While some of the books I review on my site are furnished by the publishers, authors, or publicists for the purpose of review all of my reviews are truthful, honest, and my sincere opinion.

Friday, May 22, 2009

It's the Friday 56!!!



Rules:
* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of Storytime with Tonya and Friends.
*Post a link along with your post back to Storytime with Tonya and Friends.
* Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.



Page 56, Line 5: "Does this mean you have to starve to death in order to lose weight? No, but you do have to eat the right foods.

To find out more about the Liberation Diet visit the Liberation Diet site, they have an e-book version available on their site!

Review:Jeff in Venice, Death in Varanasi

Before my review, the usual thanks need to go out to Random House for allowing me to review this.



My Review:
This one is giving me mixed emotions... Which I think is a good thing.

The story follows Jeff, a freelance art writer from London. Jeff travels to Venice to cover a festival, where he meets a woman. They have a whirl-wind romance fueled by booze and drugs. The second part of the story is kind of a mystery. The narrator ends up in Varanasi and ends up staying, presumably forever (but we don't ever really know). In Varanasi he undergoes changes, life altering "spiritual" changes. But again, the fruition to which these changes lead the narrator is unknown.

I really liked the story, and although I felt the writing was a bit embellished I liked the writing also. My biggest complaint has nothing to do with the story whatsoever, rather it's the use of one very offensive word - the c word. I'm by no means a prude, quite frankly I could make a sailor blush, but there are a few words that even I won't mutter and the c word is one of them. I don't know why this bothered me so bad, but I actually had to put the book down for a while to let myself cool off. As I was reading the more I kept thinking about that word and the more upset I got. I know it's crazy, but it just bothered me.... Once I cooled off a bit I was able to read it without seething, I guess I was having a moment.

I liked the wit that was apparent throughout the book. I think without the added wit the story would have been somewhat lacking. But the humor made me want to keep reading (after I got over the c word thing). Something that was a little odd, but was part of the mystery of the second part, was that the first part of the book is written in third person whereas the second part is written in first person. But again, there is so much mystery as to who the narrator is (presumably Jeff from the first part, but I'll let you make your own decision). Then the mystery as to if he ever returns home...

I can't say I loved this book, but I think that it was good. I have never read anything that reminds me of this so I can't make any comparison. I liked it, but at times it kind of teetered on a thin line between brilliant and completely absurd.

For more information on this book, or to purchase please visit Random House's website.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

I got my first blog award!

I just got the Lemonade Award from Missy at Missy's Book Nook.


Thank you so much for this award!

The Rules:

1) Put the Lemonade Award logo on your blog or post.
2) Nominate at least 10 blogs that show great attitude or gratitude.
3) Link to your nominees within your post.
4) Let the nominees know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5) Share the love and link to the person from whom you received your award.

I nominate the following blogs:

1. Books and Needlepoint
2. Books Love Jessica Marie
3. Book Reviews by Bobbie
4. A Bookish Mom
5. At Home With Books
6. Cheryl's Book Nook
7. Chic Book Reviews
8. Marta's Meanderings
9. The Novel Bookworm
10. The Forgetful Librarian Recommends
11. The Burton Review
12. So Many Precious Books, So Little Time
13. Presenting Lenore
14. Passages to the Past
15. Padfoot and Prongs
16. One Eyed Stuffed Bunny and...
17. MariReads
18. Luxury Reading
19. Booksie's Blog
20. Chaotic Compendiums

I apologize that this list got so long. I just have found so many great blogs that I think all deserve some kind of recognition!

And again, thank you to Missy. I was so excited when I saw the comment that you gave me an award, my neighbours probably think I'm crazy!

Monday, May 18, 2009

Review: In My Own Words by Mother Teresa

I found this one at a garage sale. I'm so glad that I picked it up.



My Review

I, like many others I'm sure, feel that Mother Teresa was a great person. This book is full of quotes from her. It is awe-inspiring to me that she did such great things and was as humble about what she was doing as she was.

While reading these quotes I was struck by how simple the things she said truly were, yet in their simplicity lies their magnitude. She wasn't helping the poor because it made her a better person, she was helping the poor because it was what she was needed to do to strengthen her relationship with Jesus. Many times she mentions that she helps the poor because the poor are Jesus, and by helping them she is helping Jesus.

Reading these quotes from her was quite touching. I hope that by listening to the message that she was conveying that I can become a better person.


Click here to buy this book from Amazon.com