Welcome to "Laurie Here - Contemporary Fiction and MORE - Book Reviews"! Join me and let's escape life into the wonderful world of books getting lost between the covers where the lives of the characters live and their amazing stories take place for a little while! Let's learn about the authors, too! I write "honest" book reviews about my experiences and tell you how the trip was! You may want to follow along with me, too! Leave a comment while you're here, too!
Sunday, October 28, 2012
The Color of Tea by Hannah Tunnicliffe - REVIEW
Goodreads Synopsis:
Macau: the bulbous nose of China, a peninsula and two islands strung together like a three-bead necklace. It was time to find a life for myself. To make something out of nothing. The end of hope and the beginning of it too. After moving with her husband to the tiny, bustling island of Macau, Grace Miller finds herself a stranger in a foreign land—a lone redhead towering above the crowd on the busy Chinese streets. As she is forced to confront the devastating news of her infertility, Grace’s marriage is fraying and her dreams of family have been shattered. She resolves to do something bold, something her impetuous mother would do, and she turns to what she loves: baking and the pleasure of afternoon tea.
Grace opens a cafÉ where she serves tea, coffee, and macarons—the delectable, delicate French cookies colored like precious stones—to the women of Macau. There, among fellow expatriates and locals alike, Grace carves out a new definition of home and family. But when her marriage reaches a crisis, secrets Grace thought she had buried long ago rise to the surface. Grace realizes it’s now or never to lay old ghosts to rest and to begin to trust herself. With each mug of coffee brewed, each cup of tea steeped and macaron baked, Grace comes to learn that strength can be gleaned from the unlikeliest of places.
A delicious, melt-in-your-mouth novel featuring the sweet pleasures of French pastries and the exotic scents and sights of China, The Color of Tea is a scrumptious story of love, friendship and renewal.
My Take:
3.5 Stars!
I have never tried a macaron, but now I must try one after reading this book, if I can be lucky enough to find this delicate French pastry! Yes, France is where Grace first falls in love with the macaron, not to be confused with a chewy, coconut macaroon, as the two are completely different. I had to look up the two as I was a little confused about a macaroon and a macaron, plus I had to find the pronunciation, as I was and curious, too, to see if they were two separate pastries!
I went to Wikipedia to try to distinguish if these were two different items or one that America spelled incorrectly. The macaron that was in this book is described at this LINK: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macaron
The confectionery is characterised by its smooth, squared top, ruffled circumference (referred to as the "foot"), and flat base. It is mildly moist and easily melts in the mouth.[3]
And as this:
The fillings cana range from jams to ganache to butter. Since the English word macaroon (notice the double O's) can also refer to the coconut macaroon, many have adopted the French spelling of macaron to distinguish the two items in the English language. However, this has caused confusion over the correct spelling. Some recipes exclude the use of macaroon to refer to this French confection while others think that they are synonymous.[5]
You'll notice "I" underlined and noted above the double o's for macaroon.
The macaron is not spelled incorrectly, but is completely different from the macaroon here in America. The macaron is entirely French.
The photos on the front of the book look exactly as the one did at Wikipedia for the French pastry. With that explained, and so no one mixes up the macaron in this book with the American macaroon, onto the review!
It took me forever to read this book. Months. It was not a book that grabbed me and drew me into 'wanting or needing to read it.' For myself, it was not a 'must read' book. It was enjoyable, but I did not feel the book pull me in where I had to read this story. Had I not felt as if I had to read it, I probably would have put it down. The beginning of the book was very slow and depressing, but I believe it was written this way intentionally, to show the depression that Grace was suffering through over the reality that she would never be able to bear children. This debut author very much succeeded in what she was trying to do.
I also have a personality differences between myself and the main character, which made it harder for me to relate to this delicate, sad, soft spoken character. I prefer a stronger character than Grace was, but I continued on, and happily, the character does becomes that stronger character in her own way.
Grace decides she would like to open a cafe in Macau making macarons, a delicate French pastry. She meets with a man, Leon, whom she knows from living in Paris. Leon loves Grace, and Grace finds herself liking him very much as well, but she realizes it's more for the love of the macaron and she has to put a distance between them. She learns alongside him the intricacies of baking the macarons and getting them just right. There is a talent to making these just right. She perfects it and opens the cafe, calling it Lillian's, after her own mother. Once she opened Lillian's, her French cafe serving tea and macarons in China, the shop becomes bustling with customers and energy. Grace becomes a completely different person. She becomes much stronger, more confident of herself, much happier, able to be a boss and direct people to do things and more. She realizes she is happy. For the first time she is truly happy, all thanks to Lillian's. Lillian's made her face any fears and loss she had in life making her become whole.
I have to mention this author's style of writing. It is very beautiful. It is prose, thought and then very descriptive, all mixed together in the way Grace talks about her life, her husband, her friends Gigi and Rilla, writes letters to her mother and even the way the author names the chapters of the book, such as The' Pour Deux - Tea for Two/Pink Earl Grey Infused with Dark Chocolate Ganache. Every chapter is titled in this way. In some ways her writing is almost poetic at times in the way she describes many things, from the Chinese New Year, down to the french macaron and the way it is crisp at first, softens as it melts in your mouth and then the flavor explodes to life in your mouth at the exact time it's supposed to as a macaron should.
She also writes like this about the places she has lived, Macau, the people of Macau, and and in the apologetic letters written to her mother as Grace feels somewhat guilty for the way she left her mother, the way she did it, the words she used when she was younger, and in a beautiful way, asks for her forgiveness in these letters. It is very special as you read this, as you can also see Grace's growth as a person as she writes the letters, never fully coming out and telling her mother what has happened, but describing them in a different perspective. These letters were healing for Grace.
Grace is devastated by something that happens in her marriage, and finds she must climb out of this, too. She puts some of the blame of it on herself, where I had a hard time with that. Grace's character is a very forgiving character, and when it comes to a vow being broken in marriage the way it was, I am not as forgiving a person as Grace is regarding it, and she even puts some of the blame on herself as to what happened, where I would have played it over and over in my mind and not blamed myself. The character really did struggle to overcome this and forgive him, but I could not have forgiven and gotten over it the way she did and I might even have left the marriage because of it.
Overall, in the end she found herself a completely different person than the person she was when she arrived in Macau. She was a better person for herself, her close friends she made, and her husband. The ending was beautiful, but predictable. I was disappointed with that. It was almost a fairy tale ending you could see coming to easily.
Overall, this book was a very delicate book just like tea and macarons, but strong in taste as tea can be, and just as macarons are supposed melt slowly and burst into it's flavor on your tongue. If you love tea and delicate pastries, this book will be very much appreciated if you can get past a few of these things I mention.
I received this book for FREE from the Publisher, Scribner Books, a Division of Simon and Schuster, in exchange to read and write a review about it. It is NOT required for this review to be either positive or negative, but, of my own honest opinion. “Free” means I was NOT provided with ANY MONIES to read this book nor to write this review, but to enjoy the pure pleasure of reading the book. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html
Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
The Color of Tea: A Novel by Hannah Tunnicliffe
Print Book: $10.20
Ebook: $ 9.99
About the Author:
Hannah Tunnicliffe was born in New Zeland but is a self-confessed nomad. After finishing a degree in social sciences, she lived in Australia, England, and Macau. A career in human resources temporarily put her dream of becoming a writer on the backburner. She currently lives in New Zealand with her husband, Matthew, and their daughter, Wren. The Color of Tea is her first novel.
Saturday, October 27, 2012
The New York Times Top 15 Best Sellers for the week ending October 27th, 2012
Welcome!
I'm anxious to see what books are on the list! Let's get right to it!
Here they are!
FICTION: Combined Print and ebooks
1. The Bone Bed (A Scarpetta Novel) by Patricia Cornwell
Print Book: $16.79
Ebook: $12.99
2. The Panther (John Corey) by Nelson DeMille
Print Book: $16.79
Ebook: $12.99
3. The Twelve (Book Two of The Passage Trilogy): A Novel by Justin Cronin
Print Book: $15.79
Ebook: $12.99
4. Fifty Shades of Grey: Book One of the Fifty Shades Trilogy by E L James
Print Book: $9.57
Ebook: $9.99
5. The Casual Vacancy by J K Rowling
Print Book: $20.90
Ebook: $14.99
6. Fifty Shades Freed: Book Three of the Fifty Shades Trilogy by E L James
Print Book: $9.57
Ebook: $9.99
7. Reflected in You: A Crossfire Novel by Sylvia Day
Print Book: $9.00
Ebook: $9.99
8. Fifty Shades Darker: Book Two of the Fifty Shades Trilogy by E L James
Print Book: $9.56
Ebook: $9.99
9. Gone Girl: A Novel by Gillian Flynn
Print Book: $13.94
Ebook: $12.99
10. NYPD Red by James Patterson and Marshall Karp
Print Book: $16.75
Ebook: $12.99
11. The Secret Keeper: A Novel by Kate Morton
Print Book: $15.65
Ebook: $12.99
12. Sleep No More: An Eve Duncan Novel by Iris Johansen
Print Book: $18.47
Ebook: $12.99
13. Bared to You: A Crossfire Novel by Sylvia Day
Print Book: $9.00
Ebook: $9.99
14. Mad River (A Virgil Flowers Novel) by John Sanford
Print Book: $16.77
Ebook: $12.99
15. Down to You by M Leighton
Print Book: $9.99
Ebook: $3.99
Here is our TOP 15 Best Sellers! What are YOU reading? Please LEAVE A COMMENT and tell us!
Thanks for coming by!
See you next week!
I'm anxious to see what books are on the list! Let's get right to it!
Here they are!
FICTION: Combined Print and ebooks
1. The Bone Bed (A Scarpetta Novel) by Patricia Cornwell
Print Book: $16.79
Ebook: $12.99
2. The Panther (John Corey) by Nelson DeMille
Print Book: $16.79
Ebook: $12.99
3. The Twelve (Book Two of The Passage Trilogy): A Novel by Justin Cronin
Print Book: $15.79
Ebook: $12.99
4. Fifty Shades of Grey: Book One of the Fifty Shades Trilogy by E L James
Print Book: $9.57
Ebook: $9.99
5. The Casual Vacancy by J K Rowling
Print Book: $20.90
Ebook: $14.99
6. Fifty Shades Freed: Book Three of the Fifty Shades Trilogy by E L James
Print Book: $9.57
Ebook: $9.99
7. Reflected in You: A Crossfire Novel by Sylvia Day
Print Book: $9.00
Ebook: $9.99
8. Fifty Shades Darker: Book Two of the Fifty Shades Trilogy by E L James
Print Book: $9.56
Ebook: $9.99
9. Gone Girl: A Novel by Gillian Flynn
Print Book: $13.94
Ebook: $12.99
10. NYPD Red by James Patterson and Marshall Karp
Print Book: $16.75
Ebook: $12.99
11. The Secret Keeper: A Novel by Kate Morton
Print Book: $15.65
Ebook: $12.99
12. Sleep No More: An Eve Duncan Novel by Iris Johansen
Print Book: $18.47
Ebook: $12.99
13. Bared to You: A Crossfire Novel by Sylvia Day
Print Book: $9.00
Ebook: $9.99
14. Mad River (A Virgil Flowers Novel) by John Sanford
Print Book: $16.77
Ebook: $12.99
15. Down to You by M Leighton
Print Book: $9.99
Ebook: $3.99
Here is our TOP 15 Best Sellers! What are YOU reading? Please LEAVE A COMMENT and tell us!
Thanks for coming by!
See you next week!
Friday, October 26, 2012
This week, Jen, at Crazy-For-Books Book Blogger Hop is being hosted at Julie's Knitting and Sundries! You'll have to check out her blog! What is happening is the hop is being hosted at different blogs each week or two, and this way we get to see and visit some GREAT blogs we may not have otherwise known about!
This week's Book Blogger Hop question is:
What are three of your favorite book blogs and/or communities? Why do you like them?
My Answer:
1. I am going to agree with Julie that my #1 place I LOVE to go is Goodreads! I have so many wonderful friends and authors there, and the books are ENDLESS! I met a friend on my Facebook page, Kelly Goss, and I told her about Goodreads, and I have NEVER heard back from her again! LOL! I MUST email her or something! I think it's quite funny! She gave me a few updates, and in every update she gave me book suggestions! It was GREAT! That's what I love about Goodreads, too! Plus, there are Groups there, too, to join or not, and you get to see what all of your Friends are up to with the updates! It really IS a superb place!
2. A favorite Blog: Okay, I am NOT sucking up here, but, Jen at Crazy-for-Books IS one of my favorite blogs with the Fiction she chooses to read. I'm not to much into the Christian Non-Fiction books, but she CAN pick some GREAT Fiction! I love to see what she reads!
3. Another favorite would be Kathy at I Am A Reader, Not A Writer when she has some Romance Fiction! She can pick some GREAT ones! She just had a tour for The Reluctant Bachelorette by Rachael Renee Anderson, and I LOVED the book! She's had several other books as well that I have really liked a LOT! I'm not into the YA on her site too much, but she CAN pick those killler Romances lately!
Now go on over to Julie's place at Knitting and Sundries! You'll see the other blogs that are participating and can hop blog to blog and read their answers!
Enjoy!
Laurie
This week's Book Blogger Hop question is:
What are three of your favorite book blogs and/or communities? Why do you like them?
My Answer:
1. I am going to agree with Julie that my #1 place I LOVE to go is Goodreads! I have so many wonderful friends and authors there, and the books are ENDLESS! I met a friend on my Facebook page, Kelly Goss, and I told her about Goodreads, and I have NEVER heard back from her again! LOL! I MUST email her or something! I think it's quite funny! She gave me a few updates, and in every update she gave me book suggestions! It was GREAT! That's what I love about Goodreads, too! Plus, there are Groups there, too, to join or not, and you get to see what all of your Friends are up to with the updates! It really IS a superb place!
2. A favorite Blog: Okay, I am NOT sucking up here, but, Jen at Crazy-for-Books IS one of my favorite blogs with the Fiction she chooses to read. I'm not to much into the Christian Non-Fiction books, but she CAN pick some GREAT Fiction! I love to see what she reads!
3. Another favorite would be Kathy at I Am A Reader, Not A Writer when she has some Romance Fiction! She can pick some GREAT ones! She just had a tour for The Reluctant Bachelorette by Rachael Renee Anderson, and I LOVED the book! She's had several other books as well that I have really liked a LOT! I'm not into the YA on her site too much, but she CAN pick those killler Romances lately!
Now go on over to Julie's place at Knitting and Sundries! You'll see the other blogs that are participating and can hop blog to blog and read their answers!
Enjoy!
Laurie
Thursday, October 25, 2012
The Reluctant Bachelorette by Rachel Renee Anderson - REVIEW
This book is part of a Blog Tour! To see ALL the other blogs that are participating in this tour, click on this link - - HERE - - !
ALSO! This book is on SPECIAL for "99 cents" until October 31st!
HURRY and GRAB your copy today!
You will NOT be disappointed!
This has been one of the MOST enjoyable books I have read ALL year!
If you like "The Bachelor" or "The Bachelorette", then THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU!
Here's the LINK!
Goodreads Synopsis:
Unknowingly cast as the bachelorette for her town’s charity event, Taycee Emerson wants out. Especially when she discovers her old teenage crush, Luke Carney, is one of the bachelors and it's up to the viewers--not her--to decide which bachelors stay or go.
Coerced into participating, Taycee does what any self-preserving girl would do. She launches a subtle attack on Luke’s good name with the hope of getting him voted off the show. Unfortunately, Luke's an eye-for-an-eye kind of guy, and when he discovers what she's up to, it means revenge.
But when their pranks go south, will they screw up any chance they have at a future together, or will they be able to forgive and forget and prove that love really does conquer all?
This book was part of a Book Blast I did, and the contest to win a $50 Amazon Gift Code is STILL GOING ON until October 31st! I will re-post the entry form at the END of my review so you can enter it if you have not yet done so!
My Take:
5-Stars!
This book is amazing! The story is so GREAT! This author can WRITE! I absolutely LOVED this book! This book came highly suggested by Kathy at I Am A Reader, Not A Writer, and knowing Kathy and having read some of her suggestions in the past, I HAD to get in on this Book Tour to get to read this book! She was NOT wrong again! Thanks, Kathy!
This book grabbed my interest on the very first page! This author has a way with words where she just pulls you right into the story immediately. I've found myself a new author that I will be reading MORE of! You start reading this story and you don't stop until it's finished! Anyone who loves good, light romance, and a story full of fun!
I would also say this book will appeal to the fans who love the Reality TV shows, "The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette" will be intrigued by this book! This book will grab your attention just like the television show does, and you must know how it ends! Who does this Bachelorette end up with, and will it be love on both their parts?
The story is fun, light, romantic, and clean which is very appealing about the book. No sex, no innuendos towards it, just a fun, crisp, reminiscent read of a school girl crush turned adult!
In an effort to help save their town, Shelter Springs, from financial ruin, and the farmers who live and farm there, Taycee's best friend comes up with an idea to help raise money for charity to help the town by doing an Internet version of "The Bachelorette", and have the viewers choose which bachelors will be voted off, and which Bachelor's stay and date Taycee. Taycee? How did she get chosen to be the Bachelorette? Well, since Taycee owes her friend a huge favor, she calls upon Taycee to be 'the bachelorette'! She will get the possibility to fall in love with one of the bachelors! Taycee is NOT happy with her friend at all, especially when she finds out an old flame from her past will be one of the bachelors who will be participating!
In the meantime, while this show is being planned, Taycee is at a local restaurant just a few doors down from the florist shop she owns. waiting to pick up a take out lunch when an old flame of hers returns to town. There he is, right behind her in the restaurant! Luke. Taycee last saw Luke when she was fourteen, when she was too young to date him, but had the biggest crush on him, and he knew it. She was absolutely dying!
So The Bachelorette show starts, the viewers choose the different bachelors for her to date, and Taycee goes on many crazy dates, so many in fact, that she is tired out! In the end, does Taycee ends up with which one of the bachelors or not? Hmmm? That is for YOU to find out!
This whole story is like this. It is so much fun, crazy, and funny! I would love to find out how this author comes up with so many zany ideas! I wonder if she had the kind of older brothers who constantly played pranks on each other all the time because this book is chock full of them!
Don't miss this book! You will really enjoy reading this light romantic comedy! I just loved it and will remember it dearly!
I got this book for free from the author for the review tour, but, when I saw the book was only 99 cents, I just went ahead and bought the book instead to help support the author! I'm SO glad to have been a part of this tour to read this book! Now I'm off to see what other books this author has written!
About the Author:
Rachael Anderson is the author of four contemporary romances: Divinely Designed, Luck of the Draw, Minor Adjustments, and The Reluctant Bachelorette. She's the mother of four, can't sing, doesn't dance, and despises tragedies. But she recently figured out how yeast works and can now make homemade bread, which she is really good at eating.
Here is the form for you to have the opportunity to enter this Book Blast for a chance to win a $50 Amazon Gift Code again! You will enjoy this book immensely!
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
"Spooktacular Giveaway Hop!" 10-24 to 10-31-12! Come see what books I am giving away!
HUGE thanks to our Sponsors, I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and The Diary of a Bookworm! Thank you!!!
INTERNATIONAL!!!!
To ENTER this Giveaway, please click - - HERE - - !
Have FUN hopping! There are ALMOST 500 OTHER BLOGS that are participating in this hop! WOW!!! This is the BIGGEST Hop of the year AND THE BIGGEST I HAVE 'EVER' SEEN! WOW!!!
Happy Halloween!!!!
INTERNATIONAL!!!!
To ENTER this Giveaway, please click - - HERE - - !
Have FUN hopping! There are ALMOST 500 OTHER BLOGS that are participating in this hop! WOW!!! This is the BIGGEST Hop of the year AND THE BIGGEST I HAVE 'EVER' SEEN! WOW!!!
Happy Halloween!!!!
BOOK BLAST! The Emerald Talisman Audiobook - $100 Amazon Gift Card OR PayPal CASH! - 10-23 to 10--30-12!
The Emerald Talisman Audio Book by Brenda Pandos
Read by Mary Morgan
You can run from your destiny, but you can't hide.
When the beguiling Nicholas uses his superhuman strength to rescue Julia from the edge of a cliff before she's devoured by a bloodthirsty stalker, Julia is suddenly thrust into an underground world where people and animals are often one and the same. Fellow high school students disappear and only Julia and Nicholas know the truth. While Nicholas, a vampire hunter, is out stopping the ever-growing coven, an old friend entices Julia to join him on the dark side and a psychic tells Julia she alone is the key to stopping the madness, problem is it'll require Nicholas' life.
Amazon * Audible * Goodreads
* Sample
About the Author:
Brenda Pandos lives in California with her husband and two boys. She attempts to balance her busy life filled with writing, being a mother and wife, and spending time with friends and family. Working formerly as an I.T. Administrator, she never believed her imagination would be put to good use. After her son was diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder her life completely changed. Writing paranormal romance became something she could do at home while tending to the new needs of her family, household, and herself.
Three years later, Brenda now has five books published, The Talisman Trilogy: The Emerald Talisman, The Sapphire Talisman, and The Onyx Talisman, and Mer Tales: Everblue and Evergreen. She is currently working on the third book of Mer Tales, Everlost, coming February 2013.
LINKS:
Audio Book Tour for READERS!
Readers are invited to participate in The Emerald Talisman blog tour from 10/22-11/23 hosted by Confessions of a Bookaholic. There will be giveaways, interviews and a scavenger hunt!
Book Blast Giveaway Details:
$100 Amazon Gift Card or $100 PayPal Cash from Author Brenda Pandos
Ends 10/30/12
*You need not enter your twitter name for each entry. Simply enter it when you follow Brenda and leave the others blank.TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY, CLICK - - HERE - - !
Sunday, October 21, 2012
The New York Times Top 15 Best Sellers for the week ending October 20, 2012
Posted by NOON EVERY Sunday!
NEWS! Due to a recent court decision (you may have read about this in a former posting of mine) a Court has decided that for the next 2 years the RETAILER has the right to set the price on ebooks! YEAH! We can see this, I believe, in 'some' of the prices below. J K Rowling's book HAS COME DOWN in ebook price, yet when looking at the price at Amazon, it STILL states the price is 'set by the Publisher'. I don't see the prices being set by the Retailer's YET. I wonder if Amazon knows something, or is holding back from setting their OWN prices in case ANOTHER court decision goes through? Supposedly with that court decision, "WE, those of US" who HAVE PREVIOUSLY PURCHASED EBOOKS are supposed to GET A REFUND OF SOME TYPE. I have NO IDEA what kind or what they basing this on? We'll see.
Bloggers - Don't forget! The Christmas Books Giveaway Hop IS STILL OPEN for sign-ups! Get into the hop! HERE - - > - - HERE - - !
Hope YOU had a GREAT week of reading, and I wish you an even BETTER one ahead! Everyone, ALL the Readers of this blog in the blogosphere and myself included, would LOVE to know what YOU are reading and PLAN ON reading this week upcoming week! PLEASE tell us in the COMMENTS below! This is a GREAT way to share EXCELLENT reading recommendations! Looking forward to hear what you have to say! Here we go!
Bloggers - Don't forget! The Christmas Books Giveaway Hop IS STILL OPEN for sign-ups! Get into the hop! HERE - - > - - HERE - - !
Hope YOU had a GREAT week of reading, and I wish you an even BETTER one ahead! Everyone, ALL the Readers of this blog in the blogosphere and myself included, would LOVE to know what YOU are reading and PLAN ON reading this week upcoming week! PLEASE tell us in the COMMENTS below! This is a GREAT way to share EXCELLENT reading recommendations! Looking forward to hear what you have to say! Here we go!
Combined PRINT AND EBOOKS:
1. Reflected in You: A Crossfire Novel by Sylvia Day
Print Book: $9.00
Ebook: $9.99
2. The Casual Vacancy by J K Rowling
Print Book: $20.90
Ebook: $14.99 - Wow! A $5 price DROP!
3. Fifty Shades of Grey: Book One of the Fifty Shades Trilogy by E L James
Print Book: $9.57
Ebook: $9.99
4. Mad River (A Virgil Flowers Novel) by John Sanford
Print Book: $18.45
Ebook: $12.99
5. Fifty Shades Darker: Book Two of the Fifty Shades Trilogy by E L James
Print Book: $9.57
Ebook: $9.99
6. Fifty Shades Freed: Book Three of the Fifty Shades Trilogy by E L James
Print Book: $9.57
Ebook: $9.99
7. Gone Girl: A Novel by Gillian Flynn
Print Book: $13.94
Ebook: $12.99
8. NYPD Red by James Patterson and Marshall Karp
Print Book: $16.79
Ebook: $12.99
9. Bared to You: A Crossfire Novel by Sylvia Day
Print Book: $9.00
Ebook: $9.99
10. Winter of the World: Book Two of the Century Trilogy by Ken Follett
Print Book: $21.99
Ebook: $19.99
11. A Wanted Man: A Jack Reacher Novel by Lee Child
Print Book: $18.48
Ebook: $12.99
12. Down to You by M Leighton
Print Book: $9.99
Ebook: $3.99
13. Wool - Omnibus Edition by Hugh Howey
Print Book: $15.13
Ebook: $ 5.99
14. Cloud Atlas: A Novel (Modern Library) by David Mitchell
Print Book: $13.01
Ebook: $11.99
15. Dark Storm by Christine Feehan
Print Book: None - This book must be being reprinted? Not sure but none are available. However the ebook IS available! This must be making the charts in the ebook format. The cover IS striking, though, isn't it?
Ebook: $12.99
Thanks Everyone! Leave a Comment! Have a GREAT upcoming week!
Laurie
Print Book: $9.00
Ebook: $9.99
2. The Casual Vacancy by J K Rowling
Print Book: $20.90
Ebook: $14.99 - Wow! A $5 price DROP!
3. Fifty Shades of Grey: Book One of the Fifty Shades Trilogy by E L James
Print Book: $9.57
Ebook: $9.99
4. Mad River (A Virgil Flowers Novel) by John Sanford
Print Book: $18.45
Ebook: $12.99
5. Fifty Shades Darker: Book Two of the Fifty Shades Trilogy by E L James
Print Book: $9.57
Ebook: $9.99
6. Fifty Shades Freed: Book Three of the Fifty Shades Trilogy by E L James
Print Book: $9.57
Ebook: $9.99
7. Gone Girl: A Novel by Gillian Flynn
Print Book: $13.94
Ebook: $12.99
8. NYPD Red by James Patterson and Marshall Karp
Print Book: $16.79
Ebook: $12.99
9. Bared to You: A Crossfire Novel by Sylvia Day
Print Book: $9.00
Ebook: $9.99
10. Winter of the World: Book Two of the Century Trilogy by Ken Follett
Print Book: $21.99
Ebook: $19.99
11. A Wanted Man: A Jack Reacher Novel by Lee Child
Print Book: $18.48
Ebook: $12.99
12. Down to You by M Leighton
Print Book: $9.99
Ebook: $3.99
13. Wool - Omnibus Edition by Hugh Howey
Print Book: $15.13
Ebook: $ 5.99
14. Cloud Atlas: A Novel (Modern Library) by David Mitchell
Print Book: $13.01
Ebook: $11.99
15. Dark Storm by Christine Feehan
Print Book: None - This book must be being reprinted? Not sure but none are available. However the ebook IS available! This must be making the charts in the ebook format. The cover IS striking, though, isn't it?
Ebook: $12.99
Thanks Everyone! Leave a Comment! Have a GREAT upcoming week!
Laurie
Friday, October 19, 2012
Song for Papa Crow by Marit Menzin - Review
Book Description:
Little Crow loves to sing, and Papa Crow loves his song. But when Little Crow shares his crow songs with the other birds at the big old tree, they laugh and scatter. Maybe the Amazing Mockingbird can teach him to sing songs with the finches, flycatchers, and cardinals – and help him make some friends. But Little Crow should be careful what he wishes for… Using Mockingbird's tip, Little Crow quickly becomes the most popular bird on the block. But, in a moment of danger, he learns that singing someone else's song can have terrible consequences and that his own voice – and his father's love – is of the greatest value. Paired with colorful collage illustrations, this inspirational story is complemented by fun facts about North American birds and their sounds. . Grades Pre-K to 2. (These ages are suggested from the Publisher, I would say that children through the 3rd grade would appreciate this book very much.)
Look inside the book at these illustrations:
My Take:
5 Stars!
The story of this book about Little Crow is delightful and refreshing. Little Crow is among a diverse group of many other types of birds who look and sing so much more beautifully than he can. He is upset over this and tries to fit in with the other birds by learning how to sing like them. This leads to danger for Little Crow when a great big Hawk comes along and grabs him. Papa Crow, who loves Little Crow so much does not know Little Crow is in danger because he cannot recognize Little Crow's own voice that is singing. What happens to Little Crow?
This book teaches young children it is always important to be themselves and never good to try to be or act like someone else just to fit in with other people who are different or more fun than they think they might be. This teaches them to be themselves. It might look like it's more fun to be like other kids, but it could be a very bad thing, too. These examples are clearly shown in the many different types of birds in this story - diversity. It is a great example of how Little Crow did not fit in, and children will relate to this very easily. Also in the back of the book, it has a Fun Facts section which we learn all about the different types of birds in our own backyard.
Allow me to say, again, this is the 'most beautiful' Children's Book I have ever set my eyes on! I cannot sing the praises of this book enough. The photos you see here do not do this book justice, as would getting this on an e-reader would NOT do it justice either. You need this book 'in hand' to appreciate the details of these illustrations.
Yes, the author is the illustrator of this book and the illustrations are very elaborate in a very beautiful way. This is one of the MOST BEAUTIFUL books I have ever seen! The photos in this book are hand crafted collages. Every page is a collage of hand crafted papers, hand crafted birds, trees, the grass and the sky, even the clouds, everything. The author is is known for the collages she makes, and it clearly shows in this book. Adults will love reading this book to children and enjoy it just as much as the children will love to hear this story because of the art this author has made this story into. At first glance these illustrations grab you, at least they did me. Some people may even notice this as a type of scrapbooking, yet much more elaborate than that. You will be mesmerized by this book.
The suggested reading ages for this book per the publisher is Pre-K to 8, but I would say ages 2-3 to 9 years old - the 3rd grade, would all very much enjoy this book. I could see older siblings reading this book to their younger siblings. This would make a beautiful book to add to a library for group reading for the children. Children will be in awe of the illustrations, and the Librarian or volunteer reading this book will never tire of this book. This book will easily become a favorite among many. Again, it is SO beautiful! So YES! I HIGHLY recommend this book for children and adults! Enjoy!
I
received this book for FREE from the Author, in exchange to read and write a review about it. It is NOT required for this
review to be either positive or negative, but, of my own honest opinion. “Free”
means I was NOT provided with ANY MONIES to read this book nor to write this
review, but to enjoy the pure pleasure of reading the book. I am disclosing
this information in accordance with the Federal
Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255,
http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html
Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements
and Testimonials in Advertising.
The Author, Marit Menzin:
The Author's Facebook Page: http://on.fb.me/UfgmDM
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