First time I "Sampled"

ST. MARTIN’S FIRST: FALL 2015 SAMPLER

Not all books are for all readers … favorite genres, authors, story-lines and characters all play into the books I choose.  It is especially difficult when it is a debut author to decide which book is going to be my next read by the cover or (generally unknown) author alone, so I may pick up a book, get several pages or chapters into the story and decide that, unfortunately, this may not be a book I’m going to enjoy.

For the first time I have availed myself of a “Sampler”.  I must say I was very impressed and would never hesitate to browse through one again in the future.  The “Sampler” lists books that are being released in the upcoming season.

For each book the Sampler includes the cover art (always appreciated!!), the author (obviously!), the release date, the book “blurb” and some information about the author.  The best part is it then goes on to give the reader a generous section of the book to – as the name implies – sample.
I thought it a wonderful tool and have consequently added several more titles to my growing TBR list.

ST. MARTIN’S FIRST: WINTER 2016 SAMPLER

Just as I was about to post my thoughts about the FALL 2015 SAMPLER I noticed that the WINTER 2016 SAMPLER was available.  Of course, I had to check it out to see what was in the not so distant future for my available reading choices by debut authors. 

These Samplers are not only very informative but also quite fun to read through.  Again, not every book is to my taste but that’s what makes the variety offered so appealing.  The information offered is complete and the “sample” reads give me enough of a taste of the book that I can make an informed decision on what is going to end up on my night table through the long winter months.  So far it’s looking like “Fallen Land” by Taylor Brown (civil war era historical fiction), “Once a Crooked Man” by David McCallum (Yes, THAT David McCallum! … crime thriller), “Every Anxious Wave” by Mo Daviau (worm holes, time travel and music … what’s not to love?) and, “The Two-Family House” by Lynda Cohen-Loigman (a family saga with secrets, pacts and lies).

Oh, let’s face it, from a cozy murder mystery to historical fiction involving the Titanic … they all sound pretty good.  And, after all, in my neck of the woods the winter is long and cold … lots of time for reading.

* I received these Samplers from St. Martin’s Press at no charge via Netgalley

in exchange for an honest review *

Outside the Magic Circle - A Review

CATHERINE DICKENS: OUTSIDE THE MAGIC CIRCLE by Heera Datta.

Catherine and Charles were married for 21 years and during that time they had 10 children, he became quite successful and she enjoyed looking after home and hearth.  They seemed the perfect couple, happy, affluent, social – then, almost in a blink of an eye, he moved out of their shared bedroom, very publicly announced that she was an uninterested wife and unfit mother and consequently they were separating.

Oh, their last name?  Dickens.

While Charles Dickens aired his grievances and separation in the public forum, which as a famous and popular author at the time, he almost owned Catherine was relegated to a small home and bound by legalities to not utter a single word against Charles.  Her voice was literally cut off if she ever wanted any hope of seeing her children again.  In this book Ms. Datta finally gives Catherine her voice and a platform to tell her side of the story.

Catherine tells the reader of her and Charles’ love story when they were courting, the lengthy letters they exchanged when they were apart and the life they shared as their family and circumstance increased.  She tells us of her surprise and shock when Charles literally cast her aside (in favor of a younger woman) and her embarrassment at his making it such a public spectacle.  The reader grieves with Catherine as she is forcibly kept apart from her children and at the hurt she experiences when her own sister sides with Charles.

Although the information about Catherine and Charles’ life and separation is historical fact, since Catherine never spoke publicly the recollections, conversations with friends and private feelings all come from Ms. Datta’s imagination and very skillful story telling skills.  There was never a moment, while reading this book of historical fiction, in which I had any doubts that this was exactly what Catherine must have been feeling.  It is exactly what I would have been feeling.

Not only does Ms. Datta give Catherine a beautiful voice but also she makes her very real to the reader and, she gives her reader a very well written, well researched account of what life was like in the late 19^th century for women.  They were most certainly considered the chattel of their husbands and/or fathers with no rights when it came to money, custody of their children, maintaining their homes or any other details of every day life.

While reading this book I alternated between being very angry and very, very sad – a testament to Ms. Datta’s skills to be able to provoke those emotions.  The book ends (no spoiler alert necessary here) with Catherine finally getting her side of the story out to public when with, quite literally, her dying breath she requested her personal letters from Charles Dickens be donated to the British Museum so “that the world may know he loved me once”.

This is a well written book and I would recommend this book to fans of historical fiction, the Dicken’s era or anyone interested in Charles and Catherine Dickens.  Well-done Ms. Batta!

* I received this book at no charge from the author in exchange for an honest review*

I also apologize to Ms. Datta for taking so long to read and review this book.  I am certainly sorry it took me so long to get to it … it was truly a wonderful story.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR (from the book)

Heera Datta is a writer of Middle Grade fiction.  She is interested in reading books of different genres, including biographies and historical fiction. 

She lives in India with her husband and son.

Book Lovers Necessities

I came across these items on BuzzFeed where they have a total list of "35 Clever Gift Any Book Lover Will Want to Keep for Themselves".  There were many cute and useful items but these are 6 of my favorite things on the list.

BANNED BOOK SOCKS ... yes I would so wear these!

BOOK PILLOWS ... already have them on my couch in my imagination.

 

BOOK SCENTED SOY CANDLES ... I have to admit I am a bit curious about how a "Trashy Romance Novel" candle might smell.

 

 BOOKSHELF NECKLACE ... I mean, really, how cute is this?

FEMALE AUTHORS UMBRELLA ... I also have one covered in comic book characters that I had to do some pretty fast talking and buy a newspaper subscription to get.  It was a promo display item but I wanted it!

I bought an umbrella for my daughter that had bulldogs on it in honor of my "grandpuppy".

Had to do some fast talking to get this little prize.

ZIPPER BOOK MARK ... love it just for the novelty factor.

Graffiti Murals. Art or Not?

GRAFFITI MURALS: EXPLORING THE IMPACTS OF STREET ART by Patrick Verel

Murals have been around since humans figured out they have opposable thumbs that enable them to pick up a rock and scratch on a cave wall.  Graffiti was a natural by-product when man developed the written word.  The combination of the two has led to a modern art phenomenon led by the likes of “Banksy” and any number of individuals armed with a spray can of paint and an idea.  Some have talent and, unfortunately, some do not.

The word “graffiti” has negative connotations for most people – gang insignia, profanity or “I heart …” images come to mind.  Studying the graffiti and its impact in six studies conducted in three metropolitan areas Mr. Verel has come up with a thesis about whether this is indeed “art”.  Some metropolitan areas embrace this art form as cultural and beautifying while others see it as defacement of private property.  Property owners were interviewed (for the reader, the list of questions is included) to gain their perspective on graffiti murals being done on their property.  Some considered it “nice” and others not.  In reading this book it was quite obvious where Mr. Verel stood on the issue.

By far, my favorite parts of this book were the photographs of the graffiti murals themselves.  Some were, beyond any doubt, stunning works of art.  Others were amateurish, but a long stride better than gang insignia and profanity.

Should cities allow certain areas to be “graffiti-ized”?  After seeing some of the photographs in this book I would not object to it being done in a controlled manner.  But even if it is allowed, sadly it will not do away with the random acts of defacement done under the cover of darkness, as that too has been around since the dawn of man.

This book is certainly worth a look just for the art portrayed in the included photographs.

* I received this ebook at no charge via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review *

ABOUT THE AUTHOR (from the Schiffer Books Website)

Patrick Verel was born in New York City and grew up in Norwalk, Connecticut. He graduated from Fairfield Preparatory School in 1992 and earned a B.S. in journalism from St. John’s University in Queens, New York, in 1997. He wrote for the Stamford Advocate and the Augusta Chronicle newspapers, freelanced for publications such as The New York Times and amNewYork, and most recently, joined the news and media relations team at Fordham University. In 2009, he enrolled in Fordham’s urban studies masters program, where he completed a thesis that was the basis for this book.

He lives in Brooklyn with his wife Kelly and daughter Eliza. This book combines a few of his favorite things: taking pictures of street art, telling people’s stories, and exploring obscure corners of New York City.

Whoops

I was in the general vicinity so I decided to pop into a Starbucks and treat myself to the, far too infrequent, indulgence of Skinny Vanilla Latte.  As it turns out, the Starbucks happens to be situated inside of a Chapters Bookstore.  Despite the fact that I promised myself (pinkie-swear and everything!) that I would not purchase any books for the next little while I decided to walk around a little bit ... just to have a peek at the "Bargain Books" shelves.

What could it hurt?

I wasn't going to buy anything!

As I was browsing "The Book of Medieval Puzzles" caught my eye.  I love giving books as gifts, especially to fellow book lovers, so I though this would make a perfect gift for my BFF who adores crosswords and puzzles and books set in Medieval times.  SCORE!!

I picked up the book to page through it only to discover that the cover had been put on incorrectly.  I opened the cover, turned the fly-leaf and the book was upside down.  Hmmm?  Maybe it was one of those backwards/forwards books, I thought.  Nope!  I checked it's brothers and sisters on the shelf and they were all fine.

It was just a whoops moment for the printer.

I've had book issues before ... missing pages, uncut pages ... and the booksellers have always been more than happy to replace the books for me.  But this one was different.  I had to buy it just for the novelty of it (it was only $4.99 and they gave me another 15% off because of the error).

I haven't decided yet if it will be a "gag gift" for my friend anyway ... I mean how could I resist? ... a puzzle book that's upside down, or whether I'll just keep it because it appeals to my sense of whimsy.

My photography skills are amateur at best but it gives you the idea.

Monthly Faves 2015 - August

Yes ... as I have already admitted on here ... I was on a bit of a dog roll this month.  Never-the-less, these are still great books.

I found this book funny and charming and insightful, but some might take great offense to some of the references comparing dog ownership to a religious conviction.  I am not that sensitive and like to think that I have a sense of humor.  Come to think of it some dog owners might find it a little offensive too, only because it could hit too close to home.  Every point Mr. Lazarus makes is spot on. 

My complete review is HERE


 

Starting in Year One the reader follows the tribes through their day-to-day lives, becoming familiar with their hunting and living habits as well as their family and social structures.  Each tribe kept to themselves, with occasionally little but most often no friendly interaction.  It’s a hard and often solitary existence if you don’t fit in.  Even more difficult when you’re shunned and forced to live on your own … until a series of circumstances allow you to make the most unlikeliest of allies – a wolf – and so begins man’s extraordinary relationship with “the dog”.

My complete review is HERE
 

If you have ever tried to take a picture of a favorite pet you know that they never want to cooperate.  Dogs (and cats) do the cutest things all day long – until that moment when you grab your camera and aim it at them – then it seems the only thing they are interested in doing is cleaning their bottoms.  This is certainly not the case for Mr. Friedman. He’s got taking pictures of dogs down to an art form.  This book sprang from Mr. Friedman’s blog “The Dogist”.

My complete review is HERE

 

Short Trips to the "Otherworld"

LED ASTRAY by Kelley Armstrong.

This collection of short stories give us a glimpse into what goes on around us that we cannot see … or if we accidentally get a glimpse … choose to dismiss.  Kelley Armstrong doesn’t simply write stories – she creates other worlds.  Worlds inhabited by Fae, Vampires, Werewolves and all sorts of "Otherworld" beings.  Worlds that exist within the one we mere humans inhabit.  Her beings walk among us going about their lives as we go about ours. 

Ms. Armstrong gives her readers a nice mix of stories in “Led Astray”.  Most work as stand-alone but many are definitely geared towards fans of her various series books, both YA and Adult.  I’ve stated in past reviews and have to repeat here that I am always impressed with Ms. Armstrong’s ability to change her narrative voice smoothly between her YA and Adult books and short stories.

Among my favorites in the “stand-alone” stories were; “A Haunted House of Her Own” in which Tanya always wanted to own a haunted Inn.  Her dream is finally about to be realized but the “haunting” was not quite what she had anticipated. And, “The Door” through which, in turn, first daddy and then mommy leave only to return with bags and bags full of gifts and food.  But why were she and her sister forbidden to go through the door too?  What could possibly be outside their little house?

The stories that tie in to books include settings and characters from Ms. Armstrong’s popular series including Otherworld, Cainesville and Darkest Powers.

I was telling a friend about this book, explaining that I enjoyed all the stories, granted some more than others, but feared that some readers not familiar with Ms. Armstrong’s books might feel a little lost in some of them.  Many of these short stories fleshed out some peripheral characters from the books or gave some interesting background and history to main characters.  My friend summed it up very well when he said, (used with permission) “So, it’s a love letter to her constant readers.”

That it is!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR (from her website)

Kelley Armstrong has been telling stories since before she could write. Her earliest written efforts were disastrous. If asked for a story about girls and dolls, hers would invariably feature undead girls and evil dolls, much to her teachers’ dismay. Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked away in her basement writing dungeon. She lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets.

* I received this ebook at no charge via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review *