Sunday Salon

Yes I'm still alive and yes I have fallen a bit behind on my reading. Goes without saying I am behind on my posting but I will catch up this week I hope.

Despite a four day weekend last week, I did very little reading. Between time spent with friends, hours watching history happen live on CNN and then drowning at work, I had very little time for reading. When I had time, I had very little energy.

But my local bookclub has the first meeting of the year on Friday night, so I must get going on the selection for January. The book is Secret Daughter: A Mixed-Race Daughter and the Mother Who Gave Her Away. The title let's you know this likely not going to be happy ever after story. I generally do not enjoy memoirs, however June Cross is rather talented and does not treat this difficult subject with a heavy hand.

It is always a good idea to have a paperback in your purse to pass the time when stuck in a long line or waiting somewhere. This week my little paperback has been M. C. Beaton's Death of a Dentist. This is my third Beaton book this year (ever actually) but my first Hamlet MacBeth.

So often to brunch with friends, perhaps a nap and then down to some serious reading on Secret Daughter because I must finish the book by Friday and I think I am on page 12.

I will also try to post at least one review tonight because tomorrow I have eight books I believe to highlight on Monday Mailbag.

Sunday Salon: 1st Try

Sunday Salon is an opportunity for readers around the web share what they are currently reading. This being the first week back to work, and boy was it a busy week, my reading has suffered a bit.

• I finish listening to The Long Legged Fly by James Salis. The audiobook narrator does a great job of setting the mood for the detective story that spans 30 years.


• Currently reading M.C. Beaton's Vicious Vet, the second in her Agatha Raisin's cozy mystery series.

Yes I do read something other than mysteries but to kick off my challenges I guess I fell back on my comforts.

Tomorrow I will share the books I received in the mail and bought last week.

If you would like to participate in Sunday Salon, check here for more details.

Blog Improvement Project Assignment

In 2009 I decided to focus on trying to really learn the blogging game. I've dabbled in it and started off 2008 real strong before fading. I believe my love for books and loving to learn about more books, chatting with other book lovers will help keep the fire going.

So I signed up for the Blog Improvement Project, Kim posted the first assignment: set goals. Not wanting to go overboard and overwhelm myself I have decided on three goals:

1. post at least three times a week
2. be an active member of the booklover community by posting on other bookie blogs
3. write & post my book review within five days of finishing the book

It is not too late to join in.

Book Giveaway - Sunday's at Tiffanys

Sunday's at Tiffany's which is James Peterson's latest effort to step away from his usual suspense thrillers. He collobrated with Gabrielle Charbonnet, a children's book writer, to create an usual love story.

The book summary:

As a little girl, Jane has no one. Her mother, the powerful head of a Broadway theater company, has no time for her. She does have one friend-a handsome, comforting, funny man named Michael-but only she can see him.

Years later, Jane is in her thirties and just as alone as ever. Then she meets Michael again-as handsome, smart and perfect as she remembers him to be. But not even Michael knows the reason they've really been reunited.

SUNDAYS AT TIFFANY'S is a love story with an irresistible twist, a novel about the child inside all of us-and the boundary-crossing power of love.

If you would like to win a copy of the book, visit Alyce's blog At Home with Books for the rules.

Olivia TV Series Starts January 26th

Fans of the popular OLIVIA will be happy to learn that Nickelodeon is adding a series based on the character to their preschool line-up on Monday, Jan. 26, at 11:30 a.m. (ET/PT), followed by a week of brand-new episodes. The new half-hour series invites children into the life -- both real and fantasy -- of an adventurous, can-do 6-and-3/4-year-old girl named Olivia. The program is based on Ian Falconer's award-winning titles, OLIVIA captures the book series' trademark humor and the irrepressible personality of its heroine with its gorgeous CG animation. OLIVIA will air regularly weekdays at 11:30 a.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon.

"Children already know and love Olivia from Ian Falconer's beautifully illustrated books, and we're honored to have her join the Nickelodeon family," said Brown Johnson, President, Animation, Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group.

"Olivia is a role model for all preschoolers who will be inspired by her imagination and keen sense of humor."

"OLIVIA is a show where the ordinary meets the extraordinary, and we've worked closely with the team at Nickelodeon to bring Olivia's world to life," said Megan Laughton, Supervising Producer for the OLIVIA series at Chorion. "Olivia's imagination takes her all over the world, but her daily interactions with family and friends will resonate with children everywhere."
Olivia believes she can do anything and sees every day as an opportunity to try new things. Olivia's real life revolves around her friends, family and school, while her vivid imagination takes her everywhere from Egypt, the Wild West and outer space, to a pirate adventure and a concert hall. She is a pillar of self-confidence and enthusiasm promoting independent thinking, ingenuity and persistence.

The premiere episode of OLIVIA will feature the following stories:
"Olivia Measures Up" - After Olivia teases her younger brother Ian forbeing too short for a ride, Father mentions that some day Ian may bethe taller sibling. Olivia employs a variety of comical methods tostop Ian from growing. She eventually comes to terms with her ownheight -- with the help of a great pair of shoes.

"Olivia Plays Hotel" - When school is let out early due to snow,Julian and Francine come over to Olivia's house. Olivia has theperfect game for them -- Hotel! She transforms her house into amake-believe hotel, but then some strange things start to happen. Does the hotel have ghosts, or is Ian just playing tricks on them?

Olivia is today's girl. She is a 6-and-3/4-year-old dynamo who believes she can do anything and sees every day as an opportunity to try new things. Her vivid imagination takes her on grand adventures, both real and fantasy, and like all children, her antics occasionally result in endearing misadventures. Olivia's confidence and positive nature inspires kids everywhere to think boldly and follow their dreams.

Although Olivia's adventures in her imagination are bigger than life, the challenges in her day-to-day life are preschool size. Olivia's unique ways of dealing with these challenges provide moments of fun and drama. She demonstrates how kids can use their imagination to work out what's happening in their own world. Kids can relate to Olivia because she experiences the same daily trials and triumphs as they do. Every day is a "Big Day" for Olivia; her exuberance is contagious as she takes viewers along for the ride!


The first OLIVIA picture book by Falconer was published in 2000 to rave reviews. Since that time, Falconer has been the recipient of numerous awards and the Simon & Shuster book series has sold an impressive six million copies worldwide in 20 languages.

2009 A - Z Reading Challenge

OK I think this is the last challenge I will sign up for - for now at least - clearly my compulsive personality is shining through.

There are several methods to this challenge, I am adventerous and trying level two: read 52 books, alpha by authors and titles and no they cannot overlap. Naturally the real challenge will be to find authors of interst with last names beginning with letters like U, X, and Z. Do you have any suggestions?

For the guidelines and registration visit the blog.

Authors

A -

B -

C -

D -

E -

F -

G -

H -

I -

J -

K -

L -

M -

N -

O -

P -

Q - Quiche of Death, The by M. C. Beaton

R -

S -

T -

U -

V -

W -

X -

Y -

Z -

Titles

A -

B -

C -

D -

E -

F -

G -

H -

I -

J -

K -

L -

M -

N -

O -

P -

Q - Quiche of Death, The by M. C. Beaton

R -

S -

T -

U -

V -

X -

Y -

Z -

2009 Pub Reading Challenge

Potentially costly challenge because you can only read books published in 2009. If it was previously published in a hardcover edition then it is not eligible. At least five titles must be ficition and no YA books are eligible.

For guideline info and to register visit here.

2009 New Author Challenge

The challenge is to read x number of new - new to you that is - authors in 2009. I feel that perhaps, aside from the 100+ books, this will be the most challenging reading list for me to accomplish.

When I discover an author, as I did with my first book of 2009, M.C. Beaton, and I learn they have other books, I tend to focus on their other works. So to say that I will read a book from 50 new authors will really be a task for me. Likely just the nudge I need to venture out and not finish my lists with only JD Robb, Nora Roberts, Janet Evanovich and company.

For more information and to register in the 2009 New Author Challenge visit Literary Escapism's blog.

My new authors for 2009 are:
1. M. C. Beaton

2. James Fredericks

3. June Cross

2009 Audiobook Challenge

A well crafted story is a delight to read, but to listen to one via an audiobook can truly enhance the experience. Perhaps one of the best known examples is the remarkable job Jim Dale did with each of the Harry Potter books.

Although I had seen the earlier movies after reading the earlier books, once I listened to Dale's performance of the third book in the series, I immediately listened to the first two. It was a completely different experience.

From there I have enjoyed the familar voices of Judy Kaye as Kinsey Millhorne in Sue Grafton's alphabet PI series; and Lorelei King who brings Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum to life. The books and familar narrators make great companions during traffic jams to the office or road trips for vacation.

So I know I will "listen" to far more than the required 12 audiobooks for the 2009 Challenge. For more details and registration visit J. Kaye's Book Blog.

My list of completed audiobooks are:
1.

2009 Suspene & Thriller Reading Challenge

As a child I loved the Nancy Drew Mysteries and once stayed up all night because I simply had to know the identify of the killer(s) aboard Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express. Couple that with my delight in Perry Mason's ability to always neatly solve the crime and the charm of Nick & Nora in the Thin Man movies, I have been a mystery fan for years.

Visit J. Kaye's Book Blog to learn more details & registration info in the 2009 Suspense & Thriller Reading Challenge. The bare facts are: one book from any 12 suspense/thriller subcategories between Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2009.

My twelve books will be listed here:
1. The Quiche of Death by M.C. Beaton [Cozy Mystery]

2009 100+ Book Challenge

In 2008 I probably read six books max, and never even attended any face-to-face bookclub meetings. Thus, I really missed the learning opportunities and escapism which books provide. So when I discovered the 100+ Book Challenge, I knew it would help me leap back into the world of reading and reviewing.

The rules are simple – read at least 100 books between January 1 – December 31, 2009. Audiobooks, eBooks, young adult, mysteries, any genre you enjoy is accepted. Visit J. Kaye’s Book Blog for guideline & registration details.

My completed books for 2009 will be listed below:
1. The Quiche of Death by M.C. Beaton.