Contest Winners!!

Contest Winners for BEA and Clara and Mr. Tiffany.

 I have two contest winners to announce today.
The winner of the wonderful book, Clara and Mr. Tiffany is:

Shadow from Michigan

Congratulations Shadow!  Vreeland has a gift for capturing the details of an era and the creativity of women whom history has hidden under the shadows of men.  Enjoy your copy of Clara and Mr. Tiffany.

The winner of the BEA contest for a beautiful handmade scarf that I crocheted is:

Anne from Minnesota

Congratulations Anne!  I suspect many people are jealous of your good fortune.  I hope you wear it well.

If you didn't win, don't fret you can purchase the book right here and if you want a scarf, you will have a to wait awhile before I can make another one.  Have a great day everyone!

Enter to win- The Healing by Jonathan Odell

The Healing by Jonathan Odell contest

Jonathan Odell is the Minnesota author in the spotlight here on Booksnob for the month of June and he has graciously offered to giveaway 3 hardcover copies to U. S. followers and 2 ebook copies to followers anywhere in the world who prefer an ecopy.  Contest will end on June 30th at midnight.

Here is the synopsis of The Healing from Goodreads:
Mississippi plantation mistress Amanda Satterfield loses her daughter to cholera after her husband refuses to treat her for what he considers to be a “slave disease.” Insane with grief, Amanda takes a newborn slave child as her own and names her Granada, much to the outrage of her husband and the amusement of their white neighbors. Troubled by his wife’s disturbing mental state and concerned about a mysterious plague sweeping through his slave population, Master Satterfield purchases Polly Shine, a slave reputed to be a healer. But Polly’s sharp tongue and troubling predictions cause unrest across the plantation. Complicating matters further, Polly recognizes “the gift” in Granada, the mistress’s pet, and a domestic battle of wills ensues.

Seventy-five years later, Granada, now known as Gran Gran, is still living on the plantation and must revive the buried memories of her past in order to heal a young girl abandoned to her care. Together they learn the power of story to heal the body, the spirit and the soul.

Rich in mood and atmosphere, The Healing is the kind of novel readers can’t put down—and can’t wait to recommend once they’ve finished.

Contest Rules:
Leave a Comment
Fill out the form
Must be a Booksnob follower
Choose which type of book you prefer:  Hardcover or Ebook. (remember hardcover will only be sent to U.S. residents)
Ends June 30th at midnight.
 

A Farewell To Arms Read-A-Long

A Farewell To Arms by Ernest Hemingway Read-A-Long

I am participating in A Farewell to Arms read-a-long in conjunction with the World War I Reading challenge I am doing with the blog, War Through the Generations, you can visit their website here: http://warthroughthegenerations.wordpress.com

I am a few days behind as this post was supposed to be written and posted on Friday but I was so overwhelmed with packing for my trip to the National History Day finals with my students that I ran out of time.  So yesterday we got up at 3am for a 6am flight out of Minnesota to Maryland.  We are staying in the dorms at the University of Maryland in College Park and I am finally getting a free moment to sit down and answer the weeks questions. Whoo, Hoo!  I have 5 students competing and it is all very exciting. 

READ Chapters 1-10
Pages 1-67

Question #1:  So far, how do you feel about Hemingway’s writing style? Are you enjoying it?

The writing style is OK.  I don't love it and I really don't hate it either.  I have had to look up a few words because I didn't understand the context.  I am wondering why Hemingway didn't use good grammar and why he doesn't describe scenes or people very well.  I am sincerely hoping that the farther I delve into A Farewell to Arms that I will get used to his writing style.  So far I have learned a few things from the book.  I learned about the French scandal surrounding Archbishop Ireland, who hails from my home state, Minnesota! We have a street named after him here in St. Paul because he was our first Archbishop.  I have just realized that war stopped during the winter in some locations during World War I and then started back up again in March.  It makes sense since it was cold and difficult to travel in snow on foot as soldiers did back then.  I bet if I were to go and check on the major offenses of the war they probably happened in the Spring after the long period of waiting for winter to subside.  What do you think?

Rinaldi and Henry seem to have a brotherly relationship.  Do you think that this friendship will survive throughout the novel or will something come between them?  Speculate.

I think it is too early in the novel to predict what will happen in their brotherly relationship.  It is war after all, so I am going to take a guess that something will come between them, maybe even death.  Rinaldi is quite eccentric and his behavior a little bizarre for a doctor.  I really love it when he speaks Italian though.  He likes to drink a lot and visit the brothel so I hope he doesn't get an STD.  Henry seems to enjoy the banter and conversations with Rinaldi and now that he is injured and he can't visit Clara for now, may need Rinaldi to intercede on his behalf.  Henry is definitely calm and quiet as opposed to Rinaldi's loud and boisterous character.  They are polar opposites and I am sure only friends due to circumstance.

What kind of relationship do Lieutenant Henry and Nurse Catherine Barkley seem to have? Are they in love or is it something else?

Clara is weird and I don't really like her right now (I just needed to get that off my chest).  When Henry tries to kiss her, she slaps him and then changes her mind and kisses him (weird). Then the next day she wants to know how much he loves her (weirder).  I don't think Hemingway has captured the qualities and speech of a woman just yet for Clara's character clearly is lacking. 

I think they Henry and Clara really want to be in love and have someone to hold onto but I don't think they are in love just yet.    The war has thrown them together and they depend on each other for affection and belonging.  I think Clara longs for her dead fiance and I am not sure what Henry is longing for other than a relationship with a woman who will sleep with him.  I do believe they will fall in love and then be tragically ripped apart.

 
 Next week I will be reading chapters 11-20 in a Farewell to Arms and hopefully posting on Friday.  I am actually flying home from Maryland on Friday.

 
 

Delicate Armor Contest Winners!

Delicate Armor Contest Winners!

I would like to congratulate the winners of Delicate Armor by Connie Claire Szarke, May's Author in the Spotlight.  I would like to thank Connie for giving away two copy of her book to Booksnob followers.

The winners are:

Eunice from Minnesota
Mary from Australia

Congratulations Ladies!  Enjoy your new book.

If you didn't win you can still order a copy of Delicate Armor from Amazon.  Delicate Armor is a wonderful story about a Midwestern family amid a family feud.  It will inspire to take your child fishing and enjoy the great outdoors.

Armchair BEA- Ask the Experts

Armchair BEA- Ask the Experts

Here is the writing prompt for today: Ask The Experts. In your post, ask the visitors to your blog for blogging advice. What did you always want to know about blogging but were afraid to ask? Now is the time!
Alternatively, if you've been blogging for awhile, you've probably learned a thing or two. Whether you stumbled upon a something that makes blogging easier or made a mistake you'd never want anyone to repeat, share your experience and wisdom with others.

I am definitely not an expert blogger even though I have been blogging for over two years now.  I have learned a lot since then.  In fact when I started blogging, I didn't even know how to copy and paste.  LOL.

So Booksnob readers, I have a few questions for you and would love to know what you think?  Answer one question or answer them all, it is entirely up to you.

What is your favorite part of Booksnob's blog?
Is there anything I should change, add or delete?
Currently I don't really participate in any meme's.  Should I?  What is your opinion?
Do you like the form for contests?  What do you think of Rafflecopter contests?
Should I share more of my personal life, instead of focusing on just book reviews and book related posts?
Do you like the poetry posts I did in April?  Should I continue to post poetry once a week or only in April and on special occasions?

So I can't wait to read your opinions.  Thanks for taking the time to read my posts and comment.  I really appreciate all of readers and followers.

Literary Death Match

Literary Death Match #7 - Twin Cities

Last night I attended the 7th Literary Death Match held in the Twin Cities at Nomad's World Pub in Minneapolis.  I had no idea what to expect but I figured an event that featured authors, reading, all while drinking with literate book nerds like myself was the perfect way to kick off the summer.  I dragged my friend Gail along for the fun.

So here is what happens.  There are three author judges on stage, 4 authors competing in the death match.  There are two rounds and two authors are eliminated.  The two remaining authors participate in a death match with audience participation.  It is really quite fun and I plan on attending again.

Let me introduce you to the judges.

Literary Merit:  Marlon James
author of The Book of Night Women and John Crow's Devil.


Performance:  Danno Klonowski is a cartoonist and he drew some amazing artwork of each author. He writes comic books called staplegenius.

Intangibles:  Dennis Cass former writer for the New York Times.  He was hilarious.  He is trying to reinvent himself by writing a sci-fi novel.

The Readers:

Round 1:  First up was poet Juliet Patterson competing against young adult author Pete Hautman.
Juliet read a 6 minute poem about love and had a call and response with the audience.  Pete read an excerpt from his young adult novel Invisible.  I actually read this book a few years ago.
After they read, the judges had time to critique each author and then declared a winner for the round and the winner was:  Pete Hautman

Juliet Patterson has published two books of poetry:  The Truant Lover and Threnody.  Her poems are published widely in magazines.

Pete Hautman has written numerous books including Godless and Invisible.  He has won the Minnesota Book Award numerous times and has also been awarded the National Book Award for his book Godless.

Round 2:  Next up was poet and performer Jeffrey Skemp competing against the creative force and facebook's Goth Mom, Stephanie Wilbur Ash.   Stephanie writes for the Mpls St. Paul magazine. Jeff has an amazing voice and on stage presence.  He was accompanied by a guitarist.  Stephanie came on stage with a long flowing pink coat and the Prairie Fire Lady Choir.  She sang, she read, and it was great.  Again the judges critiqued each author and then declared a winner for the round and the winner was:  Stephanie Wilbur Ash.

Jeffrey Skemp is a member of the Bosso Poetry Company and his debut poetry+music album was released in the Spring of 2011.

Stephanie Wilbur Ash is Goth Mom on Facebook.  She edits Juicebox for families from the Mpls St.Paul Magazine.  She is also a part of the Electric Arc radio show.

Finale:  I can't tell you what happens because I want you to go and find out for yourself.  They use 6 audience members and declare a champion.  The champion of last night's Literary Death Match was Stephanie Wilbur Ash!

You can find out more by checking out the Literary Death Match www.LiteraryDeathMatch.com website or following on Twitter @litdeathmatch.

Armchair BEA- Beyond Your Blog

Armchair BEA- Beyond Your Blog

Today's topic:  Beyond your blog.  Has blogging opened up opportunities for you beyond getting free, advance copies of new books? Has it helped you get offers to write or review elsewhere (maybe even for pay)? Have you gotten invites to special events or places you might not have been to otherwise? Today, we'd like you to talk about those opportunities.

I would love to make tons of money writing this blog but the reality is that I have a day job and a family and I don't put in the effort needed to make a lot of money.  I am an amazon affiliate and I get a little bit of change for each item bought through my website and I am super thankful for that.  It makes me feel that people like what they read here on Booksnob when they click the Amazon link and buy something.  So thanks to everyone who does this.  I also make a point to share the love and go to amazon or other bookstores through my favorite blogs and purchase items through their sites.  A little bit goes a long way and I think it is another way to recognize the accomplishments of bloggers who websites you frequent.

I have a connection with The Women's Press in Minnesota and they have two publications, Book Women, a literary magazine, and The Women's Press, a newspaper by women for women.  I have been lucky enough to write for both publications and have also been featured and written about in both as well.  I did not get paid but the value of people reading my story or seeing my articles around the world is enough for now.  

I am a aspiring author, like half of the world.  I have started several books and plan to continue writing over the summer and even take a class at the Literary Loft Center in Minneapolis.  Booksnob has opened many doors for me in the world of books and authors so I will continue to expect great things to come out of my blog, even money!

If you have any tips, please let me know.

Armchair BEA- Networking...In Real Life

Armchair BEA- Networking...In Real Life

On Monday, I told you I was a high school Social Studies teacher in Minneapolis and my night time passion is my book blog.  In February at South High (where I teach), we happen to celebrate "I Love to Read" month and I am on the committee (of course).  The last two years I have been able to use my author connections from Booksnob to entice authors to speak at South High in individual classrooms and in auditoriums. 

In 2012, I was able to help bring 5 different author experiences to South High.  The student book clubs Skyped with Caragh O'Brien, author of Birthmarked.  Poet, Ms. Nique came in on African American parent involvement day and spoke to us about her biography and was funny and inspiring.  Author, Jacob Wheeler spoke to the AP Geography classes about the issues of international adoption and Guatemala.  Susan Niz, a former graduate of South, spoke about her book, Kara Lost and her experiences as a teenage runaway on the streets of Minneapolis.  Last, I invited Robert Alexander, also known as R.D. Zimmerman to talk about his book The Kitchen Boy and the Russian Revolution to my World History students.  This year The Southerner (our school newspaper) wrote a great article about the author events. 

My committee is already working on asking authors to come and speak at South in February 2013.  The Event is getting bigger and better every year.  The school, author, blog connection is one of the best things to come from my book blog.  I love it and it gives me a strong sense of purpose.

If you are interested in reading any of the blog posts, they're labeled "South High" and most are in the month of February. 

Tell me about your blog and networking connections you've made.

Armchair BEA Giveaway

Armchair BEA Giveaway

Happy Giveaway Day!

This year I want to give away something unique and handmade.
Something that you can wear on your way to the bookstore or lounging around on your deck.  You could even wear it to work.  I love to be creative and I love to crochet.  So the contest will be for a ribbon scarf that I made from yarn my daughter picked out at the Shepard's Festival.  The colors are so summery, the scarf is delicate, lovely and dresses up anything you chose to wear.    The contest is open internationally.  All I ask is that you fill out the form, leave a comment and follow me in some way.  EASY, I hope.  Here is the picture of the scarf.

Armchair BEA - Introductions First

Armchair BEA - Introductions First

Welcome friends and first time visitors.  This is my 2nd year participating in Armchair BEA and I am happy to be back for more fun and adventure.  I met some amazing bloggers last year, won some good books and participated in my first twitter party.

Today we are supposed to introduce ourselves by answering 5 questions.  So here goes.

1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging?

 Hi, My name is Laura and I live in St. Paul, Minnesota.  I am a high school social studies teacher and I currently teach, World Studies, Government, Economics and AP Human Geography.  It is a busy schedule but I love it.  I have been married for 18 years, I have one son who is 14 and a daughter who is 11 and a super cute, huge dog named Titus, (he's 90 pounds).  Everyone in the family loves books, including the dog.  All in all, I lead a super busy life and I hardly ever watch TV. 

I have been blogging for a little over two years, since February 2010.  I started blogging because I love to write and wanted a creative outlet and since I also love to read, a book blog was a natural fit.  The push to start my blog came at a time when my family was going through a really hard time.  My husband was very sick (low vitamin D), my son was depressed and my dog was in the hospital.  I needed to do something for myself to take away the stress and so I started writing.  I have come a long way since then and have learned a ton.

2.  What are you currently reading, or what is your favorite book you have read so far in 2012?

I read more than one book at a time so I am currently reading A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway.  It is for a read-a-long that just started in June for the World War I challenge.  You can find information about it here:  http://warthroughthegenerations.wordpress.com/   I am almost done with Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali.  Infidel is an amazing read so far.  I am reading King Peggy by Peggielene Bartels as well and have about 100 pages left.  There are a few other books I have started too.

The best book I have read this year is Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward.  It is truly amazing and after you finish reading it, you will feel like you just survived a hurricane's wrath.  You can read my book review here:  Salvage the Bones review

3.  What is your favorite feature on your blog (i.e. author interviews, memes, something specific to your blog?

My favorite part of my blog is the Hometown Track feature (see right sidebar).  This is where I feature a author from Minnesota for a whole month.  I get to meet a lot of great authors and read one of their books and it is really cool.  This month I am featuring Jonathan Odell, author of The Healing.  It is really fun to feature local authors and form a working relationship with them.  I meet most of the authors I feature at the Minnesota Book Fair but now that I have been blogging for 2 years, I have friends and authors contact me to make suggestions.  This meme ensures that I read widely and support indie authors in the process.  What could be better than that?

4.  If you could eat dinner with any author or character, who would it be and why?

This is such a good question.  Well, I wish I had more time to ponder this but the first fictional character who popped in my head was Scarlet O'Hara.  Gone with the Wind is my favorite book and so meeting Scarlett and having a good southern meal at the Tara plantation would be super cool.   I have a lot of questions for her and I bet she'd be entertaining.

5.  What literary location would you most like to visit? Why?

I would like to visit Barcelona, Spain on April 23rd, the international day of the book. This is the day that both Shakespeare and Cervantes died on (4-23-1616).  It is also the feast day of St. George who is the patron saint of Greece (and possibly Spain too).  The tradition is to give someone you love a rose and book on this day.  They have huge celebrations in Barcelona with book sellers lining the streets and I would love to be there someday.

Thanks for stopping by.  Please leave a comment if you can and Have a great day!  Only 3 more days of school until school is out for the summer!