2009 Reading Challenges

I am standing at 77 books read this year, short of the 100+ Reading Challenge. I have another month to go, maybe I can squeeze in a few more.
http://j-kaye-book-blog.blogspot.com/2009/11/new-2010-reading-challenge-100-reading.html
I am standing at 17 books read from the Library Reading Challenge. My goal was to read 50 books. I have 3 library books in my stack to read, 1 of them I'm 1/2 the way finished.
http://j-kaye-book-blog.blogspot.com/2009/11/2010-support-your-local-library-reading.html
I am standing at 8 books read for the War Through The Generations Challenge WWII. I have 1 more book in this genre in my stack to read before the end of the year. I met my goal much earlier this year, my goal was 7 books.
http://warthroughthegenerations.wordpress.com/
I had also signed up for the Casual Classics Reading Challenge and the Victorian Challenge, and the Steinbeck Challenge, Elizabeth Gaskell, and I think the Women Writer's of 18-19TH Century.
Did not even read 1 book in any category!!!!!

So, what did I do!
I've  read 77 books as of November 22.
This year I started doing book reviews for 6 different publishers and groups. I have also been contacted a few times this year from authors independently to do reviews for them.
I read all of the New Testament, some of the books more than once. I have also read Esther, Micah, Psalms, and I'm currently reading Isaiah and Luke (again.)

I will post again at the end of 2009 or the first of the new year to let you know of any additional books I've completed. I also will post any new challenges I've signed up for in 2010.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Poems For October

"October gave a party;
The leaves by hundreds came-
The chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples
And leaves of every name.
The Sunshine spread a carpet,
And everything was grand,
Miss weather led the dancing,
Professor wind the band."
George Cooper

"From ghoulies and ghosties and long leggety beasties and things that go bump in the night. Good Lord, deliver us!"
Scottish Saying

"Every leaf speaks bliss to me,
Fluttering from the Autumn tree."
Emily Bronte


"Autumn is a second spring where every leaf is a flower."
Albert Camus

"October is a symphony of permanence and change."
Bonaro W. Overstreet

Review-"The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane"

Review-"The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane" written by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline
Candlewick Press, Published 2006, 211 pages of story, for ages 7 and up
The book has a scrumptious website www.edwardtulane.com

Edward Tulane is a china rabbit that thinks highly of himself. He lives in the company of a young girl named Abilene and her parents and grandmother. Edward is treated with the utmost respect and love. Then Edward is lost and his epic story begins.
I was only a page or two into this story and I fell head over heels in love! There isn't anything about the book that I dislike. It is a page turner, it has a teaching story, a building plot, interesting and believable characters--well most. It is an endearing book, a book that caresses your heart and does not let go.
I bought the book and read it all in one day, staying up until one in the morning in order to finish it; I had to know what was going to happen to Edward, the china rabbit. 
I am anxious to read my grandchildren this story, I will need to wait just a couple of more years---I know they will love it!

Blissful Reading!
Annette 

Video of Anne Frank

http://bit.ly/ubOYb

This is a wonderful YouTube video of Anne Frank. This is the only known video of her.

Annette

Review-"The Magician's Elephant"

"The Magician's Elephant" by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Yoko Tanaka
Candlewick Press 201 pages, Published 2009, reading level ages 8-13

Website of the book, www.themagicianselephant.com

Kate DiCamillo's previous book "The Tale of Despereaux" still sits on my book shelf waiting for me to read it.
On a recent visit to Walmart I saw "The Magician's Elephant", and was enticed by the title and striking book cover. It is a rarity for me to read a juvenile book, but I just could not help myself!

A young boy named Peter Augustus Duchene lives in the city of Baltese with an old soldier.
Peter has questions about his past, his family.
Weaved in to this story is a fortune teller, magician and a helpless elephant.
I felt this was a wonderfully written book about dreams, hopes, and a little bit of magic.
The characters come to life in their dramatic mannerisms, statements, taxing predicaments, and emotions.
The reader is kept in suspense as to what Peter will uncover, and what will happen to the elephant.
Peter is an endearing character in his bravery, innocence, and precociousness.
There is a moral teaching in this story, but I shall not give any delicacy of the story away.

Blissful Reading!
Annette 

Book Blogger Appreciation Week

Book Blogger Appreciation Week September 14-18, 2009

Over at my other blog A Well-Watered Garden I posted on what blogging means to me, the history of how I came to start blogging--another words my testimony on blogging!

This posting will be on those blogs that are my favorite and that have influenced me the most.

1. J Kaye's Book Blog I believe she and I started blogging about the same time, both of us knew a mutual friend from over at Shelfari.
Her blog is amazing, witty, resourceful, engaging, trendy, and of course with 621 followers---popular. I am proud of J Kaye she has worked with joie de vivre and spunk. J Kaye has spent much time with her blog and the is respected for this.

2. Vic author of Jane Austen's World and co author of Jane Austen Today. See her biography @
Biography2.blogspot.com
Laurel Ann of Austenprose is the other co-author of Jane Austen Today---I have not had the pleasure of knowing her as well as I do Vic.
Vic's blogs are the go to blogs for Jane Austen, and for historical life from the early 19TH Century time period in Great Britain.
Her blogs are a luscious garden of treasure on Jane Austen herself and her books.

3. Becky @ Becky's Book Reviews and also Operation Actually Read Bible.
I don't remember when I first met Becky, it seems I've always known her. Maybe when a kindred spirit is met you do feel as if you've always known them.
Becky you are a blessing and a joy! Even if we never meet this side of heaven you are a blessing on your blogs to me. You are faithful, honest, helpful, inspiring, and a friend who reads more books than I do!

4. Cathy @Word-Vessel
Cathy is also a faithful blogger of book reviews, tid-bits on writing and also her journey of writing, author reviews, and helpful advice.

I think highly of all of the blogs that I follow, do not ever feel that I ignored any of you because I did not mention you in the above! I visit your blogs often, not always having time to post a comment.
Every week I try and post the Roundabout on my blog @ A Well-Watered Garden, I visit all of the blogs I follow and then post the ones that I felt were noteworthy for the week. It is a way for me to give them all back a blessing!

I love reading and blogging, but those that know me well know that I care for my elderly dad, because of this I do not have the time to work on my blogs everyday, sometimes it maybe several days---thank you to all of my loyal followers!

Blissful Blogging!
Annette

New York Times Best-Sellers---"My Life in France"

"My Life in France" by Julia Child and Alex Prud'homme is number 1 under the Paperback Nonfiction List.

1. "My Life in France" by Julia Child with Alex Prud'homme
2. "Glenn Beck's Common Sense" by Glenn Beck
3. "Julie & Julia" by Julie Powell
4. "Three Cups of Tea" by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
5. "The Family" by Jeff Sharlet

http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller/