Category: Challenges (past)

Here’s The Deal: Don’t Touch Me Review

Posted on by Cindy


TITLE: Here’s the Deal: Don’t Touch Me
AUTHOR: Howie Mandel & Josh Young
PUB DATE: November 24, 2009
PUBLISHER: Bantam
PAGES: 240
GENRE: Humour & Autobiography/Biography

ABOUT THE BOOK:
A frank, funny, no-holds-barred memoir that reveals the Deal or No Deal host’s ongoing struggle with OCD and ADHD–and how it has shaped his life and career.

Howie Mandel is one of the most recognizable names in entertainment–respected by his peers and beloved by audiences as the host of the enormously popular prime-time game show Deal or No Deal. With a career that spans three decades and many different show-business platforms–he’s a renowned stand-up comedian who continues to perform more than 150 sold-out shows a year, he created the award-winning TV show Bobby’s World, he’s starred in feature films and the hit TV series St. Elsewhere, and he’s also hosted his own daytime talk show–he’s one of the most versatile performers anywhere. But there are aspects of his personal and professional life he’s never talked about publicly–until now.

Eleven years ago, Mandel first told the world about his “germophobia.” He’s recently started discussing his adult ADHD as well. Now, for the first time, he reveals the details of his struggle with these challenging disorders. He catalogs his numerous fears and neuroses and shares entertaining stories about how he has tried to integrate them into his act. “If I’m making myself laugh,” he writes, “then I’m distracted from all the other things going on in my head that are, at times, torturous.” And he speaks frankly and honestly about the ways his condition has affected his personal life–as a son, husband, and father of three.

Fans who’ve been dying to know “the deal” behind Mandel’s remarkable rise through the show-business ranks will be rewarded with many never-before-told anecdotes, each one generously leavened with Mandel’s trademark humor. There are tales from every phase of his colorful career–from his early days as a teenage carpet salesman and aspiring stand-up comic to his stint opening for Diana Ross, his six years on St. Elsewhere, and beyond.

As heartfelt as it is hilarious, Here’s the Deal: Don’t Touch Me is the story of one man’s effort to draw comic inspiration out of his darkest, most vulnerable places. It’s sure to please Howie Mandel’s legion of fans–and provide hope to the millions who strive to succeed in spite of OCD and ADHD.

MY THOUGHTS:
I have to admit that I normally don’t read biographies but when I heard that Howie Mandel had written a book I was dying to read it. I have been a huge fan of Howie’s for the longest time and still am to this very day.

Howie’s book called Here’s The Deal Don’t Touch Me is a very personal and in your face book about Howie’s OCD and ADHD and how it affected his life and how he deals with it.

I was laughing through out the book. Howie is a kid at heart and admits to taking his practical jokes a little too far at times. So much so that his wife, Terry has issued a 5 mile radius from the house. There is even a chapter about it.

One of the funny tales he tells was when he was a teenager and being invited to a party. The party had moved to another room leaving Howie and another boy alone so Howie came up with the idea to remove all the photos that lined a wall. He even went as far as removing a nail so when the girl tried to put the photos back up she was left with one photo still to hang and she didn’t realize there was a nail missing and worked at it but still couldn’t figure out what was going on.

Howie just doesn’t play practical jokes on unsuspecting people or friends he even includes his family into them. He has mentioned a few funny things that involved his children. (Jackie, Alex and Riley)

I realized that Howie and I are very similiar about camping and roughing it for us is staying in a hotel that doesn’t offer 24 hour room service. I have never been a camper and camping just doesn’t appeal to me. He recounts the time he took his daughter to go and pick up floaties and Jackie saw tents. Curious about them she asked Howie about them and he promised he would take her camping. At this point I was thinking okay Howie is a germophob how in the world is he going to go camping? Well his solution was go camping in his back yard and then once his daughter was asleep he would bring her back into the house and he would sleep in his own bed.

This was a funny book and one that I really enjoyed reading. It was nice to be able to read about the man and what his life is like living with OCD. Simple things we take for granted and don’t think twice about causes Howie much stress in his life.

Also included in the book is various photos in color and black & white. I have to admit that I like Howie with no hair.

Check out Howie’s official site
http://www.howiemandel.com

If you want to buy the book you can go toRandom House Canada.

This finished copy of the book was provided for review by Jess from Random House Canada. Thank You so much Jess for sending the book to me.

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.

All I have to Give Review

Posted on by Cindy

TITLE: All I Have to Give
AUTHOR: Melody Carlson
PUB DATE: July 2008
ISBN: 978-08007-1882-4
PUBLISHER: Revell Books
PAGES: 176

From the Inside Flap
What would you do to make Christmas special? Anna wants this to be the best Christmas ever, and she’s willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish that. But what happens when everything and everyone around her seems to be falling apart? Is this destined to be the worst Christmas ever? Fortunately for her, as often happens at this time of year, there are miracles in store. Just when Anna’s happy holidays look hopeless, the magic of Christmas works its way into her life. And what she unwraps for Christmas will surprise everyone.

From the Back Cover
What does it take to make the perfect Christmas? A picture-perfect tree? Piles of brightly wrapped presents? A sumptuous spread on a gorgeous table? Take some time this Christmas to rediscover what it means to give–and receive–the gift of pure love. It may not be what you expect, but it might be just what you need.

MY THOUGHTS:
As you already know by now I am a huge fan of Melody Carlson and can pretty much devour her books in one sitting. This one was no exception I managed to finish in it about 2 hours.

The book opens up with Anna and Meredith talking about their martial relationships while they are cleaning up after Thanksgiving dinner. Anna thinks her husband is going through a midlife crisis’s. She thinks this because he has been distant and distracted lately.

As she is putting away her grandmother’s good china, Michael suggests that they make the baby’s room into a home office. Anna has been pregnant in the past but always ends up loosing the baby. This upsets her.

Anna has this nagging feeling something is wrong and she thinks she has cancer because that is what her mother died of. She research’s online and realizes she has some of the symptoms. She can’t go to the dr because they have no health insurance. She doesn’t tell Michael but makes it her mission for them to have the best Christmas ever because its been a few years since they have made a big fuss over it.

Anna begins to wonder if Michael is cheating on her and in all honesty I was beginning to think that yes he was cheating on her because he was always working late (he started his own business) and when she would call the office he wasn’t there, when she went to the office he wasn’t there when he said he was going there, he was spotted hanging out at a college coffee shop, and many other things. I felt bad for Anna because she was going through this all on her own.

No one knows what Anna is going through until she lets it slip to her sister who demands she goes to the doctors right way, health insurance or not. Meredith suddenly realizes something about Anna’s symptoms and puts two and two together and realizes that Anna might not have cancer but something else. Something that is much more exciting.

I really enjoyed the book and would recommend the book to anyone who wanted a love story this holiday season. Its not one of the mushy romance ones but a heartful loving one.

This book was a book that I won from Revell and I wasn’t asked to review it but I am only because any book I read I review.

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.

The Christmas Dog Review

Posted on by Cindy


TITLE: The Christmas Dog
AUTHOR: Melody Carlson
PUB DATE: September 2009

ABOUT THE BOOK:

In The Christmas Dog, Betty Kowalski is not looking forward to Christmas at all. Disgruntled over her neighbor’s home “improvements” which involve an old pink toilet parked in his yard, Betty is sadly lacking in the good cheer department. And when a scruffy mutt keeps coming to her door, Betty gets fed up. Add to this a runaway granddaughter, and Betty feels like she’s up to her ears in troubles. But sometimes it’s the difficulties that bring the biggest rewards.

MY THOUGHTS:

I am a huge Melody Carlson fan and I am slowly starting to read her previous books and I always devour her books when I read them. I always jump for joy whenever I am asked to review her books. You don’t have to ask me twice.

The Christmas Dog was a sweet and fun book to read. I also have to say at 170 pages it was a quick and light read. The right book to get you into the holiday spirit.

I felt like I could relate to Betty Kowalski because she is having a hard time getting in the mood for Christmas. (That has been me lately). Betty is an elderly lady (her husband died a few years ago and she is lonely) and she is spending Christmas by herself. She is afraid to go away for the holidays and leaver her house alone because of her new crazy neighbor Jack.

But its not what it looks like because she thinks that Jack is just the worst neighbor you could have. When one day a puppy appears in her back yard she presumes its Jack’s dog. Only because the puppy is between both houses. She thinks its Jacks and Jack thinks its hers.

Suddenly Betty’s grand daughter turns up at her house. Betty knows she has run away. (although you really can’t say she ran away because she is an adult) Betty allows her granddaughter to stay with her while she figures things out.

Avery sees the dog and instantly falls in love with it and decides that she will take care of the dog because neither Betty or Jack is. She even names the dog Ralph. Ralph is like a free spirit that likes to wonder off and one day he does just that. Betty has had enough of the dog and brings him to the shelter. When Avery finds out she isn’t happy and suddenly Betty realizes what she has done and tries to correct it but its too late.

Is it possible for Betty and Jack to get along? Is it possible for Ralph to make everyone see whats going on? Can Avery ever forgive Betty for what she has done?

If you are looking for a great holiday book then I have to say that this will make the great gift for that special someone on your list.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Melody Carlson is the prolific author of more than 200 books, including The Christmas Bus and All I Have to Give. She recently was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books. She lives with her husband in Oregon

This book was provided for review by Baker Publishing Group/Revell.
“Available at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

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.

2010 Reading From My Shelves Project

Posted on by Cindy

I am a reader of Diane’s blog and was excited to see this challenge for 2010. This is a challenge that I am going to take part in 2010.

I am like Diane and have way too many books on my shelves that I have bought either new or second hand or have been given. I am too scared to count how many but there is alot. Hmm perhaps enough to open my own bookstore.

My goal for 2010 is going to be 50 books that I will read from stuff that I have personally bought or have been given.

If this sounds like something you want to do and take part in just click on her name and it will take you directly to the sign up sheet and for info about this challenge.

Some simple rules:
-The challenge will run from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010.
-Crossover is allowed. (I love challenges that allow you to do this)
-You can read as many as you want.
-After reading the books you must pass them on. (This one I never have a problem with unless they are signed copies then i keep them.)

Is anyone else doing this challenge? Lets clean off our shelves and pass along what we 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.

New Author Challenge for 2010

Posted on by Cindy

This is a new to me challenge for some reason I didn’t see this one last year but I am really happy I did find this before January 2010.

Jackie from Literary Escapism is hosting the New Authors Challenge. If you want to take part just click on her name for the sign up as that is the direct link.

The purpose of the New Authors Challenge is to discover new authors that you have never heard of or read before. You can read from any genre of books.

As for me this past year I managed to discover so many new to me authors that I loved and might not have really read otherwise. I love discovering new authors.

So some simple guidelines of this challenge is:

-It starts January 1, 2010 and ends December 31,2010.

-Crossover of books in other challenges are allowed.

-The authors must be new to you and, preferably from novels. Anthologies are a great way to try someone new, but only a third of your new authors can be from anthologies.

-You can pick anywhere from 15 , 25, or 50. I am going to aim for 50 as I am sure I can manage that and by the way if you happen to surpass your goal then continue on.

I have to make sure that I send my links back as I am bad with doing that part of challenges.

Will this be a challenge you will be taking part in?

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.

The New 2010 Reading Challenge: 100+ Reading Challenge

Posted on by Cindy

Its hard to believe that its that time of year to think about what challenges we are going to take part in. I just can’t believe how fast the year went. It has been a great year for me. I have met alot of great people IRL (in real life) and online from blogging and cherish the new friendships that I have developed.

Once again J Kaye is hosting the 100+ Reading Challenge. You can click on her name to sign up that link takes you directly to her post.

I took part in the 100+ Reading Challenge this year and to date I have read 94 books. With about 5 weeks left in the challenge I am really hoping to break it to the 100 mark. I am sure I can do it as I only have 6 books to read. Wish me luck.

The only thing I was bad at was linking my reviews to her page.

If you want to take part and not sure what its about well all you have to do is:

-From January 1st, 2010 to December 31, 2010 plan to read 100+ books.

-What are you allowed to count towards this well can use audio books, books you have reread, eBooks, books from the library, basically as long as the book has an ISBN or equivalent or can be purchased counts.

-You can read any genre of books from fiction, middle grade, young adult, non fiction etc.

-Another great thing about this challenge is you don’t need to list any of the books before hand and you can use other books you read in other challenges crossovers allowed.

-Also anything that you read before January 1st doesn’t count for the 2010 Challenge.

Are you going to take part?

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.

2009 Holiday Reading Challenge

Posted on by Cindy

I recently have been seeing this around and I figured that I wanted to take part in this Reading Challenge. Its a great way to get into the holiday spirit.

I usually don’t tend to get into the holiday spirit until after my bday in December. I cringe when I walk into the malls or stores and the Christmas music is already playing, the displays and advertising is happening a little too soon for me. I am not sure what its like in other places but I noticed that the day after Halloween it was Christmas mode.

The 2009 Holiday Reading Challenge is being hosted by Nely. To find out more about it or to take part all you have to do is head over to her blog to get all the details. Just follow this link here.

Challenge Requirements:

1- Challenge will start Friday, November 20 and will end Thursday, December 31.
2- You can read anywhere from 1 to 5 books for the challenge and, of course, if you’re like me, you are more than welcome to surpass that number.
3- And now, here’s the clincher… they must be holiday related books. That’s right, the holiday doesn’t really matter, but it would be more “jolly” if your choices were Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, etc.
4- The size of the book does not matter, nor does the genre. It is also okay for the book to overlap with other challenges. The only thing I ask is that they are not children’s books. YA is okay. And so are re-reads. I for one tend to read the same books every Christmas – they are tradition.

My 2009 Holiday Reading Challenge List:

-The Christmas Dog by Melody Carlson **Done**
-The Unfinished Gift by Dan Walsh
-The Christmas Secret by Donna VanLiere **Done**
-Secrets of a Christmas Box by Steven Hornby
-The Christmas Cookie Club by Ann Pearlman **Done**

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.