Hidden Truths by Brenda Youngerman

Stars: ****

I received this book for review through Bostick Communications.

Summary: Children often hide the abuses of their parents. Left to fend for themselves, many children are thrown into the adult world at an early age, never given the chance to be a kid and most of all, never trusting others.

Brenda Youngerman follows the lives four children, two sets of siblings, who are exposed to abusive parents in Hidden Truths.

I've read quite a few books on child abuse (most before I started this blog) but I've never seen one written through the child's point of view. What an intriguing idea. If you want to know more details on what happens in the book, check out Bobbie's review of the book below.

I "enjoyed" the book, as much as you can a book about child abuse. It was well written. You can read chapter one here.

I couldn't find any explanation on if these stories were real or not. Even if they're not, they are very real and could be real as this sort of thing happens. However I asked the author and she said it's fiction. It sure fooled me though, it could definitely pass as non-fiction.

It's not a short story book though. The children are connected and not just the siblings. There are four parts. I loved the way it all came together in the end. Another thing, although the book is about abuse and sexual abuse is in there too, it's not too descriptive so it's not as hard to read. It's just enough that you can imagine and understand how horrible it must have been but enough to make you wish you hadn't read it.

I think this would be a good book for a child who was abused but is now and adult as they could identify with the children but also see that things can turn out for the better. It's also good for anyone wanting to know more about abuse from the child's point of view of course.

Brenda Youngerman is also the author of Private Scars and Public Lies. You can find out more about her at her site.

Other's Reviews

Book Reviews by Bobbie

Forever Lily: An Unexpected Mother’s Journey to Adoption in China by Beth Nonte Russell

Stars: *****

I received a copy of this for review through Bostick Communications.

Summary: Beth’s friend Alex is going to China to adopt a baby girl and asked Beth to go with her. Even though they aren’t close friends, she agrees to go as she loves travelling and is interested in learning more about the international adoption process. Soon after being presented with the baby, Alex panics and distances herself away from the child. Beth ends up doing most of the caring for the baby and finds herself bonding with the child. Amidst all this she is having many dreams about Imperial China and they seem so real, as if she lived them once. When Alex says she can’t go through with the adoption, Beth offers to take the child if she still has doubts later, to try to give her time to calm down. However it soon becomes apparent that Alex will never warm to the idea of bringing the child home and Beth is confronted with the offer she made. She quickly finds though that she would be more than happy to bring the baby home as she has grown to love her. Just as plans are being made for that to happen however, Alex changes her mind again, and again, and again, causing major heartache for Beth. Her dreams just keep going and going and it starts to seem as if they carry a message that is related to her situation. Adoption, Love and China, all mixed into one amazing book.

Normally I just put something from the back cover or website in the summary section but this time I decided to write it myself as this book really intrigued me and I wanted to make sure the important points were in there.

I am glad I received this book for review; it was shocking, heartbreaking and amazing all in one. I believe that Beth’s dreams were of a past life and that destiny played a big part in her story but even if you don’t believe in past lives and destiny, this book will still amaze you.

I wish I were better at reviewing fiction as I know my review won’t do the book justice. Beth is amazing at storytelling and you would think she had written many stories before. This is actually her first book, although she writes for herself a lot in journals and notebooks. This is the first time she’s written for an audience though.

Her descriptions of her dreams are amazing and make me feel like I’m there too:

“I inhaled her words. They came to me like a fragrance, the bracing scent of juniper, the sweet smell of lilies, the glory of truth revealed, which has no form. I closed my eyes and envisioned those souls, and for a moment I was hovering above them in a robe of fiery red and gold, on the back of a dragon breathing fire. They reached up their arms to me; they reached up their arms….” – pg 58

It is one of the best adoption stories I've read. It makes me wonder if the problem has ever happened before (going to China to adopt and changing your mind.) I'm not sure what else to say other than go read the book!

Other's Reviews

B&b Ex Libris
The Book Nest
Book Chatter and Other Stuff
The Written Word
Ramya's Bookshelf

The Adventures of Songha: The Amazing Savannah Cat by Linda R. Caterine

Stars: ***

I received this book for review through Bosick Communications. It's being counted towards the What an Animal! Challenge.

Summary: "The Adventures Of Songha" is the story of a rare exotic cat, as seen through the eyes of Songha, a beautiful Savannah cat. Songha is half African Serval leopard and half domestic cat, and this unusual combination sets her apart from most other cats. She has a domestic temperament, but her wild leopard blood drives her to seek adventure by escaping from the safety of her wonderful home. Her restlessness takes her into exciting, and sometimes dangerous territory, as she follows her wild urges to run free. As Songha pursues her adventures, she learns some valuable life lessons along the way, and also gains some much needed wisdom. This is the story of Songha, the amazing Savannah cat.

This is a cute cat story for kids who like wild cats but I had a few reservations.

1. The cat (Songha) is real and so I thought the story was real and I think most of it is but the book says it’s fiction. I'm guessing that's because the cat can't really narrate it so since we are guessing what she's thinking, that makes it fiction. Still I'd like to know for sure if all the adventures were real, even if her thoughts about it may not have been.

2. At the beginning of book it says for purposes of the book, the African Serval will be referred to as an African Serval Leopard even though it’s not related to Leopard. I'm not sure I understand the purpose of this. When African Serval Leopard is referred to in the book, it's to explain why Songha's not an average pet cat but I think the name African Serval itself tells us that and that they didn't need to pretend she was a leopard when she's not.

It is a cute story and I enjoyed reading it. It's a beginner chapter book, good I think for a reader in grade 5 and above who loves cats, especially wild ones. The story would be fine for younger ones though if an adult was reading it aloud (which I always encourage.)

Other's Reviews

Booking Mama
At Home With Books

Bookfoolery and Babble

The Change Your Life Challenge Giveaway

Did you check it out?? Contest closes Jan. 30/09

I wasn't sure if everyone saw it.

Library Loot - Jan. 28

I haven't been able to participate in this new event (link to this week coming when it's up) yet because I wasn't going to library during holidays or while my kid was sick. I still only have one book to report because I'm working on reading my ARCs/review books this month. (see announcements.)

I go to the library on thursdays so I got this last week:

Ready to Learn: How to Help Your Preschooler Succeed by Stan Goldberg, Ph. D.

I'm going again tomorrow and I still can't get much (and still haven't started Ready to Learn) but am getting 2 cookbooks for the Soup's On challenge. I'll tell you next Wednesday what I got!

Honestly just thinking about what to get at the library is anxiety provoking. I used to get books there all the time but since I've been over committing to review books and challenges I haven't got a book out of the library "just because" in a long time.

Mailbox Monday - Jan. 26

It's Mailbox Monday time again. I've missed the last few Mondays so the books shown here I've received since Jan. 6.

Click here to see what others have received.




A Child's Journey Out Of Autism by Leeann Whiffen

This is an ARC from Sourcebooks. Look for the review beginning of March.

"One family's story of living in hope and finding a cure."





Thou Shalt Not Whine by January Jones

A review copy from Lisa Roe. I'm a little behind. I've seen quite a few reviews of this book already but I just received mine.

It's about why we whine and how to stop it


Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron

I won this from Confuzzled Books' Refer a Book Friday. I've been dying to read this!





The Survivor's Club: The Secrets and Science that Could Save Your Life by Ben Sherwood

I got an ARC of this through Twitter although I could have got it through Book Blogs too. I'm reading this right now and about half way through. It goes on sale today!



Hurry Down Sunshine by Michael Greenberg

An ARC from HarperCollins. Another one that most book bloggers (who were interested) have reviewed already. They had an extra copy somewhere and sent it to me. I'm so glad!



A Promise of Hope by Autumn Stringam

ARC from HarperCollins, same idea as above. They also sent me an Audio book version of it! I'd love to hold a giveaway for it when I'm done the book but that's not in my budget :( Sorry.


Lullabies for Little Criminals by Heather O' Neill

A HarperCollins Audio Book, a nice surprise, one I hadn't asked for. It looks good though.

It's a Canada Reads 2007 selection and a finalist for the GG's. (Governer General Awards)

So I made out pretty good. There's still lots of books I'm expecting and quite a few I've given up on receiving :(

Free Seminar and Giveaway

This Year: Change Your Life!
Brook Noel’s Free Seminar can help you keep your Resolutions for this year and Beyond!

Known for the interactive experiences she creates for program members, Brook will kick off a virtual tour starting next Mon., Jan. 26, with a free, week-long workshop that will help women manage their time, get organized, decrease stress, live by their priorities, and get 2009 off to a balanced and exciting start. For more info and to register for the free program, go to http://www.maketodaymatter.net/tour.htm

To sign up for the free seminar, you can visit Brook’s Facebook page: http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=54952104896&ref=nf. Additionally, anyone who buys her book at Target or Costco stores nationwide can submit their receipt and in exchange they’ll receive a free month-long membership to Brook’s Make Today Matter Life Coaching System!

By leaving a comment here, you have the chance to win a copy of Brook’s book, The Change Your Life Challenge! Let us know what you think of your own resolutions, or what has helped you change your own life over the years. One Lucky Commenter will win a copy of Brook’s Book, and can jumpstart the challenge to make today matter!

NOTE: To be eligible for the giveaway, you must leave a way to contact you, either put your email down or make sure I can get to it from your profile. Also please make some comment about resolutions or changing your life as mentioned above. Contest open till Friday, January 30, 2009 11:59 PM EST.

Girls Inc.Presents: You’re Amazing by Claire Mysko

*I am still without internet access. I got to my mom's computer so I could bring you a few reviews*

Stars: ***1/2

Summary: You’ve heard it all before: Get good grades. Keep your room clean. Wear the right clothes. Try out extracurricular activities. And why don’t you have a boyfriend? All these demands can be totally overwhelming! What’s a girl to do? Girls Inc. Presents: You’re Amazing! Is a guide to help you deal with the amount of pressure you endure to be “perfect.” In this fun, enthusiastic, tell-it-like-it-is book, you’ll get advice on not-so-easy topics, including how to: Deal with stereotypes and cliques, figure out the best way to balance school and a social life, navigate the crushes and dating world and find a place in your family. Packed with guidance from older teens, female role models, and activities from Girls Inc., this inspiring fun-to-read book is truly a guide to being your very best – and happiest – self.

This guide for teen girls shows you the difference between Amazing Girl and Supergirl. Amazing Girl asks questions, tries new things, is proud of her accomplishments, knows how to set boundaries and say no and more. Supergirl is afraid of not knowing the “right” answer, keeps it to herself when she’s stressed or sad, wishes she could be smarter/prettier/more popular/more athletic etc…. The book shows how a girl can become an amazing girl.

Throughout the book are little sections such as Survey Says (results of the big survey Girls. Inc. did), Try This (activities and quizzes inspired by Girls. Inc. programs), Advice from Amazing Girls (true stories and amazing advice from girls who have been there), Role Model Remedies (successful women tell the real deal about what makes them amazing.) Journal It (thoughtful questions and space to answer them) and Instant Messages (helping you to communicate with family, friends, adults and even media.)

Although this book is based on Girls Inc., which is a program in the USA, the book itself is useful to any teen girl (at least in [developing countries?]) Topics include: Stereotypes and Labels, Looks, School, Friends, Crushes/Dating and Relationships, Talents, Family, Tough Breaks, Priorities, Stress and The Future. There is also a resources section with websites and phone numbers that may be of help to you.

To: an adult you trust
From: AmazingGirl101
Subject: The Road to Success

What would you say is your greatest success? What were the risks involved in pursuing that goal? What is your personal definition of success?
Send!

To: Magazine Editors
From: AmazingGirl101

The things in your magazine that make me feel good about my looks are: ________________________________________

The things that make me feel bad about my looks are: ________________________________________
I would like to see these changes:
________________________________________
Send!

At the beginning of each chapter is the survey says section, which highlights some stats from the big study they did. For example:

71 percent of girls aspire to go to college after high school graduation.
55 percent of girls said that they feel stressed about not being able to do everything their teachers want them to do.

Overall I think it’s a pretty great book that I will be holding on to until my girls are teens!

ARC Reading Month Update

* I am still without internet access. I got to my mom's computer to bring you a few posts*

As of Jan. 16/09 I have read 8 ARCs. I think I'm doing pretty good. If you have been participating, tell us how you are doing. Have you been reading review books? I committed to no more than three non-review books. I've been reading only one non-review book regularily. Two others I consulted for information so read less than a chapter.

Back to reading...

The Change Your Life Challenge by Brook Noel

*I'm still without internet access. I'm justing hopping on my mom's computer to bring you a few reviews.*


Stars: ****1/2

Summary: Created by life management expert Brook Noel, The Change Your Life Challenge offers easy but effective step-by-step solutions for implementing lasting change in every major life area: Housework, Health, Energy, Joy and Purpose, Friends, Family, Money, Sanity and Centeredness, Chaos and Clutter Clearing, Time Management and Organization.

The Change Your Life Challenge was originally published in 2005, this is the second edition that I’m reviewing, published in 2008.

I’ve read lots of self-help books and followed lots of systems to try to get my life in order and every time, I stop doing it and go back to my own ways. Brook Noel shares why many of us do that. Here are some of the reasons:

1. Programs rarely focus on multi-dimensional change.
2. Many programs are too complicated!
3. The action steps require a week’s vacation (who has the time?)
4. The program did not take into account my individual needs and action style.

She also shares an insight anyone who reads self-help books probably knows all too well:

“You have likely read books in which the author spends paragraph upon paragraph advising you to put down the book and actually do an exercise or write something down. Yet many of us keep reading anyway. The author then puts big black letters or a stop sign to try and jar us from our habitual, inactive reading. We keep reading anyway. After all, we can always go back to the exercise right?… Simply put: you cannot apply these materials to your life successfully without doing the work… This program is not called the Think Your Life Challenge.” – pg XVIII – XX

In order to properly give you a review of this book, I had to skip exercises and read ahead, otherwise I wouldn’t have finished in time. However I have started the beginning exercises and I AM going back and doing the rest. Notice I did not say I would TRY to go back. Brook Noel and her family do not use the words try or if. They are banned from the house:

“In our house words “if” and “try” are not used. We use empowering and affirmative words. We commit. We expect the best. We are not perfectionists and we are not disappointed in ourselves when we “miss the mark:,” but we enter each day believing “we can and we will,” instead of “I might and I’ll try.” – pg 254

So how does the system work? In a nutshell, there are 15 main steps to follow to get yourself on track. After you’ve done those, you can do some or all of the mini-challenges. Before you get to far into the system, Brook has you fill out a form (The Snapshot) that helps you determine what part(s) of your life you need to work on the most. So after you’re done the 15 steps, you choose the mini-challenges that full under the part(s) you need to work on.

Here’s an overview of the table of contents with quick notes on what you will find there:

Introduction (the notes about actually DOING the exercises and how the challenge can help you)
Part One: Five Steps to a Successful Start (Gathering supplies and resources, doing your snapshot, setting up your headquarters)
Part Two: The Toolbox (the main 15 steps, including but not limited to: The Catch-All Notebook, Three-Step Action List, Catch-It Collectors, Five-Minute Rule/Relationship Miracle/Motivator, Avoiding burnout, power hour, ugly day and nightly reflections.)
Part Three: Mini-Makeovers
1. Chaos and Clutter Cleaning
2. Self, Sanity and Centeredness (Your outlook, decisions, emotional energy….)
3. Money Matters (your value number, why we buy, spending station….)
4. Family Matters (errands, your spouse, reward systems….)
5. You’ve Gotta Have Friends (Organizing people, connecting….)
6. Joy and Purpose-Filled Living (Values, Giving back, vision….)
7. The Worn-Out Woman (help, coach, fatigue….)
8. Here’s to Your Health (Diet, Stress, Exercise….)
9. Housework Helpers (Maintenance, Merge and Purge, Meal Planning….)
10. Conclusion (how to keep going)
11. Appendices (extra forms and help)

From the looks of things, I’d say The Change Your Life Challenge is a good system. There were a few times when I was a little confused and some of the things seem like a lot of work but I’m willing to do it. There’s only one way to see if it will work for me right?

Links of Interest: Change Your Life Challenge, Brook Noel, Brook Noel Studio

Other Reviews: Books Ahoy!, 

Buy The Change Your Life Challenge from Amazon.com and support SMS Book Reviews.

Have to take a blog break

I don't have internet access at the moment. I'll have to take a blog break at least until January 20th. If I happen to get to someone elses computer I'll post. Otherwise see you when I get back.

In Your Face: The Culture of Beauty and You by Shari Graydon

Stars: ****

I received this book for review from Annick Press.

Teen Non-fiction
Annick Press 2004
ISBN: 1550378562

176 pages

Summary: From bedtime fairy tales and blockbuster movies to magazine advertisements and reality TV, we absorb the lesson early – being beautiful is the answer to our dreams. For teenagers, the pursuit of fitting in and measuring up feels like an essential survival strategy. And never before have so many corporations delivered so many messages offering so many unattainable ideals. With IN YOUR FACE, Shari Graydon encourages readers to look critically at the culture of beauty both past and present. Whether it’s the different standards for guys versus girls, the assumptions we all have about models and celebrities, or the message that “the right makeup” can make you a better person, Graydon’s look into the realities of our ideals will help teens face up to the culture of beauty and the beauty-industry hype.

I really enjoyed this book. It's designed for those 11 and up, girls and boys both, which is rare. It's a decidedly North American book. The celebrities and media and culture it talks about is North American but it's us that needs the most help with this subject.

Topics covered include (but are not limited to): makeup, media influences, stereotypes, body art, fashion/beauty in the past, is there a way to decide scientifically if someone is beautiful?, False advertising, double standards, age and beauty, weight and much more.

There are many accompanying photos or illustrations that go well with the text from photos of beauty pageants in the 20s to photos of models both during modelling and in their more natural state, art that shows thoughts of beauty in the past (there is one instance of bare breasts and one of a penis but they are both art (the latter being the Michaelangelo statue,) and photos of celebrities.

I learned a lot in this little book and I think it's a great read for all teens, preferabbly before they get too far into teendom. Ages 11-14 let's say.

A few things I really liked was the part that talks about how unrealistic Barbie is and what her stats would be if she were a real person (and how she'd need custom clothes made) and especially the section on media's influence on our beliefs about beauty. What they use to get us to buy their products and services, how they make us think we need these things and why most of these things don't really work.

Although this is Teen non-fiction, I would recommend it to any adult who is interested in the subject as well.

2009 Blog Improvement Project - Week One Setting Goals

NOTE: This will be long. If you want to skip directly to the actual goals, scroll down till you see GOALS.

I mentioned before that I'm participating in this project to help improve this blog (and one of my other ones.)

So before we start setting goals, we are encouraged to reflect back on our blog in the past. Kim suggests we check out ProBlogger's 69 questions to ask yourself on this very subject.

So using some of those questions, here's what I've been thinking about.

I started this blog technically at the end of 2004 but I didn't start actively blogging as a book blogger until July 2007. In 2008 I didn't set any specific goals but I was hoping to increase readership and look at ways I could possibly make money with this blog, not because that's my main goal, but because I don't have a job, blogging is my job and we could REALLY use some more income, even if it's just a little bit.

I did succeed in increasing readership although not by much. In fact my readership was down during the summer months. I January 2008 I had 1184 visits/month and in December 2008 I had 1721. However August 2008 was all the way down to 625 visits/month. However many of those visits didn't stay, logging in 0:00 as the length of visit.

I added my blog to some blog search engines and other groups and joined StumbleUpon, Book Blogs Ning, Twitter and just recently, Technorati. My site statistics show a few people came in through StumbleUpon and Twitter but not a large portion.

With the exception of giveaways, my reviews get the most traffic which makes sense. Mostly my challenge posts (which are now no longer on this blog) were the posts linked to by other blogs. A few people have linked so some of my reviews as they have reviewed the same book. I haven't written much on books and reading in general, or literacy.

I don't get many comments and have been struggling with how to get more and what the best way is to respond to them, in email or in the comments section. There isn't much community on this blog.

I changed around my blog design many times this year. I'm happy with what I have except that I'd like 3 columns but then I don't think I can use the backgrounds I am. I want to find a design that works well and stick with it. I think it's pretty obvious that my site is about book reviews when you click over to my site

I've also been struggling with whether to switch over to wordpress or not. There are things you can do there that you can't here but it's more complicated to work. I moved my challenge posts over to a new blog on wordpress so I'm getting some practice with using it. I still don't know what to do though.

GOALS

So here are my goals for 2009:

• I want to write more than just book reviews. I want to write more on books, reading and literacy in general.
• I want to get my reviews up shortly after finishing a book instead of having a back log of reviews.
• I want to decide whether to move my blog to wordpress or not and either way, to find a blog design that works for me.
• I want to participate more with StumbleUpon and Technorati and include a link to follow me on twitter from my blog. I'd like to have way for readers to Stumble my posts too.
• I'd like to advertise my blog in places other than book places to encourage visitors other than those with book blogs of their own.
• I'd like to add an easy way for readers to subscribe to my blog.
• I'd like to join the amazon associates and get links to buy books through them on my review posts.

Attn those reading this blog in a reader

I just added a new poll to my blog. I'm trying to learn more about my readers/visitors. Please take a moment to pop over to my blog and vote. Thanks!

Musing Monday: Library Books

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about library books…

Do you have a system for borrowing out books from the library? Do you know what you're going to borrow before you get there? How often do you borrow out books?

See other's answers here.

I sort of have a system. We go every thursday so on Monday I use my computer to place holds for any challenge books or other books I know I want to read so that I can just pick them up on thursday. I pick out picture books for my kids while we're there but with two kids 3 and under I just can't peruse the shelves like I used to (especially now that the elevator is out of order!)

Normally I take home between 4-15 books each week, including picture books along with the occasional video, dvd or computer game. However as I have pledged to read my review books this month, I will not be putting any books on hold today and will just bring home picture books for the kids.

Mailbox Monday - Jan. 5

So I didn't do Mailbox Monday last week because I hadn't received any books. But this week I got two more in the mail, bought one with holiday money and got on given to me by my niece

See what others got here.

Ralphina the Roly-Poly by Claudia Chandler

It's a picture book. Review book sent through Bostick Communications.




Girls Inc. Presents You're Amazing by Claire Mysko

Review book from author. It's a guide for teen girls on being their best self.

The Guide to Getting it On 6th Edition by Paul Joannides

I bought this with holiday money. Yes it's about THAT. It's not just a how-to book though, it's also about the psychology of it too. Here's the goodreads site on it.

Finally my niece gave me Raspberry House Blues by Linda Holeman which is a children's fiction book about the girl finding her birth mother. It's actually by Tunrda Books, who I review for, even though this book isn't courtesy of them.

The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

Stars: ****1/2

I was sent this book for review. It will not count for most of my challenges because I started it in 08 and finished it in 09.

Summary: Todd Hewitt is the last boy in Prentisstown. But Prentisstown isn't like other towns. Everyone can hear everyone else's thoughts in a constant, overwhelming, never-ending Noise. There is no privacy. There are no secrets. Or are there? Just one month away from the birthday that will make him a man, Todd unexpectedly stumbles upon a spot of complete silence. Which is impossible. Prentisstown has been lying to him. And now he's going to have to run...

This book was AWESOME. So why didn't it get a 5 star review? I wasn't impressed at first although I love the first line:

"The first thing you find out when yer dog learns to talk is that dogs don't got nothing much to say."

There were a few things that bothered me:

- the boy beats his dog!

- the people use hitting to punish too

- words are spelled wrong on purpose.

About that last one. As you can see in the first line quoted above, the book is written as if a boy of that age were talking, especially one who hasn't had much schooling. That is fine with me. However what is the purpose of spelling words wrong like cemetery is sematary and creatures is creachers. They are pronounced pretty much the same so it doesn't show that he doesn't speak quite right and if it's supposed to be that he can't spell well either, that doesn't make sense because he can barely read, let alone write. So any writing of his would be a million times worse.

However, despite these things, the book was really interesting. A storyline I have never heard before for sure. I read the first 192 pages in one sitting and only put it down because I couldn't stay awake any longer. The next day I read the rest of the pages (479 in total) with barely any breaks in between. Where possible I read while doing other things (cooking, eating, bathroom, helping children, everything.)

This book takes place in the future so it's Futuristic Science Fiction. This is not a genre I normally read which is odd I guess since the few Sci-Fi books I've read I've loved. Hmm.

The characters are all well made I think. I was never shocked at something a character did after being introduced to them, everything they do fits with their character.

My only other qualm with this book is that it's the first in a series entitled Chaos Walking and the end is a CLIFFHANGER! I hate having to wait for the next book which is why I don't often read series'.

Other's Reviews

Librarilly Blonde
The Well-Read Child
The Page Flipper

My New Challenge Blog (and a side note)

The challenges were taking over this blog, especially in the labels so I've changed how I do things. The challenges I join will be listed here along with possible books for some. When I've finished a book I will link to the review from here. I also have a progress post where you and I can see at a glance how I'm doing in my challenges.

There are still a few challenges listed in my sidebar, I am working on getting those out. Challenges completed before I made that challenge blog are listed under the Past Challenges label here.

SIDE NOTE: I had some reviews from 2008 I hadn't done and didn't want them posted under 2009 so I just added them and back dated them Dec. 30. So if you want to check them out, just scroll down till you see that date. There are quite a few of them.

Friday Finds 01/02

Here are the books I found in the last 2 weeks that sounded interesting. All quotes are from the blogs I found them at.

Here is what others found.

The Customer is Always Wrong: The Retail Chronicles edited by Jeff Martin - found at The Book Lady's Blog.

"Editor Jeff Martin brings us a hilarious collection of essays by writers who “have done their time behind the counter and lived to tell their tales.”"

Deadly Little Secrets by Laurie Faria Stolarz - found at Shooting Stars Mag

"Camelia ended last year with a mysterious boy saving her life. As school is about to start once more, all she can think about is this boy and the way his touch made her feel. Her friends, Kimmie and Wes, think she should simply get it over it and move on with her life, but when Camelia finally meets Ben, she becomes too wrapped up in his world to let go."

365 Nights: A Memoir of Intimacy by Charla Muller - found at Age 30+... a lifetime of books. (scroll down)

"a memoir of a woman who gave her 40 yr old husband a birthday gift of sex every day for a year."

Just Checking by Emily Colas - found at Nonfiction Lover (she didn't like it much but it looks good to me)

"A compilation of random scenes from the life of a person afflicted with the obsessive compulsive disorder."

The Secret of the Great Pyramid by Bob Brier and Jean-Pierre Houdin - found at Nonfiction Lover

"It all started when Jean-Pierre Houdin (who was not an expert on Egyptian anything but was a well-known and successful architect in France) watched a special on TV about how the Great Pyramid was built. Except as he watched the show, he realized that the two explanations given (the two that were always given as being the only possible ways it could have happened) didn’t make any logical sense. His builder’s mind went to work, and he realized that there had to be another way."

Statistics for 2008

I had no idea book bloggers kept so many stats about the books they read so they can do a stats post at the end of the year. I have no way of knowing at a glance most of those stats so here is what I can do (by counting by hand/eye.)

Books Reviewed This Year: 250 (including picture books) (Note: Total updated as of Jan. 4/09 when I remembered some other books I'd read not included before)
*I don't review all the picture books I read with my kids. Just ones for challenges or ones I especially liked.

87 picture books
16 fiction (2 were Christian Fiction)
56 nonfiction (5 were Christian Non-fiction)
42 childrens fiction
31 childrens nonfiction
17 teen fiction
2 teen nonfiction

Futhermore, of those 250 mentioned above:
5 were Classics
12 were Memoirs
81 were books sent for me to review

Also:
I finished 25 challenges (but signed up for at least 12 more than that)

I think that's it for stats I can do on my own. I got a wonderful spreadsheet from Fyrefly's Blog to keep track of 2009 so next year's stats will be much better.

My goals for 2009 regarding reading/blogging will be coming up soon.