Saturday Snapshot
I was lucky enough to spend Mother’s Day week in Hilton Head with my mother and sister. We made day trips to Charleston and Savannah while we were there. We spied this frog at an art gallery in Charleston and couldn’t resist taking a few pictures.
Saturday Snapshot is hosted by Melinda of West Metro Mommy. It’s easy to participate – just post a picture that was taken by you, a friend, or a family member and add your link on Alyce’s site.
Kid Konnection: My Dad Thinks He’s Funny
My Dad Thinks He’s Funny by Katrina Germein is a delightful picture book that everyone will be able to relate to, no matter their age. The unnamed narrator shares all the things his dad does and says that elicit eye rolls.
My dad thinks he’s funny.
Whenever I go swimming, Dad says,“Try not to get wet!”
Whenever I go shopping, Dad says,“Buy me some money!”
And whenever I say I’m going to the bathroom, Dad says,
“Don’t get lost!”
This book shows youngsters that every family has sayings that make the kids groan but also bring them comfort with their familiarity. It also reminds parents that it’s okay to be silly sometimes, especially when it’s done with love. I bet a lot of kids will recognize at least one of the funny moments in the book from their own lives and are sure to giggle a time or two as they read this book. Tom Jellett‘s adorable illustrations enhance this great book and make it visually appealing as well. My Dad Thinks He’s Funny is a great book to share around Father’s Day!
For more children’s books reviews, go to Booking Mama’s feature, Kid Konnection. If you’d like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children’s books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, leave a comment as well as a link on her site.
Review copy provided by Candlewick Press. I am an Indiebound Affiliate.
Review: The Absent One
Carl Merck is a detective in Copenhagen’s cold case division who re-opens the investigation into twenty year old murder of a wealthy brother and sister. The case seems pretty cut and dried since there was a confession and conviction but Merck quickly realizes things aren’t as easy as that. As he investigates, he discovers a homeless woman who just might have the answers he’s looking for.
I’ve been anxious to read a Scandinavian crime thriller so was excited to start The Absent One by Jussi Adler-Olsen. I didn’t realize it’s the second book in the Department Q series until I finished it, but not reading the first didn’t present me with any problems – I had no problem catching up with Department Q or its characters.
The Absent One started out with a bang for me and drew me in right away. Partway through the book, though, I was somewhat lost and confused, and, at one point, contemplated setting it aside. I’m glad I stuck with it, though, because things came together in the end. I’m not sure if my confusion was from the book itself or from the narration. Steven Pacey does a pretty good job, but I found my mind wandering at times and would have to remind myself to pay attention. If I had to do it again, I think I would try this book in print even though it was nice to hear the Danish words pronounced correctly as I listened.
Overall, I’d say I liked The Absent One but didn’t love it. I liked it enough that I will try another book in the series, if that says anything. The audio version of this book is on 12 CDs and lasts approximately 14 hours.
Review copy provided by Penguin Books. I am an Indiebound Affiliate.
Review: The Storm King
Folk singer and national treasure Pete Seeger has collaborated with producer Jeff Haynes to create an audio book that is a must listen for anyone who loves folk music and/or storytelling. The Storm King is fantastic from beginning to end – I loved every minute of this wonderful audio and I smiled through most of it. It felt unrehearsed and unscripted – I felt as if Pete Seeger was sitting beside me, telling me stories from his life, career, and marriage.
I’m not sure this audiobook would appeal as much to those who aren’t familiar with Seeger’s work and don’t remember when he was blacklisted and called before Congress. For me, and those of my generation, this book brings back many memories of a man who lived by his convictions and spoke for a generation through his music.
This splendid audiobook contains stories, reminisces, poems, and songs and I enjoyed every single one of them. I recommend The Storm King to everyone who loves audiobooks.
Review copy provided by Hachette Books. I am an Indiebound Affiliate.
Wondrous Words Wednesday
Wondrous Words Wednesday is a weekly meme where you can share new words that you’ve encountered or spotlight words you love. Feel free to get creative! If you want to play along, grab the button, write a post and come back and add your link to Mr. Linky!
This week’s words came from a variety of places.
My first word came form Rhapsody in Books review of The Art of Power by Jon Meacham.
1. hagiography – ” In sum, one might call this a modified hagiography of Jefferson.”
I think I’ve looked this word up before but I wasn’t 100% sure what it meant. Hagiography is a noun that means literature dealing with venerated persons or writings. Hopefully, I’ll remember it next time!
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My second word came from The Girls of Atomic City by Denise Kiernan.
2. cemesto – “It developed, with the Celotex Corporation, a cheap, versatile material called cemesto board.”
This word is actually defined in the book a little later:
Cemesto. Cement and asbestos, a pairing that in many ways made the town of Oak Ridge possible, was a potent mix of prefabulousness.
It sounds similar to today’s Hardie board.
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My final word came from The Kings and Queens of Roam by Daniel Wallace.
3. revenant – “Apparently, this: revenants with no clear lines, gray, fading in and out of focus as you looked at them.”
Revenant is a noun that means one that returns after death or a long absence.
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What words do you want to celebrate today?
Author event and giveaway: Patti Callahan Henry
Patti Callahan Henry has visited the upstate a few times before, but somehow I was never able to attend, so I was really excited when her latest Book Your Lunch fit into my schedule. Patti grew up in Philadelphia until her minister father had a calling to start a church in Florida. Once in Florida, Patti went to 5 different schools in 4 years and really “fell into” stories as an escape. She never dreamed she could get paid for telling stories since she got in trouble for it as a child, so she became a nurse, only turning to writing after she had children.
As a young woman, Patti’s sister gave a baby girl up for adoption. As a teen-ager, that baby found their family through Patti’s Facebook page. Patti can tell you the exact date – April 20, 2010 – because it has had such a positive impact on her family. They’ve all met her sister’s biological child and her adoptive family and have become very close.
Patti’s parents, sister, newly found niece, and publishing house all urged her to write her family’s story. She originally wrote the true story but it didn’t turn out well, so she decided to write a novel and leave the true story for her sister to write. And Then I Found You is Patti’s 9th novel but it’s the first that was inspired by a true story. It’s also the first time she’s used real places for settings in a book. While the basic premise of the story is true, none of pivotal plot points are. It was obvious this story means a lot to Patti.
I got Patti to autograph a copy of And Then I Found You for one lucky reader. To enter to win an autographed copy of AND THEN I FOUND YOU, by Patti Callahan Henry, simply fill out the entry form. Contest is open worldwide – one entry per person, please. I will use random.org to determine the winner. Contest ends at midnight EDT Wednesday, June 5, 2013. Comments are welcome (and appreciated) but will not get you an entry in the contest.
Mailbox Monday
Welcome to Mailbox Monday, a meme started by Marcia and hosted by Abi of 4 the LOVE of BOOKS this month. I had a fabulous time last week with my mother and sister exploring the lowcountry and now I’m having to adjust to reality. Here are the books that showed up while I was gone:
- The Irresistible Blueberry Bakeshop & Café by Mary Simses came from Hachette
- Skinner by Charlie Huston came from Mulholland Books
- First Comes Love and Second Chance by Katie Kacvinsky were a win from The Reading Date
- FArTHER by Grahame Baker-Smith came from Candlewick Press
- My Dad Thinks He’s Funny by Katrina Germein came from Candlewick Press
- Sea Creatures by Susanna Daniel came from Harper Collins
- Lost Girls by Robert Kolker came from Harper Collins
- Marilyn’s Red Diary by E. Z. Friedel came from Meryl Moss Media Relations
Did you find any goodies in your mailbox last week?
