Book Review: The Story of Moses by Jennifer Talbot Ross

The Story of Moses
Author:  Jennifer Talbot Ross
Publisher:  Outskirts Press, Inc.
Copyright:  2011
Pages:  139
Includes photos, Introduction and Appendix
Genre:  Pets/Dogs/General (non-fiction)
ISBN 978-1-4327-6492-0

http://outskirtspress.com/thestoryofmoses

Source:  a copy was supplied by the author and Bostick Communications in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Copies of this book are available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Outskirts Press.


(From the press release)  "From surviving the wilds of the Texas Hill Country to a devastating battle with cancer, this is the story of Moses -- a beautiful, big, white dog who, form all indications, began his life as a livestock guard dog on a ranch in Texas (as so many of his breed, the Great Pyrenees).  Moses was taken in by a pet rescue group after having wandered onto a ranch in central Texas...homeless.  After a few short months in foster care, Moses found his forever family and the road to immortality through their love and devotion.


In an authentic voice, the author tells the story of her beloved dog, Moses.  Fate brought them together and something terrible ended their story far too soon.


The Story of Moses recounts how Moses gained celebrity with friends, neighbours, and strangers and earned the love and trust of both his human and four-legged family.  As Moses' illness is discovered and advances, life unravels like a loose thread in a well-worn sweater.


But Moses' story is much, much more.  It is the story of joy and hope and sorrow.  It is the story of the wonderful dogs that came before, opening the door for Moses to walk through.  It is the story of those left to remember and cherish.  It is the story of survival in the midst of great loss.  It is knowing that, however painful, love remains and is the ultimate blessing....."

My thoughts:  The Story of Moses is a heartfelt tribute of a dog owner to her wonderful beloved pets,  those who shared her home before Moses arrived in their lives as well as precious Moses. 

The Story of Moses is written almost more like journal entries, rather than a fluid flowing story.  At first this was distracting for me, but as I became accustomed to Jennifer Talbot Ross' style of writing, I overlooked this and was able to revel in the stories of these wonderful animals she shared her home with.  The Story of Moses, beyond sharing these heartfelt anecdotes, also touches on an important subject, that of canine rescue societies and the important work they do.  

If you are a dog lover, The Story of Moses will be one you can relate to.  You will smile at the antics of puppies, shake your head over their mischief, and shed a few tears with the author.  It made me even more thankful to share our home with our canine friends.

Rated 3/5

It's Monday, What Are You Reading?

Hosted by Sheila at Book Journey, this weekly meme  runs each Monday.  It's a fun way to connect with other book bloggers and see what they're up to and perhaps, actually more than likely, find more books to add to your lists.  Here we go:

What did you read/post last week?

Last week I read the following books.  You may click on the title to read the review.

Badass Business Women:  the Manifesto by Jennifer 

The Story of Moses by Jennifer Talbot Ross

ROOM by Emma Donaghue

The Body in the Library by Agatha Christie

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Contests announced:

Badass Business Women Giveaway now until July 31, 2011.

Reflections of a Successful Wallflower Giveaway  now until August 21, 2011.

Other Posts:

Author Emma Donaghue Discusses ROOM

A Tearful Goodbye To Harry Potter - a short video starring the lead characters, Harry, Hermione and Ron, author J.K.Rowling and the directors as they said their goodbyes.

Upcoming Book Giveaway:  Only Time Will Tell (book by bestselling author Jeffrey Archer)

What are you currently reading?

 The Map of True Places by Brunonia Barry

Shut Up and Stay Married by author and psychotherapist Yisroel Roll

Max on Life by Max Lucado

What's up next?

Definitely time for a Nicholas Sparks novel!!  True Believer is calling me!

Check out my mailbox to see what arrived last week.

It's Monday, what are you reading?  

Please leave a link in your comment so I can stop in to say hello.

Have a great week everyone!

In My Mailbox (Just Received) July 25, 2011

In My Mailbox is a weekly bookish meme hosted by The Story Siren each Monday.  It's a bit of a tease, really, as you see what everyone has received, borrowed or purchased.  It's an enticement to add to your own list of must-reads.

In My Mailbox:

The Bridge Club

(signed by the author!)

by Canadian author Patricia Sands

I won a copy of this book at fReado.

The author's words:  "This is a novel for anyone who values friendship. I don't mean simply the "Hi, how are you?" type of friendship but rather the kind that weathers all sorts of storms, unselfishly celebrates triumphs, and hums along year after year with never an unkind word. It does exist. 

If you have such a friendship in your life you will relate to the women in The Bridge Club. If you don't, perhaps the story will inspire you to search for it."

Salt Bride

(signed by the author!)

by Australian author Lucinda Brant

I won a copy at LibraryThing!

(from LibraryThing) "1763 England: When the Earl of Salt Hendon marries squire's daughter Jane Despard, Society is aghast. Forced by circumstance into a marriage neither wants, the newlyweds must overcome a secret past of heartache and misery to fall in love all over again. Meanwhile, a sinister family opposition will go to any lengths, even murder, to tear the marriage asunder."

before the last all clear

by Ray Evans

(signed by the author)

Sent by the author for review

"During World War Two around three and a half million British children were evacuated away from possible air raids in the big cities in one of the largest social upheavals Great Britain has ever seen.  One of those children was Ray Evans."

Paper Children

by Marcia Fine

(signed by the author.  Includes a bookmark and author's business card)

Copy provided by the author and Bostick Communications for review purposes

Driven by cataclysmic world events, the story encompasses the lives of three generations of women.

In Book One, Paulina, the privileged daughter of aristocratic parents, reluctantly follows her driven businessman husband to America in 1929. From a vantage point in New York she endures a difficult marriage and slowly becomes aware of the destruction of her large extend- ed family in Poland as the Nazis tighten their grip on Europe.

Book Two begins in 1940 following Paulina's daughter, Sarah, as she pursues a career in photography. Sent on assignment to the Displaced Persons camps in Europe, Sarah is shaken loose from her faith and pursues a hedonistic path.

The Third book deals with Mimi, Sarah's daughter. A solitary young woman, she becomes curious about the family's past. She explores the Holocaust and searches for her roots. In a confrontational scene Paulina hands over her family's pre-war correspondence that she calls her "Paper Children."

Readers Guide Included.

What's in your mailbox?  Please comment with a link to your blog so I can drop in.  Happy reading!

Giveaway!! Reflections of a Successful Wallflower by Andrea Michaels

As a reader of this blog you will recall a book review I did of Reflections of a Successful Wallflower by event planner and business owner Andrea Michaels. You may read it here.  I was so impressed with the book that I asked Andrea if she would consider doing a book giveaway and a guest post.  

Andrea enthusiastically agreed to the giveaway 

and to prepare a post based on the future of event planning.  

Andrea sent me a link to her blog wherein she wrote of an exciting and new mini-campaign her company, Extraordinary Events, planned.  15 events, spanning 5 cities, it was mini-campaign of gastronomic delight. You must read the entire article on her blog to fully appreciate the magnitude of it all.  

Of this event and others Andrea sees as the current trend taking over the special events industry, Andrea remarked:

"We call these hybrid events and they are the wave of “now”…not the future…because the future will embrace even more changes in how we perceive events and then execute them. It’s no longer a world of for-no-reason-themed parties where a luau might take place in Des Moines or a Hollywood party in Chicago. Or a product launch with 1,000 people sitting in rapt attention for product specialists to present a power point. Now it’s about social media and experiencing events and products in an entirely new way. So, being very much in the “now” we have captured what is happening in today’s world and thus the “Wanderlust” campaign across the U.S. was born. Radical to many but intriguing, inspirational, motivational and effective."

ABOUT THE BOOK:

"Reflections of a Successful Wallflower has invaluable advice for the event planner, the business person and the average reader alike because most of what she shares can be transferred to our daily lives.  She is inspirational, humble, smart and funny and writes an incredible memoir/guide that will have you laughing and shaking your head in disbelief." (My Bookshelf book review)

"Reflections of a Successful Wallflower is an entertaining read for all; well worth your time for the lessons and the entertaining value therein."                       (My Bookshelf book review) 

******Now the giveaway!!******

One lucky winner, USA or Canada, will receive a copy of Andrea's book 

"Reflections of a Successful Wallflower." 

This contest will run now until the 21st of August, 

with the winner being selected by Random.org on August 22nd.  

You must be a GFC follower of this blog to participate.  That's it.  

So, leave a comment below with your email address and your GFC name.  

Winners will be emailed and will have 48 hours to respond. 

EE (Extraordinary Events) is excited to announce the launch of its new blog about the special events industry. Located at http://worldofextraordinaryevents.blogspot.com, the blog will offer news, education and general event tidbits from company president Andrea Michaels and the EE team.  For information on Extraordinary Events please visit www.extraordinaryevents.net.

Giveaway!! Badass Business Women: the Manifesto - contest now closed

ENTER TO WIN A COPY OF 

BADASS BUSINESS WOMEN:  THE MANIFESTO

*********OPEN TO US AND CANADA****************

MUST BE A FOLLOWER OF THIS BLOG (EITHER GFC, EMAIL OR NETWORKED BLOGS)  PLEASE COMMENT BELOW TELLING ME HOW YOU FOLLOW WITH YOUR GFC OR NETWORKED BLOGS NAME AND EMAIL SO I MAY CONTACT THE WINNER.

CONTEST CLOSES JULY 31 30 AND WINNER WILL BE DRAWN AND ANNOUNCED AUGUST 1, 2011.  WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN USING RANDOM.ORG AND WILL BE CONTACTED VIA EMAIL. WINNER WILL HAVE 48 HOURS TO RESPOND.  FAILURE TO DO SO OR TO FOLLOW THE REQUIREMENTS WILL DISQUALIFY THE ENTRANT.


CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.  Winner has been notified and I await her response by return email.  The winner is Reading Rendesvous!  Congratulations!!!

Book Review: BadAss Business Women: The Manifesto

Badass Business Women:  The Manifesto
Authors:  Jessica Kizorek Michelle Villalobos, and Marci Alt
Publisher:  Kizorek Inc. (Self-published)
Copyright:  2010
Pages:  78
Genre:  Business
Source:  a copy was provided by the author in conjunction with Bostick Communications in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.

http://www.BadassBusinessWomen.org

"Being a badass is a state of mind, regardless of one's gender.

Unfortunately, a business woman who is strong-willed, ambitious and clear about her goals is too often labeled a "bitch."  Being an edgy and vocal woman is not always celebrated in the business environment.

Being a card-carrying Badass Business Woman does not merely announce and unleash your inner badass.  Consider us a tribe - coming together, challenging and mentoring one another in today's male-oriented business world.

Being a Badass Business Woman is not about running stiletto-clad circles around men.  It's about gracefully striding forward in the business world with a radiant strength and confident dexterity that is uniquely female."

Review:  Badass Business Women: the Manifesto was written to carry forth the message that the group, Badass Business Women, seeks to portray, revolutionizing the way women in business express themselves and conduct themselves in the business world.  "We are impacting the way we see ourselves, the way we see each other, and the way our male colleagues relate to us."

The book is divided in three parts:  Parts One, Two and Three.  Part One focuses on the group, Badass Business Women, the purpose, and inspiration behind the movement.  Part Two focuses on the why, why is a group like this necessary, the male-oriented business world, stereotypes, why some women play dirty and what to watch for.  Part Three focuses on the movement, the idea, goals and a dream.

Badass Business Women, the book, lacks in substance as a form of reference for women who are seeking to have their voices heard and to be respected and it doesn't appear to have been designed as a reference book.  Rather,  Badass Business Women:  the Manifesto is more of an introduction to a women's movement whose goal it is to empower themselves and others in the workforce, so they might go forth in confidence, find the respect expected and deserved, while not being overpowering bullies without empathy.

It's an interesting concept and Badass Business Women:  the Manifesto serves to introduce the idea of a group which encourages businesswomen, young and old, established or starting out, to join forces for the common cause of equal rights and opportunities in the workforce with the desirable support to achieve business goals.

Are you a female entrepreneur who desires to be empowered, self directed, and unstoppable on the road to your success? 

"This movement is out to revolutionize the way women are viewed in the business environment. We will impact the way we see ourselves, the way we see each other, and the way our male colleagues relate to us."

This book is but an introduction to a "sorority" of women with common goals, dreams and desires.  Business savvy women and their cohorts are encouraged to check out the blog, watch the videos, and/or visit the Badass Business Women website for more information.

Author Emma Donaghue Discusses ROOM

After viewing several interviews with the author of ROOM, Emma Donoghue, I found this which encompasses the aspects explaining the inspiration and the vision the author had in writing this award winning novel:





 A rather cute book trailer for ROOM:



My book review will follow tomorrow.

Book Review: Room by Emma Donoghue

ROOM
Author:  Emma Donoghue
Publisher:  Harper Collins Publishers Ltd.
Copyright:  2010
Pages:  321
Genre:  Contemporary Fiction
ISBN  978-1-55468-832-6
Source:  I won a copy at fReado

International Bestseller, Winner of the Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize, Commonwealth Writers' Prize for Best Book (Canada and Caribbean Region), CBA Libris Awards for Fiction Book of the Year and Author of the Year

Finalist for:  Man Book Prize, Governor General's Award, Orange Prize for Fiction, Trillium Book Award, Commonwealth Writers' Prize for Best Book

From the cover:  To five-year-old Jack Room is the world....

It's where he was born.  It's where he and Ma eat and sleep and play and learn.  There are endless wonders that let loose Jack's imagination -- the snake under Bed that he constructs out of eggshells; the imaginary world projected through the TV; the coziness of Wardrobe beneath Ma's clothes, where she tucks him in safely at night, in case Old Nick comes.

Room is home to Jack, but to Ma, it's the prison where she's been held since she was nineteen -- for seven long years.  Through her fierce love for her son, she has created a life for him in that eleven-by-eleven foot space.  But Jack's curiosity is building alongside Ma's own desperation, and she knows that Room cannot contain either indefinitely...

Told in the inventive, funny, and poignant voice of Jack, Room is a celebration of resilience -- and a powerful story of a mother and son whose love lets them survive the impossible.

Review:  ROOM is unique.  Never before have I read anything quite like it and that is its charm.  ROOM is told from the perspective of young Jack, a five-year-old, who is kept captive with his mother in a 11 x 11 foot garden shed.  Jack personifies items in the ROOM, such as Rug, TV, Wardrobe, as pronouns, and all he knows is ROOM.  Outside is foreign to him.  All he knows is Ma, Old Nick and what he can learn from his mother and TV.

To Jack, this is his life.  This is normal.  This is what there is.  But Ma and we, the readers, know better. Shocking, poignant, yet touching, ROOM epitomizes the "something" new that we don't often have the opportunity to come across.  The manner of telling the story of captivity from a child's perspective brings a new light to what could otherwise be a horrific tale.  With Jack's point of view, it is told in innocence, without actually telling of physical trauma, particularly for his mother, but we know it's there.  We read from an adult perspective but see it from a child's.  Totally different and, yet, the same.

ROOM is fresh, creative and touching.  You will find the story stays with you long after the book is read.  You may be altered for it.

Rated 4.5/5

If You Could Enjoy ....

The Book blogger hop is a weekly bookish meme hosted by Crazy for Books.  It's a wonderful opportunity to meet other book bloggers and talk books with others as fond of them as you are.

What’s the ONE GENRE that you wish you could get into, but just can’t?


I just can't get into fantasy literature.  I try, and with books like Harry Potter, I have found enjoyment, but for the most part it just doesn't appeal to me.


Is there a genre you just can't get into?  What is it?  Are there any exceptions?


Please, feel free to comment with your reply here and remember to link up with Jen at Crazy for Books.
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A Tearful GoodBye to Harry Potter

"The Stories We Love Best Do Live In Us Forever"