Walrus Report: Local Holiday Gift Guide

With only four weeks of shopping left until Christmas, many may still be looking for some special gifts for the readers in your life!  Over at Walrus Publishing today, I have shared a few of my local recommendations to check out.  There is truly something for everyone on your list!

Do you have any book recommendations from your local literary loves?

Sunday Synopsis: November 27, 2011

What a week!  Yummy food, good reads, long weekend, and exciting family news!!  With all that this last week has had to offer, I really don't want to go back to work tomorrow!  I guess I will just revel in the details here . . .

Thanksgiving was a small affair this year that only included my husband, children, and myself.  It made for a very quiet and relaxing day, though we missed having family with us this year.  The good news is that we do have company coming to visit after Christmas, so we do have that to look forward to!

For those who missed my earlier post, I decided at the last minute to participate in the Thankfully Reading Weekend hosted by Jenn's Bookshelves.  I have had a number of graphic novels checked out from the library that I have been wanting to get to before their due date, and this provided me with ample opportunity.  The books that I was able to finish included the following:

1. Persopolis by Marjane Satrapi
2. Persopolis 2 by Marjane Satrapi
3. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum and interpreted by Eric Shanower & Skottie Young
4. Anya's Ghost by Vera Brosgol

I will be writing reviews of all of these eventually in the weeks to come, but I will share that I think my personal favorite was The Wonderful Wizard of Oz!  I will be picking up another one tonight as I still have at least four more books to get through before next weekend, but have not yet decided which one.  

In addition to the above reading, I was also able to finally catch up on my Google Reader and blog commenting, wrote a couple of reviews, and worked on grading for my class that will come to an end tomorrow.  Overall, I would call this weekend quite a success!

And, of course, I cannot end my Sunday Synopsis without mentioning our family's most exciting news of the weekend that took place just hours ago ... my son lost his first tooth!!  It was only this morning that he discovered that it was loose and he could not take it any longer. He decided to just pull it out himself!  Crazy kid!  I can't wait to see what the tooth fairy brings him tonight!

That's it for my Thankfully Reading long weekend!  How was your's?  Did you get in a lot of reading?  What was your favorite of the weekend?  Did you have any other exciting events occur?

Thankfully Reading Weekend 2011

I know it is a bit last minute, but I have decided to participate in the Thankfully Reading Weekend hosted by Jenn's Bookshelf!  The event runs from today, November 25th thru Sunday, November 27th.  There are no specific rules associated with this little read-a-thon and you don't even have to have a blog to participate.  All you have to do is READ!!

Over the next few days, I intend to catch up on a stack of graphic novels that are due back to the library very soon!  I also have a few other things I would like to get to, such as catching up on my Google Reader and grading some papers (all involve reading)!  I have no specific goals.  I have no idea if I will participate in the mini challenges.  I just plan on enjoying some good reading time.  Though I must admit that I would also like to get some reviews written over the weekend as well!  Either way, I'm looking forward to a fabulous book-ish weekend!

Will you be joining in on the thankfully reading fun?  

Thank You Authors!

Happy Thanksgiving!

On this day in the States, we celebrate Thanksgiving.  In our home, we take note of everything that we are thankful for every night at dinner or before bedtime.  On Thanksgiving Day, we pull out everything we have written down and read them during dinner.  It is our way of remembering the good things we have in life and to show our appreciation for those things.  Though we do something similar all year round, this is the time of year that we purposefully put it in writing.  To stay with this tradition, I have decided to highlight a number of authors that I have been thankful for here, in no particular order.  Enjoy!

Thank you Laura Ingalls Wilder for opening my eyes to the love of reading and beginning my first of many nights of reading late into the night!  I loved reading about a character that was closer to my age, living in and off the wilderness and land.  I will forever be grateful!

Thank you to Gertrude Chandler Warner for writing my all-time favorite childhood story, The Boxcar Children.  My fondest memories are those of my friends and I mimicking those responsible and independent children.  They were great role models to look up to . . . kind, respectful, thoughtful, resourceful, and so much more!

Thank you to Gregory Maguire for reminding me about my love of fairy tales and expanding my worldview through the universal stories.  Even as an adult, nothing beats picking up a childhood favorite (though it has many more adult issues involved!).

Thank you to Sandra Boynton for bringing beautiful stories into my children's lives.  Your stories have saved me many times in traffic, doctor's offices, grocery stores, etc. thanks to a bit of memorization and the very catchy verses that will probably never leave my mind.

Thank you to Stephen King for bringing my nightmares to life on paper and on the big screen!  (I really have no way of wording this better and he always keeps me coming back for more!)

And, last but not least, thank you to J.K. Rowling for bringing the wizarding world to life and allowing me to realize that there was so many worlds out there to explore if I just opened my mind a bit more.  In the best and worst of times, nothing beats jumping into the mind of Harry Potter and instantly embracing the comfort of the words, the world, and the unforgettable characters.

I really could go on and on, but I will leave it at that for now.  Which authors would you thank and why?  Please share!

Walrus Report: Getting Wicked with Gregory Maguire

Last week, I had the pleasure of attending an event featuring one of my all-time favorite authors ... Gregory Maguire!  For those who do not know Maguire, he is the author of a number of books with many having a fairy tale spin, and his most well-known being his first adult novel, Wicked:  The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West.  I have attended an event with Maguire before, so I thought I knew what to expect.  Needless to say, he just kept on pleasantly surprising me with his talent and wit.  I don't want to give away too much information here, so I recommend that you click on over to the Walrus Publishing website for the full fangirl experience!

Are you a fan of Maguire?  If so, what is your favorite piece of his work?

Sunday Synopsis: November 20, 2011

Happy Sunday!  How can it not be happy when I know that I only have to work two days this week?!?  I guess you could say that I am super excited!!!  I get to spend some good time with my kids, have some yummy food in the days to come, and of course, have lots of reading time!  I just need to decide which books to read next!  I'm hoping to get caught up on some writing as well, since this last week I only posted one time and that was a review for The Night Circus.  I have a lot to catch up on!  I have been doing so well this year on staying pretty up-to-date on reviews, so I can't fall off the wagon now!

Since I have already jumped ahead, I need to take a moment to take a few steps back as well and examine this last week.  My ultimate highlight (of the month!) was attending the Gregory Maguire event!!  This man never ceases to amaze me with his talents and brilliance!  I will be gushing all about the event later this week via the Walrus Report, but let's just say that I cannot wait to dive back into his land of Oz in the weeks to come!

Last, but not least, I wanted to chat about my blogosphere love.  In the past, I used to include some of my favorite links of the week right here in my Sunday Synopsis.  As you can probably tell, I have stopped doing that over the last few months.  However, it has not gone away completely!  Instead, I have been posting my book-ish highlights via my social networking sites, Tif Talks Books on Facebook or @tiftalksbooks on Twitter!  Whenever I come across a recommended link, I post it via these routes.  What are your thoughts about this?  Would you prefer this method, or should I go back to sharing some links here in my weekly wrap-up post?


I will leave my thoughts at that for the week.  Tell me . . . what will you be reading over the holiday weekend?

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Erin Morgenstern is being talked about a lot these days thanks to her debut novel, The Night Circus.  Before the book was released to the general public, the book blogosphere and beyond was buzzing with excitement and praise.  After the hardcover hit bookstore shelves, the love has only continued to grow, frequently appearing on the top of many bestseller lists.  With all this chatter and the kindness of one of my bookish friends, I had to dive into Morgenstern's world!

What is it about this world that is so popular?  I could talk about the writing that you could so easily get lost in.  I could praise the characters, so complex and intriguing, you want to continue turning the pages to dive more into their worlds.  I could explore the world created by a team of imaginative individuals and only decked in black and white.  I could go on and on about many things, but I have no intention to.  I only plan to tell you about this story that is so intricately woven and mysterious that it initially leaves you confused, yet wanting more.  You do not know why you want more, but by the time the fog begins to clear, you have become so invested that your devotion takes you to the final pages until the story comes to its bitter sweet end.  You find yourself relating to the obsessed followers (known as reveurs), remembering your favorite scenes from this special circus . . . and maybe considering throwing in a bit of signature red to feel more at home.

In short, The Night Circus is an intriguing enigma, filled with characters and magic that bring out unknown desires in the reader.  Morgenstern is being talked about for good reason.  She has created a world you want to get lost in, even if you are not even sure what draws you into it.  She is not one to just watch; she is one that needs to be read . . . NOW!

For those who have experienced the magic of The Night Circus, what tent or exhibit would you visit first?

Sunday Synopsis: November 13, 2011

Another Sunday and another week closer to Thanksgiving!  I cannot tell you how excited I am for a very long weekend, to just hang out with my kids and my husband, reading as much as I can, and watching movies.  I have been so busy at work that I come home completely exhausted.  This last week was better, this week will be even better, and next week will be bliss!  I'm even tempted to have a Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings movie-thon!

Anyways, let's talk books!  I have been reading some books from my past these days, revisiting one of my favorite childhood authors, Christopher Pike.  It has been fun to re-read these little books!  I definitely do not enjoy them as much as I did back in the day, but they are quick, entertaining reads to say the least.  I'm hoping to finish up a couple more this week before moving on to something else.  I'm still deciding on the something else at this point!

I am super excited for Tuesday night this week!  I get to attend an author event for one of my all-time favorite authors ... Gregory Maguire!!!!  I have met the author before about ten years ago, but my excitement has not waned for him one bit!  I feel like such a groupie!  This is definitely going to help me get through this week!!

Other than that, I really don't have much else to write about tonight.  I've been working on catching up on things around the house, such as laundry, raking, etc. -- nothing exciting!  That will be changing very soon though!

What are you reading this week?  Do you have any exciting plans coming your way?

Meeting the Voice Behind Skippyjon Jones

Back in September, my family spontaneously ventured to the library to listen to and experience Judy Schachner, the author and illustrator behind the popular children's books featuring Skippyjon Jones.  Schachner was touring to promote her latest story, Skippyjon Jones:  Class Action.

When we arrived, the local library was already packed with fans of all ages.  We expected a partial reading with the usual talk and Q&A session.  What we got was so much more!  The author not only shared hilarious personal stories and her inspiration behind her work, but she also entertained the crowd with a reading of Class Action, completely in character!  The audience was frequently laughing; the children entranced.

After the presentation was complete, the lines began to form for the personalized signing.  Being at the end of the line, we had a LONG wait.  A librarian came to the rescue to entertain the children (and parents!).  Despite the wait, my children were excited and thrilled to meet Schachner.  And, they each left with a special treasure . . . . a personalized greeting and illustration from the author herself!  Just take a peek for yourself!  As you can see, the wait was completely worth it!

Have you had the pleasure of meeting Skippyjon Jones or his creator yet?

The Thankful Giveaway

Over the last couple of weeks, I have finally come to terms with the fact that it is time to start cleaning off the shelves, getting rid of some of my books.  My shelves have become so overwhelmed and there is simply no shelf space left to pile the books on.  It has been so very difficult, but I have finally shed some and now it is time to pass them on to you as a way of saying THANK YOU for commenting, sharing in my bookish chatter, and even lurking.  Simply fill out the form below with your name, email address, and books that you would like to win.  I will randomly choose 5 winners at the end of the month to pass the books onto.

Deadline for Submissions:  Wednesday, November 30th
Winners Announced:  No later than Monday, December 5th
Please Note:  One entry per person and US residents ONLY.  

Walrus Report: Hit List by Laurell K. Hamilton

Today, I have a book review of Hit List by Laurell K. Hamilton on the Walrus Publishing website!  If you are into paranormal, vampires, werewolves, and/or tough kick-ass women, then you will definitely want to check this one out.  Don't forget to click on over for my full review and recommendation for both Hamilton die-hards and newbies!

Are you a fan of Hamilton?  What books would you recommend?

Walrus Report: NaNoWriMo, Spooky Reads, & Bookstore Cruise

I mentioned yesterday in my weekly wrap-up that I did not have time for writing, but that may not have been the whole truth.  I did have a few articles post over the last couple of weeks on the Walrus Publishing website where I do a bit of freelance writing.  Now that I have more time on my hands, I am able to share the details with you here!  Let's go with the most recent first . . .

As many of you already know, it is National Novel Writing Month or NaNoWriMo for short.  As I have mentioned in previous posts, I have actually considered participating this year for the first time.  Over on the Walrus site, I shared a few of the details of the month, including some published authors that wrote their books during this event.  As for me, I have signed up on the site, but have not begun my novel yet; therefore, I am considering myself an unofficial participant.  My goal is to start writing, but I do not have the intention of completing 50,000 words by the end of the month at this time.

In the spirit of Halloween, I shared an eclectic list of books that leave you haunting for more.  Whether you prefer fiction, classics, non-fiction, or children's, you will want to click on over to find out what books I would recommend to meet your desires.  Don't forget to add any spooky reads that you would recommend, so that I may add them to my list for next year!

Last, but definitely not least, I shared my latest adventures on the 2nd Independent Bookstore Cruise sponsored by the St. Louis Independent Bookstore Alliance (SLIBA).  I had another great day, filled with prizes and many more books added to my shelves.  You can click on over for the wrap-up of the day, but I have also included a little slideshow below of pictures as well that I was unable to include in the original feature.

As you can see, I did not go completely writing-free!  And, I've got one more Walrus Report article coming in the near future, featuring a book review!

Sunday Synopsis: November 6, 2011

I'm baaaaack!!!!  The last couple of weeks have been crazy and due to a bit of traveling, I simply have not had the chance to be online or writing here on the site.  I am now back, however, and feeling more energized than ever to focus on my writing, both here and in general!

The biggest reason I have been absent is because I took a weekend trip to Orlando this last weekend.  I was there for a volunteer position that I have held the last couple of years, and I was handing over my reigns to someone new.  My time in this position has been amazing and so inspiring, but it has also come time for me to step down and focus my attention on things closer to home.  While I was there, I really did not get a chance to explore due to a packed schedule, but I was okay with that.  I have always imagined my time in Orlando being with my family, and they were not able to come with me this time.

I have also had a chance to get in a little bit of reading in my preparation for the trip, on the flight, and very, very little since I arrived home on Halloween.  I finished Hit List by Laurell K. Hamilton and have really been re-visiting some favorites during my teen years by Christopher Pike.

I really could go on and on about the last couple of weeks, but I would rather not bore you!  Let's just get to the usual monthly check-in on my challenges.  I will start first with the wrap-up of my first year doing the RIP VI Challenge and then move into the rest in list format.

The RIP VI Challenge was so much fun this year and I really have been inspired to keep on reading the books that I had originally pictured.  I was able to complete the challenge by reading four books.  My personal favorite of the list was Deadline by Mira Grant.  Reviews of all of these books will be coming in the near future.

The rest of my challenges are listed below.  It looks like I have completed or am close to completing a number of the challenges, though there are a couple that I really don't think I will be able to complete.  Oh well!  I still have almost two whole months left before I can really make an official determination on any of them!

• The Stephen King/Richard Bachman Challenge (Perpetual)
• 2011 Graphic Novels Challenge (8 of 3-10 Books)
• Off The Shelf Challenge (7 of 30 Books) 
• Young Readers Challenge (10 of 12 Books)
• Take A Chance Challenge 3 (1 of 3 Books)
• 2011 Young Adult Reading Challenge (12 of 50 Books)
• The Dewey Decimal Challenge (3 of 4 Books)
• 100+ Reading Challenge of 2011 (37 of 100 Books)
• Fairy Tale Challenge  (2 of 12 Books/Movies)

I will leave my chatter at that, but now it's your turn!  What did I miss these past couple of weeks?  What are you reading?  What was your favorite RIP read?