Tuesday, November 2, 2010

The Big Book of Socks by Kathleen Taylor- Mini Review


The Great Book of Socks is packed full of ideas for knitting socks.  It is a how to book but would be best for the advanced beginner or higher. It has all kinds of patterns for textured socks,lacy socks, decorated socks, and even tube socks.


With 75 different socks listed in this fun book, there is something for everyone.


4/5

Winners: Audiobook Giveaway: Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk by David Sedaris

Thanks again to Anna Balasi of Hachette Books for making this giveaway possible.

The Winners are:
Lori
Mrsshukra
 
Congratulations!  I emailed both of you.  Please respond with your shipping address within 3 days to claim your prize.

Winners: Audiobook Giveaway: Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks

Thanks again to Anna Balasi of Hachette Books for making this giveaway possible.

The Winners are:
Susan
Darcy

Congratulations!  I emailed both of you.  Please respond with your shipping address within 3 days to claim your prize.

Room by Emma Donoghue

Right after Jack turns 5 years old, the world as he know it starts to change. He always thought that the room that his ma and him lived in was the whole world. He's never been outside and doesn't even know it exists. Ma told Jack that everything on television was pretend.


Jack is the narrator of the story and as it unfolds he and the reader slowly learn the truth. His Ma was kidnapped off of her college campus at the age of 19, by Old Nick. She was taken to the room, which is a converted from garden shed into a prison and she was repeatedly raped. She has been there for 7 years and gave birth to Jack while there, with no assistance.

Ma did everything she could to protect Jack from Old Nick and the truth. She tried to give Jack as normal a life as possible within the confines of the room. Each day of the week they have a routine which includes reading, writing, arithmetic, and even physical education. However, with Jack growing up it was time to reveal the truth. Room was not going to be big enough for a growing Jack for much longer.

It took a bit of time for me to get use to Jack as the narrator. He talked about the room and just about everything in it as if they were people. He knew a big vocabulary for his age however, had poor grammar, that of a 5 year old boy. Jack said, "Eggsnake is more longer than all around Room, we've been making him since I was three, he lives in Under Bed all coiled up keeping us safe."

I wasn't sure at first if I would be able to look beyond Jack's poor grammar and enjoy the story. However, I was able to and really enjoyed the book, in an uncomfortable sort of way. The subject matter was uncomfortable and my heart ached for both Ma and Jack. By the time I was finished reading 'Room', I didn't want it to end.

I recently saw Emma Donoghue at the 23 Vancouver International Writers and Readers Festival. You can read my coverage of it and my question to Ms. Donoghue, with her response, here.

4/5

Thanks to Brad Parsons of Hachette Book Group for sending me this book for review.

Also reviewed by:
Thoughts of Joy
The Written World
Farm Lane Books
A Bookworm's World
Shhh I'm Reading... 
BookLust

Did you review this book as well?  Leave a link in the comments and I will post it.

Sunday, October 31, 2010

He Wishes This Were Something Else by Eva Moran

(Photo by John Paul Kragg)
Back in September, John of The Book Mine Set reviewed this story.  I hadn't heard of Eva Moran before but John's review made me very curious, especially about the "disappointing" sex scene.  LOL!  

The Story centers around Carson, a young man who meets Nikki, when he travels to Vancouver.  They start dating and get pretty serious, at least from Carson's perspective.  Nikki, on the other hand just seems to be going through the motions of dating Carson with no real interest.  He's there, he's interested, so why not pass some time going out with him?  At least, that's my interpretation of how she feels.

The sex scene John refereed to was disappointing but they were just having a "quickie", LOL!  That's why it was so disappointing to the reader, there was no substance but I think that was the point.  It demonstrated to me just how uninterested Nikki really was.  Like John, I didn't like Nikki either.  She came across as shallow and uncaring to me.

John ended up liking the story but I could take it or leave it.  It certainly wasn't a "must read" or anything near that for me, it was okay.  I liked the start of it the best, when it touched on Carson's childhood.  If you would like to read it, go here.

Friday, October 29, 2010

Essex County Vol.1: Tales From the Farm by Jeff Lemire


Winner of the Alex Award, Essex County Vol. 1 is a graphic novel that takes place in Southwestern Ontario, Canada.
Lester is a ten year old boy recently orphaned, who is taken in by his uncle, who owns a farm.  Lester wants nothing more than to be a super hero.  His life with his uncle is strained, even though his uncle is doing his best.  Lester doesn't have much to do on the farm and is bored.
One day he meets the gas station owner, Jimmy.  He is a former hockey star and seems a little off to Lester's uncle.  However, Lester and Jimmy become friends and create a fantasy world together.  It's a place of super heroes and alien invaders.  They also play pond hockey together. 
I have only read a couple graphic novels before this but was compelled to read this one when both of my friends, Wanda of A Season to Read and John of The Book Mine Set, both raved about this book.  The dialogue is sparse but tells the story along with the sumptuous black and white  illustrations.  Jeff Lemire captures the emotions of a little boy and his uncle so well.
I really enjoyed this simple yet moving graphic novel.  It is the first of a trilogy and I look forward to reading the rest.  This is a great book for both teens and adults.
5/5
Also reviewed by:
If you have reviewed this book, please leave the link in the comments.

Audiobook Giveaway: Kate Up and Down the Hall by Glenn Plaskin

Thanks toAnna Balasi of Hachette Books, I am giving away up to three copies of this audiobook.

Book Description:

A personal memoir by bestselling author and celebrity journalist Glenn Plaskin, KATIEis a moving story about a man who discovers the true meaning of family after adopting a cocker spaniel puppy. Through the magnetic personality of his mischievous dog, the author soon makes powerful connections with several of his down-the-hall neighbors in a high-rise located in the unique Battery Park City neighborhood of Lower Manhattan. First, Katie trots into the lives of Pearl and Arthur, a warm-hearted elderly couple just a few doors down from Glenn. Later, John, a single Dad, and his rambunctious young son, Ryan, also move in and are seduced by Katie's charms.

All of their lives are profoundly changed as they are transformed from neighbors to friends to family, with Pearl as matriarch. The motherless boy finds a "Granny"; his Dad inherits a mother, Glenn discovers a confidante. Set in New York City, we witness nearly sixteen years of antics and family adventures spanning Hollywood high times, bad health, accidents, blustery winters, even the terrors of 9/11. Through it all, the family clings to each other, sharing a deep bond that give each comfort, support and security.

Based upon a widely-read article in
Family Circle, here is an unforgettable story about the love that makes a family-one that transcends the hard realities of time, tragedy, and inevitable loss. 


The number of entrants to this giveaway will determine how many copies of this book I will giveaway:

1-10 entrants= 1
11-20 entrants= 2
21 or more entrants= 3
*Please note, the rules have changes for my giveaways:

To Enter:
Leave a comment with your email address, so I can contact you if you win.

Extra Entries:  Earn one extra entry for each of the following (please leave a separate comment for each).

Old or new follower of this blog.
Old or new follower on Twitter ().
Be my friend on Facebook (Teddy Rose).
Be my friend on Goodreads (Teddy).
+1 for each comment on a book review I have done. (Be sure to tell me which ones).
+1 for clicking to give free food at The Animal Rescue Site (tell me you did it).
+1 for clicking to give free books at The Literacy Site (tell me you did it).
That's 8 or more possible entries!

Sorry, the giveaway is only open US and Canadian residents only.
The winner’s mailing address: NO P.O. Boxes.
Only one entry per household/IP address
 
Winners will be subject to the one copy per household rule, which means that if you win the same title in two or more contests, you will receive only one copy of the book.
 
This giveaway will end on Friday, November 12th,11:59 P.M. E.S.T. The winners will be notified by email. Winners must respond within TWO days or will be disqualified.

Audiobook Giveaway: C Street: The Fundamentalist Threat to American Democracy by Jeff Sharlet

Thanks toAnna Balasi of Hachette Books, I am giving away up to three copies of this audiobook.

Book Description:

C Street - where piety, politics, and corruption meet

Jeff Sharlet is the only journalist to have reported from inside the C Street House, the Fellowship residence known simply by its Washington, DC address. The house has lately been the scene of notorious political scandal, but more crucially it is home to efforts to transform the very fabric of American democracy. And now, after laying bare its tenants' past in
The Family, Sharlet reports from deep within fundamentalism in today's world, revealing that the previous efforts of religious fundamentalists in America pale in comparison with their long-term ambitions.

When Barack Obama entered the White House, headlines declared the age of culture wars over. In
C Street, Sharlet shows why these conflicts endure and why they matter now - from the sensationalism of Washington sex scandals to fundamentalism's long shadow in Africa, where Ugandan culture warriors determined to eradicate homosexuality have set genocide on simmer.

We've reached a point where piety and corruption are not at odds but one and the same. Reporting with exclusive sources and explosive documents from C Street, the war on gays in Uganda, and the battle for the soul of America's armed forces - waged by a 15,000-strong movement of officers intent on "reclaiming territory for Christ in the military" - Sharlet reveals not the last gasp of old-time religion but the new front lines of fundamentalism. 


The number of entrants to this giveaway will determine how many copies of this book I will giveaway:

1-10 entrants= 1
11-20 entrants= 2
21 or more entrants= 3
*Please note, the rules have changes for my giveaways:

To Enter:
Leave a comment with your email address, so I can contact you if you win.

Extra Entries:  Earn one extra entry for each of the following (please leave a separate comment for each).

Old or new follower of this blog.
Old or new follower on Twitter ().
Be my friend on Facebook (Teddy Rose).
Be my friend on Goodreads (Teddy).
+1 for each comment on a book review I have done. (Be sure to tell me which ones).
+1 for clicking to give free food at The Animal Rescue Site (tell me you did it).
+1 for clicking to give free books at The Literacy Site (tell me you did it).
That's 8 or more possible entries!

Sorry, the giveaway is only open US and Canadian residents only.
The winner’s mailing address: NO P.O. Boxes.
Only one entry per household/IP address
 
Winners will be subject to the one copy per household rule, which means that if you win the same title in two or more contests, you will receive only one copy of the book.
 
This giveaway will end on Friday, November 12th,11:59 P.M. E.S.T. The winners will be notified by email. Winners must respond within TWO days or will be disqualified.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Last Night in Twisted River by John Irving

Spanning over 50 years, Last Night is a family saga about father and son. Dominic Baciagalupo and his twelve-year-old son Danny live in a small logging town, called Twisted River, in northern New Hampshire. Dominic is the cook for the entire camp. The loggers call him "Cookie."

One day, in 1954 there is a tragic accident and in the river and a boy, Angel dies. He is just a bit older than Danny. Dominic is having an affair with the local sheriff's girlfriend, Injun Jane. One night while they are making love, Danny comes in and mistakes Jane for a bear and hits her hard with a skillet. She dies and Dominic and Danny flee from Twisted River and change their names. They are on the run for decades.

They settle again in New England and Dominic gets a job with Angel's family in their restaurant. He also has an affair with Angels mother but doesn't marry her because he doesn't want to drag her into his mess. Danny becomes a famous author and uses the name Danny Angel. Many years later, there are visitors to the restaurant, from the past and Dominic and Danny must run again. This time, they go to Iowa but later, they flee to Canada.

This book is packed with a cast of quirky characters, great plot development, and descriptions of beautiful and harsh landscapes. Some of the relationships that both Dominic and Danny had were a bit much. My only problem with the book is that none of the female characters havwe very little dimension to them and are not portrayed in a flattering light. However, since they are secondary characters, I can overlook that.

I saw John Irving last year at the Vancouver International Writers and Readers festival. he admitted to the audience that there are some similarities between himself and his character, Danny Baciagalupo.

I have only read one John Irving book before this, 'A Widow for One Year.' I thought it was a good book but nothing special. I'm so glad I gave Irving another try, this book was a really page turner for me. Now I see why there are so many John Irving fans! I look forward to read more John Irving books.

4/5

Also reviewed by:
A Novel Menagerie

Luxury Reading

If you reviewed this book, please leave a link in the comments.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Winner: Safe From the Sea by Peter Geye

Thanks again to Caitlin Hamilton Summie of Unbridled Books.

The Winner is:
Margie

Congratulations!  I emailed you.  Please respond with your shipping address within 3 days to claim your prize.

Newer Posts Older Posts Home