What Are You Reading Monday? #22

Books I completed in the last week are:
*Reading a lot of children’s book – I’m going to make a challenge of the titles found in 1001 Children’s Books to Read before I Grow Up (just need help with a button)
The Quick and The Thread by Amanda Lee (Loan – SIL)


Bookmarks are still living in the middle of:
*Reading a lot of children’s book – I’m going to make a challenge of the titles found in 1001 Children’s Books to Read before I Grow Up (just need help with a button)

Megasaurus by Thomas and Peter Weck (for review)
Trail of Thread by Linda Hubalek (for review)
Wrecked by Carol Higgins Clark (audio) (Library)

Up Next:
Return to Sender by Fern Michaels (audio) (Library)
Untied: a Memoir of Family, Fame, and Floundering by Meredith Baxter (audio) (Library)
The Summer We Came to Live by Deborah Cloyed (for review)
The Wedding Girl by Madeleine Wickham
The Diva Paints the Town by Krista Davis
The Shadow of Your Smile by Mary Higgins Clark
The Postmistress by Sarah Blake
Steamed by Jessica Conant-Park & Susan Conant


Reviews posted this week:
I am still way behind in posting my reviews am trying to get them up asap.
Making Toast: A Family Story by Roger Rosenblatt (Library – Audio)


Author Guest Posts/Interviews:

June is Author Month – Interview A Day/Guest Blog
Author Interview – The Path of Synchronicity by Dr. Allan Hunter (June 1)
Author Interview/Review/Giveaway - Trail of Thread by Linda Hubalek (WOW) (June 2)
Author Interview/Blog Tour – Train to Nowhere: Inside an Immigrant Death Investigations by Colleen Krantz (June 3)
Author Interview - Healing Into Consciousness by Eliza Mada Dalian (June 4)
Author Interview/Giveaway - The Forgotten Locket by Lisa Mangnum (Shadow Mountain Publishing) (June 5)
Guest Interview/Giveaways - True Storoes: Portraits From My PastBy Felice Picano (Chelsea Station Editions) (June 6)
Author Interview - Cruelty to Innocents by CK Webb and DJ Weaver (June 9)
Author Interview/Giveaway - The Gifted Ones by Lisa Vaughn (June 10)
Guest Interview/Giveaway - Sarah, Son of God by Justine Saracen (Bold Strokes Books) (June 11)
Guest Interview/Giveaway- Freya and Kord by Donald Semora (2 Moon Press) (June 12)
Guest Interview - The Affair of the Porcelain Dog by Jessica Faraday (Bold Strokes Books) (June 13)
Guest Interview/Giveaway - Baby Barbells: The Dad's Guide to Fitness and Fathering by Joshua Levitt (June 19)
Guest Interview/Giveaway - Hans Beckers Family by Ralph Souders (2 Moon Press) (June 20)
Guest Interview/Giveaway - The Miracle of Freedom: 7 Tipping Points that Save the World by Chris Stewart (Shadow Mountain Publishing) (June 22)
Guest Interview/Blog - Piasa by Mike Kott (2 Moon Press) (June 28)
Guest Interview/Giveaway - Firestorm by Radclyffe (Bold Strokes Books) (June 30)
Author Interview - Little Hawk's Way of Storytelling (Findhorn Press) (TBD)

September is Author Month – Interview A Day/Guest Blog

Author Interview - Dr. Elana Ashley (Dream Image Press, LLC) (September 6)
Author Interview - One Wish for Winifred Witch by Cheri Hallwood (TBD)
Guest Interview/Giveaway - Abyss of Chaos by David Beem (TBD)
Guest Interview/Giveaway - The Wedding Letters by Jason F Wright (Shadow Mountain Publishing) (TBD)

December is Author Month – Interview/Guest Blog A Day
Guest Interview/Giveaway - Shadow On The Wall by Pavarti Devi (December 3)
Guest Interview/Giveaway - Jacob T Marley by R. William Bennet (Shadow Mountain Publishing) (TBD)

Special Blog Hop Giveaways
Splash Into Summer Blog Hop (May 26 – 31)
Mid Summer's Eve (June 21 – 22)
Blog Bash 2011 (Jun3 22-26)
Celebrating Freedom Hop (July 1 – 7)
Summer Hop (August 5 -7)
Back to School Hop (September 1 – 5)
Banned Book Week Hop (September 24 – October 1)
Spooktacular Hop (October 24 – 31)
Gratitude Giveaways (November 17 – 27)
Midwinters Eve (December 21 – 22)

Books still needing to have reviews written (as opposed to the ones that are simply awaiting posting):
The Matisse Stories by A. J. Byatt (Library – Audio)
I’ll Be Home For Christmas by Fern Michaels (Library book)
Is the Moon Made of Cheese? by Emma Parker (ebook)
Civil War on Sunday by Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House #21)
This Time Together by Carol Burnett (audio)
Abraham Lincoln by David and Patricia Armentrout
Frog Knows Best by Kelli C Foster
Valentine Mice by Bethany Roberts
Honor Thyself by Danielle Steel (Audio)
Earthquake In The Early Morning by Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House #24)
Twister on Tuesday by Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House #23)
Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks (Audio)
Happily Ever After by Nora Roberts (Quartet Brides #4)
Revolutionary War On Wednesday by Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House #22)
Yertle the Turtle by Dr. Seuss (Audio – John Lithgow)
Gertrude McFuzz by Dr. Seuss (Audio – John Lithgow)
The Big Brag by Dr. Seuss (Audio – John Lithgow)
Thidwick, the Big-Hearted Moose by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Mercedes McCambridge)
Horton Hatches the Egg by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Billy Crystal)
The Cat in the Hat Comes Back by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Kelsey Grammer)
The Cat In The Hat by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Kelsey Grammer)
Horton Hears a Who by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Dustin Hoffman)
The Grinch That Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Walter Matheau)
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Ted Danson)
Daisy, Maisey and Lazy by Emma Parker (ebook)
The Not So Scarey Scarecrow by Emma Parker (ebook)
The River Between Us by Richard Peck (Audio)
The Moovers and the Milkshakers by Emma Parker (ebook)
The Butterfly Race by Emma Parker (ebook)
Teddy Is Real I Think by Emma Parker (ebook)


Giveaways on the blog this week and in coming weeks:
Special Agent Nanny by Linda O Johnston (ends 5/27) Winner -
Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger (ends 6/10)
Someone to Protect to by Patricia Rosemoor (Ends 6/17)
Father's Day by Debbie Macomber (ends 6/26) in honor of Father’s Day
Married by Accident by Christine Rimmer (ends 6/24)
Ultra Deep by Willam H. Lovejoy (7/1)
Into the Badlands by Caron Todd (ends 7/8)
Against the Odds by Kathryn Shay (ends 7/15)
Wyoming by Fuller Giveaway (ends 7/17) in honor of Wyoming Statehood
A Mind to Murder by P. D. James (ends 7/22)
Q is for Quarry by Sue Grafton (ends 7/29)
Life's Not Fair, But God is Good by Robert H. Schuller (ends 8/5)
My Fair Temptress by Christina Dodd (ends 8/12)

Splash Into Summer Blog Hop (5/25 - 31)

I love these blog hops. It's a great way to spread the word about a blog. I usually try to have a book for each day of the event. This time I have managed to almost have enough.

I tried to pick books that are beached themed or have Summmer in the title. I also picked a Military one in honor of Memorial Day. All these books are gently used bought at my local second hand book store run by the "friends" of the local library.

It's appreciated that you be follower to win one of the books.

All review verbage was taken from GoodReads.

Skinny Dip by Carl Hiaasen
Philandering doesn't pay, but in Carl Hiaasen's Skinny Dip, it does provide a hilarious homicidal romp. In Hiassen's Florida wilderness realm, no bad deed is left uncompounded: After wayward husband Chaz Perrone attempts to exterminate his attractive heiress wife, Joey, he becomes a hit target himself. Fast-paced and funny.

The Summer of the Swans by Betsey Byars (Newberry Award)
Sararsquo's life has always flowed smoothly, like the gliding swans on the lake, until her little brother Charlie disappears. Then Sara is forced to see her life in a whole new way.

California Girl by T. Jefferson Parker
The Orange County, California, that the Becker brothers knew as boys is no more -- unrecognizably altered since the afternoon in 1954 when Nick, Clay, David, and Andy rumbled with the lowlife Vonns, while five-year-old Janelle Vonn watched from the sidelines. The new decade has brought about the end of the orange groves and the birth of suburban sprawl. It is the era of Johnson, hippies, John Birchers, and LSD. Clay becomes a casualty of a far-off jungle war. Nick becomes a cop, Andy a reporter, David a minister. And the decapitated corpse of teenage beauty queen Janelle Vonn is discovered in an abandoned warehouse.

A hideous crime has touched the Beckers in ways that none of them could have anticipated, setting three brothers on a dangerous collision course that will change their family -- and their world -- forever.

And no one will emerge from the wreckage unscathed.

The Summer of Riley by Eve Bunning
"Maybe that's one of the reasons people get dogs, to kind of close up the empty places inside them."

Eleven-year-old William never needed a friend more than now. After his parents' separation, his father's new engagement, and his grandfather's dying without any warning — adopting big, beautiful Riley is
the first thing in a long time that has made him feel better. That is, until Riley innocently chases a horse.

Local law states that any animal that chases livestock must be put to sleep. Suddenly William stands to lose another thing close to him. Together with his "totally unsurpassed" friend Grace, William begins a campaign to reverse the county commissioners' decision. But with a community divided on the issue, and the bully Ellis Porter trying to stop them at every turn, will they be able to save Riley's life?

The Corps - Book 1 Semper Fi by W.E.B. Griffin
First in the author's five-volume series The Corps, SEMPER FI sets the stage for WW II. It is the '30s, and we meet the old corps, as it existed between WW I and WW II -- on station in Shanghai, at Quantico, in Washington, all nicely contrasted with civilian life stateside.
But the calendar is moving relentlessly toward a fatal day in 1941. When it comes, we understand why nothing could ever be the same again -- and what it's going to take to win the awful conflict into which we have been bloodily and unpreparedly thrust.

Beach Girls by Luanne Rice
Beach Girls explores the complex and contradictory territories of love, family and friendship. Luanne Rice's sensuous prose and unforgettably rich and textured characters guide us toward a truth that lies within and sometimes beyond our dreams—an enduring strength that we all must embrace to find our way home and into the hearts of those we cherish most. Beach Girls is an enthralling novel of haunting beauty that will resonate long after the final page is turned.

Library Loot #9

I went to the library today to return and then pick up some books.

I picked up the following audio books:

Guest Post - Bryan Cohen Blog Tour and Giveaway

Fun and Fulfillment

By Bryan Cohen



We live in a world of immediate gratification. There is an app foralmost anything you can think of. With the power of Netflix and other instantstreaming programs, we can watch TV or movies on practically every device weown. In fact, with a steady income, an average person could probably make itfrom womb to grave almost completely entertained. But is it enough?



I used to be the King of Wasting Time. I used instant messaging softwarelike it was going out of style; I played time-intensive video games; and I mademy breaks much, much longer than my time spent working. The time that I wastedthough was always a ton of fun. I was able to enjoy my time alone and my timein a group. I was content to waste this time because I figured if I was goingto do anything it might as well be something I enjoyed as much as possible.



When I started my writing website in an effort to make some money onthe side, I had trouble working on it unless I was stuck somewhere like a tempjob or the DMV. During my actual “free time” I only wanted to do things thatwere quick, easy, and fun. This started to change for me when I began to getkind and grateful responses from readers. Don’t get me wrong, this wasn’t likea thousand people, it was more like five. The messages told me how much my sitehad helped them to write or improve their lives. These responses made me happyin a way that random enjoyment couldn’t. I felt warm inside and proud ofmyself. This wasn’t fun; it had moved beyond that and info fulfillment.



I feel like we’re all given a choice on this planet of how we want tospend our time. You may not always believe that you have a choice but let’sface it, you do. You can choose to spend your free time in the pursuit of pureenjoyment. You can also choose to balance this time by leaving room for fun andfulfillment.



Don’t block out four hours straight of television. Leave two forwriting your dream book and two for your regularly scheduled programming. Don’tsneak a double feature at your local cinema. Instead, see one movie and thencall your little sister for some family time or volunteer for a local charityorganization. Try this balance on for size and a funny thing will happen. Youwill actually start to enjoy both fun and fulfillment more than you usually do.Your enjoyment will be deeper and it will reach a high point you never evendreamed of.


In conclusion, put away your app, turn off the phone, and unplug yourTV; at least for a little while. Find something that fulfills you and start toadd it into your life. Even a little bit of deeper meaning per day can make youfeel like you’re leading a richer existence.

---



Bryan Cohen is givingaway 100 personalized writing prompts to one giveaway entrant chosen at randomduring the blog tour. Personalized prompts are story starters that caterspecifically to a writer’s subject matter, strengths/weaknesses, etc. Cohen willcreate the prompts to cater exclusively to the winner. He is giving away freedigital copies of his book The Writing Sampler to everybodywho enters, which includes excerpts from each of his four books on writing. Thebook contains essays, writing prompts and tips and tricks to enhance yourwriting skills. In addition, for each of Cohen’s books that reach the Top 500on Amazon during his blog tour, he will add a $50 Amazon gift card to thedrawing (up to six $50 cards in total)!



To enter, simply posta comment to this blog post with your e-mail address. Entries will be countedthrough June 2nd, 2011.





Bryan Cohen is awriter, actor and comedian from Dresher, Pennsylvania. Since graduating fromthe University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill he has written four books(1,000Creative Writing Prompts: Ideas for Blogs, Scripts, Stories andMore, 500 Writing Prompts forKids: First Grade through Fifth Grade, Sharpening the Pencil:Essays on Writing, Motivation, and Enjoying your Life, andWriteron the Side: How to Write Your Book Around Your 9 to 5Job), several plays (Something fromNothing and ChekhovKegstand: A Dorm Room Dramedy in Two Acts) and he was the head writerfor an un-produced Web series (CovenantCoffee). His writing and motivation website Build CreativeWriting Ideas has had over 100,000 visitors since it was founded inDecember 2008. He lives in Chicago, Illinois.

Follow Bryan onTwitter @buildcwideas.

What Are You Reading Monday? #21

Books I completed in the last week are:
*Reading a lot of children’s book – I’m going to make a challenge of the titles found in 1001 Children’s Books to Read before I Grow Up (just need help with a button)
Making Toast: A Family Story by Roger Rosenblatt (Library – Audio)
The Quick and The Thread by Amanda Lee (Loan – SIL)


Bookmarks are still living in the middle of:
*Reading a lot of children’s book – I’m going to make a challenge of the titles found in 1001 Children’s Books to Read before I Grow Up (just need help with a button)

Megasaurus by Thomas and Peter Weck (for review)
Trail of Thread by Linda Hubalek (for review)



Up Next:
The Wedding Girl by Madeleine Wickham
The Diva Paints the Town by Krista Davis
The Shadow of Your Smile by Mary Higgins Clark
The Postmistress by Sarah Blake
Steamed by Jessica Conant-Park & Susan Conant


Reviews posted this week:
I am still way behind in posting my reviews am trying to get them up asap.
Making Toast: A Family Story by Roger Rosenblatt (Library – Audio)


Author Guest Posts/Interviews:
Guest Post - 1,000 Creative Writing Prompts: Ideas for Blogs, Scripts, Stories and More by Bryan Cohen (May 25)

June is Author Month – Interview A Day/Guest Blog
Author Interview – The Path of Synchronicity by Dr. Allan Hunter (June 1)
Author Interview/Review/Giveaway - Trail of Thread by Linda Hubalek (WOW) (June 2)
Guest Post – Train to Nowhere: Inside an Immigrant Death Investigations by Colleen Krantz (June 3)
Guest Interview - Healing Into Consciousness by Eliza Mada Dalian (June 4)
Author Interview/Giveaway - The Forgotten Locket by Lisa Mangnum (Shadow Mountain Publishing) (June 5)
Author Interview - Cruelty to Innocents by CK Webb and DJ Weaver (June 9)
Author Interview/Giveaway - The Gifted Ones by Lisa Vaughn (June 10)
Guest Interview/Giveaway - Sarah, Son of God by Justine Saracen (Bold Strokes Books) (June 11)
Guest Interview/Giveaway- Freya and Kord by Donald Semora (2 Moon Press) (June 12)
Guest Interview - The Affair of the Porcelain Dog by Jessica Faraday (Bold Strokes Books) (June 13)
Guest Interview/Giveaway - Baby Barbells: The Dad's Guide to Fitness and Fathering by Joshua Levitt (June 19)
Guest Interview/Giveaway - Hans Beckers Family by Ralph Souders (2 Moon Press) (June 20)
Guest Interview/Giveaway - The Miracle of Freedom: 7 Tipping Points that Save the World by Chris Stewart (Shadow Mountain Publishing) (June 22)
Guest Interview/Blog - Piasa by Mike Kott (2 Moon Press) (June 28)
Guest Interview/Giveaway - Firestorm by Radclyffe (Bold Strokes Books) (June 30)
Author Interview - Little Hawk's Way of Storytelling (Findhorn Press) (TBD)

September is Author Month – Interview A Day/Guest Blog

Author Interview - Dr. Elana Ashley (Dream Image Press, LLC) (September 6)
Author Interview - One Wish for Winifred Witch by Cheri Hallwood (TBD)
Guest Interview/Giveaway - Abyss of Chaos by David Beem (TBD)
Guest Interview/Giveaway - The Wedding Letters by Jason F Wright (Shadow Mountain Publishing) (TBD)

December is Author Month – Interview/Guest Blog A Day
Guest Interview/Giveaway - Shadow On The Wall by Pavarti Devi (December 3)
Guest Interview/Giveaway - Jacob T Marley by R. William Bennet (Shadow Mountain Publishing) (TBD)

Special Blog Hop Giveaways
Splash Into Summer Blog Hop (May 26 – 31)
Mid Summer's Eve (June 21 – 22)
Blog Bash 2011 (Jun3 22-26)
Celebrating Freedom Hop (July 1 – 7)
Summer Hop (August 5 -7)
Back to School Hop (September 1 – 5)
Banned Book Week Hop (September 24 – October 1)
Spooktacular Hop (October 24 – 31)
Gratitude Giveaways (November 17 – 27)
Midwinters Eve (December 21 – 22)

Books still needing to have reviews written (as opposed to the ones that are simply awaiting posting):
The Matisse Stories by A. J. Byatt (Library – Audio)
I’ll Be Home For Christmas by Fern Michaels (Library book)
Is the Moon Made of Cheese? by Emma Parker (ebook)
Civil War on Sunday by Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House #21)
This Time Together by Carol Burnett (audio)
Abraham Lincoln by David and Patricia Armentrout
Frog Knows Best by Kelli C Foster
Valentine Mice by Bethany Roberts
Honor Thyself by Danielle Steel (Audio)
Earthquake In The Early Morning by Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House #24)
Twister on Tuesday by Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House #23)
Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks (Audio)
Happily Ever After by Nora Roberts (Quartet Brides #4)
Revolutionary War On Wednesday by Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House #22)
Yertle the Turtle by Dr. Seuss (Audio – John Lithgow)
Gertrude McFuzz by Dr. Seuss (Audio – John Lithgow)
The Big Brag by Dr. Seuss (Audio – John Lithgow)
Thidwick, the Big-Hearted Moose by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Mercedes McCambridge)
Horton Hatches the Egg by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Billy Crystal)
The Cat in the Hat Comes Back by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Kelsey Grammer)
The Cat In The Hat by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Kelsey Grammer)
Horton Hears a Who by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Dustin Hoffman)
The Grinch That Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Walter Matheau)
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Ted Danson)
Daisy, Maisey and Lazy by Emma Parker (ebook)
The Not So Scarey Scarecrow by Emma Parker (ebook)
The River Between Us by Richard Peck (Audio)
The Moovers and the Milkshakers by Emma Parker (ebook)
The Butterfly Race by Emma Parker (ebook)
Teddy Is Real I Think by Emma Parker (ebook)


Giveaways on the blog this week and in coming weeks:
Family Practice by Bobby Hutchinson (ends 5/20) Winner -
Special Agent Nanny by Linda O Johnston (ends 5/27)
Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger (ends 6/10)
Someone to Protect to by Patricia Rosemoor (Ends 6/17)
Father's Day by Debbie Macomber (ends 6/26) in honor of Father’s Day
Married by Accident by Christine Rimmer (ends 6/24)
Ultra Deep by Willam H. Lovejoy (7/1)
Into the Badlands by Caron Todd (ends 7/8)
Against the Odds by Kathryn Shay (ends 7/15)
Wyoming by Fuller Giveaway (ends 7/17) in honor of Wyoming Statehood
A Mind to Murder by P. D. James (ends 7/22)
Q is for Quarry by Sue Grafton (ends 7/29)
Life's Not Fair, But God is Good by Robert H. Schuller (ends 8/5)
My Fair Temptress by Christina Dodd (ends 8/12)

Freebie Friday - Special Agent Nanny by Linda O Johnston (ends 5/27)

BY DAY THESE AGENTS RIDE THE RANGE; BY NIGHT THEY ARE SPECIALIZED GOVERNMENT OPERATIVES. BOUND BY LOVE, LOYALTY AND THE LAW --- THEY'VE VOWED TO KEEP THEIR MISSIONS AND IDENTITIES CONFIDENTIAL ...

MISSION PROFILE:

THE AGENT: Shawn Jameson
HIS MOTTO: "Where there's smoke, there's fire."
VITAL STATS: 5'11''; cool blue eyes; white-hot smile
THE ASSIGNMENT: Undercover nanny
THE COMPLICATION: Dr. Kelley Stanton

Tough-guy agent Shawn Jameson work in a hospital day care? If it would help him to catch an arsonist, he'd give it a shot. Rumors hinted that Dr. Kelley Stanton had torched hospital records to cover up a mistake. But the beautiful doc didn't fit the profile --- and Shawn's protective instincts went on red alert.

With her reputation in shreds and her daughter in danger, Kelley couldn't afford to notice the handsome day-care worker. Trusting the sexy stranger could be her downfall --- but with their first explosive kiss, Kelley knew it would be worth going down in flames ...

Book Review - Making Toast by Roger Rosenblatt

Title: Making Toast
Author: Roger Rosenblatt
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc
ISBN:1441721363
Release Date: 2010
Pages: Audio (176)
Genre: Biography & Memoir
Format: Audio read by Roger Rosenblatt
Source: Library

Back Cover:
When his daughter, Amy – a gifted doctor, mother, and wife – collapsed and died form an asymptomatic heart condition, Roger Rosenblatt and his wife, Ginny, left their home on the South Shore of Long Island to move in with their son-in-law, Harris, ahd their three young grandchildren. With the wit, heart, precsion, and depth of understanding that has characterized his work, Roger Rosenblatt peels back the layers on this most personal of losses to create both a tribute to his late daughter and testament to familial love. “The day Amy died, Harris told Ginny and Roger, “It’s impossible.” Rosenblatt’s story tells how a family make the possible out of the impossible.

Mine:
I’m so glad I didn’t read this story any sooner (since my dad died in Feb 2010) I’m not sure that I could have taken it. It’s amazing what can happen when a parent dies for the kids or a child dies before their parents. This is a story about both. Amazingly Roger and Ginny Rosenblatt live close enough to help their son-in-law Harris and their 3 grandchildren after the sudden death of their daughter, wife, mother.

It’s amazing what love can do to help you overcome anything. Grandparents become surrogate parents, aunts and uncles become new friends to help the children adapt. The most lucky thing is the children are young so that it might be easier to adjust.

Family seems to be the story of the day as they all deal with Amy’s death differently. Mom Ginny tries to help out and take her place whenever possible. Dad Roger struggles to find his place in the process. Husband Harris struggles in his own way. In the end they all do come through, but with many trials and tribulations along the way.

Guest Blog/Giveaway - Peace of Mind and Body: 27 Days of Journaling by Mari McCarthy

A May Basket of Journaling Prompts

While your journaling probably enjoys a life of its own, the sentences flowing like a rushing river from your thoughts to the page. But now and then, you might feel an ambivalence, an indecision. Your pen might hesitate, poised to write but uncommitted.

In those cases, a journaling prompt will melt the paralysis. I have several collections of prompts of various kinds: on Facebook, my website, and in my ebooks – especially this one.

You can freely access any of those lists, but for now, here's a special sequence built just for Sue and readers here at Books Books …

1. Pick a song. Use some of its lyrics to start a new journal entry.

2. Make someone happy. Pick a person (it could even be yourself!) and write him/her a letter extolling their virtues and expressing your gratitude for what they bring to your world.

3. Look over the titles of your computer files – especially the word documents. When something catches your eye, use it to jumpstart your journal today.

4. Take a look at yourself in the mirror. What interests you? Take that curiosity to the page and write about those luscious lips, that special smile, those Bette Davis eyes.

5. Thank your Mother for her wit, wisdom, and whatevers.

6. He said, "I would do anything for love but I won't do that." What would (or wouldn't) you do for love? Write away!

7. Take a page from the news. Use an intriguing headline as the opening sentence in your Journal.

8. Get a picture of the scariest monster you can find. Let it inspire a story to tell to your Journal.

9. What's your favorite toy? Visit a toy department and see which item chooses you. Bring it home with you and introduce it to your journal.

Hope this little basket of posies entices you. Do you have a favorite prompt or two? Please share in the comments!

#





Author Bio:By Mari L. McCarthy - The Journaling Therapy Specialist, founder of Journaling for the Health of It™. Please visit Mari's blog. In 27 Days of Journaling to Health and Happiness, Mari walks you through an easy process for accessing your natural inner strengths. Mari's latest publication is titled, Who Are You? How to Use Journaling Therapy to Know and Grow Your Life. See for details.

What Are You Reading Monday? #20

Books I completed in the last week are:
*Reading a lot of children’s book – I’m going to make a challenge of the titles found in 1001 Children’s Books to Read before I Grow Up (just need help with a button)
Making Toast: A Family Story by Roger Rosenblatt (Library – Audio)


Bookmarks are still living in the middle of:
*Reading a lot of children’s book – I’m going to make a challenge of the titles found in 1001 Children’s Books to Read before I Grow Up (just need help with a button)

The Quick and The Thread by Amanda Lee (Loan – SIL)
Peace of Mind and Body: 27 days of Journaling by Mari McCarthy (for review)


Up Next:
The Wedding Girl by Madeleine Wickham
The Diva Paints the Town by Krista Davis
The Shadow of Your Smile by Mary Higgins Clark
The Postmistress by Sarah Blake
Megasaurus by Thomas and Peter Weck (for review)
Steamed by Jessica Conant-Park & Susan Conant
Trail of Thread by Linda Hubalek (for review)


Reviews posted this week:
I am still way behind in posting my reviews am trying to get them up asap.

Author Guest Posts/Interviews:
Guest Post/Review/Giveaway - Peace of Mind and Body: 27 Days of Journaling by Mari McCarthy (WOW) (May 18)
Guest Post - 1,000 Creative Writing Prompts: Ideas for Blogs, Scripts, Stories and More by Bryan Cohen (May 25)

June is Author Month – Interview A Day
Author Interview – The Path of Synchronicity by Dr. Allan Hunter (June 1)
Author Interview/Review/Giveaway - Trail of Thread by Linda Hubalek (WOW) (June 2)
Guest Post – Train to Nowhere: Inside an Immigrant Death Investigations by Colleen Krantz (June 3)
Author Interview - Cruelty to Innocents by CK Webb and DJ Weaver (June 9)
Guest Interview/Giveaway- Freya and Kord by Donald Semora (2 Moon Press) (June 12)
Guest Interview/Giveaway - Hans Beckers Family by Ralph Souders (2 Moon Press) (June 20)
Guest Interview/Blog - Piasa by Mike Kott (2 Moon Press) (June 28)
Author Interview - Little Hawk's Way of Storytelling (Findhorn Press) (TBD)

September is Author Month – Interview A Day

Author Interview - Dr. Elana Ashley (Dream Image Press, LLC) (September 6)
Author Interview - One Wish for Winifred Witch by Cheri Hallwood (TBD)
Guest Interview/Giveaway - Abyss of Chaos by David Beem (TBD)

Special Blog Hop Giveaways
Splash Into Summer Blog Hop (May 26 – 31)
Mid Summer's Eve (June 21 – 22)
Blog Bash 2011 (Jun3 22-26)
Celebrating Freedom Hop (July 1 – 4)
Summer Hop (August 5 -7)
Back to School Hop (September 1 – 5)
Banned Book Week Hop (September 24 – October 1)
Spooktacular Hop (October 24 – 31)
Gratitude Giveaways (November 17 – 27)
Midwinters Eve (December 21 – 22)

Books still needing to have reviews written (as opposed to the ones that are simply awaiting posting):
I’ll Be Home For Christmas by Fern Michaels (Library book)
Is the Moon Made of Cheese? by Emma Parker (ebook)
Civil War on Sunday by Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House #21)
This Time Together by Carol Burnett (audio)
Abraham Lincoln by David and Patricia Armentrout
Frog Knows Best by Kelli C Foster
Valentine Mice by Bethany Roberts
Honor Thyself by Danielle Steel (Audio)
Earthquake In The Early Morning by Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House #24)
Twister on Tuesday by Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House #23)
Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks (Audio)
Happily Ever After by Nora Roberts (Quartet Brides #4)
Revolutionary War On Wednesday by Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House #22)
Yertle the Turtle by Dr. Seuss (Audio – John Lithgow)
Gertrude McFuzz by Dr. Seuss (Audio – John Lithgow)
The Big Brag by Dr. Seuss (Audio – John Lithgow)
Thidwick, the Big-Hearted Moose by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Mercedes McCambridge)
Horton Hatches the Egg by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Billy Crystal)
The Cat in the Hat Comes Back by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Kelsey Grammer)
The Cat In The Hat by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Kelsey Grammer)
Horton Hears a Who by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Dustin Hoffman)
The Grinch That Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Walter Matheau)
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Ted Danson)
Daisy, Maisey and Lazy by Emma Parker (ebook)
The Not So Scarey Scarecrow by Emma Parker (ebook)
The River Between Us by Richard Peck (Audio)
The Moovers and the Milkshakers by Emma Parker (ebook)
The Butterfly Race by Emma Parker (ebook)
Teddy Is Real I Think by Emma Parker (ebook)


Giveaways on the blog this week and in coming weeks:
Family Practice by Bobby Hutchinson (ends 5/20)
Special Agent Nanny by Linda O Johnston (ends 5/27)
Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger (ends 6/10)
Someone to Protect to by Patricia Rosemoor (Ends 6/17)
Father's Day by Debbie Macomber (ends 6/26) in honor of Father’s Day
Married by Accident by Christine Rimmer (ends 6/24)
Ultra Deep by Willam H. Lovejoy (7/1)
Into the Badlands by Caron Todd (ends 7/8)
Against the Odds by Kathryn Shay (ends 7/15)
Wyoming by Fuller Giveaway (ends 7/17) in honor of Wyoming Statehood
A Mind to Murder by P. D. James (ends 7/22)
Q is for Quarry by Sue Grafton (ends 7/29)
Life's Not Fair, But God is Good by Robert H. Schuller (ends 8/5)
My Fair Temptress by Christina Dodd (ends 8/12)

Freebie Friday - Family Practice by Bobby Hutchinson (Ends 5/20)

Back Cover:

Every marriage has its vital signs.....

Dr. Michael Forsythe and hs wife, Polly, are coping badly after a devastating loss. He works all the time; she sleeps late and shops. Their marriage is flagingand they don't know how to revive it.

Until a four-year-old patient of Michael's come to live with them.

This child forces them to make some tough choices - but her presence breathes new life into their dying marriage. Because of her, Michael and Polly rediscover the deep and abiding love they still share.....

What Are You Reading Monday? #19

Books I completed in the last week are:
*Reading a lot of children’s book – I’m going to make a challenge of the titles found in 1001 Children’s Books to Read before I Grow Up (just need help with a button)
The Matisse Stories by

Bookmarks are still living in the middle of:
*Reading a lot of children’s book – I’m going to make a challenge of the titles found in 1001 Children’s Books to Read before I Grow Up (just need help with a button)

The Quick and The Thread by Amanda Lee (Loan – SIL)
Peace of Mind and Body: 27 days of Journaling by Mari McCarthy (for review)
Making Toast: A Family Story by Roger Rosenblatt

Up Next:
The Wedding Girl by Madeleine Wickham
The Diva Paints the Town by Krista Davis
The Shadow of Your Smile by Mary Higgins Clark
The Postmistress by Sarah Blake
Megasaurus by Thomas and Peter Weck (for review)
Steamed by Jessica Conant-Park & Susan Conant
Trail of Thread by Linda Hubalek (for review)


Reviews posted this week:
I am still way behind in posting my reviews am trying to get them up asap.

Author Guest Posts/Interviews:
Guest Post/Review/Giveaway - Peace of Mind and Body: 27 Days of Journaling by Mari McCarthy (WOW) (May 18)
Guest Post - 1,000 Creative Writing Prompts: Ideas for Blogs, Scripts, Stories and More by Bryan Cohen (May 25)

June is Author Month – Interview A Day
Author Interview – The Path of Synchronicity by Dr. Allan Hunter (June 1)
Author Interview/Review/Giveaway - Trail of Thread by Linda Hubalek (WOW) (June 2)
Guest Post – Train to Nowhere: Inside an Immigrant Death Investigations by Colleen Krantz (June 3)
Author Interview - Cruelty to Innocents by CK Webb and DJ Weaver (June 9)
Author Interview - Little Hawk's Way of Storytelling (Findhorn Press) (TBD)

September is Author Month – Interview A Day

Author Interview - Dr. Elana Ashley (Dream Image Press, LLC) (September 6)
Author Interview - One Wish for Winifred Witch by Cheri Hallwood (TBD)

Special Blog Hop Giveaways
Splash Into Summer Blog Hop (May 26 – 31)
Mid Summer's Eve (June 21 – 22)
Blog Bash 2011 (Jun3 22-26)
Celebrating Freedom Hop (July 1 – 4)
Summer Hop (August 5 -7)
Back to School Hop (September 1 – 5)
Banned Book Week Hop (September 24 – October 1)
Spooktacular Hop (October 24 – 31)
Gratitude Giveaways (November 17 – 27)
Midwinters Eve (December 21 – 22)

Books still needing to have reviews written (as opposed to the ones that are simply awaiting posting):
I’ll Be Home For Christmas by Fern Michaels (Library book)
Is the Moon Made of Cheese? by Emma Parker (ebook)
Civil War on Sunday by Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House #21)
This Time Together by Carol Burnett (audio)
Abraham Lincoln by David and Patricia Armentrout
Frog Knows Best by Kelli C Foster
Valentine Mice by Bethany Roberts
Honor Thyself by Danielle Steel (Audio)
Earthquake In The Early Morning by Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House #24)
Twister on Tuesday by Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House #23)
Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks (Audio)
Happily Ever After by Nora Roberts (Quartet Brides #4)
Revolutionary War On Wednesday by Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House #22)
Yertle the Turtle by Dr. Seuss (Audio – John Lithgow)
Gertrude McFuzz by Dr. Seuss (Audio – John Lithgow)
The Big Brag by Dr. Seuss (Audio – John Lithgow)
Thidwick, the Big-Hearted Moose by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Mercedes McCambridge)
Horton Hatches the Egg by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Billy Crystal)
The Cat in the Hat Comes Back by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Kelsey Grammer)
The Cat In The Hat by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Kelsey Grammer)
Horton Hears a Who by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Dustin Hoffman)
The Grinch That Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Walter Matheau)
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Ted Danson)
Daisy, Maisey and Lazy by Emma Parker (ebook)
The Not So Scarey Scarecrow by Emma Parker (ebook)
The River Between Us by Richard Peck (Audio)
The Moovers and the Milkshakers by Emma Parker (ebook)
The Butterfly Race by Emma Parker (ebook)
Teddy Is Real I Think by Emma Parker (ebook)


Giveaways on the blog this week and in coming weeks:
The Skies of Pern by Anne McCaffery (ends 5/13)
Family Practice by Bobby Hutchinson (ends 5/20)
Special Agent Nanny by Linda O Johnston (ends 5/27)
Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger (ends 6/10)
Someone to Protect to by Patricia Rosemoor (Ends 6/17)
Father's Day by Debbie Macomber (ends 6/26) in honor of Father’s Day
Married by Accident by Christine Rimmer (ends 6/24)
Ultra Deep by Willam H. Lovejoy (7/1)
Into the Badlands by Caron Todd (ends 7/8)
Against the Odds by Kathryn Shay (ends 7/15)
Wyoming by Fuller Giveaway (ends 7/17) in honor of Wyoming Statehood
A Mind to Murder by P. D. James (ends 7/22)
Q is for Quarry by Sue Grafton (ends 7/29)
Life's Not Fair, But God is Good by Robert H. Schuller (ends 8/5)
My Fair Temptress by Christina Dodd (ends 8/12)

What Are You Reading Monday? #18

Books I completed in the last week are:
*Reading a lot of children’s book – I’m going to make a challenge of the titles found in 1001 Children’s Books to Read before I Grow Up (just need help with a button)
Is the Moon Made of Cheese? by Emma Parker (ebook)
I’ll Be Home For Christmas by Fern Michaels (Library book)


Bookmarks are still living in the middle of:
*Reading a lot of children’s book – I’m going to make a challenge of the titles found in 1001 Children’s Books to Read before I Grow Up (just need help with a button)

Steamed by Jessica Conant-Park & Susan Conant
The Quick and The Thread by Amanda Lee (Loan – SIL)

Up Next:
The Wedding Girl by Madeleine Wickham
The Diva Paints the Town by Krista Davis
The Shadow of Your Smile by Mary Higgins Clark
The Postmistress by Sarah Blake
Megasaurus by Thomas and Peter Weck (for review)
Peace of Mind and Body: 27 days of Journaling by Mari McCarthy (for review)
Trail of Thread by Linda Hubalek (for review)


Reviews posted this week:
I am still way behind in posting my reviews due to computer problems. Am trying to get them up asap.

Author Guest Posts/Interviews:
Guest Post/Review/Giveaway - Peace of Mind and Body: 27 Days of Journaling by Mari McCarthy (WOW) (May 13)
Guest Post - 1,000 Creative Writing Prompts: Ideas for Blogs, Scripts, Stories and More by Bryan Cohen (May 25)

June is Author Month – Interview A Day
Author Interview – The Path of Synchronicity by Dr. Allan Hunter (June 1)
Author Interview/Review/Giveaway - Trail of Thread by Linda Hubalek (WOW) (June 2)
Guest Post – Train to Nowhere: Inside an Immigrant Death Investigations by Colleen Krantz (June 3)
Author Interview - Cruelty to Innocents by CK Webb and DJ Weaver (June 9)
Author Interview - Little Hawk's Way of Storytelling (Findhorn Press) (TBD)

September is Author Month – Interview A Day

Author Interview - Dr. Elana Ashley (Dream Image Press, LLC) (September 6)
Author Interview - One Wish for Winifred Witch by Cheri Hallwood (TBD)

Special Blog Hop Giveaways
1st Annual Children's Book Week Spotlight (May 2-8)
Splash Into Summer Blog Hop (May 26 – 31)
Mid Summer's Eve (June 21 – 22)
Blog Bash 2011 (Jun3 22-26)
Celebrating Freedom Hop (July 1 – 4)
Summer Hop (August 5 -7)
Back to School Hop (September 1 – 5)
Banned Book Week Hop (September 24 – October 1)
Spooktacular Hop (October 24 – 31)
Gratitude Giveaways (November 17 – 27)
Midwinters Eve (December 21 – 22)

Books still needing to have reviews written (as opposed to the ones that are simply awaiting posting):
I’ll Be Home For Christmas by Fern Michaels (Library book)
Is the Moon Made of Cheese? by Emma Parker (ebook)
Civil War on Sunday by Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House #21)
This Time Together by Carol Burnett (audio)
Abraham Lincoln by David and Patricia Armentrout
Frog Knows Best by Kelli C Foster
Valentine Mice by Bethany Roberts
Honor Thyself by Danielle Steel (Audio)
Earthquake In The Early Morning by Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House #24)
Twister on Tuesday by Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House #23)
Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks (Audio)
Happily Ever After by Nora Roberts (Quartet Brides #4)
Revolutionary War On Wednesday by Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House #22)
Yertle the Turtle by Dr. Seuss (Audio – John Lithgow)
Gertrude McFuzz by Dr. Seuss (Audio – John Lithgow)
The Big Brag by Dr. Seuss (Audio – John Lithgow)
Thidwick, the Big-Hearted Moose by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Mercedes McCambridge)
Horton Hatches the Egg by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Billy Crystal)
The Cat in the Hat Comes Back by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Kelsey Grammer)
The Cat In The Hat by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Kelsey Grammer)
Horton Hears a Who by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Dustin Hoffman)
The Grinch That Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Walter Matheau)
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss (Audio – Ted Danson)
Daisy, Maisey and Lazy by Emma Parker (ebook)
The Not So Scarey Scarecrow by Emma Parker (ebook)
The River Between Us by Richard Peck (Audio)
The Moovers and the Milkshakers by Emma Parker (ebook)
The Butterfly Race by Emma Parker (ebook)
Teddy Is Real I Think by Emma Parker (ebook)


Giveaways on the blog this week and in coming weeks:
The Skies of Pern by Anne McCaffery (ends 5/13)
Family Practice by Bobby Hutchinson (ends 5/20)
Special Agent Nanny by Linda O Johnston (ends 5/27)
Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger (ends 6/10)
Someone to Protect to by Patricia Rosemoor (Ends 6/17)
Father's Day by Debbie Macomber (ends 6/26) in honor of Father’s Day
Married by Accident by Christine Rimmer (ends 6/24)
Ultra Deep by Willam H. Lovejoy (7/1)
Into the Badlands by Caron Todd (ends 7/8)
Against the Odds by Kathryn Shay (ends 7/15)
Wyoming by Fuller Giveaway (ends 7/17) in honor of Wyoming Statehood
A Mind to Murder by P. D. James (ends 7/22)
Q is for Quarry by Sue Grafton (ends 7/29)
Life's Not Fair, But God is Good by Robert H. Schuller (ends 8/5)
My Fair Temptress by Christina Dodd (ends 8/12)

1st Annual Children's Book Week Spotlight (May 2- 8)

1st Annual Children's Book Week Spotlight
Hosted by Mymcbooks & Co-host Family Literacy and You


Children’s Book Week – 2-8 May 2011


Each participating blog will host their giveaway. There is no requirement on the minimum or maximum value of your giveaway. It's up to you to decide. You can give away books or Amazon gift cards, or anything else you can think of that has to do with books. Your giveaway can be as simple or as elaborate as you want.

All participating blogs will be linked up through a Giveaway linky.
Please keep the process to enter your giveaway as simple as possible.
Please no long lists of dozens of different things followers can do to gain extra entries.