Marta's Meanderings

Faith n Fiction Saturday
It's time once again for Faith n Fiction Saturday and Amy of My Friend Amy has posed the following questions for this week.
This Week's Question:
You have a good friend who is a devoted Christian and voracious reader. He or she, however, tried to read a Christian fiction book in the past and found it to be too preachy and unrealistic. Your friend wants to try it again and has asked you for a recommendation. Their favorite genre of book is what is considered literary fiction. What book would you recommend to them?

One of the writers of Christian fiction that I tend to return to over and over is Frank Peretti. His books have a strong Christian theme without being too preachy, and yet are exciting and fun.

You also have a friend who is not a Christian but wants to read fiction that is considered clean without being too Christian. They have asked you if there are Christian fiction books that might meet their reading needs. They are interested in romance and novels. What book would you recommend to them?

I don't tend to read a lot of Christian romance. What I have read hasn't been the most realistic as far as I was concerned. From the reviews I've been reading I think I'm going to go back and read a few new authors! This isn't technically a romance novel, but any of the Jan Karon Mitford series would be an excellent choice and one that I have recomended many times.

I finally made up my mind to take the challenge on this one. I've seen soooo many challenges out there and decided this one was do-able. I'm going to do the "Does This Make My Butt Look Big?" challenge which requires me to read 3-5 chunkster books over the next 10 months.

Here's the rules:

• *A chunkster is 450 pages or more of ADULT literature (fiction or nonfiction)
  Don't complain folks, I read all thousands of pages of the Twilight series
  and they were good, but not a challenge. A chunkster should be a challenge.
• *If you read large type books your book will need to be 525 pages or
  more I asked around and the average LT book is 10-15% longer or more so I think that was a fair estimate.
• *No Audio books in the chunkster. It just doesn't seem right.
  Words on paper for this one folks.
• * You may start any time after signing up. You must complete your reads before or on Nov 15th.
• *Short Stories and Essay collections will not be counted.
• *Books may crossover with other challenges

Signups for this end on March 1st, hurry on over to http://feelinchunky.blogspot.com/ and get signed up!

OK...OK...so it was from an 88 yo man with Altzheimers...it was still a proposal. Here's how the conversation went. This took place in the front lobby after I picked up a tissue he'd dropped.

( Names have been changed to protect the innocent)

• Bill: Will You marry me? you're pretty
• me: uh no....I'm sorry
• Bill: Why the heck not? I'd make it good for you (with a leer)
• me: Why do you want to get married so badly
• Bill: I'm running out of fluids (I just really didn't want any clarification on that one!)
• me: I was married before and don't want to do it again.
• Bill: I know why you don't want to get married....I think you just don't want to get F$% $# anymore.

At which point I had no response and I went back to my room. Bill on the other hand was ESCORTED to his room. :)

There's never a dull moment here ;)

Wanted to mention that For The Love of Books is having her first give-away...Congrats! She's got 3 copies of the book "Wintergirls" by Laurie Halse Anderson to give away. Head on over for your chance to win!

by Rich DeVos

This is a small book that really packs a punch! Rich DeVos , the co-founder of Amway and Chairman of the NBA Orlando Magic, believes in maintaining a positive attitude and offering encouragement to others. He's spent years as a motivational speaker and traveling the country meeting people from all walks of life. In this book he's sharing his knowledge of how using ten simple phrases can help transform your life and the people in it. These 10 phrases will make you a better parent, spouse, child, businessman and human being.

DeVos shares his wisdom in stories about people he's met and the things he's done in his life. The 10 phrases range from saying "I'm sorry" and "I love you" and "I'm proud of you". This book is so very inspirational and would be as appropriate for a new parent, a business leader or a high school graduate. Everyone can benefit from this book.

Some days I hate technology! I have a wireless keyboard and mouse which have performed wonderfully. Until this morning. I rebooted my pc...and no keyboard or mouse. Finally after I replugged them in for the tenth time I realized that it wasn't going to work! I flagged down our maintenance guy Phil....and he grabbed me a spare keyboard he had, but no mouse. I had to blow out the cobwebs and remember how to use the keyboard to get around the screen....I finally went off to ceramics and when I came back...the mouse magically worked again! and the weirdest part was that it wasn't even plugged in...I had the wireless keyboard plugged (which still doesn't work). Ya gotta love technology. I have no idea how it's working...and I don't care!

By Kimberly Raiser

"Will they stay? Will they survive? The Weavers have inherited family property in Astral, Pennsylvania, a town so small that Mrs. Weaver can find no mention of it on the Internet, save for a tiny spot on Google Earth. Hoping for a simpler, small-town existence for their young family, Steven and Tara eagerly head to Astral to see what they hope will be their dream house. As they explore their potential new home, the Weavers begin to discover secret passageways, secret rooms, and long buried family truths; some difficult truths are revealed and no longer kept in the far reaches of the closet. There are reasons for everything, and sometimes the explanations are so simple. But sometimes, simple can also be horrifying." (Barnes & Noble)

What can I say? This book was pure fun from start to finish. If you like the thriller, sci-fi genre then you'll love this book. There were twists and turns in this book that I NEVER saw coming. I read this book in one day because I just couldn't put it down.! Kimberly Raiser has written a wonderful book. I think another great point to make is that this book would also be appropriate for younger readers. There 's not gore, violence and sex in this book...just an out and out thrill ride. I'd recommend this to everyone.

edited by Ben Karlin

This is a great anthology of short stories about relationships. It's fun and snarky. We've all been in relationships and I'm sure you'll recognize something from the book. If nothing else it really shows us that we all have bad, crappy relationships and we all live through them and usually end up laughing about them. This book was a quick read and most of the stories were fairly short. Some of the stories are a bit graphic, so if you don't like that type of thing, this isn't the book for you.

by Patricia O'Brien

In this book O'brien has brought to life the Beecher family, one of the most influential families of the 19th century. The book focuses on the relationship between Harriet and Isabella. Harriet was the author of Uncle Tom's Cabin and Isabella was a proponent of women's rights. When a scandal threatens their families reputation they come to an impasse that almost destroyed their relationship.

This story is as much about the relationships between all of the Beecher family as it is about loyalty. The book illuminates the relationship that each of the sisters had with their famous brother Henry Ward Beecher who was at the center of the scandal. Henry had been accused of adultery with another mans wife and the ensuing trial and nationwide scandal almost ruined them all.

While this book is fiction, there is so much biographical data in the book concerning all of the characters that one almost imagines they have a ringside seat to what went on during that time of their lives. This book is excellent! O'Brien is a master storyteller. I just didn't want to put the book down once I'd started it.

To Learn More of the Story
http://harrietandisabella.com/

Patricia O'Brien talking about Harriet and Isabella

Devotional Wisdom from 50 of the Best Loved Psalms
featuring Devotionals by Lori Jones

This is such an exceptional audio book I don't know where to start. The 3 CD's come packaged in a beautiful book with the cd's at the back. In the front, thick, creamy pages hold the text of the psalm and also a devotional to go along with each Psalm. This way you can read or listen. Not only are the Psalm excerpts recorded, but also the devotionals. This really allows the listener a lot of flexibility in using them together or separately.

This is a beautiful set which I found wonderful for use during quiet times. But I'd also think it would be great to use to open a bible study. I wasn't sure what to expect with this book/audio, but I was extremely pleased with it.

Head on over to Enroute To Life for a great February LOVE giveaway! Although if none of you go....that means there is a better chance that I'll win....hmmmmmmmmmmm now I'm wondering why I posted this.......?

Aretha's hat!

I received an interesting email today from "Word of Life". This weeks devotional piece was written by Steven K. Scott author of "The Greatest Words Ever Spoken". In it he talks about how a few years ago the rage was everyone wearing bracelets and t-shirts with the lettters WWJD on them, which stands for What Would Jesus Do.

In this piece he says the more important question we should ask ourselves is "What Did Jesus Say?". That's a bit harder. Most of us have an idea what Christ said, but have we really studied his words?

Instead of followingi Jesus's actions maybe we should rely on what he said. Remember he his promise in John 8:31-21 "If you abide in my word, you are my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free".

Jesus promised us nothing if we copied his actions, but he promised us much if we learn his words. The lessons, instruction and encouragement that Christ gave His followers were meant to give us everything we needed as guidance for everything that we encounter. They also promise us that if we follow his word we will experience God's grace and power.

His instructions for the upcoming week were that we spend time reading and learning the words of Christ. We should read these instructions for our lives, and stand upon the promises He made. I, for one, think it's excellent advice.

Marta's Meanderings: Weekly Link Up for week of January 24th#links#links#links

Over this past week I've had to opportunity to read some great blog posts. So I thought I'd let you know what interesting things I was reading around the book blogging realm. These are in no certain order just how I pulled them out of my notes ;)
If you're at all a Civil War buff or enjoy historical fiction then you're going to want to read the review on Rebel by Bernard Cornwell over at Beth Fish Reads

Our next stop is at BermudaOnion's Weblog for her review of America Savior by Roland Merullo. This book has one of the most original and unusual storylines I've ever heard. You'll have to head over and read her review to find out what it is.

Next stop on our journey is at Bibliophile's Retreat where she does an absolutely wonderful review about The Centurions's Wife by Davis Bunn and Janette Oke.

Next it was Write For A Reader for a fantastic interview with Tony Peters the author of Kids On A Case: The Ten Grand Kidnapping.

Next is Booking Mama for her great review of Beat The Reaper by Josh Bazell.

Wendi's Book Corner has a great review of The Valentine Edition by Robin Shope. As usual it's a very in-depth review that makes you want to run out and buy the book.

S. Krishna's Books has posted a wonderful review of Conscience Point by Erica Abeel. I had just received a spring catalog from indie publisher Unbridled Books and this was one of my picks for spring.

Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin? has posted a very insightful, thought provoking post on
The Ethics of Book Reviews, Part 2. Almost as interesting is the discussion that follows in the comments left. Make sure you don't miss that discussion as well as the post.

Amy at My Friend Amy has started a challenge based on the TV series LOST. For anyone who is a fan, and even if you're not, it's a really eclectic list of books to choose from and should be fun.

Blogs linking to this post:
http://bfishreads.blogspot.com/
http://www.skrishnasbooks.com/

This is the first time I've participated in this so I hope that I get it right! Amy at My Friend Amy posed the question "What's on your keeper shelf".
My keeper books would be any and all John Piper books. I've really come to love his books. They really make me think and contemplate my faith. My son the seminary student is also interning at Piper's church. Matt turned me on to Piper a couple of years ago. Pipers books are very rich and so full of content, it's like a full meal compared to the dessert of other books. Another would be the book "Captivating" by Stasi Eldredge, this book is one of those that you read a page and then have to absorb it for awhile before going on.
I know there will always be some Steinbeck on my shelves and probably something historical as well.

I read a post recently that made me stop and think. My Friend Amy: Stats...Do You Care? is what it says...asking if I care what my stats are. I hadn't really thought about it til yesterday a publisher asked what they were and I had no answer. I'm relatively new at this and wondered what I had missed that I was supposed to be doing/care about. For me at this point I'd like to know that people are reading what I'm writing, but at the same time I'm afraid that not seeing great stats will cause me to just give up. It's a double-edge sword people! So probably for a bit I will be concerned, but I'll try not to stress too much about it....Right!

Review of Houston, We Have A Problema,
by Gwendolyn Zepeda
Grand Central Publishing

Jessica Luna is your typical mid-twenties girl. She has trouble with her boyfriends, argues with her mom and sister and is confused about where her life is going. Everyone around her tells her what to do. Jessica is at a loss to make her own decisions and so she consults a psychic and watches for signs to base her decisions on.

Her boyfriend, Guillermo, is your basic friends with benefits even though she likes to think that it's something more. When she checks with the local psychic, Madame Hortensia, she's told it's time for a change. This happens about the same time that she meets Jonathan. Unfortunately, Jonathan is the complete opposite of Guillermo, and what Jessica thought she wanted in a boyfriend. But Jessica finds that she really likes Jonathan in spite of the differences. In the midst of all the dating chaos Jessica questions the direction her career is going. To add to her confusion. her parents seem to be splitting up and as Jessica becomes more confused about who she should pick and what she should do about her career and her family, she visits Madame Fortensia repeatedly until even the psychic is out of answers.

Eventually Jessica learns she to have the courage to make her own decisions and go after what she wants in order to claim her future.

This book was really good. It has a strong latino theme to it, but it definitely crosses all cultures with the themes of growing up, tolerance and acceptance.

Authors website: http://www.gwenworld.com/

The Little Giant of Aberdeen County
Written by Tiffany Baker
Published by Grand Central Publishing, a division of Hachette Book Group, USA, New York
First Edition 352 pages, Hardcover
ISBN 978-0446194204
Released January 2009

I loved that this book was written from Truly's point of view, using language that evokes a magnificent picture in your mind of her being huge and solid and over-sized. This story almost has a feel of being a fairy tale or folk lore - there is Truly who is considered a giant, the beautiful, beauty queen sister, the witch and her potions, Truly's friend Marcus who is tiny, and the evil Doctor Robert Morgan. The subtlety with which Baker weaves all of these characters in her story and gives them all such depth is what makes the story such a joy to read. I was hooked from beginning to end!

Truly is truly bigger than life. She is a legend of sorts in her small town where she hides from their looks, eventually becoming someone they all seek out. This book spoke to me of looking inside of a person and not the outside, of the circle of life and death and how nothing in life is black and white. This is an awesome, wonderful read!

Link to the Author’s website: http://www.tiffanybaker.com/book.html

Link to the Publisher’s Website: http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/

Hey everyone! I wanted to let you know about a great give-away over on Booklorn's site. She's hosting a Hatchett Book "New Year, New You" giveaway! Here are the books included in the giveaway. It's an entire package of books!

• Love in 90 Days by Diana Kirschner
• Walking in Your Own Shoes by Robert Anthony Schuller
• The Power of Who by Bob Beaudine
• God is My Coach by Larry Julian
• Do-It-Yourself Hedge Funds by Wayne Weddington
• 8 Steps to Create The Life You Want by Creflo Dollar
• Going Gray by Anne Kreamer
• This is the Year You Write Your Novel by Walter Mosley

She gave away the first package last night which was won by yours truly! She'll have another drawing for more packages on January 27th and January 31st.

Everyone head over and sign up...this is great!! I can't wait to get my books!!

Wicked By Any Other Name

Know All Your Options, Discover the Natural Choices, and Take Back the Birth Experience

by Rikki Lake and Abby Epstein

Description (Publisher Website)
The national C-section rate is at an all-time high of 31 percent. Are all these C-sections necessary, or are some of them done simply for the sake of convenience? Inductions seem to be the norm, but are they always needed? Today, expectant mothers are often left feeling powerless, as their instincts are replaced by drugs and routine medical procedures.

What you are about to discover is that you have a choice, and you have the power to plan the kind of birth that's right for you-whether it is at a birth center, a hospital, or at home. In YOUR BEST BIRTH, internationally known advocates of informed choice Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein inspire women to take back the birth experience.

Author Bio
RICKI LAKE is an actress, host of the long-running Ricki Lake talk show, and natural childbirth advocate, based in LA and New York.

ABBY EPSTEIN is a New York-based filmmaker and natural childbirth advocate

Where Can I Purchase This Book?


Review

One thing I really liked about this book was that the author's used a very down to earth tone and language that provided a very matter of fact, real look at their personal experiences and of other women. Without using a lot of medical terminology they really laid out what an expectant mother can expect of the birthing process. This book is all about knowing what your options are in regard to giving birth. The authors help to sort through the reasons hospitals give your for procedures while giving birth. Knowing these thing ahead of time will help the expectant mother to sort through explanations in that stressful tim

As the author's explain this book is to:

"explore the full spectrum of choices you have in giving birth."

The authors define a

"best birth" as "one where you feel empowered because you know all your options and are confident in the decisions you have made about your birth."

The author's state:

"we believe that you can place the health and well-being of your newborn as your highest priority and still have an optimal, empowering experience that is right for you both - whether that is in your bed, in your bathtub, in a hospital room, or on an operating table."

This isn't your regular pregnancy book. This book does not walk you through the stages of labor, but instead explores your options and empowers you to make choices that you'll feel good about even after the birth of your child.

I wish that this book had been around 20 years ago when I had my kids, it might have saved me from two c-sections. I think for most of us being able to have some control in a stressful, sometimes frightening situation is a plus and anything that can help us in that respect is a valuable resource.

Cudo's to Rikki Lake and Abby Epstein for putting together this book for mothers out there who are wanting more out of their birth experience.




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Santa Baby is actually a shorter story by Jennifer Crusie called Hot Toy and two novellas by Lori Foster [ Christmas Bonus] and Carly Phillips [Naughty Under The Mistletoe].

Ok, Ok, it's not part of the book challenge, but I caught a couple of movie's this weekend and just wanted to comment on them. The first one was "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button". I really had thought this would be a great movie and I was disappointed. The movie never seemed to go anywhere. I thought Pitt seemed to mumble through everything with his southern accent and I really just was greatly disappointed in the movie. But I also saw "Seven Pounds". WOW! I thought Will Smith was just plain mesmerizing to watch in this one. I can see where it's not going to be everyone's favorite movie. But I was sobbing at the end of this one folks. You think you know where it's going and then you find out you don't. I won't say any more about that part of it, but I thought it was great. I was definitely caught up watching the movie, which I wasn't with the Pitt movie. With the Pitt movie I just kept wondering how much longer it was going to be.

Hey check this out everyone! Drey's Library is giving away a copy of Sunday's at Tiffany's by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet. I know my name is on the list!

http://dreyslibrary.blogspot.com/2009/01/giveaway-sundays-at-tiffanys-by-james.html

Another one of my favorite authors is Haven Kimmel. Iodine is her latest novel and it was a great read. Sometimes slightly confusing, but still a great read. 240 pages.

OK OK...I love Augusten Burroughs books and Dry: A Memoir was no exception. This was a great way to kick off the New Year. Here's a little about the book. 320 pages.