Review - Duke Elllington's Nutcracker Suite by Anna Celenza

Title: Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite
Series: N/A
Author: Anna Celenza
Genre: Children’s Book, Non- Fiction Picture Book
Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing
Received: From Publicist for Review
Release Date:  July 2011
Pages: 32
Rating:


What is it About?

Jazz extraordinaire Duke Ellington’s vision for a jazz version of the famous Nutcracker Suite. Included is a cd of the Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite.

My Thoughts:

The art has a very free flowing feeling like listening to Jazz.   The colors are bright, vivacious and fun to follow.

The story is not one with much action but imagination.  It is fun to read the words of how Duke Ellington and his jazz entourage might have been told to play the musical suite in jazz form.  Even while reading it without listening to the cd you can hear the music and feel it.  I think that is what Jazz is all about.



Website:

Anna Celenza Official Website
http://www.annacelenza.com/

Review - When You Wish Upon A Star by Judy Collins

Title: When You Wish Upon A Star

Series: N/A
Author: Judy Collins
Genre: Children’s Book, Picture Book
Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing
Received: From Publicist for Review
Release Date: October 2011
Pages: 28
Rating:



What is it About?
A song written by Judy Collins with pictures adding includes a cd of 3 songs sung by the author/singer.

My Thoughts:

I really enjoyed the cd attached to the book with the three songs sung and written by Judy Collins.  Her voice is beautiful.  I also love the words to song When You Wish Upon Star even if I hadn’t heard it through Disney for years.

I liked the style the art was done in but the images to me didn’t capture the song.  Listening to the song it sounds very different from the snippets we hear from the Disney commercials and I feel as if the images where really all over the place.  I did not get the feelings that these were dreams of children or adults.  I just did not understand some of the connection.


Website:

Judy Collins Official Website

http://www.judycollins.com/

Giveaway - Pirates Of The Caribbean : The Price Of Freedom by A.C. Crispin

Win A Signed Copy of Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Price Of Freedom by A.C. Crispin

COMMENT BELOW TO ENTER!

DO NOT FORGET EMAILS SO I MAY CONTACT YOU!! 

GIVEAWAY WILL END OCTOBER 3RD 2011

I WILL ANNOUNCE THE WINNERS ON THE 4TH ALONG WITH A NEW MYSTERY CONTEST!

Yes I am giving as internationally!


Winner Has Been Announced

Musing Monday - Just for Fun

Event Takes Place At Should Be Reading blog

How often do you read a book, just because you’re in the mood to read it? (not because you’re obligated to for a book club, or a challenge, or for review)

I try to make one of my many book I read a week one that isn't required reading.  Most of my books are Advanced Readers.  Sometimes I think I shouldn't even read that one book because I have so many Advanced Reader books that I really need a second reviewer here maybe even a third person.  But any ways I have to read at least one that is just for fun or this becomes not fun anymore. 

Get Your Blog Featured Links

After reading a guest post by Issy Eyre of Fennel & Fern on Problogger.net,  on Use Showcase Sites To Boost Your Blog’s Readership.  I became curious to know what sites out there might showcase book bloggers.   The article mentions a few sites on Gardening and Cooking but nothing on book blogging.

So here is what I came up with in my search. I am sure I am missing someone so if you feature book bloggers or bloggers of any type in a spotlight please let me know I will add you to the list.

Here is a site I was given to go to help promote my art work by children’s author Donna Perugini the site is called The SITSGirls.com.  True this cancels out the boys but I think the majority of us book bloggers are female.  Now I have not seen a book blogger featured on this site but I think it might be open.  They feature a blogger every week day and do have a book club.  You have to fill out a form and follow some steps.

You can also go to Parajunkee’s View who partners up with Alison Can Read to feature two book bloggers every Friday in there Follow Friday linkup.

This one I don’t know how you get featured but I know she does feature book bloggers.  The Parchment Girl features book bloggers on which doesn’t seem like a set day but she has a nice site and all of the blogs mentioned are well written.

Now I haven’t been featured yet at any of these sites but will appear at one soon.;-)

Review - Cirque Du Freak : The Manga #2 by Darren Shan

Title: Cirque du Freak : The Manga #2
Series: Cirque Du Freak
Author: Darren Shan
Genre: Manga, Fantasy
Publisher: Yen Press
Received: Borrowed from library
Release Date: August 2009
Pages: 192
Rating:


What is it About?
Young Darren Shan deals with being different then other teenagers, he is a vampire and lives with the people of Cirque Du Freak

My Thoughts:

I do not know if the original books have the campiness that the movie and the manga have. This makes it more enjoyable and the images fun. Characters are likable and relate-able. The fact that Darren Shan named the character that is a vampire after himself is just awesome. I knew what was going to happen as I saw the movie and I believe this second book end is where the movie does. Although some parts are left out of the movie. I love the friendship with the fellow Cirque Du Freak characters that Darren has immediately.

I do want to read the original books to see the difference from the mangas. I always got the feeling there was a different feel to them compared. The manga is fun, exciting, and creative.

Website:

Darren Shan Official Site
http://www.darrenshan.com/

Teaser Tuesday - The Birth Of Venus

I am not at this part in the book but this is what I turned to!

"I shall not bore you with descriptions of our second experience of intercourse.  My reticence is not meant to tease or intrigue.." The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant

"

Review - After The Rain : Virginia's Civil War Diary Book 2 by Mary Pope Osborne

Title: After the Rain : Virginia’s Civil War Diary Book 2
Series: My America
Author: Mary Pope Osborne
Genre: Juvenile Fiction, Historical Fiction
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Received: Purchased
Release Date: May 2002
Pages: 112
Rating:


What is it About?
A children historical fiction series this is part 2 in Virginia’s Civil War Diary. The family moves to Washington City near the end of the Civil War.

My Thoughts:

This second book was better then the first. It could be that there were more moments I could relate to like Virginia letting envy get into her heart because her family was poor and she worked for a rich family with children her age that got more than her. Yes I could relate to that.

While this book was pretty down for the most part it wasn’t down the whole time. It like life had it’s ups and downs where in the first book I didn’t see much ups at all.

Although this is a second book in Virginia’s books it can be read by it self. I can see
this one making a good book report for the kids.

Website:
N/A

Review - The Secret Soldier : The Story of Deborah Sampson by Ann McGovern

Title: The Secret Soldier: The Story of Deborah Sampson
Series: N/A
Author: Ann McGovern
Genre: Biography
Publisher: Scholastic Paperback
Received: purchased
Release Date: 1975
Pages: 64
Rating:


What is it About?

Children’s biography on Deborah Sampson, a woman who dressed as a man and fought in the American Revolution.

My Thoughts:

Written in short entertaining paragraphs which I can only assumed where formed from Deborah Sampson diary as the book states she kept one most of her life after she learned to read. Deborah was known to be a very smart child and as a adult even taught as a school teacher for a while until she became eager to travel the world. She saw her chance in joining the American Revolution dressed as a man. She even fooled her own mother dressed up.

The book is easy to read and entertaining with drawings of Deborah and her history. I think it is an excellent read for children to learn how far women have gotten to this day and in Deborah’s time period. I would be interested to see more books about her. I do not know if any books are out there in adult format but there should be if her diary is around.

Website:
N/A

Sunday Salon - Delving Into Fantasy Football

1. 

Since football will dominate my TV during it’s season.  I decided to join my husband fantasy football league.   My team name is the Buddhas, hence the image above.  I made it from some free clip art on the web.  So far I am beating my opponent this week and my team that I drafted is projected to get the most  points.   It has made the game more fun to watch.  

This week I am reading Pirates of the Caribbean: The Price of Freedom by AC Crispin,  The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant, The Literary Ladies Guide to Writing Life  by Nava Atlas and My America: After The Rain: Virginia’s Civil War Diary Book 2 by Mary Pope Osborne.  

I actually have over 20 books in my queue to review that I have finished I just have to write them up.  I decided to go back to my old schedule for the blog.  I needed a break from it before so I wasn’t writing or reading as much.  Sometimes it is just time to take a break.

Patriotic Day Book List

September 11th is Patriot Day in the U.S. 

I thought it would be a good time to make a list of patriotic books that I have read, liked and reviewed or soon will.   So in Completely random order here they are.

If You Lived At The Time Of The Civil War by Kay Moore

Okay so most of these books are children books, like this one.  I am a beginner at reading history the most I usually read about was history of the Romanovs...so not much U.S. history.  I enjoying learning things that I did not know about and kids books have way of making learning easier if you haven't read anything about the history before.  I am an trivia junkie so seeing the people made famous from this point in history at the end of the book was a bonus along with the most important parts of the the history. My Full Review

If You Lived At The Time Of The American RevolutionIf You Lived At The Time Of The American RevolutionIf You Lived At The Time Of The American RevolutionIf You Lived At The Time Of The American RevolutionIf You Lived At The Time Of The American Revolution by Kay Moore

This was another one from the If You Lived Series.  The series like the one above tend to tell you about both side of the people fighting the war or what is known.  They do talk about what children did 

 some of the time as it is geared to children.  My Full Review

My America: My Brother's Keeper: Virginia's Civil War Diary, Book One by Mary Pope Osborne

 This one was only okay and takes place during the civil war.  It is historical fiction of a little girl name Virginia's diary during a rough point.  It is only part one I have part two and plan on reading it hoping for a better story. My Full Review

Our Finest Hour: The Triumphant Spirit of America's World War II Generation  by Killian Jordan and Barbara Baker

I picked this up at a used book store not really sure what I was getting but I know I wanted a book on WWII and this was all they had. I enjoyed it.  It was simple pictures and quotes.  The were some paragraphs to read as well but it was very visual.  My Grandfathers fought in the WWII so it was interesting to have a look at that time.  My Full Review Coming Soon!

The Secret Soldier: The Story of Deborah Sampson (Scholastic Biography)by Ann McGovern

This is another children's book but this time a biography of Deborah Sampson.  A woman who dressed as a man and fought in the Revolutionary War.  I think this was good one for anyone to read and remember how woman use to be treated and how far they have come.  My Full Review Coming Soon!

Follow Friday #5 Villians

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Q. Have you ever wanted a villain to win at the end of a story? If so, which one??

I can't think of a book with a villian that I wanted to win but there have been definately flawed characters that I have wanted to have a happier ending.  For example I just finished The Great Gatsby and every character in it is flawed there is no real bad guy they are all kinda bad at some point.  You just kinda hope they gain some sense.

Review - The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Title: The Great Gatsby
Series: N/A
Author: F. Scott Fitzgerald
Genre: Classic, Fiction
Publisher: Scribner
Received: Purchased
Release Date: 1925
Pages: 180
Rating:



What is it About?

A Man named Gatsby, his friends and his interesting life.

My Thoughts:

This book has often been described as Fitzgerald’s most beautiful piece of work and frankly I do not see it. I first read this book as a teenager for fun and remember disliking it immensely but later not remembering why. Now that I ave reread it I realize what that is. The type of people described and the way they act irk me. They are well off family surrounded by people that do
things to each other with no feelings. They just keep hurting each other without caring about the consequences.

In the beginning of the book it is very boring and does not become interesting until Gatsby becomes involved in the story but the way people act towards one another.

I do not really see the beauty in this story but I do see commentary on society I just do not agree with it.

Website:
N/A

Review - Painted Bride Quarterly : Print Annual 1

Title: Painted Bride Quarterly : Print Annual 1
Series: Painted Bride Quarterly
Author: Various
Genre: Poetry
Publisher: Painted Bride Quarterly
Received: Free for Review
Release Date: February 2003
Pages: 313
Rating:



What is it About?

A book of various authors poetry, essays and interviews.

My Thoughts:

Most of the poetry in this edition I don’t feel I really grasped the sense of what the author was trying to bring across but the few gems I did really stood out. Poetry about the meaning of being in this world by Katrine Marie Gulager. The somewhat humorous poem “Male Gorillas” by Ruth Stone. Humor and poetry are something I am never sure about. I think the author means it to be funny and I like that because it seems different with poetry and there were a few poems like that. Including one made up interview with Popeye’s Olive Oil.

I give the rating to the poems I liked in this one which are only a handful and there are a lot in here. The ones I related to where just so good that I could not see giving it low stars because I did not understand the rest.

Website:

Painted Bride Quarterly Official Site
http://pbq.drexel.edu/pbq/