What We're Currently Reading

Hey everybody, we're back like Backstreet, LOL!! Here is the first of what we hope to be many blog posts as we endeavor to relaunch our blog.



I thought we'd keep it simple by checking in to see what everyone has been reading lately.


I have been on an Greek Tragedy kick, so I'm reading through The Complete Greek Tragedies Volume III: Euripides. The collection includes different translators, some of whom I like and some of whom I do not. (I'm not a huge fan of Richard Lattimore, for whatever reason. I did enjoy William Arrowsmith's "Heracles.") I am currently reading "Helen." I love reading the plays that connect with the House of Atreus and all of the drama and angst that invariably happens. All the drama. All of it.

Strange Weather by Joe Hill. I’ve been in a bit of  a reading funk lately, and his books have never failed to suck me right in. This one is no exception. It’s a book of 4 novellas, and one of the stories was so deliciously horrible that it ruined my entire day.

The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie. I am also in a bit of a reading rut and her books always help me get back into it.










The Centurion's Wife by Davis Bunn & Janette Oke. I've been working my way alphabetically through the books on my Nook and this one was up next! It's about a slave in Pilate's house who is betrothed to a Centurion who has been tasked to track down the truth around Jesus' death. 

My daughter and I are reading Nancy Clancy: Super Sleuth by Jane O'Connor.  It's an early reader book featuring an older Nancy from the Fancy Nancy picture books. 

Basic Economics: 5th Edition, by Thomas Sowell.

Why? Self education. 










Danielle C. is reading Real Men Howl by Celia Kyle and Marina Maddix. It's pretty good so far has some elements that I haven't seen before which is nice.

Albert is reading The Vegetarian by Han Kang.  It had great reviews.

Stacey is reading Into the Water by Paula Hawkins. I was shopping at Barnes & Noble, and then went to grab a coffee at the cafe and relax a bit with a book, and it caught my eye so I added it to my "to be read" list on my phone. My sweet boyfriend went back and grabbed it for me.

I’m currently reading When Life Gives You Lululemons by Lauren Weisberger. It's the second sequel to The Devil Wears Prada. It’s focused on Emily who is now in PR and she’s hilarious. 








What about you?  What are you reading?  Share with us!

Merry Christmas!!

Christmas Eve is finally here!  Hopefully you're getting ready to gather with your friends, family and loved ones.  Everyone at BWOBNY would like to wish all our friends, fans, and followers and very Merry Christmas.

Here are some of the books we'd like to see under our tree tomorrow.

Eileen, hopes that Santa brings her a new bookcase to store her other wish list items: "Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself" by Alan Alda, "Beauty: a Retelling" by Robin McKinley, and maybe some real snow? 

Eileen, you can have all the snow you want, just keep it over at your place, OK?

Jessica P. would like "What to Expect the Second Year," by Heidi Murkoff so she can prepare for whatever shennanigans little miss Ana throws her way.

Rebecca is hoping the elves found "Where's the Doctor?" and "When's the Doctor?","Where's Waldo," type of book for fans of Dr. Who plus, the "Storm" graphic novels by Richard Castle, "Ten" by Gretchen McNeil, and "Jane" by April Lindner. 

I know that Rebecca has been very good this year so I am sure Santa will be filling her stocking with all of those goodies.   

Stacey already gifted herself Penn Jilette's latest book, "Everyday is an Atheist Holiday," but she'd also like new copies of "Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs," and "Killing Yourself to Live," by Chuck Klosterman.  

As for me, I'm hoping Santa and his elves work with Her Majesty's Secret Service to deliver "Bond on Bond," by Sir Roger Moore and Cyndi Lauper's self titled memoir. 







What are you all wishing for?  We're giving away lots of goodies like Santa too!  Just check out Wednesday's post and enter our Blogoversary giveaway!!  Merry Christmas.  

Give Thanks

There is just a few days left before Thanksgiving!  Are you ready?  I still haven't gotten the green beans for the casserole or more importantly the wine!  However, the most important part of the holiday is to remember to celebrate and be thankful for your blessings in life.  I polled the BWOBNY crew to see what they're most thankful for.

Albert is thankful "love."

Eileen gives thanks for her family, friends and her job, despite the crazy times there.  She is also thankful for books and her Borders family.

Jess B. is thankful for "her family, friends, and Gutenberg for inventing the printing press."

Jess P. gives thanks for her friends and family, especially her healthy baby girl.


Mallory is thankful for her family and friends.

Naomi reflected, "Is it bad that my first thought was not family and friends but, books and stuffed socks that look like wombats? I'm also grateful for my family and the friends that let me rub their heads and eat their chocolate. AND I'm grateful that I will finally graduate next January in the year 2014. Huzzah!"

Rachel gives thanks for "my family, the beard, Luna (my cat), cats in general, friends, and books!" 

Rebecca is thankful for her friends and family plus... "I'm also grateful for my jobs. Even if they drive me crazy at times, I love teaching and I love being able to work around books regularly and I love going to school full time. My life is full, but in a good way! And I'm grateful for the people that put up with my craziness."



Stacey gives thanks for "Love. My adorable nephew. Becoming closer with my sister this past year. And of course the freedom to read anything my special heart desires."

Finally, I'm thankful to be surrounded by my friends and family this Thanksgiving.  I'm grateful to be able to feast and watch Muppet movies with my grandparents again.  I'm also thankful for my adorable cat, and all my friends and family who have helped and supported my movie project, this blog, and my endless ideas." 




What about you guys?  What are you thankful for?  Please share with us.  Happy Thanksgiving!

 

The Second Installment of a Loveless World

The second novel in Lauren Oliver's Delirium trilogy, Pandemonium, will drag you right in. There is no real introduction or review of the first book, so make sure you've read Delirium somewhat recently once you pick it up!

Lena has just escaped the loveless world in which she lives - into the Wilds, and without Alex. The entire book is split between the present, a time where Lena is an undercover member of the Resistance, and several months prior: her first few months in the Wilds. It's not until the end of the book that the two tie together, so just keep pushing through the conclusion, and you'll surely be rewarded!

While Lena is still Lena, she's much more hardened in comparison to the first novel. I have to admit, it is one of my favorite character transformations in my love affair with books. For those of you who haven't read Delirium, make sure to do so before picking this one up. And those of you that have, put your shoes on and run out to get Pandemonium right now. And be prepared for the biggest cliffhanger of your life. 

What is Your Gift?

One thing we all, as human beings, seem to have in common is our quest to find our soul mate. Someone we love unconditionally, who in turn loves us unconditionally and adds meaning to our life, and our existence. The solitary person to prove, not only, that we are not alone, but also to prove that we are here for a reason. 


Within Paulo Coelho's writing, there is always a meaning to life. The words found in Brida are no different. Young, Irish Brida's story is really more of a quest. A quest to find the answers, a quest to find her natural born gift, and a quest to find her soul mate. 


The story is based around the progression of the human soul, and all of the elements that are the existence of our lives: memories, experiences, feelings, choices. And within this, is the existence of religion. Though, Coelho's focus is routinely a spiritual perspective, Brida gives us a taste of some religious perspectives as well. This particular story focuses around God worshiping Wiccans. We learn the steps and rituals culminating in a Sabbath party, as well as learning about the Tradition of the Sun and the Tradition of the Moon. We learn about the four forms of expression of the self. We learn about The Gift that we've all been given, yet few ever realize. 


For those of us that seek a greater meaning in life, Brida is the perfect piece of art.

"Nothing in the world is ever completely wrong. Even a stopped clock is right twice a day"   -Brida







                 

Cover Love

Everyone knows, the old adage, "you can't judge a book by its cover."  However, some covers as so beautiful that you can't help but fall in love with the cover.  Here are some of our favorites.

Alan drools over any cover that features the art of Boris Valejo.  Valejo's art has graced the covers of numerous Sci-Fi novels, a few of which appear below.  In addition,Valejo also had dozens of coffee table books featuring his work in as well as calendars and prints.

Claire loves the cover of our latest book club selection, "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children," by Ransom Briggs.  This cover features a photograph by Yefim Tobvis.  I agree this intriguing and somewhat creepy image makes you want to read the story.  Hopefully Claire will meet up with me this week to give me my copy for book club?  Yup, I just called you out, Claire ! :)

Jess P. loves the UK adult versions of the covers for "Harry Potter," novels.  Over in the UK, Bloomsbury publishes the Harry Potter novels with separate covers geared for adults and children.  The text remains the same.  I located some beautiful examples, for more check out this page.

One of Rebecca's recent favorite covers is "Rosebush," by Michelle Jaffe.  She read this book based on the cover alone.  I agree, I want to add this to my "to read" list.

 
She also finds the cover of "The Thirteenth Tale," by Diane Setterfeld to be gorgeous and I might add appropriate for a book lover.

She will also scoop up any book with cover or illustrations by Bret Hequist, who work on Lemony Snickett's "Series of Unfortunate Events."






Stacey loves a lot of the classics that have been released lately with new vintage inspired covers.  To her they're not only great reads, they look like art on a shelf.

From Barnes & Noble's Leatherbound Classics Collection

Finally, I love the cover to the "Fallen" series by Lauren Kate.  The covers capture the haunting romance of this epic series.  Plus, I really want the dresses shown on the covers :)






What covers do you find beautiful?  Share with us below !

He Wrote This For You.

For the past year and a half, or so, I've all but stalked a blog titled "I Wrote This For You." The writer, who prefers to be known only by pleasefindthis, is you. He is the cumulative of every thought you've ever had. Every time I've perused the blog, I've felt as though he was my inner monologue, putting every feeling I've felt into the most perfect and precise words. Naturally, when I found out he was compiling the best posts (as well as some previously unreleased material) into a book, I had to jump on it. Now the opportunity to review it? I'd be lying if I didn't say I was practically shaking as my fingers hit the keys. 

The book is divided into four sections: Sun, Moon, Stars, and Rain. Each of these sections focuses on the four most crucial parts of our lives: love, loss, beginnings and endings. And to add to the effect of his near melodic words, are stunning photographs by Jon Ellis. Photographs full of heart, and meaning. Still life's brought to life. 

The fantastic part of each of these entries is that they're so inspired by life. Daily events. Love. Loss. Things you and I experience each and every day. Entries with beating hearts, that pump blood just the way we do. 

In particular, one entry called "The Day You Read This," moved me quite possibly more than any other piece of work I've ever indulged in. However, before I ever read it, I listened to it. It was recorded as a spoken word piece after the Japan earthquakes to raise money for Doctors Without Borders. This entry is found in the "Rain" section of the book. It's the one piece of work that I can honestly say opened my eyes to a new way of thinking, a new way of feeling and a new way of seeing. I was able to look at the world for exactly what it was, as opposed to the distorted image I'd constantly viewed it as.

Full of heart, inspiration, desire, hope, longing, regret, I Wrote This For You really is the book for anyone. It dives into your soul, and uncovers everything you've ever thought and felt. 

"That the sun will rise each day and it's up to you each day if you match it. That nothing matters up until this point. That what you decide now, in this moment, will change the future. Forever. That rain is beautiful. And so are you."  ~pleasefindthis 

If you're interested in either the blog or the book, head over to http://www.iwrotethisforyou.me, as the book is not yet available in stores. It can be ordered online, though, through Amazon. 

And a special thanks to ireadiwrite publishing for providing me with the ebook copy to review!