I'm so excited! Another of my favorite books is being made into a film!

One Day by David Nicholls

In a London suburb one day my brother, Duffy, and I 
were out shopping with my kids.


We stopped in at our local bookstore, something we 
frequently did when he visited.


We were both standing near a small display of books,
perusing the variety. We both reached for a copy of 
the same book.





We both quickly read the blurb:

'A totally brilliant book about the heartbreaking gap between the way we were and the way we are...the best weird love story since THE TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE. Every reader will fall in love with it. And every writer 
will wish they had written it.'

Tony Parsons

'best weird love story since The Time Traveler's Wife'...


Duffy and I looked at each other and both instantly knew we had to read the book. 
We quickly purchased two copies as he was due to travel back to the states sooner than either of us could manage to finish reading it.


click here for my original review of > One Day by David Nicholls

Did you know you can borrow ebooks from many libraries?

Welcome to the future of reading.


If you have not tried using something besides a traditional book for your pleasure reading maybe it is time.


These days books can be read using so many personal devices. Any device that can display text on a screen may be used as a reading device; this can include: phones with data plans, computers, ereaders, iTouch, tablets.


Did you know the switch is not as expensive as it sounds?


Just yesterday, beneath this post, I alerted my followers to two great deals on NOOK ereaders.


Did you know you can "TRY BEFORE YOU BUY"?
Our library, click here> Plainfield Library, lends two types of ereaders to its users: NOOK and Sony.


If you aren't sure whether an ereader might be a great investment, this is a great way to find out!
Try more than one; find the one that best suits you aesthetically and functionally.


Our library uses this site, click here> MyMediaMall, to allow users to borrow ebooks and audiobooks!
Many libraries offer a similar service. I really didn't expect to borrow books for my ereader. I have always liked to own the books that I read. Once I tried it though I realized it works for me; with the economy being in the state it's in it really makes sense to borrow a book. No muss, no fuss...and, better yet, no fees!


Our system allows users to choose the length of borrowing time; generally 7, 14, or 21 day periods.


Here's the greatest benefit: when your lending period expires the book magically evaporates from your device. If you want to renew the ebook it may be possible to do so, using the website of the lending service. (Some lenders may disallow renewals if there are many people waiting for a title.)


Most services will allow users to place a "hold" on titles that are not currently available due to popularity. Ours will contact the requester by email when the item is available and gives three days to respond to the request before passing it on to the next person on the hold list.




Benefits of ereaders over traditional books:


ability to carry all your ebook titles with you anywhere


convenience (everything is in one package)


adjustable font size and type


cost savings (most ebooks are cheaper than new releases in hardcover)


free books (many sites offer free books, even popular ones, as an incentive to customers, many allow lending of ebooks, and now libraries have joined the fun)

Have you been waiting to buy a basic ereader? Here's a great deal online...

Wow! If you can wait no longer to purchase an ereader that uses eink technology you should consider this deal:

NOOK original on sale
It is on sale for $79, normally priced at $149.

NOOK with 3G+wi-fi
It is on sale for $139, normally priced at $199.

My only caution is that prices will surely continue to drop on tablets. The NOOK COLOR is $249.

I did some digging around online yesterday and found that B&N had posted NOOK COLORs for $200 or $199 instead of $249, using ebay as the source of the sale. It was a short-lived opportunity though; one that I missed unfortunately. I am going to be checking as regularly as possible for similar deals.

The deals I linked are being sold by B&N via ebay.

NOTE: These are not new units; they have been refurbished by B&N or its partners.
"Manufacturer refurbished: An item that has been professionally restored to working order by a manufacturer or manufacturer-approved vendor. This means the product has been inspected, cleaned, and repaired to meet manufacturer specifications and is in excellent condition. This item may or may not be in the original packaging. See the seller’s listing for full details."  I would note that the site says the ereaders are in "excellent condition" and would expect to retrieve one in such condition.

(Thanks to reader, Jennifer G, who found the information about refurbishments for me!)

The Postmistress by Sarah Blake

The Postmistress is a wonder. 





It is a book about: war, women, reporters, volunteers, meaningful connections, 
accidents, fortune, misfortune, love, heartbreak...and so much more.


I made copious notes as I read this book; however, as I sat down to work with 
them my access to the book via the lending library that I use, expired and   




                                   *<poof>*   




my notes were gone.




I'll do my best though ~


I love the connections this book makes. First, I must say that this work is historic fiction. It is based on truth: WWII facts are present but do not bog down the story, women reporters were occasionally used in WWII on radio broadcasts, and at least one U-Boat surfaced off the coast of the United States (I can't recall if it was more than one, thanks to losing my notes and access to the book file), portable recording devices as used in the book were used sparingly toward the end of the war.


When something of critical importance is happening in the world and it also happens to be tragic what can be done about it? Anything? Something? Can one person do anything appreciable to affect the outcome of something as substantial as a WORLD WAR? 


As I understood the author, yes, we can affect change, but even so, some things are going to remain unpreventable.


In this book one of the characters, a doctor, volunteered and then traveled to England to serve. He helped one person at a time, for hours at a time. While in a very sad and unchangeable situation in the states he found that even though he was surrounded by horror in England, he also became a very happy and fulfilled person. That did not mean, however, that he did not desperately long for his newly-wedded wife...with so great a yearning that it affected his very being. He tells a fellow character that "it all adds up". 


A different character voluntarily watched the coast for the surfacing of U-Boats and predicted the Germans would arrive, sooner or later. He knew he would be right even though he did not want to be.


One character is harassed by the town's children for being a Kraut. In reality he is an Austrian Jew whose wife is in a French internment camp. He longs to be reconnected with her.


Another character travels to England to report on the war. Her intent was to tell the story of the Jews so that others could know the truth; more truth than was being allowed by the news services at the time. She didn't know how exactly she would accomplish the task but it just sort of came together, on its own, in a brilliant manner. She faces incomprehensible horror while accomplishing her task. She succeeds in finding a way to capture the stories of a finite group of people who are fleeing Germany with the hope of clinging to their lives and loved ones. At the same time she ends up being partially responsible for the death of a person and feels as though she lets down a small boy who was looking to her for support and guidance in place of his mother who was not allowed to accompany him. So, does it all add up?


From that point, though, what would happen? After each story was told what happened next? What was the rest of the story? Is telling part of the story enough? What happens if the hearers of the story do not DO anything about what they hear? Does everything still add up?


I mentioned connections; many are made. Some are satisfying, some are heartbreaking. What war story, I ask you, won't hold some sadness though? 
This story, amazingly, managed to hold many moments of: 
happiness, tenderness, love... 


Life holds all of that; the good and the bad. This story does too.


~ ~ ~


If you enjoyed the Book Thief by Marcus Zusak you will probably enjoy this book too. If you did not enjoy the Book Thief it is still likely that you will enjoy this selection as it is not told in the same manner that The Book Thief was told (with Death being the Narrator). The stories are similar though, in that they do not only focus on war even though it is a major theme in both books.

Popular books...are you affected by their popularity before you read them?

Brought to us by the folks at The Blue Bookcase and 

BookBelle (an online friend of mine).

Do you find yourself predisposed to like (or dislike) books that are generally accepted as great books and have been incorporated into the literary canon? Discuss the affect you believe a book’s “status” has on your opinion of it.

Are you affected by a book's popular success? Does that popularity matter to you?

My short answer is, "No. I am not predisposed to like (or dislike) books that are generally accepted as great books and have been incorporated into the literary canon."

I think that for a long time I was avoiding "books of the moment". I am not the type to read a book only because everyone else is reading it. A good case in point is the abundance of vampire novels that bookstores became flooded with in the past three or four years. Vampires just don't interest me and aren't likely to.

I am completely at ease with disliking a book that it seems everyone else loved. I am strong enough in my own character these days to be able to state, unwaveringly, how I feel. I also hope to convey reasons why I felt such a way. I have no problem believing that others likely feel differently than I do. Diversity is a thing that greatly interests me, especially among the taste of book lovers. I am intrigued about the likes and dislikes of readers. 

In fact, there is an author whose works I have recently come to the conclusion I strongly dislike and it seems that the world loves his work: Gregory Maguire. Now, before you think that perhaps I've simply dismissed him too easily let me list the books I have read:

Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West

Leaping Beauty

Mirror Mirror

In fact, I was able to find a common dissenter:

GreenManReviewOfMaguire

I agree with much that he says of Maguire's style. Maguire comes across to me as lofty and unapproachable. This is from one of my recent reviews 

"He writes in such a fashion that I feel he attempts a loftiness that isn't even legitimate. There are times when I reread a sentence that he has written and struggle with calling it a sentence..."

That said, I actually did give "Wicked" 4 out of 5 stars on my review of it. Still, I felt he left too many loose ends, even with the proposition of a sequel to follow. I felt there was no resolution for the main character. He also seemed to be making some broader statements of situations in our world but didn't do so to the point that I felt he achieved his point. I felt the story lacked a finish...it also left me feeling quite sad. I can handle feeling sad. That happened with David Nicholls brilliant book One Day. Nicholls' creativity at the end of the story allowed me to accept the sadness that culminated the story while rejoicing in the overall story. Brilliant, genius...I loved that.

My reading tastes are quite varied, I think. I read many genres. Due to that, I suppose I am not drawn only to what is currently popular. I am drawn to read books that I believe I will feel a connection with. For me, that connection may be to the characters, or to the setting, or even to the writing style. I have only read two Jane Austen titles so far. I think I am so drawn into them by the fact that we lived in England for two and a half years and I really do feel a connection to the people of Great Britain. I also find that I understand Miss Austen's humor with regard to class and social status without need of further explanation.

If a friend, or someone whose reviews I am familiar with, likes a book that is experiencing broad popularity, that will compel me to read it sooner than the fact that it is listed on a best-seller list. Thank you BookBelle and other online friends whose reviews I read monthly, mostly at Sonlight's forums.

I think my rating of a book reflects many things:

my enjoyment of it

my ability to feel a connection

a certain expression of humor or the understanding of humor even in serious matters

the ability to write in a particular style and stick with it

connection of all the little dots in the story line (don't leave me hanging, please)

the author's ability to convey information concisely and to back it up (non fiction)

cultural relevance, long-term (I think I am affected by this more for classics, books that will have lasting importance)

So, Do you find yourself predisposed to like (or dislike) books that are generally accepted as great books and have been incorporated into the literary canon?

Emma by Jane Austen

Emma Woodhouse is 21. She lives with her father and from the age of 12 was raised by him and a live-in governess, Miss Taylor who is now the newly married Mrs. Weston. Emma set things rolling for that romance to take hold; at least she believes she did.


Emma has a passion for arranging couples. The book follows her as she sets out to arrange a fitting match for Miss Harriet Smith. Readers either cringe or enjoy the ride as they watch Emma woefully mess up Miss Smith's life for a time.


Through all of this Emma avers that she has no intention of every marrying. Of course that stand is well challenged by the end of the book.


I very much enjoyed reading this Jane Austen novel. The only other book of hers that I have read is Pride and Prejudice which I loved.  P&P was a masterpiece. I feel that Emma was a good book but not as witty or as culturally astute as P&P. I eagerly look forward to reading more of Miss Austen's works.


Oh, and I can't step away without saying the Mr. Woodhouse, described at the beginning of the book as a "valetudinarian:
a person who is excessively concerned about his or her poor health or ailments" really got on my nerves!

Let's look back at our reading goals for this year...

http://boundtogetherforgood.blogspot.com/2011/03/are-you-meeting-your-reading-goals-for.html


I have finished reading 16 titles this year.


Three are certainly titles that could be titled classics:
Frankenstein
Emma
The count of Monte Cristo


I am sure that some would argue that PG Wodehouse should be classified as classic literature and some of his work is available in the public domain. 


So far, I still have not purchased any books this year. That is surely not going to continue much longer as two titles I have been waiting to be published have been: A Red Herring Without Mustard by Alan Bradley, and One of Our Thursdays is Missing by Jasper Fforde. Hmmm...now that I think about it, I am going to see if my ebook lending service has either of those titles 
available for borrowing!


  


So, how are you doing towards reaching your reading goals for 2011?

Material World: A Global Family Portrait by Peter Menzel

I came across this amazing book in 2005 and read it in April of that year. I borrowed it from the library but was so lucky to get my hands on my own copy through www.paperbackswap.com.


This book displays the possessions of typical households from thirty countries around the world. More amazing that that all of their possessions are removed from the homes and displayed outdoors so that one can really get a feel for how they compare! The book was created in honor of the United Nations-sponsored International Year of the Family in 1994. The photographs were taken by sixteen photographers. The photographers for each shoot spent a week living with each family to really learn about their life!  


If you've never seen this book, you must get it!  I actually read the whole thing through and found it fascinating I think many would just look at it as a "coffee table book" but I found it to be phenomenal. I only had one issue with the book and that was the feeling that the typical American household would seem to own more possessions than the one they included in the book. The book was published in 1995 so perhaps it was typical for figures from that year; I just feel that most of the people we know have even more possessions than the American family in the book.

You come away from the book really thinking about your possessions and why you own them. There are many families less privileged than the typical American family. I also found that there are actually many who are more privileged. Possessions or the lack of them are not nearly as important as the people who make up a family. A home is more than the sum of its parts. That is the real story behind all of the amazing photos and details in this gem of a book.

Time to check in, readers of Jane Austen

I really should post about this challenge regularly.
I think I will begin doing it at the end of each month from now on.

Has anyone completed any goals toward this reading challenge?

I did! I finished reading Emma in early March. It is the second Jane Austen title I have read. The other title I've read is Pride and Prejudice. I loved Pride and Prejudice and very much enjoyed reading Emma.
I wonder which title I will choose to read next...

Looking for Alaska by John Green

Miles Halter has chosen to go to boarding school to finish out the remainder of 
his high school education. He isn't leaving much behind except for his parents 
who love him. He is leaving so little behind that he describes his reason for 
leaving in this manner: "I go to seek a Great Perhaps" ~François Rabelais's 
last words. Last words...they happen to be something that Miles is drawn to 
and he has a propensity for memorizing them.

Miles makes some friendships pretty quickly upon arriving at his new boarding 
school. It seems as if there was a spot there awaiting his arrival. Chip is Miles' 
new roommate. Chip's friends, Alaska, Takumi and Lara, readily accept Miles' 
presence and the nickname Chip bestows upon him: "Pudge".


(There is a major plot element that I am going to attempt to avoid so that I do 
not give away the story line.)


Pudge and Chip, by the end of the book are looking for some answers that 
are hard to find. A teacher they have grown to really care for assigns them 
a final paper for his world religions class. The assignment is: 


    "How will you-you personally-ever get out of this labyrinth 
    of suffering? Now that you've  wrestled with three major religious    
    traditions, apply your newly enlightened mind to ******'s question.


    And so that is the question I leave you with in this final: 
    What is your cause for hope?"


The "labyrinth of suffering" are part of Gabriel Garcia Marquez's last words (according to the story line and according to some actual accounts): 


    "Damn it, how will I ever get out of the labyrinth!"


The final pages of the book close with Chip's final paper. It was a touching tribute to more than what was taught in his class. It was written having experienced a life-changing event and is, at least in part, his response to that as well as what he hands in to his professor. 


This is a part of that paper and my favorite part of the book:


    "...awful things are survivable, because we are as indestructible as we   
    believe ourselves to be. When adults say, "Teenagers think they are 
    invincible" with that sly, stupid smile on their faces, they don't know 
    how right they are. We need never be hopeless, because we can 
    never be irreparably broken. We think that we are invincible because 
    we are. ...that part of us greater than the sum of our parts cannon begin
    and cannot end, and so it cannot fail."


To tell the truth, this is another example of a book I would not have chosen to read if I'd known what it was going to be about. I bought the book simply because it was written by John Green and I enjoyed his book "An Abundance of Katherines". In the end, I am glad I read it; glad enough that I would like to assign it to our two teens as part of their summer reading if they aren't too busy with their summer school classes. "Looking for Alaska's" major plotlines are ones that I feel merit discussion by teens and parents. 


My favorite lines from the book are:

     "More than anything, I felt the unfairness of it, the inarguable injustice of loving   someone who might have loved you back but can't due to deadness, and then I leaned forward, my forehead against the back of Takumi's headerest, and I cried, whimpering, and I didn't even feel sadness so much as pain. It hurt, and that is not a euphemism. It hurt like a beating.

This book has strong, mature themes. I would not recommend it prior to high school.


A film adaption is due to be released in cinemas in 2013.