It's Monday, What Are You Reading? August 1

August 1st.  Already?!!  Summer is just flying by, though it hasn't felt much like summer here in Edmonton.  It's been cool, only one day near 30 Celsius (that's 86 F) so far, and rainy.  But on the bright side, it's a new month, new reads ahead and the weather of June and July made for great reading time!  ;)

So, on to

hosted by Sheila at Book Journey

Last week was phenomenal with one contest ending, one current and another just starting!  I was approached by St. Martin's Press to host a giveaway of TWO copies of bestselling author Jeffrey Archer's new novel, Only Time Will Tell!!  All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on the giveaway post, including your email address.  That's it!  Simple right?  So go visit here to enter!  It's not necessary to enter, but if you follow my blog, you'll make me ever so happy!  :) Contest ends August 15th and the prizes will be mailed directly from the publisher!

Now for one of my favourite memoirs ever,  this exciting contest is for a wonderfully entertaining book, Reflections of a Successful Wallflower by Andrea Michaels.  Enter here.  All you have to do is follow by blog with GFC and leave your email in the comments.  Andrea will mail an autographed copy to the winner of this contest which runs until August 21, 2011.  (Sheila, I think you'll like this one!)

What I finished last week:

Last week I reviewed the following books and you may access the reviews by clicking on the titles:

Shut Up and Stay Married by Yisroel Roll. 

Buddy's Tail by K. Anne Russell.

Story of Moses by Jennifer Talbot Ross.

This week I am reading:

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling (for the Harry Potter Readalong hosted at Giraffe Days)

The Map of True Places by Brunonia Barry.  I'm a little slow finishing this novel.  Not that it is boring, actually I am quite enjoying it, but it is somewhat lengthy at over 400 pages and Harry Potter stole my attention.  Sorry but, well, I'll be back to it soon.

Still Alice by Lisa Genova.  Lent to me by a wonderful friend, Ruth.  I am starting this one today!!  I've read so many incredible reviews about Still Alice that I simply can't wait!

What am I reading next?

Next, is True Believer by Nicholas Sparks for the Nicholas Sparks reading challenge. It lost out last week in the decision between it and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.  It's turn is next.  Really....

It's your turn.  It's Monday, What Are You Reading?  

Please comment below with a link to your post and do be sure to enter the contests!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly book meme where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list. I love this meme!!

This last week I finished reading Remember Me?  by Sophie Kinsella.  The review is here.  I am glad to be finished it, not that I didn't like the book, but I was reading it for an extended period wherein I had to put it on the proverbial back burner to accomplish some other reviews.  There was some content that I took exception with as you will see when you read the review.

I also received, read and reviewed a title that came in the mail Wednesday and needed to be posted by the end of the month.  This post, Lessons From the Concrete Jungle, will be up Monday, February 28.  It counts towards another Dewey Decimal read!  I actually enjoyed the message here.  Anyone else out there think salespeople don't know what they're doing?  Read the book.  Oh, and I have an interview with the author Kurtis Smith that day too!

Though I finished reading Quest For the Nail Prints by Don Furr a little while ago, I finished the review to be posted March 1.  This was an enjoyable trip back in time to Jerusalem.  A real page turner!!

I also read Fires...Accidental or Arson by Richard J. Keyworth.  Mr.  Keyworth works as a fire inspector and in this book he discusses 14 cases wherein he had to determine the cause of the fire and if there was fault.  If you are fascinated with a bit of mystery, cause and effect, and a good story, you'll have to come back soon for the review.  This book is supposed to be part of a virtual book tour though no date has been decided yet.  

This week I am still reading Nana:  The Four Crystals by Guillermo Romano.  I have yet to begin the book club read At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon.  I've read it before, about seven months ago, but it is such a good book that I don't mind reading it again! I might read True Believer by Nicholas Sparks or another non-fiction or biography.  I haven't decided yet.  I guess whatever grabs my attention when I ponder the TBR stacks will win.

What are you reading this week?  Did you post reviews for books finished last week?  Take a moment, won't you, and leave a comment with a link to your It's Monday...post!  Stop by Sheila's Book Journey. Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list. I love this meme!!

This past week has been a bit slower as far as accomplishing reading.  I did finish reading The Help by Kathryn Stockett.  See my review here.  I also read Quest for the Nail Prints by Don Furr.  This is a terrific Christian novel about time travel back to the time of Jesus.  To be released March 1, 2011, my review/book blog tour will commence in concordance with the release.

This week I am reading Remember Me by Sophie Kinsella.  I am about halfway through it.  This was a night time read that was put by the wayside while I read author submitted novels for review.  Sophie Kinsella is a humourous writer who can bring even the issues of amnesia into a funny perspective.  Also on my coffee table is Nana:  The Four Crystals.  I just started reading this novel, the author's first published work.  Desperate for his own sense of meaning, Serge finds himself in the jungles of Belize on a quest for four crystals.  He believes these four crystals will define for him his purpose in life past, present and future.  Oh, and there's an enigmatic woman involved too!  It's been a bit of a slow start thus far but I shall continue forth to see Serge's outcome.

Upcoming reads will likely include True Believer by Nicholas Sparks and possibly a re-read of At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon for bookclub. I have ten books on my TBR pile so I need to select at least one of those to be read this week.

What are you reading this week?  Did you post reviews for books finished last week?  Take a moment, won't you, and leave a comment with a link to your It's Monday...post!  Stop by Sheila's Book Journey. Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.  I love this meme!!

This past week I started and finished three books, two of which were in PDF format.

A Bucket Full of Love by H.C. Wingert.  This wonderful little book is a positive reinforcement for children of divorced parents, bringing an understanding of love and acceptance through the kind words of a loving grandmother.  See my review by clicking on the title. (PDF)

Dragonfly by Ed Piolalla.  This is a book of poetry written by an award winning journalist, love poems that is.  It begins with a short story, followed by poems of love, some rather intimate.  Also includes a few poems by a couple other authors.  See my review by clicking on the title.  (PDF)

The other book I began and finished this past week was a dynamic book called Deed So by Katharine A. Russell.  The review will be posted perhaps later today if I get a chance.  Based in the turbulent 1960's, this story takes place in a ficitonal town in the state of Maryland.  When a young girl witnesses the murder of a young black man, her life and her family find themselves caught up in the turmoil as the town sees the case go to trial.  An exciting read!!

This week I continue full force in completing The Help by Kathryn Stockett.  I also plan to make a small dent in my TBR pile.

What are you reading this week?  Did you post reviews for books finished last week?  Take a moment, won't you, and leave a comment with a link to your It's Monday...post!  Stop by Sheila's Book JourneyThanks for stopping by and have a great week!!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.  It is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.  Here's what my week looked like:  I received and read Sudden Moves by Kelli Sue Landon.  I am hosting a blog tour for this book on February 10 and am excited to do so!  She is an up and coming author with her novel Sudden Moves being her debut for young adult readers.

I also just finished reading Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie which was our book club read of the month.  Still at my bedside for continued night reading is The Help by Kathryn Stockett.  I have just started reading Deed So by Katharine A. Russell.  Several books sit on my to be read pile and I am looking forward to the prospect of doing so soon!

I love to see what everyone out there is reading.  Have you found something exciting and new?  What are you reading?  Please share in the comment section and go on over to Book Journey to share there too!  Have a great week everyone!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.  Hosted by Sheila at Book Journey, here's what my week looked like:  Last week I finished reading The Faith of Ronald Reagan by Mary Beth Brown and posted my review.  I continue to read The Help by Kathryn Stockett and just started reading Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie for our bookclub read for February.  Remember Me by Sophie Kinsella is on the back burner.  I had started reading it but have so many so it's put aside at least until I finish the bookclub read.

What are you reading this Monday?

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.  Hosted by Sheila at Book Journey, this is my first time joining the book blogging community in this meme.


I am currently reading:

"A tale of redemption...holds readers in suspense until the final chapter...it will test readers' beliefs in the power of destiny and fate, and how they relate to choices one makes in life." - Chattanooga Free Press

"Possibly one of Spark's finest novels...Picture yourself reading it this week." - Examiner.com

"In true Nicholas Sparks fashion, the reader is engaged from the first to the last page.  The characters are authentic and the plot is engrossing and emotionally charged.  Sparks is a talented storyteller who is adept at tugging the reader's heartstrings." - BookLoons.com

Almost finished, my book review should be up tomorrow.  This is also part of a Nicholas Sparks reading challenge.

 "Wise, poignant...You'll catch yourself cheering out loud." - Vick Boughton, People.

"One of those magical books that will suck anybody in." - John Searles, The Today Show.

"Kathryn Stockett has written a wondrous novel.  You will be swept away as her characters work, play and love during a time when possibilities for women were few but their dreams of the future were limitless.  A glorious read."  - Adriana Trigiani, bestselling author of the Big Stone Gap series and Very Valentine.

Still reading this novel......

"Kinsella delights again!...Winning...Kinsella keeps things fresh and frothy with workplace politicking, romantic intrigue and a vibrant...cast...Readers will be rooting for Lexi all along." - Publishers Weekly

"A lively new novel...a breezy blend of romantic comedy and cautionary fairy tale...Kinsella is hilarious." - New York Post

"A delicious page-turner, filled with hearty chuckles and heartache...[Kinsella] finds a way to make losing one's memory seem refreshingly funny." - USA Today

I've really only just begun reading this novel. 




I don't know how other bloggers manage so many books at a time.  I am juggling three and still find myself devoting more time to one than another.  I love to read.  If only time would allow more of it.  Upcoming reads include The Chinese Conspiracy by John Mariotti and Deed So by Katharine A. Russell in addition to our book club read of the month for February Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie.

What are you reading this week?