Cover Attraction

Each Wednesday, Marcia from The Printed Page, hosts Cover Attraction. She writes:

"I’m a very visual person and love beautiful cover art. It doesn’t necessarily mean I’ll read the book but at least I might stop and take a peek instead of walking right on by."

I am a visual person as well and have often read books simply because I liked the cover. My cover attraction for this week:


Title: Breaking the Bank
Author: Yona Zeldis McDonough

My cover attraction for this week is another one of my recent purchases. Am I the only one who has the "money falling from the sky dream"?

Sunday Salon

Have you ever said, "it's not the book, it's me"? Well, this statement is what I found myself repeatedly saying as I attempted to read Ms. Taken Identity by Dan Begley. I first discovered Ms. Taken Identity while browsing at Barnes and Noble. I liked the book description and immediately added it to my TBR List. While reviewing my library account online, I decided to check its catalog for Ms. Taken Identity. To my surprise, the library owned a copy and I added my name to the wait list.

Fast forward to a month later. . . I started reading it and realized my mind was distracted with other things. So, I put it down and didn't pick it up again for two days. Again, when I picked it up, I could not focus on what I was reading: my thoughts were filled with other things I really needed to do. After reading 90 pages or so, I just decided to put it down. This is a book that I really want to read and have read great reviews about. Reading it while my mind is cluttered just didn't seem right.

I really have not read much this week. Which is very unusual for me. Work is very stressful (we're downsizing due to the economy) so when I come home I'm really too tired to do much of anything. When I do sit down to relax, I think of all my unfinished tasks and guilt slowly creeps in.

Yesterday I had a hair appointment and could not imagine being without a book. I grabbed the first book I saw and walked out the door. The book I grabbed was The Neighbor by Lisa Gardner. I'm pleased to say I was able to read without my mind wandering and quickly found myself captivated by the story.

I do plan to return to Ms. Taken Identity at some point. For now, I'll continue to read the remaining library books I have checked out and begin reading my own books for the Fall into Reading and Clear Off Your Shelves Challenges.

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Title: Worst Case
Authors: James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge
Publication Date: February 1, 2010

Best case: survival

The son of one of New York's wealthiest families is snatched off the street and held hostage. His parents can't save him, because this kidnapper isn't demanding money. Instead, he quizzes his prisoner on the price others pay for his life of luxury. In this exam, wrong answers are fatal.

Worst case: death

Detective Michael Bennett leads the investigation. With ten kids of his own, he can't begin to understand what could lead someone to target anyone's children. As another student disappears, one powerful family after another uses their leverage and connections to turn the heat up on the mayor, the press--anyone who will listen--to stop this killer. Their reach extends all the way to the FBI, who send their top Abduction Specialist, Agent Emily Parker. Bennett's life--and love life--suddenly get even more complicated.

This case: Detective Michael Bennett is on it

Before Bennett has a chance to protest the FBI's intrusion on his case, the mastermind changes his routine. His plan leads up to the most devastating demonstration yet--one that could bring cataclysmic devastation to every inch of New York. From the shocking first page to the last exhilarating scene, Worst Case is a non-stop thriller from "America's #1 storyteller" (From Amazon.com)

Cover Attraction

Each Wednesday, Marcia from The Printed Page, hosts Cover Attraction. She writes:

"I’m a very visual person and love beautiful cover art. It doesn’t necessarily mean I’ll read the book but at least I might stop and take a peek instead of walking right on by."

I am a visual person as well and have often read books simply because I liked the cover. My cover attraction for this week:


Title: Crossing Washington Square
Author: Joanne Rendell

My cover attraction for the week is one of my recent purchases. I am still in denial that summer is over. When I saw this cover, I was instantly drawn to it. As much as I love the hot summer weather, I also love the beautiful colors of fall. Isn't this a gorgeous cover?

What's on Your Nightstand?

October 2009

The books I had on my nightstand in September are still on my nightstand for October.

• The Actor and the Housewife by Shannon Hale
• Hope in a Jar by Beth Harbison
• The Neighbor by Lisa Gardner
• Mating Rituals of the North American WASP by Laura Lipton
• Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella
• Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen

Hopefully October will be more successful than September!

Tuesday Teasers

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Jenn of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
  
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
  
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure what you share does not give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
  
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
  

My teasers:

"Give me two weeks to work on some cockamamie scenario about engagement rings and shopping sprees and bridesmaid dresses and impossibly dreamy guys, and voila! Hello publication. Not exactly the way I'd dreamed of getting my name (or my cousin's) into print, but like the Stones once sang, you can't always get what you want. So chick-lit it is."

~p. 33, Ms. Taken Identity by Dan Begley~

Musing Mondays

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about reading music. . .

Do you listen to music while reading? Does this change if you’re reading in or out of your house? Do you have a preference of music for such occasions?

On occasion I will listen to music while I'm reading at home. Sometimes I listen to a playlist in iTunes through my computer, but most of the times when I do listen to music while reading, I listen with my iPod. I do enjoy listening to my iPod while I'm reading on my couch. I get into my "zone" and I stay there for awhile. When I'm traveling, I always listen to music while reading.

My music preference is anything by Jim Brickman. I heart Jim Brickman! His music is so relaxing and I own just about all of his CDs. I've made several playlists based on his music so which ever I choose is a good reading companion.

Sunday Salon

This past week I spent several days in NYC. After returning home, I found myself in a funk. Or what I refer to as a MOOD. Being away was wonderful and relaxing. I had not realized how much I NEEDED to get away. . .to just escape my hectic life for a few days.

Now that I'm back, all I can think about is: how did I move at the speed I did before I left? Trying to return to my routine has been daunting, at best. So, needless to say nothing has gotten done, including reading and blog posting. I think I'm really feeling the after shock of how stressed and tired I've become these last few months.

I've decided to take it easy on myself for awhile to help me ease back into my routine. One of the things I've left go is my personal challenge of not returning any library books unread. I actually did a good job with this prior to my mini-vacation. I managed to read over half of them (all new releases) before I decided to stop this challenge. I now realize that there are other books I prefer to read (both library and my own books) instead of reading based on due dates.

I've also been working on incorporating reading more of my personal books each month and I realized my library challenge was interfering with that. I really want to start reading more of my own books. At one point, I was so excited to read them, only having that excitement fade or be placed on a newer, purchased book. Often times I read great reviews for a book and immediately check to see if my library owns it. If it does, then I will add my name to the wait list.

Now, I've decided to be a bit more selective to what I add to my TBR List. Let's face it. . .I can't read every book that has a great review. I added a "Notes/Comments" column to my TBR List to which I can highlight where I saw the book, review ratings, etc. to help organize my reading.

Being away really forced me to re-evaluate my priorities and reflect on my behaviors that cause me unnecessary stress. I need to find more balance in my life, not focusing on what other people are doing, when they doing it, how long it takes them to do it, etc. Life is short enough as it is, why make it any shorter?

Yesterday I started feeling like myself again and had a productive day playing "catch up". I managed to get a lot done and no longer feel as overwhelmed as I did my first night back. Today started out productive, but now as I look at my clock, I realize I haven't picked up my book this weekend nor started to watch season 1 of Fringe. I'm off to make lunch and will watch the Pilot episode while I'm eating. Then I'll read for a few hours before I need to start preparing for next week.

Happy Sunday everyone!

Dial Emmy for Murder by Eileen Davidson

Readers were first introduced to Alexis Peterson in Daytime in Death, book one of A Soap Opera Mystery series. Alex is the number one suspect in the murder investigation of a head writer on The Yearning Tide. Determined to clear her name, she begins her own investigation and finds she's quite good at being an amateur sleuth.

In Dial Emmy for Murder, Alex has left her former soap, The Yearning Tide, and is now a cast member of The Bare and the Brazen. It's the night of the Daytime Emmy Awards and Alex is one of the presenters. When her co-star and fellow presenter, Jackson Masters, doesn't show, Alex is forced to present the award herself. Little does she know, she's about to walk into another murder investigation.

Dial Emmy for Murder is a light, cozy mystery. The killer is evident as soon as he/she is introduced in the storyline, however this book is an enjoyable read. I have to admit, I was more interested in the blooming relationship between Alex and Detective Jakes than the murder investigation. There's also a sub-plot regarding Alex and her estranged husband. He embezzled money from his clients and stole Alex's retirement fund. Now he's back and is demanding to see their daughter.

If you're looking for a entertaining story, with a light mystery thrown in, then Dial Emmy for Murder is the answer. Book three of the series is in the works. Can't wait? There's a sneak peek included in Dial Emmy for Murder.

Book details:
Series: A Soap Opera Mystery #2
ISBN-13: 978-0-451-22825-3
Pages: 284
Year Published: 2009
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Date Finished: September 9

The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks

Book Synopsis:
Seventeen-year-old Veronica "Ronnie" Miller's life was turned upside down when her parents divorced and her father moved from New York City to Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. Three yeas later, she remains angry and alienated from her parents, particularly her father...until her mother decides it would be in everyone's best interest i she and her younger brother spent the summer with him in North Carolina.

Ronnie's father, a former concert pianist, is living a quiet life in the beach town, immersed in creating a work of art that will be the centerpiece of a local church. Resentful and rebellious, Ronnie rejects all of his attempts to reach out to her and threatens to return to New York before the summer's end. But soon Ronnie meets Will, the town's local heartthrob, and the last person she thought she'd ever be attracted to. As Ronnie slowly lets her guard down, she finds herself falling deeply in love, opening herself up to the greatest happiness⎯and pain⎯that she has ever known.

An unforgettable story of love in all its myriad forms⎯first love, love between parents and children⎯THE LAST SONG demonstrates, as only a Nicholas Sparks novel can, the many ways that love can break our hearts...and heal them.

My thoughts:
When Miriam Parker, Hachette Book Group USA, offered me the chance to receive an ARC of The Last Song, I immediately accepted. I've only read A Walk to Remember and The Notebook by this author, however I've heard and read glowing reviews about his books. After reading the last page (and wiping away my tears), I knew I had to add his remaining books to my TBR List.

My first thought when I started reading The Last Song, was this is the perfect book to read to finish out the summer. I thought it would be light, but an enjoyable read. To my delight, it became so much more as I read more of Ronnie's story.

Ronnie and her brother Jonah are sent to North Carolina to spend the summer with their estranged father. Their father left his prestigious position at Julliard to pursue his dream of being a concert pianist. His time away put a strain on his family and eventually ended his marriage. He now calls Wrightville Beach, NC home.

Ronnie never forgave her father for ruining their family. In fact, she hasn't spoken to him in three years. She's livid that her mother is forcing her to do this. As soon as she sets foot in her father's house, she's determined to plan her return back to New York. As soon as she enters her father's house, she puts distance between them by spending her first night away from his home. It's on this night that she first meets Will followed by Blaze. It's this night that will change her summer.

The Last Song is told in four differing points of view: Ronnie, Steve, Will and Marcus. Through each perspective, Mr. Sparks reveals more of the story and at times flashing back to the past to provide more history. Each character has something to add to the events of that summer and reading it in his or her own voice adds to the realness of the story.

Early on I had a hint of how the novel would end. As I realized my assumption was right, it didn't prepare me for the emotions I felt as I continued to read. The Last Song isn't only about love. It's also about learning how to forgive yourself for your past mistakes so you can move forward. This is evident as Ronnie struggles to forgive herself for allowing her anger and hurt to prevent her from having a relationship with her father. During this summer, Ronnie realizes despite her behavior, her father's love remained unconditional.

Steve, Ronnie's and Jonah's father, spends time quietly reading his Bible. It's during these devotionals, that Steve has forgiven himself and draws closer to God. Mr. Sparks did a fantastic job of using Steve's devotions to illustrate that through God, new beginnings are possible, despite your past, if you have faith, believe and put your trust in God. He continues to illustrate new beginnings by restoring broken relationships between a parent and child, the destroying and reconstruction of a church and learning to love and respect yourself.

The Last Song is an emotionally charged novel, one that I highly recommend. I suggest you read with tissues nearby. It will grabbed the reader and won't let go until the very last page. I want to thank Miriam for the opportunity to review this book.

Book details:
ISBN-13: 978-0-446-54756-7
Pages: 390
Year Published: 2009
Genre: Fiction
Date Finished: September 6
Rating: A+

Tuesday Teasers

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Jenn of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
  
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
  
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure what you share does not give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
  
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
  

My teasers:

"I was dying to tell them I was wearing Vintage Chanel and diamonds by Van Cleef & Arpels. But before I could answer, the mike was quickly whisked away from my face and shoved into the more in-demand face of Ellen DeGeneres."

~p. 3, Dial Emmy for Murder by Eileen Davidson~

Musing Mondays

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about audio books. . .

What is your preferred method of listening to audio books? Where and when do you listen to them?

It has taken me a while to listen to audio books. Now that I enjoy listening to them, I do most of listening during my daily commute to and from work. On occasion I will listen to an audio book on my iPod while doing my Saturday morning cleaning. What about you?

Mailbox Monday

Marcia, The Printed Page, hosts Mailbox Monday each week. She writes:

"Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books came into their house last week (checked out library books don’t count, eBooks & audio books do). Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists."

Here's what I received in the mail last week:

ARCs from Miriam Parker of Hachette books:

Margaret and Patrick have been married just a few months when they set off on what they hope will be a great adventure-a year living in Kenya. Margaret quickly realizes there is a great deal she doesn't know about the complex mores of her new home, and about her own husband.

A British couple invites the newlyweds to join on a climbing expedition to Mount Kenya, and they eagerly agree. But during their harrowing ascent, a horrific accident occurs. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Margaret struggles to understand what happened on the mountain and how these events have transformed her and her marriage, perhaps forever.

A Change in Altitude illuminates the inner landscape of a couple, the irrevocable impact of tragedy, and the elusive nature of forgiveness. With stunning language and striking emotional intensity, Anita Shreve transports us to the exotic panoramas of Africa and into the core of our most intimate relationships. (From Barnes & Noble)

High-powered executive Steven Kerner is living the dream in southern California. But when his bottled pain ignites in anger one night, his wife kicks him out. Then an eccentric mystery man named Andy Monroe befriends Steven and begins unravelling his tightly wound world. Andy leads Steven through a series of frustrating and revealing encounters to repair his life through genuine friendship and the grace and love of a God who has been waiting for him to accept it. A story to challenge and encourage, BO'S CAFE is a model for all who struggle with unresolved problems and a performance-based life. Those who desire a fuller, more authentic way of living will find this journey of healing a restorative exploration of God's unbridled grace. (From Barnes & Noble)

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading this week? is a weekly event to share what we read last week, what we are currently reading and what books we plan to read this week.

Read last week, with review to come:

• The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks
  

Currently reading:

• Dial Emmy for Murder by Eileen Davidson
  

Later this week:

• I'm So Happy for You by Lucinda Rosenfeld
  

What are you reading this week?

Sunday Salon

Is it me, or do Sundays seem to come a little faster each week than the previous weeks? I can't believe summer has come and gone! As much as I like the beautiful colors that Fall brings, I'm still not ready to let go of the hot, humid weather just yet.

After having such a good reading week last week, I wanted to keep the momentum this week. Not necessarily by reading seven books again, however I wanted to read more than my average of three. Unfortunately my work days were long and tiring and left me feeling exhausted by the time I came home. When I sat down to read, my eyes were closed before I had to chance to open the book. Luckily tomorrow I don’t have any holiday plans and I can spend most of my day reading. Having said that, I only finished one book this week: The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks. My review will be posted on Tuesday, its release date.

Everyone have a great week!

The Penny Pinchers Club by Sarah Strohmeyer

Book Synopsis:
A timely (and recession-proof) treat about the things money can⎯and can't⎯buy.

Living in New Jersey⎯the state that boasts the most malls per capita⎯Kat's favorite recreational activity is a no-brainer: shopping. But when she discovers that her husband, Griff, has been hiding a secret bank account and exchanging dubious e-mails with his attractive young assistant, her joyful consumerism suddenly loses its appeal. Are their fights about money more serious than she understood? Is he, as her friends suggest, preparing for a divorce? Just in case, Kat decides it's time to start saving. Unfortunately, having racked up tens of thousands of dollars in debt (of course she needed those tiki torches from Pier 1!), Kat finds herself in way over her head.

Drastic times call for drastic measures: Kat starts by canceling cable and kicking her $240 monthly Starbucks habit. But what starts out as a simple effort to cut costs soon becomes an over-the-top obsession when Kat joins an eclectic but lovable group of savers called the Penny Pinchers Club. Soon she is pumping her gas at dawn (when it is thicker) and serving dinner made from food she retrieved at the grocery store Dumpster. Kat is saving money, to be sure, but what she's really saving is time⎯time she spends with Griff, their daughter . . . and an old flame, who resurfaces at precisely the wrong moment, offering Kat a life where money is no object.

An irresistible and wonderfully warmhearted novel about the unexpected ways hardship can lead to happiness, The Penny Pinchers Club is the perfect pick-me-up for these troubled times.

My thoughts:
Kat loves to shop. She shops and shops and doesn't pay much attention to the bills. In fact, she's afraid of her bills. Luckily, (or maybe not) her husband handles their finances. Kat believes she has a good marriage with Griff. Well, that's until she finds condom wrappers in his suitcase when he comes home from a business trip. To make matters worse, she learns he has a secret credit card and a bank account (in his name only) that he has kept from her. So, what does she think? He's preparing to divorce her.

As Kat allows this one (and only one) conclusion to consume her (I mean it is obvious he's divorcing her, right?), she realizes maybe it's time for her to do a little growing up of her own and prepare for the inevitable: being a 40ish newly, divorced mother. To get ready for this new chapter in her life, she agrees to meet with a divorce lawyer and quickly learns she has a lot to do before Griff tells her he wants out. Step one: find money to pay for the lawyer, which also means she needs to get out of debt and start saving money fast!

She reluctantly attends The Penny Pinchers Club meeting with her housekeeper, Libby and meets an unique set of people. All have had financial woes in the past and have managed to overcome them. Now they buy in bulk, dumpster-drive and use coupons whenever possible. As Kat learns to do away with excess, she also learns an important lesson about herself and her marriage.

The Penny Pinchers Club is a great read. Yes, it deals with marital problems and how money can drive two people apart, but it's much more than that. As I continued to read, the more I focused on how things aren't always what they appear. We tend to see what we want to see and come to one (and only one) conclusion based on what is presented to us. It's so obvious, that if we choose to see it any differently, we will be in denial. But, that's not always the case. Sometimes we focus on what we know is right, that we tend to misread the clues.

Here I was looking for a light, fun read (which in a way it is), but was also given something to think about: the obvious isn't necessarily so obvious. I highly recommend this novel. Readers will cheer Kat on as she learns to save money and salvage what's left of her marriage.

Book details:
Series:
ISBN-13: 978-0-525-95117-9
Pages: 288
Year Published: 2009
Genre: Women's Fiction
Date Finished: August 30
Rating: A-

Real Life & Liars by Kristina Riggle

Book Synopsis:
Sometimes you find happiness where, and when, you least expect it.

For Mirabelle Zielinski's children, happiness always seems to be just out of reach. Her polished oldest daughter, Katya, clings to a stale marriage with a workaholic husband and three spoiled children. Her son, Ivan, so creative, is a down-in-the-dumps songwriter with the worst taste in women. And the "baby," impulsive Irina, who lives life on a whim, is now reluctantly pregnant and hitched to a man who is twice her age. On the weekend of their parents' anniversary party, lies will be revealed, hearts will be broken...but love will also be found. And the biggest shock may come from Mirabelle herself, because she has a secret that will change everything.

My thoughts:
I enjoy reading books about family dynamics. Each family member has his/her own role that allows the family to function. In Real Life and Liars, Ms. Riggle explores the depth of family relationships.

The story is told by the four main characters in alternating chapters. There's Mirabelle, the hippie, nonconformist mother; Katya, the oldest, materialistic daughter; Ivan, the insecure, middle son; and Irina, the youngest daughter without a sense of direction. The children come home for a weekend visit to celebrate their parents' wedding anniversary. As each child arrives, with his and her personal problems, Mira is also keeping a secret of her own. She's made her decision about her fate, and now she hopes her family can accept it.

Ms. Riggle did a fantastic job of writing each character and allowing him/her to have his/her own voice. Only Mira's point of view is written in first person and I thought that only added to the richness of the story. Readers will feel compassion for this family when Mira finally shares her secret with her children.

Real Life and Liars is an honest look into what makes a family a family. The Zielinskis are far from perfect. They may not see eye to eye on things, however when it's time to come together, they show up ready to support each other. I liked the uniqueness of each child and how he/she played a significant part to the family dynamic. As I read each scene, I could vividly picture each character in my mind and thought this would make a great movie.

Real Life and Liars is Ms. Riggle's debut novel which I highly recommend. The next time you're at a book store or your local library, pick it up. You won't be disappointed...it's that good!

Recommended for: a reader who is in search of his/her next great read.

Book details:
ISBN-13: 978-0-06-170628-8
Pages: 327
Year Published: 2009
Genre: Fiction (Family relations)
Date Finished: August 29
Rating: A

Tuesday Teasers

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Jenn of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
  
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
  
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure what you share does not give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
  
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
  

My teasers:

"She turned just in time to see one of the players rushing toward her at full speed, his head craning to catch sight of the wayward ball. She didn't have time to react before he slammed into her. She felt him grab her shoulders in a simultaneous attempt to stop his momentum and prevent her from falling."

~p. 27, The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks~