Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts

Put Your Library on Your Smartphone | Works For Me Wednesday

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Hello, my name is Melanie and I'm an addict. A book addict. I know, I know. You're probably thinking there are worse things to be addicted to. I wholeheartedly agree. The problem is, I tend to buy the same book multiple times.

My library has a used book store. They're my dealers. I stop in every time I'm in the area. OK, sometimes when I'm not, too. I can get trade sized paperbacks for $2.50 at the most but I generally stick the $1 cart. How can I pass that up? I can't, that's how. But, I get so excited I can't remember if I have a title at home or not. I've probably spent about $15 buying repeat titles. $15 isn't alot in the grand scheme of things, but that's 15 books I haven't read, wasted.

When I came home with my second copy of Women on the Edge of a Nervous Breakthrough, I got so mad at myself I knew I had to figure out something. I was going to write all my 'To Be Read' titles in the notebook I carry in purse, but this 2011. It took me a minute to figure out a solution, but I'm pleased with the results. 

There are 14 photos total

I took pictures of my book stash, put them in a folder on my computer and uploaded them into the photos section of my iPod. If I had a smartphone it would be a little easier, especially when I bring new books home. But, since I always have my iPod with me, for now the system is working. I scrolled through the pics the other day and they saved me from bringing home See Jane Date. Again.

I hope this Works For Me Wednesday trick helps my fellow 
literary addicts!

Bloodroot and Holly's Inbox: Book Reviews

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Last week I finished two books I really enjoyed, Bloodroot by Amy Greene and Holly's Inbox by Holly Denham. Bloodroot only took me three days to finish. I heard about it the books section of one of my magazines. I loved it! I don't know why I'm fascinated with stories whose characters have 'the touch' or some other mystical power. Same with books set in the south (location was part of the reason I loved The Help, too). This book has childhood friendships, familial loyalty and a little bit of tragedy. It's set in Appalachia and spans almost 50 years. I was sucked in within the first few pages. 


Bloodroot (Vintage Contemporaries) Holly's Inbox Holly's Inbox: Scandal in the City

Holly's Inbox is set in Britain. Every book that came out after Bridget Jone's has had some type of comparison. This is one is called Bridget Jones meets technology. The story is told entirely through emails between Holly, her friends, her family and co-workers. It's not a small book at 672 pages but since it's not all text, it reads really fast. It's cute and funny just as chick lit should be. I have the sequel but am only about 20 pages in. Interesting side note, Holly Denham is the character's name. The author is actually a man. 

Both these books would be good beach reads.

Oprah Let Me Down

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

'Book Addiction' photo (c) 2010, Emily Carlin - license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/
For the past few weeks I've been juggling two books. One was our December/January book club selection and the other just because. Both are really meaty books, 600+ pages. Both are on Oprah's book lists. Both of them suck! 

I usually stick with a book. No matter how awful it is, I'll keep plugging away, especially if the book is something tons of other people talk about and love. Well, not this time. I waved the white book mark, threw in the proverbial towel. I took Freedom back to the library yesterday after about 250 pages. 

I didn't like the characters. I didn't like Franzen's writing style. I didn't care about the story. It was a giant snooze. I feel like a quitter but I have about 50 books in my 'to be read' and most of them look so good. I'd walk past them all on my way to bed knowing that one of them was going to knock my socks off and then open Freedom. I couldn't take it anymore. 

Then there's Wally Lamb's I Know This Much is True. I'm about 360 pages into it. I was really looking forward to it because both Deb and Mary loved it. But it's soooooo depressing! Not that depressing is bad. I've read books with heavy themes before and still enjoyed them. But this? Whoa.

We already had our book club meeting so I know the ending. This one I'm going to stick with (I think) but only because I want to see how certain plot lines play out. I will say I enjoy the writing in this book much better than Freedom. I haven't read too may of Oprah's book club selections but I've liked all the titles I've read. Until now.

What books have you waved the white book mark on? Have you read Freedom or I Know This Much is True? What did you think?

The $5 Dinner Mom Cookbok: Hot Deal on Amazon

Sunday, October 24, 2010

I met Erin of $5 Dinners when I went to General Mills last year. Erin is one of the reasons I started taking couponing more seriously. I had been reading her blog for awhile and was excited to meet her in person.

Me and Erin in the General Mills Test Kitchens
Her first cookbook came out at the end of last year. I've been meaning to buy it and I'm glad I came across the great deal on Amazon today. It's only $5.42 and ships free if you have an Amazon Prime account (or if you're buying $25 in qualifying merchandise). Erin is a doll in person and I'm so happy for her and her success!

I try to be supportive of my blogging friends whenever I can, especially in ways that help their bottom line. Heck, I ordered The Pioneer Woman Cooks and I don't even read her blog. But I think it's amazing and wonderful that so many in the blogging community have been able to turn their passions into viable careers.

The $5 Dinner Mom Cookbook has a limited quantity at this price. At this price it's a great book to have on hand for the holidays as a hostess gift, teacher gift or an I-didn't-know-you-were-going-to-get-me-a-gift gift. Get it before it sells out! 

Other books by some of the bloggers I read:

Cake Pops: Tips, Tricks, and Recipes for More Than 40 Irresistible Mini Treats by Angie from Bakerella (I got to meet her at General Mills too!)



(I met Chris and Scott at Disney Social Media Moms. We sat at the same table during the sessions. It was one of the highlights of the conference for me.)


Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man: What Men Really Think About Love, Relationships, Intimacy, and Commitment by my friend Denene from My Brown Baby. She a rockstar and I totally want to be her when I grow up.

Have you read a book by a fellow blogger that I should know about? 
Let me know!
*All links are Amazon Affiliate links.

The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder: Book Review

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

I'm not sure why I'm fascinated by books set in the post Depression south. I think it's the novelty of the way modern day authors portray the south and southern hospitality. I read The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder as part of TLC Book Tours. 


I've read all of Rebecca Wells' other books and was excited to see a new title. I wish I could say I loved it; and I'm glad I can say I didn't hate it.  I think the Ya Ya's books were so enjoyable, it was inevitable that I'd compare them despite Calla Lily being a stand alone novel and not part of a series (unless that's coming).

In a nutshell, The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder is about a young girl, the book's namesake, and her path from childhood to adulthood dealing with different tragedies and triumphs with love and loss thrown in. The book starts out well, lags in the middle and falters a bit at the end. I like many of the themes in the book, like the strength of relationships with family and friends. But, there was a lot of syrup-y overkill too.

What I didn't like:
*The book felt unfinished. Or perhaps as though this version should have been a draft. Parts of it just weren't smooth.
*It felt too long. Parts could have been left out entirely or shortened.
*I'm glad Wells didn't gloss over the state of race relations for the time (I believe it begins in the late 50's or early 60's), but the one section she included, the beating of a young boy, seemed thrown in just so she could say she didn't ignore it.
*The ending, though predictable, happened very abruptly. I could have done with less of some things in the middle of the book and a slightly longer resolution.
*Calla Lily and her family are from La Luna, Louisiana. The Moon Lady and a reverence for the moon is a constant theme throughout the book. It got really tiresome at times.

What I did like:
*The story itself is really sweet. 
*Wells has a way with words. When she's not overwhelming us with the Moon Lady with lines like this:

"The moon, La Luna, is always there. Her pull is strong, strong enough to move the mighty Mississippi, Calla. The Moon Lady, La Luna, is your bridge from darkness to light. Trust in her strength," 

her writing is really lyrical and pretty.

"This was all before I started school and was graced to spend days on end with my mother, so rich and private that even now I can close my eyes and relive them."

I also like the way Wells wrote Calla's mother. Some of the things she says are priceless, " If cleanliness is next to Godliness, then pampering is next to Goddessness." (so true!)
*I'm a sucker for love stories, especially childhood love and reunions. 
*As I said above, I really like stories about the strength of family and lasting friendship bonds, particularly stories about girlfriends who grow up together.

While I wouldn't put this with my top reads or as a book I'd read again, overall I enjoyed it. You can listen to Book Club Girl interview Wells about the book on Blog Talk Radio

Have you read The Crowning Glory? What did you think? 
(This is my first book review, did I give too much information? Not enough? Did I ruin the book for you?)

*TLC Tours gave me a copy of the book to review. I'm sure I'll pass it on to my mom. Unless she reads this review. She has less patience for books that don't 'wow' in the first few chapters than I do.The link to the book is my Amazon affiliate.

2010 Reading List

Sunday, January 3, 2010

I didn't do such a great job at keeping up with my reading list last year. I'd like to do better this year because it is nice to be able to look back and see what books impacted me and in what ways. I'll move this over to the sidebar shortly along with the lists for 2008 and 2009. (all links are Amazon affiliate)

How Starbucks Saved My Life: A Son of Privilege Learns to Live Like Everyone Else - (Michael Gates Gill) This wasn't as good as I was hoping it would be. Still, it was interesting to read about and "old, white guy" losing his status and privilege but finding meaning and happiness in working for others.

Love and Other Natural Disasters - (Holly Shumas) Loved it! A good, fast read about infidelity in a marriage. I've felt an emotional affair would be much harder to overcome than a physical one and this book confirms that.

Never Change - (Elizabeth Berg) I said before in last year's reading list that she's one of my new favorites and this book didn't disappoint.

The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing -  (Melissa Bank) Loved it! I really like her writing style and some of her sentences were beautiful. Very fast read.

U is for Undertow (Kinsey Millhone Mystery) - (Sue Grafton) Not as good as some of her other alphabet series but still enjoyable and super fast.

The Help  - (Kathryn Stockett) LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! I can't stop telling people about this book. I read it in a few days. It's a different take on white privilege, racism and class. I was skeptical of a book on those themes written by a white woman but Stockett did a great job.

Someone Like You - (Cathy Kelly) I really like her books. I've thought before they are a little longer than they need to be and had the same feeling with this one. The ending was predictable but it was still a good, light read.

The Friday Night Knitting Club - (Kate Jacobs) I've been wanting to read this for awhile. I like books about female friendships and bonding. This was a little cliche at times with the mother/daughter rebellious pre-teen relationship, but I liked and appreciated the way she handled the mixed couple and bi-racial daughter. An easy, quick read.

Little Earthquakes - (Jennifer Weiner) I've read all of her books, my favorites being Good in Bed and In Her Shoes. Typical me, they're light, fast easy reads.

Her Fearful Symmetry: A Novel - (Audrey Niffenegger) I loved The Time Traveler's Wife so much I feel the bar was set super high for her second book. It started slow but I kept at it. I ended up really enjoying it.

A Reliable Wife - (Robert Goolrick) Loved! Even though it felt a little slow at times it was really, really good. How this man could know what he knows but still love his wife anyway is amazing! I can't say much without ruining it but the twist at the end blindsided me.

The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder - (Rebecca Wells) I read all the Ya Ya books and loved them. This one didn't read the same and I didn't like it as much, but it's still a good story overall. Read my full review here.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo -  (Steig Larsson) I'd heard such great things about this book I expected to be blown away. I had a really hard time getting into it. Because of the raves I stuck with it but it didn't really start to hold my interest until about page 130. That's a loooonggg time for a book to be only 'OK'. But, it picked up after that I ended up enjoying it. I'll probably get the next book, The Girl Who Played with Fire, but definitely not a new copy.

Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose (Tony Hsieh) I really liked this. The Zappos CEO is a good storyteller and the from the ground up history of Zappos is fascinating. Read the full review here.

Very Valentine - (Adriana Trigiani) Loved. I started reading her with the Big Stone Gap series and I've been a fan ever since. I'm looking forward to the next in this series.

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet  - (Jamie Ford) I loved this book. It was recommended to me by someone with a connection to the real hotel featured in the book. It's a fast read and a great love story. Read my full review.

Goodbye, Jimmy Choo - (Annie Sanders) Of course I picked the book up because of the shoes. The story is about two women who are different but end up becoming friends and starting a business together. I didn't love it, but I liked it a lot better than I thought I would.

Belong to Me: A Novel - (Marissa de los Santos) I loved it. I read her other book, Love Walked In, and knew I'd enjoy her second book. I like stories of complicated family relationships and this one didn't disappoint.

The Kommandant's Girl - (Pam Jenoff) I like this book. It deals with the Nazi occupation of Poland but it's not as depressing as that sounds. I think the ending was a little abrupt but otherwise it was good.

The Girl Who Played with Fire - (Steig Larsson) The second in the trilogy. I definitely liked this better than Dragon Tattoo. It started off better and the pace was good. I think it only took me three days.

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest - (Steig Larsson) This is the last in the trilogy. I loved it. I read it in two days. All the plots come together nicely. I'm sad that it's over and hope the rumors of another novel are true.

Bossy's Excellent Reader Submitted Summer Beach Reads {+ Giveaway}

Friday, June 19, 2009

*Giveaway is closed* Affiliate links used

I've probably mentioned a few times that I love to read. My pile of 'to be read' books is getting so big I'm afraid it's going to topple over. But, if I find a book on the clearance rack or in my library book store, I have no problem adding it on.

When I went into my Google Reader this past Tuesday night and saw that Bossy's theme for Ten Word Tuesday was summer reading I think I drooled a little.

Several of the comments mentioned wanting to see all the suggestions compiled into a list. I, being a total book whore, offered to put it together. I apologize if I messed up or forgot to link anyone's blog. I haven't read many of these titles. I'm excited to add some to my list.

Win It!
Have you read anything on this list? Did you love it? Hate it? Have any really good suggestions to add? Leave a
relevant comment and win a $10 Amazon gift card! (rules at the bottom of the post)



Suggested summer reading submitted by fans of I Am Bossy 
to Ten Word Tuesday

Have the T-shirt said: The Spellman Files (and the two follow up books) by Lisa Lutz
Michele P said: The Given Day by Dennis Lehane
dgm said: Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner
Marjorie of Connecticut said :Still Life by Louise Penny (1st in a series of 5 thus far)
Chookooloonks said: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
SueBoo said: Hold Tight by Hal Coben
leslie said: The Pact by Jodi Picoult
Marjorie of Connecticut said: Folly by Laurie R. King
Leslie said: The Pleasure of My Company Steve Martin
Meg at the Members Lounge said: The Historian, Elizabeth Kostova
KM said: Katherine by Anya Seton or The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde
Amy and Ellie said: The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewskij
Lora said: She's Come Undone, by Wally Lamb
Jamie said:
-The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, by Junot Diaz
-Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, Annie Dillard
Jenny said: When You Are Engulfed in Flames, by David Sedaris or On Chesil Beach, Ian McEwen
Amber Star said: The Berrybender Narratives series by Larry McMurty
hollygee said: Welcome to Temptation, Jennifer Crusie
Jamie said: Outlander, by Diana Gabaldon (this was suggested many times and I agree, it's one of my favorites, I've read it at least 6 times)
confused said: Middlesexby Jeffrey Eugenides
Owengirl79 said:The Noticer by Andy Andrews
heather said: The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood
Jamie said: The Chris Farley Show: A Biography in Three Acts, by Tom Farley Jr and Tanner Colby
vuboq said: Deep Economy by Bill McKibben
Meredith said: Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen (this was also suggested many times and I agree, it's excellent)
Rae said: Freddy and Fredericka, by Mark Helprin
Elizabeth said: Gods in Alabama by Joshilyn Jackson (very, very good; she's becoming one of my favorite authors)
Heide said: Michael Chabon, The Yiddish Policemen's Union
Lauren said: The Road, Cormac McCarthy
Stephanie said: When the Wind Blows and The Lake House by James Patterson
Leslie B said: The Tender Bar by JR Moehringer
Michelle and Skeller said: The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
The Domestic Goddess said: [anything by]
-Jane Austin
-The Bronte Sisters
-Thomas Hardy
-Edith Wharton
Leslie B said: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer
Maryjo said: Audrey Niffenegger, The Time Traveler's Wife(suggested multiple times, a must read!!!)
Debbie said: An American Childhoodby Annie Dillard
Marnie said: Wildflower: An Extraordinary Life and Untimely Death in Africa, by Mark Seal
Kate said: American Wife - Curtis Sittenfeld
Lance said: Infidel - Ayaan Hirsi Ali
Renee in Seattle and Dr. Liz said: The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet
David said: One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish - Dr. Seuss
Jean said: Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris (True Blood fans, this is part of the Sookie Stackhouse series)
Caro said: My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult (movie coming out soon)
POD said: The Survivors Club: The Secrets and Science that Could Save Your Life by Ben Sherwood
Fiona Picklebottom said: Beach Music by Pat Conroy (loved it!)
Tammy said: The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
Dharmamama said: Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust by Immaculée Ilibagiza
Dharmamama said: The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
kd said: The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game, Michael Lewis
Methodpam said: Foolby Christopher Moore
Amanda said: Rhett Butler's Peopleby: Donald McCaig
Eileen said: Someone Knows My Name by Lawrence Hill
Elle said: Conversations with God, Neale Donald Walsch
Jenna said: A Complicated Kindness, Miriam Toews
Jacquie said: The Book Thief, Markus Zusak
Donna said: Cane River by Latita Tademy
rockle said: Bloodsucking Fiends by Christopher Moore
The Great Getzby said:
-Speak, Memory by Vladimir Nabokov
-July's People by Nadine Gordimer
-The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
-Libra, Don DeLillo
-Catch-22, by Joseph Heller
-Archie Comics Double Digest
-South of the Border, West of the Sun, by Haruki Murakami
-To The Lighthouse, Viginia Woolf
-The Dead, by James Joyce, from “The Dubliners”
Amelia said: Pretty in Plaid - Jennifer Lancaster (reading now, love it!)
sara said: Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
KimA said: The Bookseller of Kabulby Asne Seierstad
Dee said: Any of the Stephanie Plum books by Janet Evonovich - One for the Money up through Finger Lickin’ Fifteen
Liz in Virginia said: The Solace of Leaving Early, by Haven Kimmel
bechtoldlifework said: The Wife, by Meg Wolitzer
deedle said: Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout
Franca Bollo said: Year of Wonders, Geraldine Brooks
Surcie said: I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti(Non-fiction) Giulia Melucci
BirdBrain said: The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
Sara said: A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving Debbie said: The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough
Deborah said: The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig, anything by James Lee Burke
Suburban Turmoil said: War and Peace
Sugarpie said: With Bold Knife and Fork; M. F. K. Fisher
Bossy's Mom said: Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri
JC said: Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
Laurellee said: East of Eden by John Steinbeck
Cupcake Murphy said: The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen and The Elephant Vanishes by Haruki Murakami
Lianne said: The Memory of Running, by Ron McLarty or The The Sound of Butterflies, by Rachel King
Elizabeth said: James Patterson’s Women's Murder club series or Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum Series
Catherine McP said: [Any of the] 4 cookbooks by Kit Wohl
Abbey said: The Correctionsby Jonathan Franzen. Also, Jonathan Safran Foer: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Sugarpie said: Speak, Memory, To The Lighthouse, and Confederacy of Dunces, by John Kennedy Toole
Kait said: Jenna Blum’s Those Who Save Us
Suburban Kamikaze said: Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea by Charles Seife
Marinka said: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith
Amanda said: The Master and Margarita, Mikhail Bulgakov
Maria said: Auntie Mame: An Irreverent Escapade, a 1955 novel by Patrick Dennis
Carrie said: My Life in France by Julia Child
Lissa Lou said: My Life in France by Louise Erdrich
Jen said: The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold (The Almost Moon was really good too)

Ren said: Loving Frank by Nancy Horan

Beth said: Lolita, and [anything by] Edith Wharton and Jane Smiley, (House of Mirth, A Thousand Acres) and Housekeeping by Marilynn Robinson
ErinH said: The Flying Troutmans by Miriam Toews and A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry
Cinthia said: Any of the “No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency ” books by Alexander McCall Smith and Patty Boyd’s Wonderful Tonight: George Harrison, Eric Clapton, and Me
martha said: Glamour and Sparkles, both by Louise Bagshawe
Sven said: Anna Karenina, Tolstoy
deborah said: Any mystery by Ian Rankin (especially Resurrection Men)
judy said: Naked by David Sedaris

Guess what? You can print the entire list here.

GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED
To enter:
1. Leave a relevant comment on this post answering any of the questions above - (enter me! and I want to win! aren't gonna cut it) required.

2. I MUST have a way to get in touch with you! I will have to delete comments with no contact info.

3. Comments will close on Friday, June 26th at 11:59pm CA time.

4. I will use random.org to draw the winners and post the results/notify winners via email and in a "Winners" post.

5. The prize is in the form of an emailed gift card. International entry OK as long as Amazon is allowed where you live.

6. For two extra entries:
(not required) Tweet, and/or blog about this contest and leave each of your links in a separate comment (three contest entry opportunities total). You will need a free
Twitter account.

7. You
do not have to follow or subscribe to this blog as a method of entry (but you're more than welcome to!). Tweet as often as you like, but only one Tweet will count as an extra entry. Leave one comment for each entry. Here is the URL to this post: http://tinyurl.com/n3wj7m
 
copyright melanie sheridan 2009 template design by Studio Mommy (© copyright 2015)