Mailbox Monday 9/28

Mailbox Monday is hosted by Marcia at the Printed Page.

What came into your mailbox last week?

I was thrilled to receive an amusing Book called Simon's Cat, by Simon Tofield

I will be posting a review and the giveaway winners this week. So stay turned.

Review - A Summer Affair, Elin Hilderbrand

My Review:

I liked this book a lot. It was better than I expected and I say this because I don't believe the summary of the book does the story justice. The front of my book says, "she was the perfect wife and mother - and he was the perfect temptation." After reading the book I would say that line has no business on the front of the book. I think it cheapens the story.

I enjoyed the Nantucket setting, the characters and the main theme. I thought that Claire was like any normal mother of four. I don't think she was the perfect mother, she was just struggling like the rest of us. And she was afflicted with that " mother guilt" about just about everything. I think many modern day mom's can relate to that. I sure can. "Things" happen. Affairs that should never happen, DO happen. I thought the story was very relevant and gave insight to how something like this can happen. I liked how the story takes us through the affair and to the to the other side of the affair.

There was a best friend element in the story, as well. I liked the element of Claire and Siobhan's friendship. I liked how Elin Hilderbrand wove the elements of a major social event, motherhood, marriage and friendship into a very interesting story.

It was more than just a summery romance book. I don't think everything I read has to be loaded with prose and lyrical writing. I liked this book a lot. I will be looking for more Elin Hilderbrand in the future.

Thank you Valerie from Hachette Books for providing myself and my book club copies of this book for our summer reading selection. I think this makes a great summer book club selection. Check out the Reading Group Guide for more information.

Click here for a video on A Summer Affair, by Elin Hilderbrand.

Did you review this book this summer? Feel free to link your review in your comment here. Thanks for reading this review, and I'd love to hear your comments.

Book Summary

Claire Danner Crispin, mother of four young children and nationally renowned glassblower, bites off more than she can chew when she agrees to co-chair the Nantucket's Children Summer Gala.

Claire is asked to chair the benefit, in part, because she is the former high school sweetheart of rock star Max West. Max agrees to play the gala and it looks like smooth sailing for Claire-until she promises a "museum-quality" piece of glass for the auction, offers her best friend the catering job, goes nose-to-nose with her Manhattan socialite co-chair, and begins a "good-hearted" affair with the charity's Executive Director, Lockhart Dixon.

Hearts break and emotions are pushed to the limit in this riveting story of one woman's attempt to deal with loves past and present, family, business, and high-powered social pressures. Elin Hilderbrand's unique understanding of the joys and longings that animate women's lives will make this her newest summer bestseller.

Traveling With Pomegranates - Winners

A bit delayed on the announcement, but winner news is always good news!

The winners are:

Diane from Bibliophile by the Sea

and

Bermudia Onion.

Thank you Katrina from Wiredset for the great offer!

Thank you all for participating. I will send an email to the winners this weekend.

Toni

Mailbox Monday 9/21/2009

This great meme is hosted by Marcia at the Printed Page. Feel free to join in.

Books I got this week:

Well nothing came from publishers but I got:

The Book Thief, by Markus Zukas from Paperback swap.

And

Tara Road by Maeve Binchy, from a surplus box at my mom's moving day.

I really wanted to buy The Last Symbol.. and I think I will this week. I just want to sit down and devour another Robert Langdon escapade.

Happy Monday.

Ack! What happened?

Ack, where did the week go? It is Thursday...yes.. I have a mailbox and yes there was a book in it, but I just didn't get around to posting or looking in on everyone's mailboxes. I will post next Monday....who knows? Maybe there will be two books to post!

I am reading A Summer Affair. It is enjoyable and I will have that review up. I started Breaking Dawn, and while I was dying to get to it, something about the beginning was too annoying for me. I am sure this wasn't the book, just me. So I long to hunker down and read more about Bella and Edward and Jacob. I need my fix.

I am dying to get my hands on Dan Brown's latest. And I will... Oh I will.

Hubby is recovering well, but we are still two people with only two legs... since the legs are attached to me, I am busier than normal. Yep, I mow lawns now too! I helping my mom move this weekend. Not too far, but still farther than we'd like.

My girl is coming HOME!! Yep.. my daughter is coming back home after being gone 1 year, 2 months.... days... hours....minutes...well I really don't know the exact time but oh how I have missed her. So I am flying to Oklahoma on October 8th and driving over halfway across the country home with her and her dog Lola. Did someone say road trip? I will be using the gps to find book and yarn stores!

So I will be bombarding with comments and reading all the lovely reviews soon. I have been peeking in on the Blogger Awards. So glad that everyone is having a good time. Congrats to the Winners, the Shortlisters, and all nominees. I sure hope to participate and get involved next year. Thank you to all who spent so much time to organize the event.

My blogiversary came and went.... so I will hooplah it up next year or who knows maybe something exciting will come my way to celebrate.

I am good at having giveaways, but very bad about going to the Post to mail the winners prizes. Otherwise I'd be hosting a ton of my own book giveaways. And that is the plan... so if you follow this blog keep following.... there will be good stuff to come.

Reviews will be coming too. I did a lot of knitting and writing for my Knitting blog in August, thank so many of you for stopping by. I posted a lot of pictures of my work, feel free to stop by and leave comments.

Dexter is doing well! Better than well... he is both hellion and dog love of my life. What can I say?

Giveaway - Traveling with Pomegranates - by Sue Monk Kidd and Ann Kidd Taylor

Giveaway!!

Traveling with Pomegranates

Thank you Katrina from Wiredset for the great offer! I have two copies to offer! And this contest is open internationally! Leave a comment on this post to enter. Twitter or Face book, or blog about this giveaway and you get five extra entries into the random drawing. Winners will be announced on or about September 19th!

If you can wait to win, the book is On Sale Now

Order:

Read an excerpt:

Book description

An introspective and beautiful dual memoir by the #1 New York Times bestselling novelist and her daughter

Sue Monk Kidd has touched millions of readers with her novels The Secret Life of Bees and The Mermaid Chair and with her acclaimed nonfiction. In this intimate dual memoir, she and her daughter, Ann, offer distinct perspectives as a fifty-something and a twenty-something, each on a quest to redefine herself and to rediscover each other.

Between 1998 and 2000, Sue and Ann travel throughout Greece and France. Sue, coming to grips with aging, caught in a creative vacuum, longing to reconnect with her grown daughter, struggles to enlarge a vision of swarming bees into a novel. Ann, just graduated from college, heartbroken and benumbed by the classic question about what to do with her life, grapples with a painful depression. As this modern-day Demeter and Persephone chronicle the richly symbolic and personal meaning of an array of inspiring figures and sites, they also each give voice to that most protean of connections: the bond of mother and daughter.

A wise and involving book about feminine thresholds, spiritual growth, and renewal, Traveling with Pomegranates is both a revealing self-portrait by a beloved author and her daughter, a writer in the making, and a momentous story that will resonate with women everywhere.

Sue Monk Kidd:

SUE MONK KIDD is the author of the novels, The Secret Life of Bees and The Mermaid Chair, and the memoirs, The Dance of the Dissident Daughter, When the Heart Waits, and Firstlight, a collection of early writings. The Secret Life of Bees has spent more than 125 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and was adapted into an award-winning movie. The Mermaid Chair, a #1 New York Times bestseller, was adapted into a television movie. Each of her novels has been translated into more than 24 languages. The recipient of numerous literary awards, Sue lives in South Carolina with her husband.

Ann Kidd Taylor:

Ann Kidd Taylor is a graduate of Columbia College in South Carolina. She has published articles and essays in Skirt! magazine in Charleston, SC, where she worked for two years after college as an editorial assistant. She left to pursue a career in writing, working on a book about her travels, which evolved into Traveling with Pomegranates, a memoir she co-authored with her mother Sue Monk Kidd. It is her first book. Ann lives near Charleston with her husband and son.

First September Giveaway - Simon's Cat

The Giveaway is for:
Simon's Cat, by Simon Tofield.

Thank you Anna from Hachette Books for offering this Great Giveaway. I have five copies to giveaway. US and Canada Only, and no P.O Boxes. Please leave me your email address in your comment. If your email is accessible in your profile that works for me.

The contest ends September 25th. Winners to be announced shortly after. Just leave a comment here and you are entered. Become a follower for an extra entry. Tweet, Facebook, or blog and you get five entries!! Leave me a note and link that you have done this pretty please.


Simon Tofield's animations have taken YouTube by storm. Now, the feline Internet phenomenon makes his way onto the page in this first-ever book based on the popular animated series. SIMON'S CAT depicts and exaggerates the hilarious relationship between a man and his cat. The daily escapades of this adorable pet, which always involve demanding more food, and his exasperated but doting owner come to life through Tofield's charming and hilarious illustrations.


Watch all the Simon's Cat Videos.
Become a fan on Facebook.

About the author:
Simon Tofield is an award-winning animator who lives in London.

Thank you and good luck.

Mailbox Monday 9/7/2009

What came in your mailbox this week.

Check out this fun meme at The Printed Page, hosted by Marcia.

This week I got:

Alice Starmore's Book of Fair Isle Knitting.

It is an older publication book that was finally released for reprint. I pre-ordered in February. I couldn't be more thrilled. I will post a review in a few days. Right now I am caught up in the history of the Fair Islands/ Shetland Island and how the Fair Isle type of knitting came to be. I find it fascinating. This is my third Alice Starmore book and I am not disappointed in the least.

Happy Monday!

In loving Memory

A year ago I posted a link about a very dear friend of mine's nephew who was killed in Afghanistan. I just wanted to post a remembrance in his honor today. For him, his family and all the brave military men and women who are continually serving and supporting.

Here is the link I posted last year.

Sending Prayers and love to all that knew and loved Michael.

White Queen - Fans and Future readers!!

White Queen Fans!!!
Check out this giveaway, new widget and trailer. It is all so very exciting.



To celebrate the success of its release, LivingSocial and Simon & Schuster are giving away a trip to London and other great prizes.

http://books.livingsocial.com/the-white-queen

Grand prize package [Retailed at about $4,000]:

· Roundtrip airfare for two to London; hotel accommodations for 3 nights in the Strand Palace, located in the heart of London’s Theatreland

· Tickets for a dinner cruise on the Thames

· A day tour of the Tower of London and St. Paul’s Cathedral

· Day trip to Windsor Castle and Runnymede

· $200 American Express Gift Card

1 first prize winner

· Will receive an e-reader loaded with The White Queen e-book

1 second prize winner

· Will receive a leather-bound edition of The White Queen

Become a fan of The White Queen: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-White-Queen/108761054009

Follow The White Queen: http://twitter.com/WhiteQueen_book

Mailbox Monday August 31st

Mailbox Monday

Hosted by Marcia at the Printed Page.

Here is my mailbox.

This week I got A Friend of the Family, a novel, by Lauren Grodstein.
Thank you Algonquin! I can't wait to read this one.

About A Friend of the Family

Pete Dizinoff has spent years working toward a life that would be, by all measures, deemed successful. A skilled internist, he’s built a thriving practice in suburban New Jersey. He has a devoted wife, a network of close friends, and an impressive house, and most important, he has a son, Alec, on whom he’s pinned all his hopes. Pete has afforded Alec every opportunity, bailed him out of close calls with the law, and even ensured his acceptance into a good college.

But Pete never counted on the wild card: Laura, his best friend's daughter—ten years older than Alec, irresistibly beautiful, with a past so shocking that it’s never spoken of. When Laura sets her sights on Alec, Pete sees his plans for his son not just unraveling but being destroyed completely. Believing he has only the best of intentions, he sets out to derail this romance and rescue his son. He could never have foreseen how his whole world would shatter in the process.

Lauren Grodstein delivers a riveting story in the tradition of The Ice Storm, American Beauty, and Little Children, charting a father's fall from grace as he struggles to save his family, his reputation, and himself.

About Lauren Grodstein

Lauren Grodstein is the author of the collection The Best of Animals and a novel, Reproduction is the Flaw of Love, which was bo th a Breakout Book selection from Amazon.com and a Borders Original Voices pick. Her work has been translated into German, Italian, and French. She teaches creative writing at Rutgers University.

I love to see what you got this week. Happy Monday everyone. I will be blog visiting all week. It is good to post a comment here though to remind me to stop by.

Book Review - Stand the Storm - Breena Clarke

I'd like everyone to check out Breena Clarke's web-site and look into reading this book.

My book club The Page Turners read this book for summer reading. I enjoyed reading this book with my friends and club members. We did use Breena Clarke's Questions and web-site for the Reading Group Guide in addition to coming up with a zillion other thoughts that we shared over a four week, weekly chat.

Check out Jenn's Bookshelf at a later date for some member reviews and thoughts. I want to thank Jenn in co-operation with Valerie from Hachette Book Group for arranging copies of the book for our summer reading.

• Book Summary
• Reviews / Praise
• Reading Group Guide

My Review:

I want to say that the story of Annie, Gabriel, Ellen, and Mary is a powerful epic story. I really thought the plot and theme of this book was outstanding. I also liked the diverse and complicated characters. I was totally immersed in the sewing, knitting, quilting, tailoring and needlepoint. There was quite a bit of that in the book. For me it was enthralling. This is a very important and rich story. Therefore I recommend the book for anyone.

I did struggle with the harshly depicted life of a slaves. I know it is a harsh and brutal reality, but it was hard for me to read. The sexual abuse, rape and physical abuse was hard for me to digest and wrap the brain around. More so than other books that I have read on the subject. It was peppered in throughout the story. It did shape and define the characters actions. It was warranted and yet it was harsh. Even though it was rough, I do find that it added a very brave voice to the history of our Country. I thank Breena Clark for that.

Slave trader, slave seller, slave catcher, master, free coloreds, the "n" word (which isn't coming out of my mouth or off my keyboard) and many of the terms and practices involved with the enslavement and traffic-ing of human beings is utterly horrific and were everyday terms in this story. And yet here we have a story with a mother, a son, grandchildren, a community, and a nation struggling in a eruptive time that serves to take us to a time not so long ago where we can reflect, remember and broaden our understanding.

At times I felt the writing was too academic for the story. While I understood the writing, sometimes it seemed wordy. There were also many moments of powerful prose. For me the prose and academic writing didn't mix well. I am not sure if that makes sense. I tended to enjoy the "prose type" parts more than some of the thickly worded sentences. The material for me was heavy enough. This didn't not occur to me throughout the whole book, just towards the latter part. There were a couple of character issues for me that distracted from what I wanted from the story. I think it might add to the story for others.

I was lucky enough to get a copy of the book to review, and I bought a copy of the audio. I read the first half and listened to the other half. I HIGHLY recommend the audio. It is read beautifully, and the rich texture of the voice drove the story home a bit more for me.

That is it. I'd love to hear your comments. If you have questions, I will try to answer them.

Mailbox Monday August 24th

Hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page. Check it out here.

This is what I got this week:

Ferris Beach by Jill McCorkle.

I got this from Algonquin Books. THANK YOU!

What came in your mailbox this week.

Winners - The Castaways - Audio

The Castaways, by Elin Hilderbrand

And the winners are:

Kerri
Booklogged
and
Coffeeeeeeeee

Thank you for entering this giveaway. I appreciate those who follow, tweet and blog about the contest held here. And for those who read this blog as well. I will email everyone this weekend. Feel free to email me your mailing address in advance if you have the opportunity.

I was nominated for an award at the BBAW recently and I feel touched, humbled and honored to be mentioned among this very talented, uplifting and entertaining group of bloggers. Thank you.


Thank you Anna from Hachette Book Group for making this giveaway possible.

A bit about the book:
Greg and Tess MacAvoy are one of four prominent Nantucket couples who count each other as best friends. As pillars of their close-knit community, the MacAvoys, Kapenashes, Drakes, and Wheelers are important to their friends and neighbors, and especially to each other. But just before the beginning of another idyllic summer, Greg and Tess are killed when their boat capsizes during an anniversary sail. As the warm weather approaches and the island mourns their loss, nothing can prepare the MacAvoy's closest friends for what will be revealed.

Once again, Hilderbrand masterfully weaves an intense tale of love and loyalty set against the backdrop of endless summer island life

The White Queen - winners!!!

I'd like to say Congratulations to:

Beth
and
Joanne R

You have won The White Queen!

Thank you everyone for the Tweets, blog posts and for participating. I can't wait to read the book and I can't wait to read more of everyone's reviews and thoughts on The White Queen. Don't forget to check out the trailer at the top of my blog.

I will email you shortly. If you want to go ahead and forward your mailing address that would be great.

Happy Weekend to you.

Next up.... more winners!!

Winners - Dying for Mercy

Thank you Katrina from wiredset.com.

Dying for Mercy, By Mary Jane Clark

We have winners.

The winners are :
Bingo - Bookin' With Bingo
and
Kaye - Pudgey Penguin Perusals

These two ladies just happen to have outstanding FABULOUS blogs. Visit them and you will not be disappointed.

If you didn't win Click here to get to Amazon to buy.

If you get a chance, please check out this link. Mary Jane Clark was on Good Morning America last week. AND there is a chance to win an autographed copy!!!

Mailbox Monday 8/17/2009

Mailbox Monday Hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page.
What did you get in your mailbox last week.

This is what I got in my mailbox. Pretty sweet.... my weeks are slower as I am not requesting books right now so I can catch up on reviews. But I can't wait to read this one.

The White Queen

By Philippa Gregory

On Sale August 18!

Click HERE to learn more about the book. I have a giveaway as well.

Happy Saturday

Just checking in!

I am reading Stand the Storm, Breaking Dawn and a few other books. I am having trouble focusing so I tend to knit more when I am in this state. I am very very excited about a few of my new books and I can't wait to get my mind chilled out in books.

I am reading Stand the Storm with my Book Club and we are enjoying it and having some good conversations on Tuesday nights via yahoo messenger. I hope to share more on this soon.

I will be popping in your blogs and reading and doing some commenting. If you have anything special that you want me to check out, please put a link on this post and I will come on over to visit.

I will post the Dying for Mercy winners today or tomorrow! Good luck everyone!

Hubby's leg is mending but doc says we are about 1.5 weeks away from feeling a big difference. He has been a trooper. The second surgery is set for Oct 28th. I have been a good nurse although I might say I am one of those sort of cranky nurses? I think I would be afraid to put it as a question to the patient. He might say yes, but there is no denying that I am efficient. I am a bit pooped out, but nothing that is going to kill me. Thursday night I had a weird allergic reaction and my lips got really big. I have a photo but really am way too chicken to post it.

Dexter good ole buddy of mine was just at this point where I figured I had a good dog and he was just behaving so well. Since the leg break, and my busy schedule, this dog is acting horrible. I mean really horrible. He wants to eat, chew and destroy things. He wants to taunt me, he won't come when I call him he looks over his shoulder and dares me to follow. He pretends to wait for me and when I get a foot away and runs. Of course then he stops and looks at me like..."this is fun.. wanna do it again." I swear he is taunting me and laughing at me.

Here he is this morning in the sun. See the look on his face. I was going to work and needed him to come in the house. The look... "come and get me.. yeah.. try it.. " I need to take him for some serious runs to tire him out. I am sure it is just an attention thing.... or I am in hella big trouble. Yes, I said Hella. The dog is going to drive me to drink and swear. Okay that is kind of a lie. I drink and swear anyway. Have a great day.

Winners - The Lost Dog, Michelle de Krester

Thank you Valerie from Hachette Book Group for this awesome giveaway.

The winners are:

Janel
Fitz
heatherzilla
Rosered
Etirv

I will be emailing you for your snail mail soon. Thank you for following A Circle of books and entering in the giveaway.

A bit about the book:

Tom Loxley, an Indian-Australian professor, is less concerned with finishing his book on Henry James than with finding his dog, who is lost in the Australian bush.

Joining his daily hunt is Nelly Zhang, an artist whose husband disappeared mysteriously years before Tom met her. Although Nelly helps him search for his beloved pet, Tom isn't sure if he should trust this new friend.

Tom has preoccupations other than his book and Nelly and his missing dog, mainly concerning his mother, who is suffering from the various indignities of old age. He is constantly drawn from the cerebral to the primitive--by his mother's infirmities, as well as by Nelly's attractions. THE LOST DOG makes brilliant use of the conventions of suspense and atmosphere while leading us to see anew the ever-present conflicts between our bodies and our minds, the present and the past, the primal and the civilized.

A bit about the author:

Michelle de Kretser is a Sri Lankan who has lived in Australia since 1972. Her previous book, The Hamilton Case (L,B 2004) received the Commonwealth Writers Prize (SE Asia and Pacific) and the Society of Authors' (U.K) Encore Award for best second novel of the year. It was also first runner-up 2004 for B&N's Discover Award in Fiction and a New York Times Notable Book. THE LOST DOG is her third novel.

Giveaway - The White Queen - Philippa Gregory

We have a brand new Giveaway for August. Thank you Katrina from Wiredset. We have two copies to giveaway to anyone in the World. Gotta love that!!!

Details upfront.
(But PLEASE check out the video and the links)

Simply leave a comment on this post for One entry into my random drawing. If you post a link on your blog or tweet about this contest you get Five entries. All Circle of books Followers get an extra entry. Winners will be announced on or about August 19th.
If you don't win check out the links below to order your copy.

Don't forget I need a way to contact you. Please leave an email, if it is in your profile that is cool. :)

Why not start by:

Becoming a fan of The White Queen: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-White-Queen/108761054009

or

Following The White Queen: http://twitter.com/WhiteQueen_book

The White Queen

By Philippa Gregory

On Sale August 18!

Pre-Order here: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1416563687/simonsayscom

Book description:

Philippa Gregory, "the queen of royal fiction" (USA Today) Presents the first of a new series set amid the deadly feuds of England known as the Wars of the Roses.

Brother turns on brother to win the ultimate prize, the throne of England, in this dazzling account of the wars of the Plantagenets. They are the claimants and kings who ruled England before the Tudors, and now Philippa Gregory brings them to life through the dramatic and intimate stories of the secret players: the indomitable women, starting with Elizabeth Woodville, the White Queen.

The White Queen tells the story of a woman of extraordinary beauty and ambition who, catching the eye of the newly crowned boy king, marries him in secret and ascends to royalty. While Elizabeth rises to the demands of her exalted position and fights for the success of her family, her two sons become central figures in a mystery that has confounded historians for centuries: the missing princes in the Tower of London whose fate is still unknown. From her uniquely qualified perspective, Philippa Gregory explores this most famous unsolved mystery of English history, informed by impeccable research and framed by her inimitable storytelling skills.

With The White Queen, Philippa Gregory brings the artistry and intellect of a master writer and storyteller to a new era in history and begins what is sure to be another bestselling classic series from this beloved author.

About the author:

Philippa Gregory is the New York Times bestselling author of several books, including The Other Boleyn Girl and The Boleyn Inheritance. A writer and broadcaster for radio and television, she lives in England. She welcomes visitors and messages at her website, www.philippagregory.com.