saw this challenge on Introverted Reader, and I love the concept! I am excited to participate.  The European Reading Challenge is hosted by Rose City Reader. I hope to attain Deluxe Entourage Status, but we shall see!









Literary Giveaway Blog Hop!

I have never participated in a blog hop before, so I am a little intimidated, but I thought I would stick my toes in the water and try it out.  I plan on giving away a copy of a book by either Jack London or Rudyard Kipling. 

Ever After book signing with Kim Harrison

A month ago, Mary called Nicola's Books and made our line reservation.  We had been waiting excitedly for last night since then.  The event was being held the day that Ever After was released, so it was the launch of the book, right in Harrison's home state.  

I picked Mary up at 5 pm, on the coldest day of the year so far, -16 degrees kind of cold.  I was bundled up  in a sweater, coat, scarf, hat, and gloves. Mary threw caution to the wind and went sans winter clothing. I was so afraid we were going to have to wait outside in a line, and park far away in a structure and have to hike it to the store. 

Thank goodness, when we got there 45 minutes later, we found a huge parking lot with a close spot. Then we went into the warm goodness of the adorable bookstore, we found an area set up with chairs for the reading and Q&A. For some reason, I missed the fact that Kim Harrison was going to actually read to us from the book and answer a few questions before the signing. Mary and I were among the first there, and picked out chairs that had a great, unobstructed view.  

That is Mary pre-signing, after we had bought our books and were sitting in our chairs waiting patiently. After waiting an hour, talking books and taking turns getting up and browsing, it was finally time!  Kim Harrison's husband came out to introduce her, and then there she was!

Kim reading to the crowd of fans.

The people ahead of us in line, getting their books signed. 

 Kim Harrison signing my books!  I asked her to sign the new release, Ever After, and also an older paperback of mine that I have read a million times. It is my favorite in the series (so far), A Fistful of Charms. Ms. Harrison saw my book and said that she had to check the publication date since it looked like such an old book. Lol.  She checked, it was a first edition. She also commented that my book looked well-loved and well read. So true. 

My signed books. The inscription on Ever After is "It's over when Jenks says so".  The inscription on the other says "Pixies rule, Demons Drool". Again, so true.

So these next photos. Don't judge us please lol.  I have no idea why we look so crazy!! I know we were fangirling pretty hard, and it shows. We look nuts. Honestly, we don't look like these photos show us. Lol.  My trusty camera that I love was being rude as well - for some reason it wasn't working like normal. Which made me nervous! I guess we will have to go again when she does another tour, so we can get better photos!

Mary with Kim Harrison. She honestly doesn't usually close her eyes like that. :)

Me. I don't know what this face is! I look bored or above it all or something which is not true! I was super excited!! I also had hat hair.

From the "bunny cam", via Kim Harrison's website. 

This is a better photo. 

I am happy to add Kim Harrison to the list of authors I have met - which really isn't many! I have met Vincent Bugliosi, Bruce Campbell, and Connie May Fowler. Meeting Ms. Fowler was amazing, since I went to a small, twelve person writing workshop held by Fowler in a beach house in Florida, with my dad. It was so awesome!  

Kim Harrison was so genuinely nice and gracious, it was so cool to meet her and speak with her. Nicola's Books did a wonderful job managing the event, it was easy for rookies like us, and most of all warm!  

With the excitement over, we decided food was a necessity. I wasn't sure what was around where we were to eat, so I drove to one of my favorite restaurants in nearby Ypsilanti, Sidetracks Bar and Grill.  By this time, the wind was howling an arctic chill, and it was snowing and icing up. But I am down with adventure.  The parking lot we were in was a bit shady, with a lone cowboy hanging out outside his (?) car a few spots over.  Not wanting to take the risk of theft, we took our signed books in with us. :)  We parked a million miles away, and slogged through the tundra, freezing our fannies off.  

Thankfully, the bar was snug and warm.  We were seated at the table right next to the fireplace, which we greatly appreciated. We ordered hot tea to start off with, and Mary looked around, as it was her first time there. Its a funky little place with a lot of character, and we had a moose head right above our own heads, and the moose had a pretty little tiara on. Fancy moose. We ordered our food, devoured it, and made the long journey home.  We had some good talks in the car, and I was brimming with excitement and couldn't stop talking my poor husband's ear off once I got home. It was a great evening, and a great start to my year!

*Please do not use photos without permission or credit at least. Thanks!!