Festive Reading With Book Blogger Hop

In keeping with my aim to get back into blog hop participation I am hopping along with the Book Blogger Hop created by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books.com. Book Blogger Hop is currently on the road and this week's hop is hosted by Julie at Angler's Rest.

I picked a good week to hop back into the Book Blogger Hop for this week's question is appropriate for the winter season. You will want to link up, hop along, and enjoy the festive reading!

This week's Book Blogger Hop Question:

We are well into the Festive season,
so what is your favourite festive reading?

My Festive Reading Recommendation:

This time last year I had the pleasure of reading Tumbleweed Christmas by Beverly Stowe McClure and immediately added it to my seasonal storytime favorites. I highly recommend you read my review of the book, then buy the book, and add it to your seasonal fare of festive reading. Tumbleweed Christmas is storytelling which exemplifies the true Spirit of Christmas for children young and old.

Give Thanks for Book Bloggers #FF

Finding the Feature & Follow blog hop today seemed so appropriate for this following Thanksgiving weekend! I have been giving thanks for many blessings the past few days and now this new blog hop gives me reason to share a bit of that thankfulness.


I give thanks for the hosts of this book blogger hop:

 

Parajunkee's View

Alison Can Read

 

 

This weeks Feature & Follow Question:

 

Are you thankful for a fellow blogger? Tell us about him or her.

 

I Follow and Feature: Sheila Deeth

I have been following Sheila Deeth's blog and writings for a few years now. I first ran across Sheila on the Gather.com community. Naturally, we are now hooked up via our blogs, Facebook, email, and best of all - via snailmail.

Best of all for me as I am fortunate enough to have recently received the latest book publication by Sheila Deeth: Divide by Zero. My review of this book will be coming soon!

Sheila accomplished something no other author has been able to do in that she managed to get me to read and review an eBook! Don't miss my review of Flower Child!

Hook up with this author, read her writings, and read her many beautifully written book reviews. I promise you will not be disappointed by this book blogger.

Are you hooked up with Feature & Follow?
Have you read Sheila Deeth's books?
Are you following Ruthi Reads?

What genre do you read?

The Book Blogger Hop, hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books.com, connects book bloggers and readers together. It's a great way to meet and greet fellow book bloggers, authors, and readers and reviewers.

Each week a new question is offered up for us to answer in our blog post for the hop.

This week’s question (submitted by Lori):

“Many of us primarily read one genre of books, with others sprinkled in. If authors stopped writing that genre, what genre would you start reading? Or would you give up reading completely if you couldn’t read that genre anymore?”

MY RESPONSE: Being an eclectic reader, I almost didn't post to this week's question, as it didn't seem to apply ... at first. However, I decided to post, offering my initial thought and response...

I definitely do not read any one genre over another. I'm an eclectic reader and will read just about anything. However ... what I read is generally determined by my current mood and/or by requested reviews and by the books my author friends have published.

I will add that I have in the past preferred to read poetry and non-fiction. If poetry were no longer published? I'd write my own! And, I've plenty of author friends who write poetry and memoirs, so non-fiction would always be available to me to some degree in some format.

Fortunately, as an eclectic reader, I doubt I'll ever run out of reading material. Unfortunately, there's never enough time to read the many moods in print available to me!

I just finished reading "No Greater Sacrifice" and I am currently reading "That Day In September".

Pushing to the Front for Book Blogger Hop

The Book Blogger Hop, hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books.com, connects book bloggers and readers together. It's a great way to meet and greet fellow book bloggers, authors, and reviewers. Each week a new question is offered up for us to answer in our blog post for the hop.

This week’s question:

"What’s the LONGEST book you’ve ever read?”
(Note: I’m putting one caveat on this question. You aren’t allowed to say the Bible, Torah, Qur’an, or other religious/spiritual text.)"

MY RESPONSE: Great question, as I hadn't given this book a thought in a long time. The longest book I ever read was also one of the best books I've ever read.

Written by author Orison Swett Marden, "Pushing To The Front" was 800+ pages in length. The 2-volume publication was a spirit-awakening for this reader in that the author repeatedly presented proof that success is to be had by anyone who wants it, regardless -- in fact, because of -- adversity.

To this day I recall a quote I memorized from the book when I read it many, many, suns ago: Nature never lets a man rest until he has found his place. She haunts him and drives him until all his faculties give their consent, and he falls into his proper niche.

Growing Up In Boom Times now Book Blog Hopping

I am kind of glad that I did not get around to doing a mail call to announce receipt of this gem of a book. As fate would have it, announcing its arrival fits perfectly for this week's Book Blogger Hop question.

The Book Blogger Hop, hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books.com, connects book bloggers and readers together. It's a great way to meet and greet fellow book bloggers, authors, and reviewers. Each week a new question is offered up for us to answer in our blog post for the hop.

This week’s question:

"Highlight one book you have received this week (for review, from the library, purchased at the store, etc.) that you can’t wait to dig into!"

My Response: I purchased my signed copy of "Growing Up In Boom Times" by author and friend, Chris Brockman. As much as I wanted to read this beauty from cover-to-cover immediately, I have forced myself to keep two other book titles for review in front of it. Of course, it is only natural that I'd sneak a peek between the covers on occasion with it reaching out to me from the top of the pile of books upon my desk waiting to be read.

"Growing Up In Boom Times" is a trip down memory lane for those of us who grew up as Baby Boomers. However, it isn't just a glance at our past; it's a glance at our future -- viewed through the eyes of our present.

Enough about the book for now, lest I spoil it for you. I will share with you the personalized signing from Chris:

To Ruthi, who brings Sunshine

into so many people's lives.

Chris Brockman

06-21-11

How cool is that! While it warms the spirit...

Where to Buy Books - Book Blogger Hop

It's been a long while since I've particpated in The Book Blogger Hop, so today I decided to make and take the time to do so.

The Book Blogger Hop, hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books.com, connects book bloggers and readers together. It's a great way to meet and greet fellow book bloggers.

Each week a new question is offered up for us to answer in our post for the hop. This week’s question comes from Veronica of Read Books Have Fun.

"How/Where do you get your books? Do you buy them or go to the library? Is there a certain website you use like paperbackswap?

My Response:  In past decades, I'd purchased my books in bookstores, usually neighborhood used bookstores, and also picked up many a good read at garage and yard sales. For the past decade, I would say most books I purchase directly from the authors I have met online. I also occasionally purchase from Amazon.com.

Best of all for the past couple of years, most of the books that I read are offered up via authors at Reviews4Reviews.com, where I am a registered book reviewer, in exchange for a posted book review.

I also enter a lot of book giveaways on the internet and generally win two or three books a month by doing so. In fact, just yesterday I was announced winner of "The Art of Forgiving" book giveaway over at Two Kids and Tired Books.

WoW Weekly 100 Words 3/16/11

This week I begin reading and sharing with you from a new novel, Sworn To Secrecy For Life: A Young American Spy's Odyssey through War-torn Germany and Russia, by author Charles Joseph Fickey. The following 100 word excerpt is taken from Chapter 1, "Jump at Orel" February 1943:

Reuss remarked, "Flying this trip in the dark is no picnic, but I would rather be flying this plane than going where you are going. Remember we are flying low, so get that chute open fast." The pilot then said, "Hals und beinbruch!" (Good Luck!)

The passenger got up and went back and stood by the opened bomb bay doors, and when he heard the pilot hit the buzzer, he jumped into the black abyss. The blast of arctic cold air against his face as he fell through the air made him fully awake, and he wondered how he got..."
 
Puchase via abitosunshine:
Sworn to Secrecy - For Life: A Young American Spy's Odyssey through War-torn Germany and Russia

WoW Weekly 100 Words:

Although this is a Wednesday blog hop hosted here at Ruthi Reads!, you are welcome to hop in at any time. Just grab the button and link for you blog post where you share exactly 100 words from your current read(s) and add your post URL to the linky list provided at the end of this post. Feel free to share anything else you'd like on your post, especially book-related items. And be sure to visit and/or introduce yourself to others on the WoW list during week. Don't wait for them to come to you ... somebody has to be first ... networking works if we work it!

I use The Word Count Tool to count my book excerpts. I type in the box provided, then once I have 100 words, I copy and paste it right into my blog post.

WoW Weekly 100 Words 3/9/11

Reading from The Capablanca Variation:: The End Game, a novel by author Douglas Quinn. My WoW Weekly 100 Words blog hop share with you today is from Chapter 47, page 250:

     "What the...?" Mark stepped back.
     "That's for not giving a shit whether or not I was raped, tortured or killed," Jennnie said, her voice calm but terse.
     While Mark was trying to recover from the embarrassment of being humiliated by an angry woman--several people around them laughed--Kendall, with the other two SS guys following, came up behind the FBI agent, Kendall saying, "Well I'll be a piss-ant's pappy."
     "Why don't you boys order some drinks and follow us up to our rooms," emphasizing the word our, "where we can sort all this out in private, Remei said, smiling.
     Mark David..."

Puchase via abitosunshine:
The Capablanca Variation: The End Game

----------

This will conclude my sharing of the book, The Capablanca Variation, as I should finish it this week and begin a new read to share with you next week.

----------

WoW Weekly 100 Words:

Although this is a Wednesday blog hop hosted here at Ruthi Reads!, you are welcome to hop in at any time. Just grab the button and link for you blog post where you share exactly 100 words from your current read(s) and add your post URL to the linky list provided at the end of this post. Feel free to share anything else you'd like on your post, especially book-related items.

And be sure to visit and/or introduce yourself to others on the WoW list during week. Don't wait for them to come to you ... somebody has to be first ... networking works if we work it!

I use The Word Count Tool to count my book excerpts. I type in the box provided, then once I have 100 words, I copy and paste it right into my blog post.

WoW Weekly 100 Words 3/1/11

I started a new job this week, so my body clock is running a bit off; thus, I figured I might not be in the mood to do this post at four in the morning, which is why it's getting posted on Tuesday evening. It is ever so good to be able to say that I am no longer among the unemployed, so believe me, I'm not really complaining about the schedule -- it's just taking some getting used to.

Still reading from The Capablanca Variation, a novel by author Douglas Quinn. My WoW Weekly 100 Words blog hop share with you today is from Chapter 45:

"It seemed to take forever before the next morning's sunrise. Remei and Blair were ready to go but had to wair for Jennie, who wanted to take a bath in the river before they left. It was the third one she'd taken since they arrived at the compound.

"All the death and seeing you after...you know," she said to Blair. "This place makes me feel dirty and I can't seem to scrub it off."

The previous day they had buried the five bodies in shallow graves behind one of the buildings. They kept three of the AK-47's to..."

Puchase via abitosunshine:
The Capablanca Variation: The End Game

WoW Weekly 100 Words:

Although this is a Wednesday blog hop hosted here at Ruthi Reads!, you are welcome to hop in at any time. Just grab the button and link for you blog post where you share exactly 100 words from your current read(s) and add your post URL to the linky list provided at the end of this post. Feel free to share anything else you'd like on your post, especially book-related items.

And be sure to visit and/or introduce yourself to others on the WoW list during week. Don't wait for them to come to you ... somebody has to be first ... networking works if we work it!

I use The Word Count Tool to count my book excerpts. I type in the box provided, then once I have 100 words, I copy and paste it right into my blog post.

Book Blogger Hop #11

The Book Blogger Hop, hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books.com, connecting book bloggers and readers together. It's a great way to meet and greet fellow book bloggers. Thanks for the hop, Jennifer!

This week's Book Blogger Hop question:

"Tell us about one of your posts from this week and give us a link so we can read it (review or otherwise)!"

The post I would like to share from this past week would be my Dual Citizenship post. This was a post announcing that "Ruthi Reads" is now available in more than one place, but with a few differences unique to each location. I look forward to your response to the post; and, of course, hope that you'll visit me at both locations.

Book Blogger Hop 10

The Book Blogger Hop, hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books.com, connecting book bloggers and readers together. It's a great way to meet and greet fellow book bloggers. Thanks for the hop, Jennifer!

This week's Book Blogger Hop question:

"What are you reading now and why are you reading it?"

I'm currently reading The Capablanca Variation, a novel by author Douglas Quinn. I "met" the author via Gather.com and am happy to be reading his novel for review purposes. I recently shared an Excerpt of The Capablanca Variation in my WoW 100 Weekly Words post.

I am also reading The Productive Writer: Tips & Tools to Help you Write More, Stress Less & Create Success by author Sage Cohen. I won this in a book giveaway and I'm finding it an excellent writer resource. Of course, I share an Excerpt from The Productive Writer in another WoW 100 post.

Book Blogger Hop 9

The Book Blogger Hop, hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books.com, connects book bloggers and readers together, linking blogs with a Linky list. It's a great way to meet and greet fellow book bloggers. Thanks for the hop, Jennifer!

Each week there's a member-provided question to answer and post to your blog. This week's Book Blogger Hop question is provided by Aliyah who blogs at Des Absurdites:

"What book are you most looking forward to seeing published in 2011?  Why are you anticipating that book?"

Great question, Aliyah, and I have two great answers!

I await with great excitement my Gather friend and author, Chris Brockman, and his forthcoming memoir, Growing Up In Boom Times, to be published in a few months. I'll be purchasing his book hot off the press and immediately reading and reviewing it right here on Ruthi Reads!

Secondly, I am enthused regarding my own publication! I have set myself a goal to self-publish in POD (Print On Demand) format a chapbook-length collection of my poetry this year. More on this later, of course!

Book Blogger Hop 8

The Book Blogger Hop, hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books.com, connects book bloggers and readers together, linking blogs with a Linky list. It's a great way to meet and greet fellow book bloggers. Thanks for the hop, Jennifer!

Each week there's a member-provided question to answer and post to your blog. This week's Book Blogger Hop question is provided by Barb of Sugarbeat's Books:

"Why do you read the genre that you do? What draws you to it?"

Actually, I'm an eclectic reader, pretty much reading across all genres. Just as my personal activities are varied and may change according to current mood and interests, so does my choice in reading material. I feel that diversification is empowering. Each book, regardless of genre, is written by an author with a unique voice with their own story to tell or information to share. Knowledge can be gleaned from each book I read and this makes any book of any genre enjoyable reading for me. Each book holds the key to open a new door leading to a new world. There's never a dull moment of reading since my bookshelf contains many choices to fit whatever my mind or spirit is in the mood for at that moment in time.

Book Blogger Hop 7

The Book Blogger Hop, hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books.com, connects book bloggers and readers together, linking blogs with a Linky list. It's a great way to meet and greet fellow book bloggers.

Each week there's a member-provided question to answer and post to your blog. This week's Book Blogger Hop question is provided by Ivan Bookworm. Great thought-provoking question, Ivan, and I thank you.


"What book influenced or changed your life? How did it influence/change you?"

I don't think any one book has changed my life; however, I do believe all of the books I've read in my lifetime have had their own influence on my life at the time. Several books stand out in my mind as examples of such. The Bible (KJV) has always been a source of comfort and inspiration. Women Who Run With the Wolves, by Clarissa Pinkola Estes, is probably the most inspirational book I've ever read and stands alongside my Bible to be read and re-read often. And the most writing inspiring books on my list are from many years ago: anything by the author Khalil Gibran and/or Rod McKuen. As a teenager and young adult I read these authors often and feel they influenced my dream to write and share my heart and soul to this day.

Ivan's question also had me thinking on the lines of authors who influence or change my life, rather than the books themselves. This past year I've concentrated mostly on reading new authors, generally newly published and/or self-published authors. This has turned me into an eclectic reader, which I believe has been a good thing for me. Because I wish to get to know the authors a bit more personally I find myself reading books on themes I might not have read in the past, so I am stretching my interests and knowledge base and I feel this is a good thing.

Great books and great authors -- nothing better except for maybe my good girl of a dog, Tidbit, lying alongside me while I read.

Book Blogger Hop 6

The Book Blogger Hop, hosted by Crazy-for-Books.com, connects book bloggers and readers together, linking blogs with a Linky list. It's a great way to meet and greet fellow book bloggers. Each week there's a member-provided question to answer and post to your blog. Here is this week's Book Blogger Hop question, provided by Alex and my answer:



"What do you consider the most important in a story: the plot or the characters?"

For me, it is the combination of both plot and character that is important to the story I'm reading. The characters need to be believable--or unbelievable--whichever the plot requires them need be! There's nothing ruins what could be a great story than characters who seem to just plod along or well-defined characters to a poorly played-out plot. One should clearly enhance the other in order to eliminate ennui with the book in hand.

Book Blogger Hop 5

The Book Blogger Hop, hosted by Crazy-for-Books.com, connects book bloggers and readers together, linking blogs with a Linky list. It's a great way to meet and greet fellow book bloggers. The Hop runs each week from Friday to Monday, although it isn't mandatory to participate each week. To encourage participation, there's a weekly member-provided question to answer and post to your blog. Here is this week's Book Blogger Hop question, provided by Angela and my answer:


"What is the thing you like most about reading book blogs? Is it the reviews, author guest posts, articles, giveaways, or something else entirely?"


Being one with an eclectic mindset, I like everything on the book blogs! Especially the Book Blogger Hop!

The book reviews and author interviews would be my favorites. But, of course, I do enJOY the book giveaways, too; love new reading material on my bookshelf. I enJOY the articles also, especially those that pertain to publishing issues, especially self-publishing.

I find it interesting to mingle with others who share their thoughts on what they're reading and why. It's like mingling at a party held at a library ...smiles...

***Now, for a bit of shameless self-promotion hopping your way***

I'd like to take this opportunity to plug my own newly-created wednesday hop and hope all of you book bloggers and readers will join the fun and help spread the word: WoW Weekly 100 Words

Book Blogger Hop 4

Hoppin' right along for another week of the Book Blogger Hop challenge, hosted by Crazy-for-Books.com. I hope you hop on over there for all the Hop details and if you're a book blogger, hop along with us!

The Book Blogger Hop connects book bloggers and readers together, linking blogs with a Linky list. It's a great way to meet and greet fellow book bloggers. The Hop runs each week from Friday to Monday, although it isn't mandatory to participate each week. To encourage participation, there's a weekly member-provided question to answer and post to your blog. Here is this week's Book Blogger Hop question, provided by Marce and my answer:

"What very popular and hyped book in the blogosphere did you NOT enjoy and how did you feel about posting your review?"

I rarely succumb to hype or popularity in any category and especially not with books; my choice of reading material is my own and I don't mind at all sharing what I think of a book within my book review; I write honest, though sensitive reviews. Only occasionally have I mentioned something negative in a book review and even then it was done in a creative manner or because it was something I wanted the author to know, as well as the reader.

My book reviews tend to be creative writing of my own, written as to the mood or feeling the author created in me while reading the book. I rarely give a personal commentary with my book reviews, other than in my telling of the book's story. I guess this means that most of my book reviews make the books sound wonderfully written--a fact which I believe to be true of most books.


***Now, for a bit of shameless self-promotion hopping your way***

I'd like to take this opportunity to plug my own newly-created hop and hope all you book bloggers and readers will join the fun and help spread the word: WoW Weekly 100 Words

Book Blogger Hop 4

I'm feelin' a bit like a slow-cooked turkey today, so a bit late in getting my post up for this week for the Book Blogger Hop challenge, hosted by Crazy-for-Books.com. I hope you hop on over there for all the Hop details and if you're a book blogger, hop along with us!

The Book Blogger Hop connects book bloggers and readers together, linking blogs. It's a great way to meet and greet fellow book bloggers. The Hop runs each week from Friday to Monday, although it isn't mandatory to participate each week. (Though my thought is, Why join if I don't intend to commit to participate?)

It's quite easy to hop along! Only three things to do: 1) Enter your book blog link in the weekly linky list at Crazy-for-Books.com; 2) Post about the Book Blogger Hop on your blog; and 3) Reciprocate by visiting other blogs on the weekly linky list!

Also, to encourage participation, there's a weekly question to answer and post to your blog. You can even suggest a question! Here is this week's Book Blogger Hop question and my answer:

"What is your favorite book cover?"

My first thought when I read this question, Great question, but I love them all! However, I'll try to pick just one; well, maybe two or three!  

I cannot help but fall in love with any book whose cover shares a bit o' sunshine! Here's a recently purchased example: Restored Hope by Brenda Youngerman. And a book I recently read and reviewed: The Ghost of Useppa Island by Kimberly Ripley. 

Then there are the books that bedazzle your every sense the moment you lay eyes upon the cover, promising an abundance of amazement to be experienced while reading the words between the covers. Forever Becoming by Kasey Klein had such an effect on me. And, you could be holding this beauty in your hands as the winner of my current WoW Book Giveaway!

Book Blogger Hop 3

Hoppin' right along for another week of the Book Blogger Hop challenge, hosted by Crazy-for-Books.com. I hope you hop on over there for all the Hop details and if you're a book blogger, hop along with us!

The Book Blogger Hop connects book bloggers and readers together, linking blogs. It's a great way to meet and greet fellow book bloggers. The Hop runs each week from Friday to Monday, although it isn't mandatory to participate each week.

To encourage participation, there's a weekly question to answer and post to your blog. Here is this week's Book Blogger Hop question and my answer:

"Since Thanksgiving is coming up next week, let's use this week's Hop to share what we are most thankful for and what our holiday traditions are!"

What am I most thankful for is a tough question for me, as I've so many people, places, and things in my life that are on my gratitude list. I would have to say, at this moment in time I am most thankful for a warm roof over my head, warm food in my belly when hungry, and a warm pillow to lay my head upon each night -- all things which warm my spirit, all made possible by the giving spirit of a friend. Next on my gratitude list at the moment would be the pleasure of my canine companion, Tidbit. And last, but surely not least, would be the pleasure of recent time being spent with my son, Billy, and his first son, Liam, a gift of a bundle of joy -- I'm a grandmom!

Sad to say, I don't really have holiday traditions, currently. I guess between divorces, moves, aging, and many life changes, well, I just had the holiday winds taken out of my spirit sails. I now seem to drift along on heartfelt things and daily gratitude as opposed to Thanksgiving traditions. Although, this year I'm participating in the Giving Thanks Challenge throughout the month of November. And I'm thinking I need to create some new holiday traditions for myself in 2011.

Happy Thanksgiving blessings & a bit o' sunshine!

Book Blogger Hop 2

Wow, this week flew by; it's time for week two of the Book Blogger Hop! This past week I visited and have been visited by several new book bloggers, I discovered and entered some great book giveaways, and I read quite a few good book reviews. I thoroughly enJOYed the answers to the week's question and look forward to this week, too.

The Book Blogger Hop challenge is hosted by Crazy-for-Books.com, so head on over there for all the Hop details and if you're a book blogger, hop along with us!

The Book Blogger Hop connects book bloggers and readers together, linking blogs. It's a great way to meet and greet fellow book bloggers. The Hop runs each week from Friday to Monday, although it isn't mandatory to participate each week.

To encourage participation, there's a weekly question to answer and post to your blog. Here is this week's Book Blogger Hop question and my answer:

"If you find a book that looks interesting but is part of a series, do you always start with the first title?"

Fortunately, I've only come across this issue once and the author was nice enough to send both in the series. I think I'd prefer to begin with the first book title of a series, even when each book stands well on its own. I guess it's a decision I'll be faced with eventually, but not one I'll spend much time fretting over. Most definitely, if I am purchasing a series title, I begin with the first in the series.