4 cups

The only thing that would've been better was if Mansell could've written these characters and their stories as a series. A chance to revisit Channing's Hill and Cleo Quinn's clan would've been terrific. Maybe there could be another book, this one for Georgia?

Have you read any books by the author Jill Mansell?

Yes? Then, why didn't you tell me about her sooner? (Kidding!)
No? Neither did I until a recent trip to the library.

So what happened was, I went to the library to pick up a book that I had requested. Of course, I can't go to the library and walk away with just one book. Anyways, I browsed the shelves for other authors that my friends have read and liked. I was only able to find one, which meant only 2 books. That just wasn't going to satisfy my over-indulgent self. So, I took my happy little hands and eyes to the section where the new books to see if anything caught my eye.

That's how I "found" Jill Mansell. Well, how I found "Take a Chance on Me" by Jill Mansell.

No, I'm not so shallow that a cover alone will get me to read a book. The synopsis also got me interested, but the review quotes were what sold me on checking it out. It was being touted as a witty, romantic comedy. My favorite! I love a good book that can me laugh or, at the very least, smile. I added it to my other book, got my requested book, and happily headed home to read!

Don't you love that feeling of success when you find that perfect little something? Even if you didn't know that were looking for it.

I know you have to go, so I'll quit rambling, but I'm really glad you stopped in!

Oh! I almost forgot! If you want to read the review, then don't forget to peek in tomorrow!
See ya later!

Do you read new authors? Of course there's two possible ways to think of that question.

Do you ever read a brand-new author? One that's never been published before? It's not always easy to know if the author you found is new, as in first book, or just new to you. But if you saw a book with a sticker or marking of some kind that said first-time author would you consider reading it? Would it draw you or interest you?

What about an author you've never read before but is established? If you just stumbled upon their books would you consider giving them a try?

Now the only stipulation I would put on the question, is not a book or author that's been recommended. Just one you happened to see at the store or at the library, somewhere on a shelf.

Which would you be more likely to try? The new author or the newly found author?

I've recently found myself saying yes to both of these questions and it made me wonder what other readers think.

"One Season of Sunshine" by Julia London

4 cups

Won/Free through Goodreads' First Reads Giveaway Program

I thoroughly enjoyed Julia London's "One Season of Sunshine."

Though, in the very first bit of the story I was a bit overwhelmed, because London introduces so many characters and their relations to one another, all while giving you pieces of their personalities as well.

The main character, Jane, has a very large adopted family. Now, imagine being introduced to all of them, and told their history all at once. Whew, my poor Adult ADD mind couldn't keep up.

The other thing that tripped me up at first was how quickly London had me bouncing from present to past, to thoughts of the past, etc. However, I soon realized that all of this was quite necessary to have a better understanding of where our leading lady was coming from, and to understand her struggle on the path she was on.

Soon though, all the bumps smoothed out so quickly, and I was so engrossed in Jane's story, that I finished the book in 24 hours. (That includes taking time to sleep, time to get my kids off to school and time to do a day of work). I couldn't finish fast enough.

I liked "One Season of Sunshine" so much that I will most definitely start searching the store shelves for London's newest Cedar Spring story, "Summer of Two Wishes" and I'm sure after that I will be very anxiously, and impatiently, waiting for the third installment!

So I realized if you read my 23 March post, you were probably thinking, "Wait, this says your first post and yet you have a month of posts before it?"

Yes, I was saving as drafts all my posts while I was working out exactly the design I wanted, how I wanted it to look, etc. That's not to say the layout is my doing. Oh no, I can't take credit for that. The template was not my genius. I just meant the layout as far as pages, what I'd say, etc. The tone I wanted.

Anyways, I just thought maybe I should clarify that.

Also, I realized that I hadn't marked my book recommendation as such. Not that it matters legally, just so you as a reader would know. And that I hadn't posted any of my reviews for books given to me/won in a giveaway either. What's the use of telling you I'll do it if you have no proof otherwise? Right?

Ideas floating through my head that might be made into posts later:
Finding new authors
Favorite genres to read
How do I/you pick the next book to read
2 or 3 reviews of books I've recently finished (that's pretty much a guarantee).
Posting polls? Maybe not... Then again...well, we'll see.

Anyways, there's lots rolling around in my head, it's just a matter of fine-tuning it all and getting it into the posts. Which if you keep hanging around you'll find it can be quite amusing sometimes, me trying to keep my brain focused in one direction. :P So, stick around, have some fun with me! I'll talk to you again soon.

I know, I know. I never listed this type of post as a possibility and yet, here's the 2nd one. I honestly didn't think there would be incidences where I'd have news about books though. But once again I found out a piece of news that I just had to tell you.

Someone I know is having a book published!!!

"Hope's Journey" by Stephanie Connelley Worlton. It's scheduled publish date is July 14, 2011. (The link will take you to the Barnes & Noble site, as that's the link that was given to me)

No, I don't have more information than that. Stephanie is a first time author, and, I believe, it's a small publishing company out of Utah. Sorry, I couldn't find a cover image or a synopsis for you either.

But I was just so excited for Stephanie! I had to share the news!

I will definitely work on getting more information, and I will be sure to let you know as soon as I know.

Thanks for stopping in to hear the news! I hope to see you again soon!

All definitions are quoted from The New Oxford American Dictionary.

subaqueous: "existing, formed, or taking place underwater."

insouciance: "a casual lack of concern; indifference."

"Life does produce changes, and the end results are sometimes explosive, but ... big bangs often have a long fuse." -Stephen King, Duma Key

Wow! I'm so excited! The very first post for Books N Beans! As of right this very minute, I haven't told anyone about my blog yet. I will as soon as I'm done with this post though. I can't wait! I know, I'm a dork. Who knew that a little thing like having a blog would make me so happy, but there you have it.

I have so many thoughts rambling through my brain I truly can't figure out what to sayfirst. I'll just start typing and see where we land.

I'm hoping you'll come in and visit Books N Beans often, so I'm going to do all that's possible to make sure you have something new to read everyday.

I'll try to make sure my posts connect to one another as much as possible. What I mean to say is, I'll try to post quotes, word definitions, reviews, and thoughts connected with an individual book on consecutive days. This might not always be possible, because sometimes there's just no quotes, unknown words, or thoughts that stem from a particular book. I'll do my best though.

I'm open to suggestions, tips, advice, etc. You can leave them as a comment or email them to me, whichever you prefer.

I will be connecting my blog to Facebook and Goodreads in the near future, so make sure you keep an eye out for those links. There's a possibility I'll link up elsewhere in the further future, and I'll be sure to let you know if I do.

Thanks for coming to visit today. Please feel free to stay and click around the place. I look forward to seeing you around Books N Beans again.



5 cups

I also knew that I remembered, very vividly, the storyline such as it was up to where I had stopped (around 150 pages in). I knew I wouldn't have to go back and re-read what I had already accomplished.

I was right. Once I picked it back up, I knew exactly what had transpired in the story (King sticks with ya like that), and I flew through a 100 or so pages and barely noticed the time going by. I didn't want to stop again. I hated having to set it down. I was doubly invested in the story at this point. Not only because it was good, but because I was challenging myself to accomplish it once and for all.

Okay, so a little background on the story itself, and less on me and my reading habits. Ha ha!

Edgar Freemantle is the main character. He is injured in an accident with a crane (machinery, not bird), he losing one of his arms, and his brain and his sense of self suffer some damage as well.

He leave Minnesota for Duma Key, Florida, or more specifically for Salmon Point (Big Pink). There he meets and befriends Jack, Wireman, and Elizabeth. He also rediscovers a passion for art.

Of course, the characters all are damaged in some way, and they all have their secrets from their pasts. No one though does secrets quite so dangerous as King. And is par for the course, there is the supernatural to contend with. Though this book was more along the lines of "Hearts in Atlantis" than it was some of King's more gruesome horror stories. What I mean there is, it seemed more people focused (to me) than horror focused.

I don't think it was hard to see where things/events were headed in the story, and I'm sure King meant to write it that way. I certainly don't mean to ascertain that I could outguess the brilliant writer, because that's just foolish to think. All I meant was, in my experience, King is usually more cryptic about where the story is headed.

And even though I saw a few events occuring, I was still pissed at their outcome when they did happen. That to me just means that he's a brilliant writer. He shows you where you're heading and yet you're still invested enough to scream "outrage" when it happens.

Highly recommend this book! To King lovers, yes. But even more so to those who don't normally read his writings because of too much gore. This one's great!

We fool ourselves so much we could do it for a living." -Stephen King, Duma Key

"Phantoms" by Dean Koontz

4 cups

Is it a serial killer, a terrorist attack, a military or science contaminant gone wrong?

Paige calls the Sheriff in the next town, who immediately brings a team to investigate. However, they soon find out the truth is the stuff of nightmares. Unbelievable, yet happening all the same.

My thoughts on the story: What a truly gruesome book! It was awesome! It's been a long time since I"ve read a book that could make me cringe and give me the creeps as much as this one did.

Koontz and King continue to be my 2 favorite authors for accompling both. Though they get the job done in ways unique to themselves.

I've read a lot of Koontz's books over the years, but most of them have been more recently written. I'm not sure I ever knew Koontz could be as gruesome as this.

It was violent, senselessly violent, and the detail of all the gore was so...exact that it was impossible not to vividly image each and every scene. Don't misunderstand the "senselessly violent" remark. I don't believe Koontz's writing was senselessly violent. I believe the violence of the Phantoms was senselessly violent. It was supposed to be. That was the point. I like Koontz did a remarkable job of portraying that. When violence happens, as is our nature, we want to make sense of it. We want it to be for a reason, a cause, a defense, etc. The Phantoms have no such belief.

While the book is Syfy, I think Koontz did a bang up job of making it seem completely plausible. He even went so far as to back up his fictional story with true events. He incorporated them so seemlessly into the story that it makes you pause and wonder, and maybe even worry just a touch. :O

I especially love the question he poses at the end. (This is me paraphrasing and/or my take on it.) Were we created in the image of God/Devil? Or did we create God/Devil in our image?

Hmmmmmm...

"Parenting is the greatest of hum-a-few-bars-and-I'll fake-it skills" -Stephen King, Duma Key

All definitions are quoted from The New Oxford American Dictionary

inculcate: "instill (an attitude, idea, or habit) by persistent instruction."

execration: " feel or express great loathing for."

Now this has nothing to do with a book, but it has to do with stories.

Have you heard the "traditions" or stories that some people do on St. Patrick's Day? I'm part Irish and I had no idea people made such a deal, besides wearing green, out of St. Pat's Day.

Things like green milk, tossing the house, gold coins scattered around, etc.
Basically, as if little leprechauns had come a-calling.

Am I the last person to know this? It wouldn't surprise me if I was. I tend to live under a rock it seems sometimes. Ha ha!

Half-Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls
Synopsis (from back cover): "By age six, Lily was helping her father break horses. At fifteen, she left home to teach in a frontier town-riding five hundred miles on her pony, alone, to get to her job. She learned to drive a car and fly a plane. And, with her husband, Jim, she ran a vast ranch in Arizona. She raised two children, one of whom is Jeannette's memorable mother, Rosemary Smith Walls, unforgettably portrayed in The Glass Castle.

Lily survived tornadoes, droughts, floods, the Great Depression, and the most heartbreaking personal tragedy. She bristled at prejudice of all kinds-against women, Native Americans, and anyone else who didn't fit the mold. Rosemary Smith Walls always told Jeannette that she was like her grandmother, and in this true-life novel, Jeanette Walls channels that kindred spirit."

My thoughts:

Walls wrote this story about her grandmother, but her information came from memory, from stories told by family members, and ...(I believe) some research. So, it's difficult to know if it's completely a work of fact or if there was some embellishment along the way. I don't think Walls intended any. On the contrary, I believe she tried to make it as accurate as possible. But everyone knows verbal stories get changed over the years. We've all played telephone before.

Anyways...
Walls did a great job of writing the story. I did enjoy it. I limited myself to 3 stars because while I found the story interesting, I wasn't enthralled by it. I'm not sure if I would've been as into it as I was, if it wasn't for the fact that Lily's maiden name was Casey.

As for the characters in the story, or the story itself, I had mixed feelings. In the beginning, I was very much on the side of Lily. I felt her frustrations with her mom and her dad. I shook my head at the two of them making it so little Lily had to care for her family when she was still a child.

I loved Lily's fire, her risk taking, her ability to think outside the box, and to get the job done any way it needed to be done.

However, as the story progressed I was upset to see Lily's open thinking become applicable only to herself. It was okay for her to not follow in her parents' footsteps, but she continually pushed her daughter to be just like her. It seemed to me that she wanted Rosemary to have Lily's beliefs and value system. She couldn't understand her daughter's need to be her own person. As parents, we all do this to some extent, even when we try hard not to. It's just easier to see it others than it is to see it in ourselves.

Overall, it was an enjoyable book. I read a couple pages of her first book The Glass Castle and I can already tell that I will like that one better. I think the difference will be that it just wasn't possible for Walls to put a personality into HBH, because she just didn't have the connection to the story that I believe will show through in TGC.



3 cups



All definitions are quoted from The New Oxford American Dictionary.

pernicious: "having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way."

opprobrium: "harsh criticism or censure. <special usage> the public disgrace arising from someone's shameful conduct."

pecuniary: "of, relating to, or consisting of money."

People often ask me how often or much do I read. I sometimes feel embarrassed to tell them. I mean, come on, we (people) can tend to be pretty judgmental sometimes. I always feel as if I have to justify myself with things like:

"It's pretty much my entertainment."
"I like TV, but I prefer books."
"I only read when I'm done taking care of my family's needs."
The list goes on.

So, how much do you read? How often? Is it daily like me? Even if it's only a couple of pages a day, is it at least every day? Come on, I'd love to know there's others in my corner here. Even if you're not, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

"Finding Home" by Melanie Rose

3 1/2 cups

So, there's a lot going on in this story. Let me map it out for you by character.

Kate has a car accident in a snow blizzard, she has amnesia, she is taken in by a family, and she has memories of a life that can't possibly be hers, yet they seem vividly real.

Vincent is the home owner who takes Kate in. He's recently lost one of his daughter's to a disease that still affects his living daugther, and his wife disappeared shortly after the child's death.

Jadie is Vincent's living daughter, who has cystic fibrosis. She has been mute since she lost her twin sister and her mother. She begins talking once Kate arrives on the scene.

Other characters you meet: Tara, Vincent's long-time housekeeper; Adam, the farmer from the down the road; Colin, Tara's brother and local hypnotherapist/counselor; and Maria, neighbor and friend of Vincent's missing wife.

My thoughts on the story: There were parts of the story that I just felt were too much. I didn't feel that the implications of mystery surrounding Vincent or Colin were needed. I thought with everything else going on in the story that there was plenty to "chew on", and plenty of events to "hold the story up".

Let me see if I can explain that better. During the story, I didn't understand why Kate's amnesia was necessary. Why wasn't her having a car crash and ending up in Vincent's home enough? However, as the plot line continues I see where this tidbit was needed. In regards to the mysteries with the two men, I just didn't ever find a reason (satisfactory to me) why it was necessary. I believe there was quite enough, without all that, to sort through.

Overall, I did enjoy the story though. It has a very slight touch of romance in there, but I don't think I'd label a romance novel.
How would I categorize it?
Paranormal dealing with ghosts and possible reincarnation, drama, about-family, impacts of death on family and friends, and surviving life and all it throws in your path. I'm sure there's lots more that could be said.

I think this book makes a good discussion book for book groups because of all the different topics it lends itself to. I think no matter what group a reader is in, they'd find interesting discussions and/or debates to bring to the table.

All definitions are quoted from The New Oxford American Dictionary

immure: "enclose or confine (someone) against their will."

assiduity: "constant or close attention to what one is doing."

efficacious: "(typically of something inanimate or abstract) successful in producing a desired or intended result; effective."

"People think they know the mystery of living in your skin. They don't. There's no one knows except the person who carts it around her own self." -Colum McCann "Let the Great World Spin"

I received a book recommendation from an author that I'm friends with on Goodreads. I told I will consider them. I went out and bought the book, because I was able to find it at my local Target store. It was a quick and enjoyable read. I'm glad she recommended it. Oops, I need to save that for the review. ;)
In order to read the book though, I had to set down "The Idiot" by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. I've mentioned before that I have a love/hate relationship with the classics. I struggle with them. Admittedly it's my own downfall. There way of speaking sometimes makes it difficult for me to stay focused, and they're use of really large, outdated words is a source of frustration. It makes me feel ignorant. I don't know anyone who enjoys feeling that.

So, I took a brain day on Monday. That means I didn't do anything that occupied my brain. I decided to finally paint my front hall/entryway. I've found it's really great to have a day like that now and again. It gives my head time to wander where it will. Also, I had finished "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest" recently, was trying to jump into "The Idiot", and figured maybe my brain needed some time to digest life, so to speak.

It was easier for me to read "Finding Home" (Book Recommendation) during my breaks from painting.

From what I'm told this is called a comfort read. So, what's yours?

"The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest" by Stieg Larsson

5 cups

Book 2 (Played with Fire) ends on a cliffhanger and, if you're like me, you're going to want to jump right into this one (the 3rd).

My advice?

Try to time it better than I did. End book 2 at a point in time when you know you'll have the ability to sit and finish #3. For example, if you end Played with Fire on Day 1, make sure you have absolutely nothing going on in Day 2. Nothing! Reserve the entire day for just reading Hornet's Nest.

Why?

Because you are not going to want to stop.

Hornet's Nest picks up right where Played with Fire left off. This 3rd one is a book I call gripping. The pace is set at the very beginning and it just clicks right along all through the story. I stayed up late reading on Day 1, and eventually fell asleep on the couch because I just couldn't set it down.

I finally woke long enough to drag myself to bed, only to grab up the book as soon as possible the next morning. I couldn't get my family out the door fast enough. It was a scene along the lines of "Yeah, yeah. Have a great day. Yep, love you too. Now off with ya already." I'm kidding, but it was a close call.

I did find myself frustrated at times. I couldn't read the darn thing fast enough. The story splinters with the characters and the focus is everywhere at once. There were scenes where I knew it was part of the story, but I felt like "Argh! Who cares! Can't we just get back Lisbeth? Can't we just move faster?"

This is not a criticism. The story is absolutely terrific. I was just impatient, anxious to see the ending, and overall intolerable of anything that took me away from Lisbeth's plight. Though I don't know if plight is a good word in conjunction with Lisbeth. She's such a fighter.

Of an odd note: I really like the "clips" that Larsson included at the beginning of each part. The historical notes about female soldiers, warriors, and amazons throughout history. They fascinated me! Of course, they're entirely appropriate considering Lisbeth and the many other females that featured in the book.

Everyone needs to read this trilogy. And I only hope that when Hollywood does this series, as it's rumored to, that it do it enough justice. It deserves the best.

"Immeasurable space. Closeness. The shortest distance between two women." -Kris Radish from "The Shortest Distance Between Two Women"

The following were words found in "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest".

The definitions were obtained from The New Oxford American Dictionary.

Deleterious: "Causing harm or damage."

Vouchsafed: "Give or grant (something) to (someone) in a gracious or condescending manner; reveal or disclose (information)."

Antediluvian: "Of or belonging to the time before the biblical Flood; ridiculously old-fashioned."

Palavering: "n., Prolonged and idle discussion; a parley or improvised conference between two sides; v., talk unnecessarily at length."

I know, I didn't tell you there'd be Book News as a potential subject line, but here it is. Why? Because I heard news the other day that I just had to share.

Francine Pascal is starting a new Sweet Valley Series. Do you remember the twins from the Sweet Valley High series? Well in this series, they're back and they're now 27. It's going to be called "Sweet Valley Confidential".

You can find the information here: http://www.sweetvalleytenyearslater.com/

However, I couldn't remember where exactly I had found this information the first time. So in digging for it again, so that I could share it with you, I discovered something more. According to a Random House site, Sweet Valley High has been revamped to meet today's audience and is released to the market again! I guess they've been on sale again as of 2008. Who knew?

Here's the link: http://www.randomhouse.com/sweetvalley/
Click on the News & Events button.

Anyways, Sweet Valley Confidential will be on sale March 29, 2011!!!

I know that's shouting, but I'm excited, so yeah, it's shouting.

"The Girl Who Played With Fire" by Steig Larsson

4 cups

My thoughts on the book: So, I'm really late reading this book, in comparison to many people. Okay, probably most people. I saw so many reviews, and "heard" so many comments from people saying that after finishing this one (2nd) that they just had to jump right into the 3rd (Hornet's Nest). After reading the 1st, I knew I liked Larsson as an author, but I didn't understand the need to jump from one to the next. WOW! Now I now.

The 1st (Dragon Tattoo) had an ending. I mean, you could tell there were would be more stories to come, but it had a definitive end to the story line. Played with Fire definitely left with a cliff hanger. I won't say more, because I don't like to post spoiler alerts. All I'll say is I'm now in a dilemma. I really, really want to read Hornet's Nest to see how this story will unfold, yet I worry about overloading on one set of characters. It's an annoying trait of mine. If I get too much of one thing, I tend to grow restless with it. And I know that the story will be great, so I don't want to ruin its appeal.

One thing I kept reading about Played with Fire, that I don't totally agree with, was the idea that it was gripping. That's probably because of my twisted sense of thinking though. To me, gripping means that it grabs you by the throat from the beginning and hangs on just tight enough for you to breath, but yet keeps you glued to the spot. I didn't find it "gripping" until about 1/2 way through, and I didn't have that "glued to the spot" feeling until about 3/4 of the way through.

That's not to say I didn't thoroughly enjoy myself reading it, because I did. I just found the leading into the story a touch slower in this one. I just think of it more as having built a nice, strong, solid foundation for the story which was unfolding, and will seemingly continue to unfold in Hornet's Nest.

As for the story itself...hmmm...what can I say without giving away too much...

We (the readers) finally learn about Lisbeth's past, and the conspiracy surrounding it all. We learn about how/why she is the way she is.

We see Blomkvist as loyal as ever. He's a really stand up guy when it comes to the friends in his life.

Lisbeth's world of friends... we see an altered picture than the one previously given. She believes her world to be very narrow when it comes to the amount of friends she has. Yet, we're given a few that shows that many who come into contact with her are loyal and like her more than she thinks. Of course, you could go all pop-psych here and say it has to deal with her past again, but I try to refrain from digging that deeply into a book. Why? I'm usually way off base in my thinking. :)

This story definitely raises the question of why Lisbeth is the way she is? Is it genetics or is it environment? And you can find "evidence" to support both theories.

"People always have secrets. It's just a matter of finding out what they are." -Steig Larsson

The following words were found in "The Girl Who Played With Fire" by Stieg Larsson.
Definitions are provided from The New Oxford American Dictionary.
pedagogical: "of or relating to teaching."

chicanery: "the use of trickery to achieve a political, financial, or legal purpose."

esoteric: "intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest."

apparatchik: "(derogatory or humorous) an official in a large organization, typically a political one. (chiefly historical) a member of a communist party apparat." (the administrative system)

Which is the proper way to identify a novel? I used to think quotation marks were for major works (novels, etc) and italicized was for minor works (magazines, etc). However, I see both used pretty readily now. Do you know what's the correct way?

So, I recently finished the 2nd book in a series, and I was really considering jumping immediately into the 3rd. However, I wasn't sure if I should. My thoughts were something like this:

Reason #1: When I gulp down a series I can grow restless with the stories/characters. I frustrate myself when I do that, because a really great series might take a hit in my ratings that it just doesn't deserve.
Reason #2: I tend to have my list of books. Remember we talked about the list? There are usually some that I'm...intrepid about. That's the correct usage of intrepid, isn't it? Anyways, I sometimes try to save one I really want to read until the EOM so that I have something to look forward to.

What do you do in this case? When you find a series later in its publication, do you read them back to back? Or do you take breathers in between each title?

Last question: Do you have any book snobbery? Is there just certain types of books you refuse to read? Or are embarrassed to admit you read?

I just discovered mine. I ran to the library today to pick up some books I had on hold. One of the books caused me to do a double, no, a triple take on. The library had the binding marked as a 4th grade reading level! Yikes!

I was embarrassed to be picking up book for myself that even my youngest child is past the reading level. I don't mind admitting I read YA books from time to time. So, why do I mind if someone sees me reading a lower level book? Idk.

I have to go, but I'm so glad you came to visit. I look forward to hearing your ideas on my questions and thoughts.