Contest Closes Tomorrow at Midnight!!

Enter now to win a copy of Utopia Texas!  Open to residents of USA and Canada!

To enter, just leave a comment here and include your email and country. One book will be given away in Canada and one in USA.

Contest runs until midnight MST March 14, 2011. The winner will be chosen using random.org and will be announced Tuesday, March 15.

Win a Free E-reader!

Bibiophilic Book Blog is holding an amazing contest!!  Go on over to check it out and enter to win an E-reader.  Details on her blog.  Don't miss out!!  Be sure to mention I referred you (it's a question on the contest form).

Vintage Mystery Challenge

Now that I've completed the Dewey Decimal Challenge, I found another which is right up my alley, so to speak.  Bev at My Reader's Block is hosting the Vintage Mystery Reading Challenge.  Here's her introduction to the challenge: 

Introducing: The 2011 Vintage Mystery Reading Challenge. A challenge for all you mystery lovers out there who already love mysteries from the years prior to 1960 and also anyone who's ever thought, "I should give Agatha Christie (Dorothy L Sayers...Sir Arthur Conan Doyle...etc) a try."

Here are the rules:

All books must have been written before 1960 and be from the mystery category.

*Some suggested authors include: Agatha Christie, Margery Allingham, Dorothy L Sayers, Earl Derr Biggers, Georgette Heyer, Edmund Crispin, Cyril Hare, Ellery Queen, Elizabeth Daly, Cyril Hare, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Ngaio Marsh, S. S. Van Dine, Philip MacDonald, Rex Stout, Phoebe Atwood Taylor, Josephine Bell, Josephine Tey, Frances & Richard Lockridge, Michael Innes and Stuart Palmer. (Please remember that some of these authors published after 1960 as well--so keep an eye on the original copyright date.)

*You are welcome to count these books towards any other challenges as well.

*Challenge runs from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011. Sign up any time between now and November 30, 2011.

*I would love to see reviews of your challenge books, but it is not necessary to participate. If you do not have a blog, post to the comments what your challenge level will be and then post again at the progess site (see below) when you have completed your challenge (include a list of books read).

*No matter what level you choose, please try at least two different vintage authors.

*The best part? A prize for everyone who completes their challenge. Once you declare your challenge level...you are locked in for that number of books. But you may change your list of books at any time. Let me know when you have met your challenge goal and I will send you a list of prizes (books) to choose from. Of course, the earlier you finish, the longer the list of books will be.

*Please post about the challenge on your blog (feel free to grab the image) with your declared challenge level.

A Reminder of the Challenge Levels:

In a Murderous Mood: 4-6 Books
Get a Clue: 7-9 Books
Hot on the Trail: 10-12 Books
Capture the Criminal: 13-15 Books
Take 'Em to Trial: 16+ Books

OR

The Golden Age Girls*: Read 5-7 books from female authors from the vintage years
Cherchez Le Homme: Read 5-7 books from male authors from the vintage years
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*I am going for the "In a Murderous Mood" level and have my first review up for Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie 1934.  (Thank you to Bev for allowing a retroactive post.  It was posted February 6, 2011.)

What Would You Buy? Book Blogger Hop 3/11/11

The Book Blogger Hop is a weekly meme hosted by Jennifer at Crazy For Books. Each weekend a new question is posted for book bloggers to answer on their blogs.


This week's question: "If I gave you £50 (or $80) and sent you into a bookshop right now, what would be in your basket when you finally staggered to the till?"

1. Little Princes by Conner Grennan
2. A Red Herring Without Mustard by Alan Bradley
3. The enitre Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins
4. A Novel Bookstore by Lawrence Cosse
5. Promise Me by Harlen Coben
6. Leave it to PSmith by P.G.Wodehouse

I know, by now I've long run out of money but the list goes on and on and on.  How about a little more, I do so long for.......

What would you buy?  Won't you share with me what you would purchase if you could?  Not that I'm short on ideas, but you never know.  Be sure to link up at Crazy for Books too!

Proud to Have Been a New York City Transit Cop by John R. Martin

Proud to Have Been a New York City Transit Cop
Author:  John R. Martin
Copyright:  2011
Publisher:  Outskirts Press, Inc.
Pages:  287
Includes:  Photographic Memorabilia section
ISBN 978-1-4327-6589-7
Category:  Autobiography/Biography/Personal Memoirs
Available for purchase on Amazon.ca

"This is a true story about a World War II veteran who becomes a cop, a New York City Transit Cop.  Over thirty-five years, from his early days as a Court Officer through to his days as commanding officer of some high profile districts in the Transit Police Department, the stories and adventures of this innovative leader will intrigue you.  Proud to Have Been a New York City Transit Cop is a biographical work describing the journey of Captain John Martin through his thirty-three years of service as a police officer in the City of New York.  It's a story about a native New Yorker who joined the New York City Transit Police Department after service in the United States Navy during World War II.  It's a story about how he and his partner helped to make the Transit Police Force one of the finest, and one of the biggest, in the country.  It's a story about how these two guys charmed the Mayor of the City of New York, upset at least two City Police Commissioners, and forced the City of New York to provide improved police protection for the riding and general public.  And finally, it's a study in human relations and what it takes to provide effective leadership."

My Thoughts:
John R. Martin was a remarkable man, having served in the Navy, as an officer of the court and then as a New York City transit cop. This would prove to be his life's work and a job that he truly loved and devoted great effort and time to. He repeatedly found himself going before the commissioner, the mayor and even a governor as he fought for parity between the transit police and the New York city police. He achieved it too.


Proud to Have Been A New York City Transit Cop relates the trials and triumphs, the crimes, and the ingenuity exercised by the Transit Police in battling the growing crime rate in the subways of New York. John Martin played a vital role in this battle, oft times thinking outside the box to accomplish the goal. Though he was highly favoured among his own men, he often found himself squared up against those in the police commission, including the chief, as he rallied for the rights of those men he worked with.

As you read this book you can feel of his love for his fellow man. Despite the differences in ideals, he didn't berate nor diminish those in the commission he came into conflict with in his book. He recognized their authority but knew also that he had to fight for the rights of those whom he worked with and for the citizens of the city of New York, for their right to safe passage on the subways and transits of the city.

I enjoyed this book as an eye opener into the workings of the TA. It was at times tedious and occasionally repetitive. Overall, it pays great tribute to an incredible leader of a man.

The concluding chapter is written by his son, Brian R. Martin. This memoir (biography/autobiography) was compiled and published after the death of John R. Martin.

Rated 3/5

http://www.outskirtspress.com/webpage.php?isbn=9781432765897

Giveaway Reminder!

Enter to win a copy of Utopia Texas.
To enter, just leave a comment here and include your email and country. One book will be given away in Canada and one in USA.

Be sure to include email and country.(entries without may be disqualified)

Contest runs until midnight MST March 14, 2011. The winner will be chosen using random.org and will be announced Tuesday, March 15.  Good luck everyone!

Booking Through Thursday 3/10/11

Are you a multi-tasker?  Do you multi-task when you read? Do you do other things like stirring things on the stove, brushing your teeth, watching television, knitting, walking, et cetera?

Or is it just me, and you sit and do nothing but focus on what you’re reading?

(Or, if you do both, why, when, and which do you prefer?)

Don’t forget to leave a link to your actual response (so people don’t have to go searching for it) in the comments—or if you prefer, leave your answers in the comments themselves!

Yes, I do sometimes multi-task while reading.  I've been known to eat a meal with a book glued to one hand, eyes on the pages and only occasionally swivelling toward the meal at hand.  (That was pretty much before children came into my life, though.)  Sometimes I check my email while reading,  or watch a tv program while reading.  In this last instance it truly depends on the book and the tv show.  If either are truly rivetting, nothing else takes my attention.  Oh, yes, and I have stirred a thing or two cooking on the stovetop while in the other hand is my book.

Sometimes books are so captivating that menial chores get forgotten or, if I absolutely must cook or eat, it'll be with book in hand.  Come to think of it, I need a captivating book like that.  It's been too long since I've done double duty or done without thanks to a riveting read.  Suggestions, anyone?  (Don't worry, the children are all grown now and my waist won't mind a missed meal now and then;))

Comments are gladly received.  Please leave a link or the answer to this week's Booking Through Thursday in your comment.  Remember to link up with Booking Through Thursday Blog.    Chow!

Theme Thursday 3/10/11

Theme Thursdays is a fun weekly event that will be open from one thursday to the next. Anyone can participate in it. The rules are simple:

A theme will be posted each week (on Thursday's)

-Select a conversation/snippet/sentence from the current book you are reading

-Mention the author and the title of the book along with your post

-It is important that the theme is conveyed in the sentence (you don't necessarily need to have the word) Ex: If the theme is KISS; your sentence can have "They kissed so gently" or "Their lips touched each other" or "The smooch was so passionate"

-This will give us a wonderful opportunity to explore and understand different writing styles and descriptive approaches adopted by authors.

This week's theme is - VEHICLE

`A city police officer was at the top of the subway stairs at the time and heard the sound of gunfire coming from the subway.  He saw the culprit running from the subway and heard him shout to the city officer, `There`s a madman down there with a gun shooting at everybody.' Just then the city cop saw Officer J.S. coming up the stairs, bleeding, with a gun in his hand.  The city cop fired, hitting Officer J.S. who fell, mortally wounded.  Officer J.S. managed to gasp, 'I'm on the job,' before passing out.  The poor city cop called a `10-13' on his portable radio and within moments, many police units were on the scene.  The suspect was apprehended almost immediately and taken into custody for questioning.  Officer J.S. was sped to the hospital in a city police radio car where he was rushed into surgery.`` - page 110, Proud to Have Been a New York City Transit Cop by John R. Martin

Leave a comment here with a link to your post. Do make sure to visit and comment on  http://readingbetweenpages.wordpress.com/2011/03/10/theme-thursdays-vehicle-%e2%80%93-09mar11/
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Question for everybody:  I am considering changing the design of my blog and want your input.  Do you find it user friendly?  Are the options to follow clearly defined and easy to see?  Do you like the colours and the format?  What would you like to see changed?

Part of the reason I am looking to change things up is that this design, though I rather like it, is not accommodating as far as changing widths of columns.  Also, it is rather traditional and perhaps boring compared to what is out there.  Honestly everyone, what do you think?  Please comment below.  I will consider your input and if you have suggestions for free blogger friendly designs, I'd appreciate hearing about them.

Read Little Princes. Canada's #1 Best Seller!

Whatcha Reading? and W...W...W...Wednesdays

Whatcha Reading Wednesdays

1. Share what you are currently reading or planning to start soon.

Nothing has changed, really, since the It's Monday, What are you reading? meme.  Still bookmarked and steadily making progress, I am reading At Home in Mitford.  Bookclub meets on the 17th so I simply must give this book some priority.  It is a reread.  A pleasant and warm story of a small town rector and the people who make the village their home.  Father Tim is a gardener too, which makes him all that more likeable to me.  Set in the most picturesque village in a valley, with humour, love, friendship and mystery, At Home in Mitford makes for a welcome diversion from the stresses of the day.

2. Link back to Busy Moms Who Love To Read.

 

 

To play along just answer the following 3 questions:

1.  What are you currently reading?  Well, you could look above but if you'd rather not I'll just tell you again.  I'm reading At Home in Mitford with savour and gratitude for the warmth of small towns and the lives therein that can become intertwined in the most well-meaning of ways.

2.  What did you recently finish reading?  I read Utopia Texas by Betty Byrd.  In fact, Ms. Byrd and I are hosting a giveaway of her novel.  The contest closes March 14 at midnight MST.

Also read in the last week:  Engage, Commit, Grow by Larry Smith.  I posted reviews for Utopia Texas, Engage, Commit, Grow and Fires...Accidental or Arson?

3.  What do you think you'll read next?  I had a feeling this was going to be a week of fewer accomplishments reading-wise.  After finishing At Home in Mitford, I would love to finish Nana: the Four Crystals and fit in another on my TBR list.  We'll see what time allows.

How is your week going?  Is it busy or are you able to put things aside, put your feet up and lose yourself in a good book?  Please take a moment to comment below and/or leave a link to your W...W...W... Wednesday post.  I'd like to see what's being read out there!  And remember to link with Should Be Reading.