It's W...W....W....Wednesday!

W...W...W...Wednesday

Found on & hosted at Lori's Reading Corner Blog!  It's a nice blog so be sure to check it out!  Come play along by answering these three questions!  You know you want to!

• What are you currently reading?

• What did you currently finish reading?

• What do you think you'll read next?

I'm currently reading (yes still) Gus the Great by Thomas W. Duncan.

 I currently finished Guest House by Barbara K. Richardson.  Which was a great book by the way.  Check out my review here!

Depending on when Glorious by Bernice McFadden and or The California Roll by John Vorhaus arrives in the mail I will read one of those.

If one of those doesn't arrive soon enough I'll probably start on a quick, light, entertaining read like Hissy Fit by Mary Kay Andrews.

It's Teaser Tuesday!

It's Teaser Tuesday!  Here's what you do...

1. Grab your current read.
2. Let the book fall open to a random page.
3. Share two teaser sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
4. Share the title of the book that the “teaser” comes from, so people can find the book if they like the teaser.
5. And again remember – avoid spoilers.

Here's Mine...

Mr. Burgoyne lights a cigar, climbs into his light buggy, lifts his hand.  The procession starts, leaving the park by the northeast wagon-gate.

Excerpt from Gus the Great by Thomas W. Duncan

Mailbox Monday

Mailbox Monday hosted on The Printed Page's Blog!  Sharing the books that I received or am impatiently awaiting the arrival of!  First off are the books I've won & am impatiently awaiting the arrival of in my mailbox...

~The California Roll by John Vorhaus

What do the Merlin Game, the Penny Skim, the Doolally Snadoodle, and the Afterparty Snuke have in common? They’re all the work of world-class con artist and master bafflegabber Radar Hoverlander. Radar’s been “on the snuke” since childhood, but he’s still looking for his California Roll, the one big scam that’ll set him up in sushi for life.

Trouble arrives in the stunning, sassy package of Allie Quinn—either the last true innocent or a con artist so slick she makes Radar look like a Quaker. Radar’s hapless sidekick, Vic Mirplo, a lovable loser who couldn’t con a kid out of a candy cane, thinks Radar’s being played. But if love is blind, it’s also deaf, dumb and stupid, and before Radar knows it, he’s sucked into a vortex of double-, triple-, quadruple-crosses that’ll either net him his precious California Roll or put him in a hole in the ground.

 ~ Glorious by Bernice L. McFadden
Glorious is set against the backdrops of the Jim Crow South, the Harlem Renaissance, and the civil rights era. Blending the truth of American history with the fruits of Bernice L. McFadden’s rich imagination, this is the story of Easter Venetta Bartlett, a fictional Harlem Renaissance writer whose tumultuous path to success, ruin, and revival offers a candid portrait of the American experience in all its beauty and cruelty.

Books I purchased last week...

~The Keeper of the Ferris Wheel by Jack McBride White

~Run With the Horsemen by Ferrol Sams

~The Pearl by John Steinbeck

~Househusband by Ad Hudler

~Setting Free the Bears by John Irving

~A Son of the Circus by John Irving

Book Blogger Hop-Follow Friday!

 

Hosted by Crazy For Books this is a great way to discover new book blogs!  Just hop on over, sign up & then visit some of the others on the list.  Don't forget when visiting another book blog from the hop to mention you found them by hopping! 

A-Z Favorite Books Meme

For this meme, you list a favorite book that starts with each letter of the alphabet. If you don’t have a book for a letter (such as Z or X) than you can substitute a favorite book that simply has that letter in the title (ex. The Lost City of Z or Hot Six by Janet Evanovich). However, you can only do this a maximum of 3 times. (Z, X, and Q. But not Z, X, Q, and V.) Books can be of any genre from fiction to non-fiction to poetry to textbooks.

This is a difficult task to fulfill, because obviously some letters, like S and T, have many books that might be favorites, whereas others, like Q and X are unlikely to present you with difficulties making a choice.

• A:  A Prayer For Owen Meaney by John Irving 
• B:  Black Creek Crossing by John Saul
• C:  Children of the Dust by Clancy Carlile  
• D:  Daisy Fay & the Miracle Man by Fannie Flagg 
• E:  Elephants in the Bedroom Bears in the Canoe by Earl Hammond
• F:  Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich  
• G:  Guest House by Barbara K. Richardson
• H:  Honkytonk Man by Clancy Carlile
• I:  In Her Shoes by Jennifer Weiner
• J:  The Runaway Jury by John Grisham
• K:  Kat Scratch Fever by Karen Kijewski 
• L:  Leaving Cold Sassy by Olive Ann Burns
• M:  Midnight In the Garden of Good & Evil by John Berendt
• N:  Naughty Neighbor by Janet Evanovich
• O:  One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey
• P:  Paper Moon by Joe David Brown
• Q:  The Bingo Queens of Paradise by June Park
• R:  Revenge of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz
• S:  Savannah Blues by Mary Kay Andrews
• T:  The Cracker Factory by Joyce Rebeta-Burditt
• U:  Digging Up Momma  by Sarah Shankman
• V:  Venus Envy by Rita Mae Brown (Though not one of my favs)
• W:  Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen
• X:  Umm...
• Y:  A Widow For One Year by John Irving
• Z:  Hmm...

There are a handful that I have read, but not within the past year.  So yeah, I cheated a little bit!  Even after that I still came up 2 short! lol  So, what's on your A-Z List!?  Comment with your list or if you post this on your blog be sure to leave me a comment so I can check yours out!  I would love to read everyone else!

The Guest House by Barbara K. Richardson (Reveiw)

Guest House by Barbara K. Richardson



You won't find your "average guest" staying in this house!  After Melba witnesses a collision that includes a cyclist, she decides it's time for a change.  She quits the rat race of success & moves into an old farmhouse.  That is where her guests come in!

This is both a story about tragedy & change.  It also tells of love, friendship & strength.  A heartbreaking, touching story that will tug at your heart!

I enjoyed this book very much & would definitely read another by Richardson. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys stories about life, struggle & strength.  A great read by Barbara K. Richardson!

View all my reviews >>

Book Title Meme

Book Title Meme...I saw this on another blog & thought it might be fun!

The rules are: Using only books you have read in the last year (365 days obviously), answer these questions. Try not to repeat a book title.

• Describe yourself:
• How do you feel:
• Describe where you currently live:
• If you could go anywhere, where would you go:
• Your favorite form of transportation:
• Your best friend is:
• You and your friends are:
• What’s the weather like:
• You fear:
• What is the best advice you have to give:
• Thought for the day:
• How I would like to die:
• My soul’s present condition:

Feel free to post your answers by commenting (that's where you'll find mine)!  I would love to read your answers! 

My Excitement Over Receiving & Reading Guest House by Barbara Richardson

Guest House by Barbara K. Richardson



I'm very excited to read & review this book!  I received this book for review.  To my surprise after opening this book it was signed & inscribed by Barbara herself & also had a bookplate size book advertisement inside that was inscribed as well.  I have come across a few signed/inscribed books in the past at used bookstores & thrift stores.  A couple of those books being in the free bins no less!  Books that just happened to catch my eye for whatever reason & after getting them home discovering the inscriptions.  Which was exciting, but this is the first book that has ever been actually inscribed for me & I must admit it's a huge thrill!  I might, MIGHT have jumped up & down a little with excitement...just maybe...just a small jump or two!  I've cracked the first couple pages, but can't wait to really dive into this book!  So, of course I have to share with all of you a photo of the inscription! ; )

From the back cover:  Driving home from work on a summer afternoon, Melba Burns witnesses a nightmare collision.  She abandons her car, quits her job, & stops driving.  The wreck ends Melba's desire for success at any cost; she retreats into her beloved old farmhouse yearning for a simpler peace.  But her peace has never met Melba's stunning new roommate JoLee Garry, a magnet for messes & trouble.  JoLee brings a series of unexpected guests who transform Melba's solo life into something different, darker, & richer.

To learn more about this author & her book visit her website!   http://www.barbarakrichardson.com/index.html 



View all my reviews >>

Blue Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews (Review)

Blue Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews

Blue Christmas is the third book in Mary Kay Andrews Savannah series.  Whether it's the Christmas Season or not you'll be in the Christmas Spirit by the time you finish reading this!  If you're looking for a light, quick read this one is perfect!  It will warm your heart & make you laugh!  With the Historic Districts Christmas Decorations Contest coming up, the competing shop owners the way & a mysterious visitor Weezie is at her wits end!  Oh & of course there's always the family get to together to look forward to!

Visit Mary Kay Andrews blog to learn more about her Savannah series & other books! http://www.marykayandrews.com/blog/index.asp?id=home

View all my reviews >>

Book Fun Q&A

Time for a little fun!  A questionnaire all about books!  I stumbled upon this on Jillian's Random Ramblings blog, who stumbled upon it on Amelia's Leave Your Eyes Behind blog.  Now for the fun!

1. Book next to your bed right now:  Broad Street by Pat Conroy (read), Revenge of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz (read), Blue Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews (finished reading last night, look for the review coming soon) & Gus the Great by Thomas W. Duncan (reading now).  I know...time to clean my nightstand off!

2. Favorite series:  Honestly I have at least 5 favorite series, so this is tough!  Umm...I'm gonna go with the Hannibal series by Thomas Harris.

3. Favorite book:  I know this question was meant to be in the plural sense, because there is no way I can only pick just one!

4. The one book you would have with you if stranded on a desert island:  Again I know this question was meant to be in the plural sense!  So, off the top of my head I have to say How I Left the Great State of Tennessee & Went On To Better Things by Joe Jackson.

5. Book/series you would take with you on a long flight:  I would take one of my TBR shelf...Hissy Fit by Mary Kay Andrews.

6. Worst book you were made to read in school:  O.k. don't shoot me, but it has to be A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens.  Couldn't even finish it!

7. Book that everyone should be made to read in school:  Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns.  The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton (I had to read it in school & it was by far my favorite of all the "made to read" books.  Not sure if it's still mandatory or not.)

8. Book that everyone should read, period:  Again this should be plural tense.  The Bearded Lady by Sharlee Dieguez, The Honkytonk Man & Children of the Dust both by Clancy Carlile, The Water is Wide by Pat  Conroy.  O.k. I'll stop there!

9. Favorite character:  Stephanie & Grandma Muzar from Evanovich's Plum series.  Izzy from Lisa Lutz Spellman series.  Eloise from Mary Kay Andrews Savannah series.

10. Best villain:  Hannibal Lecter of course!  Who else!?

11. Favorite concept book/series:  Because this is one of my most newly discovered favorites I'll say the Savannah series by Mary Kay Andrews.  The main character is a "junker" (yard sale goer, thrift store shopper, auction addict, etc.) which I love myself!  Plus the stories take place in Savannah, GA. which I love going to!

12. Favorite invented world:  Time for a crony answer!  These aren't exactly "invented" but, I love the world in Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen & the world in Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil  by John Berendt.

13. Most beautifully written book:  Again with the singular sense!?  Off the top of my head The Water is Wide by Pat Conroy.  His words create such vivid imagery!  

14. Funniest book/series:  I have two.  Again Evanovich's Plum series & Lutz's Spellman series.

What do you think?  Answer & pass this along!  Anyone who does I would love to read your answers, so be sure to let me know!

Final Award...Last But Not Least...

Beautiful Blogger Award given to me by Missie at Unread Reader.  Thank you so much!!!  Now for the rules of this one...

1. Thank and link to the person that gave you the award
2. Pass the award onto 15 bloggers you've recently discovered and think are fantastic
3. Contact said Blogs and let them know they've won
4. State 7 things about yourself

Oh boy!  Another list!  lol  O.k...here goes!

1. I LOVE to read!  (Bet you couldn't have figured that one out!)
2. I love music of all kinds.
3. I love thrifting, junking, auctions, yard sales, etc.
4. Most of my favorite movies were made between the 60's & 70's.
5. I have 3 sons (a set of twins.)
6. Though I enjoy some best selling authors I tend to read more older books than I do new.
7. I have an online store called My Book Barn (hence the blog name.) 

Now to pass this on...

• Marilyn at MidcenturyMarilyn
• Til We Read Again
• Walls That Talk
• Elaine at Mikes Sporting Goods
• The Postcard Emorium
• Trillian Books
• Linda at Eccentric Thrifter
• Jeanne at A Cup of Tea & A Cozy For Me
• Deb at Debs Great Finds Crafty Side
• Greg at The New Dork Review of Books
• Book Bitch Blog
• Book Plate Junkie
• Vintage Rose Collectibles
• Jillian at Random Ramblings
• Jan at Shabby Bags

The Lovely Blog Award

My second award I need to pass along!  I received this Lovely Blog Award from Missie at Unread Reader & Chasity at LLL808.  Thank you both so much!  

The rules are:
•Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link.
•Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered.
•Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award. 

I pass this one on to...

• Marilyn at MidcenturyMarilyn
• Til We Read Again
• Walls That Talk
• Elaine at Mikes Sporting Goods
• The Postcard Emorium
• Trillian Books
• Linda at Eccentric Thrifter
• Jeanne at A Cup of Tea & A Cozy For Me
• Deb at Debs Great Finds Crafty Side
• Greg at The New Dork Review of Books
• Book Bitch Blog
• Book Plate Junkie
• Vintage Rose Collectibles
• Jillian at Random Ramblings
• Jan at Shabby Bags

Passing Along My Recent Blog Award

Recently I've been lucky enough to receive a couple different blog awards from fellow bloggers.  A great BIG Thank You to those that gave them to me!!!  There are a few things I'm supposed to do after receiving said awards, so here goes!  This award is...

I received this award first from Emidy at Une Parole & then from Jeanne C. at A Cup of Tea & A Cozy For Me.  Both great blogs by the way, so be sure to check them out!  I now have to post 10 things that make me happy & pass this award on to 10 other bloggers.  My 10 things...

1. Reading
2. Books   
3. Reading 
4. Books  

What!?  It didn't specify it had to be 10 different things! lol  O.k. here's the real list...

1. Books/Reading
2. Family/Friends
3. Mountain Dew

(a girl's gotta have caffeine!)

4.   Music        

            5.  Going to book store

6.  Blogging      

7.  Our 2 dogs  

8.  Spring time   

                           9.  Being around the river or ocean

                10.  Playing cards with family.

Now to pass this award on.  I'm going to pass this award on to...

• Missie at The Unread Reader
• Book Lovers Delight
• Chasity at 808 Twilighters
• Michelle at 2 Many Good Books 2 Little Time
• Jillian at Random Ramblings
• Wendy at Quillfeather
• MyMomsBooks at DSRS of Our Lives
• Heather at All Ruby Cakes
• Sara at Along For the Ride
• Alyce at At Home With Books

Now recipient must post their award on their blog mentioning the person that gave it to them.  Then they must pass it on to 10 others & leave a comment on each of their blogs to let them know that they have won.  You must also post 10 things that make you happy. 

The Spellmans Are Out For Revenge!

Revenge of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Everyone beware!  The Spellmans are out for Revenge!  The third book in the Spellman series by Lisa Lutz.  This one does not disappoint!  All the good stuff wrapped up under one cover...funny, entertaining & a quick read!  If you haven't read my previous reviews regarding the other Spellman books I recommend them to all Evanovich fans!  Though they do have a few differences they are easily comparable & just as good as the Plum series.  The spellmans have quickly became a part of my favorite "book families".

Here's a quick overview about the Spellman series books for those of you who missed my previous reviews (links to those are below).  The Spellmans own a P.I. business (family owned & operated).  Run by Mom, Dad, David (brother who does not work with them), Rae (the younger sister who works with them) & Izzy the main character who also (obviously) works with her parents.  There are more quirky, fun characters that you will meet throughout the books & will come to love.  So, if you haven't, pick up Lutz's book & you will quickly find yourself caught up in Izzy's obsessive case investigations, her bad luck & all of her families hilarious happenings!  Oh, & did I mention the family loves to blackmail each other!?  As odd as it may sound I know it will keep you laughing out loud!



Here's the link to my review of the first Spellman book.  The Spellman Files.
Here's the link to my second book review.  Curse of the Spellmans.

View all my reviews >>

80's Teen Heartthrob Corey Haim Passed Away

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Though it may not come as a surprise to a lot of you it's still non-the-less a sad event.  80's teen heartthrob Corey Haim passed away this morning at age 38.  Police say it looks like an apparent drug overdose, though they cannot be sure until the autopsy is done.  Anyone who has seen his & the "Other Corey's" TV show The Two Corey's which starred both Haim & Corey Feldman, probably caught a glimpse of Haim's continuing struggle with drugs.  

Both Haim & Feldman were popular 80's teen heartthrobs & yes, I was one of those with a crush on Haim.  You may remember him for some of his movies, most notably The Lost Boys & License to Drive (both movies starring Haim & Feldman).  Haim was also known for his roles in Murphy's Romance (which also starred Sally Field & James Garner) & Lucas (also starring Kerri Green & Charlie Sheen, was also Winona Ryder's first feature film role).  Both two of my favorite movies.  

A sad time!  I'm sure he'll be missed by many & especially those of us who had his posters hanging on our bedroom walls!  I admit...I was one of them! ; )

A Few Books On My Wish List

My Wish List is a never ending list of books that I wish were on my TBR shelf.  Both seem to constantly grow!  So, here's a few of the books on my Wish List.  Some having been on the list for a long time, others more recently added.

• The Circus in Winter by Cathy Day 
• The Circus Fire: A True Story of an American Tragedy by Stewart O'Nan
• Billy Creekmore: A Novel by Tracey Porter
• The Thurber Carnival (Perrenial Classics) by James Thurber

(In case you haven't figured it out yet I love circus/carnival settings).

  Now back to the list...

• Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates
• Walking to Gatlinburg by Howard Frank Mosher
• Mermaids in the Basement by Michael Lee West
• American Pie (A Novel) by Michael Lee West
• Leavenworth Train: A Fugitive's Search for Justice in the Vanishing West by Joe Jackson
• The 158-Pound Marriage by John Irving
• Last Night in Twisted River by John Irving
• Ladies of the Lake by Haywood Smith 

Those are just a few books on my wish list!  Read any of them?  Share your opinion!  Have a book on my wish list just laying around or would like to sell?  Let me know!  What's on your Wish List!?

We're Going South of Broad with Pat Conroy (Review)

South of Broad by Pat Conroy


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
When I think of how to describe this book I am reminded of John Irving's writing.  The reason for that is some of the characters & events that take place in the book I believe are comparable to the feel of an Irving book.  Which is not meant as an insult as I am an Irving fan!


With that being said you also cannot mistake this book being written by Conroy.  It has his vivid, beautiful descriptions of places & surroundings which he is known for.  It's so easy to imagine the places he writes about even when you haven't been there.


As for the book overall I found it to be very good.  Entertaining, nice flow & easy to read.  The story takes place starting in the 1960's up to the 1990's.  The main character Leo King is a child when the story begins & goes throughout his life up to an adult.  Both a coming of age story as well as a look into events that took place in the stories time periods.  Such as racism & AIDS.  Of course I have to mention Leo's group of unforgettable friends too!  Friends from all walks of life & their adventures & life growing up together.  Friends you won't soon forget!  I was very pleased with this book.


It had the coming of age, history, love & adventure.  A little something for everyone!  I would recommend this book to any Irving fans as well as all Conroy fans.  If you're looking for a book about life, growing up & the hardship of growing up in a certain time period this is a great one!


Read the full synopsis of this book here.

View all my reviews >>

Books Recently Added To My TBR Shelf

My "TBR" (To be Read) shelf seems to grow daily, but here are the books I've most recently acquired.

Last week I took a trip to the used bookstore. I was thrilled when I walked out with an armload of books! I felt like I had hit the lottery! Coming away with a couple of books that had been on my "wish list" for at least 2-3 years now. You can imagine my excitement when my eyes were searching the shelves not expecting to actually see those couple books sitting there! I wanted to jump up & down! Hey, some people get excited over a new pair of shoes or a new T.V., but for me it's books! I am not ashamed to say...Hi, my names Angela & I am a Book-a-Holic!!!

On to the list!

1- Southern Discomfort by Rita Mae Brown. I've read a few of her books in the past & enjoyed most of them.

2- Revenge of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz. I love this series! Funny! If you like Janet Evanovich's Plum series you should check it out!

3- Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier. I like the movie & have always been interested in reading the book.

4- Kaleidoscope by Darryl Wimberley. Love reading books about circus or carnival life.

5- The Road to Wellville by T.C. Boyle. The cover of this one just happened to catch my eye, so I took a chance on it. lol

6- Sometimes a Great Notion by Ken Kesey. I loved One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by him. Also a great movie!

7- The Further Inquiry also by Ken Kesey. This is one I've wanted for yrs. Yea!

8- The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test by Tom Wolfe. My Best find of the day!!! I have wanted this book for so long! I can't wait to delve into it!

Look for these book reviews & more coming soon to a blog near you! ; )