Archive for the ‘CKYbooks’ Category
Wednesday, August 4th, 2010
I’m sure you’ve all heard by now that Anne Rice announced last week she was “quitting Christianity”. I was amazed at the amount of attention her declaration garnered, spawning various articles, Twitter comments and Facebook discussions. I remember her decision to “join Christianity” after years of being known as the queen of vampires. There was quite a reaction then as well although without the social networks of today, the discussions weren’t so public.
I would think that an author’s belief system would impact his or her writing. Not being an author myself, I am simply guessing. Any authors out there feel free to chime in? But when you’re reading (disregarding intentionally religious books) how much of that element plays into your experience? Personally I rarely read something and think “That’s obviously an allusion to Christianity/atheism/Buddhism/whatever”. Actually I’d have to say I never do that.
I’m just curious, does knowledge of an author’s beliefs and /or personal life affect whether you’ll read them? What if you’ve been a fan and later find out something you don’t agree (or even agree) with?
Thursday, July 29th, 2010
I’ve heard of – and experienced – many kinds of guilt but recently I discovered a new one…reader’s guilt. This wasn’t my typical reader guilt spawned by the idea that I “should” be reading more intellectual/important/whatever novels. No. This came from the realization that I hadn’t picked up my “backup book” in awhile.
Do you have one of those – a book you keep stashed in case of unforeseen downtime that leaves you without whatever novel(s) with which you’re currently engaged? Mine is usually an easy read that I want to finish but am not fully engaged in it. (Although some of my backups have been known to become primaries once I’m into them.)
So. I realized I had not opened my backup in almost a week. And suddenly I felt guilty for abandoning a character at the height of his dilemma. I don’t know if this is more reflective of the writing or my neurosis. Most likely it’s pretty even. But how about you? Have you experienced Reader’s Guilt in any form or fashion?
Friday, July 16th, 2010
Published 06/22/2010
As you may have guessed, the movie “16 Candles” plays a rather significant role in this book, shaping the lead character’s view of her life and the world. This is where I must disclose that I’ve never actually SEEN the movie. However, I don’t believe that omission lessened my enjoyment of the book at all. Key scenes are described in enough detail that I almost feel like watching it now would be a waste of time.
“32 Candles” is written from the perspective of Davie – a young black woman who spends her first fifteen years in rural Mississippi. She’s the abused daughter of the local…um…floozy. After a particularly brutal beating at the age of 5 she vows to quit speaking – a decision that hardly makes her loved among her class mates. It’s a vow she keeps until she runs away from her mother’s, and peers’, abuse. She lands in LA under the tutelage of a rough edged but kind(ish) club owner where she blossoms. Throughout the book, there is a common element behind everything Davie does or says. James, the unattainable love of her life, isn’t always at the forefront but the twisted relationships she had with him and his sisters (or the lack thereof) are a constant driving force.
The tone of this book is frank and honest. I often felt as if sitting with a good friend and listening as she confessed her life story. And what a story it is! It’s impossible not to feel a bit of sympathy – and a lot of pride – for Davie. But when “behind the scenes” plots are revealed three quarters of the way through, they reveal a side of her that suddenly complicates those feelings. It’s as if Carter reaches into the soul of every woman ever rejected or scorned and displayed their hidden fantasies. On the surface is a sense of appropriate horror at the revelations. But beneath glows a fierce pride for what Davie does – and sympathy for when things turn ugly in her life. When she comments that she’s been “handed an invitation to Crazy”, it’s easy to nod in complete understanding.
“32 Candles” is definitely chick-lit. I can’t think of any men in my life that would enjoy it. But it is one of my favorite books so far this year. Even the ending – despite being cliché – wraps up the book with a satisfying sweetness. Normally I would have been frustrated with the last few pages but honestly, it works perfectly this time. This is a must read. I’d dare say this is even a re-read.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher to review; however, I did not receive any compensation for this review….unless you count the book!
Wednesday, July 14th, 2010
Selling used books may be a necessary evil for those with boxes and cases and stacks of unwanted books. They collect dust and take up valuable space that can be used for something other than storage. The market for used books is an exploding online industry. In the past few years, several sites specializing in used books have become very successful, garnering a loyal customer base. If you have unwanted textbooks, paperbacks or hard cover books collecting dust in a corner, now is the time to see how much they are worth and to reclaim that space.
Many people form a close attachment to their books and hesitate to part with them while others read a book once and never open it again. Regardless of which category you fall into, if you have ever read a book, chances are there are several cluttering your home. At one time, unwanted books were primarily sent to landfills, wasting space and filling them unnecessarily. Now there are plenty of opportunities to recycle the books, especially textbooks, for someone else to use or enjoy. Before you box them up and drop them at a local library or charity, you should know that selling used books can be profitable.
For the most competitive pricing, the majority of people use an online service that specializes in buying and selling used books. There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing one of these services. Each vendor will determine whether the books are in “good”, “fair” or “poor” condition when they are received, based on their own definitions. This may negatively affect the price originally quoted for the book. Once a book is received and processed, very few sites will send the book back if you change your mind, or are unhappy with the new price quote.
Many sites buying or selling used books provide a label that covers basic shipping charges and offers the option of sending payment via check or to a PayPal account. The check may take seven to ten days to be received. The PayPal account can be debited sooner, but may carry transfer fees. A little research can help you decide which method is right for you. The entire process takes approximately fifteen business days. For best the results, read the FAQ’s and customer comments before deciding which site to use.
For more information on this topic, visit our web site at www.ckybooks.com. And happy de-cluttering!
Monday, July 12th, 2010
Here’s the weekly comparison of the Wall Street Journal and New York Times Top 5 bestsellers in Fiction Hardback.
| Wall Street Journal Top 5 |
New York Times Top 5 |
| Private James Patterson* |
Private James Patterson* |
| Sizzling Sixteen Janet Evanovich |
Sizzling Sixteen Janet Evanovich |
| The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner Stephenie Meyer |
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest Steig Larsson |
| The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest Steig Larsson |
The Overton Widow Glenn Beck |
| The Overton Widow Glenn Beck |
The Help Kathryn Stockton |
*New this week
Monday, July 12th, 2010
Hardback fiction new releases:
07/13/10
The Whisperers (Charlie Parker Series #9) (John Connolly)
Damaged (Maggie O’Dell Series #8) (Alex Kava)
Lucy (Laurence Gonzalez)*
Beautiful Malice (Rebecca James)*
Fly Away Home (Jennifer Weiner)
Shadow Hills (Anastasia Hopcus)
Faithful Place (Tana French)
Rules of Betrayal (Christopher Reich)
Captive Queen of Eleanor of Aquitaine (Alison Weir)
Tongues of Serpents of Temeraire (Naomi Novik)
Layover in Dubai (Dan Fesperman)
Red Hook Road (Ayelet Waldman)*
Corduroy Mansions (Alexander McCall Smith)
Linger (Maggie Stiefvater)
Savages (Don Winslow)
Siren (Tricia Rayburn)*
The Glass Rainbow (Dave Robicheaux Series #18) (James Lee Burke)
Memory Wall: Stories (Anthony Doerr)
Live to Tell (Detective D.D Warren Series #4 ) (Lisa Gardner)
07/15/2010
The Surf Guru (Doug Dorst)
Lady of the Butterflies (Fiona Mountain)*
The Taken (Hazel Micallef Mysteries) (Inger Ash Wolfe)
*Added to my TBR list
Friday, July 9th, 2010
“A Fierce Radiance” by Lauren Belfer is classified as historical fiction. But in all fairness, this novel cannot be pigeon holed into the expectations of one category. It combines love with espionage, mystery with idealism and wraps it all in the sweeping tale of Claire Shipley.
Set in NYC just after the Pearl Harbor attack, the book follows the life of photo journalist Claire Shipley. She is assigned to cover a study of a new potentially lifesaving medicine – penicillin – at the Rockefeller Institute. The story intertwines with and changes her life as it builds & destroys relationships.
Although I’m not usually a fan of romance, that particular element in “A Fierce Radiance” was a bonus, not a distraction. A few scenes were more explicit than expected, but given the context of the relationship, it never felt inappropriate. Strong language, which is only an issue for me in excess, was used artfully for emphasis. The mystery/intrigue elements kept the narrative moving at a nice clip. But best of all, the characters were not flat individuals living two dimensional lives. Belfer infuses them with deep personalities and places them squarely into complex situations with no easy or “right” decisions. There are no well orchestrated tidy endings. When you close the back cover you’re left feeling as if you’ve glimpsed into a life that is still burning brightly. And personally, I was glad to have had that glimpse.
Wednesday, July 7th, 2010
Part of the joy of handling this aspect of CKY Books is the opportunity to “meet” such a variety of people. I’ve chatted with stay at home moms who are making extra money selling books. I’ve talked to stay at home moms who also do book reviews. I’ve communicated with students and authors and I’ve learned from every one of them whether it’s a new recipe or money saving tip, or about another book that lands on my TBR list.
Jenn’s Bookshelves – She posts up reviews and even has her son in on the gig. His insights are fun to read and her reviews are insightful.
Pam of Bookalicious – A reviewer with a wicked sense of humor.
As I Turn the Pages – Another reviewer. She’s just starting out but I enjoy reading her thoughts. And she’s already had a couple of book giveaways!
Jamie DeBree’s blog – The Variety Pages – I’m not usually into “romance” but am enjoying her serial “Indelibly Inked” and I LOVE her “Everyday Romance” feature. (Incidentally – I have a guest post going up for that feature this week. I honestly didn’t plan on that when I planned this post but there ya go. I’ll link it when it’s up.)
Don’t Pet Me, I’m Writing – Another romance author, Tawna Fenske. This lady is hilarious.
200 Books – Amanda started this site a couple of years ago when she challenged herself to read 200 books in a year. Now she uses it to talk about her life and yes, her continued reading adventures.
The Bibliophile’s Adventurers Club – They post all sorts of interesting tidbits.
Budget Confessions – I really enjoy her transparency. She’s given me some great ideas for my own personal budget & tracking.
HomeGrown Mom and Frugal Follies have had some great features & series. Both seem to be on hiatus right now but I still check the feed once a week. Angela (HomeGrown Mom) is a bit more active on Twitter than on her blog.
I could keep going but those are a few to get you started. What about you? Please, share some of YOUR favorite links. I always enjoy discovering new places to visit.
Monday, July 5th, 2010
Hardback fiction new releases:
07/06/10
The Search (Nora Roberts)
Still Missing (Chevy Stevens)*
The Cookbook Collector (Allegra Goodman)
A Hidden Affair (Pam Jenoff)*
The Island (Elin Hilderbrand)*
It All Began in Monte Carlo (Elizabeth Alder)
Thin Rich Pretty (Beth Harbison)
Undead and Unfinished (Betsy Taylor Series #9) (MaryJanice Davidson)
Silent Scream (Anna Travis Series #5) (Lynda La Plante)
Inspector Singh Investigates: A Most Peculiar Malaysian Murder (Shamini Flint)
Red Rain (Bruce Murkoff)
Blood Rites (Dresden Files Series #6) (Jim Butcher)
The Cold Kiss (John Rector)*
Song of Dragons (Annals of Drakis Series #1) (Tracy Hickman)*
Father of the Rain (Lily King)*
As Husbands Go (Susan Isaacs)*
Gateways (Elizabeth A Hull)
Discord’s Apple (Carrie Vaughn)*
Platinum (Aliya S King)
Kings of the North (Cecelia Holland)
Think of a Number (John Verdon)
Primeval (Event Group Series) (David L Goleman)
The Hundred Foot Journey (Richard C Morais)
What Is Left The Daughter (Howard Norman)*
The Bone Fire (Christine Barber)
Everything (Kevin Canty)
The King’s Mistress (Emma Campion)*
Midnight Angels (Lorenzo Carcaterra)
The Darling Dahlias and the Cucumber Tree (Susan Wittig Albert)
Betrayed (Robert K Tanenbaum)
The News Where You Are (Catherine O’Flynn)
The Cabal (David Hagberg)
They’re Watching (Gregg Hurwitz)*
The Drowning River: A Mystery in Florence (Christobel Kent)
Kings of the Earth (Jon Clinch)
Stork Raving Mad (Meg Langslow Series #12) (Donna Andrews)
The Writing Circle (Corinne Demas)
The Fuller Memorandum (Bob Howard – Laundry Series #5) (Charles Stross)
A Dog’s Purpose (W Bruce Cameron)
The Scarlet Contessa: A Novel of the Italian Renaissance (Jeanne Kalogridis)
Legacies (Shadow Grail Series #1) (Mercedes Lackey)*
This Must Be The Place (Kate Racculia)*
July 8, 2010
For the King (Catherine Delors)
The Blind Contessa’s New Machine (Carey Wallace)
The Prophecy (Chris Kuzneski)
Paisley Hanover Kisses & Tells (Cameron Tuttle)
Becoming Kate (Dixie Owens)*
July 11, 2010
Burnt Mountain (Anne Rivers Siddons)
July 12, 2010
Wherever You Go (Joan Leegant)
Ghostgirl: Lovesick (Tonya Hurley)
*Added to my TBR list
Monday, July 5th, 2010
Here’s the weekly comparison of the Wall Street Journal and New York Times Top 5 bestsellers in Fiction Hardback.
| Wall Street Journal Top 5 |
New York Times Top 5 |
| Sizzling Sixteen Janet Evanovich* |
Sizzling Sixteen Janet Evanovich* |
| The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner Stephenie Meyer |
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest Steig Larsson |
| The Overton Widow Glenn Beck |
The Overton Widow Glenn Beck |
| The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest Steig Larsson |
Family Ties Danielle Steele* |
| Family Ties Danielle Steele* |
The Lion Nelson DeMille |
*New this week
