Teaser Tuesday - Talk to me Like I'm Someone You Love

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB 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 that what you share doesn’t 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!

This Week's Teasers are from Talk to Me Like I'm Someone You Love by Nancy Dreyfus:

Flash Card # 58 You didn't do anything wrong. I know it's my own craziness - trust me to get through it. page 168

and

Flash Card # 78 Even though I've been arguing my position like a crazy person, I now see where your point of view makes sense. page 222

The New Yorker's Best 20 Under 40

Sunday, June 6, 2010

The New Yorker magazine publishes a list of the 20 best fiction writers under age 40 every few years, actually it's been over a decade since they published their last "20 under 40" list. This list is just begging for a reading challenge, I mean come on it's a list of the best up and coming fiction writers of the day and there is so much to choose from. Chris Adrian's novel trend toward surrealism, Nicole Krauss already has two novels that have been optioned for films and Philipp Meyer has had his work compared to Faulkner. These are three totally different types of authors with one big thing in common, they are really good.

Book Review - Donner the Western Dragon by Suzanne Davis Marion

Saturday, June 5, 2010

I received Donner the Western Dragon: A Hero's Tale by Suzanne Davis Marion for review.

This book is very cute, as soon as we opened the envelope with this book inside my son pointed, smiling and said "dragon!" With a reaction like that Donner gets points right away.

This book has quite a few more words than the books we usually read but my little guy stuck with it the whole way. He was interested in the story and the illustrations kept him excited to turn the page.

Product Description

Donner the Western Dragon lived in a cold northern forest with his parents, brother and sister, and several other dragon families. Western dragons were noted for their warlike and fierce demeanor. The young dragons spent much of their spare time in rough-and-tumble games, snorting fire at one another, wrestling and fighting. While all the other young dragons were tumbling about and breathing fire all over the grass, flowers and trees, Donner much preferred romping and playing with his best friend, Una. Everyone found it strange that Una should be Donner’s best friend, as Una was a unicorn, an animal noted for its gentle disposition. Donner’s father and the other dragons mocked Donner for his quiet demeanor. They accused him of behaving like a peaceful Eastern dragon. He was an embarrassment to them. In an unexpected twist of fate, Donner’s unique personality and talents enabled him to intervene in a frightening situation, and become a hero, appreciated and commended by all.

About the Author

Suzanne Davis Marion grew up in Tucson, Arizona, and graduated from the University of Arizona and from the University of Houston Moores School of Music. She is a singer, pianist, and teacher, and recently developed a small business creating personalized lullabies and play songs for children (Lullabies By Suzanne). She and her husband Stuart live in Houston, Texas with their two dogs, Laura and Diana.

Book Review - Manual for Living: Reality User's Guide to the Meaning of Life by David Chernoff

Friday, June 4, 2010

Recently I received Manual For Living: Reality: A User's Guide to the Meaning of Life by David Chernoff for review. Weirdly enough it took me a while to get started on it, I have no idea why other than I was kind of intimidated. In one way who doesn't want a manual for living? In another way what if the words in this book really do hold the meaning of life?

When I finally did finish Manual for Living I was sorry I had waited so long. In each section Chernoff encourages us to get in touch with ourselves and live life to it's fullest by taking a hard look at each bit of our lives and making the changes toward a better life. If you are at all interested in taking a look inside yourself and making some changes for new beginning to living a fuller life then read this book.

Product Description:

The Manual for Living is a users guide to the meaning of life. Realize the basic truths to life and evolution, pearls of wisdom, to guide us in coexisting with the universe and our greater communities. A practical guide to the hidden truths in life in order to understand why we do what we do and live the way we live. Understand the game of life and the role we play as individuals, as spiritual beings, and as contributors of service to the greater good of humankind. Discover answers to life's most troubling questions and for the meaning behind our eternal search. A spiritual journey into the realities of our communities and our lives, individually and collectively. A guidebook to life, family, and to being of service at all times while seeking balance in this eternally overwhelming world in which we live.

Book Review - Dead and Gone by Charlanie Harris

Thursday, June 3, 2010

I am so happy the series is back on track in Dead and Gone: A Sookie Stackhouse Novel Charlaine Harris works her magic. I was pulled into the story from the very beginning. So much happened right up front that I was instantly invested.

I usually look to the product information on Amazon to copy here in order to share a little of the story with you but this time both reviews were..well bad. The Pulisher's Weekly review thinks fans will be disappointed which I totally disagree with and the Booklist review gives away way too much information while at the same time calling Sookie a psychic. PSYCHIC!! have you never read the books? Sorry, for being upset about that but if you have read these books you know what I mean. How many times has Sookie had to say she isn't a psychic but in fact a telepath?

This one completes the official Sookie Stackhouse Reading Challenge. When it started there were only 9 books in the series now there are 10 which I am trying to get from the library but I am number 14 on the hold list and the challenge ends June 30th. Hopefully I will be able to finish the 10th by then but if not I am still happy to complete this challenge as it was originally written.

Story Review - Dracula Night by Charlaine Harris

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

In Many Bloody Returns Charlaine Harris gives us the best Sookie short story I've read so far. I mean who doesn't want to go to Dracula's birthday party?

Product Description from Amazon:

From cakes to stakes, a celebration of everyone's favorite bloodsucking subculture by a baker's dozen of favorite authors. Each of these thirteen original stories offers a fresh and unique take on what birthdays mean to the undead. From Charlaine Harris's Sookie Stackhouse attending a birthday party for Dracula to Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden battling bloodsucking party crashers, these suspenseful, surprising, sometimes dark, sometimes humorous stories will ensure paranormal fans will never think of vampires or birthdays quite the same again.

Bug Meets His Friends - Spotlight

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

I reviewed the Bug Adventure Series back in April but they weren't available for sale until June so I want to remind everyone that these books are on sale now. They are now available from Amazon, Barnes and Noble and more.
Product Description from Amazon:

Bug, the adventurous, energetic little car, has a dilemma. He doesn t know if he wants to go to the park to play or the track to race around and around. Luckily, Bug s friend Cooper shows up and helps him make this difficult decision and the two friends have the best time together. Bug Meets His Friend reminds us that we can always ask for help when making tough decisions. It also reminds us how to make every day an adventure, while overcoming that particular days obstacles.