Galway Bay Blog Tour

March 17th - Blog Tour - Galway Bay by Mary Pat Kelly and Paddy the Elephant Giveaway!


To start.... Isn' t this just a beautiful book?

I am going to post a full review in the next day or two. I will say that I love this book inside and out! It reminds me of other favorite great books such as The Thorn Birds, Angela's Ashes, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Angela's Ashes, East of Eden and the "Fambly" in Grapes of Wrath. It is a book about a family struggling in horrific circumstances, I love family sagas. I can't say enough about my journey into this book. Like so many powerful stories of oppression and tyranny this book pulled me through a range of emotions, laughter, tears, and truly heart breaking scenes. I can not recall more heroic characters than Micheal and Honora. Because in my opinion the most noble of people in life are a man and woman as mother and father working together for their family in the most simple in sincere life sustaining tasks. Once caught up in this story I didn't want to do anything else.

This is definitely a favorite book of mine and I am pretty sure it will hold high rank for years to come.


Description:

Here at last is one Irish family's epic journey, capturing the tragedy and triumph of the Irish-American experience. In a rousing tale that echoes the myths and legends of Ireland herself, young Honora Keeley and Michael Kelly wed and start a family, inhabiting a hidden Ireland where fishermen and tenant farmers find solace in their ancient faith, songs, stories, and communal celebrations. Selling both their catch--and their crops--to survive, these people subsist on the potato crop--their only staple food. But when blight destroys the potatoes three times in four years, a callous government and uncaring landlords turn a natural disaster into The Great Starvation that will kill one million. Honora and Michael vow their children will live. The family joins two million other Irish refugees in one of the greatest rescues in human history: the Irish Emigration to America. Danger and hardship await them there. Honora and her unconventional sister Maire watch their seven sons as they transform Chicago from a frontier town to the "City of the Century", fight the Civil War, and enlist in the cause of Ireland's freedom. The Kelly clan is victorious. This heroic story sheds brilliant light on the ancestors of today's 44 million Irish Americans.

In the author's colorful and eclectic life, she has written and directed award-winning documentaries on Irish subjects, as well as the dramatic feature Proud. She's been an associate producer on Good Morning America and Saturday Night Live, written books on Martin Scorsese, World War II, and Bosnia, and a novel based on her experiences as a former nun - Special Intentions. She is a frequent contributor to Irish America Magazine and has a PhD in English and Irish literature.

About the Author:

Mary Pat Kelly is the author of a novel Special Intentions, and nonfiction on subjects as varied as Martin Scorcese and the rescue of Scott O'Grady from Bosnia. In her life, she has been everything from a nun to a documentary filmmaker to a producer of short films for "Saturday Night Live". She lives in New York, NY.

Click here to read a letter from author Mary Pat Kelly.

Where to buy the book?

Now for the Giveaway!

It is Paddy the Elephant! You must have seen him lurking around my blog... And A Circle of Books is giving him away! And to sweeten the deal. Miriam from Hachette is adding a copy of this beautiful book!

Just to be clear, this giveaway is for the handmade stuffed elephant, Paddy, shipped from Toni, and a copy of this gorgeous epic book shipped from Hachette!

A Circle of Books is going to raffle Paddy off in honor of this fabulous book. Galway Bay! It is a random drawing and here is how you get entries.

• For one entry just reply on this post.
• For 2 entries add the giveaway to your side bar.
• For 3 entries add the giveaway to your side bar and include it in a POST on your blog.
• For 4 entries.. all of the above and follow this blog.... at least 50 people already have this step done and it does count! Thank you loyal followers.
• Do all of the above and something fantastic like advertise on Twitter and that will give you a fifth entry!

Please let me know in your post what you are doing and how many entries you get (please include links). It is okay to post again if you decide to earn more later.

This contest runs from today 3/17/2009 through 3/28/2009. Winner will be announced on Sunday 3/29/2008. YOU will have to check back to claim this little guy. So please email me within 3 days . I will not be emailing the winner. So you do not have to include your email address in the post. You can email me directly with your snail mail address when I announce your name!

I am shipping to US and Canada only.

Paddy is hand knit by myself using 100% wool. He is NOT child safe and although I think I knit him and sewed him thoroughly, he is not for children under the age of 4. Allergy alert! ...And although my house is pretty darned tidy when it comes to pet hair, this toy was crafted in a house occupied by a dog, and has been knitted of 100% animal fiber. He is stuffed with Poly fiberfill. He does come from a smoke free home.

Here are the participants in the blog tour. CHECK them out. MANY will have giveaways. Not only that... many are so clever and write darned good reviews. I really can't think of a better way to spend a morning blog hopping!!

http://peekingbetweenthepages.blogspot.com/
http://jennsbookshelf.blogspot.com/
http://2kidsandtiredbooks.blogspot.com
http://athomewithbooks.blogspot.com/
http://book-thirty.blogspot.com/
http://readersrespite.blogspot.com
http://www.myfriendamysblog.com
http://bermudaonion.wordpress.com
http://www.corinnesbookreviews.blogspot.com
http://lorisbookden.blogspot.com/
http://www.bookthoughtsbylisa.blogspot.com
http://teddyrose.blogspot.com
http://libraryqueue.blogspot.com
http://allisonsatticblog.blogspot.com
http://cherylsbooknook.blogspot.com/
http://luanne-abookwormsworld.blogspot.com/
http://bookingmama.blogspot.com/
http://enroutetolife.blogspot.com/
http://thetometraveller.blogspot.com/
http://www.marjoleinbookblog.blogspot.com
http://cafeofdreams.blogspot.com/
http://thebookczar.blogspot.com
http://writeforareader.blogspot.com/
http://linussblanket.com
http://booksbytjbaff.blogspot.com/
http://www.caribousmom.com
http://hiddenplace.wordpress.com/
http://www.chikune.com/blog
http://librarygirlreads.blogspot.com
http://diaryofaneccentric.blogspot.com
http://savvyverseandwit.blogspot.com
http://www.kayespenguinposts.blogspot.com
http://writebyfaith.blogspot.com
http://www.frommipov.blogspot.com
http://booksiesblog.blogspot.com/
http://www.bookbargainsandpreviews.com/reviews/history/galwaybay.htm
http://wendisbookcorner.blogspot.com
http://www.thisbookforfree.com
http://abookbloggersdiary.blogspot.com/ Share

Mailbox Monday 3/16/2009

Hosted by Marcia at the Printed Page.

This was another one book week, but hey.... I am in need of this time to stop the influx of books and get some reviews out!

I got Lords of Corruption, by Kyle Mills from Julie at FSB Associates. Thank you Julie.

Blog Award

Thank you Wendy from It's Just Me.
I really think it is sweet to get these awards. I am in a bit of a bind for time right now but I wanted to acknowledge and accept. Thank you Wendy.. and I give it right back to you!


And thank you Kaye from Pudgy Penguin Perusals for this award as well. I bestow it right back to you.

I always get a bit behind with posts and awards...but I do think of them and remember them. Thanks Ladies!

Mailbox Monday 3/9/2009

Hosted by Marcia at the Printed Page.

This week I received:

The Horse Boy, by Rupert Isaacson From Hachette Marketing Group.

A slow couple of weeks for incoming books, but I think it is okay. I have been very busy and I don't like to feel anxious about reviews. It is still my favorite past time and I want to keep it that way.

Happy Mailbox Monday.

And the winners are..... The Terror Audio and Drood

Happy Sunday to Everyone!

Winners - Congrats!!!

The winners of the Terror (audio), by Dan Simmons are:


Wanda- A Season to Read (thank you Wanda for entering. I got to visit and learn about your blog)
Dar - Peeking Between the Pages ( Hey there... I was happy to see you enter and thrilled that you won!!)
Meg89- Literary Menagerie - (thank you for entering... I also go to visit and learn about your blog)

The winner of Drood, by Dan Simmons is:

Trish - Hey Lady! Whatcha Reading'?

As always I want to thank Hachette books (Anna and Miriam) for this awesome giveaway.

I would love it if I get emails with your snail mail addresses so I can forward to the Hachette gang asap. If I don't hear from you, I will email you tomorrow for your addresses. !!
Congrats.. this is fun!

A Circle of Books will be having at least two more giveaways this month. Look back on March 17th for a unique give away and March 26th for another one (hint.. a six book series). It will be a fun month for giveaways..... so you might just want to keep following along.

And just so you know.. I am approaching 100 posts and I have preselected books from my own stash (gently read) to give out for 100 post milestone giveaway! Stay tuned for that......I think we should hit it this month.....

Have a great week everyone. I loved all the giveaways this month for the Book Carnival Giveaway. I couldn't get my act together to join in but I followed and it was a blast. Thank you Everyone! I really tried to get out there and comment and whoop it up a bit.

Guest Review - Drood - Gary Harris

A review of Drood, by Dan Simmons
By Gary R Harris.

Going into reading Drood I had no expectations of any kind. I knew nothing about the book. I didn't even read the back or anything else. I skipped the soup and salad and went for the meat. The first 10 or so pages had me so off balance I could barely understand the words I was reading.

Wilkie completely takes over before your eyes and his voice and beliefs become your own.
The book made me love an insane attention seeking drug addict in a way that didn't feel stretched. I love everything about this book except for the page count. I don't think this story needed over 700 pages and that although every sentence is perfect, some of the time while I was reading, I was wishing something would happen.

This book is worth the investment in time. Even if it is just to marvel at the power of Dan Simmon's incredible talent.

****the photo above is Gary's son. He asked me of the front cover one time "Is this a good guy Nana?" I say to him... "you have to read the book Elliott."

Blog Tour - Free Yourself to love: The Liberating Power of Forgiveness by Jackie Kendall - WINNERS

Blog Tour and Winners!!!!!

The book is:

Free Yourself to Love: The Liberating Power of Forgiveness by Jackie Kendall


Hi Everyone! This is a very nice spiritual book to keep by the bed. I haven't finished it but want to say that if you need a little dose of something scriptural then this might be the insight you are looking for. Please check it out!!!



Thank you Valerie from Hachette for this awesome Giveaway! Keep scrolling down... we have WINNERS!!!

Jackie Kendall has been involved with ministry for twenty-five years, working as teacher, counselor, conference speaker, and author. Jackie works with several athletic teams, including the Atlanta Braves and Pro Athletes Outreach (which is involved with professional baseball teams and the NFL). She is also the president of Power to Grow Ministries and the author or co-author of several books.www.jackiekendall.com

Check out some of the other Blog Tour Sites!
Martas Meanderings
www.myspace.com/darbyscloset
http://books-movies-chinesefood.blogspot.com/

The winners are:

Liane66, PT Rita, Bingo, Renee G, and MJ

Thanks to all for entering! I will be sending an email tonight. If you happen to see that you are a winner feel free to email me your address! ENJOY!!!

Mail Box Monday 3/2/2009

Mailbox Monday

Hosted by Marcia at the Printed Page.

Thursday - The Help, (ARC) Katheryn Stockett from Penguin Group. (Thank you Matt!). I can't wait to review this book!

So what did you get last week?

Proximidade Award

Thank you Amy from Passages to the Past for this blog award.

This award represents:

"This blog invests and believes in the PROXIMITY-nearness in space, time and relationships. These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement! Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this clever-written text into the body of their award."


Okay so how does one pick. I am going straigt to google reader and grasping 8 consecutive names and voila the pressure will be off of me.... :)

I went from the bottom up in my google reader! Because I have to say sometimes being last in the alphabet means I get to reading them last.... so I now vow to read A-Z one day and Z- A the next. How 'bout that?

Write for a Reader
Wrighty Reads
West of Mars Win a Book (those gals are friends too ALL!!)
So Many Precious Books, So Little Time
Sharon Loves Books and Cats
Savvy Verse and Wit
Red Lady's Reading Room
Reading with Monie

Drood Giveaway!!!!!

Drood Giveaway!

Hello Everyone! I hope you enjoyed the Blog Tour Yesterday. If you missed it, well you must just check it out. There were a lot of good reviews buzz yesterday!

For my review Click here.


Dan Simmons Book Signing: TJ over at Book Love Affair had this cool Experience. Check it out here.


I also wanted to let you all know that thanks to Miriam from Hachette I have a copy of this OUTSTANDING book to give away.

A Circle of Books Giveaway Details:

For one entry leave me a comment on this post on or before 3/7/2009 Random Drawing to be held on 3/8/2009.

For 3 entries, leave me a comment and blog about this contest (Sidebar counts too!)

Will ship to US and Canada only. No P.O. Boxes. (Hachette will mail directly to you)
You must provide an email address so I can let you know that you've won.


Another Great Giveaway at Bermudiaonion's Blog!

Check it out here along with her fantastic review!

So there you have it!!! I also encourage anyone looking for other giveaways to check in on the blog tour from yesterday... Several bloggers on Tour yesterday have giveaways!!!!

Have a great weekend check back later for Gary's Drood Review!

Drood - Blog tour - Dan Simmons

WELCOME to the Drood Blog Tour!

Extra Extra Read All About It!!!!

Guaranteed to be an outstanding Blog Tour. Please see the end of the post to see other blog tour participants. Stop by and show the love!

Drood is in the house!

Full Description:
On June 9, 1865, while traveling by train to London with his secret mistress, 53-year-old Charles Dickens--at the height of his powers and popularity, the most famous and successful novelist in the world and perhaps in the history of the world--hurtled into a disaster that changed his life forever.

Did Dickens begin living a dark double life after the accident? Were his nightly forays into the worst slums of London and his deepening obsession with corpses, crypts, murder, opium dens, the use of lime pits to dissolve bodies, and a hidden subterranean London mere research . . . or something more terrifying?

Just as he did in The Terror, Dan Simmons draws impeccably from history to create a gloriously engaging and terrifying narrative. Based on the historical details of Charles Dickens's life and narrated by Wilkie Collins (Dickens's friend, frequent collaborator, and Salieri-style secret rival), DROOD explores the still-unsolved mysteries of the famous author's last years and may provide the key to Dickens's final, unfinished work: The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Chilling, haunting, and utterly original, DROOD is Dan Simmons at his powerful best.

Author Information:

Dan Simmons is the award-winning author of several novels, including the New York Times bestsellers Olympos and The Terror. He lives in Colorado.

My review:

Drood is an outstanding book that reads like classic literature. The book is fascinating with a rich and interesting point of view. Wilkie Collins, colleague, acquaintance, and friend of Charles Dickens is telling this story. The book is nothing short of a masterpiece in storytelling. There is jaw dropping action as well and very detailed historical references. It is a rich, graphic mystery involving Drood. I can't go into detail about this character without spoiling.

From the rich London settings, to the depths of the underground Opium dens and crypts, the book has all the rich elements of outstanding historical fiction. Even though it reads like a fantastic fictional story, it is easy to get lost in the story and think one is reading NON FICTION. The writing is so believable that we actually think we are reading a first hand account of this whole incident. It is a truly unique tale. It is oh so haunting.. think graveyards, crypts, bugs, the underground dwellers and murder!

I think we will be talking about Drood in this house for a long time to come. Tomorrow we can check in to see what my son Gary has to say about the book.

Check out the blogs in the tour!

http://jennsbookshelf.blogspot.com/
http://hiddenplace.wordpress.com/
http://book-thirty.blogspot.com/
http://bermudaonion.wordpress.com
http://www.writeforareader.blogspot.com
http://thebookczar.blogspot.com
http://luanne-abookwormsworld.blogspot.com
http://www.thetometraveller.blogspot.com/
http://www.bookthoughtsbylisa.blogspot.com
http://AllisonsAtticBlog.blogspot.com
http://www.chikune.com/blog
http://cafeofdreams.blogspot.com/
http://readingtoolate.net
http://www.myfriendamysblog.com
http://ABlogofBooks.blogspot.com
http://Cherylsbooknook.blogspot.com
http://shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com
http://www.savvyverseandwit.blogspot.com
http://bestbookihavenotread.wordpress.com
http://www.bookishruth.com/
http://www.bookingmama.blogspot.com/
http://martasmeanderings.blogspot.com
http://dreyslibrary.blogspot.com
http://www.myspace.com/darbyscloset

Audio and Video

• Listen to Excerpt No. 1
• Listen to Excerpt No. 2
• Listen to Excerpt No. 3
• Listen to Excerpt No. 4

Mailbox Mondays -

My First Mailbox Monday 2/23/2009



Hosted by: Marcia at the Printed Page

Tuesday

From: Valerie at Hachette - Free Yourself to Love, The Liberating Power of Forgiveness, by Jackie Kendall.

From: J.Kaye at J.Kayes Book Blog The Darcys and the Bingleys, Pride and Prejudice Continues, by Marsha Altman ( I won! )

From: My good buddy Darlene just because "That's what friends are for.." thank you! thank Hungry Woman in Paris, Josefina Lopez.

Hachette Giveaway Winners (Revised) - Paperback - The Terror by Dan Simmons

Winners for The Terror, By Dan Simmons.
*** Revised. Teddy let me know that she won the book elsewhere... so Check out the new winner!!

1. Angela C
2. Storyheart
3. Scottsgal
4. Bridget3420
5. Sharonanne (New winner)
   

I will be emailing the winners today. If you see that you are a winner here, feel free to send me your mailing address in advance.

Congrats!!

Thank you Valerie from Hachette for the opportunity to host a great giveaway and for my own fabulous review copy.

Don't forget to enter for the audio Giveaway Here.

Hachette Audio Book Giveaway - The Terror, Dan Simmons

Giveaway - Audio book, The Terror, by Dan Simmons

Yes.... you read correctly... just one day after the Giveaway for The Terror in paperback, Anna from Hachette is providing three copies of the AUDIO BOOK to giveaway!

Description:
The men on board HMS Terror have every expectation of finding the Northwest Passage. When the expedition's leader, Sir John Franklin, meets a terrible death, Captain Francis Crozier takes command and leads his surviving crewmen on a last, desperate attempt to flee south across the ice.

But as another winter approaches, as scurvy and starvation grow more terrible, and as the Terror on the ice stalks them southward, Crozier and his men begin to fear there is no escape.

A haunting, gripping story based on actual historical events, The Terror is a novel that will chill you to your core.
Giveaway Details:
For one entry leave me a comment on this post on or before 3/7/2009 Random Drawing to be held on 3/8/2009

For 3 entries, leave me a comment and blog about this contest or follow this blog. (If you follow, or have me in your reader that is great and it counts).

Will ship to US and Canada only. No P.O. Boxes. (Hachette will mail directly to you)

You must provide an email address so I can let you know that you've won.

Winners - The Italian Lover, by Robert Hellenga - Revised

**** revised a second time. Bermudaonion and Gwendolyn have won elsewhere random.org is picking............... a new winner... and it is..........
Sharon54220.

Winners!!

I want to be like Bob Barker and say ... "come on down..."

1. Bibliophile123
2. Serena
3. Darby
4. Nicole
5. Sharon54220
   

Thank you Valerie from Hachette for this wonderful Giveaway and my review copy. I can't wait to review along with everyone else!

Full Description:
Margot Harrington's memoir about her discovery in Florence of a priceless masterwork of Renaissance erotica--and the misguided love affair it inspired--is now, 25 years later, being made into a movie. Margot, with the help of her lover, Woody, writes a script that she thinks will validate her life. Of course their script is not used, but never mind--happy endings are the best endings for movies, as Margot eventually comes to see. At the former convent in Florence where "The Sixteen Pleasures"--now called "The Italian Lover,"--is being filmed, Margot enters into a drama she never imagined, where her ideas of home, love, art, and aging collide with the imperatives of commerce and the unknowability of other cultures and other people.

About Author:

Robert Hellenga received his B.A. from the University of Michigan and studied at Queen's University in Belfast and the University of North Carolina before completing a Ph.D. in English Literature at Princeton University. He is a professor at Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, and the author of the novels The Sixteen Pleasures, The Fall of a Sparrow, Blues Lessons, and Philosophy Made Simple.

Blog Friends Award - Thank you Trin

I am so behind in the blog awards. I really need to get cracking and get organized. I do want to thank Trin at Trin's Nook for this award. Thank you Trin. The awards always make me smile.

I am officially bestowing this award to everyone in my reader and on my side bar. The friendliness in blogland is amazing!

Recent Acquisitions

I haven't started doing Mailbox Mondays but I want to share some of my recent acquisitions. (Plus I am doing a test post from my email... sorry no links or pics this time around).

Some of the books I have received over the last 3 weeks. Yes.. I am blessed. Thank you. I plan to start participating in Mailbox Mondays on ….drum roll … 2/23/2009.

From Hachette Books
By Author Carrie Vaughn
Kitty and the Midnight Hour
Kitty Goes to Washington
Kitty Takes a Holiday
Kitty and the Silver Bullet
Kitty and the Dead Man's Hand
Kitty Raises Hell
*** (Check back for Blog Tour info)

More From (Hachette Books )
The Girl She Used to Be, by David Cristofano

The Terror, by Dan Simmons (Today!!)

The Italian Lover, by Robert Hellenga (Today!!)

Sundays At Tiffany's, by James Patterson

From Kate Runde, Anchor Books
The Nine, Jeffrey Toobin

Run for you Life, by James Patterson. ( I won on the Patterson Site)

Signora Da Vinci by Robin Maxwell - Amy from Passages to the Past.

More from Hachette:
Galway Bay, by Mary Pat Kelly

The Triumph of Deborah, by Eva Etzioni-Halevy (sent from the Author)

A Reliable Wife, by Robert Goolrick - Algonquin books

THANK YOU Fantastic People who send me books!

Hachette Giveaway - Free Yourself to Love: The Liberating Power of Forgivenes

March - Hachette Book Giveaway!

Thank you Valerie from Hachette for this fantastic giveaway.

Free Yourself to Love: The Liberating Power of Forgiveness by Jackie Kendall

Jackie Kendall Website.

Jackie Kendall has been involved with ministry for twenty-five years, working as teacher, counselor, conference speaker, and author. Jackie works with several athletic teams, including the Atlanta Braves and Pro Athletes Outreach (which is involved with professional baseball teams and the NFL). She is also the president of Power to Grow Ministries and the author or co-author of several books.

Giveaway Details: I've got five copies to giveaway

For one entry leave me a comment on this post on or before 3/1/2009. Random Drawing to be held on 3/2/2009

For 3 entries, leave me a comment and blog about this contest or follow this blog.

Will ship to US and Canada only. No P.O. Boxes. (Hachette will mail directly to you)
You must provide an email address so I can let you know that you've won.

Who By Fire - Review

Who by Fire, Diana Spechler

Thank you Diana Spechler (author bio) for sending me this book.

Author Website

Book Description

Bits and Ash were children when the kidnapping of their younger sister, Alena—an incident for which Ash blames himself—caused an irreparable family rift. Thirteen years later, Ash is living as an Orthodox Jew in Israel, cutting himself off from his mother, Ellie, and his wild-child sister, Bits. But soon he may have to face them again; Alena's remains have finally been uncovered. Now Bits is traveling across the world in a bold and desperate attempt to bring her brother home and salvage what's left of their family.

Sharp and captivating, Who by Fire deftly explores what happens when people try to rescue one another.

My review:

This book is very powerful and captivating. The journey with Ash and Bits is incredible and brave. I read the book in three sections. There are no dull moments in the book, there are no slow spots. The characters are flawed and likable. We can recognize the root of their issues. This made me cheer for them throughout the whole novel.

It is broken up into three different perspectives. From each character there is a nice flow to the story as it changes from each point of view/perspective quite often. For me this kept the story fresh and easy to absorb. It was a brilliant way to write a deep and powerful story without bogging one down in the depth of the heartache within the story. And just when you think you have it figured out, there are just enough curves and bends in the story to finish out the novel with a little twist.

Read it! Read it! The book will not disappoint. It is a beautiful, soulful story that unfolds perfectly and timely without dragging. It is a story about family, about forgiveness, guilt, blame, and moving on.

The book is deeply touching and it lingers in the mind long after the last page is turned. Who among us can rescue another if we still have yet to rescue our ourselves? For me I kept thinking about that quote about plucking the straw from our neighbors eye while ignoring the rafter in our own eye.


Thanks again Diana Spechler.

Dexter

Dexter is just checking in with A Circle of Books. He is 5 months and 30 lbs!

He is not in trouble in the pictures. He is very focused with the phrase. "where's my dinner?"

Summer 2008 - Steinbeck Museum

The John Steinbeck Museum, Salinas, California


What a fantastic day trip!



A bit before I broke off my knitting blog to A Circle of Books, I went to Steinbeck Country. My book club The Page Turners were reading a 5th year anniversary reading of East of Eden. Reading East of Eden along with Oprah was our first selection in 2003. Since I am in California and Salinas is a mere 3 hours or so away, hubby (bless his heart) and I trotted off to Salinas for the day. We went to the Steinbeck Museum, the Steinbeck family house, and the family grave site.

I left a daisy from my car on the grave site from all the Page Turners and it was a great day. If you are a Steinbeck fan or even if you just like a few of his books, this is an outstanding museum and tour. It exceeded my expectations.

What I came away with knowledge-wise was much more than I had ever known of Steinbeck. The actual Life with Charley trailer was there and a lot of other goodies. It is quite an experience to be there in Steinbeck Country. For those that have read Grapes of Wrath or East of Eden and John Steinbeck writes of the dry dusty Salinas Valley, I just had to take this picture. I am thinking that some things never change just look at the valley of Salinas in 2008 . It is a lovely drive and full of literary vibes. I just felt close to it all while I was there. Because....well I am just like that.

To Kill A Mockingbird - Lit Flicks Challenge

Lit Flicks Challenge -

Okay... this my first challenge and I am waaay behind. But...that's okay.. NEVER GIVE UP.. NEVER SAY DIE!! :) It was very very cool a couple of weeks ago I had a rare quiet moment at home and I got to watch To Kill a Mocking Bird. This book is also on my shelf so I have put it by my bedside and read along and compare with the movie. Voila Lit Flicks Selection!

I absolutely LOVED this movie. I highly recommend this movie!! Gregory Peck does an outstanding job. I was captivated from the first scene. No spoilers from me on this one, just my 100% endorsement... watch it... watch it.... watch it..... so now I will read it ... read it.... read it and try to get my Lit Flicks wrapped up!!

Kate Jacobs- Book Club "Visit"

Last night my online book club, The Page Turners had a special guest. Kate Jacobs logged on to yahoo messenger and join in for an online books discussion of Knit Two.

It was such a great experience for our club The Page Turners. We all had so much to talk about. It ended up being 18 pages of text! Wow! Kate knows and loves her characters in the book. It was awesome to be able to ask questions about the characters, as well as what inspired different plots within the book. It was a wonderful (and exciting) time talking to a wonderful group of women about another wonderful group of women. We all feel really connected to the members of the Friday Night Knitting Club.

It was nice talking to Kate about the characters because it confirms that the book is not just fluff and puff. The characters in the book are complex and they undergo changes and suffer loss just like the real world mothers, daughters, sister, and friends.

Please visit Kate's Website:
Once again the Book is: Knit Two, by Kate Jacobs. (click her for chapter one excerpt)

Thank you Kate Jacobs.

Hachette Give Away - The Italian Lover - Robert Hellenga

The Italian Lover - Robert Hellenga - Hachette Giveaway

Thank you Valerie from Hachette for offering A Circle of books this Great Giveaway.

I have FIVE Copies to give away.

Author Website

Description:

An exhilarating novel of romance, art, and food in Florence, featuring the beloved Margot Harrington, who graced Robert Hellenga's The Sixteen Pleasures. Margot Harrington's memoir about her discovery in Florence of a priceless masterwork of Renaissance erotica - and the misguided love affair it inspired - is now, 25 years later, being made into a movie.

Margot, with the help of her lover, Woody, writes a script that she thinks will validate her life. Of course their script is not used, but never mind - happy endings are the best endings for movies, as Margot eventually comes to see.

At the former convent in Florence where "The Sixteen Pleasures" - now called "The Italian Lover," - is being filmed, Margot enters into a drama she never imagined, where her ideas of home, love, art, and aging collide with the imperatives of commerce and the unknowability of other cultures and other people.

Giveaway Details:
For one entry leave me a comment on this post on or before 2/17/2009. Random Drawing to be held on 2/18/2009.
For 3 entries, leave me a comment and blog about this contest or follow this blog.

Will ship to US and Canada only. No P.O. Boxes. (Hachette will mail directly to you)
You must provide an email address so I can let you know that you've won.

Good Luck.

Hachette Giveaway - The Terror - Dan Simmons

The Terror Dan Simmons - Hachette Giveaway


Thank You Valerie from Hachette.
I have FIVE Copies to give away.

Author website
Description:
The men on board HMS Terror have every expectation of finding the Northwest Passage. When the expedition's leader, Sir John Franklin, meets a terrible death, Captain Francis Crozier takes command and leads his surviving crewmen on a last, desperate attempt to flee south across the ice.

But as another winter approaches, as scurvy and starvation grow more terrible, and as the Terror on the ice stalks them southward, Crozier and his men begin to fear there is no escape.

A haunting, gripping story based on actual historical events, The Terror is a novel that will chill you to your core.


Giveaway Details:
For one entry leave me a comment on this post on or before 2/20/2009. Random Drawing to be held on 2/21/2009.
For 3 entries, leave me a comment and blog about this contest or follow this blog.

Will ship to US and Canada only. No P.O. Boxes. (Hachette will mail directly to you)
You must provide an email address so I can let you know that you've won.
Good Luck.