I came across this cool website called Book Screening which has book trailers for all types of books, all in one place! You can leave comments and link the book trailers to your blog, twitter, or other website.
http://bookscreening.com/
Here's a cool trailer for Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder
Brooklyn can’t sleep. Her boyfriend, Lucca, died only a year ago, and now her friend Gabe has just died of an overdose. Every time she closes her eyes, Gabe’s ghost is there waiting for her. She has no idea what he wants or why it isn’t Lucca visiting her dreams.
Book Screening and Book Trailer for Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder
Harper Teen 28 day Giveaway
Harper Teen will be giving away a book a day, plus an iPod Touch once a week! How do you enter? Just go to this website http://www.28daygiveaway.com/ and take the daily poll to be automatically entered to win!
LOST Final Season
Any LOST fans out there? The final season of LOST begins tonight! I am excited but sad that my favorite show will be ending soon. It's more than a show, it's a phenomenon!! Action, adventure, romance, fantasy, sci-fi, drama, mystery, this show has everything!! If you haven't seen it yet, I suggest you rent the first season and become hooked!!
Journey of Souls
Journey Of Souls: Case Studies of Life Between Lives by Michael Newton
As much as I enjoy fiction, I also like reading non-fiction books about random subjects. I especially enjoy studying different religions and spiritual matters. Lately I have been reading books about the afterlife and near death experiences. Whether it’s a fiction book like The Five People You Meet In Heaven or a non-fiction book like Embraced By The Light, about a woman’s near death experience, I find people’s visions of the afterlife fascinating.
Journey of Souls and its sequel, Destiny of Souls, are about people who, under hypnosis, give an account of what the afterlife was like in between their reincarnated lives. The author interviewed several people under hypnosis and compiled their visions about the structure and organization of the spirit world into these two books. According to his clients, the afterlife is very organized, composed of many levels and advancements of souls, and various departments with various functions. There are soul groups, study groups, spirit guides, and many opportunities for growth and learning.
I had not previously studied reincarnation or hypnosis, so I’m not very familiar with those topics and I did not agree with some of the things I read in these books, but it was interesting, though it did seem a bit biased to me. This doctor asked his clients specific questions for answers HE was seeking in order to back his theories. Some of his clients mentioned feeling a loving Presence but he didn’t push them further and ask questions about the existence of God or on the validity of the Scriptures. Plus I don’t really know how accurate hypnosis can be, it does seem like it could be contrived or leave room for one’s imagination to take over.
But I did find it an interesting read. It certainly made me think about what Heaven might be like. And there were similarities to books I’ve read about near death experiences, such as seeing a brilliant whiteness surrounding them or in front of them after they leave their earthly bodies.
So if you’re the type of person who likes to step out of your comfort zone and read books that challenge your beliefs, then you might want to consider reading these books. But if you find such topics offensive or uninteresting then these books are probably not for you.
I am going to continue delving into the spirit world. My next selections are going to be the books, 90 Minutes in Heaven, and 23 Minutes in Hell. Those should be fascinating reads as well.
Blog Award
I just received this One Lovely Blog Award from Bookworm Nation. Thank you so much for thinking of me Kath! Please check out her awesome blog at: http://bookwormnation.blogspot.com/
Catharine and Other Writings
Catharine and Other Writings by Jane Austen
Most people are aware of Pride and Prejudice and Jane Austen’s other novels. But a lot of people aren’t aware that she wrote several short stories, poems, and even prayers. This book contains these lesser known writings and is an interesting addition to any Jane Austen collection.
Most of these short stories were written for the amusement of Jane’s family and friends. The plots and characters are intentionally absurd and there is a lot of sarcasm and, I’m sure, inside jokes contained in them. So if you can get past the old fashioned writing style, you can see a lot of wit and humor in her writing, even at a young age. They were mainly written when she was a teenager. She started writing at the age of twelve and had filled several notebooks of her writings by the age of 18. It certainly isn’t her best writing but it is interesting to see how her writing has developed and matured over the years.
I am an avid Jane fan. I have all her books, biographies, and movie adaptations, so I am happy to add this to my collection. I also have a Jane Austen fan page which you can view at: http://www.myspace.com/becomingjaneausten
100 Followers!
I hope you all had a wonderful holiday! I just reached my 100th follower! Hooray for me! ha ha! And thanks to Stephanie for getting me to that spot. She only has a few followers, so please add her: http://theastronautdropped.blogspot.com/
And a big thank you to everyone who reads my blog. I know I don't blog as much as most of you, but I am going to try and do better in 2010....just as soon as I get out of my reading rut. I'm trying...I have several books that I've started, but just can't seem to pick up again. I think a trip to my local bookstore might do the trick! Nothing like browsing new books to brighten my day and put me in a reading mood! Although I didn't get the Barnes and Nobles gift card for Christmas that I was hoping for. :(
I hope you all have a very happy new year!
Happy Holidays!!
Happy Holidays everyone!! Here’s a clip from my favorite holiday movie, Christmas Vacation. Have the hap hap happiest Christmas ever!
In a Reading Rut
I was going to spend the Christmas holiday reading classic novels. I just finished Little Women and was going to start Jane Eyre. But I’m not really in a reading mood right now. My shelves are filled with great books that I could read or re-read but nothing grabs me. And I’ve been browsing books online and around the blogs but haven’t found a book that jumps out at me and says “read me now!” Does anyone else ever get in a reading rut?
SO PROUD!
My best friend just finished writing her first novel. I'm so proud of her!! It's an amazing YA Fantasy novel which she's currently seeking publication for. She also has a new blog, so please check it out and feel free to add her!
http://albawden.blogspot.com/
BOOK TRAILERS
What do you think about Video Book Trailers? Do they pique your interest in a book? Here are a few Trailers that I found on YouTube that I thought were cool. Tell me what you think and/or share a link to your favorite trailer!
WAKE/FADE
BEAUTIFUL CREATURES
WICKED LOVELY
Contest Central
Are you interested in contests and giveaways? A Reader’s Journal Blog is hosting “Contest Central Fridays” which will have a list of all the contests going on each week on the various blogs. So check it out!!
http://readfromatoz.blogspot.com/2009/10/contest-central-fridays.html
My Summer Reads
Sorry, I know I’ve been kind of quiet lately. I’ve been busy reading, catching up on my to-read list! I thought I’d give some quick reviews of some of the books I’ve been reading this summer.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
This is a great book! I had a hard time putting it down! It's dramatic and entertaining, with a strong female lead character. I could see this being made into a movie!
Without giving too much of the plot away....the novel is set in the future after the collapse of the world and its rebuilding by The Capitol. To maintain order, The Capitol hosts The Hunger Games each year in which a boy and a girl are chosen from each of the 12 districts to compete to the death....that's right....to death!!!
The story is compelling and the characters are likable and believable. Drama, romance, and alot of edge of your seat moments! That's all I'm going to say, you will just have to read it yourself and find out what happens!!
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
The novel's heroine, Mary, lives in a village surrounded by a chain-link fence, beyond which is a vast forest full of the eternally ravenous undead--the forest of hands and teeth. No villager ever goes outside this fence, unless they want to die. Mary's world is bound not only by the fence but by an archaic religious order called the Sisterhood. Marriages, childbirth, death, every stage of life must be controlled to sustain the village's precarious existence.
I was hesitant to read this because I'm not a fan of zombie stories. But I was pleasantly surprised! This was a really good read! It was riveting and had alot of edge of your seat moments. Great writing too! It was hard to put down! In fact I didn't put it down, I spent all day reading it!
Evermore by Alyson Noel
I know alot of people love this book. It's hard to go into details without giving away the plot. I thought it was a good read and it held my attention. There was alot of mystery surrounding the male character....who is he and what is he. But once that mystery was revealed, it was a bit unfulfilling. The explanation was confusing and never fully answered all the whys. And the female lead never really questioned the strange things that would happen, like red tulips appearing out of nowhere. I'm hoping the next book in the series will go more indepth about the Immortals.
The Stolen One
The Stolen One by Suzanne Crowley
The Stolen One is a good historical novel set in Elizabethan England. Those of you that enjoy books like The Other Boleyn Girl will enjoy this novel of mystery and romance.
The novel tells of 16-year-old Kat, who has grown up in a country cottage under the care of a foster mother. After her death, Kat goes to London in hopes of learning her parents’ identities. There she is taken under the wing of Queen Elizabeth I, and soon a rumor swirls through court that Kat’s mother is the queen herself. The mystery of Kat’s past is intertwined with the always-involving question of whether her heart lies with one of the handsome rogues at court or with a young farmer back home.
This book is well written with a strong protagonist. I loved the imagery and experiencing what life may have been like living in the Queens court. I enjoyed having Queen Elizabeth as a supporting character too. The author did a great job at bringing her to life.
Summer Reading
So what have you read lately? I’ve been trying to get through my summer reading list. I’ve made a small dent in it already. I need to catch up on my reviews though. Here’s a few that I’ve read so far:
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan (highly recommend)
The Help by Kathryn Stockett (highly recommend)
The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton (highly recommend)
September Sisters by Jillian Cantor (recommend)
Yellow Star Jennifer Roy (recommend)
Shanghai Girls by Lisa See
In The Land of Invisible Women by Qanta Amhed
The Talented Mr Ripley
Currently reading: The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Up next: The Complete Works of Jane Austen
The Forgotten Garden
The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton
An orphan, an old book of dark fairy tales, a secret garden, an aristocratic family, a love denied, a mystery. The Forgotten Garden is a captivating story of family secrets.
Cassandra is lost, alone and grieving. Her much loved grandmother, Nell, has just died and Cassandra, her life already shaken by a tragic accident ten years ago, feels like she has lost everything dear to her. But an unexpected and mysterious bequest from Nell turns Cassandra's life upside down and ends up challenging everything she thought she knew about herself and her family. Inheriting a book of dark and intriguing fairytales, Cassandra takes her courage in both hands to follow in the footsteps of Nell on a quest to find out the truth about their history, their family and their past; little knowing that in the process, she will also discover a new life for herself.
I really enjoyed this book. It had a lot of twists and turns and intrigue. It was a really long book though, 550 pages, and it did drag out in parts. And it jumped around through different time periods which was hard to get used to at first. But once the story gets going, it really holds your attention. It’s well written, had interesting characters and many layers and kept me guessing until the end.
Yellow Star
Yellow Star by Jennifer Roy
In this look at the Holocaust through the eyes of a child, the author retells the true story of her Aunt Syvia's experiences in the Lodz Ghetto during the Nazi occupation of Poland.
Syvia is four years old in 1939, when the Germans invade Poland and start World War II. A few months later, her family is forced into the crowded Lodz ghetto, with more than a quarter of a million other Jews. At the end of the war, when Syvia is 10, only about 800 Jews remain-only 12 of them are children. Syvia recalls daily life: yellow stars, illness, starvation, freezing cold, and brutal abuse.
It is written in diary format which may not appeal to all readers but I found it to be very well written and thought provoking. I felt like I was right there, seeing and feeling everything along with her. The author doesn’t go into graphic details which makes it appropriate reading for all ages.
Free Book Fridays
I just discovered this blog. Every Friday they give away free books! You just sign up. That's it! And each week, they feature a new YA author with an exclusive author interview! Check them out!
http://teens.freebookfriday.com/
The Help
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
The Help is about a young white woman in early 1960s Mississippi who becomes interested in the plight of the black maids that every family has working for them. She writes their stories of mistreatment, abuse and heartbreak while working in white families' homes and at a great risk to their lives.
This was a wonderful book....touching, thought-provoking, humorous and compelling! It was a pretty long book though, over 400 pages, but it was not boring. The main characters were strong and you could really sympathize with them. I felt myself rooting for each one of them and hoping things would turn out okay in the end!
This is a book about love and suffering, hatred and faith, fear and courage. It is about women of strength and dignity who carry on and manage to care about others despite an unjust system.
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