Booking Through Thursday

Suggested by Vega:

Last Saturday (May 2nd) is Free Comic Book Day! In celebration of comics and graphic novels, some suggestions:

- Do you read graphic novels/comics? Why do/don’t you enjoy them? No, I would rather read Nonfiction or Historical fiction without the distraction of pictures

- How would you describe the difference between “graphic novel” and “comic”? Is there a difference at all? Graphic Novel is usually a work that reads like a novel but with the pictures and the comic book is like a few short lines and then the storyline changes.

- Say you have a friend who’s never encountered graphic novels. Recommend some titles you consider landmark/”canonical”. I would say either Dracula or Tales from Udolpho are good Graphic novels

Tuesday Teasers

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:

Grab your current read. Let the book fall open to a random page.

Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.

You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!

Please avoid spoilers!

This teaser comes from War of the Roses by Alison Weir

Margaret, of course wasted not time in demanding of the King that he release Somerset from the Tower, and on the 16th the Duke was set at liberty; the offices that York had taken from him,those of Constable of England and Captain of Calais, were immediately restored to him.

Review of Complete Illustrated Guide of The Presidents of America by Professor Jon Roper

From the Back Cover:
A comprehensive visual encyclopedia of every American President from George Washington to the present -day incumbent.

Each President is presented within the context of the major contemporary social, political and economic events that helped to shape the nation, as well as the international developments and relations that have affected the course of world history.

Special feature boxes present essential facts about each of the Presidents, including their political and military careers prior to the presidency , as well as their family backgrounds, education and religion.

Stunningly illustrated with more than 460 photographs, fine-art paintings, election campaign posters and maps.

About the Author from the inside cover:

Professor Jon Roper received a BA honors degree in philosophy, politics and economics at St. Catherine's College, Oxford, UK , and a doctorate at Georgetown University, Washington,D.C., before becoming a lecturer in the Department of Political Theory and Government at Swansea University, Wales. In 1966 he was made head of the Department for American Studies and was appointed professor of the department in 2005. He has a special interest in the presidency, the impact of war on politics and society, and Anglo-American political ideas.

My Review:

I would have to say that this book is well-written and researched. The author has a lot of knowledge about his subject. I learn a lot about the presidents and some facts I knew and some facts that I did not know. For example: Even though Reagan was Republican he modeled his Presidency after FDR.

In this book it contains information about their wives and key events that happened throughout their Presidency. The Pictures in the book were gorgeous and this book makes an excellent collectible. It should also be used as a reference for your children if they have projects etc.

Overall I rate this book a 4.5 out of 5 because their are some editorial spelling mistakes in some chapters.

Southern Reading Challenge 2009

May 15 - August 15, 2009

Maggie from Maggie Reads is once again hosting her very popular Southern Reading Challenge for 2009. She writes:

It's that time of year!

The time when you pour a glass of lemonade or sweet tea and take your official summer spot on the porch. Lean back in that chase lounge surrounded by geraniums and ferns, and begin the summer long journey into Southern culture.

Participants may choose to read any style of Southern book such as Appalachian tales, Civil War sagas, Gothic myths, Grit lit, etc... The goal is THREE BOOKS in three months. As she did last year, Maggie will be holding weekly drawings and contest

Here are the books that I am reading for the challenge:

1. The Awakening by Kate Chopin
2. Rhett Butlers People by David McCiag
3. Girls in Trucks by Katie Crouch

What are you reading on Mondays

For It's Monday! What are you reading this week? I post the books completed last week, the books I am currently reading, and the books I hope to finish this week. I usually pile on a little extra. Being such moody reader, I need some wiggle room to change my mind during the week.

If you already do a weekly reading post, feel free to add your link in the It's Monday! What are you reading this week? comment section each Monday. It doesn't matter which day of the week you posted it and you don’t need to use the button above. If you don't currently do something like this on your blog but would like to, then feel free to join in each Monday. It's fun to find out what others are reading!

To participate go to J. Kaye's Book Blog to add your link.

Here is what I am reading this week: I don't think it will vary much except it will slowly get smaller but it helps me and everyone else know how I am coming along this month

1. Mary Barton by Elizabeth Gaskell
2.Persuasion by Jane Austen
3.The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie
4. The Emerald City of Oz by Frank Baum
5. Innocent Traitor by Alison Weir (almost finished)
6. Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens
7. Isabella, She Wolf of France by Alison Weir
8. North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
9. War of the Roses by Alison Weir. (almost finished)

April Round up and Challenges I have completed.

Books I have read:

1. Dorothy and the Wizard of OZ by Frank Baum 5/5
I love reading books of my favorite childhood characters.

2. Women in Love by D.H. Lawrence 2/5
This book was slow going and the character like to talk a lot about nothing the only reason I gave it a 2 was the shocking ending.

3. The Golden Bug by Edgar Allan Poe 3/5
Some of the language that was used kind of turned me off on that one. I just don't like what they called the slaves then and think of them of just ignorant people I have to learn to get past that.

4. Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll 4/5
Again I love reading books of childhood. It takes me back. Last month I read Alice in Wonderland. Its amazing I have seen all the the movies but never read the books.

5. Memoir of Jane Austen by Edward Leigh Austin 5/5
I enjoyed this nice biography of Jane Austen and all the reasons about why she wrote her books and what inspired her to write them. This even included the lost chapters of Persuasion which gave me the inspiration to read it this month.

6. 1984 by George Orwell. 5/5
I loved this book one of my favorites. It kept me on my toes as well as making me scared about a government where they control everything you do.

7. Complete Guide to Presidents of America by Professor Jon Roper 5/5
A very well-written book about the Presidents. I learn a lot of things that I did not know about the Presidents.

Challenges Completed:

None.

Challenges Started:

None

Its Friday 56

from Just Jennifer Reading by Jennifer

Rules:
* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of Storytime with Tonya and Friends.
*Post a link along with your post back to Storytime with Tonya and Friends.
* Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

Here's mine this week:


So this was an excellent opportunity, Messrs. Carson thought, for refitting their factory with first-rate improvements, for which the insurance-money would amply pay. They were in no hurry about the business, however.

From Mary Barton by Elizabeth Gaskell