Author: Cindy

Holidays on Ice Review

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TITLE: Holidays On Ice
AUTHOR: David Sedaris
PUB DATE: October 2008
ISBN: 9781600244872

Thanks to Anna at Hachette for sending me this audio book to listen to and review. David Sedaris is so funny. When I listened to it today I had to turn it off whenever my son came into the room. There is some inappropriate language that was used. Just a heads up if you have kids around.

One minute it was funny and then the next it was a little disturbing. I have to say I truly loved the first story Santaland Diaries the most. SantaLand Diaries is the true story of David’s experiences working as an elf in Macy’s SantaLand.

There are a total of 12 stories that are read on the cds. The total listening time is about 4 hours. I listened to this while I was cleaning the kitchen up. I admit it there was times when I had to stop cause I was laughing. I have never read any of David’s books before but I think I might have to pick one up to read.

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

Books I Have Read in 2008

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I started keeping a list of all the books I read late in 2007. I wish I would have started the list earlier in 2007. I have learned from my mistake and this is my list for 2008.

January
~Double Cross by James Patterson
~Sisters Keeper by Jodi Picoult
~Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult
~Left to tell:Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust by Immaculee Ilibagiza (this isn’t a typical book i would read but it was recommended very good)
~A Brother’s Journey : Surviving a Childhood of Abuse by Richard peltzer (this is the brother of Dave Peltzer. The one that wrote lost boys, a child called it and a man named DAve)
~Harvesting the heart by Jodi Picoult

Febuary
~A teenagers journey by Richard Peltzer
~The tenth circle by jodi picoult
~Picture Perfect by Jodi Picoult

March
~Salem Falls by Jodi picoult
~You’ve been warned by James Patterson

April
~7th heaven by James Patterson

May
~Second Glance by jodi Picoult

June
~Birth House by Ami Mckay
~Bringing Home the Birkin by Michael Tonello

July
~The Husband by Dean Koontz
~The last summer (of U & Me) by Ann Brashares
~Remember me? by Sophie Kinsella
~Certain Girls by Jennifer Weiner

August
~Something borrowed by Emily Giffin
~Something blue by Emily Giffin

September
~Summer Blowout by Claire Cook
~Mexican Bowl Fishing by William Douglas Little
~All Our Wonder Unavenged by Don Domanski
~Tomato Girl by Jayne Pupek
~Paraworlds Zero By Matthew Peterson

October
~Arsenic Soup for Lovers: When chicken Soup doesn’t work by Geogia Z. Post
~Matrimony by Joshua Henkin
~Who Lied and Said We Left The Garden of Eden? Memoirs of a homeless man by Daniel Martin
~Remembering the Bones by Frances Itani
~Bang Crunch by Neil Smith
~Testimony by Anita Shreve ARC
~The Mighty Queens of Freeville by Amy Dickinson ARC
~Somebody Else’s Daughter by Elizabeth Brundage

NOVEMBER
~Songs for the Missing by Stewart O’Nan
~The Ride by Jane Kennedy Sutton
~Katie Brown Clebrates A simple and spectacular parties all year round
~Confette Cakes by Elisa Strauss
~We Interrupt this Broadcast
~Where Am I Wearing by Kelsey Timmerman
~The Paper bag Christmas by Kevin Alan Milne
~Mercury Under the Tongue by Slyvain Trudel
~Multiple Blessings By Jon and Kate Gosslin

DECEMBER
~Sister Wife by Shelley Hrdlitschka
~For The May Queen by Kate Evans
~We Take This Man by Candice Dow and Daaimah S.Poole
~Born Liberal Raised Right by Reb Bradley
~Little Family, Big Values by The Roloff Family
~Finding Father Christmas by Robin Jones Gunn
~Engaging Father Christmas by Robin Jones Gunn
~Freakin’ Fabulous: How to Dress, Speak, Behave, Eat, Drink, Entertain, Decorate, and Generally Be Better than Everyone Else by Clinton Kelly

Total books read in 2008 is 51.

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

Review: Born Liberal, Raised Right

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TITLE: Born Liberal Raised Right: How to Rescue America from Moral Decline- One Family at a Time
AUTHOR: Reb Bradley
PUB DATE: November 2008
ISBN:978-1-935071-006

This book was part of the blog tour that I took part in. Thank you to Dorothy for sending me this book to read and review. Thanks to Reb Bradley for sending me the book. I am hoping that in the new year Reb Bradley will be able to stop by and make a guest post on my blog and talk about his book.

Born Liberal Raised Right is about how the future of America is being threatened by adults who are acting like kids. He talks about the moral decline that is happening in America and how its the result of parents who are over indulging their kids and not providing them with self control that they need to learn in order to become successful members of society. He also talks about parents who over indulge their kids and as parents we fix all their problems and how we don’t allow them to experience the consequences of their actions. The kids then grow up feeling they are entitled to everything they want and then can’t accept disappointments when it comes there way.

Reb tells us that we are born with certain tenancies such as a desire of self gratification and a lack of self control. These are traits that children need and we as parents much teach them this.

Reb also talks about the fact that we are a society of “magical thinkers” who have unchecked emotions and we don’t have the ability to deny ourselves. These traits are described as ” the very hallmark of liberalism”.

As a parent reading this book I realized that I need to teach my son alot of things so that he doesn’t grow up expecting to have everything he wants and that things will happen in life that will be disappointing. I grew up and didn’t have alot and I have to say that I truly didn’t appreciated it. I grew up saying that when I am older I am going to make sure my children have more then what I have and that they should never be afraid to ask for something and be told “No” they can’t have it. After reading this book I realized that this is not good. Thankfully my son is still young and I can correct this behavior.

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

Buy One Book and Read it Challenge 2009

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I discovered this on Amy’s Blog

This challenge is designed to encourage you to rediscover the joy of reading, while supporting the authors who bring us books. This is something that you truly want to read and not be told to read.

There are two levels or choices for this challenge.

1) The first option is to simply buy one book and read it. The book you buy and read should be a book you have chosen for yourself for pleasure. It should not be work related and books read to your children do not count.

2) The second option is to buy one book a month and read it. I am asking that those of you who will probably already have one book read by January 2 choose this option. Books can be on your other challenge lists, it is only necessary that you buy them and read them!

The challenge will end December 31, 2009. Quite a few bloggers left the question on Amy’s blog about reading TBR piles and here is what she said “In answer to the question about if you can read TBR books….I think the books should be bought in 2009, since part of the goal of this challenge is to promote the book industry, however, I’ll make a concession that three of the books you read can be books bought prior to 2009. Thanks everyone!”

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

Review: Engaging Father Christmas

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TITLE: Engaging Father Christmas
AUTHOR: Robin Jones Gunn
PUB DATE: October 2008
ISBN: 9780446179461

Thanks to Miriam at Hachette for sending me this great book to read. Its the sequel to Finding Father Christmas. You can see me review of this book following this review.

I truly loved these two books. Something about reading these books got me into the holiday spirit. If your looking for a great gift idea let me suggest these two books. You won’t be disappointed.

In the previous book I failed to mention that Miranda had met Katharine’s step son Ian. The beginning of the book finds Miranda back in London anxiously awaiting to meet up with Ian at London’s train station so that they can head to Carlton Heath to spend Christmas together. While she is waiting she bumps into her old boyfriend Josh. He was on a ski trip with a few friends. On the train Ian gets a message that his father Andrew had a heart attack and is in the hospital. When they get off the train they rush to the hospital. Ian stays with his father while Katharine and Miranda go back to the Tea Cosy. Josh has followed Miranda to Tea Cosy in hopes to reunite. Miranda lets him know she isn’t available.

Its Christmas eve and Miranda is with the Whitcombes at the play. With Andrew being in the hospital Ian has taken over the role. When the play ends Ian and Mirana leave as Ian has a surprise for her. On the drive they stop at the Forgotten Rose Cottage. Miranda discovers that she owns it. It use to be Sir James painting cottage. She has always loved it that was the first place Ian and her kissed, outside. Ian proposes to Miranda and she accepts. The Whitcombes arrive to help celebrate and its is there that they receive bad news. The story of Miranda being Sir James love child is revelved. How will this affect Miranda and the Whitcombe family?

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

Review: For the May Queen

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TITLE: For The May Queen
AUTHOR: Kate Evans
PUB DATE: September 2008
ISBN: 978-0-9821150-7-7

I have to say Thank You to Kate for contacting me to ask if I would be interested in reading and reviewing this book and I was. Sorry for the delay in getting my review up. I really enjoyed reading the book.

The book takes place in the 80’s with the main character Norma Roger’s getting ready to start college. This is the first time she has been alone and away from her parents. Within a few hours after her parents leave her with bags at the dorm, Norma wakes up on the floor with three strangers in her underwear the were playing strip poker and all got drunk. From there it goes on a wild and fun ride through the growing pains of womanhood, life and friendship. Its like Sex, Drugs and Rock N’Roll.

The only thing I found confusing was the last chapter. It starts out that Norma is on a plane on her way to her sisters house. She is planning on living with her in San Diego and she will go to school there. Then it jumps ahead ten years later and talks about her life when she meets up with a guy who use to live next door to Norma in the dorm. I guess with no indication of the change I was confused.

Over all it was a great book that I enjoyed reading. I loved Norma and all the things she did. Looking forward to your next book Kate. Kate has a new book coming out in the summer of 2009 called Complementary Colors.

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

Review: Finding Father Christmas

Posted on by Cindy


TITLE: Finding Father Christmas
AUTHOR: Robin Jones Gunn
PUB DATE: October 2007
ISBN: 9780446526296

Thanks to Miriam at Hachette for sending me this great book to read before the Christmas holiday. I loved it. The story was beautiful and well written. It almost felt like you were in Carlton Heath.

Miranda is in search of her father. Her mother never told her anything about her father. When her mother died she only had little clues to go on such as a photograph of a young boy sitting on Father Christmas’s lap. On the back of the photograph was the name of the photography studio. Having no family on Christmas Eve Miranda decides to fly to London and search for her father. Once she is in Carlton Heath she discovers her world is about to change. She heads to the Tea Cosy to warm up. There she meets a woman named Katharine. Miranda shows the woman the photograph and Katharine remembers seeing it somewhere but can’t remember where. She invites Miranda to go to the theatre with her to see the community play called Christmas Carole perhaps someone there will recognize it. Since her mothers death she was never to a theatre and that was her Christmas present to her mother by going. After the play she is invited to the Whitcombes for the party. It is once she is there that she spots the photograph. She is invited to spend the night with the Whitcombes. She decides to stay and in the morning she realizes she can’t tell them that she is Sir James daughter. She begs Katharine not to say anything to them but she won’t promise. Miranda eventually tells them Christmas day at the dinner table.

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.