The Printed Page

Archive for October, 2008

The leaves have turned and so do the pages. Another typical month with nothing outstanding. Once again I read 11 books for 3,870 pages, only 6 pages short of September.

My Favorites
Divine Justice by David Baldacci/Hachette
Bedlam South: A Novel by Mark Grisham and David Donaldson/Author Marketing Experts
The Brass Verdict by Michael Connelly/Hachette
Shades of Gray by Jessica James/author sent

Book clubs/groups
Comeback by Claire and Mia Fontaine/f2f bc

ARCs/Publisher Provided
Buffalo Gal by Laura Pedersen/Authors on the Web
Divine Justice by David Baldacci/Hachette
Bedlam South: A Novel by Mark Grisham and David Donaldson/Author Marketing Experts
A Civil General by David Stinebeck & Scannell Gill/author provided
Everyone is Beautiful by Katherine Center/Random House
Oblivious by Cyndia Depre/Pump Up Your Book tours
Deconstructing Sammy by Matt Birkbeck/Harper Collins
The Brass Verdict by Michael Connelly/Hachette
Life After Genuis by M. Ann Jacoby/Hachette
Wife In The North by Judith O’Reilly/FSB Associates

To Be Continued… (series reading)
The Queen’s Cure by Karen Harper (Elizabeth I mysteries, book 4)
The Brass Verdict by Michael Connelly/Hachette (Harry Bosch)

New to me authors
Laura Pedersen
Mark Grisham and David Donaldson
David Stinebeck & Scannell Gill
Katherine Center
Cyndia Depre
Jessica James
Matt Birkbeck

Did Not Finish
Life After Genuis by M. Ann Jacoby/Hachette
Wife In The North by Judith O’Reilly/FSB Associates

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How was your October? Did you read more or less than usual? Discover some new authors? What was your most, or least, favorite book this month?

Deconstructing Sammy: Music, Money, Madness, and the Mob
Web site for Matt Birkbeck
Amistad; 1st edition, September ’08
288 pages
Biography

I knew next to nothing about Sammy Davis, Jr. before reading this book. I was aware of him in a peripheral way, as a very talented individual who died a sad death. This book reveals what a twisted, wretched life he lived surrounded by people who used him and stole from him, betraying his trust. He also ‘lived large’ as we say today and this contributed greatly to his downfall. Unfortunately there were more low lights than highlights for this man. He died deeply in debt with a career that was non-existent and a family in tatters.

He life is unraveled as an attorney fights to save his estate and secure the rights to his identity from the IRS and bring back some semblance of dignity. Albert ‘Sonny’ Murry, Jr. is hired by Sammy’s widow, Altovise, to clear the largest debt ever owed by a single individual, over $7.2 million, and reclaim the rights to Sammy’s name. As Mr. Murry digs into Sammy’s life through court documents, legal filings, contact with family, friends and known associates Sammy’s dark past is brought to light. The numerous affairs and sexual going-ons, the drugs, the gambling, the parties. A man who fought inner demons that drove this morally corrupt lifestyle. Married to troubled woman he didn’t love and children he wanted nothing to do with.

What gets lost in all the darkness is the tremendous talent this man possessed. He was the most gifted all around entertainer this country has ever had the privilege of watching. We failed to realize what unique talent we were witness to. And now due to continuing legal battles and family in-fighting we may never get another opportunity pay proper tribute to Mr. Davis, Jr. We’re deprived of once again watching a true performer.

This book is like watching a horrible accident, the one you know you should look away from and can’t. It keeps drawing you back. Fascinating yet hard to take as you watch a man with the inability to save himself.

The Queene’s Cure (Elizabeth I Mysteries, Book 4)
Web site for Karen Harper
Dell, ’03
366 pages
Historical fiction, mystery
My TBR pile

This is the 4th book in the Elizabeth I mystery series. I read this series purely for entertainment. While I don’t believe the Queen of England would go around solving mysteries with the help of a privy plot council I do enjoy a good mystery and interesting historical setting.

Shades of Gray: A Novel of the Civil War in Virginia
Web site for Jessica James
Patriot Press; 1st edition, January ’08
468 pages
Historical fiction
Ms. James sent me this book, thank you.

Loved it ~ start to finish. I didn’t just read about the civil war I was there smack dab in the middle of it. The spying, the battles, the raids, the camps. The human drama, the camaraderie, the love, the lives hanging on the edge. This book has it all. The last 100-150 pages were intense, the last 50 pages heartbreaking, the last 20 pages I cried. I mean the tears were running down my face.

The passion between Andrea and Hunter is so explosive that I thought the book was going to catch on fire. The scenes where they argue and fight for their own beliefs and feelings about the war and why each is involved are intense and heated. I felt like I was in the room listening to these two worthy opponents do battle for themselves, their families, their homes and their country. As they slowly come to realize that what they feel for each other is beyond their control they surrender pieces of themselves to the other and cross battle lines.

For the time it took me to read this book I was transported back to those war years. I was there in the thick of it. I was riding my beloved horse across enemy lines to bring dispatches and information back to camp. I shared my days and nights with my fellow soldiers. I fought side by side with them. I stared the enemy in the eye. I worked to save their live and when I couldn’t I held them as they died. I shared stories of home and family as they read letters from loved ones. I cleverly played the part of spy whether I was a southern belle or disguised as a young man.

Any book that captivates me, absorbs me, captures my imagination is a good book indeed. Shades of Gray did all that. I recommend this book to any reader as it has something for everyone. Readers of historical fiction should especially enjoy it.

Ms. Jacoby’s debut novel, Life After Genius, goes on sale today. Here is my interview with her.

TPP: When and why did you begin writing?
MAJ: I took the occasional writing class here and there but was in my mid-thirties when the writing bug took hold. Although I design book covers for a living, it is a design-by-committee atmosphere and I needed something that allowed for a more individual expression.

TPP: When did you first consider yourself a writer?
MAJ: I think you’re a writer as soon as you sit down and put pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard. I did not, however, consider myself an author until someone actually paid me for my writing.

TPP: What inspired you to write your first book?
MAJ: My first “novel” was based on a personal failed relationship. It was half-writing, half-therapy. But the story was too narrow to hold anyone’s interest but my own. So I looked to other stories in the family that interested me. Since they weren’t my story, it was easier to fictionalize them and give them a broader appeal. I always loved that my grandfather was an undertaker and my dad was this kid genius. They seemed so different from one another. I wondered what my dad’s childhood might have been like. It captured my imagination and I ran with it.

TPP: What was the hardest part of writing your book?
MAJ: Having people read and critisize it. Some things you try work, others don’t. When it works, it’s great; when it doesn’t, I try to learn from the feedback and then give it another go.

TPP: What do you see as the influences on your writing?
MAJ: I like a voice with a unique point-of-view. I fall in love with characters who are vulnerable. Someone who makes me laugh or smile. It can be a character in a novel or an Indy film or a stand-up comedian or the lyrics in a song. Anything that touches me personally.  
        
TPP: Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
MAJ: I don’t have a favorite author but I have 3 favorite books that I read over and over again because I love the writing:  Stones for Ibarra by Harriet Doerr, Death of Sweet Mister by Daniel Woodrell and J.D.Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye. For me, the main characters in these books transcend the pages.

TPP: Can you share a little of your current work with us?
MAJ: The novel I’m working on now is based on my mother’s parents who were bookies in West Palm Beach, Florida. The main character is Libby Freybaker who shared the pants in the family with her husband, my grandfather.  She’s funny and smart and unconventional. It opens with them being handcuffed and arrested, then flashes back to tell the story of what led up to that point.
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TPP: What book(s) are you reading now?
MAJ: The book I just read and loved is Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. Non-fiction. But what a great underdog story. 

TPP: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
MAJ: I don’t have an answer for this question…or I guess the answer is ‘no’ and that’s not a very good answer…they’re probably out there, I just haven’t read them yet. I’m too busy writing.

TPP: Do you have anything that you want to say to your readers?
MAJ: I hope they enjoy spending time with Mead as much as I did. Next to a favorite song, there is nothing I enjoy more than spending time with a favorite character.

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Now for the giveaway. Miriam at Hachette Books is offering 3 copies of Life After Genius to my visitors. All you have to do is follow the simple entry guidelines. Due to a little mishap over at Up For Grabs I’m asking that you answer a simple question for your entry to be included. If you don’t include the answer in your comment you will be excluded.

1~ What ‘holiday’ will children here in the States be ‘celebrating’ October 31st?

2 ~ Please include your answer and contact information in your comment. No answer, no entry.

3 ~ US and Canadian mailing addresses only please.

4 ~ Important dates: Giveaway closes Tuesday, November 4th (Election Day in the States) with winners announced Wednesday, November 5th.

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Stop by these great blogs and check out their tour stops. The links aren’t pretty but I’ll bet their posts are pretty awesome.

http://luanne-abookwormsworld.blogspot.com/”
http://bermudaonion.wordpress.com/
http://bookingmama.blogspot.com/
http://libraryqueue.blogspot.com
http://www.marjoleinbookblog.blogspot.com
http://www.corinnesbookreviews.blogspot.com/
http://38thavedivareaders.blogspot.com/
http://booksbytjbaff.blogspot.com/
http://www.linussblanket.com
http://diaryofaneccentric.blogspot.com/
http://savvyverseandwit.blogspot.com
http://bananas4books.blogspot.com/
http://printedpage.wordpress.com
http://www.myfriendamysblog.com
http://www.shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com
http://bransonreads.blogspot.com/
http://www.sjfreed.wordpress.com

http://thetometraveller.blogspot.com/
http://www.chikune.com
http://bookcritiques.blogspot.com/
http://exlibrisbb.blogspot.com/
http://www.sharonlovesbooksandcats.blogspot.com
http://athomewithbooks.blogspot.com/

The Printed Page now resides at http://printedpage.us

I’ve purchased my own little piece of a very big Internet pie. Please update your bookmarks and blog links.

Thank you ~ Marcia

While stopping by Bonnie’s blog, Redlady’s Reading Room, to see her Mailbox Monday post I spotted her answers to the What’s Your Reading Personality quiz sponsored by Book Browse. It’s short ~ only 7 questions. I’ll admit I waffled on some but went with the answer that best fit the question even though I wanted to pick 2 or 3 answers for some. A couple of questions asked about favorite authors or series. As I always read my favorites I picked the next best answer.

So what’s my reading personality ~ Eclectic Reader!

I read for entertainment but also to expand my mind. I’m open to new ideas and new writers, and I’m not wedded to a particular genre or limited range of authors.

I was a bit surprised but then again I wasn’t. I do try and vary what I read as this keeps my reading from getting stale. I’m always on the look for something new and interesting. If I stick with what I know who knows what I might miss. 

So just for heck of it I went back and took the quiz again. I was curious what the result would be if I answered the questions about my favorites going with my gut. So my reading personality now: All Rounder!

Your responses showed you fitting equally into all four reading personalities:

Involved Reader: You don’t just love to read books, you love to readabout books. For you, half the fun of reading is the thrill of the chase – discovering new books and authors, and discussing your finds with others.
Exacting Reader: You love books but you rarely have as much time to read as you’d like – so you’re very particular about the books you choose. 
Serial Reader: Once you discover a favorite writer you tend to stick with him/her through thick and thin. 
Eclectic Reader: You read for entertainment but also to expand your mind. You’re open to new ideas and new writers, and are not wedded to a particular genre or limited range of authors.

And I am all 4 of those. Just goes to show you can’t fool the quiz!

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So what’s your reading personality? Go take the quiz, come back and leave a comment or link to your reading personality. I’d love to know the reading personalities of my blog readers.

Big oops here! I lost the post

*** Please note The Printed Page has it’s own address now, printedpage (http://printedpage.us) I didn’t think I’d moving once let alone twice in the same year! Please update your links. Thank you ~ Marcia ***

Thank you to everyone who stops by Mailbox Monday. Whether you comment or visit I appreciate your taking the time to drop in.

Here’s what come into my house last week:

Fiction ~ Beat the Reaper by Josh Bazell

Romantic comedy ~ Perfect On Paper by Maria Murnane. Her tour will be stopping here on December 20th.

Historical fiction ~ Sarah’s Key by Tatiana Rosnay. Thank you Dawn at She Is Too Fond Of Books for generously offering to send me your copy.

Suspense/thriller ~ Heart of Diamonds: A Novel of Scandal, Love and Death in the Congo by Dave Donelson. His tour will be stopping her on November 17th.

Humor ~ When Life Stinks, It’s Time to Wash the Gym Clothes. Her tour will be stopping here on December 18th.

Biography ~ Now the Drum of War: Walt Whitman and His Brothers in the Civil War by Robert Roper.

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What books came into your house last week? Don’t forget to leave a link to your Mailbox post or a list of books if you don’t have a blog.

I just come across another entry into world of social networking and book cataloging for books lovers browsing through the December 2008 edition Romantic Times Book Reviews. It’s called Feed Your Shelf. This site is still in beta version.

What sets Feed Your Shelf apart from Librarything or GoodReads is the ability for users to sort by different criteria when browsing. Search options include the average user rating, the number of times a title has been rated by the site’s users, the number of users that have marked a book ‘to read’, the number of users that have quit reading a book before finishing and the ‘most praise’ option, which combines the average rating from users with the number of rated copies, for a score that takes both readership and reaction into account. ~ From Romantic Times Book Reviews, page 30, December 2008 ~

I haven’t had to chance to explore the site because I’m off to work.