BOOKS AND BLOGGING PHILOSOPHY

Philosophy is defined as a theory underlying or regarding a sphere of activity or thought. Well, my theory is if I can add at least 10 new books to my Wishlist and move at least 5 older Wishlist selections to my TBR list every month, then life is a ice cream sundae. And if I can find those 10 books from at least 5 new blogs each month then that's the cherry on top.

NEW VISITORS AND OLD- WELCOME!

NEW VISITORS AND OLD- WELCOME!
Well, I've made it almost 5 years now, so for better or worse, I continue on. I tend to blog in spurts as the urge to be creative erupts. As I don't have an artistic bone in my body, you will see very few changes in the layouts. Hey, I'm a reader not an artist like so many of the awesome bloggers I follow. I know you don't always have the time but if you stopped and looked, take a half a minute and say your piece. Recommend a book that you have enjoyed or hated for that matter. Thank you to all who visit.
Oh, and I moved my Google Friend Connect info and share this buttons to the top, as without our friends, who are we?


Friday, April 30, 2010

Book Blogger Hop: April 30 - May 6, 2010



Hosted by Jennifer from CRAZY FOR BOOKS http://www.crazy-for-books.com


Here are Jennifer's instructions.

Your blog should have content related to books, including, but not limited to book reviews.

If you start following someone through the Hop, leave a comment on their blog to let them know!  Stop back during the week to see other blogs that are added!  And, most importantly, the idea is to HAVE FUN!!

OPTIONAL TWIST:
On your blog hop post, tell us about some of the other great blogs you've found while Hopping around!

DISCLAIMER:
The Hop isn't just for you to throw your link in there and not visit any other blogs.  It's all about networking and finding new blogs that are of interest.  So, in the spirit of the Hop, try to make some time to visit other blogs and don't post your link if you are not planning on visiting other blogs in the Hop that week.  This is a weekly event, so if you don't have time this week, that's fine!  We'll see you next week!

If you sign MckLinky, please share the love and POST ABOUT THE HOP ON YOUR BLOG!  How else will anyone else find out about it and come join the party?



Here are some of the blogs I visited-


http://literarywonders.blogspot.com/


http://www.booksaremything.blogspot.com/


http://kathylovestoread.blogspot.com/


http://myoverstuffedbookshelf.blogspot.com/


http://www.fwiwreviews.net/

http://bagsbooksandbonjovi.blogspot.com/

http://paranormal-obsession.blogspot.com/


http://readingwithoutrestraint.blogspot.com/


http://msmartin-media.blogspot.com/




Books I've Bought, Swapped or Won for the Week of 4/30


Wednesday, April 21, 2010

The Language of Secrets by Dianne Dixon


The Language of Secrets
Author: Dianne Dixon
Rating * * * * ½
Review Date 4/20/2010
Hardcover: 272 pages
Publisher: Doubleday (March 23, 2010)
ISBN-10: 0385530633

“Justin Fisher has a successful career as the manager of a luxury hotel, a lovely wife, and a charming young son. While all signs point to a bright future, Justin can no longer ignore the hole in his life left by his estranged family. When he finally gathers the courage to reconnect with his troubled past, Justin is devastated to learn that his parents have passed away. And a visit to the cemetery brings the greatest shock of all—next to the graves of his father and mother sits a smaller tombstone for a three-year-old boy: a boy named Thomas Justin Fisher.

What follows is an extraordinary journey as Justin struggles with issues of his own identity and pieces together the complex and heartbreaking truth about his family. With great skill and care, Dianne Dixon explores the toll that misunderstandings, blame, and resentment can take on a family. But it is the intimate details of family life—a mother's lullaby for her son, a father's tragic error in judgment—that make this novel so exceptional and an absolute must for reading groups everywhere.”

Wow, can you imagine the shock of coming home after years abroad to find that your parents are dead, your sisters don’t know who you are, and there’s a tombstone next to your parents with your name on it declaring that you had died at age 3. It would be enough to send you screaming into the night with the guys in white coats chasing you.
When I first read the book blurb, I thought –okay, he probably had a twin brother or something. Well, as you travel down the road in search of the something you will not be able to lay this book down. I found myself picking up this book while in the kitchen cooking (well actually waiting for water to boil). Any free moment, I grabbed it as I had to know what happened next.
At first I was a bit discombobulated as each chapter told the story from Justin’s point of view, both as a 3 year old and as an adult, and from his parent’s point of view. (Sadly, I’m one of those people who tend not to read the chapter heading; I just want to jump right in. Once, I realized I really needed to do that, it was so much more enjoyable.)
As the horror that was Justin’s young life begins to unfold, you just want to take that poor innocent child and hug him tight. Oh, and I can’t even express what I’d do to the sorry as*** that were responsible for his plight cause that would ruin the whole story.
Dixon has such a marvelous voice that made me forget that I was reading a story; I felt the pain and confusion right along with the characters. This is truly an amazing story within a story; it will not let you go. I hope to see many more books by this debut author. This one was a grand slam!
There is a reader’s guide included, which makes this an awesome book for book club discussions. It will definitely get you into some incredible conversations on family dynamics and the complexity of family secrets.

 I won a copy of this book from Bookin' With Bingo and I'm so glad I did . I received no monetary compensation for this review. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are entirely mine and can't be blamed on anyone else.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Books I've Bought, Swapped or Won for the Week of 4/9


  

I HATE TAX TIME!!!






I have gotten so far behind on my reviews it is shameful. I have three books by Nancy A Collins in her Vamp series, Kelly Gay's "The Better Part of Darkness", Judi Fennell's "Catch of a Lifetime", and Rachel Vincent's "Shift',  that I have read . Between income tax for the business, personal income tax, quarterly and monthly tax crap, I haven't sit down to write in a month. I promise to do my damnedest to get caught up by the weekend.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Friday Fill-ins

 Friday Fill-Ins 

1. In 1992, I was 
__the mother of a 3 year old, a 10 year old and a 18 year old__________.


2. 
_My granddaughter  always delivers_____ laughter and smiles. 



3. Do what you _need_________, with what you _have_________, where you ___want _______.

4. 
_On a warm sunny beach_________ is where I'd like to be. 


5. The trees and flowers are telling me 
__come out and play____________.


6. 
_That favorite book_______ that just keeps going on.


7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to an early bedtime
_____, tomorrow my plans include mowing the grass_____ and Sunday, I want to _sit outside and breath(oh and maybe read a bit____!

Friday, April 2, 2010

IT'S FRIDAY!!!!! BOOK BLOGGER HOP


Come by and find your next favorite blog. It's Friday and that means Book Blogger Hop. Get out your glad rags, dust off your shoes and follow me to find 
your friends, old & new.Visit Jennifer  and 
sign Mr McLinky at
http://www.crazy-for-books.com/2010/04/book-blogger-hop-april-2-april-8-2010.html

                           This is an awesome way to spend the day!

Thursday, April 1, 2010

The Berenstain Bears Celebrate Spring!

As the Berenstain were such a big part of my children's reading experience it seems appropriate to let them welcome spring to the Richards's Tree House in Dudley Country. So come on down that dirt road and welcome them into your child's life.  They are fabulous visitors and we always welcome them back.
HOW WILL YOU KNOW IT'S SPRING?


"There is slush and mush from melting snow. 
Birds sing.
Plants grow.


A crocus grows 
right through                                                         
the snow.


Wind blows hats off people's heads. 
We take out bikes.
We put back sleds.


It's time to get out 
brooms and mops.
It starts to rain...
then it stops.


The sun begins 
to warm the air.
Great Natural Bear 
comes out 
of his lair...


Hooray! IT'S SPRING!"



Books
Spring is in the air. There's so much to do in this season: playing, cleaning, celebrating, and thinking about the planet. There's a great selection of books that you might want to spring for...






The Bear Museum
Who among us has not experienced even a little bit of terror speaking before an audience, especially as a child ..


Join us at the Tree House...
There's always something happening in Bear Country! The Berenstain Bears Tree House is regularly updated and here you can find the latest news and adventures of your favorite Bears in Bear Country.


http://www.berenstainbearstreehouse.com/books.php