Wednesday, September 30, 2015

I've only read 2 but here is a list of the  25 Most Challenging Books You'll Ever Read  I was kind of surprised that Dante's Inferno wasn't on the list.  I have read that and I'm sure there are others that could be on the list but it is hard to narrow down something like this.

Monday, September 28, 2015

Do you believe in banning books?  I don't.  I believe everyone should have the choice to read whatever books they want and make their own decisions.  I don't need to be told by someone who read and book and got their hair up in flames that I can't or shouldn't read it.  Actually that just makes me want to read it more.   The American Literacy Association does not believe in banning books either,   They have created Banned Books Week.  Here is the article:  Banned Book Week Celebrates Challenged Books  It also has the list of the 10 most challenged books in 2014


I found this article The Amazing Benefits of Creative Time   I so agree with this.  My creative time isn't spent writing, I leave that to my sister - Debbie Browdy, but I couldn't do without my craft time. Lately it has been mostly crocheting but I love all crafts and they do keep me sane along with my quiet time for reading.  Lately there has been a resurfacing of adults coloring.  This too has been proven to be healthy.  Therapists opinions on adults coloring





Saturday, September 26, 2015

I think he deserves it for the efforts he puts forward for kids literacy programs and the grants he gives to libraries and much more.  Even if you don't like his books (I am a died in the wool fan) he does to many other things to promote literacy.  If you aren't familiar with all his efforts check them out here






Do you ever wonder what or even if celebrities have the time or desire to read?  Here is a list of 40 and their favorite books.  40 Favorite Books of Famous people.



Friday, September 25, 2015

Have you ever asked yourself - exactly what is an Indie author?  I see it popping up more and more lately.  I asked my sister , Debbie Browdy, who is writing her first book and this is what she told me:

"Me....I am an Indie author, like Indie music, we are the small peeps not backed by big companies.  We use self publishing or small publishers."

I also found this article written by Steena Holmes:  What's an Indie author?


Thursday, September 24, 2015

This is  some fun from author Reynold Jay and illustrator Duy Truong.  These are the animal friends that Tammy has in the Wurthington Diary series.  They start creating their own songs in #5 Tammy meets William Tell.   You can see me review of 1-5 on my Children review page.





Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Here is an audio interview with the late George Carlin's daughter, Kelly.  She has written a book The Dark Side of Funny:  Growing up in George Carlin's Shadow.





Monday, September 21, 2015

I'm so excited!!!!   I'm averaging over 500 visits a month and I want to thank everyone who has stopped by.  If you would take a moment to click the G+ button on the top left of my blog, I'd appreciate it.  Some publisher's go by how many followers or likes you have on your blog before they will OK a reader doing a review.   Publishers have no clue how many visits I get.

I also have a special Thank you for those of you that are following me!  It means a lot to me.  OK, I think I might be getting mushy so it is time to quit.  

I'm trying to keep my feed current with interesting information!  It has opened up an interesting world to me filled with fun info!

Saturday, September 19, 2015

Check out this blog.  She took a poll on her FB page and this is the results The 19 Best Post-Apocalyptic Books ever written   I have read The Stand and Station Eleven and seen the movie Divergent but now I have a lot more to check into.

Thursday, September 17, 2015

I remember when we had World Book encyclopedias as a child.  I used them often for school work.  A sign of the times is that in March of this year they launched 2 websites for students to learn and research.  Check out the article here

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

So I finally come into this century and got a Kindle Fire not very long ago and it has disappeared.  I used it last night and it was charging this morning.  Now I can't find it anywhere.  I am sooooo upset!  It will take me forever to replace it.  Bummers

 
One line comments (advice) From authors to authors.  I do agree with the article it says that "the writing process is something only other authors understand."

I am not a writer - - that's why I review.  I admire those that do!  My sister Debbie Browdy is writing her first book and it is going to be awesome.  It is a special talent and I don't have it!  LOL


Monday, September 14, 2015

10 Interesting facts about books from www.express.co.uk

1. "Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read" (Groucho Marx).
2. People in India are the world's biggest readers, spending an average 10.7 hours a week.
3. The first novel written on a typewriter is said to be Mark Twain's Adventures Of Tom Sawyer.
4. The Harry Potter books are said to be the most banned in America because of religious complaints.
5. The slowest-selling book is reputedly a 1716 translation of the New Testament from Coptic into Latin. The last of its 500 copies was sold in 1907.
6. The M6 toll road was built on two-and-a-half million copies of pulped Mills & Boon novels.
7. The first book described as a "best-seller" was Fools Of Nature by US writer Alice Brown in 1889.
8. The record for most people balancing books on their heads at the same place and time is 998 in Sydney, Australia, in 2012.
9. Around 150,000 new books are published in the UK each year.
10. One in five adults around the world cannot read or write, with the highest rates in South and West Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.

Sunday, September 13, 2015

This is interesting, a map of the most popular books by cities - really I'd say different areas as all states aren't represented.  

Saturday, September 12, 2015

Friday, September 11, 2015

Remembering 911, we should never forget
Hi everyone.  I usually don't do this with the books I read because I feel if you read my reviews you can decide if you want to read them.  However, I have been reviewing a children's series, The Wurthington Diary and I want to encourage parents to check it out, especially if you have children ages 9-12.  They are great reads and would make great family reading nights if parents and kids wanted to read them together.  The first will be available 9/15/2015 and the second 10/1/2015.  You can find my reviews on the Children's page


Thursday, September 10, 2015

Interesting article by Tamara Pearson The Traditional Publishing Industry is Killing Books  I'm not sure I agree with all of it but she makes some valid points.

 I do think there are reasons for so many authors to be self-publishing or using other means to get their books to us.

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Here is a list of Thrillers that Stephen King recommends   13 New Thrillers


Monday, September 7, 2015

An interview with Ian McEwan on writing.  This was done 4 years ago but is very pertinent still

Interview


 



Saturday, September 5, 2015

A new comic coming.  Amandla Stenberg (Rue in the Hunger Games) is launching a 'badass' comic heroine.  She is only 16 but check out the story:  Niobe, She is Life

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Check out this interview with author Reavis Z. Wortham and Poisoned Pen Press Get Your Kicks With Reavis Z. Wortham in Dark Places  There is a contest through Poisoned Pen Press on my Book Giveaway page for Mr. Wortham's book Dark Places.