Friday, October 29, 2010

Trick-or-Treat, Smell my Feet, Give me Something Good to READ !

You all must hate me by now, but I can't resist. I love Halloween and everything and anything connected to it. I wanted to feature books or stories about Halloween candy and how it became a popular tradition, but I can't find anything GOOD !

I am very disappointed to say the least. I thought I hit the jackpot when I located a book called, "Candy Man," but sadly it had very little to do with candy. Side note here, if any of you know of such a book can you let me know ? Its turning into a must-find for my sanity and curiosity.

Nonetheless, as I was perusing the web and my usual sites, I stumbled upon two lists of Halloween reads. These books are nothing like the ones I posted on Monday. Some of these are creepy, very creepy.

Barnes & Nobles held a Halloween book discussion, http://bookclubs.barnesandnoble.com/t5/Paranormal-Urban-Fantasy/Halloween-Reads/m-p/394502, and I suggest checking it out. Were not talking Twilight or Dracula here. These books are scary.

And of course, good old Goodreads came through with numerous lists of books. There is fiction, non-fiction, children, adults, you name it they have it ( except for a book about candy !!!) . Here is the adult list, http://www.goodreads.com/search/search?q=halloween+books+for+adults&group_id=&search_type=books&search[source]=goodreads&search[field]=on, but once you are on the site, just search for what genre you are looking for. Good luck and have a fantastic Halloween !!

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Baseball and Lords of Rings ? Find out if this is what Fellow Students are Planning to Read.

So after my post about what I'm looking forward to reading over the breaks, I decided to ask some of my fellow students. Check it out !

Books Instead of Candy for Halloween

From the "Books For Treats" site
Over the years, I've heard people talk about handing out books  for Halloween instead of candy. I always thought that it was some joke, or that one of the old ladies in the neighborhood decided to do it on their own. I was shocked when I learned that it is now a nation wide "treat."  The event, "Books For Treats" started in 2001 in San Jose, and has handed out over 6,000 books each Halloween.

According to their site, "Books For Treats," "is a program that encourages you to give 'gently read' children’s books at Halloween instead of candy." The program's slogan, "Give Brain Candy. Feed Kids' Minds Not their Cavities," pretty much sums up their goals.

So why do this ? The site offers some pretty crazy stats - "Recent statistics show that annually Americans spend $950 million on Halloween candy, and that 20 million pounds of candy corn alone is purchased. The average person spends nearly $15 on the Halloween candy — much of it being consumed before Halloween by the adults or their kids."

This program was originated in an attempt to help fight childhood obesity and diabetes, and to get children to read more. I don't know how I would have felt if someone dropped a book in my trick-or-treat bag all those years ago, but I think this is a fabulous idea now. The site, http://booksfortreats.org/, lists information on how to get involved and where and how you can donate books.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Halloween ! A list of spooky reads !

Halloween is on Sunday ! It is one of my favorite holidays. Decorating, eating treats, and watching the little kids get all dressed up, it makes me miss my childhood. I even remember reading my favorite Halloween themed books as a kid. Which got me thinking, what spooky or history-rich books are available for the young at heart ?

As I searched, I stumbled upon numerous web sites. Since I love Halloween as much as I do, I think I might dedicate the week to spooky books !

Here's what the associated content from Yahoo picked for their top ten, http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2157879/top_10_halloween_books_for_adults.html?cat=38.

1. "Dracula," by Bram Stoker
Simon & Schuster, 2003 (Originally published 1897)
I couldn't resist !

2. "The Shining, " by Stephen King
Pocket, 2002 (Originally published 1977)

 3. "Frankenstein," by Mary Shelley
Penguin Classics, 2003 (Originally published 1818)

4. "The Exorcist," by William Peter Blatty
HarperTorch, 1994. (Originally published 1971) 

5. "A Stir of Echoes," by Richard Matheson
Tor Books, 2008. (Originally published 1958

6. "The Best of Poe: Tell-Tale Heart, The Raven, The Cask of Amontillado and 30 Others," by
Edgar Allan Poe
Prestwick House, Inc., 2006

7. "The Graveyard Book," by Neil Gaiman
HarperCollins, 2008

8. "Interview with the Vampire," by Anne Rice
Ballantine Books, 1997. (Originally published 1976)

9. "Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West," by Gregory Maguire
Harper, 2007. 

10. "Halloween: From Pagan Ritual to Party Night," by Nicholas Rogers
Oxford University Press, 2002. 

The link also provides some pretty detailed descriptions of the books. Check them out before the bewitching hour passes !

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Blogs, and Lots of Them !

Before I even started Page Turner, I did some research. I looked at what similar blogs were doing, their content and what seemed to attract their readers. Over time, some blogs became more helpful than others. So I started to look for an expanded list of book or reading blogs.

As I was searching, I stumbled upon gold. The site, Online Universities.com, has complied a list of "101 Book Blogs You Need to Read." The list includes blogs for every genre and interest.

http://www.onlineuniversities.com/blog/2009/10/101-book-blogs-you-need-to-read/

The site also complied a list of what it considers to be the top 10. According to the site, "these ten book blogs are the most popular, most informative out there, and they contain information about the widest number of genres." Check them out !
  1. The Millions: This book blog is like an all-inclusive resort for readers and literature buffs. With all genres and cultures included, it contains news and book reviews every reader can use.
  2. Critical Mass: Critical Mass is written by professional book reviewers. Rather than review books, they provide book and author news that only they, as professionals, get to hear.
  3. Baby Got Books: Reviews and commentary by readers who keep you informed about the year’s biggest releases.
  4. The Elegant Variation: The list of book recommendations on this literary news site will never leave you disappointed.
  5. Blog of a Bookslut: Bookslut is famous among book blogs, and one of the most popular in the the world of online book news and reviews.
  6. A Life in Books: This librarian shares her passion for books and reading, and her professional commentary is useful for followers looking for a great read.
  7. Beth Fish Reads: This book lover and freelance book professional posts book reviews and participates in reading challenges and bookish memes.
  8. Bluestalking: A reading enthusiast shares her years of literary reviews and criticism with the world in this interesting and thorough blog.
  9. Book Addiction: Heather, a 25-year-old book addict from Chicago, keeps track of her reading conquests, shares her opinions of recent releases, and develops a list of recommendations on this blog.
  10. Candy Covered Books: This blog "gathers reviews from a wide variety of sources and averages them into a single rating so you don’t waste valuable time reading anything less than fabulous."

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Golden Oldies Got Me Thinking...What Were my Favorite Books in the 90s?

So I have really been thinking a lot about the books I read during my childhood. Then I started thinking about the books I read in the 8th grade onwards. Its funny how quickly time moves and how things that were so important or "in" are now a thing of the past. While that can be said for a lot of things in my childhood/teen years, it seems not to be the case with books.

Goodreads has a list of teen books from the 90s, and I have to say it it spot on if you where a teenage girl, http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2658.Teen_Novels_of_the_90s. The funny thing is, that the majority of the books listed are still read and enjoyed today. Here's what Goodreads is calling their top 10...

1.  "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban," by J.K. Rowling
2.  "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," by J.K. Rowling
3.  "Speak,"by Laurie Halse Anderson
4.  "The Giver," by Lois Lowry
5.  "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets," by J.K. Rowling
6.  "Wild Magic," by Tamora Pierce
7.  "Keeping the Moon,"by Sarah Dessen
8. "Saving Jessica," by Lurlene McDaniel
9.  "Love among the Walnuts," by Jean Ferris
10. "Wolf-Speaker," by Tamora Pierce


While I haven't read all of the book here ( I was all over  "The Giver" and the Harry Potter series), the complete list, in my opinions, best represents what we females were reading all those years ago. It make me want to revisit some of them, and either give them another try or still see if they are as enjoyable as they were then. Guys, I think you fit on here in some instances. But, and because I was never a teenage boy, can judge. What were you reading in the 90s?

Monday, October 18, 2010

Golden Oldies - My Favorite Childhood Books

I decided to grace my parents this weekend with my presence, and they put me to work. This is typical, but for once I was shocked. My parents are finally empty nesters and are trying to rearrange the house. Over the years, my brother and I have complied several large piles of books and my mom wanted to consolidate some ( which I thought would never happen because my mother can be defined as a borderline hoarder! )


Never in my whole 22-years have I ever had trouble throwing something away. But when she asked me to pitch my childhood books, I refused. Tons of memories came flooding back as I reread "Goodnight Moon" for the first time in years.

I grabbed as many books as I could hide under my bed and decided to put them away for my theoretical children. I think there is something special about sharing something from your childhood with your children, or so I'm told.

Which got me thinking. What were the top five books from my childhood? It took me awhile, but I think I've narrowed it down.

1. "Were the Wild Things Are," by Maurice Sendak
2. "Goodnight Moon," by Margaret Wise Brown
3. "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie," by Laura Joffe Numeroff   
4. "The Rainbow Fish," by Marcus Pfister
5.  "The Very Hungry Caterpillar," by Eric Carle

 I still love these books, and I think it is safe to say that they'll continue to transcended the generations.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

E-Reader Battle: the nook or the Kindle?

From Digital Trends
Even before I begged for the nook, I made sure to compared it to the Kindle. I read articles, asked questions, I borrowed the two devices from my friends. My dad even became engulfed in the research. In the end, I asked for the nook. Not only because of the price and the gadgets, but because I thought it was a better machine.

With Christmas only 8 WEEKS AWAY, my friends and family having been asking me which device is better. But you see, I'm bias. Other than the fact that my nook doesn't have a back light, I'm in love.

So I've pulled up some articles that compare that two and the Sony e-reader. Hope this helps !

 How to choose between the three.
http://www.digitaltrends.com/gadgets/choosing-an-e-book-reader-for-christmas/

Which is better ? (This is from last Christmas, but it still rings true!)
http://www.digitaltrends.com/gadgets/kindle-vs-nook-an-e-reader-face-off/

Thinking Ahead to Thanksgiving Break

First off, let me apologize for being absent most of this week and for posting these so late. Last week was my hell week, or midterm week. Unfortunately, I was preoccupied with studying. And while I had my head stuffed in notes and textbooks, the only thing I kept thinking about was Thanksgiving Break!

I've always made it a tradition, or rather a mandatory thing, to read as many books as possible over the breaks.  Especially this year. I graduate in the spring (ahhhhhhh!) and I want to read as many books as possible because I may not get the opportunity to spend my summer lost in books.

So, I'm compiling tons of books into my Goodreads account ( or I should say I have six lists scattered around my dorm room waiting to be placed into the account) http://www.goodreads.com/. I'm so excited about some of them, like the sequel to the "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," " The Girl that Played with Fire," that I can't contain myself much longer. I'm even working ahead to make sure the whole week can be dedicated to reading.

For those in a similar situation, I suggest you do the same. Who knows if once were thrown into the real world if we'll have time to read, or doing much of anything else but work.

Monday, October 11, 2010

My Protection Doesn't Fit !!!!

After waiting for eight days, my rear cover finally came in the mail. As I tore through the box, the last thing on my mind was worrying about some form of assembly for this thing. Yet when I took it out of the packaging, I realized that the rear cover was not what I expected.

I think I am going to give this one a try...
My first thought was 'don't panic read the directions,' but they proved to be little help.  In the four lines that are suppose to pass off as directions, they describe a cracking sound as you pull of the original cover. Once you've supposedly pried off the back cover, you place this new one on. Well needless to say I'm terrified to pry off the original cover. I'm known for breaking things, and I really don't want to break my nook.

 Not wanting to cause World War III either,  I  had to hide the cover from the boyfriend ( my luck he'd break the thing and we'd strangle each other.) So I guess I am going to send it back. Anyone else happen to purchase this product and actually get it to fit on the nook?

I've read customer views, and everyone just raves about it, http://gifts.barnesandnoble.com/Signature-Rear-Cover-in-Grapefruit/e/9781615544707/?cds2Pid=30687. They also say it is easy to change, but I don't think so. Plus, I think there is too great a risk for damaging your device with this product, because if you hold it the wrong way you can crack the screen. 

I only have 14 days to figure this out, but I think my best bet is to send it back and buy the case that encloses the entire nook. I'm not too happy about it, but I'd rather my nook have some form of protection then none at all.

Friday, October 8, 2010

I Suggest Protection, For the nook that is....

BUY THIS !
So my nook has finally been seeing some action. Between the boyfriend and I, it gets used on a regular basis.  After I opened the nook, I realized how fragile it potentially could be. So I decided I needed to buy some sort of protection for it. The day after I went straight to Barnes & Nobles and asked what types of cases they recommended. I didn't like the flap cover ( the covers that look a book) and they didn't have any of the hard cases in store.

But the sales clerk reassured me that I only really need the case for carrying purposes. So I bought a soft case that enclosed the device. I also bought the plastic, clingy thing that protects the screen. When I left the store, I was happy with my purchases. They were cheap and seemed to do the trick.

That is until last week, when I noticed that the color of the soft protective case has started to rub off on the nook. Thus leaving black stains on the back side of  my lily white device. I am livid to say the least. But I guess there is really only one person to blame - the sales clerk.

After learning my lesson the hard way, I recently purchased a hard back cover. They do offer hard covers that enclose the entire nook, but I didn't like them. It was almost odd to click the page buttons. Other than the color, I picked grapefruit and bf is embarrassed, we both agree it was a great buy. A buy, that I might add, that everyone should invest in. Really, we buy these things in the hopes that they will last, and I believe the back cover is will help it get a few more uses.

For a complete list of covers and fun add-ons, visits the Barnes & Nobles web site, http://www.barnesandnoble.com/, and click on nook !

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

The Weekly List

Chronicle online
OK, so I've been reading other blogs with similar content and google searching for days. I wanted to know what people thought college students are reading, and I was disappointed. The lists were odd.  Several of the lists, though they said they were geared towards college students, seemed very high school in content.

However, I came across The Chronicle of Higher Education's list, http://chronicle.com/article/What-Theyre-Reading-on/63471/, and it seemed to be the best. And when I say best, I mean that their list, in my mind, best represents several genres that college students are interested in.

These ten books are best-sellers on college campuses this fall. I have not personally read them, but I have read synopses of some. I'm not too interested in these genres at the moment ( I go back and forth between genres like the pendulum of a clock). Since I was so disappointed with my search, I've decided to consult a librarian at Point Park and ask her for a list of 100 books. I hoping she'll be able to give me some resources or tell me how popular the list is with students. From there I am going to make my future choices. Although I was a bit disappointed these hopefully may appeal to you. What do you think of this list ? Do you think this is what college students are interested in ? 

    The Lost Symbol
    by Dan Brown

    Superfreakonomics
   by Steven D. Levitt, Stephen J. Dubner 

    Eclipse
    by Stephenie Meyer

    The Time Traveler's Wife
    by Audrey Niffenegger

    Precious (Push Movie Tie-in Edition)
    by Sapphire

   What the Dog Saw: And Other Adventures
    by Malcolm Gladwell

   Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
   by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith

   Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything
   by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner 

   Push
   by Sapphire

   The Gathering Storm
   by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson























































Monday, October 4, 2010

Good Read Suggestion !

So, I am evetually going to get to the lists, I promise. In the meantime, I have to suggest a book ! I've looked over everyone votes on the poll, and I thank those that have helped me out, and I noticed that there were seven genres that were of interest. Those seven where crime, history, poetry, memoirs, romantic, drama and comedy.

Currently, I am reading  a book that fits into about five of the above mentioned genres. The book, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson, is a great read. I gave up on Charlie Wilson's War for now, but I'll get to that at another time.

There is mystery, love, murder, revenge, history, I mean the list just keeps going and going. I really have trouble putting it down, and I keep ignoring my work to read it ( which may or may not be turning into a problem). This is actualy kind of suprising to me given the first three chapters of the book.

Before I picked this up, I heard several complaints about how hard or uninteresting it was to read. Those people put the book down and never picked it back up. But I say, give it a chance. Yes the first three chapters are a little boring. And yes, at first you have no idea what is going on, but once you get away from those chapters everything comes together for a perfect story.

As I gaze at its cover, longing to pick it back up again, I desperately want to divulge to you every piece of info that I can. But I wont because I want you to read this. And no, the story plots are not just appealing to women. It is a great read for everyone. As The Washington Post's review says, and it couldn't be more true,"wildly suspenseful....an intelligent, ingeniously plotted, utterly engrossing thriller."

Oh and a quick p.s. - it was made into a movie and will eventually be released in the U.S. !

Friday, October 1, 2010

Banned Book Week 2010 : A Recap

As Banned Book Week comes to a close, I am still surprised by the number of challenges certain books or subjects have received over the last several years.  People read books to experience other cultures and to better understand our own. They read to learn and and open their minds. And authors write to challenge the world and to better express themselves.

Reading is choice. I feel that anyone and everyone has the right to read, and to read whatever they choose no matter what subjects the plot may dabble with.

As I browsed several sites, looking for ways to promote awareness about the issue, I stumbled across a list of events. This list suggests a wide variety of ways to push back. One suggestion was to captured a student, through film or video, reading a banned book and have them sum up their feelings on the book. (If it was done through photos, have them write it down on the back). After you have collected a couple images, you can place them in your local library.

Another idea was to organize a forum about banned books. This can be done a number of ways. Talk to your friends about it, find out their ideas. Bring up the subject in one of your classes, if it is appropriate, and discuss it with your classmates and professors, or talk to me.

Others suggested writing to your local and school newspapers, in the form of a letter to the editor. But however you choose to participate or not, just make sure to give one of the banned books a chance. You could be surprised.