Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin'?

Catching Up: One Sentence Reviews

trish — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 08:45:53 +0000

I’ve had four books sitting on my desk, waiting to be reviewed, for what seems like forever. I don’t want to move them off my desk until I’ve told you what I thought of them, but in the grand scheme of things, writing these reviews is a low low priority. I was inspired by Lu over at Regular Rumination and her Great Review Catch-Up of 2011. So here’s some very short reviews of the four books that have been begging to be reviewed. I’ll try to keep it to one sentence, but I’m not sure I can do that.

Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson – Full disclosure: I did a blog tour for the hardcover and have put together a blog tour for the paperback. Even so, I really liked the book. The suspense ratcheted up quite nicely, and while I was able to guess the ending, I devoured it pretty quickly. The author does a great job of keeping the reader wondering who, exactly, is the crazy person in the book.

The All of It by Jeannette Haien – I picked up this book because Ann Patchett loves it and I love Ann Patchett. I want to be besties with Ann Patchett. A book club I’m in chose to read it, and it was okay, I thought there were a few things that the author did particularly well, but for me, it was a forgettable book. Patchett obviously disagrees with me, but I hope that she won’t hold that against me when we do eventually become besties.

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen – A decent novel, but not one I’ll be pressing into anyone’s hands.

Very Bad Men by Harry Dolan – One of the best books I read in 2011. FABULOUS. Made me go out and buy his first book. A really well written literary mystery. I was wondering why Amy Einhorn (she was the one who published The Help) was publishing a mystery, and now I get it. Love love love.

Catching Up: One Sentence Reviews was originally published by Trish for Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin'? This post cannot be republished without express written permission.

The Book Blogger Convention

trish — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 01:41:51 +0000

Michelle and I are pleased to announce the acquisition of the Book Blogger Convention by Reed Exhibitions (the folks who run Book Expo America (BEA))!

As many know, I have been organizing and running the Book Blogger Convention together with Michelle (and with the help of other bloggers) for two years now. It has been a labor of love, something that we created because it was something that WE wanted and thought other bloggers might enjoy as well. The support has been tremendous, and the responses after both years was thoughtful, insightful, and spurred us to new ideas.

Michelle ran the Book Blogger Convention this past year by herself. It was tough, but we were looking forward to planning the 2012 convention with the idea that I would be present. It quickly became apparent that with my having a new baby (and wanting more bebes) and Michelle dealing with some health issues, that planning another convention wouldn’t be feasible. We approached Reed about the possibility of purchasing the Book Blogger Convention. After quite a few discussions, it seemed like the best idea to have Reed run the Book Blogger Convention and Michelle and I would bow out.

We are confident in the direction that Reed will take the Book Blogger Convention, and we feel they will be able to do things with it that we were unable to do, either because we didn’t have the resources or we didn’t have the time.

Our hope is that the book blogging community embraces this new direction, and we look forward to seeing you in June at the Book Blogger Convention and Book Expo America!

The Book Blogger Convention was originally published by Trish for Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin'? This post cannot be republished without express written permission.

Legit

trish — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 06:23:35 +0000

Ever since I’ve been blogging (and from looking at my archives, I’ve been blogging since 2007 (which, wow)), the question has come up: But do book blogs even SELL books? Does anyone take that recommendation to a store and BUY a book? Book bloggers and have been pounding their fist on the table insisting, YES! Books are being bought based on OUR recommendations. Unfortunately, all of the proof has been anecdotal.

Until now.

I was reading the latest issue of Shelf Awareness (a newsletter primarily for bookstores/booksellers) when I stumbled across a survey of consumer purchasing behavior. Obviously this survey was done specifically for bookstores — information such as whether more men or women bought books, their socioeconomic standing, etc. One of the questions asked was readers’ principle ways of finding out about new titles. Personal recommendations account for 49.2%, bookstore staff recommendations account for 30.8%, and if you continue reading, it turns out that 12.1% of readers polled find out about new titles from blogs.

12.1%

That’s huge. That’s a big enough chunk of the pie to have to have a piece of the pie showing blogs as a possibility. I don’t think any blogger claimed that they had more influence than, say, a bookseller at a local bookstore, but we do, in fact, have influence.

Obviously I didn’t need proof before now since I already knew this from experience, but it’s kinda nice to have it.

You can see the whole survey here, and the Shelf Awareness article here.

And just in case you can’t get the words too legit, too legit to quit hey hey…

Legit was originally published by Trish for Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin'? This post cannot be republished without express written permission.

Mind Numbing

trish — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 03:18:00 +0000

I’m loving being a mom. I love it so much that I can’t wait to get pregnant again, and have felt this way since Ethan was…one month old? Something like that. Probably earlier than that since I was telling Dave I would do it again just hours after Ethan was born.

I’ve become some hybrid of a stay-at-home-mom slash work-at-home-mom. When Ethan was four months old, I realized I needed a day or two a week where I could sit down sans baby and work. My mother-in-law was kind enough to help out here and there, but she frequently travels down to San Diego to see her other grandkids and her stepmom, she travels, and she has far flung friends that she occasionally visits. Instead of being frustrated or bitter when she’d let me know she’d be gone for a period of time, I decided to put Ethan in day care twice a week. That way I didn’t have to count on her to watch Ethan so I could get work done, and when she is able to watch him, I’m nothing but grateful for the bonus work time.

On the three days a week that it’s just me and Ethan, we’re busy. We always have something to do during the day, and usually have two to three activities planned. Here’s a rundown of a typical week:

Monday – Playgroup with other (mostly) stay-at-home moms in the morning, frequently have lunch with a friend, home in the afternoon.

Tuesday – Storytime at the library at 10:15, frequently have lunch with a friend, and starting in March we’ll be doing a music class at 1pm. Generally will leave the house at 9am or earlier so I can drive around waiting for Ethan to fall asleep.

Wednesday – Ethan in day care.

Thursday – Mommy & Me class at 11am, though I usually leave the house around 9am to either run errands or drive around waiting for Ethan to fall asleep. Have lunch with some of the women in the Mommy & Me group, get home around 2pm.

Friday – Ethan in day care.

Saturday/Sunday – Family time. Dave usually watches Ethan so I can work.

I don’t have a lot of down time, and the downtime I DO have is packed with lunch appointments/play dates/activities. I realized without consciously thinking about it that entertaining a baby? Is mind numbing. MIND NUMBING. Let’s play with this toy! No? Not this one? How about this one? Want to nurse? Is your diaper wet? Are you tired? Why won’t you go down for a nap? Let’s get all your toys and strew them around the living room floor! And when you’re bored with everything else, here’s some knives for you to play with.

I’m sure entertaining a baby is interesting to someone, but it holds no interest for me. Don’t get me wrong — I absolutely love hanging out with Ethan. He’s my sidekick. We do almost everything together. I take him to committee meetings, I take him to book club meetings, I take him with me pretty much wherever I go. But trying to specifically entertain him with toys for any longer than 5 minutes? No thanks.

I’m sure at some point I’ll write a post about how I hate crafts. More on that when Ethan’s old enough to do crafts. I’ll be saying, Crafts are messy. Let’s go outside and get dirty instead.

Mind Numbing was originally published by Trish for Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin'? This post cannot be republished without express written permission.

Sequel to The Passage to be published in September 2012

trish — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:12:15 +0000

I fell in love with The Passage by Justin Cronin within the first 30 pages. By the end of the over 700 pages, I was telling everyone about it and pressing it in to anyone’s hands I could. I’ve got the hardcover, paperback, and a couple of advance copies. I won’t loan out the hardcover (just in case someone doesn’t treat it with the right reverence) but I’ve loaned out the paperback and my advance copies.

The Passage is the first book in a planned trilogy, so for over 18 months I’ve been stalking Amazon and the Random House website to find any information I could about the sequel. I knew it would be titled The Twelve, but I wanted to know when I could buy it. FINALLY! I’ve got the information I’ve wanted!

The Twelve by Justin Cronin is set to be published on August 28, 2012.

Do I have my calendar marked with that date? You betcha. Here’s hoping that date doesn’t get pushed back.

Thanks to Ti from Book Chatter for alerting me of this via Facebook this morning, which she saw over at The Book Case.

Sequel to The Passage to be published in September 2012 was originally published by Trish for Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin'? This post cannot be republished without express written permission.

Giving away books on World Book Night – April 23, 2012

trish — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 01:45:00 +0000

Do I even need to say anything to encourage you to do this?

We need 50,000 book-loving volunteers to fan out across America on April 23, 2012! Just take 20 free copies of a book to a location in your community, and you just might change someone’s life.
The goal is to give books to new readers, to encourage reading, to share your passion for a great book. The entire publishing, bookstore, library, author, printing, and paper community is behind this effort with donated services and time. And with a million free World Book Night paperbacks!
The first World Book Night was held in the UK last year, and it was such a big success that it’s spreading around the world! Please volunteer to be a book giver in the U.S. Sign up now to be a book giver. Read more about World Book Night on this site, from the free book list to the FAQs. Thank you!

Here’s the website.

If you were going to give away books to non or light readers, where would you start? What book would you press into someone’s hands?

Giving away books on World Book Night – April 23, 2012 was originally published by Trish for Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin'? This post cannot be republished without express written permission.

Book Chat: Kidnap & Ransom by Michelle Gagnon

trish — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 01:11:53 +0000

Title: Kidnap & Ransom [buy the book]
Author: Michelle Gagnon [website] [FB] [Twitter]
Pages: 416
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Date Published: November 1, 2010

Summary:

When the world’s foremost kidnap and ransom negotiator is snatched by a ruthless drug cartel, Jake Riley becomes ensnared in the effort to save him. But he’s up against Los Zetas, an elite paramilitary organization renowned for its ferocity and skill. Now he and his colleagues must navigate the dark underbelly of Mexico, from raging street wars to perilous jungles, in an effort to rescue him before time runs out.

After nearly losing her life on her last case, FBI Agent Kelly Jones may never do fieldwork again. Determined to regain her confidence, she joins Jake on his mission—and quickly realizes she’s in over her head. Then in the slums of Mexico City, she encounters a former nemesis who’s enacting a nightmarish ritual on the weak and vulnerable. Now she has one last, desperate shot to prove herself—by taking down a killer.

My thoughts:

As you know, I love me some good mysteries. Michelle Gagnon has become a favorite author of mine, and my only complaint is that I don’t have 20 backlist titles to choose from when I finish her latest book. At this point, I’ve read everything she’s written, and I’m chomping at the bit for more.

I read this quite a while ago, back in November 2010 when I was still working two jobs and reading was quickly becoming something that I used to do. At a time when reading time was at a premium and getting through a book could take a month or longer, I flew through this one in just a few days.

One of the reasons I particularly wanted to mention this book was because it’s been over a year since I read it, and while I normally can’t remember details from any books, I still remember that she did something in this book I’d have bet she’d never do. It took my head clean off.

If you’re a mystery fan, I absolutely recommend Michelle’s books. I know I haven’t said much about the plot, but that’s what the summary is for. I’m just here to tell you that you’re missing out if you’re not reading her books.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Book Chat: Kidnap & Ransom by Michelle Gagnon was originally published by Trish for Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin'? This post cannot be republished without express written permission.

Help Needed for the Sonoma County Free Bookmobile

trish — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:39:54 +0000

We’ve got this really cool thing in Sonoma County where this guy, Glen, gives away books. HE GIVES AWAY BOOKS. He started the Sonoma County Free Bookmobile with a trailer pulled by a Chevy Suburban. He did that for a year and a half. He would have to “lug carts from the back of the trailer to allow folks to peruse titles.” About three weekends a month, he and a volunteer, usually one of his children, would drive the backroads of Sonoma County, “stopping at senior centers, low-income apartment complexes and other under-served locations to give away donated books.”

After a year and a half, Glen was able to find a real bookmobile by trawling Craigslist. This bookmobile has built in cabinets and places for people to read. Quite the step up from lugging carts out of the back of a trailer so people can see what books you’ve got.

Why does he do it? In the words of a friend, “He basically loves books, believes fervently in the importance of getting books in the hands of young children and other people who don’t have the budget to buy books.”

Glen has since quit his day job and dedicates his time to running the bookmobile.

Cool guy, right? And what does he do for a living? He gives away books. We all talk about getting people to read more, but this guy IS ACTUALLY DOING IT.

When I contacted him recently to donate some books, he said he’s in dire need of young adult books because he’s down to his last reserve on those. Unfortunately, my donation doesn’t include any young adult books.

That’s where you come in.

I’m putting a call out to anyone who reads this. I’m putting a call out to all my blogging friends, who I know oftentimes have books they want to give away but don’t know who to give them to.

Send me your books! While I would take any books (adult books are always needed), children’s books (includes middle grade) and young adult books are really needed right now.

If you have books you can donate, send them to me and I will make sure they reach the bookmobile. Here’s the books that are especially needed:

NEEDS: We are in greatest need of current titles for youth and young adults, including science, music, art, nature, and popular fiction. Please click here for a more detailed list of currently popular kids’ books (one-page Word doc). For adults, our highest priorities are:
Classics
Art & Music
Science & Nature
Building/Do It Yourself
Dictionaries/Reference
Foreign Language (especially Spanish)
Humor
History
Philosophy
WE DO NOT NEED: Our patrons appreciate a wide variety of gently used books. There are a few kinds, however, that don’t fit within our mission parameters. Thereby we don’t accept magazines, encyclopedias or other sets, condensed, abridged, or ‘digest’ versions, tear-offs (books without covers), books with illegible spines, torn, damaged, or marked-up books, school textbooks, or out-of-date books. Old books are often great – especially the classics! Out-of-date refers to old books without practical value, usually on topics of computers/software, electronics/technology, nutrition, finance markets, microwave cookery, etc. We don’t circulate other types of media (CDs, DVDs, audiotapes, software).

If you have a box of books you’re willing to send but don’t have the money for postage, I can PayPal the money over so you can send the books via media mail.

If you have some books you’re willing to donate, please email me at trish@heylady.net and I’ll send you my mailing address.

If you don’t currently have books to donate, you can collect books you find at garage sales and flea markets and send a bunch of them later. You could go to a bookstore and buy a bunch of books, knowing that your donation is akin to a secret santa.

Thank you for helping such a worthy cause!

—–

Bookmobile website

Newspaper article about the Bookmobile

Another local blog mentioned the Bookmobile recently

—–

Special thanks to Galleysmith and @book_chatter for their immediate support when I put an initial call out on Twitter.

Help Needed for the Sonoma County Free Bookmobile was originally published by Trish for Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin'? This post cannot be republished without express written permission.

My (not so) Storybook Life by Elizabeth Owen

trish — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 12:28:28 +0000

Title: My (not so) Storybook Life [buy the book]
Author: Elizabeth Owen [website]
Pages: 256
Genre: Memoir
Date published: October 18, 2011

Summary:

Fresh, funny, and poignant, My (not so) Storybook Life is old-fashioned humor mashed with literary spoofery. Elizabeth thinks of herself and her husband, Matt, as a modern day Lucy and Ricky Ricardo. Together they’ve endured paint-color mishaps, sewage disasters, pest infestations, and a schnauzer that poops at tornado sirens. It was hardly the domestic perfection a young Liz imagined while reading Anne of Green Gables and Pride and Prejudice. Could it be that these literary stalwarts had led her astray?

Liz tells the story of her own path to happiness, along the way seeking revenge on her literary heroes: Jo March has to cope with a soul-sucking job, Elizabeth Bennett shepherds a Duggar-size brood of kids, and Anne Shirley deals with a penny-pinching husband. But every comedy is balanced by tragedy. Angela was one of Liz’s closest friends, a kindred spirit who at age of 33 was diagnosed with cancer. Before Angela, Liz was discontent. But it was the journey she took with this friend that made her realize that her house and its decorations and plumbing and dirty-clothes-covered Man Cave were not burdens to be tweaked and perfected, but blessings to be thankful for.

Why I’m Featuring It

Liz from Mabel’s House is one of my favorite bloggers. When I had a blogroll, she was on it. She recently published a book and asked if I would feature it on my blog. I couldn’t tell her yes fast enough.

I haven’t had the chance to read it, but I wanted to make sure you all knew about it. I kind of owe it to her.

Liz turned me on to Homer Laughlin Orange Tree bowls. If turning me on to beautiful vintage pottery like that doesn’t indebt me to someone, then I don’t know what does.

I think it was her who made me appreciate the wonder of turquoise paint.

Liz announced her pregnancy a month or two before I announced mine. I’ve watched her deal with post partum depression and come out on the other side. If we lived closer we’d be friends. So I absolutely wanted to tell you all about her book. If you like memoirs, why not give this one a shot?

My (not so) Storybook Life by Elizabeth Owen was originally published by Trish for Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin'? This post cannot be republished without express written permission.

Hawaii

trish — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 04:27:48 +0000

*waves*

Oh, hello! Remember me? The one who posted here (fairly) regularly for the past four years? Seriously, I cannot believe I’ve been blogging for that long. I was just commenting on someone’s blog and telling them that one thing I’m thankful for is all my bloggy friends! Most of those friendships have lasted a few years (a few have bit the dust), and I consider myself extremely lucky to know you all!

Enough sentimentality. We’re like friends who can not see each other for a long time, then when we do see each other, it’s like no time has passed, right?

Soo…let’s see. Much to tell you!

Ethan: has two teef! He got them on the same night, with pretty minimal fussing. I’d say, What a trooper! except for the fact that he’s been extra fussy lately which I can only assume is more teething since we’ve been to the doctor and it’s not an ear infection. It’s hard (on the parents) to go from a super mellow baby to a (somewhat) fussy baby! The past few days have been pretty good, though, so I think we’re on the downward slope of that.

He sits up and can do this inchworm thing that can get him where he wants to go amazingly fast. Like, I would think with the way he’s moving his body, it would take him an hour to go from one end of the living room to the other. No, instead it takes 30 seconds and all the animals scatter when they see him coming.

HE SAID MAMA TODAY! I’m not positive he knows what he’s saying, but he said it more than once today. And no, he hasn’t said dada yet. I think he knows he owes me since he smiled at dad first.

Ethan was a skunk for Halloween!

I have pictures of him happy and not crying, but they’re not nearly as cute.

We went to Hawaii, and Ethan didn’t like the ocean the first day, but when we put his feet in the ocean again on the last day, he loved it. We were in Hawaii for my husband’s father’s 70th birthday (which was on 11/11/11 — thus the party in Hawaii), and some of his friends very thoughtfully bought him a cake. When they picked it up, they found out that 70th had somehow become 78th, so the cake showed he was 8 years older than he actually is:

All we need now for this to be a great Cake Wreck is for them to have misspelled his name. UnFortunately, it’s hard to misspell Tom.

The only things I can manage these days is to take care of Ethan and work on my business. Meals are sporadic, sleep is still not great because I have to work in the evenings and Ethan is waking up at night (after sleeping through the night for a few months), and reading is nowhere near where I want it to be (I can’t even read one book a month). But I love it. I’m loving life.

A few more pictures:

(This was the view standing in our living room in Hawaii.)

(Ethan on Thanksgiving.)

(After I attempted surfing. I got up on my knees, that was it.)

Hawaii was originally published by Trish for Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin'? This post cannot be republished without express written permission.