The Great Camping Event - July 26 - Aug 6, 2010

I'm pleased to announce a great cross-blog event I'm holding called The Great Camping Event. On BOTH of my blogs Callista's Ramblings and SMS Book Reviews, I'll be featuring product reviews and giveaways (on Callista's Ramblings), book reviews and giveaways (on SMS Book Reviews) and camping posts and guest posts (on Callista's Ramblings and SMS Book Reviews.)

Stop by my two blogs during the two week period for everything camping. Okay well maybe not everything. I won't be camping with bears or wolves, I won't be camping in a handmade teepee or digging my own latrine. (outdoor toilet) So most of what I feature or talk about will be related to tenting or cabins in an area with mostly squirrels, bunnies and birds. We do cook outside, hike, put up tents, build gadgets, light campfires and learn basic tracking, exploring, animal and nature skills.

I would however love some guest posts from people who do a different kind of camping (see below.)

ATTN: Companies, PR and Bloggers
I'm looking for companies, publishers and PR groups who wish to donate products for review and/or giveaways and bloggers who are interested in guest posting about camping or camping books or reading books while camping. I will be testing out any products or book knowledge July 18-25 at Girl Guide Camp. I am a leader and can have the girls and adults help me test everything out. So you'll get many opinions for the "price" of one. I will also be featuring a list of sponsors during the entire event on Callista's Ramblings and SMS Book Reviews. You may want to check out my PR page and Review Policies on each blog for more information.

Spread the Word and Get Extra Giveaway Entries
Please help me get the word out. If you put the following button in your sidebar of your blog and come back and let me know in the comments here, I will add 5 entries into EVERY giveaway you enter during the event on either blog.

You can scoop the code from the sidebar or you can save it and upload it yourself.

Do Nothing But Read Day - How did I not know about this???

Seriously, how did I NOT know about this? Did YOU know about this?

Do Nothing But Read Day is held twice a year, June 27 and December 19.

So that is what I'll be doing tomorrow as much as possible. I'll be reading.

I'll be reading The Cinderella Society by Kay Cassidy and reading the text in some of my cookbooks for an upcoming cookbook week. Perhaps something else, we'll see.

Will YOU be reading?

The Book About Tony Chestnut by Laurie Monopoli (The Learning Station)

Stars: ****

Learning Station (2010)
Picture Book
48 pages
3-7 years old

Summary: Most North Americans know the song "Tony Chestnut." Well this is a book version. It comes with a CD with the song and different versions of the story being read aloud. In this story, Tony Chestnut is trying to help his sister Eileen with her friendship troubles. 

About the Song
For anyone who isn't familiar with the song, the song goes as follows:

Tony Chestnut knows I love you. Tony knows. Tony knows.
Tony Chestnut knows I love you. That's what Tony knows.

Actions:
For the actions, you touch the part of the body indicated by the words.

TO-NY (Toe-Knee)
CHEST-NUT (Chest-Head(your nut))
KNOWS - nose
I - eye
LOVE - heart
YOU - point to someone else

No one knows who created the original version but in 1997, The Learning Station released an extended version featuring the characters of Eileen, Neil, Pat, Bob, Russell and Skip which has become very well-known and is sung by kids all around the world.  Lyrics to Learning Station version.

About the Story
I think the story is really cute and a great reminder of how to be a good friend. It's a true friendship story and as a Girl Guide leader, I could easily use the story during a friendship theme. It would be perfect for Kindergarten. My girls (ages 3 and 4) love the book and although they normally aren't fans of books on CD, they love to "read" along with the CD. Tony is a great brother and friend to his sister Eileen when she is sad about leaving her friends.

The Book About Tony Chestnut has already received 4 outstanding 2010 awards including, Disney’s iParenting Media Award of Excellence, Creative Child Magazine MEDIA OF THE YEAR, Dr. Toy’s Best Vacation Products for Children, and Tillywig TOP FUN. 

About the CD
The accompanying CD has 5 tracks. You can hear the story read aloud by British storyteller Jeanne Bowyer with or without page turn sound, or hear the story read by Tony Chestnut himself with page turn sound. You can listen to the Tony Chestnut song and you can even hear some thought-provoking questions for interactive discussion. These are tailored to the 3-7 age group and could be used with your own children, as part of a kid book group or in a school setting.


About the Learning Station
The Learning Station is a multi-award winning children's recording and performing company. The trio comprised of Don Monopoli, Laurie Monopoli and Jan Hrkach has combined backgrounds and degrees in early childhood education, child development and music.

Links of Interest: The Learning Station, Tony Chestnut, Tony Chestnut Training Handout (PDF),

Other Reviews: NONE YET

Buy The Book About Tony Chestnut at amazon.com and support SMS Book Reviews

* I received a copy of this book for review. All reviews are honest and are not affected in any way by how I acquired the book.

Tell Me a Story 3: Women of Wonder: Stories by Amy Friedman (Review and Opinion on Audio Books)

This week is Audiobook Week at Devourer of Books. I said I'd participate by sharing a audio book review. This has turned into more of a post on why audio books aren't for me.

Warning: I don't like audio books. I've listened to two in my entire life. So consider this an audiobook review from a non-audiobook reader.

Stars: ***

Stories: Amy Friedman
Music: Laura Hall
Part of a trilogy of kid's stories from Universal Press Syndicate


Summary: Legendary heroines and goddesses seek and struggle, win and lose, laugh and cry in magical stories and marvelous music from around the world.

Disclaimer: I did not finish this book. I normally wouldn't review a book I don't finish but since I didn't finish it because of me, and not because it was bad, I still wanted to tell my readers about it.

The only other audio books I've listened to was Heidi on an ipod. It was a free download and I really enjoyed the book but I had seen the movie and knew I liked the storyline at least.

When I was offered to review this audio book CD, I was going to say no as I don't listen to audio books but I liked that it was about heroines and goddesses and figured since it was children's stories, they would be short and I could handle it. So I said yes. That was quite some time ago and I just kept putting off listening to it and putting it off some more. I finally tried listening to it during the last readathon because I'm often busy with something else and can't read so I figured this would be a good idea. I forced myself to listen to one story and couldn't anymore.

Audio books just aren't for me. There was nothing wrong the story and Amy Friedman's voice was pleasant. I just find it really hard to imagine what it happening when someone else is telling the story. I was never fond of read-aloud stories unless I had a book to follow along with as well. I prefer to hold the story in my hand and read it at my own pace. That's one reason why I don't like audio books. I read fast. Really fast. Audio books sound like they are speaking like a snail to me. By the time they get the sentence out, I've forgotten what was being talked about.

This is a good story. Women of Wonder won the 2010 Audie for best original work. You can find out the name and synopsis of the stories on the CD at Myths and Tales.

Let  this be a lesson to me, no more audio books.

Links of Interest: Myths and Tales,

Other Reviews: NONE YET

Buy Tell Me a Story 3: Women of Wonder at amazon.com and support SMS Book Reviews

Honest Scrap Award

I received the Honest Scrap award from Tribute Books!

As with most blog awards, no one knows who started it anymore and the rules keep changing. A google search showed this as the most common set of rules:

A) List 10 honest things about yourself—and make them interesting, even if you have to dig deep!
B) Pass the award on to 7 bloggers who you feel embody the spirit of the Honest Scrap and whose blogs you find brilliant in design or content.

10 Honest Things About Me (that you may not know)

1. I was run over by a school bus when I was 5 years old.
2. I'm Pagan.
3. I bought my own house at age 23.
4. I find spelling and grammar interesting and important and it REALLY bugs me when people spell things wrong or say them wrong or use improper grammar (well the basic grammar anyways.)
5. When I was a kid and a teen I wanted 8 kids. Not anymore.
6. I don't like carnival rides that go upside down or go too fast. I don't ride roller coasters.
7. I never went to college or university because of mental illness but I was going to pursue child psychology or child and youth worker.
8. Now I'd like to be a medical transcriptionist or something like that as I can work on a computer and I love filling in forms and typing things. I'm a fast typer.
9. I love playing Wii, especially Wii Fit Plus. I also like Rock Band, Mario Party 8 and Mario Kart.
10. I'm a Girl Guide Leader.

Okay now to the 7 bloggers I'm passing this on to:

1. The Book Bug
2. The Sweet Bonjour
3. Once Upon a Bookcase
4. Peace, Love and Reviews
5. The Window Seat Reader
6. Book Snob Wannabe
7. Niki's Book Reviews

Book Blogger Hop: June 18

Well I haven't participated in the Book Blogger Hop in a while because I keep forgetting but

Welcome

to all visitors.

This blog has been around for 7 years, regularily updated for 3 years but I"ve been reviewing books for 9. I mostly review nonfiction ( for all ages) and children's books (from picture books to YA.)

I created the Delicious Book Blog Directory because I was unhappy with most of the other directories and wanted a more comprehensive one (no offense to those who created the others!)

I just created a facebook page for my blog and I'm trying to up my numbers for that and Google Friend Connect so if you follow me on GFC or like me on facebook, leave me a comment on here or on the facebook page and I'll follow/like you back.

Delicious Book Blog Directory

There are a few things I was supposed to work on during Bloggiesta that I wasn't able to because of camp but I've been working on them now and one is ready.

Introducing... The Delicious Book Blog Directory.

Why another directory?
There are other book blog directories but most of them have only some blogs or certain kinds of blogs or aren't kept updated or you have to submit your blog to it.

How many blogs do you have?
I've been bookmarking every book blog I come across for quite some time now and I have 829 blogs. As I find more I will add them. I'd like to make them accurate though and I couldn't find certain information on some blogs (like location or common genres or whatever.)

Added: Just wanted to say that just because you aren't in the directory yet doesn't mean I've never been to your blog or even that you aren't in my Google Reader. I had lots of blogs I read regularly before I decided to do this directory and they just never made it into the directory yet.

What do you consider a book blog?
Book related posts at least 50% of the time. It doesn't have to be reviews but the majority of them are. Must be a blog and not a website. If you aren't sure, submit anyways.

How do I get added?
First see if your blog is in the directory by searching for your blog name. Then fill in the google form here to add your blog or make changes. If your blog url changes or you want to change anything else in the future, just fill out the form again.

I have no idea how quickly I will make additions or changes as I have my own blogs to keep up as well.That's why I'm using a google form, because it will save the information in the order it comes in so when I'm ready to work on the directory, I can just get started.

Inactive Blogs
If a book blog hasn't been updated in 6 months or more, I'll mark it as Inactive and if it goes a year without entries, I'll take it out of the directory although it can always go back in if the blogger comes back to it. There may be some inactive blogs not marked as such because I haven't visited in a while and didn't notice it's inactive (some of those bookmarks were done years ago.) If you notice an inactive one, please let me know.

Twitter
I've also been adding book bloggers on twitter to my twitter book listing at http://www.twitter.com/callista83/books so add your twitter id to your listing to be added there.

Spread the Word
Please spread the word about this directory so those who aren't on it can get on it and those who are, can update their information. Link to this post, tweet about it, stumble it and tell your friends. You can also add the buttons provided to your blog if you so choose but it's not a requirement.

I have four buttons for you to choose from but I'm having trouble with the textarea html to allow you to copy the html. If you want to save and upload it yourself though, you can do that right now.




 

If you know how to do basic html, here are the links to the above graphics:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/callista83/keep/delbookblog1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/callista83/keep/delbookblog3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/callista83/keep/delbookblog2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/callista83/keep/delbookblog4.jpg

Comments?
Please share what you think of this. Is this a good idea for directory? Do you see yourself using it to find new book blogs? Any suggestions for improvement?

Got Books? Event - July 23-24

Got Books? is a new event from Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers and There's a Book.

It's like Blogmania and Blogfest but for Book Bloggers only.

If you are a book blogger and you want to host a giveaway during July 23-24 as a celebration of book blogging, head on over to find out the details and sign up.

This blog will be participating and the giveaway will be open internationally!

I will be away from July 18-24 but the post will go up automatically.

BBAW: Book Blogger Appreciation Week

It's that time of year again! Here is some information followed by some posts I'm proud of that I"m hoping will put me in the running for Best Nonfiction Blog.

From: http://bookbloggerappreciationweek.com

What:  Book Blogger Appreciation Week is a week long festival celebrating the community of book bloggers and their contribution to preserving a culture of literacy through book reviews and recommendations, reading reflections, and general bookish chat.  BBAW also includes an awards component.  For more information on the BBAW 2010 Awards and how to participate, please visit the BBAW 2010 Awards Blog.  BBAW events include daily blogging topics, blogger interview swaps, special guest posts, and so much more!
Who:  If you self-identify as a book blogger, this festival is for you!  We have been excited to welcome participants from all over the world for past BBAWs.
When:  September 13-17, 2010.
Where: Right here at the Book Blogger Appreciation Week blog.  You can participate in the comfort of your own home and the convenience of your own time zone. 
Why:  Because book blogging is a fun and time intensive hobby that has created communities around books and played a crucial role in the continuing evolution of what books mean in our society.
How Can I Participate?
You can participate by filling out the registration form for BBAW 2010. Subscribe to the blog’s feed and follow us on Twitter to keep up with all of the developments!

So as I said I entered my blog for the Best Nonfiction Blog. The process is different this year and by submitting my blog, I'm just getting it in the running. It's still up to others to determine how far I make it.

So I have to share 5 posts that I think show me as the Best Nonfiction blogger.

1. Writing for the Web by Crawford Killian & Do The Web Write by Dan Furman 
2. The Man's Book by Thomas Fink
3. The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller
4. Burn! The Life Story of Fire by Tanya Lloyd Kyi
5. Let's Discuss Nonfiction

The Psychiatrist Who Cured the Scientologist by Aaron David Gottfried

Stars: ****

Pandora Press (2008)
Memoir

Summary: Step inside the misunderstood world of mental illness and the underground secrets of Scientology in this first-hand account of a walk on the extreme side of both. [In the book], get a look at a life lived not on one side, but in the middle of the battlefield. This true story of a teenager trying to seek truth, finds himself going completely backwards in a downward spiral of curiosity, rebellion and fanaticism. The end of the beginning starts with a total loss of reality in order to realize what is true. - from back of book

While I knew the book covered mental illness and loss of reality, I was not prepared for the amount of talk about suicide. As a past suicide-attempter, it was a bit upsetting to read. That's why I'm mentioning it first, to warn anyone who may be upset by it.

However it was a very good book that I read straight through in under 2 hours. The mental illness talked about is Bipolar. I'm not sure why the book never mentions that's what it is but I don't think saying that is spoiling it. Anyone familiar with Bipolar would recognize what is is right away.

As for the Scientology aspect, I knew nothing really about Scientology before reading this book and I feel much more knowledgeable about it now. For some reason I was thinking Scientology was not believing in God but in science but boy was I wrong. They believe in God and in fact seem to ignore some basic science, such as some mental illness needing medication. It was against the authors Scientology background to take any kind of anti-psychotic or even anti-depressant. It was all very enlightening.

As a sufferer of Bipolar, although a different kind than the author, I found it shocking the way Aaron was treated. I try to be open-minded about different religions but if they had been open to medication and proper visits to a psychiatrist he would have been diagnosed sooner.

Recommended for lovers of memoirs and books about mental illness, other religions or leaving Scientology.

Links of Interest: Aaron Gottfried,

Other Reviews: NONE YET

Buy The Psychiatrist Who Cured the Scientologist at amazon.com and support SMS Book Reviews

Bloggista Wrap-Up

Well I'm tired so I'm wrapping up Bloggiesta, the blogging marathon. I didn't get as much done as I would have liked, mainly because of camping but I got a good head start and usually Bloggiesta gets me out of a blogging funk which I think it did again so I should be able to continue keeping up with things and staying organized.

Stats

Total Time: 4 hrs Friday + 1 hr Saturday + 3hrs Sunday = 8 hours total
Mini Challenges Done: 6 (4 new, 2 old)
Blogs Commented On: Less than 5. I really didn't have time this round, sorry everyone.
What I Got Accomplished:

• Blog Planning
• Fixing up of some old reviews
• Wrote one post (not even near my goal)
• Fixed my labels
• Updated GoodReads
• Updated my Challenge list
• Updated some of the challenges I host
• Got rid of a dead link
• Edited review policy and PR page
• Added email subscription option
• + mini challenges

Thoughts: I love Bloggiesta and wish there were 3 a year. I'd love to see more mini-challenges and ones that can be done more than once are great (like the one about fixing old posts, by next bloggiesta, you'll still have old posts.) I want to host a mini-challenge for next Bloggiesta, I just hope I remember. I also keep forgetting about the fiesta theme. I keep meaning to listen to Mexican music and have tacos but I forget.

I feel bad I didn't visit many people this time but I barely had time to get anything done.

Is it January yet?

Bloggiesta Update 2

Well for those just checking in, I was at Girl Guide Camp this weekend so I did lots of Bloggiesta stuff Friday and I did a few planning things at camp and I'll fit in a few more things tonight.

At camp I didn't get much chance to do anything but I did a bit of blog planning such as:

• brainstorming post ideas
• thinking about my feature idea
• coming up with theme weeks for the future

I'm not sure what I'm working on today, but I'll have a final update done when I'm done working.

Nibbling on Einstein's Brain by Diane Swanson

Stars: ****

Annick Press (2009)
Children's Nonfiction
160 pages
Ages 8+

Summary: Science affects every part of our lives. It can determine the foods we eat, the clothes we wear even the video games we play. But how do you tell the good science from the bad? - from annickpress.com

I really enjoyed reading this book. It discusses the difference between good science and bad science and helps you learn to determine the difference. The book examines 3 ways science can fool us:


Science Watch - how science can go wrong
Media Watch - how reporting can confuse or misrepresent science
Mind Watch - how the human mind can muddle science. 


The book also contains an introductory chapter and a chapter called Winning Strategies which will help you hone your science understanding skills. 


What's bad science? The book examines things such as fake research, poorly trained researchers, flawed methods, weak data, incorrect analysis or incorrect conclusions. (That paragraph explained with the help of page 14)


The book has a Your Turn section to see if you understand the material.  I think the book would be great for kids who love science and want to understand how research works and why you can't believe every study you read. 


The media section was the most interesting and the most eye opening and one I think all adults could benefit from. For example:

"Even facts that are well researched and accurately reported can mislead the public if they're not well explained. Suppose, for instance, that some dreaded disease attacks 1 person in 10. One hear that, people might immediately assume that they have a 1 in 10 chance of dying from this disease, not just of getting it." - pg 64


"Suppose, for instance, that researchers discovered Dozy Drops candies increased the risk of fainting from 1 in 10,000 to 3 in 10,000. You might spot a headline that read "Sucking Dozy Drops Triples Risk of Fainting." True, but very misleading. If you did not know the actual, ridiculously low figures, you might avoid Dozy Drops like poison." - pg 70


"If you dress like a doctor and act like a doctor, it doesn't necessarily mean you are a doctor. Yet some TV, magazine, and newspaper ads show professional looking men and women in white coats raving about a product. "A medicine you can use with confidence," they say, holding up a flu remedy. "This is what I recommend." Companies that run ads like these aren't claiming to have a medical researcher as a spokesperson. But they're likely counting on you to think that's the case and buy their "medically approved" products." - pg 75-76

Highly Recommended

Links of Interest: NONE

Other Reviews: NONE YET

Buy Nibbling on Einstein's Brain at amazon.com and support SMS Book Reviews

Bloggiesta Update

Okay well I leave for Girl Guide camp soon so here's what I accomplished today:

 - 4 mini challenges
 - fixed my label cloud to a list and pruned my labels
 - updated goodreads currently reading list
 - updated my book challenges list for what's done and not done
 - did some work on the challenges I host which have been sadly neglected

Tonight and tomorrow night while at camp I will be:

 - brainstorming my ideas for a new feature
 - planning blog theme weeks
 - writing some blog posts
 - planning the next month's posts

Bloggiesta Mini-Challenges

Puss Reboots is hosting the RSS Mini-Challenge for Bloggiesta.

I already had a feed but I added it into my header which means that if you come across this page and want to subscribe, you can click the little rss icon up there in the url link bar on the right.

I also added an option to subscribe via email in my sidebar if you are interested.

I've also done the Goals mini-challenge and the Review Policy challenge.

Bloggiesta is on!

Bloggiesta, the blogging marathon with a fiesta twist, has officially started!

Here's my schedule for the weekend:

Friday
9am - I started Bloggiesta
4pm - Leaving for Girl Guide Camp

Saturday
While I'm at camp, I have paper and pencil and blog planners and will be planning out my next month and starting to write post ideas and whatever other planning I can do without a computer.

Sunday
Afternoon - I arrive home from camp. I'll be dirty and tired but I'll be making up for lost bloggiesta time by doing more blogging stuff and catching up on mini-challenges I haven't done.

So look for an update Friday afternoon, Sunday afternoon and one last wrap-up as well on Sunday. I'd love to tweet and blog from camp but I don't have a smart phone :(

Here's some of what I'd like to accomplish:

• Make a list of all nonfiction book categorized by dewey decimal system (inspired by PussReboots and ?? - can't remember who had it categorized by dewey decimal system!)
• Link to my Scene of the Blog, Lost in Books 20 Questions and Armchair BEA interview from my about me page.
• Make social media buttons for both blogs
• Put alt tags on photos
• Meta tags and description.
• Clean up labels and look into a different way to display them.
• Mini-challenges
• Write Reviews
• Update GoodReads

I won't get it all done but I hope to make a dent!

Sewing a Friendship by Natalie Tinti

Stars: ***

Summary: Four best of friends are super excited about the start of summer! Their adventure begins with getting out of school and talking about a pink sleepover.   But things do not run smoothly when Kiki Shaver gets in the way. Then they found an invitation for a fashion show! Will the girls still be able to have fun and participate in the fashion show?  As you read on, you will discover a delightful story of how Kiki was able to turn her life around to learn how to sew wonderful friendships. - from tintinatie.com

When I learned that a 10 year old has made a book I was intrigued so I contacted the Tinti's and asked for a copy to review. I must say though that I was a bit disappointed. The idea behind the story is great and the illustrations are pretty good for a 10 year old but I guess I just don't agree that it's as amazing as everyone else is saying. I think however that it's just not what I was expecting. Let me share some background info.

I don't usually share author information but I want everyone to understand about the book.

About the Author
Natalie Tinti is a fourth grader living in Southern California. With her passion and talent of illustrating, she has won many awards for her excellence. Natalie's book, Sewing a Friendship, in 2010 was 4 times awarded. In addition, Miss Tinti received a certificate of achievement and was recognized as an honor student at her elementary school. Natalie is promoting her school's theme "Kindness is Cool" and she believes friendships are an important part of our lives that can be created when we have the courage to include others.

Natalie sounds like an amazing girl. She offers these great tips for making friends and she's been interviewed on TV (and elsewhere). If you don't want to watch the whole interview, I ask that you watch 3:30min-3:58min at least. She sounds way older than a 10 year old when she talks during this time.

Knowing all this about Natalie, I feel bad giving her less than a glowing review but I vowed to be honest on this blog. It's not a bad book, but I won't be reading it again. I'm also not a 10 year old girl though, so the book isn't designed for me. I think a preteen would enjoy it more than me. That's why I wanted you to know the background information on the author because I think she's really talented and she's already written Sewing a Friendship 2.

Links of Interest: Sewing a Friendship,

Other Reviews: NONE YET

Buy Sewing a Friendship at amazon.com and support SMS Book Reviews

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for a review. All reviews are honest and are not affected by how I acquired the book.

WOW: A Handbook for Living by Zen Ohashi and Zono Kurazono

Stars: ***1/2

One Peace Books (2010)
Nonfiction
157 pages

Summary: [...] In this volume [the author] has created a method for living. A way you too can be successful and powerful in your everyday life. Thirty-one phrases are coupled with simple methods and short explanations designed to implement empowerment and change in lives of readers. Designed to be carried with you and pulled out when you need it, WOW is the ultimate handbook for life. - from Amazon.com

This book is definitely different than any other books I've ever seen. The text is not line after line, from left to right, page after page. The book is full of photography, spaces to write things, and different fonts and text sizes. This may seem to be a bad thing but it's not. It makes for great reading while on a bus or somewhere busy where it's hard to concentrate.There is one page with 7 words and one with 288.

The book is full of exercises to do to help you change your life. Some require a few minutes to think or write something down and others are just ideas for life:

"Whenever you express your opinion try to start with the words, "I assert..." or "My opinion is..." Whenever you're listening to someone else's opinion, add the words, "As for your opinion..." silently to yourself." - pg 72

I think this is a great idea. we often get ourselves all riled up because of something someone said but guess what? That's just their opinion.

So as the summary said, the book covers 31 different phrases such as: Say it with how, Everyone has a voice, I can't help being judgmental, questions conquer problems and It's okay to be selfish.

I think this book would be good for those who like self-help books, but don't have a lot of time for long books. For those who usually frown upon exercises in books, you must realize these aren't time consuming sit down and work on it exercises. Most required just thinking a certain way. This is a great book to read again and again until the concepts truly sink in.

Links of Interest: NONE

Other Reviews: Reminder List, The Fickle Fan,

Buy WOW: A Handbook for Living at amazon.com and support SMS Book Reviews

* I received a copy of this book for review. All reviews are honest and are not affected by how I acquired the book.

I Pledge To Read the Printed Word!

I found this at Reminder List's blog which has been merged with another blog and is now Miel et Lait.




Just click the button to go to the website, read the statement and if you agree, grab one of many buttons to put on your website or blog!

The No-Cry Separation Anxiety Solution by Elizabeth Pantley + giveaway

Stars: *****

Summary: A guide to help parents whose children are exhibiting signs of separation anxiety. No matter what your situation (school, daycare, clingy just when you leave the room for one second), Elizabeth Pantley can help you all. The book comes with a little magic bracelet and instructions for use.

I love the no-cry books. I've read The No-Cry Sleep Solution and The No-Cry Nap Solution.

First we are introduced to separation anxiety and it's basics. Then we are given tips for babies and toddlers. Then we meet the Magic Bracelet idea. Full instructions with different ideas for use are included. A magic bracelet is included with the book but you can choose to make your own or buy your own.

Following that is specific tips for preschool and school age children. The section after than addresses certain separation anxiety issues such as babysitters, daycare, going to work, starting school, new baby, going to bed alone, playdates and parties, overnights, travel, military duty, divorce, business travel and siblings going to school. Finally parent separation anxiety is addressed and there is a short chapter on Separation Anxiety Disorder.

The magic bracelet is a great idea. It's for your child to keep you close when they are away. She suggests having two identical bracelets so that if one is lost, there is a second one. The included bracelet is a simple orange woven bracelet with the word "Magic" on it and velcro clasp.

My kids cry sometimes when I leave but it doesn't last long and they don't have too many problems. However my eldest is starting school this September so I will try the bracelet with her.

Links of Interest: Elizabeth Pantley, Excerpt 1 and Excerpt 2,

Other Reviews: NONE YET

Buy The No-Cry Separation Anxiety Solution at amazon.com and support SMS Book Reviews

GIVEAWAY CLOSED

Writing for the Web by Crawford Kilian and Do The Web Write by Dan Furman

I've got two reviews for books serious bloggers or bloggers for profit would enjoy along with those who run a business website.Enjoy!

Writing for the Web 4th Edition by Crawford Kilian

Stars: *****

Self-Counsel Press (2009)
Nonfiction/Writing Skills

Summary: The basics of writing for the web (portfolio, company website, blog and so forth.) Creating an effective website with content people will want to read and come back to.

This is a great resource for anyone writing for the web but very helpful for those with blogs too. This isn't for those who are blogging just for fun. If you want to monetize your blog or even just be taken seriously in your niche then you need to write well.

Topics Include:

History, Hypertext and Interactive Communiction (how communication has changed with the internet and how reading on the computer is different from reading print materials.)

Structuring Your Website

Organizing Website Content (making it scanable, navigation, headings, style and display, bullets etc..)

Writing Good Webtext (Grammar lessons specific to web writing)

Editing Webtext (Spellcheck but also reading level, keeping in mind international readers, business speak and more)

Corporate Webwriting (challenges specific to corporate websites)

Writing for Blogs (challenges specific to blog writing)

Advocacy and Marketing on the Web (persuasion, propoganda and more)

Frequently Asked Questions (Can I make money as a freelance writer on the web?, can I create my own e-zine?, Can I copyright my webwriting?, How can I attract visitors to my site? and more.)

The book also includes exercises. After you learn a little bit, there is an exercise to try to drive the point home. They are not required of course but I did most of them and I found them fun. But then I love to read about spelling and grammar so you may not agree.


The book contains a section about being careful with biased terms that I haven't seen in other books or websites about writing for the web:

"As a webwriter you may want to challenge your readers, but challenges shouldn't include gratuitous pokes in the eye. Terms that seem perfectly natural to you may be deeply offensive to others. Is that because you're OK and your readers are thin-skinned idiots? Or because you don't have enough respect for your readers to address them in a civil manner?" - pg 101

The author talks about avoiding pointless or irrelevant personal information, faint praise, gender bias (fireman instead of firefighter), being careful when mentioning sexual orientation, ethnic terms, disabilities and age.

Some of what I read I already knew but I did learn a lot too. I think grammar and spelling is important so I cringe when I see someone write affect instead of effect or something like that. If you are blogging for yourself or for family, it doesn't matter. However if you are blogging for others, I think it's your duty to make it proper and readable. This book covers some commons mistakes in spelling and grammar but that's not all it teaches. The explanations in chapter one about webtext being different  from print text and even different from what webtext was when the web came out, is very important and something I think all serious bloggers and website owners should read.

Highly Recommended

Links of Interest:  Writing for the Web Blog, Writing Fiction, Ask the English Teacher, Writing for the Web at Self Counsel Press (17 page preview),

Other Reviews:  NONE YET

Buy Writing for the Web at amazon.com and support SMS Book Reviews

Do The Web Write by Dan Furman

Stars: *****

Self-Counsel Press (2009)
Nonfiction/Business

Summary: Writing/marketing for business websites. Focus on writing and layout (not design) to bring in the customers and money. Comes with a CD-ROM

Did you catch the title? Do the Web Write instead of Right? It's a play on words done purposely. It's about web writing done right.

When I was sent this book I didn't think I would be able to get much use or enjoyment out of it as I don't have a business. My blog is like my business but I don't need customers to contact me about a service nor do I sell a product of my own. However I zipped through the book cover to cover and enjoyed every minute of it. Some of it I can use in regards to my blog but even the parts that I can not use, I enjoyed reading.

I LOVE Dan Furman's writing style. He is a copywriter which means he writes for other people's websites. It's no wonder he is succeeding at this, if I had the money, I'd have him help me write. With this book I can improve my writing and blog and if I ever do have my own business, I know what book I'll be turning to again.

There is humour throughout the book and he's funny:

"It goes without saying that ALL rules should be at least thought about for every page (hmmm ... I guess since I said it, it doesn't go without saying anymore ....)" - pg 103

While talking about analyzing your website visitor and figuring out what they want.

"So here's my retort: Why stop there? Since we're psychoanalyzing my web visitors, let's dig deeper, shall we? What do we all REALLY want? Why do we get dressed? Why do we shower (well, some of, anyway?) Why go to work? Why put up with idiot bosses? Let's address these wants in my new headline to make Mr. Hype happy.


'SLEEP LATE EVERY DAY, HAVE TONS OF GREAT SEX, MAKE MILLIONS WITHOUT WORKING, AND EAT ANYTHING YOU WANT WITHOUT GAINING AN OUNCE!'" - pg 54, emphasis not mine

This guy had me chuckling quite a few times which I imagine is not usual for a book on business.Check out the right side of Dan Furman Online (see below) for more giggles.

The book contains lots of topics such as: website conversion, fundamentals of a successful website, page order and information to include, 11 Rules of Effective Website Writing, Writing for your home page, Writing for your other pages (about us, why use us, products/services), all about FAQ, SEO and traffic writing (blogs, articles, press releases, pay-per-click ads), alternate landing pages/microsites
sites and more. Dan provides screen shots of (mostly) his websites to illustrate what he means which is really helpful if you don't understand something. The topics that might be a little confusing such as SEO, Dan explains very clearly.

The book comes with a CD-ROM but my CD-ROM drive is broken so I wasn't able to check it out. However it contains digital copies of some of his forms or samples.

Highly Recommended

Links of Interest: Dan Furman Online, Do the Web Write at Self Counsel Press (first 12 pages preview), Clear-Writing,

Other Reviews: NONE YET

Buy Do The Web Write at amazon.com and support SMS Book Reviews

*I received a copy of both of these books for review. All reviews are honest and are not affected by how I aquired them.

Where I've Been and Bloggiesta

First of all, sorry for not posting much lately. May and June are really busy for me and I haven't had a chance to do much blogging.

I hope to have some new stuff up soon but in the meantime, check out some of these old posts:

Adult Fiction: Midwives: A Novel by Chris Bohjalian
Adult Nonfiction: Have You Found Her by Janice Erlbaum
YA/Teen Fiction: The Black Tattoo by Sam Enthoven
Meme: 10 Signs a Book is By Me (The best way to see what I like in a book.)
On Blogging: BBAW: Blogging
On Books: Book Covers

Also, Bloggiesta is coming up next weekend (June 11-13).

For those that don't know, Bloggiesta is a blog marathon. It was created by a book blogger but any blogger is welcome. Click on the link above to find out more information but you can do whatever blogging you need to do and you can win prizes!

I've been waiting since the January Bloggiesta ended for this one and of course it ends up being on a weekend I'm away camping with Girl Guides. However I'm going to do my best to make it work. I'm going to do as much as Friday as I can and work on some blog planning at camp on good ole paper with pen. Maybe I'll draft some blog posts too if I can. Then Sunday after I come home I'll do some more, even if it doesn't count. So I'll post an update probably twice on Friday and Once or twice on Sunday.