"Never Give Up," an Interview with author Bill Moushey

I had the pleasure to sit down with author Bill Moushey, a professor at Point Park University and an award-winning journalist. Last year, Moushey released, "Never Give Up," a book about Pittsburgh Steelers Linebacker James Harrison. The book focuses on Harrison, his dedication and how he overcame the numerous obstacles standing in his way.

But it wasn't an easy undertaking for Moushey. While he shares several similarities with Harrison, Moushey experienced some initial difficulties. Regardless, the neither the player nor the author has any regrets.





Check out my interview with Moushey to learn more.

To learn more, or to buy the book visit, http://www.jamesharrisonnevergiveup.com/home/ .


Also, test your knowledge and see how much you know about James Harrison, take this quiz !

Test your Knowledge on Steelers Linebacker James Harrison » online testing software

Let's not say Goodbye, but see you Soon !

Starting a blog was something I always wanted to do, but I didn't know how to go about it. In an effort to learn, I enrolled in a multimedia class and I think its safe to say it was successful ( at least for me).

Part of the class requirement was to have a blog and update it on a weekly basis. This is my last week of classes. While several of my fellow classmates have decided not to continue their blogs, I am looking forward to hopefully expanding it and changing things up a bit.

But before I do that, I wanted to get your opinions. Do you like the way Page Turner is set up now ? Is there anything missing that you would like to see? Please feel free to answer honestly, and I am open to any and all suggestions.

I just wanted to let everyone know what was going on, and let you guys know I'll be taking a small hiatus. I have one or two more posts for you guys; I did an interview with Point Park's own Bill Moushey about his book "Never Give Up." For those of you not familiar, it is about James Harrison, a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. After that, I'll take a small break and return January 19th.

Thank you guys for all of your support and have a Happy Holidays !!!

( PLEASE BE SURE TO GIVE ME SOME FEEDBACK ! I want to continue to improve ! )

Reunited and it Feels so Good....

As I was searching the Barnes & Noble web site this afternoon, I was surprised to find they were offering a book I'd read years ago. Upon entering my freshman year of college, Point Park ( or was it the School of Communications?) asked all the incoming freshman to read a book.

I was infuriated that I was "assigned" homework before classes even started, and more upset once I saw the name of the book. However, the book, "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time," by Mark Haddon, turned out to be a wonderful adventure.

The book focuses on Christopher Boone, a 15-year-old with Asperger's Syndrome, which is a form of Autism. Boone knows a great deal about math, but little about interacting with people on a day-to-day basis. When Boone finds his neighbor's dog murdered, he set out to find the killer. Instead he goes on a terrifying journey, one that turns everything he thought he knew upside down.

Haddon does an amazing job with this book. It was released in 2003 and was immediately a best-seller. I couldn't up it down and have read it several times since. Barnes & Noble is currently offering a discount, and when you spend $25 you get free shipping, http://search.barnesandnoble.com/books/product.aspx?cds2Pid=24698&ean=9781400032716&inframe=y.

I suggest anyone who loves a good mystery/thriller to give it a try. I promise you won't regret it !

 

Get More for Your Books...

Tis that time again. It's the end of semester. After all that work and energy, it is finally come to an end. But what to do with the hundred of thousands of dollars worth of textbooks ?

Luckily, you have several options. First there is the ever popular, but enormous rip off, your campus bookstore. Most bookstores buy back books to a certain extent.  However, once there quota is filled for the next semester, they stop buying that book. They also only give 50% or less back for books. And personally, there is nothing worth than getting $50 back when you spent over $200 for a textbook.

But no worries, thankfully there are other options. Few people think to sell their books to fellow students who will be taking the class in the following semester. Most students are willing to pay at least half for the book, and you are both doing each other huge favors.

There are also several stores and sites that buy back textbooks for very reasonable prices. First, there is Half Priced Books, http://www.halfpricebooks.com/sell_to_us.html. My only qualm is that they don't always buy everything. They too have limits, and once they reach them they stop buying.

Other sites, like Amazon.com, http://www.amazon.com/ and Cash4Books, http://www.cash4books.net/textbooks/?gclid=COr02bj92KUCFYHc4Aod3nXAkw, also do great jobs at providing students with outlets to sell back their books.

These are only some of the sites out there, so check them out and be sure to pass them along !

When did that Book Come Out ?

Check my time line to see when the Harry Potter books and movies were released !

The Chronicles of Harry Potter on Dipity.

Twas the Night Before Christmas and all Through the House.....

Well, the holidays are right around the corner ( 21 days to be exact), and I am finally getting into the Christmas spirit. My shopping is almost done, I've helped decorate my parent's house, and I'm spending time with friends and family.

On one such occasion, as my roommates gathered around the table, they rambled off what they've bought so far and for whom. My one roommate has a 2-year-old nephew. Searching for something special to get him, she realized he didn't own a Christmas book. She later bought him "The Night Before Christmas," and is looking forward to reading it him on Christmas Eve.

Looking back, I remember having similar traditions with my parents, but I couldn't remember which stories my mom used to read. So I searched for the top Christmas books to see if I could remember. Amazon.com had the best list, http://www.amazon.com/Best-Christmas-Books-All-Time/lm/R1PZTIQNXUGMXS.

Here's their top 10, ( I've read all but 7, 8, and 3).Check them out, and see if you remember any of these. Did your parents read you Christmas stories ?

1.  A Christmas Carol  by Charles Dickens

2.  The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

3.  The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum

4.  Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer by Rick Bunsen

5.  The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore

6.  How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Theodor Geisel - Dr. Seuss

7.  Nutcracker by Ralph Manheim

8.  The Little Match Girl by Jerry Pinkney

9.  A Wish to Be a Christmas Tree by Colleen Monroe

10.  Frosty the Snowman by Steve Nelson         

Opinions, Opinions, Opinions

Do reviews really affect what books people choose to read ? It is something that has prelexed me for awhile, do people choose books based on others opinions or do they choose books based on their own interests?

Personally, I choose books based on my own interests. However, there are times when someones review will sway my attitude towards the book. Yet as I asked some friends and my lovely roommates, I was informed that book reviews really influence which books they read and why.

If they read a negative review for a certain book, they won't even bother picking up. If the review is somewhere in the middle, they may decide to give it a try, and if it is a positive or outstanding review, they definitely read it. I was surprised by this, but I guess to each their own.

I tend to wait until after I read the book to read the review. That way it doesn't really sway me. Like I said, reviews can reflect my attitude towards a book, and if I have a negative attitude going in, it can be the best book in the world and I'll hate it.  To check out reviews for the latest books you're reading, visit http://www.goodreads.com/. Where do you stand on reviews? How do they affect which books you choose ?