Write for a Reader

Today’s review is part of a blog tour for Pump Up Your Book Promotion.  I am pleased to bring you my review of The House on Tradd Street.

Author:  Karen White

Review copy provided by:   Pump Up Your Book Promotions

Synopsis:  Melanie Middleton is a ghost seeing realtor.  This is a fact she does not like to let others know.  After she meets with an old man, she thinks to list his house, she ends up inheriting his entire estate.  She doesn’t like old houses; she just likes to sell them.  What will SHE do with a rundown old house in Charleston full of wonderful antiques?  The house is historic and full of ghosts who want and need Melanie’s help.  In walks, Jack Trenholm, a good looking, unsolved mystery loving, writer.  He worms his way into the house and Melanie’s life because he believes that hidden in her house on Tradd Street, are missing Confederate diamonds.  Jack falls for Melanie, Melanie doesn’t know she’s fallen for Jack, and the ghosts are fighting against them and each other.

My Review:  Whan I received this book, I was excited to read it, but it took me a little while to get into it.  I am so glad that I stuck with this one.  Romance lover?  Mystery lover?  Ghost story lover?  Historical Fiction lover?  If you answered yes to one or more of those questions, then you should enjoy this book.  I haven’t read any of Karen White’s other books, but now I will.  She writes in such a way that you can connect with the characters and feel like you are right there, in the story.  I enjoyed The House on Tradd Street because of the intrigue and the mystery.  Will they ever find the diamonds?  Who are the ghosts and what do they want?  Finding the answer to these questions is what kept me reading.  Also the fact that I couldn’t wait to see if Melanie and Jack got together.  I love how White tells the story of Melanie dealing with her own ghosts: her relationship with her father (who controls the estate money) and her broken relationship with her mother (who left when Melanie was young).  Being fond of Civil War history, it was wonderful to see how the story line and history came together.  Charleston, South Carolina is a very historical town, and White makes that known through references in the book.   I would recommend this book to others who enjoy chick lit, historical fiction, and/or mysteries.  It’s a great ghost story and made me want to go to Charleston to visit some of the old houses and see if they are really haunted.

I enjoyed this book so much, that I want to pass it on for others to enjoy.  If you’d like to receive my copy of The House on Tradd Street, leave me a comment.  I will randomly choose a winner on Nov. 18.  Giveaway open to US addresses only.   You can earn multiple entries by:

• blog about this for 2 more entries
• subscribe to my blog for 1 entry
• have others say they heard about this giveaway from you for 1 more entry
• you could have a total of 5 entries! 

Since this is a blog tour, don’t miss the other stops:

Divine Caroline (Author Interview)
S. Krishna’s Books (Book Review)
Blogcritics (Author Interview)
The Writer’s Life (Guest Post)
Publishing Secrets of Authors (Guest Post)
The Book Rack (Book Review)
Savvy Verse & Wit (Book Review)
Scribe Vibe (Guest Post)
Savvy Verse & Wit (guest post & book giveaway)
The Book Czar (book review)
Musings of a Bookish Kitty (book review)
The Book Stacks (guest post)
American Chronicle (author interview)
Musings of a Bookish Kitty (author interview)
In Bed With Books (book review)
Review Your Book (book review)
The Plot (book spotlight)
The Plot (character interview)
The Friendly Book Nook (book review)
Reading Mama (book review)
Zensanity (author interview)
Dear Author (guest post)
Diary of an Eccentric (book review)
Bookish Ruth (book review)
Cafe of Dreams (book review)
The 1st Page (book spotlight)
Diary of an Eccentric (author interview)
As the Pages Turn (book review)
The Tome Traveller’s Weblog (book review)
Real Hollywood (author interview)

I’m not one to toot my own horn or promote my wants or needs, but they’ve twisted my arm.  You are encouraged to join in if you’d like.  If you are reading this right now, you are probably a book lover.  You probably would like to get books for Christmas, but maybe you are embarrassed to tell some people that.  Why not create a wish list and let them know what you want?  Wouldn’t that be better than getting something that you don’t really want or need?

I have been asked to share my wish list with you and to let you know why I’ve chosen some of the books that are on there and/or why I would like to receive them as gifts.  I keep my list at Amazon and I just continuously add to it.  I don’t take the time to create different lists for professional books, children’s books, etc., although maybe I should as the list is growing.

There are books on my wish list that I have added because of recent blog reviews:  Chains, The Underneath, The Penderwicks on Gardam Street and The Hunger Games.

Others I’ve added because they are by favorite authors, and I just love to read what they’ve written.  That would be Bill Wallace and Lois Lowry.

I have just recently added the Twilight Soundtrack because I am a Twilight junkie, and The Host because I enjoyed Stephenie Meyer’s writing in the Twilight Saga.

There are a handful of professional books on there as I am always looking for ways to help the children I teach.  Of course, as a teacher, I love picture books, so there are a TON of those. 

Do you have a wish list?  If not, create one.  If so, what are your wishes?

I’ve asked, in the past, about whether you more often buy your books, or get them from libraries. What I want to know today, is, WHY BUY?

Even if you are a die-hard fan of the public library system, I’m betting you have at least ONE permanent resident of your bookshelves in your house. I’m betting that no real book-lover can go through life without owning at least one book. So … why that one? What made you buy the books that you actually own, even though your usual preference is to borrow and return them?

If you usually buy your books, tell me why. Why buy instead of borrow? Why shell out your hard-earned dollars for something you could get for free?

I don’t buy alot, but when I do, it’s because I’m not good at remembering to return the books to the library on time.  Not because I don’t get them read, just because I forget to take them back.  Also, it is not usually in my schedule to go to the library, so I’d rather just pick up what I want at the store.  Lots of times I’m not the one buying though.  My mom buys alot of the books I read and then just passes them on to me when she’s done.  I also thank God for my school library because I can get books from there without worrying about the deadline.  Teachers are excused from that, as long as it’s turned in by the end of the school year.

Another reason I buy is for my classroom.  Those are books that I want the kids to be able to read again and again, so borrowing them is not really feasible.  I do get some from the library, but don’t like to keep them too long because other teachers may need them.  So, I buy at every book fair (2X a year), from Scholastic, and Half Price Books.  I do have books in my library that were donated, but for the most part, I have bought them all.

Okay, so I do buy, but usually not adult books.  If I just have to have it RIGHT NOW, I’ll buy it; otherwise, I’ll wait and borrow it from someone.

What are your thoughts on this?  See all the comments at Booking Through Thursday.

WOW!  I am so doing this!  The challenge, put up by J. Kaye’s Book Blog, is to read 100+ books in 2009.  The great thing is you do not have to decide your books ahead of time and you can read ANYTHING!  This works for me, because I have a hard time with some of the challenges that require certain reads.  I will be posting my books here as I read them.  Will you join me?   Click on the button to link to the challenge.

100+ Reading Challenge Books

I was lucky enough to receive this book in a blog giveaway.   I had seen posts about it and knew I had to read it for myself.  I even shared it with a group of 2nd graders today…they loved it!  That is enough of a review for me, but I want to do the book justice, so I’ll tell you what this teacher thinks.

Title:  The Day Leo Said, I Hate You!

Author:  Robie H. Harris

Illustrator:  Molly Bang

Synopsis:  Leo continures to do things that he shouldn’t.  Leo’s mom continues to tell him “No.”  Well, Leo has had enough of that.  In his bedroom, no one can tell him no.  Then, the words just pop out of his mouth before he can take them back…Oh no!  What will mom do?  How will Leo fix what just happened?

My Review:  When I first read this, it so reminded me of When Sophie Gets Angry – Really, Really Angry, mostly because the illustrations are by Molly Bang, but also because it is about a little kid who gets so mad they can’t control themselves.  I was drawn to the illustrations…they are phenomenal.  Even the kids commented on how some of the items in the pictures look real.  They also liked it when Leo got mad and his face was BIG and red.  The story itself is a great one!  What a message to send to kids.  It is okay to hate “things,” but we don’t say we hate people.  I love the way Harris uses different typeset, small letters, large letters, all caps, to get the point across.   Leo is all boy, one that many little boys will relate to.  What parent hasn’t heard his/her child say this to them at one point?  Harris chooses such a great way to deal with those 3 little words.  It is a great story that will have the children laughing, but one that carries such a great message.  This is a must read and one that I’m sure will be checked out over and over again from the library.  I know because I set it down to talk to a parent today and three kids picked it up.

You can really get into the holiday spirit just by jumping around the blogosphere!  There are so many blogs doing holiday “things” that it is just fun to be a part of it all.  Check out some of the activities going on, join in the swaps, enter the giveaways, and get in the holiday spirit!

Over at My Friend Amy, we have been challenged to buy books for the holidays.  Who on your list would like a good read?  I’ve already found some for people on my list!  Click here to join in!

Were you aware that there is a comment challenge going on?  Those of us in the Kidlitosphere are trying to comment on at least 5 other blogs a day.  We are doing this for 21 days in order to create a habit.  Do you comment or just lurk?  Why not add to the conversation the blogger is having?  Go on; it’s fun!  Thank you to Mother Reader and Lee Wind for putting this together.

There are bloggy swaps going on!  What are bloggy swaps, you say?  Have you heard of Secret Santa?  Well, we are doing that, blog style.  Head over to Things Mean a Lot or The Hidden Side of a Leaf and see what it’s all about! 

I’ve also found lots of holiday giveaways at these sites.  Be sure to check them out!

5 Minutes for Mom

Parent Reviewers

3 P’s Mama Says

Have fun!  What else is out there that you want people to know about for the holidays?  Leave it in the comments.

Okay, I just have to post about this!  A few weeks ago we were sent an email from our district office about a scholarship opportunity for a Masters in Library Science.  Well, already having a Masters in Educational Leadership, I didn’t give it much thought until my librarian and the girl I office with both asked if I was going to apply.  It took some hard work, pulling in favors, etc. to get all the letters of recommendation, application, and transcripts sent in on time, but I got it done.  The next step was an essay.  That’s what I did this evening.  I was very nervous because they did not tell us what the essay would be, just to bring pen and paper and we would have an hour and a half to write.

Wow!  I poured my heart out on 6 pages (front side only).  Now, all I have to do is wait.  What did they ask me?  Can’t remember word for word, but it was something like…

Write about how the library program promotes student achievement.  How will you work w/teachers?  What activities will you provide for students?  How will you deal with minorities, diversity?  How will you include your administrator?  What interpersonal/leadership skills will you need?

I wrote about the library being the heart of the school and talked about the activities/programs I would include in the library.  I finished off with “Teach them to love reading and you’ll help them succeed. ”

Say a little prayer that I get called back for the oral interview.  If I get this scholarship, then the whole program will be paid for except for any books.  That would be a blessing!

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:

This week my teaser comes from The Diamond of Darkhold by Jeanne DuPrau.  This is the fourth Book of Ember, and I’m so excited to be reading this as it will bring closure to the series for me.  

“Trogg seemed to think that he knew everything, but strangely enough, it was exactly this that made him seem stupid to Doon.  A person who thought he knew everything simply didn’t understand how much there was to know.” (p. 120, Diamond of Darkhold, Jeanne DuPrau)

Not the best “teaser,” but hey, when you say let the book fall open to any random page, you get what you get!  I hope that at least maybe this sparks your interest about this series.  It really is a good one.  Check it out!

For more teasers, stop by Should Be Reading.

Amy, over at My Friend Amy, has started a new campaign for the holidays.  I am on board already!  Won’t you join us? 

What is it?  It is a campaign to buy books as your holiday gifts this year.  That’s not hard, right?  It shouldn’t be as we are all book lovers!  All you have to do is sign up and then find the perfect book for all of the friends and family on your holiday shopping list.  Here is a little of what Amy has to say. 

Books are diverse. I recognize that not everyone in your life might like to read. But thankfully, there’s a book for just about every interest. There are even books that are just pictures or recipes…cool, huh???

I could just send this idea out there and say…I hope you’ll join in, but I want this to be a fun effort. I really want you to get into it and challenge yourself to find the right book for each person on your list. I believe it can be done.
Read the rest of Amy’s post to learn more.

It is time for the 2nd annual Book Blogger’s Christmas Swap!

Nymeth and Dewey have put this together for all of us in the Book Blogger community.  Thank you mucho! 

How can you get involved?  Click here to read the post over at Things Mean A Lot, or here for The Hidden Side of a Leaf.  All you have to do is send an email with your info and they will do the rest!  What’s important is that you get this done before November 18th.  Hurry and join; I have!  I love Christmas and giving to others.  What better way to do that than with my new found book blogger friends?