Book Giveaway Winner Beginnings

I really must start buying lottery tickets. If my winnings at book giveaways is any indication of my luck of the draw, I might win the lottery too. And then I could buy more books!

Thank you! to Elizabeth of Silver's Reviews for hosting the Guess the Desk giveaway. I am the Winner! I won, not one-but two, books from the desk of author Julie Kramer.

I will be sharing the first sentences of each of Kramer's books with you today, as my addition to the Book Beginnings on Fridays, a book blog hop hosted by Rose City Reader.

I had to wrangle Delivering Death from my housemate's hands as he had taken it from me right out of the delivery package. That title reeled him in! He says he is really enjoying the novel. Here are its beginnings...

"A guard checked a number against the ID bracelet on the man's wrist while marking his name off a clipboard as he stood in line."

And, I have to tell you, the next paragraph really reeled me in, so I will be waiting not-so-patiently for my turn at reading this Kramer novel.

Fortunately, I am just as thrilled with the second book title I received from Julie Kramer: Shunning Sarah, a novel of murder and an Amish community.

I have always been intrigued by Amish stories, in books and movies, as well, so this one grabbed me immediately. Sharing first from the book's Prologue...

"The missing face unnerved me. No eyes, nose, or mouth lent personality to the cloth doll clutched by the little Amish girl."

And the first few sentences from Chapter 1...

     "What do you smell, Bowser?"
     Josh Kueppers, wearing a neon orange stocking hat and carrying a shotgun, chased after his dog.
     "Maybe bear?"


Now, tell me, which of these novels from the desk of author Julie Kramer do you plan to purchase first?

New Authors to Add to my Bookshelf

As though I do not have enough books to read, I am adding two newfound authors to my TBR Books List this week. I am sure it shan't be long before one of their books finds it way upon my bookshelf, especially since I THINK I know which of their books I shall read first.

I say think because in the case of both authors, all of their book titles on Amazon look to be great reads!

I ran across author Douglas Wood while looking for something appropriate to share in my Blessedness of Being a Thankful Soul article yesterday. Yes, I found a blessed offering for that blog post.

Here I share another of Wood's books that grabbed my eye. Be sure to take a closer look at Where the Sunrise Begins and other titles by the author to see how his words wind the pages in poetic prose. Each book is beautifully illustrated to capture and to hold the attention of its readers, too.

Early today, in reading a book review I was introduced to a new author whose books I cannot wait to read!

From Marina Lewycka, unfortunately, my first choice of titles is temporarily out of stock, but you can bet I am on the waiting list for Various Pets Alive & Dead.




Yes! Again I must say, I need more time to read!

Gracie the Undercover Beagle #BookBeginnings

No doubt about it, kids will fall in love with Gracie The Undercover Beagle and her Sidekick Boston Blackie as they team up to solve the mystery of the egg thief. This children's book is first in a series of four-legged stories for children by author Douglas Quinn.

My full review of Gracie has now been published, but for today I wish to share with you the first sentence or two of the book's beginnings.

"The moment the morning sun peeked over the eastern horizon, Red the Rooster started crowing. The hen house was right outside Gracie's bedroom window, and when Red began his morning ritual, Gracie did what she usually did."

Of course, I will be linking up with Book Beginnings on Fridays, a blog hop for book lovers to share a sentence or two of a book with you.

Have a good book to share? Blog its beginning and link your post up with Rose City Reader!

Poetry by Chris Brockman is the Cure for Feeling Old

I could not be much more thrilled than I am at this moment in time, being able to share with you my latest book review. I have just published my rave review of I Used To Be Old by my author friend, Chris Brockman.

The book is a collection of Chris' poems relating to that getting-old feeling many of us, like myself, have begun falling victim to - yes, I have the aches and pains to show for it too!

Read my review, and a special picture poem on the page, too. Buy Brockman's book for your poetry reading pleasure and it is sure to be a cure for the aging blues!

Read Ruthi's Review of I Used To Be Old

Linking up with Marsha's HOP and SQUIDOO today since this book review is published on the Squidoo writing platform. If you are a blogger and a Squidoo writer, hop along with us!

Need More Time To Read

I really do need more time in my days for reading all of the books on my reading and review list.

That said, here I go again with the addition of two more books to my TBR Books List.

Dog lovers and their children are going to love the book, Gracie The Undercover Beagle and her Sidekick Boston Blackie--The Egg Thief, by Douglas Quinn.

Having a canine friend of my own, I am really looking forward to reading this one.

My copy of "Gracie" is already on its way to me, as I am reading this children's book for review. Be sure to stay tuned to Ruthi Reads! for the rave review.

 Sky Tinged Red: A Chronicle of Two and a Half Years in Auschwitz by Isaia Eiger.
The second book to be added to my to-be-read list today is

I heard about this book from my friend, Susan Budig, author of Unfurled Poetry.

 

Share a book title you have on your TBR list. What tips can you offer me in finding and making more time for reading my stack of books?

Now I Lay Me Down To Toss And Turn

Yes. I can expect that I shall lay my pretty head down on that pillow upon the bed to toss and turn throughout the night. I have pretty much suffered insomnia for most of my life.

As a child I slept very little. I never seemed to outgrow the habit formed in my youth of listening for the sounds of the night horrors of abuse with a stepfather coming in drunk when the bars closed.

Now, at night I have peace and quiet that I did not have in my younger years and I have my dog Tidbit to guard me through the darkness. Still I cannot sleep.

 

Night Owl they call it. Fear of the Who and the What, I think it must be.

These days I fear it must be worrying about tomorrows that may never come; worrying about things that I know shall occur. Then, too, there is the worrisome pain in my back, neck, and arm from injured spinal cord and nerve damage that allows me not to sleep.

I seem to be more creative in the late evening and on into the wee hours of the morn. So I read and I write and I create through the worry and the pain that bid me stay awake.

Insomnia Leads the Way to Master Your Sleep

Tonight I am led to share with you a few sentences from the beginning of the book, Master Your Sleep: Proven Methods Simplified, by Tracey I. Marks MD.
    

    "To secure your best night's sleep you must achieve success in the three following areas: falling asleep, staying asleep, and having that sleep be as restful as possible. Sleep and rest are not entirely the same, as many of the body's regulating and healing functions require sleep, not just rest. There are plenty of people who have no difficulty with the first two tasks, yet regularly awaken after several hours of sleep feeling as though they slept only a few hours.
     To understand these areas we need to..."

Do you have trouble getting a good night of sleep?

Book Beginnings

Book Beginnings on Fridays is hosted by Rose City Reader. We share the first sentence, or a few, of the beginnings of books and link our blog post up with the host post. If you have a worthy read to share, hop along!

Sing the ABC Song Seth Godin Style

I am adding this book by Seth Godin to my TBR Books List so I can sing a new alphabet song.

V Is for Vulnerable: Life Outside the Comfort Zone will have me singing the ABCs of creativity!

I have already purchased Godin's book from Amazon and eagerly await its arrival. Of course, once read, I will publish a full book review on the Squidoo writing platform, as Seth Godin is the web site creator.

 

I create and publish on Squidoo and earn money for myself and for charity by doing so and you can too. Get started now by using my referral link! A full listing of my articles can be found right here.

 

Have you read any of Seth Godin's numerous books?

Are you a writer on Squidoo?

Dog-Ma Book Beginnings

I am delighted to be linking up for the first time with Rose City Reader who hosts the Book Beginnings on Fridays blog hop. In this book blog hop we are to share the opening sentence or so of a book we are reading.

I discovered the Friday book blog hop while visiting Elizabeth at Silver's Reviews.

Fortunately, I have a new pair of reading glasses (have finally adjusted my sights) and can begin to get caught up on my reading of books for pleasure and for review, which generally go hand-in-hand.

Today, I wish to share with you the beginning of the book...

Dog-Ma: the Zen of Slobber

by Barbara Boswell Brunner.

"It is everywhere. The stark white walls shimmer with droplets like a Jackson Pollack painting. My hand pulses with pain as I struggle to separate the combatants, one collar in each outstretched hand. Rivulets of red run down my arm and I am unsure if it belongs to me. I cannot, I must not fixate on it. My heart pounds until I am sure it will escape my chest; each beat pronounced and strong. My predicament is clear: let go of one and the other will perish."

And there you have it, the start of life filled with dog-ma: the zen of slobber, according to Brunner.

I can not wait to sink my teeth into the rest of the Brunner family canine story. Be sure to stay tuned for my full book review to be announced here on Ruthi Reads.

Also for your reading pleasure is my rave review of my all-time favorite book: Women Who Run With the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes.

Deliverance the Book

Although I have seen the movie numerous times, I have not yet read the book, Deliverance by James Dickey. Thus, I am now adding it to my TBR Books List.

Most readers seem to think the books movies are based on are better than the films themselves. For the most part, I disagree, as I find both enjoyable, even if a bit different.

Just yesterday I published an article on Squidoo, sharing a fond memory about the Dueling Banjos of the film. No doubt you shall enjoy my story of my little boy, too.

Have you read Deliverance?

Have you seen the movie?

Which did you prefer; or, did you enjoy the reading and the viewing?