Sad Face

On the post for Thursday, August 13. It was about the celebration of reading with the Bushes and the one that cost like a $150. Well it stated that many other authors besides AJ JAcobs would be there, guess who was one of those other authors ...
no not that person try again
close but nope, not that one either ...
well if you didn't guess right, it was Sandra Brown.
Makes me sad because if I had known that both of them would of be there I would of saved up $150 to support the cause but also get to be in a room with really amazing writers. Just thought I would share my sad face ... :(

:no winks, eye twitches:

if you don't know who posted this, well tough stuff

ATTN: Ladies...!!

I just wanted to give you a heads up on the matter of actually locating this book. There seems to be some difficulty in finding this particular piece at any local bookstore. I, naturally, chose a book that (because it was the author's first work) was only printed in limited amounts across the country. I spoke with someone at Barnes & Noble, who told me that this typically happens with books by relatively 'unknown' authors.

HOWEVER, the book is available on several websites:

1. bn.com --they have several copies for around $5.50 or so.
2. half.com-- prices seem to be around $5.79 and up, as Jennifer mentioned.
3. amazon.com-- on this particular site, prices started at around $10

Sorry that this has become such a hassle. If I'd known it would be this difficult, I wouldn't have chosen this book. But I do know that'll be worth it--I promise!

I've ordered my copy from Amazon and am expecting to receive it on Monday (the 14th).

Sasha

Ps. Will you all let me know when you've gotten your hands on a copy?

FB me, or email me at thedreamsofravens@gmail.com

Thanks, ladies.

Mkay, Ladies....

The name of the book I've chosen is called, John Crow's Devil by Marlon James.

(See, Mistie... I'm abiding by the "rules").

My apologies for picking something that is only, currently available in hardcover.... woops!

But I do, really hope you all pick it up and read it.

I'll also post this on FB, just so you know*

Sasha

My story of the last 35 pages!

I finally finshed Elantris at 12:45am. I would of been done sooner but at 9 I had to go pick up bobby from work. At this point I have 35 pages left. But we went to Best Buy, then we went to Michelle's house to see ber christmas decorations. Which are really beautiful.

While we are at Michelles house I keep my book in my hand waiting for the moment I will not be drawn into a conversation and be able to sit on her loveseat and just read. It would not be considered rude, they are use to me having a book in my hand and casually opening the pages and getting lost in the story as they communicate around me.

Unfortunally, Michelle and I talked about christmas decor and other things, along with James Patterson, (she totally loves him and wants me to get him to come to arlington so she can meet him and kiss him. So cute, I know). She wants me to read kiss the girls and we talked about Pattersons characters.

Now I am having an internal battle, I love talking about books and characters and authors, but I also want to finish this book. What do I do? There are so many ways I can get out of this conversation and loose myself in the corner of the room and no one would be the wiser, but the way Michelle is talking about how good this story line is and the characters has my interest just as well.

I come to the finally decision to just stay in the conversation. I mean 35 pages won't take me very long, so from a little after 9 all the way to 12:13 I have 35 pages left. It was killing me not to be able to read and find out how it ends (and no I will not tell you). I get home, get under the covers and pick up the book and with much suspence in my mind I read the last 35 pages and love every waking moment of.

Arwen you picked an amazing book, I really enjoyed it more than I thought I would. I was so excited when I finished I had to text elizabeth (sorry liz, I know it was late but I just had to share the news)!

For those of you who have not yet even made a dent in the book, it is truly good and it keeps you on your toes in all the right spots.

My question of the day, who else has finished it or where are you in the book, you still have 5 more days to finish it. Good luck and happy readings.

Mistie
:winks:

Meeting Vote II - Elantris

Updated 11-28-2009
Book Club meeting has been pushed to Friday Dec 4th at 10pm. Now everyone has plently of time to finish the book. Which by the way, is really good ... really really good. :)

Misite

*****
Hello fellow book club members,
We still have not set a certain date so we much vote again.
Considering Saturday Nov 28, 2009 for the book club meeting instead of sunday because Arwen does not get off tell 10pm. If everyone is okay meeting that late then it will stay sunday, if not it will be late saturday night (don't remember the time everyone is available), unless we can all come up with another solution.

Let the voting began.

Mistie

ps, I am okay with either!

Meeting Vote - Elantris

Hello fellow book club members,

We seem to be coming to a hard conclusion on when we should meet for the review of "Elantris." Arwen frist suggested before Thanksgiving. Then we found out some members have not even started this months' book club pick. So Arwen said we could meet after Thanksgiving and Suzzie asked about Nov 30.

I think we should put it to a vote. When do you think we should meet up?

Mistie

4th International Book Fair, Dallas, Texas

The J. Erik Jonsson Central Library is hosting its fourth international book fair in October to promote the love for books, reading and writing. The event will be held on October 30, 31 and November 1st, 2009. Please save the date!
The event is free and open to the public. International, national and local authors will be reading and signing books. Cultural programs will again include artistic performances, poetry reading, music and children activities. Here is an online video about the Festival, in Spanish.

4th Dallas Annual International Book Fair
A Festival of Reading for All Ages
October 29 – November 1, 2009
J. Erik Jonsson Central Library
1515 Young St., Dallas, TX 75201

**

I will be attending on saturday, there is a workshop at 11am:

Are you Ready to Publish?, presented by Max Rodriguez, founder of the
Harlem Book Fair , and author of "Sacred Fire: The QBR 100 Essential Black
Books" The Studio, 3rd floor

Of course there are plenty of others things to check out too!!

Mistie

Rainwater by Sandra Brown

Do you belong to a book club? Do you think RAINWATER belongs on your book club's 2010 calendar? Carol at bookreporter.com, had this to say about RAINWATER: ..."a powerfully moving novel celebrating the gifts, generosity and foresight of a great bygone generation."

Admittedly, I'm biased but I think RAINWATER is a perfect book for book clubs and that's why we're doing a contest just for you. If your book club selects RAINWATER for their 2010 schedule, please drop us a line and let us know (Contact information is at the bottom of this email).

The first ten book clubs to notify us that they’ve added RAINWATER to their schedule will receive personalized bookplates and RAINWATER tissue packets and will be entered to win a 1-hour phone call with me to discuss the book. The contest will run through December 31, 2009 or until we have ten finalists.

Book for Mistie

Hey Mistie,

Just thinking of you and thought this book will do wonders for your writing. The title is "It Sleeps In Me by Kathleen O'neal Gear. She wrote "People of the Moon" too. Her husband writes as well.
The story goes when the Chieftess, Sora of the Black Falcon Nation, is faced with warring clans and is about to go on a mission, she runs into an old friend. Skinner, a friend of her ex-husband, Flint, comes to Sora with a shocking message: Flint is dead, but his shadow soul lives within Skinner, and he must tell Sora Flint's last words. There's magic, murder, and erotic love scenes that you will be in captured with. I give it 4 stars. -Acene

drumroll please...

alright good folks, the next book to read is Elantris, by Brandon Sanderson. We have it at our beloved store and Suzanne even found it online for like $2.50! It was top sci-fi release the year it came out (2005) and the author himself has published thought provoking (maybe even borderline existential?) book group discussion questions for our enjoyment :) So have at it!

(yes, I realize you may have now read this twice... that is the value of copy & paste. Why be creative when there are so many good authors out there being paid to do that?)

Recap, Hello, and Update

Tonight's meeting went well. I was very happy that everyone got something different out of "Death Of A Salesman" Some really good arguments

We have a new member ... WELCOME Sasha ... *claps*

So, I hate to say this but sorry Acene, it will actually be Sasha's turn to pick after Arwen. Since we are at the end of the cycle. (hehehehe -> reference theme to the book). That means Sasha I will be bugging you until you decide what book you are picking.

We missed two memebers tonight
Elizabeth -> who is on vacation of dreams
Anne -> who is sick
We all missed you both.

:winks:
Mistie

Flatland Complete

I finally finished Flatland. My lord for such a short book you have to take in alot of information. I have to say it got better when you went out of Flatland. It was very interesting and you can interchange something from history if you think abou the time it was written and what was going on. I really liked that historical element, not so much that they used math (of all things) but I understand why. Math is universal.

:winks:
Mistie

PS ->Good luck Allison, you can do it!

Love this idea!

This is great, hope we can keep it up. I been reading The Book Thief and just into the words of this little girl in German 1934-1946. It's great and I think we should read it. Has anyone got the change to read it, yet? I just picked up The field of Blood, but not the mystery one but the one about..........yes, vampires but this time their in Israel. I only been out of school for a week and I'm already in my second book. --AJ

Death Of A Salesman Bookclub Meeting

Arwen has so kindly allowed us to use her and Elizabeth's home again
Friday 8pm

Are we bring snacks? Who is bring what?

I Am Feeling Very Quotes Today

"I like pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals."
-- Winston Churchill



To the Rose upon the Rood of Time
by William Butler Yeats

Red Rose, proud Rose, sad Rose of all my days!
Come near me, while I sing the ancient ways:
Cuchulain battling with the bitter tide;
The Druid, grey, wood-nurtured, quiet-eyed,
Who cast round Fergus dreams, and ruin untold;
And thine own sadness, whereof stars, grown old
In dancing silver-sandalled on the sea,
Sing in their high and lonely melody.
Come near, that no more blinded by man's fate,
I find under the boughs of love and hate,
In all poor foolish things that live a day,
Eternal beauty wandering on her way.

Come near, come near, come near—Ah, leave me still
A little space for the rose-breath to fill!
Lest I no more hear common things that crave;
The weak worm hiding down in its small cave,
The field-mouse running by me in the grass,
And heavy mortal hopes that toil and pass;
But seek alone to hear the strange things said
By God to the bright hearts of those long dead,
And learn to chaunt a tongue men do not know.
Come near; I would, before my time to go,
Sing of old Eire and the ancient ways:
Red Rose, proud Rose, sad Rose of all my days.



:winks:
Mistie

New Releases

Maya Banks - Sweet Seduction

Blurb:

He was the stuff erotic dreams are made of

Salon owner Julie Stanford wanted Nathan Tucker ever since she gave him his first massage. Getting paid to feel every inch of his body, stripped, oiled, and spread out in front of her? Stuff dreams are made of. But the sexy lug was oblivious to the signals she was sending—until she finished off his final rub-down with something extra. In fact, the best extra he ever had. Unfortunately, he came around too late. Now Julie’s moving on…

She was everything he’d dreamed of

The woman was driving him crazy. She lit fire to his insides then ran like a scalded cat. And now she’s going to someone else to have all her fantasies fulfilled? Over his dead body… He’s more than willing to give her what she wants, and as soon as he pins the little minx down, he’d show her his own brand of sweet seduction.

Shelly Laurenston - "The Mane Event" in Mass Market format

Blurb:

CHRISTMAS PRIDE

How come all the good-looking ones are insane? That's what runs through NYPD cop Desiree "Dez" MacDermot's mind the minute she hooks up again with her childhood buddy, Mace Llewellyn. It isn't just the way he stares at her with those too-sexy gold eyes-as if he could devour her on the spot. Or the six-four, built-like-a-Navy Seal bod-o-death. It isn't even that he sniffs her neck and purrs, making her entire body tingle. It's more about that disconcerting, shifting-from-man-to-lion thing that unhinges her…and makes her want more. Mace likes making Dez crazy. In fact, he likes her any way he can get her-in bed, on the desk, here, now, again. Together, they'd always been trouble, but Dez has no idea just how good trouble can feel…
SHAW'S TAIL

Brendon Shaw, hotel owner and lion shifter, has seen better days. He's been beaten, had a gun to the back of his head, and had to be rescued by a Pack of shape-shifting wolves. He didn't think he'd survive the night, much less find the woman of his dreams. And he never thought the woman of his dreams would have a Tennessee accent and wear cowboy boots. Once he sets his sights on her, the predator in him is ready to pounce and never let go. Ronnie Lee Reed is ready to change her life, and New York City is the place where any girl-even one who runs with a Pack-can redefine herself. First order of business: find a mate, settle down, and stop using men for sex. Even big, gorgeous, lion-shifting, oh-my-what-big-um-paws-you-have men. Then again…

New Moon Movie Companion

Speaks for itself!

A Day Late

Tuesday, September 1, 2009
New Releases
Maya Banks - eBook release called Songbird. Stand alone book (so far)

Lora Leigh - Heat Seeker from her Elite Ops Series

Lorelei James- Rough, Raw, and Ready. In-Print

Must Love Hound Dogs -Anthology
Charlanie Harris writes Sci Fi and Mystery - "The Britlingens Go to Hell "
Nalini Singh is author of the Psy/Channgling and her new series the Guild Hunter - "Angel's Judgement"
IIona Andrews is Sci Fi with her Magic Series - "Magic Mourns"
Meljean Brook writes Sci Fi with her Guardian Series - "Blind Spot"

DVDs:
Supernatural season 4

***
Note: Of course there are plenty of other items that were released. I am only putting the ones that I am interested in and/or will be. I don't want to post anything I would not read/watch and it not be any good or not what I like.

Tuesday New Releases

These are books that I am interested in!

Today in Sci Fi Patricia Briggs new book in her Alpha and Omega series was released. Its technically the third in the series but is consider the second because the opening to this series is a short novel in On The Prowl with romance authors Sunny, Karen Chance, and Eileen Wilks. You do not have to read the short novel in order to understand but it doese help and I would recommend reading anything in the correct order.
Reading Order:
On The Prowl (anthology) Alpha and omega
Cry Wolf
The Hunting Ground

In romance Marliss Melton's new book in her Military romance series Show No Fear is out. This is a new author that I am looking into.
Reading Order
Forget Me Not
In The Dark
Time To Run
Next To Die
Don't Let Go
Too Far Gone
Show No Fear

Kate Douglas Anthology Sexy Beast IIV. This follows along with her Wolf Tales series on the Chanku breed. It is a really good, hot and steamy type of paranormal romance. The reading order is simple, just follow the roman numbers on both the Wolf Tales and Sexy Beast!

Movies - DVD Box Sets
House MD Season 5
One Tree Hill Season 6

No more said! Enjoy reading and watchings

:winks:
Mistie

Book Club outside of the Book Club

Allison and I have formed a book club outside of our book club, picking books we would love to read but knowing we probably won't get to them. We eached picked 6 books and pulled each title out from a cup. Each book was for one month out of the year.

Well one of my pickes was Flatland by Edwin A Abbott. It is literally 82 pages. It was, like, the March pick. Of course we are now in August. Still have not finished it.

So Cara, her almightly self, I guess got tired of us complaining about how was can't seem to finish it. Went out and bought. Finished it in two days. Only difference is her copy was a 147 pages. So now she thinks she can gloat and says she really enjoyed it. The guy loved his big words.

I am not saying it is a bad book. It is actually really interesting. Its not mind-consuming and one of those books you should read out loud. Just not while taking your morning walk. Too much breath.

Allison and I will finish this book and then finally move on to the next pick. Bitter is the New Black by Lancaster!

Wish us luck
:winks:
Mistie

I Finished - BookClub Meeting

I finally finished Year of living biblically, tuesday. (I know late post, but hey its here) I really enjoyed it and cant wait for the big talk.

The excitment on why I am very happy I finished, I am the hardest reader in the group. Sometimes I just can't read a book no matter how good it might be. Take Elizabeth's pick persuasion. I only made to page 13. I just couldn't bring myself to read anymore.

Then there is Cara's picks. For some reason, on both of her books I have not been able to finish either one. The devil in the white city, I have about a hundred pages left to read. Chocolat, I am about half way with that one as well. Its just a mind thing I can't over come.

But I have read all the other ones. Which I am very proud of myself for doing. so 3 out of 14 books ain't all that bad. Hopefully Cara's next book I will be able to finish. Third times a charm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BookClub Meeting:
Aug 16, 2009 at 9pm - Elizabeth's house
I am bring a chick-pea salad that everyone can injoy (including cara - see I remembered this time cara) I really think someone should bring chocolate covered crickets or even ants.

See ya then!

Mistie

Lust Loathing and a Little Lip Gloss

Lust, Loathing, and a Little Lip Gloss is another great book in the Sophie Katz series. I loved this one just as much as the others, Sophie is back with her stellar sleuth skills and quick wit that makes you laugh out loud while reading. Many times while reading this book I got the “is that lady crazy look” for busting out laughing in public. Anatoly is sexy and sweet as ever and I was so happy with the way these two are progressing in their relationship. The paranormal side of the story keeps it very interesting and gives a twist to the type of mystery going on. Marcus is one of my favorite characters and he is back for the fun, even if it is unknowingly. You also get a better insight on Sophie and her fathers relationship before he passed away, which develops the character of Sophie even more making you love her even more. I counted down the days between Obsession, Deceit, and Really Dark Chocolate and this book and I will do the same for the next Sophie Katz mystery. The only thing I would warn about buying this book is the amount of money you spend at Starbucks, every time I read a Sophie book I have to have a frappuccino!

by: Cara Purcell

A Celebration of Reading: Dallas

AJ Jacobs is going to be one of the authors attending the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy this year on Nov 16, 2009 7pm at the Meyerson Symphony Center. Some of the other authors includ Jeff Engel, Julia Reed, and Mary Tyler Moore. (More authors to be announced later)

If I am reading the official announcement correctly, Tickets are $250, Dinner and Program are $150.

Friend ($5,000)
• 8 Event tickets
• One reserved table for 8 at the dinner
• Listing in event printed program

I would love to go but that is alot of money. Fundraisers any one??? HEHEHEHE

My turn

Hi! I finally made it!!!

Allison

Picture

I added our profile picture. I love it. So us!

:winks:
Mistie

My Goal!

I made myself a goal to read at least a hundred pages today, inbetween errands and such. I did it. As one of the few members who is not close to being done before we meet up on Aug 9. I am so proud of myself. I was one page 106 and now I am on page 218! Yea, go me! There is only about 332 pages. I am almost their! Will keep you updated!

:winks:
Mistie

Beginnings

I am very excited about the blog to be able to post about our beloved books, ask questions, and make comments. Having a place to do all this without brothers, dads, boyfriends, or pretty much any member of the male population thinks your crazy for reading a book and talking about it is wonderful!! I'm looking forward to all the discussions.

Peace,

Cara

WELCOME LITERATURE LOVERS

Misty went to the effort of accomplishing the technical aspects of this little project so I'll take care of the introduction.

WELCOME!!!!!

Who doesn't love a good book? Obviously we all do as we're all members of this fabulous, if sometimes silly, book club. The great thing about a book club is the challenge to conquer pieces of literature that might have never crossed your path if it weren't for this literarily inclined group of cohorts. So dive in. Don't just read the chosen book. Savor it. Look up the words you don't know. Ask someone about a paragraph that doesn't make sense. Laugh out loud at the funny parts and don't be afraid to get so involved that you shed a tear when the story is heartbreaking.

"Of all the diversions of life, there is none so proper to fill up its empty spaces as the reading of useful and entertaining authors." -Joseph Addison

Hello Blog

I am very excited about having a bookclub blog. I can't wait until we all talk about books and gossip about what we like and don't like. A way to communicate and keep track of our thoughts as we read so we don't forget our most favorite parts or the ones we hate the most.

Mistie
:winks:

Greetings!

This blog is an excellent idea! I look forward to having an easier way to keep in touch with everyone about our readings. ^^