If I treated my turtle like I treat my blog, it would be dead.
I am embarrassed and ashamed.
But I have not given up.
I will post again!
Today NPR came out with a summer reading list!
My BEST Busy Book Reader Tip Of All Time: You would be amazed at the book time you can add to your routine when you take a bus! I've been flying through books and loving it.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
My Non-book News
I've recently started my new position as the Public Affairs Manager for Cincinnati Metro.
I'm thinking of changing the blog from The Busy Book Reader to The Busy Bus Rider. Well, maybe not. But I may start adding some Metro-related blog entries.
Read more about me at cincinnati.com.
I also want to encourage any readers (if there are any, out there) to be a fan of Cincinnati Metro on Facebook.
Thank you for reading!
I'm thinking of changing the blog from The Busy Book Reader to The Busy Bus Rider. Well, maybe not. But I may start adding some Metro-related blog entries.
Read more about me at cincinnati.com.
I also want to encourage any readers (if there are any, out there) to be a fan of Cincinnati Metro on Facebook.
Thank you for reading!
Friday, March 5, 2010
Book Review: The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
Type:
Fiction, family, coming of age, Africa, Oprah’s Book Club
About:
A missionary from Georgia takes his family to the African Congo in 1959. With a shifting narration from all of the women (mother and four sisters) in the story, we learn that life in the Congo will change their lives forever. The novel reveals what daily life was like for them – searching for food, staving off wild animals, learning about the community and more hardships than I could have imagined. It provides personal accounts of a family who comes together and grows apart.
Why did I read it:
I have four sisters and love to read books about a family of girls. Kingsolver has long been one of my favorite authors – great at capturing slice of life, quirky personalities. I also love Oprah Book Club books.
Read it if:
- You want to be shocked, touched and immersed in a life so rough that it makes our daily comforts seem ridiculous
- You want to experience a first-hand account of someone experience life-changing events and recounting them in quirky, smart, witty, and extremely “honest” voices. Amazing characters in this book that are hard to forget.
Don’t read it if:
- You don’t like Oprah’s Book Club books – usually meaning that it will bring up a lot of emotions, is female-centered and generally powerfully and beautifully written/modern literary classic (not being snarky. For some folks, that’s just not their thing).
- You get TOO engrossed in your characters and have trouble accepting changes within books.
Cool:
I only knew the basics about the turmoil in the Congo from the 1960s to present, so I learned a lot from this book. Plus, the characters were so real I had to remind myself it was fiction.
Number of busy bees:
4
Better Reviews (or, as suggested, Alternate Reviews)
New York Times
Caribous Mom
Copperfield Review
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
What to read next?
Hey, busy book readers:
If you are wondering, "What should I read next?" Check out this site, created to answer just that question:
http://bookseer.com/
It provides good suggestions and seems like a fun tool.
Thanks to Bethany for this suggestion.
Next book review coming soon... as well as some news about THIS book reader and my new reason to be busy!
If you are wondering, "What should I read next?" Check out this site, created to answer just that question:
http://bookseer.com/
It provides good suggestions and seems like a fun tool.
Thanks to Bethany for this suggestion.
Next book review coming soon... as well as some news about THIS book reader and my new reason to be busy!
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Busy, eh?
Is being busy an excuse I'm allowed to use for not posting in this blog?
Well, it was my birthday, which kicks off the 8-day holiday known as JillTomukkah, which, as everyone knows prohibits frequent blog posting.
In the meantime, I wanted to let you know that my next review will be Barbara Kingsolver's "Poisonwood Bible." I'll tell you right now that I loved it.
I'm also in the middle of Dave Egger's "What is the What," which is also amazing. Both books focus on Africa and provide an interesting contrast.
Check out this article: Dave Eggers in Chicago Tribune. It's an interesting take on "The Old New Journalism."
FYI: I received an "A" on this blog from my professor. So, thank you, Dr. Bowers!
Well, it was my birthday, which kicks off the 8-day holiday known as JillTomukkah, which, as everyone knows prohibits frequent blog posting.
In the meantime, I wanted to let you know that my next review will be Barbara Kingsolver's "Poisonwood Bible." I'll tell you right now that I loved it.
I'm also in the middle of Dave Egger's "What is the What," which is also amazing. Both books focus on Africa and provide an interesting contrast.
Check out this article: Dave Eggers in Chicago Tribune. It's an interesting take on "The Old New Journalism."
FYI: I received an "A" on this blog from my professor. So, thank you, Dr. Bowers!
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Book Review: Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
I asked what you wanted – and you wanted to see what I have to say about “Water for Elephants.” Feel free to send me any other suggestions for reviews!
Type:
Historical fiction (Great Depression)-reflection, love triangle, adventure
About:
Let’s go to the circus! In a nursing home, the main character reminisces about his experiences with a traveling circus. The writing is crisp and unforgiving. The author keeps you intrigued with the compelling past and the sympathetic “present.”
Let’s go to the circus! In a nursing home, the main character reminisces about his experiences with a traveling circus. The writing is crisp and unforgiving. The author keeps you intrigued with the compelling past and the sympathetic “present.”
Why did I read it: Heard good reviews. Plus, I love elephants (starting in the mid-1990s when I saw the movie A Far Off Place). Bought "Water for Elephants" as a beach read before a vacation last September.
Read it if:
-You are a fan of flashback/memory sequences.
-Your love stories need a bit of gritty realism, danger and excitement.
Don’t read it if:
-You weren’t a fan of “The Notebook” and you dislike past-present love tales.
-You aren't interested in experiencing the circus behind-the-scenes (you might never look at a circus the same way).
Cool: Great old-school images from circuses in each chapters. Also, it looks like a movie will be in the works soon... possibly starring Edward, the sparkly vampire. Maybe this will be a topic over on the Reel Pages blog.
Number of busy bees: 4 out of 5
Better Reviews:
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
You Choose: Next Review
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