Green Books Campaign: RIDDLE IN THE MOUNTAIN by Daryl Burkhard

This review is part of the Green Books campaign. Today 100 bloggers are reviewing 100 great books printed in an environmentally friendly way. Our goal is to encourage publishers to get greener and readers to take the environment into consideration when purchasing books. This campaign is organized by Eco-Libris, a green company working to green up the book industry by promoting the adoption of green practices, balancing out books by planting trees, and supporting green books. A full list of participating blogs and links to their reviews is available on the Eco-Libris website.

The book I chose, Riddle in The Mountain by Daryl Burkhard, is published by Dogtooth Books, an imprint of Nomad Press, which is a member of the Green Press Initiative. According to the copyright page, Nomad Press "contributes a percentage of its resources to non-profit organizations working on projects related to the topic of its books." The book is printed on recycled paper, and as part of the Green Press Initiative, the publisher must adhere to minimum standards for manufacturing. Other green features, according to the publisher, include black-and-white printing; the use of a printer, Friesens, with robust in-house environmental practices; and a minimal freight footprint because it was manufactured in North America, specifically Canada.

I think this campaign is important, especially for people like me who like the feel of a book in their hands and are a bit resistant to the emergence of e-readers. I love everything about printed books -- the smell, the texture, and how these differ for every book. But I struggle with the fact that books eat up paper, not to mention other aspects of the printing process that consume energy and other resources and create pollution. It's nice to know that many publishers are taking steps to make the process more eco-friendly, and it's important to look for these "green" books whenever possible.

Okay, now on to the book itself. Riddle in the Mountain is an engaging book for middle-grade readers that touches upon ghosts, time travel, and the Wild West. Burkhard tells the story of Kathy, a 12-year-old girl who hears whispers and learns that she has a gift that enables her to open the door to another world. Her family just moved to Boulder, Colorado, and she's afraid of the dark, so it's quite possible that the voices she hears are in her head. Her neighbor, Mrs. Acheson, however, recognizes Kathy's gift. After being teased by her 13-year-old brother, David, and his friend, Frank, the trio go on a late-night ghost hunt -- much to Kathy's dismay -- and meet a tommyknocker who lets them know that a door has been opened by the one with the gift and that the three of them must save the key and return it to its rightful place so he can go home to the mountains and the mines.

To accomplish this goal, he imprints a riddle in their minds, each of them with a different part of the riddle.  They find themselves transported to Boulder, Colorado, in 1879 without money, appropriate attire, or adult supervision. They have only the riddle and a desire to find the key, but of course, they must enjoy the hands-on history lesson. Who wouldn't?

On their journey, they meet Rocky Mountain Joe, who teaches Kathy a lot about life:

Kathy groaned.  "Not me," she said in a low tone so the boys wouldn't hear. "The dark scares me."

Rocky Mountain Joe tilted his head and gave a quizzical look from under his leather hat. "I reckon that's because you imagine bad things in the dark. Think of its beauty and wonders, instead: the call of the nighthawk in the fading sky; the roar of its wings as it dives for an evening meal; crickets calling back and forth; laughing coyotes as they sing their melodies; the hooting of the owl; or the brilliance of the stars and moon. Without the night and its cloak of darkness, we would miss these wonderful things."

"What about ghosts and goblins and -- well, other things?"

Joe laughed. "Can't say I've run into any of them. Leastwise, none that I can't handle," he added with a wink. (Pages 129-130)

Riddle in the Mountain is an action-packed adventure perfect for readers between the ages of 9 and 12, but I think adults could enjoy it, too; I found it to be an enjoyable read. Burkhard's descriptions of the Wild West bring the scenes to life, and illustrations by Frank Riccio only add to the book's charm. The characters seemed true to the period, and Kathy, David, and Frank were very real -- bickering and all! The mystery of the riddle and the tommyknocker who sent them on their journey grabbed my attention right away, and it was interesting to see how the children joined together, adapted to their new environment, and learned a lot about themselves along the way. I recommend Riddle in the Mountain if you're looking for a quick read that requires a little thinking but isn't overwhelming or if you have children fascinated by ghosts, gold mines, western pioneers, and time travel.  The book received an Independent Publishers Award.

To see the complete list of books being reviewed for the Green Books Campaign, click here.

Disclosure:  I received a free copy of Riddle in the Mountain from Dogtooth Books/Nomad Press for review purposes.

Reading Comfort: Product Reviews (and a Special Discount for You!)

After trying out and absolutely loving the Book Buddy from Reading Comfort (read my review here), I just couldn't say no when they asked if I'd be interested in checking out some of their other products.

I received a lap blanket in Floral Sienna, and let me tell you, I never want to be separated from it.  It's smooth on the top and warm and fleecy underneath.  It's 44" x 52" of goodness.  It's perfect for curling up on the couch with a good book during the winter months, and I also use it when I'm sitting at the computer (it's on my lap right now, as a matter of fact) and when I'm watching tv.  Actually, The Girl and I fight over it, but I'm a softie, so she usually wins.  Anyway, what's great about the lap blanket is it can be purchased by itself or with a matching Book Buddy.  My only complaint was that the blanket wasn't accompanied by care instructions.  I assume it would be okay to wash and dry on the delicate cycles, but don't quote me on that.

I also received the Elegant Bookworm, a paperweight that makes it easy to read hands-free.  I'm not sure what color mine is officially called, but it's maroon and gold with a maroon tassel.  It's designed for hardcover books, but it worked okay with a trade paperback, but only when 1/4 or more of the book has been read.  Otherwise you chance warped pages and covers.  It's perfect for keeping books open without damaging their spines, and I plan to use mine to read and knit at the same time.


Finally, I also received the Elastic Four-Ribbon Bookmark in solid purple with button.  You slip the elastic loop over the front cover of a hardcover book and use the ribbons to mark your pages.  I've found the four ribbons are useful in marking passages to remember for my reviews, and if I don't need to use more than one ribbon, I can easily keep them together.  The elastic does fit over most trade paperbacks, but it's a snug fit, so you'd be risking bent pages and covers.  Reading Comfort beautifully packages their products, and this bookmark came in a small drawstring bag that can be used for numerous other things (knitting stitch markers, for example) when the bookmark is in use.

Like I did with the Book Buddy, I checked the lap blanket, paperweight, and elastic bookmark for sturdiness and durability.  They appear to be put together quite well, and I predict that they all will get as much use as my Book Buddy.

Speaking of the Book Buddy, check out Reading Comfort's new YouTube video here.

Also, as a special treat for my readers, Reading Comfort is offering you a 15 percent discount on your order from now through the end of the year!  All you need to do is enter the code "blogger" when you check out.  Their products are pretty affordable and would make great holiday gifts!

If you give these products a try or already have done so, I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.  I'd love to hear your thoughts, too.

Disclosure:  Reading Comfort sent me the lap blanket, paperweight, and elastic bookmark for free for review purposes.

Mailbox Monday -- November 9

Boy, life's been hectic lately on all fronts.  I'd hoped to get this posted earlier today, but better late than never!  I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed lately, especially as the holidays approach.  I hope the Veteran's Day holiday will offer me a day of relaxation.  The hubby has to work, and The Girl will be at school (I didn't realize this was a no longer a school holiday), so I have the house to myself.  :)

Anyway, it's time for Mailbox Monday, the weekly meme graciously hosted by Marcia from The Printed Page where bookworms list the titles they received for review, purchased, or otherwise obtained during the last week.

Here are the books I added to the already sagging shelves...er...floor:

 

Shanghai Girls by Lisa See (from Random House for an upcoming TLC Book Tour)

 

The Information Officer by Mark Mills (from Random House via Shelf Awareness)

 

Breathing Water by Timothy Hallinan (contest win)

 

Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters by Jane Austen and Ben H. Winters (from FSB Associates) 

What books did you welcome into your home recently?

Interview With Kirby Larson and Mary Nethery, Authors of NUBS: THE TRUE STORY OF A MUTT, A MARINE & A MIRACLE

I'm thrilled to welcome Kirby Larson (right) and Mary Nethery (left) to Diary of an Eccentric today to discuss their latest book, Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine & a Miracle. The book was released earlier this week by Little, Brown, and it caused a lot of excitement in my house when I received a review copy last month. Nubs is the story of Major Brian Dennis and the dog he befriended in Iraq. After trekking across the desert to be with Brian, Nubs was later relocated to the United States. What an amazing dog, and a beautiful story of the rewards one can reap from being kind to others. [If you haven't read my review with The Girl, click here.]

I want to thank Kirby and Mary for taking time out of their busy schedules to answer some questions. Since the book was just released, I can only imagine how hectic things must be for them, and I truly appreciate their generosity.

How did you get involved in the writing of Nubs? Did you have a chance to meet Nubs and Major Brian Dennis in person?

Kirby: Mary and I had written Two Bobbies:  A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship and Survival and found we loved the collaborative writing process. The moment we finished that book, we began to look for another friendship story we two dear friends could tell together. Mary was convinced we would find such a story set in Iraq and just as she was thinking about that, her husband handed her a newspaper article about Brian and Nubs. The rest is history!

We knew we wanted to tell this story, but it was important to get Brian's (and Nubs!) approval. Mary and I flew to San Diego in June 2008 to meet with them both. Brian had warned us that it usually took Nubs awhile to warm up to new people but Mary armed herself with some Bow-Wow-Wownies and instantly won him over. We clicked with Brian, too, and he with us and we set right to work interviewing him.

Mary: When Kirby suggested the idea of us writing a book together about unusual, cross-species friendships, I had two responses. One, I've been passionate about animals since I was a small child and this seemed like a perfect match of two best friends writing about best friends. And, two, it seemed as if the decision had already been made, in another time and place, that we would write together. It felt like it was meant to be. I just jumped in and swam! There's not a day that goes by that I'm not thankful for the treasure of working with Kirby.

Meeting Nubs for the first time was the most fun thing ever! One look at him and you know he's quite special. Brian said Nubs hasn't been the same since we spent a day and a morning with him -- he meant that in a good way! Sometimes I just find myself missing Nubs and wishing he lived a lot closer.

Could you tell me a little about yourself? For example, what books have you written previously, what things you like to do when you're not writing?

Kirby: I am a Washington state resident and have lived here nearly all my life. Along the way, I've acquired one husband, two children, assorted cats and, as of May, a dog named Winston. Though I was a history-phobe most of my life, writing Hattie Big Sky (2007 Newbery Honor Award) changed all that. Though I had written chapter books and picture books previously, that book led me to my true passion: historical fiction. I love the research -- digging around until I have enough information to set a fictional character in another place and time. It's detective work -- without the danger! I will have another historical novel coming out in Fall 2010 and one in Spring 2011.

Since I've had several book deadlines, I haven't done much but write lately! But I do love to travel (because of HBS, I got invited to visit schools in Doha, Qatar and Beirut, Lebanon last April), read, walk on the beach and drink lattes with friends.

Mary: I'm a California girl, born and raised. I’m married to Harry Arthur Nethery III (Han) and have one son, Harry Arthur Nethery IV (H.A.). We have a brand new kitten, a Bengal named Dashiell (Dash for short.) Dash came to us from an Atlanta, Georgia, foster home. He has a little heart of gold.

The first word I learned to read was "stop." But that didn't stop me from picking up a pencil and starting to write in first grade. My goal was a novel. With lots of pictures. I never finished the novel, but since then I've seen three of my picture books published:  Hannah and Jack, Orange Cat Goes to Market, and Mary Veronica's Egg; plus the two narrative non-fiction books that Kirby and I have written together:  Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship and Survival is the recipient of the ASPCA's  Henry Bergh Children's Book Award and the SIBA Book Award (Southern Independent Booksellers' Association). Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine & a Miracle has just received the 2009 National Parenting Publication Gold Award. Kirby and I are radiantly proud of these two books.

When I'm not writing or doing "writing" things, which is mostly what I do, I love reading, travel, Pilates, shopping, movies, watching Project Runway and America’s Next Top Model, and enjoying beautiful desserts, especially frosting!

 
What other projects are you working on?

Kirby: Just a week ago, I turned in an historical novel set during WWII, taking place between fall 1941 and spring 1943. Right now, I'm writing another historical novel, which intertwines the stories of 4 girls and takes place between 1929 and 1941. What can I say? I'm hooked on history!

And, of course, Mary and I are on the hunt for another nonfiction picture book to write together.

Mary:  My newest picture book, The Famous Nini: A Mostly True Story of How a Plain White Cat Became a Star is illustrated by John Manders and published by Clarion, and will be out in the spring of 2010. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous! In preparation for his work, John studied the paintings of John Singer Sargent who lived in Venice at the same time Nini did. My favorite is the double-page spread of Nini blessing the Pope! This is a story of a real cat named Nini who became a celebrity and rose to the world stage in Venice during the 1890's, capturing the attention of doting visitors such as Giuseppe Verdi, Pope Leo XIII, King Umberto I and Queen Margherita of Italy, Czar Alexander III, and Emperor Menelik II of Ethiopia. The Author's Note contains a photograph of the cafe´ he lived in which still exists today.

I'm also working on an adventure fantasy novel set in the 1920's, The Curse of the Amber Baboon, with authors Barbara Kerley (Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins; Walt Whitman: Words for America; and What To Do About Alice?) and Natasha Wing (The Night Before Series, and her newest book An Eye for Color).

What have books have influenced you most and why?

Kirby: I'm not sure there's a particular book, but there are certainly authors who inspire me:  Karen Hesse, because she takes great risks in her writing; Karen Cushman, who is the queen of historical fiction; Katherine Paterson, for her topics; Barbara O'Connor, for her story telling; Rodman Philbrick for the characters he creates; Dave Patneaude for his ability to weave detail and description into narrative; Mary Nethery, for her brilliance at plotting and story structure; Ann Whitford Paul, who is the queen of poetic picture books; Helen Ketteman, for her outrageous and crazy-fun use of language. . .the list is too long for this interview but I can't sign off without adding all of the people whose diaries and journals I've read. These latter were average folks who never made the headlines but without their stories, I would not be able to write the books I write. It is the real life details from times past that help me write books that connect with contemporary readers.

Mary: Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories, Edward Lear's The Owl and the Pussycat, and the works of James Marshall were early influences on my own work. One of my favorite novels is How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff.  I admire how she drips in the back story as if it were on an IV.  That book has haunted me ever since I read the last line, closed the book, and said goodbye to her cast of characters and the dystopia she so artfully created. I also love Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials Trilogy (especially the animal daemons); Frank Cottrell Boyce’s Millions and Framed because I admire his ability to create unforgettable characters; and M.T. Anderson’s Feed because it’s so visionary and written in such a cohesive style.

I love books that make me laugh and are wicked in some way! My favorite picture book is Martha Speaks by Susan Meddaugh—I adore the sentient Martha! I also like Graham Oakley’s Church Cat books; Mark Teague’s Dear Mrs. Larue; Jack Gantos’ and Nicole Rubel’s Rotten Ralph books; and Maira Kalman’s Ooh-la-la (Max in Love).

Thanks, Kirby and Mary! I wish you much success with Nubs, and I look forward to reading more of your work in the future.

To watch a video about Nubs, click here.  To learn more about Kirby and Mary's previous book, Two Bobbies:  A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship and Survival, click here.

FIRE IN THE HILLS by Donna Jo Napoli

“Why did you join?”

“It doesn’t matter.  Everyone has a different story.  A German soldier shoots two men, and their widows, who never even liked each other before, find they are best friends.  They start a little band of resistance.  And they meet another woman whose father was killed, and she bands with them.  And another woman who was raped by a Nazi officer, and she bands with them.  And the girl who watched her mother get raped.  And the girl who watched her brother get arrested and dragged away.  Everyone has a personal story.  But in the end, they’re all the same.”  (from Fire in the Hills, pages 92-93)

Back in August, I reviewed Donna Jo Napoli’s World War II novel for young adults, Stones in Water.  Napoli tells the story of Roberto, a young boy from Venice, Italy, who goes to the cinema with his brother and some friends, and the Germans come in and round up all the boys and transport them to work camps.  Roberto successfully escapes from a work camp in the Ukraine, but he must make his way on foot back to Venice.  While I really enjoyed Stones in Water, I was a little frustrated with the open ending, and I was thrilled when Napoli e-mailed me to say there was a sequel called Fire in the Hills. 

Fire in the Hills opens with Roberto still hoping to return to Venice (Note:  I’m not telling you anything big or giving away the end to Stones in Water).  He’s finally made it to Italy, but the German occupation means his hardships are far from over.  Roberto is alone and hungry, and while he’s grown up a lot since his capture, he’s really still a child.  He wants most to get back to his parents, learn what happened to his brother, and simply be safe.  However, he’s roaming through Italy depending on the kindness of strangers for food and shelter.  Roberto is recaptured by the Germans and eventually freed by resistance fighters, whose family takes him in.  While staying with this family, he meets Volpe Rossa (“red fox”), a young girl who is a member of the partigiani, the Italian resistance movement.  Roberto decides to reassess his priorities, putting his desire to see an end to the war above his desire to stay safe, and he embarks on a journey with Volpe Rossa and becomes Lupo (“wolf”).  As Lupo, he goes on many missions, mainly delivering messages and weapons to other resistance fighters -- all as he tries to make his way back home.

Fire in the Hills is full of action and tension, and every time Lupo and Volpe Rossa came in contact with the Nazis, I was on the edge of my seat.  I’d grown attached to Lupo, and I could feel his fear.  I loved the character of Volpe Rossa, a young woman wise beyond her years, a leader with great strength.  She knows how to use her femininity and her beauty to her advantage and to advance the cause -- and no matter what happens, she doesn’t want to be viewed as a helpless girl.  Napoli provides a lot of interesting details about the Italian resistance, emphasizing the role women played in helping bring the war to a close.  She also brilliantly captures the innocence of Lupo, his gentleness and respect for humanity, which he retains despite all of the horrific things he has witnessed.

Fire in the Hills is a wonderful conclusion to the story begun in Stones in Water, but it is a standalone book.  Napoli weaves the major events of Stones in Water into the narrative, so readers have enough information about Roberto and his experiences since the cinema roundup that they shouldn’t feel lost.  While classified as a YA novel, I would recommend this one for mature YA readers.  There is more violence than the previous book, and these scenes might be too much for middle-grade readers.  (Personally, I wouldn’t let my 9-year-old daughter read this book yet, and I think I’d even wait a year or two before giving her my copy of Stones in Water.  But I definitely will recommend these to her at some point.)

These are perfect books if you like historical fiction and would like to learn a little about the German occupation of Italy and the Italian resistance through the eyes of a young boy directly affected by the war.  They are short, but powerful, and because they are geared toward the YA market, they aren’t overwhelming in terms of graphic details.

Fire in the Hills is my 24th book for the WWII reading challenge at War Through the Generations.  I think I'm slowing down with this challenge, but there are so many more WWII books I want to read before the end of the year!

Disclosure:  I borrowed Fire in the Hills from the library.

October in Review

Wow, I can't believe it's already November.  The months are flying by, and sometimes it seems as though I don't have time to stop and catch my breath.

Thankfully, I've had time to read.  In October, I read 15 books, putting me at 105 for the year!!  This means I've met my goal of reading 100 books in 2009.

Here's my list for the month (click the links to read my reviews):

A Match for Mary Bennet by Eucharista Ward*

Nubs:  The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine & a Miracle by Major Brian Dennis, Kirby Larson, and Mary Nethery

Betsy-Tacy by Maud Hart Lovelace

Betsy-Tacy and Tib by Maud Hart Lovelace

Betsy and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill by Maud Hart Lovelace

Betsy and Tacy Go Downtown by Maud Hart Lovelace

Heaven to Betsy by Maud Hart Lovelace

The 13 Days of Halloween by Carol Greene and Tim Raglin (illus.)

Betsy in Spite of Herself by Maud Hart Lovelace

Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran

The Widow's Season by Laura Brodie

The Return by Victoria Hislop

Horrid Henry's Underpants by Francesca Simon and Tony Ross (illus.)

Horrid Henry and the Scary Sitter by Francesca Simon and Tony Ross (illus.)

Fire in the Hills by Donna Jo Napoli**

*counts toward the Everything Austen Challenge
**counts toward the War Through the Generations Challenge

As for my challenge progress, I've completed 2/6 for the Everything Austen Challenge and 24 books for the War Through the Generations Challenge.  I plan to read at least a few more WWII books by the end of the year, as well as complete the Everything Austen Challenge.  Wish me luck!  (It's a good thing I have the entire week of Thanksgiving off from work.)

So tell, me...how many books did you read last month? Are you meeting all your reading goals? 

Have a YA Novel or Ya Novel Idea? Check Out This NaNoWriMo Contest

I have too much going on right to participate in NaNoWriMo (maybe next year!), but I thought I'd take this opportunity to tell you about an awesome contest for those of you who have a YA novel or a YA novel idea.  It's hard to get your writing noticed by agents and editors, but this contest will give you that necessary exposure.

Paul Samuelson from Sourcebooks -- one of the publishers involved in the contest -- wanted me to let you know about this contest, and I'm all for promoting writing, so here are the details:

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Get in Front of Top YA Editors and Agents with ONLY the First 250 Words of Your YA Novel!

Have a young adult novel—or a YA novel idea—tucked away for a rainy day? Are you putting off pitching your idea simply because you’re not sure how to pitch an agent? No problem! All you have to do is submit the first 250 words of your novel and you can win both exposure to editors, and a one-on-one chat with one of New York’s TOP literary agents Regina Brooks.

Regina Brooks is the founder of Serendipity Literary Agency and the author of Writing Great Books for Young Adults. Brooks has been instrumental at establishing and building the careers of many YA writers, including three-time National Book Award Honoree and Michael Printz Honoree Marilyn Nelson, as well as Sundee Frazier—a Coretta Scott King Award winner, an Oprah Book Pick and an Al Roker book club selection. As an agent, she is known for her ability to turn raw talent into successful authors.

ADDITIONALLY: The top 20 submissions will all be read by a panel of five judges comprised of top YA editors at Random House, HarperCollins, Harlequin, Sourcebooks and Penguin. All 20 will receive free autographed copies of Writing Great Books for Young Adults by Regina Brooks. Of the 20, they will pick the top five submissions and provide each author with commentary and a one year subscription to The Writer magazine. ONE Grand Prize Winner will have the opportunity to get feedback on a full YA manuscript and win a free 10-week writing course courtesy of the Gotham Writer’s Workshop.

Please submit all entries via the contest website at http://www.writingclasses.com/ContestPages/YAPitch.php. One entry per person; anyone age 13+ can apply. Open to the U.S. & Canada (void where prohibited). Entries for the YA Novel Discovery Contest will be accepted from 12:01am (ET) November 1 until 11:59pm (ET), November 30.

NOVEMBER IS NaNoWriMo

In honor of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo.org)—an international event where aspiring novelists are encouraged to write an entire novel in 30 days—this contest is meant to encourage the aspiring YA author to get started on that novel by offering an incentive for completing the first 250 words.

So apply now! http://bit.ly/1PYGaN

JUDGING

YA literary agent Regina Brooks, along with editors at Sourcebooks, will read all of the entries and determine the top 20 submissions. These submissions will then be read by Dan Ehrenhaft, head Acquisitions Editor at Soucebooks Fire; Alisha Niehaus, Editor at Dial Books for Young Readers (Penguin); David Linker, Executive Editor at HarperCollins Children’s Books; Michele Burke, Editor at Knopf Books for Young Readers (Random House); and Evette Porter, Editor at Harlequin. These judges will whittle the top 20 down to four winners and a grand prize winner—all five will be provided commentary on their submissions.

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Best of luck to all the entrants!

Mailbox Monday -- November 2

Hope everyone's having a wonderful Monday.  Of course, it would be better if I could enjoy the bright sunny day without being cooped up in the office, but what can you do?  I hope everyone had a happy Halloween!  We had a fun time with some friends and their three kids, but I don't like the aftermath.  The whole "Hey, Mom, can I have some candy?" thing gets old real quick.

Anyway, it's time for another Mailbox Monday, when bookworms share what books they received for review, purchased, or otherwise obtained over the last week.  Thanks to Marcia from The Printed Page for hosting this weekly meme.  Here's what I found in my mailbox:

The Girl on Legare Street by Karen White (from Joan Schulhafer Publishing & Media Consulting for review)

A Dawn Like Thunder:  The True Story of Torpedo Squadron Eight by Robert J. Mrazek (from Hachette for review)

The Listeners by Gloria Whelan (contest win from Brimful Curiosities)

Dreaming Anastasia by Joy Preble (contest win from Book Blogger Appreciation Week)

 

What Would Jane Austen Do? by Laurie Brown (contest win from Book Blogger Appreciation Week)

What books did you welcome into your home recently?

THE WIDOW'S SEASON by Laura Brodie

Now she understood the superstitions of ancient cultures, the impetus for séances and Ouija boards, and the necessity of burial, so that the dead might sleep in peace.  She couldn't say which was more troubling -- the state of her husband's soul or the state of her own mind, for she suspected that all those mourners with their mirrors reversed did not dread spirits so much as the look of their own haunted faces.  (from The Widow's Season, page 23)

The Widow's Season by Laura Brodie focuses on Sarah McConnell, a 39-year-old widow haunted by her dead husband.  She had been wallowing in grief for three months when she first saw her husband's ghost.  It happened in the grocery store right around Halloween.  He locked eyes with her for a moment, and he seemed more real than otherworldly.  He is gone before Sarah can approach him, but this vision becomes the first of many.  And given that her husband's death at the hands of a swollen river during a bad storm in the mountains near their home in Jackson, Virginia, is declared without his body having been found, Sarah begins to wonder whether David is really dead or simply trading the life of a busy doctor for one of a simple artist and hermit.

Sarah is haunted not only by David's ghost, but also by their marriage of more than a decade that involved several heartbreaking miscarriages and a slow emotional and physical withdrawal by both of them.  When a spouse dies so unexpectedly, there are so many things left unsaid and undone -- and there isn't a thing the surviving spouse can do to remedy the situtation.  Life must go on for Sarah.  She must decide what to do about the huge house left empty by David's death and her inability to carry a baby to term.  She must prepare David's paintings for an exhibition in a local gallery and later a more prestigious showing in Washington, D.C.  And she must contend with her attraction to Nate, David's handsome-to-the-point-of-perfection (or at least he's described that way, but maybe not in those exact words) younger brother.

The Widow's Season offers a mysterious ghost story for readers who like to be scared.  Brodie explores the depths of grief -- how it affects Sarah to her very core; how sadness, depression, and despair can blur the borders of reality; and how surviving spouses cope with feelings of guilt as life goes on.  There isn't a whole lot of plot in The Widow's Season, but Brodie's beautiful prose more than makes up for it.  Her sentences are brilliantly crafted to set a mood, and I felt a heaviness as I read Sarah's story.  I felt her loss, her pain, and her anger, and I loved how Brodie was able to use a handful of words to toy with my emotions.

When it comes to the characters of Sarah, David, and Nate, Sarah is probably the most well developed.  However, Brodie paints a portrait of their true selves, flaws and all, so that readers see their evolution and understand that no one person is to blame for the events that transpire.  I didn't like all of them all of the time, and that made them more authentic to me.

The Widow's Season grabbed me from the first page and kept me guessing until the end.  It's not a novel filled with sunshine and flowers (thank goodness), but there is some hope to cancel out some of the sadness.  Readers who like emotional, character-driven stories should give it a try.

Thanks to Laura Brodie for sending me a free copy of The Widow's Season to review.

HORRID HENRY'S UNDERPANTS/HORRID HENRY AND THE SCARY SITTER by Francesca Simon (with giveaway)

Horrid Henry is back...and he's as horrid as ever.  Francesca Simon's beloved U.K. children's series has been released in the U.S. by Sourcebooks.  The Girl and I reviewed four of the Horrid Henry books earlier this year, and we were excited to be part of the latest blog tour for Horrid Henry's Underpants and Horrid Henry and the Scary Sitter.  Each book contains four hilarious stories about the biggest troublemaker I've ever read in a children's book.  Here's a rundown of the stories:

In Horrid Henry's Underpants:

"Horrid Henry Eats a Vegetable" -- Horrid Henry's parents always wish he was like his younger brother, Perfect Peter.  Peter loves vegetables -- even more than candy.  To persuade Henry to eat his vegetables, his parents bribe him.  If he eats all of his vegetables every day for five days, they'll take him to his favorite restaurant, complete with greasy fried foods and televisions.  Of course, Henry has no plans to eat his vegetables, and he goes beyond the stick-them-in-your-napkin routine I pulled as a kid.

"Horrid Henry's Underpants" -- This is the funniest story in the two books, and of course, kids will get a kick out of the use of the word "underpants" in the title and throughout the story.  Henry's great aunt has always thought he was a girl named Henny, and she sends him a gift -- frilly, flowery girl underpants.  Unfortunately for Henry, he accidentally wears them to school on a day when he overslept, and he has to figure out how to get rid of them before the kids in his class find out.

"Horrid Henry's Sick Day" -- Horrid Henry doesn't like that Perfect Peter is sick and staying home from school.  He'd rather stay home and watch tv, too, so he pretends to be sick.  His plan backfires when his parents fall ill, and they need some TLC.  Of course, Henry doesn't want to help.

"Horrid Henry's Thank You Letter" -- Horrid Henry, the greedy, rude child that he is, obviously has better things to do than write thank you letters for the Christmas gifts he received.  After all, he doesn't like most of them.  So why should he thank the giver?  Henry decides to write some "No, thank you" letters, and figuring that people would pay for his services, he takes on the job of writing "thank you" letters for his classmates.  I bet you can imagine how well that turns out.

In Horrid Henry and the Scary Sitter:

"Horrid Henry Tricks and Treats"  -- Henry does a horrid, horrid thing to Perfect Peter and is forced to stay home with his father while his mother and Peter go trick-or-treating.  But when Henry's classmates ring the bell and show up with their bulging bags of candy, Henry has no intention of missing out on the goodies -- especially since his parents are passing out fruit and walnuts as treats.

"Horrid Henry and the Scary Sitter" -- It's understandable why Henry's parents can't find a babysitter willing to watch Henry more than once.  Henry is outraged when his parents hire Rabid Rebecca, who expects the boys to be in their pajamas and ready for bed hours before their usual bedtime.  But even though Rebecca is mean and wants the children out of her sight so she can watch ballroom dancing, Henry won't give up until he has her trained -- giving him rule of the house.

"Horrid Henry's Raid" -- Horrid Henry and Perfect Peter's Purple Hand fort is raided by Moody Margaret and Sour Susan, who insist Henry is responsible for emptying the cookie tin in their Secret Club tent.  Thus begins a back-and-forth battle to annihilate their enemies' clubhouses.

"Horrid Henry's Car Journey" -- Horrid Henry would rather attend Rude Ralph's birthday party than the christening of his baby cousin, Vomiting Vera.  So he decides to make the long car trip unbearable for his parents in the hopes that they will turn around and let him attend the birthday party.

Horrid Henry and his antics are amusing to a point.  He truly is the brattiest kid I've ever seen in a children's book, and his actions are funny because they are so outrageous.  However, after reading eight stories of Henry is his horrible glory, I was exhausted and so thankful that my daughter is well behaved and genuinely kind.  I understand that the books are supposed to be funny, but it bothers me that Henry's parents will tell him to stop being horrid and sometimes even send him to his room without doing much else to change his attitude or his behavior.  Some of the things he does are downright unacceptable and truly mean, and while some of his actions backfire, sometimes there are no consequences.

Yet at the same time, the Horrid Henry books are meant to be funny, ridiculous, and entertaining.  If your child, like mine, is mature enough to separate entertainment from appropriate "real life" behavior, that's great.  Because you certainly wouldn't want your kids getting any ideas from Horrid Henry!  While reading these books, The Girl would say "Uh, oh, he's going to be in trouble" or "Henry's really mean" or "I'd never do that.  I'd be grounded forever."  I thought her reactions were funny, and they also made me happy that at least I've successfully taught her right from wrong.

After we finished the books, she went upstairs to jot down her thoughts.  When I read her review, I just about died laughing.  Here are The Girl's (age 9) thoughts on the books:

Perfect Peter is perfect, but I think he's a little tattletale.  My favorite story was "Horrid Henry's Underpants."  His aunt thinks he is a girl so she gets him girly underwear.  My favorite part was when he couldn't get dressed for gym because he was going commando, and the teacher said it was his lucky day because she found some spare underwear in the boy's bathroom, and it's the same underwear he started out with.  I don't like how Henry gets away with everything.  I think he should be punished until he's in college.

Too funny!!  Anyway, if you're interested in seeing for yourself just how horrid Henry is, you're in luck.  Courtesy of Sourcebooks, I have a copy of Horrid Henry and The Mummy's Curse to give away.

I put The Girl in charge of the rules for this giveaway, and because Halloween is coming soon, she wants you to leave a comment telling her your biggest fear.  Please make sure to include your e-mail address with your comment.

Since the publisher is handling shipping, this giveaway is restricted to the United States.  The giveaway will end Sunday, Nov. 8 at 11:59 EST.

Thanks to Sourcebooks for sending us free copies of Horrid Henry's Underwear and Horrid Henry and the Scary Sitter to review.


and

Interview With Michelle Moran, Author of CLEOPATRA'S DAUGHTER

So...you've read my review of Cleopatra's Daughter, read the guest post by Michelle Moran, and entered the giveaway for Cleopatra's Daughter, The Heretic Queen, and an authentic ancient Roman coin.  Great (and thank you)!

Now, I have another treat for you.  I had the pleasure of interviewing Michelle about Cleopatra's Daughter, among other things.  Check out my Examiner page to see what she had to say.

Guest Post by Michelle Moran (and an Awesome Giveaway!)

I'm thrilled to welcome Michelle Moran to Diary of an Eccentric to talk about her inspiration for Cleopatra's Daughter (click here to read my review).  Michelle is one of my favorite authors, and it's been a pleasure trading e-mails with her.  If you haven't managed to get your hands on a copy of Cleopatra's Daughter yet, you're in luck!  Michelle is generously offering some goodies to a lucky reader.  Details will follow her guest post.

Why Cleopatra's Daughter?

It began with a dive. Not the kind of dive that people take into swimming pools, but the kind where you squeeze yourself into a wetsuit and wonder just how tasty your rump must appear to passing sharks now that it looks exactly like an elephant seal. My husband and I had taken a trip to Egypt, and at the suggestion of a friend, we decided to go to Alexandria and do a dive to see the remains of Cleopatra’s underwater city. Let it be known that I had never done an underwater dive before, so after four days with an instructor (and countless questions like, Will there be sharks? How about jellyfish? If there is an earthquake, what happens underwater?) we were ready for the real thing.

We drove to the Eastern Harbor in Alexandria. Dozens of other divers were already there, waiting to see what sort of magic lay beneath the waves. I wondered if the real thing could possibly live up to all of the guides and brochures selling this underwater city, lost for thousands of years until now. Then we did the dive, and it was every bit as magical as everyone had promised. You can see the rocks which once formed Marc Antony’s summer palace, come face to face with Cleopatra’s towering sphinx, and take your time floating above ten thousand ancient artifacts, including obelisks, statues, and countless amphorae. By the time we had surfaced, I was Cleopatra-obsessed. I wanted to know what had happened to her city once she and Marc Antony had committed suicide. Where did all of its people go? Were they allowed to remain or were they killed by the Romans? What about her four children? 

It was this last question which surprised me the most. I had always believed that all of Cleopatra’s children had been murdered. But the Roman conqueror Octavian had actually spared the three she bore to Marc Antony: her six-year-old son, Ptolemy, and her ten-year-old twins, Alexander and Selene. As soon as I learned that Octavian had taken the three of them for his Triumph in Rome, I knew at once I had my next book. This is how all of my novels seem to begin – with a journey, then an adventure, and finally, enormous amounts of research for what I hope is an exciting story.

******

Thanks, Michelle!  She's obviously very passionate about history, and it really shows in her novels.

Now for the giveaway:

Michelle is generously offering a hardcover copy of Cleopatra's Daughter, a paperback copy of The Heretic Queen (which I reviewed here), and an ancient Roman coin (like the one here) with a certificate of authenticity.

One lucky winner will receive all three prizes.  However, if you've already read Cleopatra's Daughter or The Heretic Queen, just let me know in your entry; if you're chosen, I can select another winner for the book you already have, and you will receive the book you haven't yet read plus the ancient Roman coin.

All you have to do is leave a comment on this post with your e-mail address.

This giveaway is open worldwide and will end Sunday, Nov. 8 at 11:59 pm EST.  The winner will be chosen randomly.

CLEOPATRA'S DAUGHTER by Michelle Moran

Livia sat forward and fixed me in her gaze.  "My father committed suicide because of your father.  And now your father has killed himself because of my husband.  It's a strange little world, isn't it, Selene?  And I imagine that when your mother came to Rome, she thought it would be only a matter of time before she stood in the Senate and declared herself queen.  But Romans don't accept women who paint their faces, or dress themselves in beads, or swim in rivers.  And they won't accept a little whore from Alexandria who thinks she can come here and take her mother's place.  I know what you want."  She laughed bitterly.  "You think my husband is going to send you back to Egypt, but the Greeks will be settling their debts on the Kalends before that ever happens!"  In Rome, the Kalends was the first day of every month, but the Greeks had no such day.

When Livia sat back, Octavia smiled.  "Charming as always, Livia.  And every afternoon a sweet reminder of why my brother chose you for his wife."  (from Cleopatra's Daughter, pages 139-140)

Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran honestly is the best book I've read this year.  (And I've read a lot of good books since January.)  As you can tell from this passage, Moran has a way of bringing history to life.  Despite the contemporary writing style, readers will not forget they have traveled to ancient Rome around 31 B.C. during the reign of Octavian (later known as Augustus).

Moran tells the story of Kleopatra Selene, twin sister of Alexander Helios and daughter of Kleopatra VII and Marc Antony.  Kleopatra and Marc Antony are defeated in 31 B.C. by Octavian and his military adviser Marcus Agrippa, and both commit suicide.  Selene, only 10 years old but highly educated and wise beyond her years, is devastated.  She and her brothers, Alexander and Ptolemy, are taken by Octavian to Rome, where they will be paraded through the streets as part of the victory celebration.  Selene is worried that Octavian plans to have them killed, but after she and Alexander settle in Rome, their lives take on a routine of school and other pursuits.  Selene and Alexander are taken in by Octavia, the sister of Octavian and one of their father's wives before Kleopatra.  Octavia becomes sort of a mother to the twins, and her son and Octavian's heir, Marcellus, becomes their closest friend  -- and despite the fact that he is betrothed to Octavian's daughter, Julia, Selene develops a crush on him.  Julia, as well as Octavia's slave, Gallia, who handles their clothing and accompanies them on their trips around Rome, also become close friends of the twins.

There is a lot going on in Cleopatra's Daughter, and I'm afraid I can't do the book justice.  The twins are always under the watchful eye of Octavian, his bodyguard, Juba -- who was a child when his father's kingdom was defeated and came to live in Rome under circumstances similar to that of Selene's -- and others close to the emperor.  As they wait to turn 15, when Octavian likely will marry them off, the twins try to make themselves useful, and Selene's sketches turn into an apprenticeship under the architect Vitruvius.  Selene and Alexander face the hatred of Octavian's mean and bitter wife, Livia.  Slavery also is a major topic in Cleopatra's Daughter, as a rebel known as "The Red Eagle" takes steps to free slaves and encourages uprisings.  The search for The Red Eagle consumes must of Octavian's time and energy, and his activities arouse the curiosity of the twins and their new friends.

Selene is a wonderfully written character, and as the book is told from her point of view, readers come to know a lot about her.  She is strong, fiercly loyal to her country, intelligent, and free-spirited.  She does not collapse when the rest of her world comes down around her, and even in the midst of crippling grief, it is obvious she is a survivor.

Moran clearly did her homework -- her descriptions of the architecture, academics, culture, clothing, food, and mannerisms of ancient Rome and Egypt bring the setting and the characters to life.  (A glossary at the back of the book helps readers keep things straight.)  She has visited the lands of which she writes, and she has the ability to provide numerous historical details without interrupting the flow of the narrative.  Moran brilliantly constructs complex plots without making the story difficult to follow.  I can't say enough good things about Moran's writing.  I absolutely loved her previous novels, Nefertiti and The Heretic Queen, and Cleopatra's Daughter exceeded my already high expectations.  Even if you don't prefer historical fiction about ancient Rome or Egypt, I recommend these books.  I wasn't sure I would like Nefertiti because ancient Egypt never really interested me, but I found myself glued to the book after reading only a few pages -- and the next two books were even better.  The books were so captivating, I even did some research of my own about the historical figures featured within their pages.  I highly recommend all three, but Cleopatra's Daughter is my favorite of Moran's books so far.

Read an excerpt of Cleopatra's Daughter here, and then get your hands on a copy!

A big thanks to Michelle Moran and Random House/Crown for sending me a free copy of Cleopatra's Daughter to review.

Mailbox Monday for October 26

I'm still recovering from Read-a-Thon exhaustion, so I'm a day late in posting Mailbox Monday.  Before I tell you what goodies were in my mailbox last week, I just want to let everyone waiting for a book from one of my BBAW giveaways to know that I'm preparing the packages to be shipped.  My life has been crazy and hectic, and funds have been a bit tight, but they will all be mailed out during the next few weeks.  I apologize and thank you for being so patient.

Anyway...I received several books last week -- only 2 review copies, a gift, and some contest wins.

The Pet Lovers bundle of books from BBAW, courtesy of HarperCollins:



Marley & Me:  Life and Love With the World's Worst Dog by John Grogan

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

Riding Lessons by Sara Gruen







Modoc:  The True Story of the Greatest Elephant That Ever Lived by Ralph Helfer

Hannah's Dream by Diane Hammond






Two books for review:

Things We Didn't See Coming by Steven Amsterdam (from Random House)

The Last Furlough:  The Letters of Paul Claudius 1943-1944 by Jack R. Meister and Erika Wolfe (from Erika Wolfe, the daughter of Paul Claudius)






And a gift from my buddy Serena:

Little Bird of Heaven by Joyce Carol Oates





I also received a few goodies from Reading Comfort:  a lap blanket, a book weight, and an elastic bookmark with ribbons to mark my place.  I'll been enjoying them so far, as much as I enjoy my Book Buddy.  Look for my review soon!

The Girl even received a few bookish goodies this week:

I won the James Patterson prize pack from Missy's Book Nook!  I passed the books onto The Girl, who was thrilled.

Maximum Ride:  The Angel Experiment
Maximum Ride:  School's Out -- Forever
Maximum Ride:  Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports
Maximum Ride:  The Final Warning
Maximum Ride:  Max
Maximum Ride:  The Manga, Vol. 1
The Dangerous Days of Daniel X
Daniel X:  Watch the Skies



And she also bought two books with a gift card she'd been saving:

Diary of a Wimpy Kid:  Dog Days by Jeff Kinney

Bone:  Out From Boneville by Jeff Smith

What books did you welcome into your home recently?

Thanks to Marcia from The Printed Page for hosting Mailbox Monday, where bookworms share the books they received in the mail or otherwise obtained over the last week.

THE RETURN by Victoria Hislop

Under the flickering light of the gaslamp he took a long look at this creature and was puzzled by his own reaction to her.  She was a curious mix of child and woman, an adolescent on the brink of adulthood, naive and yet worldly.  He had seen many young flamenco dancers like her, virginal and yet lacking in innocence.  Usually their extravagant sexuality vanished the moment they stopped dancing but with this girl it was different.  She exuded a sensuality, the memory of which would keep him awake that night.  (from The Return, page 125 in the ARC)

In The Return, Victoria Hislop takes readers to Granada, Spain, to a world deeply affected by war and filled with dance, bullfighting, and passion.  There are two stories within its pages.  The book opens in 2001 with Sonia, a young woman unhappy with her marriage to a much older man, a banker for whom marriage was only another task on his to-do list.  He also has a drinking problem and does not like that Sonia takes dancing lessons.  In the first section of the book, Sonia is in Granada to celebrate the birthday of her long-time friend Maggie by taking dancing lessons, mainly salsa with a little flamenco thrown in.  Sonia meets an old man in a cafe, and over coffee, they talk a bit about what Granada was like before the changes brought by war.  After Sonia returns to her home in London, she and James have a falling out, and she finds herself back in Granada meeting the old man from the cafe to discuss the lives of the cafe's previous owners, the Ramirez family, during the Spanish Civil War.

Hislop then takes readers back to the 1930s -- a politically volatile time for Spain -- and introduces the Ramirez family, Pedro and Concha and their children, Antonio, Ignacio, Emilio, and Mercedes.  When Franco and his troops begin taking over cities across Spain, Ignacio -- a new but already renowned bullfighter who sides with the Nationalists -- is at odds with his brothers over politics, and this animosity between them puts the family on a path to destruction.  Meanwhile, Mercedes, a young girl with dancing in her blood, meets a gypsy guitarist, Javier, and the two fall passionately in love.

Before picking up The Return, I didn't know much about the Spanish Civil War, and Hislop does a good job using the story of the Ramirez family to show the complexity of the politics of the period.  Even the people didn't know what was going on much of the time, and they lived in fear of being arrested without cause.  My interest in the impact of war and its place in literature drew me to The Return, but I had to read 100 pages for the story to really take off.  Sonia's story, though interesting, didn't grab my attention as much as the story of the Ramirez family, so the book started a bit slow for me.  But once Sonia returned to Granada and listened to Miguel, the cafe owner, talk about the past over coffee, I was hooked.  While each member of the Ramirez family had an interesting story, I was most captivated by Mercedes.  Hislop beautifully describes Mercedes' love of flamenco, and the scene in which she meets Javier and he plays his guitar just for her was so full of emotion and passion that it felt alive.  Her dancing and his guitar playing are perfectly matched, setting the stage for a heart-wrenching tale of love and loss.

Despite its slow start, I really liked The Return, and at the very least I'd recommend it for the details about the Spanish Civil War.  Hislop shows readers what it was like for the ordinary people of Granada -- the fear, the tension, the fighting among family and friends unsure of which side is right.  But The Return is so much more than a war story.  There's romance, familial tension, and two young women trying to find themselves amidst chaos, and Hislop brilliantly sets the scene so you feel as though you are in Granada with Sonia and the Ramirez family.  Though I wish I hadn't been able to predict the outcome of the more-than-400-page book on page 80, it didn't detract from my overall enjoyment of the story.

About Victoria Hislop:

Victoria Hislop read English at St Hilda’s College, Oxford, and writes travel features for The Sunday Telegraph, The Mail on Sunday, House & Garden and Woman & Home.

Her first novel The Island was published by Headline Review and held the number 1 slot in the paperback charts for eight consecutive weeks, selling over a million copies in the UK.

The book has also been published in over twenty languages and has also been a number 1 bestseller in Greece.

Victoria was the Newcomer of the Year at the Galaxy British Book Awards 2007 and won the Richard & Judy Summer Read competition.

She lives in Kent, with her husband and their two children.
Visit Victoria’s website at www.victoriahislop.com.

Check out the rest of the tour stops here.

Thanks to HarperCollins for sending me a free copy of The Return to review and to TLC Book Tours for inviting me to participate in the blog tour.