It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

(Hosted by BookJourney)
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.

This past week I:

Finished my goal of reading Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado and posted my review:)

Posted my review for Which None Can Shut by Reema Goode

Started my review for The Reflections of Light for Daily Living by Dr. Brown. Finished reading it last night! Whoo hoo! Just in time for tomorrow! I am a blog tour host for her book tomorrow so if you could come by tomorrow and check it out that would be great! And there is a couple of giveaways:)

This week I:

I have started reading (again!) Permanent Obscurity by Dolores Santana as told by Richard Perez (For review)

The Life Book by Carl Blunt (For review)

Your Money God's Way by Amie Streater (For review)

Chiczofrenia: Crazy is an art form by Dr. Laina Turner-Molaski with review coming up soon! (For review)

We'll see how it goes! Happy Monday everyone!

Top 5 Questions To Ask Your Doctor by Jim Sutton and Sagar Nigwekar

I hope to get these all read this week or at least a good indent with reviews in the next week or two.

Musing Monday 10/18/10

(Hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading)

This weeks musing question is:

Do you prefer hardcovers, trade paperbacks (the bigger ones), or mass market paperbacks (the smaller ones)? Why?

My answer: It all depends, honestly. If I am reading a self help type book, I prefer hardcovers so I can write notes in the book as I am reading. For reviewing as well I prefer hardcover but I am not going to be picky. Besides, I don't blame them for sending paper back in the mail, it's cheaper! I would send a reviewer a paperback too! The mass market paperbacks are good for carrying around; especially if you are taking the bus. As long as the print isn't too small. But whenever I receive a small paperback for review it makes it a bit more difficult for wanting to make a note while reading because the book tends to shut on you a lot easier. So I prefer the bigger paperbacks because they stay open:) All in all though really, I don't really care.

The Sunday Salon 10/17/10

This week was good. I reached my goal of  finishing Outlive Your Life: You were made to make a difference by Max Lucado and I am almost done with Reflections of Light for Daily Living: A book of Affirmations for the Ambitious by Dr. Tiffany Brown. I have my blog tour date for Reflections of Light for Daily Living on the 19th of this month with a couple of giveaways:) So my review for that will be up on the 19th. My review for Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado and my review for Which None Can Shut by Reema Goode are both up for viewing;) It took me a while to get my reviews written and done but I did it. I have changed my current tbr around a little to get books for review that have been sitting for a while read and reviewed.

So my plan for this week is:

• Permanent Obscurity by Richard Perez (for review)-I started this a while ago and now I am going to finish it and get my review up!
• Top 5 Questions To Ask Your Doctor by Jim Sutton and Sagar Nigwekar (for review)- I keep putting this on my tbr, reading it and then...I don't know what. So I am also tackling that book this week.
• The Life Book by Carl Blunt (also for review)
• And last but not least, Your Money God's Way: Overcoming the 7 Money Myths that keep Christians broke by Amie Streater

Also, I got myself somewhat confused...I think. I think I said before that I was being a blog tour host for John Betcher's book, The 19th Element on the 22 of November. But that isn't happening until the 13th of December. I am being a blog tour host on the 26th of this month for Laina Turner-Molaski's book, Chiczofrenia: crazy is an art form- with a giveaway as well.

So that has been my past week and that is how my future week with a few other things look like:)

Which None Can Shut by Reema Goode REVIEW

"See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it" Revelations 3:8
Imagine a place where becoming a Christian is a punishable crime—and your own family exacts the punishment. Where those who spread the gospel among locals are deported if discovered. Where converts to Christianity face persecution, isolation, or even death as the price for their faith. “Reema Goode” and her family are Christians working in a closed Middle Eastern country where all of these things are true. Yet they are also firsthand witnesses of a whole new trend that is taking shape in missions to Muslims. Despite all obstacles, God is opening miraculous doors in the Islamic world, where an unprecedented number of Muslims are becoming followers of Jesus. In this powerful collection of personal stories, Reema takes us deep inside her Arab neighborhood to show how God is opening doors in just one of many Islamic communities. As she walks us through everyday life in a Muslim town, she reveals the diverse, creative, unexpected, and thrilling ways God is reaching her neighbors with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

This book, is full of true stories and events that happened to Reema, her husband Mike and their children.  She tells of events about living in a community full of Muslims and their mission to tell the story of Christ and His love. This story, or rather these stories are scary at times. You want to read faster to find out the outcome!But there are also stories told in this book where I found myself cheering for her and/or her husband; and even their son on one occasion. This book was very inspiring and reminded me that even though a person goes through persecution either from their own family members, friends or even stangers because of their faith, atleast we live in a country where we have freedom of religion/faith. She reminded me of how lucky and blessed I am. 

She reminds us to keep the faith, keep praying; because praying does do a whole lot. She also reminds us that God is in control; if we let Him. Do we want God to take the wheel or not? Do we trust Him to take over or do we know better? Or maybe next time because this time isn't good for you or me.

Within the pages of this book Reema and everyone else (in this book) keep reminding us a much needed reminder I think; Trust in Him. He is in control. This read is inspiring and a great thrill to read. It made me realize that I take my freedom for granted at times, I need to work on that:) Freedom of religion/faith, freedom of speech. We have that here; in the US of A.  

Reema also made sure to note that her and her family didn't shove The Word down people's throats. They prayed for God to open a line of communication for them to share the Bible with non-Christians . And He provided just that. 

I would highly recommend this book to anyone. Christian or non Christian. It not only is full of great stories but also a learning tool for Christians to have if they want to better reach the non Christian and have a meaningful conversation. It also opens your eyes to what is going on outside of our country.

                                           I received my copy of this book from Tyndale House Publisher for review

Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado Review

Outlive Your Life: You Were Made To Make a Difference by Max Lucado

Throughout this entire book, Outlive Your Life, Max teaches us through examples that happened not only in his own life, but of others he has spoken to and interview; and examples in the Bible, how to live as a disciple and how to challenge ourselves outside of our comfort zone. 
He teaches us not to make a theater production of our faith (page 93). He tells us to ask ourselves these questions: If no one knew of the good I do, would I still do it? (page 93). If your planning on doing a good deed, are you doing it to get brownie points? To be seen doing a nice thing? Are you expecting recognition? If so, that's not an honest good deed.
At times, even though I fully enjoyed the book and learned a lot from reading it, I found myself bored at times. I felt as though Max Lucado was too wordy and/or gave one too many examples to get his point across and found myself thinking, get to the point already! Or, OK, I got the picture, move on.
But that did only happen a few times in the book and I'm glad for it. The rest of the time, I couldn't wait to get back to this read. Lucado really pulled me in and intrigued me. I couldn't wait to get back to this book and see what Max Lucado would say about being a disciple, a servant, a blessing to others without expecting recognition or even a thank you, a helper.
I also enjoyed how the book was set up. The entire book teaches one specific lesson: You were made to make a difference. Then the book is broken down into chapters to break the main lesson into parts so you get a step by step on how to be a disciple, a helper, God's servant. Max Lucado makes it easy with his book to really understand how to be a good disciple of Christ, how to be a servant, a blessing to any and all you see. No matter the color of their skin, their origin, their religion, what language they speak. He breaks it down so you know how to apply it to your life. But he also warns you that their will be prosecution from people and how to prepare for that.
The fact that he always used scriptures to back up what he was saying and where to find them was great and helpful so you could look it up yourself. And he uses all sorts of biblical translations like, NLT, CEV, KJV and more.
All in all, this book was and is very inspiring to do good without credit being the first thought; to make sure to do good without a big show or without expecting a big show or any show at all. But just because. I would definitely recommend this read.

                                                             I received my copy of this book for review from BookSneeze.com

Book Blogger Hop Oct 15-18

I joined another meme hosted by Crazy-For_Book. It looks like a lot of fun! The question this week came from Christina at The Paperback Princesses: "When you read a book that you just can't get into, do you stick it out and keep reading or move to your next title?"

My answer:

I have answered this question in the past, somewhere but, I used to rad through every book I read even if I didn't like it or it was annoying/boring me.  But I have gotten to the point that unless it is for review, I don't finish it if I don't like it or can't get into it. I'm not going to waste anymore of my time with a book I can't get into for whatever reason (unless it is for review). But I will pick it up again the the future and give it another try. If it still don't like it for whatever reason, I'll put it back down and go to it one more time. If I still don't like it, I give up on that book. Not the author but the book. Because there have been many times, as i am sure you all have been through this, that I don't like that one book in particular but I like another book by the same author.

Follow by Floyd McClung

Follow begins by sharing McClung’s own personal story of how he was set free from a life of religious tradition to enjoy one of relationship with Jesus. This liberating experience caused McClung to realize the importance of changing the focus of life from ourselves to Jesus and led him to form outward-looking communities of disciples. “Rather than setting out a list of rules that put people in bondage to religious legalism, we should be offering unbelievers and believers alike a Jesus-focused invitation to find one’s identity and life shaped by the kingdom Jesus came to establish here on earth,” says McClung. By using stories and Scriptural examples, McClung reveals the freedom that comes from living our lives the way God intended and provides an intelligible path toward total Lordship—without condescending into religiosity. 

Follow’s message is centered upon the practical, personal areas of believers’ lives that must be examined and transformed so that they are able to love Jesus, love each other within the body of Christ, and love others currently on the outside. While addressing topics such as obedience, identity, significance, church, sexuality, marriage, work, humility, faith, prayer, witness, sacrifice, and simplifying church life, McClung seeks to answer the question, “How are we to think and live day to day as followers of Jesus?” Each chapter ends with questions for group discussion and some practical steps of application. 

Offering a fresh injection of spiritual adrenaline into mediocre attempts at following Christ, Follow teaches readers how to be on mission with God in His world, free from the world’s attempts to domesticate and tame what it means to follow the wild, untamable Jesus. “We must constantly return to Jesus as our source and our example for how to live life and how to do church together,” McClung believes. “Studying His life, spending time in His presence, seeking to be filled with His Spirit, and fulfilling His mission with others in community—this is how we are to experience life as Jesus intended it.” 

I love memoirs/true stories, as you all know. Plus I love the cover. It's peaceful and cozy.Would you pick up this book? I wish I had it here in my hands because I would be reading it. Not just because the cover and not just because it's a type of memoir, but because of the message: Having a relationship with Christ.

What do you think about the book so far?

Friday Fill-In #194 10/15/10

(Posted by Socrates' Book Reviews)

I did this once a while back and thought it was a lot of fun. So I'm getting into again:)

It's fun and easy and at times can really make you think!

1. My favorite month is...I actually have two, and one is September because my daughter was born that month, the other is April because it's when I got married.

2. It's so nice when your outside and it's hot then you get a fresh breeze.

3. I love to sniff fresh ground coffee!

4.Banana nut muffins is what I like to have as a treat for breakfast.

5. The hobby I enjoy most is reading of course;) !

6. It's Friday! Already? - oh my!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to spending time with Hubby and our daughter Abigail, tomorrow my plans include going to our friends wedding, then to our friends house for a game of poker and Sunday, I want to do nothing but read!

It's Friday, Already?!

Afternoon everyone! How is everyone's day going? Mine? Alright. A few things have been on my mind though. I made a post, about a week ago, called the mark of love, with a giveaway and I noticed a few page views but that was all. U'm wondering why. Is anybody interested in it? Should I take it down? I'm feeling a little down about it...*thinking*....

Also, a few months back, I witnessed a guy who I didn't realize I knew 'till the end being very drunk and crazy inside of his apartment but at his window making a show for a few friends of mine and myself. Long story short, I got a subpoena last week. Then I got a call earlier this week from the prosecuting attorney telling me that unless the case gets settled this Thursday (yesterday) I will need to be at court at 830 in the morning all week. I had been waiting all week for Thursday! Then the morning of, I waited to see it the attorney would call but I was anxious to know if I had to go or not. So at about noon I called, gave the nice woman my information and she told me, yes it was settled and dealt with this afternoon'. Yes! Then, just to clarify, I asked, so I don't need to show up next week?" She told me no I am good to go. I don't need to come to court. I thanked her and told her she was awesome, have a great day!
About an hour later the attorney called. I was a bit confused why. Then I thought, maybe he is calling to tell me that it got settled so don't worry about coming to work. Maybe he doesn't know I already called. So without a worry I picked up my phone. He proceeded to tell me I need to be at court on the 22nd of this month. I told him I was confused. I called about an hour ago and the woman told me it got settled. He tells me, it was originally. But the defendant took it back and we are going to court. I asked him if I absolutely needed to be there, since this is a indecent exposure case and I didn't see anything like that. I only heard the commotion about it. He then told me that I would still be helpful since I was there. At least it isn't all week. Just one day. At the end of the phone call, I thanked him for calling and told him to have a nice day. Called my older sister to see if she could still watch Abigail this next Friday. I am going to court after all. Oh well, what can you do? I will be bringing a book along with me for sure; just don't know which one yet.

Anyway, earlier this week I mentioned the books I wanted to read. The Reflections for Daily Living by Dr. Tiffany Brown and Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado. Though, the book The Reflections for Daily Living-I am going to have my review for that up on the 19th of this month, I am a blog tour host(with a giveaway :) I started reading it a few nights ago and it is very good. I wanted to keep reading but had to go to bed. I love books like that! But I don't know if I'll be able to finish in time. I'm hoping!
I am about halfway through Max Lucado's book. I plan on finishing it today with my review up in few days so or.
If any of you are are at all interested in winning a prize head on over to my post The Mark of Love I am keeping that post open for a few more days or so since I just got the prize for one of you in the mail today:)

Anyway, I am off to do some house work and then read!

Friday Find 10/15/10

(Hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading)

 What great books did you hear about/discover this past week? Share with us your FRIDAY FINDS!

Here is my list:

A Bright New Morning: An American Story by Phil Mitchell

 









The Christmas Chronicles: The legend of Santa by Tim Slover

The Reflections of Light for Daily Living: A Book of Affirmations for the Ambitious by Dr. Tiffany Brown

 

 

 

 

 The 19th Element by James Becker

Everything I Never Wanted to Be by Dina Kucera

I love theses covers! Especially the last three. They are just calling to me!

WWW Wednesday 10/13/10

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'm currently reading:

1. Outlive Your Life: You were made to make a difference by Max Lucado (for review)
2. The Reflections of Light for Daily Living: A book of affirmations for the ambitious by Dr. Tiffany Brown (for review )

I recently finish reading:

1. I Am Nujood, Age 10 And Divorced by Nujood Ali with Delphine Minoui
2. Which None Can Shut by Reema Goode (for review)

What I am going to read next:

1. I have a couple books coming for immediate review (blog tour host:). I will tell you the titles when they come in:) For a little suspense;)
2. (Got put on hold because of books I am reading for review due to blog tours:) Top 5 Questions To Ask Your Doctor by Jim Sutton and Sagar Nigwekar

*I don't want to over due it for the next few weeks due to the fact I am part of a couple blog tours this month and a few next month. I want to make sure to get them read and reviewed with not a lot of extra pressure. If I get more read, awesome! If not, that's OK:)

New Beginnings Wednesday10/20/10

To remind you of the way this works, here’s how to play:

First — post your list of New Years’ Resolutions in a post at your blog (or in the comments here, if you don’t have a blog).
Second — every week, on Wednesday, write a new post about how you’re doing with each of your goals … you’ll have to list them, again, each week, as people won’t remember what you’re working towards, otherwise. Be brief in your updates, as there may be several blogs to visit! ((come give a quick update here at Should Be Reading, if you don’t have a blog)).
Third — after you’ve written your update, come back to Should Be Reading, and share your link so that we –the other New Beginnings participants– can stop by your blog and encourage you!
Important! … It would be absolutely great if you could visit at least ONE other participant’s blog  on Wednesdays and leave a comment on their post to share some encouragement for their efforts! Show your support! That’s what this event is all about — standing by each other to finally reach our goals!

Here is mine:

 Read the Bible in a year...

I took a break from my devotions(Devotions&Journal: to Healings, Blessings, and Freedom by T.D. Jakes) because I was reading The Reflections of Light for Daily Living by Dr. Tiffany Brown for review. So I read that instead. I really liked it. I may go out and buy it for myself or someone else for Christmas for next year...

Lose 10-15 lbs...

I don't think I have lost any weight. I might have gained a pound. I dunno though, since I haven't stepped on the scale for about a week.  

 Tone Up...

I haven't worked out for about 4 days. Am feeling guilty about that. I think I am going to start doing my workout after the Hubby and Girlie go to bed. Then I can go to bed feeling good about myself? :)

Get my family (my hubby and I) completely out of debt...

Work in progress. Slow.

Finish college and get my teaching/education degree..

I will worry about that when we are more financially secure and ready.

Teaser Tuesday 10/12/10

(Hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading)

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!

This week I'm reading:

• Outlive Your Life: You Were Made To Make a difference by Max Lucado (for review).
• Top 5 Questions To Ask Your Doctor by Jim Sutton & Sagar Nigwekar (for review).
  

"God deemed Christ worthy of God's most important mission-to serve as a sacrifice for mankind. Not just anyone could do this" page 35

From the Heading: Use your time wisely: Timing is everything. B prepared to talk about your questions & issues in the least amount of time. Have your questions ready before the doctor enters the room. Page 5.

Like I said before I hope to get in a couple more reads but we'll see how it goes.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 10/11/10

(Hosted by BookJouney)

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.

This past week I participated in the Dewey Read-a-Thon and hosted a mini challenge-all of it was a first time for me! I am now addicted to it! I had so much fun! I can't wait until April. (It's in April...right?)

This past week I:

I didn't quite finish the Wife's Tale by Lori Lansens but I will. Good book even though there is a character or two in the book that irritate me.
I finished Which None Can Shut by Reema Good (for review). I hope to have my review up by the end of the week.

I also finished I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced by Nujood Ali (read for fun plus it is a true story and I love them true stories:)

Again, I had to return The Freedom Writers by Erin Gruwell before I finished it. Errrrrr! I swear the next time I get it from the library I will finish it in time!

I didn't get to finish Julie and Julia by Julie Powell either. Errrr! I will though. I will.....*sigh*

This week:

I did start on Top 5 Questions To Ask Your Doctor by Jim Sutton and Sagar Nigwekar.

And:

I am also going to get started on The Reflections of Light for Daily Living: A Book of Affirmations for the Ambitious by Dr. Brown. I am giving a review for this on the 19 of this month with a possible giveaway or two.

I also want to finish reading Outlive Your Life: You Were Made to Make a Difference by Max Lucado. (for review)

I am hoping to get a couple more reads done this week but we will see how it goes.

A little bit of a busy reading week for me but I don't really mind since I seem to have been in a bit of a reading slump lately that I think I may have FINALLY gotten out of! Yay! Don't you hate it when that happens?

What do you think causes reading slumps and how do you get out of them?

Anyway, have a great day all!

The Sunday Salon 10/11/10

Yes I know, it is technically Monday now but I wanted to get this up before I went to bed:)
Well...I participated for the first time in the Dewey 24hr read-a-thon as a mini challenge host and as a reader (but I think everyone participates as a reader so I gets that's kind of a no-brainer lol.) Though I wonder if there are people who participate in the mini challenges who don't get a whole lot of reading done? I doubt it. That's kind of the whole point of it. Anyway I really liked it and enjoyed myself:) Did you participate? 

Anyway...
I am going to finish reading...er let me correct myself I have my Chronicles of Narnia (the entire series in a book-a pretty big book I might add) about half read. I am in the third or fourth story. I want to find it in my stacks and shelves and boxes of books and finish it.

It has been a pretty slow reading for me. If it wasn't for the Dewey thon I wouldn't have set the goal to finish I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced by Nujood Ali or Which None Can Shut by Reema Goode which is really sad for me because they are both pretty thin books that I could get read in a few hours. But they are done and out of the way! I got about a third of the way through The Freedom Writers by Erin Gruwell but had to return it to the library:(again) 

Next mini tbr to tackle:Soul to Soul Parenting by Annie Burnside, Money Hungry by Daryl Moore, and last but not least, Your Money God's Way by Amie Streater. These are all relatively small thin books. Then onto another mini tbr pile to work on!

...Anyway I'll stop boring you with my tbr thinking/idea/planning....;) I am going to go to bed to do some reading on my current read:Top 5 Questions TO Ask Your Doctor by Jim Sutton & Sagar Nigwekar. Should only take me a couple nights to read:) Getting my pile down to make room for more! :D G'night and I'll see y'all tomorrow afternoon.

The Wrap up-Questionaire And...

I was sooo too tired to do this last night. I didn't get to visit half the blogs I wanted to:( Besides the fact that I couldn't find the page/link with the list of everyone with a mini-challenge:( I got the page up at one point. I swear! My original plan was to do every mini-challenge and read in-between. Instead I got to see the aftermath:( Oh well? Next time I guess. And I am really looking forward to next time. I don't know If I will be a host next time but I will definitely participate in as many if not all challenges. That's my goal. But I am proud of the fact that I got both my books as my goal done. Which None Can shut (for review) and I am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced (reading for fun). I got a good start on Freedom Writers. It goes back tomorrow though.

Anyway, here is the wrap up questionnaire ( and my answers):

1. Which hour was most daunting for you?

The very end of it. I really wanted to finish to the end but I was getting so tired. But I did it! I just didn't do this post last night.
 

2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year?
 Sure! 

Orange is the new black: My year in a women's prison by Piper Kerman

You'll Never Nanny in this Town Again: The True Adventures of a Hollywood Nanny by Suzanne Hensen

First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers by Loung  Ung

3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?

No I don't. Though I don't think I am the right person to ask since this was my first time all around.

4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon?
 All of it. Great way to get reading dun, have fun, meet other bloggers and find more favorite bloggers. I know I did.

5. How many books did you read?
2 1/3

6. What were the names of the books you read?
 Which None Can Shut by Reema Goode

I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced by Nujood Ali and Delphine Minoui

The Freedom Writers by Erin Gruwell- didn't finish it though

7. Which book did you enjoy most?
 All three!

8. Which did you enjoy least?
 None, thank goodness.

9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders?
 Wasn't, so no.

10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time?

Definitely yes! I don't know. Maybe host again but definitely participate in as many mini-challenges and be a reader!

And...the winner of my mini challenge is also being announced on the main site, but I though I would mention it here as well; the winner of the book Sizzling 16 by Janet Evanovich, dark chocolates, an assortment of three coffees, and a box of tea is:

                                             Lisa at The Little Reader!
Congrats Lisa! If you could please email me at BIGLucyFan@yahoo.com with your mailing addy I will send that out asap!

Thanks again to all who came by and participated. I really enjoyed it all:) 

It's Late

I really wanted to do my wrap up post with the questionnaire, but I am much too tired. Will do so tomorrow. Thank you all for stopping by and commenting, cheering me on and participating in my blog. You made it a blast and I look forward to the next. Good night all!

Dewey Read-A-Thon-Memoirs/True Stories Mini Challenge

                                      CLOSED

This is my first Dewey Read-A-Thon AND my first time hosting, or co-hosting! I am so excited and hope I get it right. I am a little nervous and a lot excited. 

I am going to try to go to every blogger/participant and try to comment on as many posts as possible. We'll see how it goes:)

For my mini challenge this year I am all about memoirs and true stories. They are one of my favorite reads. I haven't been disappointed by one yet.
I love finding out about books that are Based on true stories. Like The Diary of Anne Frank (can you believe that's a banned book?! I know!)I also like movies that are based on true stories/true events. Then after I find out it was based off a book first! Oh boy!  Like Julie & Julia or The Freedom Writers Diary.


I plan on finishing two books so far during this marathon:

• Which None Can Shut by Reema Goode. It has 164 pages and I am on page 63.

• I am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced by Nujood Ali with Delphine Minoui. It has 188 pages and I am on page 52.
• Julie and Julia by Julie Powell

I'll keep you updated.


Anyways...

There is a list of questions below plus a bonus question for my giveaway and there is my list of memoirs and true stories I have read, in the middle of reading and want to read. My list of memoir/true stories TBR will go for more than just today but I will have a *star* next to the ones I am planning to read during the marathon. 


Questionnaire:
1. Have you ever read a memoir/true story (Or book 'based on true events'?)

2. If so, what was the title/author?

3. What what it about?

4. Did you like it? Would you recommend it?

5. How many have you read?

6. Why or what made you want to read it?

7. What was the saddest/scariest one you read? 

8. Did it have a 'happy ending'?

9. When choosing a memoir/true story, do you look for a certain kind? ( i.e. historical diary, inspirational like The Freedom Writer's Diary, Christian, non Christian)


10. Bonus question(s-it's in parts:) for my giveaway: Have you read 3 or more memoirs/true stories? Title/Author, would you recommend them?If you were to win the giveaway prize, would you want the book, (Sizzling 16 by Janet Evanovich) and would you prefer the coffee or tea? or both?


Memoirs I have read:
1. If I Am Missing or Dead: A Sister's story of Love, Murder and Liberation by Janine Latus
2. The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank
3. Loose Girl: A Memoir of Promiscuity by Kerry Cohen Hoffmann
4.


In The Middle of Reading:
1. I am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced by Nujood Ali with Delphine Minoui*
2. Which None Can Shut: Remarkable True Stories of God's Miraculous Work in the Muslim World by Reema Goode*
3. Julie and Julia by Julie Powell
4. The Freedom Writers Diary by Erin Gruwell


Want to Read:
1. Whatever You Do, Don't Run: True Tales of a Botswana Safari Guide by Peter Allison
2. Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
3.The Real Memoirs of a Geisha by Mineko Iwasaki and  R. Brown
4.The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen by Syrie James
5. Survival in Auschwitz and The Real Awakening Two Memoirs by Primo Levi and Stuart Woolf 
6. Alicia: Memoirs of a Survivor by Alicia Appleman_Jurman 
7. Columbine by Dave Cullen

I also have a giveaway/prize: dark chocolates, an assortment of three coffees, a box of tea, and a book by Janet Evanovich, Sizzling 16.

How to Enter:
Leave a comment here about my list of books; whether you like them, or have read them or if they're on your TBR.

Bonus Entries: 
If you add a book to my TBR and tell me why that is a good book, another entry.
'Tweet' about my mini challenge/giveaway, another entry-let me know in (separate)comment
Put a post on your Facebook, another entry.-Let me know in (separate) comment.
Answer the bonus question-two more entries.

Mid-Event Survey

Mid-Event Survey

I know I'm a little late, but first of all, better late than never! Right? And I got side-tract with making dinner, then I continues with reading.

So far I have finished: 

• I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced by Nujood Ali with Delphine Minoui (I wonder what Nujood's name means..?) Total Pages:178. Time spent reading: 2 hrs
• Which None Can Shut by Reema Goode. Total Pages: 164. Total time spent reading: 1 hr 40 minutes

Total pages: 342      Total time spent reading: 3 hrs and 40 minutes

Next I am working on Julie and Julia by Julie Powell. I am on page 52. I finally got it back from the library so hopefully I can finish before it goes back...unlike last time!


I had a list from the Dewey Read-a-Thon post of all the mini-challenge host people so I could visit at lease some of the blogs, comment and part take in other challenges and for some reason, I'm not finding that list...:( Can someone help me out with that? I know there isn't much time left, but I do want to participate a little bit more before it ends. I feel I screwed up here.


Anyway, onto the Mid_Event Survey:
1. What are you reading right now?
Julie and Julia by Julie Powell


2. How many books have you reads so far?
2 and on my third:)


3. I guess I would have to say The Freedom Writers by Erin Gruwell. I really wanted to read, Whatever You Do, Don't Run by Peter Allsion and The Memoir of a Geisha by Mineko Iwasaki but I didn't get them from the Library soon enough:(


4. Nah I don't think so. I may take a break after this to do some cleanup in the kitchen from dinner before continuing my reading. I can't read/relax when I know there is a mess to clean up somewhere ( Abbie's toys, dishes, laundry, vacuuming, etc.) But I should have planned dinner ahead of time and got the supplies already so I didn't have to worry about it. Oh well...


5. Did I have many interruptions? How did I deal with those? 
Well, I am married with a 13month old and it is Hubby's(Robert) day off from work. So I have the typical "mothering duties/house wife duties" to attend to. Hubby was a sweaty and took Abbie out for a while for daddy/daughter time so I could read but they had to come back early because it started to rain (They were at the park). I just need to be flexible and work with whatever comes my way. No point in getting mad or upset or irritated over it.


6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon so far?
That people can participate so much yet they get so much reading done. How do they do it? Share the secret so I can do it to please!

7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?
Honestly? No. Especially since I am a first timer all around, I am not the person to be asking. I think it is great how it is. But that's me.

8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year?
Prep better. Seriously. Think ahead.

9. Are you getting tired yet?
Not at all! ;) I'm a mama of a young one. I'm always tired ;) I'm good. I have my coffee, and wait for it... mini eclairs. Mmmmm:) Then I am going to have Pepsi with Lays sour cream and onion chips for a change later. Let's keep going!


10. Do you have any tips for other Readers or Cheerleaders, something you think is working well for you that others may not have discovered?
No but I would love some tips...? Anyone?

Booking Through Thursday 10/7/10

(Hosted by page flippin addict)
               

                                               Traveling

When you travel, how many books do you bring with you?
Has this changed since the arrival of ebooks?

For me, first it depends on the length of the trip. If I am going away for the weekend, I'll bring along a few thinner books or a couple of thicker books. It also depends on if I am in the middle of book s at the moment anyway. I just left for the weekend spur of the moment and I was already in the middle of three books that really interest me; so I brought all three.

When I bring book(s) with me, I have to know that they will keep my interest. I don't want to be on a trip with a completely new genera or author, start to read it and lose interest. Then want to read a book and have a book with me that doesn't interest me. So those types of books stay home where if I lose interest I have other choices and can go back to the other later.

The Mark of Love

The Mark of Love

The Mend Mark tells a powerful story in two words

 

Have you been “Marked?” The Mend Mark is a mission, a movement, an entire revolution. It is a bracelet meant to remind its wearers of Christ’s love and sacrifice, and its message is the passion of its creator, Hunter Harrison. 

 

The Mend Mark is an innovative and distinctive bracelet that is designed to reflect the scars and nail holes of Jesus. When worn, the band resembles the deep holes of the nail driven into the wrists of Jesus during his crucifixion. By bringing the story of Jesus’ life and death to constant awareness by wearing a bracelet, Mend Mark is meant to powerfully remind wearers of the ultimate act of love Jesus made for all of humankind. 

 

Harrison’s mission is to remind all to remember Christ’s love in both his life and death. But more than only a poignant recollection, the Mend Mark is meant to inspire and motivate wearers to live a life of service. Harrison strives to bring people together around the simplicity and power of love as lived by Jesus. But this is no example of passive love. The Mend Mark calls individuals in all walks of life to love with a profound sincerity and commitment great enough to change a neighborhood, a community, a world.

 

Harrison leads this call to love and sacrifice by example and joins hands with each Mend Mark bracelet purchaser to take the first step in global change. A portion of each bracelet sold goes to support Living Water International, an organization combating the clean water crisis victimizing over one billion people worldwide. Each $5,000 given will result in one well drilled, providing a community with clean water.

But wearers should be prepared to be seen. Unique in its design, the Mend Mark is sure to be noticed and gives wearers an opportunity to share the story of the profound love of Jesus for each and every person. “It was important to me that the design was simple and generic enough that the observer had to ask about it to know what it meant. But I also wanted it to appear distinctive enough that it sparked curiosity,” reveals creator Hunter Harrison. “I wanted it to require the wearer of the product to engage in conversation about the love of Christ (and hopefully show that love to others) instead of just letting the product talk for them.”

 

Launched in late 2009 after a year and a half of packaging, material, and design development by Harrison, the bracelet has been sold across the United States, Canada, and the UK and has been featured in retail stores as well. The Mend Mark bracelet movement has grown to further fame after being worn during performances by American Idol winner Lee Dewyze, Idol runner up Siobhan Magnus, Decifer Down, Israel Houghton & New Breed, Pillar, and Finding Favour, to name a few. Says Harrison, “I want it to be more than just another bracelet; I want it to represent a movement.” Based on the way things are going, a movement is exactly what it is becoming.

Isn't that great? Their mission/story is simple yet big and great. They are spreading the word of God's Love. I think the bracelet is the 'Cherry on top'.

To read their story and more, go to their blog.  

I recently joined with this group and what they are doing is great, as you can see above. What's so special about the bracelet you may ask? Besides reminding us and others of Christ's love for us, the bracelet's design resembles where Christ was nailed, and put on the cross to bear our sins so that we had a chance to be forgiven for our falls.

Now, the question for you is...would you like to win a bracelet?

How to enter

Create a post about Mend Mark and their mission/story, and link your post in a comment here for two entries.

Bonus Entries

Become a follower of BookJunkieMom at Rainy Day Reviews for another entry, let me know in a separate comment. If you already are, automatic bonus entry.

'Tweet' and/or post an update on your Facebook about the Mend Mark and their mission/story. If you do both, two entries.(Doing one or the other, one entry)

Follow me on Twitter (BookJunkieMom) for another entry. Let me know in a separate comment.

I will let this contest run for a week, after that I will use Random.org to choose a winner. I will announce the winner here at my blog. I will have my email address on my blog so you can email me your information.

Good luck everyone and have a great day!

Missing Book

Remember how I mentioned before how I hate that I can't read in cars? But I did try. And Failed... 

On the way back from Wenatchee and Leavenworth, I tried to get some book work done by at least writing notes down, getting a rough draft on my review for Which None Can Shut by Reema Good. 

I did pretty good too:) I have a page worth of notes and thoughts down that I want to include in my review. We pulled off at one place for food, so I closed my notebook and put the book on top of it and put it on my seat, shut the door and went inside to eat. 

We came out with full tummies and legs stretched and ready to continue our journey back home.

We finally pull up to our place; I unbuckle myself, got Abigail unbuckled and took her into the house to put her into her playpen to help unload the car. 

I come back out, my husband (Robert) has the stroller packed down with our bags and asks me to take that inside while he finishes up. No problem.

I take it inside and start putting clean clothes away and dirty clothes into the hamper then I put the food that we purchased in the cub-boards and fridge. Then I put our re-usable bags and over night bags away. Hubby checks on Abbie and she is passed out in her playpen. It has been a long day.

The rest of the day goes smoothly until I get ready to go to bed so I grab my read, Which None Can Shut and I CAN'T FIND IT! I don't get it! I emptied all bags and put all away! I ask Hubby if he knows where it is because I can't find it! It's Here. I remember seeing it he says. I ask him to call and ask his mother if she has seen it. So he calls and asks her, what's the title of the book, babe? Hubby asks while his mother is on the phone. Which None Can Shut by Reema Goode I say.

No. She hasn't seen it. She hasn't seen any book. Then why did she ask about the title!? 

Fine. Just please the both of you, keep an eye out for it. And you're both on my suspect list so don't go anywhere.

So, I am forced to take a break from that book ( I am so close to being done!!) and continue with Outlive Your Life: You were made to make a difference by Max Lucado. I like the book just fine and I enjoy reading it but I am so close to being done with the other one!! I was going to have my review up this week and everything! GAH! ARG! AHH! 

Don't you hate it when that happens? And of course, that happens and you want to rad the book that is missing. lol.

My Date With Dewey!

I recently volunteered  to be one of the hosts for the Dewey 24hr-read-a-thon:))

So here is the main info:
My post will be up on October 10th. I am hosting from 12am to 3am (PST) and at the end of that three hours (or so) I will name a winner. The winner we be announced on the Dewey's Read-A-Thon Website.
The (mini) challenge will be a Memoir/True Story theme. And there will be a prize or two, and possibly a book based on the theme.
Also, I was thinking, since I love love love my coffee and chocolates, I have an assortment of coffees and specialty dark chocolates for the prize. And like I said, a possible book. I am also thinking about adding on an assortment of teas or at least a box of teas because I know there are people out there who prefer tea, like my husband. We are both avid reader but I have to have either my Pepsi or coffee while reading. He has to have either Mountain Dew or tea (with honey and lemon-especially when he doesn't feel good). So if you win and you would prefer one over the other let me know; or both!

How to Enter for the Prize 


Just leave a comment on my Dewey Read-A-Thon post about the memoirs/ true stories I have listed or that you have read.

Bonus Entries


If you leave a comment recommending a book to read, another entry.
If you tweet about my Dewey 24hr Read-A_Thon Memoir/True Story Mini-Challenge, another entry.
If you mention the Dewey 24Hr Read-a-Thon  Memoir/True Story Mini-Challenge along with the date on your Facebook, another entry.

There will be a bonus question as well for the giveaway:)


I will announce a winner at the end of the three hours using Random.org. I will announce the winner in my blog and on the main site for the Dewey Read-A-Thon, I will leave my email address at the top of the blog post so you can email me your information.


If you have any question or comments, please let me know! Have a great day!

It's Monday and I'm Back!

So my last post was about how my mother-in-law called me oh-so-early and my morning went from slow and lazy and no pressure to "oh my gosh I have to do this and this and this and oh I gotta do this before we leave!" Don't get me wrong.  I was happy to go; I haven't been to Leavenworth, WA in a few years. AND I have never been to Leavenworth during this time of year. 

My family and I always go in December for the tree lighting and live nativity and all the other events and fun things. So it was a new adventure for me. Plus, this time I had my daughter with me. We had so much fun but I got a big disappointment when we got to Leavenworth and after taking a few pictures I told my Hubby (Robert) that I wanted to get a couple of pictures of us three (the family picture of course), daddy/daughter pictures, mommy/daughter pictures and Hubby and me pictures. 

...So....we start scouting out areas to take pictures then we were going to go to The Hat Shop (always the most popular) but when we got to a good spot, we got into position to take the picture, I turn the camera on, and it flashed low battery and turned itself back off!! I just charged the batteries last night! This cannot be happening!

So I was hoping to have a camera ful of memories to put in frames and Abigail's baby book but...


I do have pictures just not as many as I had thought I'd get or the pictures I really wanted. I wasn't able to get online or do hardly any reading. The reading is what really killed me though. And no I can't read it cars (I wish!) I get headaches and nauseous. otherwise I would have gotten about four hours of reading in. And I tried doing the whole mind -over- matter. Nope.

But on the flip side, their was a great used book sale going on. Even had a four or five boxes of books and cassettes marked 'free'. The deal with the book sale was you purchased the bag for $1 and put whatever you wanted in it, minus the free stuff because well; that's free. So, my hubby and I agreed we would share a bag (the horror! ;) so here I was looking at all the tables of books and I'm thinking I'm in heaven then he said that and then my mind went to how I would tetrix the bag of books to fit as many as I could. I ended up walking out with  four books:

• Heaven Lake a novel by John Dalton
• Undertow by Sydney Bauer (Sounded so very familiar and I wasn't sure why. I looked it up on GoodReads and discovered I had checked it out at the library a while back but never had the chance to read it:)
• Bad Boy a novel by Olivia Goldsmith (remember the movie The First Wives Club? That was a novel first (I didn't know that but I Love Love Love the movie) by Olivia Goldsmith as well-and if I enjoyed the movie so much, why wouldn't I enjoy her other wrok? I'm excited about this read).
• The Midnight Club a novel by James Patterson (love him! :)

I was hoping to walk out with more books (obviously but the bag was getting full ( hubby got a computer game that was a trio set and a few books as well) and we were getting on the hungry side (darn hunger gettin in the way...;)

I'll have a couple pictures up later (they're pretty boring and lame. Mostly of the apple orchards, the water and the mountains.


All in all I think we had a lot of fun and I can't way to get back up there in December when Abigail will get to expiernce the snow (we don't typically get snow in Kirkland (Seattle, WA) so we go to the mountains to get it. That'll be a lot of fun:))
Anyways...;))

What did you guys do this past weekend?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 10/4/10

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.

This past week I have been busy reading:

The Wife's Tale by Lori Lansens

I am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced by Nujood Ali with Delphine Minoui


Which None Can Shut by Reema Goode

Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado

I am planning on having my review for the last two up this week. I also need to prep for the Deweys-Read-A-Thon which I am hosting from 12-2 am (PST) :)) I am going to be doing a Memoir/ True Stories mini Challenge:)


This week I am also planning on getting started on 

Your Money God's Way by Amie Streater

Money Hungry by Daryl Moore

Top 5 Questions to Ask Your Doctor

Soul to Soul Parenting by Annie Burnside

and last but not least, a book that I had been reading for review took with me when we were staying with friends to help out then came back and I realized that night I had forgot to grab it then I got it back and got caught up in other reads (listed above) but I am going to try to tackle it this week, I am over halfway through it so I hope to have my review for it up next week.
Vexation by Elicia Clegg


 How did your weekends go? Anything fun or different?

My Morning Wake Up Call

Who in the world...? *yawn* Eyes are slits....
Early this morning my mother-in-law called me to ask if Hubby (Robert) and I have plans for the weekend. 
"No...why?" I mumble into the phone. Now confused. She then told me about her plans to go to Leavenworth for a few days.
"Very cool, Chris." She continues to tell me about having a town car and leaving at around three later today.
"So if you guys don't have plans, do you want to come with me?" She asks. Takes me a few minutes to fully understand what she was saying and asking.
"Yea sounds like fun. Thank you for the offer." She tells me that she will be here at 3ish to pick us up. Make sure to be ready. No problem I tell her. 
"OK. My break is over, I'll talk to you later." Then she hangs up I shut my phone and turn around to go back to sleep...wait. Did she just ask us to go with her for the weekend? Oh Lord I have a lot to do before then! 
So my morning went from being lazy and nowhere to go to a little bit stressed over getting everything ready...I'm running behind as it is so more later..this will have to wait...