My Favorite Reads of 2011

I've read a lot of Best of lists in the past month.  Most book bloggers read several books a week, I'm not exclusive to blogging of books, and my reviews averaged about  2 a month, strikingly less.  I'm setting bigger goals for myself next year...but that is another topic. 

I decided that my favorite reads would be based on my ratings, and I have to admit, it seems slim, and I do have a few more favorites.  For now, these 7 books that I gave 5 Star ratings will stand as my best reads of 2011. 
Another best part of the year was discovering new authors.  Only 4 books that I read in 2011 were from authors I'd read in the past.  Between blogging and facebook and twitter I discovered just how wonderful writers can really be.  I made new friends, learned so much from authors and all the self promotion they really have to do to get their books and name out there.  I owe much to the writers I met at the UCF Bookfest, they know who they are!! 
I also have expanded my mind and reading with book blogs that I am so thrilled to read daily.  The side of my blog lists a few of my favorites.
So....without further ado...here are my favorite reads of 2011

Still Alice 
The story of a women with early onset Alzheimer's disease.  An amazing journey as she begins to lose touch with who she is.  This book really made me cry, and remember to never take life for granted.

The Weird Sisters
This debut novel had me captivated from the start.  Three sisters return home, for varying reasons and yet they all find something they need together.  I can't wait to read more from Eleanor Brown.
Exposure: A Novel
Ripped from the headlines, teens sexting and sending questionable emails.  I couldn't put this one down, and it had surprising twists and turns.  As a mom of teens it lead to many open discussions.
The Time It Snowed In Puerto Rico
Having "met" the author, Sarah McCoy, online I was taken off to an island to learn the story of Verdita when I read this book.  A beautiful coming of age story, I loved this book.  Sarah's next book, The Baker's Daughter will be published January 24, 2012. 
Maine
The story of a family of guilty Catholics, and what happens when they gather at the family beach house along the coast of Maine.  Generations of women that give such a glimpse of family and life.
Faith
My second read from author Jennifer Haigh, and such a book with twists and turns.  The story of Father Arthur Breen and the accusations of his perversions are just the tip of the iceberg in this novel.  I was drawn into this book to learn some very sad truths.
Wench
Historical fiction that captivated me, a surprise for certain.  Not usually a genre I pick up, but I met the author Dolen Perkins-Valdez at a bookfest and her discussion of the book really intrigued me.  I learned so much about the lives of these mistress/slaves and I was saddened just reading of these struggles. 

I'm looking forward to more great reads in 2012

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas........

I truly love this time of year, the decorations, the sweet smells, the music, the family home.  I love the look of a snow covered Christmas...not so much the cold temps, or the slush that turns to ice and the ick that follows that snow. 
No risk of that at all here in sunny Florida....today's high was about 81...unusually warm even for us. 

It doesn't matter where you are or what the weather is like, if you are with those you love on Christmas, you are in a place of love. 

My small family is together, Kevin, myself, Adrienne, Caitie and Nick.  We spent Christmas eve together, eating dinner, and watching the Polar Express.  We didn't drive around looking at lights, we've done that many times too. 

I am wishing each of my blogging friends a Very Merry Christmas.  Blogging and making new friends thought book and blogging have been a wonderful thing.  I eagerly look for your new blog updates and read them and try to comment often.  I hope your holiday no matter what you celebrate is warm and wonderful. 

Book Review: The Bungalow by Sarah Jio

In 1942 Anne Calloway is a young woman engaged to be married, she loves her fiance......., but when her best friend Kitty decides to join the Army Nurse Corps in the South Pacific, Anne goes with her.  They are eager to help in our  battle of WWII.  From the moment they landed in Bora Bora Kitty seems different, she is too eager to attract the men stationed there.  Anne sticks by her friend, and together they make new friends and explore the beautiful island where they are stationed.
Anne meets a handsome young soldier, Westry, and while they begin as just friends, their relationship grows.  Anne has had doubts about the man she's engaged to.  They support each each other and grow to form such a wonderful bond.  They also have a project, a small hidden little bungalow, a bit run down, but with some work it becomes  a place to go and escape all the talk of war and sadness.
This story of Anne, Westry and Kitty has other ups and downs and secrets, some that will take decades to resolve  and be put to rest.

I've made no secret of my love for Sarah Jio's first novel, The Violets of March.  This second novel did not disappoint.  A love story that expands time and yet not a fluffy, happily ever after story that fits any mold of a love story I have read. The picturesque descriptions of Bora Bora and it's beauty and the Army base put the reader right in the South Pacific.  I love the historical part of this book, my own parents were young and in love during WWII, and my family has fabulous pictures of my young parents.  My dad in uniform, my mom wearing glamorous clothes, and I've heard a lot of stories.  The Bungalow really felt honest and sincere to me, young people did meet under dire circumstances and fall in love in the oddest of places.

I really enjoyed this book, and gave it a 4.5 out of 5 stars.  I'm recommending it to all my friends, and it's a wonderful gift to yourself, because you know you're going to get a gift card from a book store for Christmas or Hanukah.

I was able to read a digital ARC of this book from Net Galley, thank you so much for this opportunity!!

Update: 52 letters, 52 weeks Challenge

 So I began this journey with great expectations and enthusiasm.  I started in January, and I tripped a bit but stayed fairly on top of the writing until May. 
In May my girls graduated from high school, and there was so much activity in our house it was far from calm and conducive to quiet time for writing letters. 
In June I accepted a part time job at Barnes and Noble, so my free time was even more limited. 

I  sent out over 20 letters this year, so not a total wash.  Twenty letters that I would not have sent if not for the challenge I found on another blog, The Non-Consumer Advocate.  Kate writes some lovely posts about her progress and how fun it is to send and receive mail. 
I also received many letters in return, and those were a lovely treat when I opened my mail box.  Quickly looking at the list I once started, I receive at least 10 letters. 

I think I'm going to amend this challenge for 2012, but with new stationary that I HAD to have there is no excuse for not continuing to write letters. 

Book Review: Wench

 
I have been wanting to read this book ever since my friend Beth told me about it earlier this year.  I then had the chance to hear the author, Dolen Perkins-Valdez, speak at the UCF Bookfest in March of this year.  She was  kind and engaging and her reading was so riveting. 

Wench is the story of four women really.  These are black slave women, who are also mistresses to their masters.  In the summer they travel from their homes in the South to Ohio, a free state.  In Ohio they stay at a resort, Tawawa House.  They each stay in a little cabin, behind the big house.  Lizzy meets Reenie, Sweet and Mawu and the lives, loves and tragedies of the four lead this book. 

Lizzy believes she loves her master, Drell, and she has two of his children.  She dreams of the day that he may release them, how could he bear to see them as slaves?  We learn all about Lizzy, how she came to be the favored slave.  She and the other slave women share with each other their stories and while three of them are reconciled to their role as slave and mistress, Mawu is not. As they reunite over many summers they share news of their lives on the plantations. They open up to each other as time goes on. Mawu is a mysterious woman, who is earthy and talks of herbs and spells and when she starts talking about running away the future of all these women is changed.

This book took me into the lives and emotions of these black women.  My heart ached for their enslavement and yet I understood how choosing to risk it all for freedom was also leaving behind family and some security. I learned so much about this common practice among masters and slaves.  The author's research and story are honest and ring true.  I honestly cried in many parts of this book, wanting so much more for Lizzy and her friends. 

I listened to the audio of this book, and the narration was wonderfully done by Robynne Young.  I'm continually amazed at the voices and inflections of the narrators in audio books.  This was spot on. 

I gave this book a 5 out of 5 stars, I loved it so much.  I urge you to read or listen to Wench. 

Winner

Happy to announce that Beth, my lovely friend and blogger has won the Campbell Lawson book giveaway!!
She chose WHEREDITGO, and I'll be sending her address along to Terra today!!

Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope you'll all be able to see Campbell Lawson books in your local stores soon!!

Book Review and a Giveaway!!

I have a wonderful friend, she loved both reading and writing, and she adores children.  She has now combined her passions into a new exciting adventure and business.  My friend Terra has started a small publishing company and has written and published three lovely children's books.  Her company is CAMPBELL LAWSON, the names are a combination of her grandmother's maiden names.  Please click on the links to see her personal blog, Sitting On An Oak, and her new business too.

So let me tell you about these books, they are adorable, so sweet and also teach lessons.  They are perfect for pre-schoolers and beginning readers, with maybe a little help from mom or dad. 

Wherediditgo?, a  sweet story of a very messy little girl.  What parent hasn't wondered where our kids keep or should we say loose all their things?   Told from the child's voice, this is a simple and adorable book.

 

 Rock n Friend is actually two books in one, told from both the perspective of a little girl, and a rock.  Yes you heard that right, a rock.  You simply turn the book over, and begin the other side of the story. 

 Somebody is perhaps the most advanced of these first three books, but oh so very honest.  The girl in this book very much feels like her parents are always relying on her to help out, when anyone calls for "somebody" to bring this or that, it's always her.  She also learns how much she is loved.  

I hope you will look at CAMPBELL LAWSON and the books available.  They hope to get into as many Independent Booksellers as possible, so if you happen to like what you see, perhaps pass this information along and you may be seeing the books closer to you.

I've been given the opportunity to give away one of these books to one of my lucky readers.  Leave a comment and you'll be entered in the drawing.  You may choose your book, so please include that information in your comment.  Entries limited to US only, and book will be mailed to you by the publisher.  Entries open until Sunday December 11th at 10pm. 

Please share my blog with anyone you know with younger children, I'd really love to get the word out about this new source of beautiful children's books.  

Thanks so much my friends!!!

What Happens after High School

Over two years ago I posted about The In Crowd in my daughter's high school, and one person in particular, a girl I named Zelda. 
I hadn't planned on updating this storyline, but then something happened to change my mind.
Zelda did graduate, no bells or whistles but she completed high school and didn't have a set plan for post high school education.  She told me she wanted to go away to school, her parents disagreed and she was probably going to stay local and attend Community College.
Zelda continued her partying ways in high school, and I'm not sure was quite as "IN" as I had thought she was.  Many people had seen through her.
A few weeks ago Zelda was arrested for a DUI, her arrest was in the local paper, her mug shot available online.  So very sad, so very young, and such a waste of a young life.
I hope this is a wake up call and that she is able to get her act together.

Personally, this parenting of young adults is very difficult.  I'm constantly helping my girls make the best choices possible.  I'm very honest about the realities of them stumbling, I really hope they learn from the little things, and not the more drastic things that could happen.

So once again, I'm happy I'm not Zelda's mom. 

My Week in Books, Book Store, and Family

I am so happy today is Saturday!!!  A day off, and the outside of the house is decorated for Christmas.  We're working on the inside this afternoon and tonight.
My week has been busy with work and keeping up with the family.
On the book front I picked up an ARC at work of LONDONERS: The Day and Nights of London Now-As Told by Those Who Love It, Hate It, Live It,Left It, and Long For It  by Craig Taylor

I've traveled and vacationed extensively in my youth across the US, but I dream of seeing Europe, I suspect this book will cause me to want it more.
I also won a copy of BEST KEPT SECRET by Amy Hatvany.

I won it from Andrea at Great thoughts, and there is a twitter chat on January 26 that I look forward to.  I've read wonderful reviews of this book, and I will be reading this in January I suspect.

I'm reading THE WORLD WE FOUND by Thrity Umrigar, it is simply beautiful!!  A wonderful book blogger Swapna, is hosting a giveaway and discussion of this book.  Her blog S.Krishna's Books is marvelous, so rush over now through Monday December 5 to enter for a chance to win a galley and then join in the discussion on January 10, a week after it's release date. 

My family is slowly recovering from the loss of my sister.  She's been cremated and my niece will be disposing of the ashes, my sisters' wishes were to have them scattered up in the mountains, not far from where she lived in CA.  Tomorrow would have been her 63rd birthday.

This upcoming week is finals for Caitie and Adrienne.  Wishing them luck on this first of many finals weeks.

The book store is good, busy this past week, but not like other types of retail.  I keep smiling and upbeat and it seems to calm harried customers.  I've been buying up books and gifts for my family and friends. 
Visit a book store near you to give the gift of words!!!