Good afternoon Saloners! I’ve got some cool bookish things to share with you all.
I met a really nice gal Denise not too long ago. She had just moved to this area and her youngest son is in Maya’s preschool class. What I didn’t know about Denise is that she too is a blogger and has just posted a really lovely interview with Kelly Corrigan, author of The Middle Place and her newest book Lift. Check it out at Denise’s blog Musings de Mommy.
I’ve been trying really hard not to purchase any new books and have been good over the past six months. But I kind of fell of the wagon recently and came home with these books.
I bought Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer based solely on Susan’s great review. Then I picked up a copy of The Tortilla Curtain by T.C. Boyle since I will be reading it with my book club this month. After reading about author Maureen Johnson on the Book Blogger Con website, I found a copy of Suite Scarlett and decided to give it a try. And I am really glad I grabbed a copy of Little Bee by Chris Cleave, especially after reading Natasha’s thoughts on the book.
Speaking of great blog posts, I was intrigued by Dawn’s recent review of The Power of Half: One Family’s Decision to Stop Taking and Start Giving Back by Kevin and Hannah Salwen. After reading and Tweeting Dawn’s insightful and honest review, I heard from a friend about the 200 Story Home Contest run by Khelly and Jerry Agee. It is a creative competition where you can submit artwork based on the theme of “home” and throughout the course of the competition they’re giving away cool prizes like Mini cars and charity donations. The grand prize is a mansion in Park City, UT (it’s unbelievably gorgeous) or $500,000 cash. And to top it off you pick your favorite charity and they’ll donate $50K to it. Pretty crazy, right! Check out their website to find out more about the contest and how to enter.
Lastly, check out what came in my mail last week!! Faithful Place: A Novel by Tana French! The book isn’t out until this summer and was so excited to get an ARC of it.
In non-bookish news, I took my oldest daughter out to see Alice in Wonderland yesterday afternoon. It was as I suspected, a totally whacked out version of the story and one that we both found enjoyable. It doesn’t hurt to have Johnny Depp, who I love, being the crazy Mad-Hatter!
Also, my husband and I FINALLY picked out tile backsplash for our kitchen! After bringing home lots of samples over the last few months, I finally found exactly what I wanted. I can’t wait to start putting it up so I can show all of you!
I enjoyed Life as We Knew It. Haven’t read Little Bee, yet, although I have a copy and I’m looking forward to it. I noticed, like Vasilly, that everyone seems to be reading it. Have fun reading! I’ve fallen off the no-buying wagon, too. It’s a character flaw. I never last long.
I was doing so good at not buying books, but I just can’t help myself sometimes. I just like looking at them before I go to bed at night. They are kind of like my children, except they don’t talk back!!
Stephanie–thanks for the props! What you didn’t tell readers is how I came to review the book in the first place–and it’s because you guided me through the process! Thank you again.
I think your oldest is a bit older than my daughter (who’s 6) but did she like Alice? Was it too scary? My daughter thinks it might be too scary for her and I’m thinking that I might agree after seeing the trailers.
Yes, Leah is almost 8 (and pretty think-skinned when it comes to movies). If your daughter is hesitant than I would say that you should see it first to check it out. There were a couple scary animals chasing Alice around that might not make your daughter happy!
I read Tortilla Curtain for a book club a few years ago and loved it – the book has really stayed with me. I hope you enjoy it too – I will look for your review!
I think I am going to have to break my book buying ban and pick up Little Bee–it’s been recommended as a great book club pick to me but I need to make sure I think it will work for my club before I push it.
Glad to hear that Alice was so great! I’ve had mixed feelings about it ever since I heard about it.
Lucky you with that ARC! I read The Likeness last fall and really enjoyed it, and although I haven’t yet gotten around to reading In the Woods, I’m looking forward to her new book.
Of the ones you’ve bought, the only one I’ve read is Little Bee, which I thought was great, even though it was a difficult read (for subject, not writing style).
I hope you love LIFE AS WE KNEW IT. I really enjoy the series, even though it’s depressing and gives me nightmares. It’s interesting and definitely makes you think, “What would I do?”
So, so, so jealous of the Tana French ARC. Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on it and LITTLE BEE, which I just put on reserve at my library. Happy Reading!
How exciting to have your kitchen coming together. So many decisions to make, but worth all the agonizing in the end.
Your off-the-wagon books would tempt me, too .. as would the Tana French ARC … enjoy!
And, thanks, Stephanie, for linking to the Salwen’s review/event/guest post. I’m going to check out that contest you wrote about. Fun that you learned about it via twitter.
I can’t wait to read my ARC of Faithful Place. I’m waiting for just the right time, especially since I can’t post my review until early Summer.
I hope you enjoy Little Bee as much as I did. It’s quite thought-provoking and would make a great book club selection. The characters have stuck with me and I’m tempted to listen to it on audio, even though I’ve already read the book. That’s the sign of a winner, don’t you think?
I can’t wait to see pictures of your backsplash. Your kitchen is so pretty and bright. I have kitchen envy!
Thank you so much for stopping by my book blog! I hope that you enjoy looking around and that I inspire you to pick up a good book to read. I love hearing from you, so make sure to leave a comment!
Your stack looks gorgeous! I’m noticing a lot of people are reading Little Bee right now. Happy reading!
Vasilly – I’ve only heard good things about Little Bee and hope to read it soon!
I enjoyed Life as We Knew It. Haven’t read Little Bee, yet, although I have a copy and I’m looking forward to it. I noticed, like Vasilly, that everyone seems to be reading it. Have fun reading! I’ve fallen off the no-buying wagon, too. It’s a character flaw. I never last long.
I was doing so good at not buying books, but I just can’t help myself sometimes. I just like looking at them before I go to bed at night. They are kind of like my children, except they don’t talk back!!
I just read Little Bee too and just loved it. I hope you do too.
I have two books I have to read before Little Bee – hmmm, maybe this is the year I need to do the read-a-thon!
That’s pretty brave admitting that you have an ARC of Faithful Place. I know some bloggers who might show up on your doorstep.
They’ll have to beat me up to get it!
I haven’t bought a book (well, a book without a gift certificate…and, golly, you have to use these) this year!
You are a better person than I am!
Stephanie–thanks for the props! What you didn’t tell readers is how I came to review the book in the first place–and it’s because you guided me through the process! Thank you again.
Who knew that a quick chat on the pre-school drop-off line would lead to you meeting Kelly!!
I think your oldest is a bit older than my daughter (who’s 6) but did she like Alice? Was it too scary? My daughter thinks it might be too scary for her and I’m thinking that I might agree after seeing the trailers.
Yes, Leah is almost 8 (and pretty think-skinned when it comes to movies). If your daughter is hesitant than I would say that you should see it first to check it out. There were a couple scary animals chasing Alice around that might not make your daughter happy!
I read Tortilla Curtain for a book club a few years ago and loved it – the book has really stayed with me. I hope you enjoy it too – I will look for your review!
Enjoy your newly acquired books!
LIttle Bee didn’t do it for me. I’ll be curious to see your thoughts.
Don’t feel too bad about falling off the book buying wagon, I’ve fallen off the same one. Besides I put books under educational needs, it is reading.
I think I am going to have to break my book buying ban and pick up Little Bee–it’s been recommended as a great book club pick to me but I need to make sure I think it will work for my club before I push it.
Glad to hear that Alice was so great! I’ve had mixed feelings about it ever since I heard about it.
Great looking books, Stephanie (although I don’t judge by their covers!). I’d love to see Alice–the 3-D effects seem wonderful!
Lucky you with that ARC! I read The Likeness last fall and really enjoyed it, and although I haven’t yet gotten around to reading In the Woods, I’m looking forward to her new book.
Of the ones you’ve bought, the only one I’ve read is Little Bee, which I thought was great, even though it was a difficult read (for subject, not writing style).
I can’t wait to read your review (if you do one) of Little Bee. It is an incredible book. Loved it!!
I hope you love LIFE AS WE KNEW IT. I really enjoy the series, even though it’s depressing and gives me nightmares. It’s interesting and definitely makes you think, “What would I do?”
So, so, so jealous of the Tana French ARC. Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on it and LITTLE BEE, which I just put on reserve at my library. Happy Reading!
How exciting to have your kitchen coming together. So many decisions to make, but worth all the agonizing in the end.
Your off-the-wagon books would tempt me, too .. as would the Tana French ARC … enjoy!
And, thanks, Stephanie, for linking to the Salwen’s review/event/guest post. I’m going to check out that contest you wrote about. Fun that you learned about it via twitter.
Beautiful books! Have fun!
I can’t wait to read my ARC of Faithful Place. I’m waiting for just the right time, especially since I can’t post my review until early Summer.
I hope you enjoy Little Bee as much as I did. It’s quite thought-provoking and would make a great book club selection. The characters have stuck with me and I’m tempted to listen to it on audio, even though I’ve already read the book. That’s the sign of a winner, don’t you think?
I can’t wait to see pictures of your backsplash. Your kitchen is so pretty and bright. I have kitchen envy!
I really enjoyed seeing Alice in Wonderland, too!
I have an award for you on my blog