WWW Wednesday

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?

I am currently reading:

Love & War: Devotional for Couples by John & Stasi Elderedge

 

Left at the Altar by Kimberley Kennedy

I recently finished:

The Nightmare before Jesus by Sonya S. Molina

What I am going to read next:

I am going to pick up (again)
Passport Through Darkness by Kimberly L. Smith

iShine Bible NLT, a Bible for tween girls

I want to add another book for my next read but not sure what...I find this happens to me often.

Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge 2011

This looks like another fun challenge! I don't think I read 100 books this past year, but I haven't looked at my spread sheet. I am hoping to read 100+ books this year. And I am keeping track for sure this year! I am going to have a post for my 2011 reads.
Anyway, this fun meme is hosted by The Book Vixen ...

Details:

• Runs January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011 (books read prior to 1/1/11 do not count towards the challenge). You can join at anytime. You can sign up on The Book Vixen’s blog.
• The goal is to outdo yourself by reading more books in 2011 than you did in 2010. See the different levels below and pick the one that works best for you. Nothing is set in stone; you can change levels at any time during the challenge.
• Books can be any format (bound, eBook, audio).
• Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are fine.
• You can list your books in advance or list them as you read them. It is not required that you review the books you read for this challenge but feel free to do so.
• Post this reading challenge on your blog so you can keep a list of the books you’ve read for this challenge. Please include a link back to this post so readers can join the challenge too.
• You do not have to be a book blogger to participate. You can keep tabs on books you’ve read for this challenge on Goodreads or LibraryThing if you’d like (maybe make a shelf for “Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge”). If you are not on either of those sites then you can list the books you read for this challenge in the comments on my wrap-up post, which will be up at the end of 2011.

Levels:

• Getting my heart rate up – Read 1–5 more books
• Out of breath – Read 6–10 more books
• Breaking a sweat – Read 11–15 more books
• I’m on fire! – Read 16+ more books

I think I can safely assume that I read about 40 books. A typical year for me is 50-70. But with having Abigail etc, I think that is why it went down. I want to reach 100 so I am going to choose I'm On Fire! What about you? Go over and join now!

Book Blogger Hop

 

The blog hop is hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books

This week's question comes from Barb who blogs at Sugarbeat's Books:

"Why do you read the genre that you do? What draws you to it?"

My answer:

I grew up reading Nancy Drew, I loved the mystery/suspense and I also liked that it wasn't gross (bloody/ gory), I could read it before I went to bed without have bad dreams. Besides, Nancy was like my best friend back then, lol. I tried many times to solve the mystery (and I did a few times...) before she did and was so proud that I did when I did.

So I think that is why I have such a love for mystery and suspense/thriller.  Also, in one of my classes we were to read The Diary of Anne Frank and write a book report on it. We had a month to do it in and I ended up reading that book in less than a week. I couldn't put it down. I remember hearing my classmates complaining about having to read a stupid book and my thought was, are you kidding me?! (while I was reading the book none the less, lol). After reading that, I went to the library to find other true diaries and memoirs. I was in love. Hence why I hosted the Memoir/True Story Challenge for the Dewey-A-Thon, 

So I guess that would bring me to my questions:

• What memoirs/True Stories would you recommend?
• Same question goes for mystery suspense/thriller...?
• Which were your favorites?

Anything Goes on Saturday

This is a new meme hosted by Socrates's Book Review Blog called "Anything Goes on Saturday". It's a chance to choose any topic you want and talk about it on Saturday - it can be about a book, TV show, movie, a recipe or just an update on your week. Whatever you choose.

If you'd like to join in, take the button above and blog about it. Use the linky below to post your direct link to your post. Then, go and visit other blogs and see what's on everyone's minds this week. Enjoy!

Socrates' posted about book reviewing and rating. I also would like to talk about how I feel about reviewing and my own reviewing.

I love reading and I love reviewing. But I sometimes have doubts about how good I am at it; reviewing that is. I read other peoples reviews and I enjoy them. They have depth and insight. I walk away from the review knowing how that person felt about it and it helps me decide if I want to read it or not. There have been plenty of times that if I hadn't read a review from a blogger ( or non blogger) that I trust/respect, I wouldn't have read the book. 

Some are short and to the point and others are longer but good all the same. I feel my reviews are too general and plain and I really want to work on that this year. I want people to read my review, enjoy them and get insight and depth, to take something from it. To know my feelings on the book. Even though I have been reviewing books in discussion for years and have been an official reviewer for just about a year now, I still feel very amateur in my writing/reviewing.  As if someone were to read my review and say/thing, " Oh, she's a newbie." 

What are your thoughts on this particular subject?  Do you ever feel self-conscious about your reviewing skills?

Teaser Tuesday

If you'd like to play along on Teaser Tuesdays, just click the button above.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

* Grab your current read
* Open to a random page
* Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Here are my teasers:

"I ended my relationship with Greg, but I dated Stewart, Benny and the banquet manger at the same time. Stewart and the banquet manager were married."

(Not to each other)  Page 69 from The Nightmare before Jesus by Sonya S. Molina

"We can feel responsible for our spouses' happiness and for  their unhappiness. We think, I'm not doing enough."
Page 46 From Love & War Devotional for Couples; Week 3 of The Journey, Day 5 entitled You're Not Alone

"Besides death and taxes, rejection may be the most common human experience we face. Whether you are that kid in fifth grade who never got picked for Red Rover or the employee who got passed over for an expected promotion, there is not a person alive who hasn't faced it in some form or another.
Page 9 from the introduction of Left at the Alter by Kimberley Kennedy

WWW Wednesday

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…
• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?


I set Passport Through Darkness by Kimberly L. Smith aside for the time being because it is a bit difficult to read at time. The stories that are told are quite sad. Sooo I am currently reading:

 The Nightmare before Jesus by Sonya S. Molina.
This book too has sad stories but is easier for me to read. It's hard to explain but it is easier for me to read.
(for review)
 

                 Love & War Devotional for Couples by John & Stasi Eldredge




I haven't recently finished anything lately.


I have a pile of review books but not sure which to read be read next. I have a few in mind but am not sure. Plus, I'll have to wait and see what comes in the mail and what has deadlines by the time I am done with what I am reading now. I am expecting a few books, I have to blog tours in March also, hence my hesitation of what I will read next. And ideas?


 

Meet Me On Monday

This is a fun meme hosted by Java at Never Growing Old.

Every Sunday she posts five get to know you questions that you can copy and paste into your own Monday post and we can all learn a little more about each and every one of us!!


Questions:


1. Do you like your ice cream in a dish, waffle cone, pretzel cone, sugar cone or cake cone?
Depends on my mood...

2. Do you read the newspaper daily?

I read the news on yahoo before or after checking my email


3. Marinara or meat sauce?

I like Marinara and A1 sauce....


4. Last time you cried?

I have actually cried a lot lately. About two weeks ago I was letting one of my mothers cats outside as I went outside. The next morning she asked Hubby and I if we had seen her; a few of her neighbors cats have gone missing and they fear that the coyotes got to them. I feel bad/guilty. 

My pastor, Wendell Smith of The City Church died on the 19th of December. And my oldest sisters father in law of 15+ years past away on new years eve. Wade, my sisters father in law has been like a second father to me and my sisters for years. We found out 3 months ago that he had esophagus ( type of through cancer) cancer. He just finished his first round of chemo, and a few days later..

Our Pastor found out a few years ago that he had a bone marrow cancer. At least neither is in pain anymore but it doesn't stop the hurt.



5. What word/phrase do you find really annoying?

"For now..." ( with my family and in laws 'for now' means forever. My feelings is, Lets just find a place for it now!)

"It is what it is"....What is it?? lol......

The Wiersbe Bible Study Series by Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe

Victory in Jesus

Warren Wiersbe Studies Standing Firm and Overcoming

Developing an intimate relationship with Christ is a life-long process, and the study of His Word is one of the primary avenues through which we learn and draw closer to Him. Dr. Warren Wiersbe’s ability to explore and explain the Bible has been a foundational resource for many during this life-long pursuit, and now his well-loved “Be” commentaries are available in a series of eight-week Bible studies. These small-group studies will enable readers to reach deeply into the riches of God’s Word and gain a clearer understanding of who Christ is and how He taught His followers during His ministry here on earth. 

 

Each eight-week study includes an introduction to the particular book of the Bible, tips for small group study, self-introspective questions, and practical applications. Throughout the study, portions of Dr. Wiersbe’s “Be” commentaries are included to provide greater insight and to encourage those participating in the study to continue to deepen their study of God’s Word. Students of God’s Word may then decide to explore Dr. Wiersbe’s commentaries more completely as they move through individual books of the Bible.

 

Dr. Warren Wiersbe has devoted his life to the deep examination of God’s Word. He is an internationally known Bible teacher, former pastor of The Moody Church in Chicago, and the author of more than 160 books. Among this large body of written work, the “Be” commentary series has become a resource that millions have come to rely on for over thirty years. Dr. Wiersbe also served as the contributing editor of The Transformation Study Bible. The timeless insights on Scripture provided by Dr. Wiersbe have helped countless numbers of readers to better understand and apply God’s Word to their daily lives. Known to many as the “pastor’s pastor,” Dr. Wiersbe combines historical explanations and thought-provoking questions with the unchanging truth of Scripture in such a way that believers at every level of spiritual maturity can easily grasp its relevance.

 

Studies to be released this spring include:

 

• Nehemiah: Standing Firm in the Face of Opposition – Nehemiah was an ordinary man given an impossible task: to rebuild the war-torn city of Jerusalem. This Bible study examines the life, legacy, and perseverance of Nehemiah. (ISBN: 9780781404556/softcover/144 pages/$8.99/February 2011)

• Revelation: In Christ You Are an Overcomer – The book of Revelation is one of the Bible’s most mysterious books. This Bible study takes a practical approach to Revelation and shares how one can experience a victorious life. (ISBN: 9781434702319/softcover/144 pages/$8.99/February 2011)

 

Dr. Warren Wiersbe’s commentaries and his world-renowned knowledge of God’s Word can now be enjoyed in a format that allows everyone to enjoy spending time getting to know the Savior. David C Cook plans to continue releasing volumes in the Wiersbe Bible Study Series over the next few years.

WWW Wednesdays

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions... • What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you'll read next?


I've changed my reading around a little bit for this week. I originally had all the below as my reading for the week except for Left At The Alter but... Even though I want to play catch-up and all, I have a busy week that I am not looking forward to. So I am going to stick to on book besides the devotional Hubby and I are doing together.

I am currenlt reading: 

 
Love & War: A devotional for couple by John & Stasi Eldredge

 Passport Through Darkness: A true story of danger and second chances by Kimberly L. Smith









I haven't recently finished anything.

What I am going to read next:

Left At The Alter by Kimberley Kennedy

 
Jesus In The Present Tense by Warren W. Wiersbe

The Nightmare Before Jesus by Sonya S. Molina

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.  It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I love being a part of this and I hope you do too!

I recently finished reading:

Possession by Rene Gutteridge (for review)






(for review)
( I know it's fuzzy, sorry.)


                       > Permanent Obscurity: OR a cautionary tale of two girls & their misadventures with drugs, pornography, and death by Delores Santana (as told my Richard Perez)
(for review)




What I am still working on and starting on this week:



(for review and blog tour-details coming soon!)





> Passport through Darkness: A true story of danger and second chances by Kimberly L. Smith
(for review)


< The Nightmare before Jesus: A sexual abuse survivor by Sonya S. Molina


 

              > Jesus in the Present Tense: The I Am Statements of Christ by Warren Wiersbe

Permanent Obscurity by Delores Santana (as told by Richard Perez) Review

Inspired by the underground sexploitation films of the 1960's, this bold updatig of the "roughie" subgenre largely takes place in the East Village (circa 2006). and it' chronicles the rise and fall of a unique and intense friendship. Delores and Serena, two chemically dependent, down-and-out artists, set out to take control of their lives by making a fetish-noir/femdom movie....Of course, things don't exactly turn out as planned.

This is pretty much the exact opposite of what I typically read. I gave it a chance because it is a memoir (told by the girl (Delores) lying on the floor with dark hair) and I am trying to give books out of my comfort zone a chance . But this was a little too out of my comfort zone with all the crude and foul language, pornographic language and drug use. Also, this book was another one of those 'really slow with fast faced areas'. I kept putting this book to the side to take a break from the constant language in the book. But then the curious side got to me and I wanted to find out how they ended up taking the picture that is on the cover. Plus, how Delores talks in the book, especially towards the middle, makes it sound like Serena ( the blonde in the picture) is dead. And with me, especially memoirs, I have to finish the book to find out what happened. You never do get to find out about the picture:(
I don't want to give anything away but with circumstances in this book, I really wanted to finish the book just to find out what happens. I got so mad at Delores and Serena, but especially Delores because she kept drinking and using even after she found out she is pregnant. And with Serena because she is so manipulative and loves to use people. Even her own best friend, Delores.
Something that I typically do after reading a memoir/true story, I go online and/or look up books about that person(s). After finishing the book I went online to read some old articles and to find out more information about this book and the people in it. I couldn't find anything. Because names and such had been changed. That was a downer for me. But that is okay. I got over it.
I enjoyed the book, I would have enjoyed it a lot more if there wasn't all the foul and explicit language.
All in all, if you don't mind a lot of foul language and sexual talk, than you might find this an interesting read. I recommend this book if you enjoy memoirs but I would warn you about the language. I definitely would not recommend book to everybody. 


                                      I received my book from the Early Reviewers Program at LibraryThing.com

Possession by Rene Gutteridge Review

In the aftermath of investigating the D.C. sniper case, detective Vance Graegan is burned out on life and love. Hoping to save his marriage, he quits the force and moves his wife and son to the other side of the country. But when the movers decide to hold his belongings for ransom, Vance is determined to ensure his family's new beginning is not ruined. Soon, though,  losing his possessions becomes the least of his problems, as everything they are fighting for begins to unravel in the hands of Vance's past...and a little innocent boy's faith brings a group of desperate people to their knees.

This book has gone on my shelf of favorites as well. I could not stop reading it. I was going to bed early just to read it. The author gives you a little bit of a hint in the beginning of what the book is about but at the same time that confuses you even more (in a good way) so you want to keep reading to explain what you just read. And just when you think you know what is going on and who did what, think again! Rene Gutteridge puts plenty of twists and turns so you really don't know what is going on. It was a true mystery up until the end.
I also really liked that God and faith in Him was all throughout the book. That was the main if not only thing that kept this family together. I have never read a Christian based mystery/thriller before. I want to read more! And I will definitely be looking out for more books by Rene Gutteridge. I am now a fan. I highly recommend this read. It is a pretty light read that is next to impossible to put down. I would say more but I don't want to give anything major away.
I am so excited about this book and have already recommended this book to a family member and a couple of friends. 

                                                        

                                                           I received my copy of this book from Tyndale Blog Network.

Unto The Hills : Devotional by Billy Graham Review

I was more than happy to review this devotional book by Billy Graham. I have been a fan of his for years, I grew up listening to his teachings. And when I saw the opportunity to review it I had to grab it! I was not let down. I could not put this book down. I was completely drawn in. This book is so good and so helpful to the everyday life. Also I was so glad he did one of the daily readings on the importance of prayer; January 7th's. That would have to be one of my favorites, and at the top.Because so many people say, "all you can do is pray." Like that is so small and so little. When in actuality that is a lot! Praying opens doors.  So many of the daily devotions, if not all, are current to how we live today. Plus, at the end of each devotion, there is a small prayer as well which I loved.
I was going to list a few favorites but I would end up naming 1-365! So I gave you one of the days that stuck out the most. I highly recommend this devotional book, to anybody and everybody. I am so glad I ended the year with this and now I am reading it again for the new year! 

                                                                       I received my copy of this book from booksneeze.com

Prayables

I recently signed up for Prayables,  prayers for women to be sent to my email. I didn't think I would end up putting it into my blog, but...I have decided that once in a while I will. Especially if they are cute or funny.
If you want to get these free emails click above. 
Here is the one I got today:

Gas Pass

This room is crowded,
much like my intestines at this moment.
If I were to relieve myself
of this pressure right now,
the sound would startle small children,
and if not, I'm sure the smell
would sicken them and kill the plants.

Please give a pass on this one.
Help me to avoid letting one rip
in this embarrassing setting.
If I must, let it be silent.
Limit the stench to a five foot radius,
so that I can blame it on the sleeping dog.
Thanks.

WWW Wednesday

 

 

To play along, just answer the following questions:

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?


I am currently reading:

I decided that I really wasn't on the mood to read Russia's Prestige by Kashif Parvaiz but I did decide on these as my reads today:
 

 (this one has been a current read for a few weeks. Review and blog tour coming up soon!)
 Love & War: a devotional for couples by John & Stasi Elderedge
(fore review)

 The Nightmare before Jesus by Sonya S. Molina (for review)







Passport Through Darkness: A true story of danger & second chances by Kimberly L. Smith
(for review)








Jesus: in the present tense by Warren W. Wiersbe
 (for review)





I recently finished reading:

Possession by Rene Gutteridge
(for review)







 Unto The Hills, devotional by Billy Graham
(for review)








What I will read next:
No idea, lol.




 

Teaser Tuesday

If you'd like to play along on Teaser Tuesdays, just click the button above.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

* Grab your current read
* Open to a random page
* Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

For me this week:

First I haven't been able to decide what I want to read. Or what I'm in the mood to read so right now, I am only reading one book at the moment. But I am going to the library this evening and the book store as well so it will be sure to change!

 We are, all of us, weather we know it or not, utterly committed and deeply devoted to our style, our way, our approach to life. We have absolutely no intention of giving it up.
Pg 35 from Week 3, Day 1 entitled A Royal Mess from the book, Love & War: A devotional for couples by John & Stasi Elderedge

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.  It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I love being a part of this and I hope you do too!
 

I finished reading this past week:

Possession by Rene Gutteridge

(review will be up this week)

Unto The Hills, A daily devotional by Billy Graham
( the review will be up this week)



I finished reading Permanent Obscurity but have yet to get the review up, so that will also be up this week.



This week I am going to try:

Russia's Prestige: Historical Architecture by Kashif Parvaiz








I want to try reading a few more but I need to look at my shelves....