This fabulous weekly recap is hosted by Shelia of One Persons Journey Through a World of Books. Each week we recap what we’ve read and look at what’s coming up this week. If you’re interested head over to Shelia’s site and get involved! It’s a blast and I may even stop by to see what you’re up to!

Here’s what we’ve been up to this week:

It wouldn’t be a typical week around There’s A Book without some excitement and craziness. We’ve been reading non-stop, all of us. The Turkeybird and Littlebug are hooked on a few of the same books and I can’t get them to read anything else. It’s really fun! Well, maybe up until about the 30th time each day, but I’m still just happy they love to read so much.

As for me, luckily, I have a fabulous hubby who took the kiddos so I could get somethings done this weekend! I was able to schedule and clean off my desk that was overflowing. It’s great and now I feel like I can conquer just about anything that comes my way. How about you? Anything fabulous happen this week?

Read/Reviewed (Just click on the title to see the Review!):
Tell Me A Secret by Holly Cupala
Free to a Good Home by Eve Marie Mont (Review for Chick Lit Reviews)
Hodge Podge: Restful Sundays with Busy Bodies and Books
Nice and Mean by Jessica Leader (Review coming soon!)
Bogus by Karla Oceanak and Illustrated by Kendra Spanjer (Review coming soon!)

Interviewed:
Amanda Howells author of The Summer of Skinny Dipping (For Chick Lit Reviews) – Don’t miss this interview!!!
When I Was Young – The Lost Entwife

Events/Features:
A Bit of Me(Me) – One Thing You’re No Good At
Special Feature: Ten Thousand {{Hugs}} to You Tuesday
Once Upon A Week.. (Coming Soon!)
Coming Very Soon: Got Books? (Have you signed up yet?)

Giveaways:
“Despicable Me” Book Review & Giveaway (Ends 7/30)
Simple Steps Activity Book by Molly Smith and Illustrated by Tad Carpenter & Giveaway (Ends 7/16)

What’s up for the week to come:

Reviewing/Reading:
Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella (For Chick Lit Reviews – Still reading)
Good-Bye to All That by Margo Candela (Still reading)
Seven Year Switch by Claire Cook (For Chick Lit Reviews)
Bubba Goes National by Jennifer Walker

The Turkeybird and Littlebug are Reading: (Yes, many are the same as last week, but as you know with kiddos, it’s all about repetition.)
Toy Boat by Randall DeSeve and Illustrated by Loren Long (Reviewing this week!)
Time to Sleep, Sheep the Sheep by Mo Willems
Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach by Melanie Watt
Dr. Seuss’s ABC: An Amazing Alphabet Book! by Dr. Seuss

Giveaways Coming Up:
Got Books? Event…a very special giveaway and event you won’t want to miss! (July 23 & 24)

So, what are you reading this week? Have any suggestions I should add to my reading pile?

Purchasing products by clicking through the links in this post will provide us a modest commission through our affiliate relationship with IndieBound.

The time has come to announce the winners of the Giveaways for three different books!

First: Pookster and the Unloose Tooth & Pookster and the Practically Perfect Pickle by Rhonda Funk. Giveaway courtesy of Bring it on! Communications. Thank you!

Courtney Webb of Stiletto Storytime

and

Tracy  Heyer

Second: Go to Sleep, Russell the Sheep by Rob Scotton. Giveaway courtesy of There’s A Book.

Michelle Berg of Little Nippers

There should already be an email in your inbox letting you know. Please make sure to respond within 48 hours or a new winner will be announced.

Thank you again to Everyone who entered! I would highly recommend you check out our numerous other Giveaways. We also have quite a few more planned for the coming weeks, so make sure to keep checking back here at There’s A Book!

It’s Sunday. Hopefully you’re planning a nice afternoon picnic, a drive by or to the beach and maybe a quiet morning reading on the porch or patio. I’m also pretty sure that for some, there is the chance you’ll be attending a Sunday service of some sort. All of these options sound delightful to me. That is, until you add the variable of two small children under the age of 3. Not that children aren’t completely delightful, but they don’t exactly ensue relaxation and peaceful quiet moments without a little bit of work.

So, why not make the “work” enjoyable for you both?
My suggestion…books! Are you really surprised?

Shortly after The Turkeybird was born we realized there would no longer be a “restful” Sunday. No more napping in the afternoon, unless by some miracle he decided to sleep for longer than 30 minutes at a time. But at almost the same time we made a huge discovery, he absolutely loved to read! He wasn’t yet 3 months old, but if we put a book in front of him, no matter his mood, he was almost instantly content. And happily this has continued on with Littlebug.

One of our very happy finds happened on a long trip to Washington D.C. for a weekend getaway. I stumbled upon these fantastic board books that were only just a few pages long, but had an amazing secret inside. Within each page were numbers, colors, animals and shapes. All basics you most likely have started teaching a little one by the time they are able to hold their head up.
But the secret? Each shape or color would pop out of the pages of the board book, a jigsaw puzzle right there in the book. The shapes are simple and easy to handle, but extremely fun to learn from. Under each puzzle piece was a little more learning to keep them entertained.

As time has carried on we’ve now all but completely passed them down to Littlebug, although there are times (usually during church) when the Turkeybird becomes completely enthralled with them again. He’ll take out all of the numbers or shapes and play a game with us by mixing them up and searching for the right place to put them. It’s the perfect tool for keeping little one’s minds and hands busy when you may need just a few minutes of peace and quiet.

I’d highly recommend any of the books pictured above, as well as any others in the same series. We have many more than are pictured here and I’m rarely found without at least a few of them.

The1stdaughter Recommends: Ages 4 and under. Perfect for teaching and busying little hands, especially when they need a little help being quiet.

For the comments: Do you have a favorite book to read on Sundays? A book for quiet peaceful times or just one that keeps the kiddos engaged for a few minutes?

These books were purchased for our home library.
Purchasing products by clicking through the links in this post will provide us a modest commission through our affiliate relationship with IndieBound.

We all leave our “footprint” on the world, in one way or another. We each, individually, do something or are someone that makes the world a little better just by being here. I created this weekly meme to get to know the blogging community I love just a bit better. To know what makes them tick, outside of books, that is. Each week I will post a question to be answered in the following week’s “A Bit of Me(Me)”. Check back each Saturday to get the info for next week’s post and link up with your current post right here.

I know, some of you are skeptical about putting yourself out there on the internet and I completely respect that. That’s the entire reason I have no desire to ever reveal the “real” names of The Turkeybird and Littlebug. In time, once they’re old enough, if they chose to do that on their own I will respect their decision. So, if ever during the time I’m doing this meme do you feel the question is just too personal for your liking, feel free to post something else, I never want anyone to feel uncomfortable with what they share and I promise it will always be “kid-friendly”. I mean, this is a primarily children’s and young adult site, you know?

So, let’s get started!

This Weeks Question: What is one thing you are really NOT good at?

I have one major fault. One that everyone in my family and many of my extended group of friends notice almost immediately. Without a doubt I have a terrible time saying the word “NO”. It’s even been pointed out recently how many online events I’ve been involved with. A lot of the time it’s because I just can’t seem to say a simple two letter word, and instead opt for the much more complicated three letter word:

To be completely honest, I love love love saying “yes”. I love helping others and absolutely adore being “part” of something outside of the daily routine I find myself in. Not that I don’t love my routine, it’s just nice to have something that’s just for me. You know? See, before I had children, I worked almost non-stop and often at a minimum of 60 hours a week. Not to mention the outside activities I was involved in with church and otherwise. I just love being involved. I live for the crowd, the discussion, and the friends! It’s all just too much to pass up. And definitely to a fault because recently I’ve been seeing a bit of this when I look up to my computer screen:

Not to mention a bit of this in the corner of my bedroom:

(Not my actual shelves, I wish!)

So, yes, things have been a bit chaotic and I’m constantly on the lookout for the next fun thing to be involved with but I live for it. I’m slowly making more time for other things, like my sewing and quilting I need to finish up on, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I have been working on a “schedule” that seems to be helping quite a bit. But as for this small little fault, I’m not sure it’s going anywhere any time soon.

So yeah, have an event you need help with? I’m your gal!

Now, your turn! Link up below and tell everyone “A Bit of You!”

Next Week’s Question: What is your favorite smell and why? Does it bring back memories?
Have a question to add? I’d love some suggestions! Just leave them in the comments and I’ll see about adding them in as we go!

Also, feel free to grab either of the buttons for your own “A Bit of Me(Me)” post (or create your own), but make sure to link back to There’s A Book. (You can also resize these down to a smaller size if you’d like.)

Tell Me A Secret by Holly Cupala

Published by HarperTeen (An Imprint of HarperCollins)

Pages: 304

Ages: Young Adult (14 and up)

Publishers Summary: In the five years since her bad-girl sister Xanda’s death, Miranda Mathison has wondered about the secret her sister took to the grave, and what really happened the night she died. Now, just as Miranda is on the cusp of her dreams—a best friend to unlock her sister’s world, a ticket to art school, and a boyfriend to fly her away from it all—Miranda has a secret all her own.

When two lines on a pregnancy test confirm her worst fears, Miranda is stripped of her former life. She must make a choice with tremendous consequences and finally face her sister’s demons and her own.

“Miranda, no, Rand is a girl with secrets. Yes, we all have secrets but not many of us have secrets that could forever change the landscape of the lives of everyone surrounding us. Unfortunately for Rand her secrets have huge consequences. And it’s just one of many secrets that have sent her and her family in a continuous downward spiral even since before she was born.

“Do you keep secrets? Secrets can be some of the most damaging things we carrying with us. Sometimes we do it because we think we are protecting others and then there are the times we are protecting ourselves. As the theme carries throughout the story from character to character you slowly discover that the secrets in Rand’s life began before her birth and don’t ever seem to stop. Again, some are kept with the best of intentions, like those from her mother, and others are intentionally kept from her, including those from her so-called friend Delaney. The most tragic secret is of course the one kept from her by her late sister Xanda.

“Holly Cupala’s debut novel, Tell Me A Secret, is a tremendously well written story that explores not only the relationships we have with those around us, but the choices we make and their impact. It’s not often that I find myself enjoying a story about a young girl, still in high school, who after some poor choices ends up pregnant, but Rand was an amazing character. She was incredibly likable and I found myself relating to many of her doubts from when I was a teenager. Didn’t we all question whether there was that guy that would still like us after spilled some of our deepest feelings? Or wonder about the girls around us and whether their intentions were pure? There are so many feelings that get wrapped up into being a teenager and Cupala did a brilliant job communicating each of them in her novel.

“It’s almost difficult to believe Tell Me A Secret is a debut novel. Holly Cupala does such an amazing job illustrating each facet of teenage life without sounding condescending or out of touch. Each of the characters in the book brought something different to the experience, even the minor ones. I’m also not an advocate of teenage pregnancy, but Cupala handled a touchy situation with finesse. Without a doubt Tell Me A Secret is a book I would eagerly share with readers of almost any age, especially those that enjoy a well written young adult novel.”

The1stdaughter Recommends: Ages 14 and up. A brilliant debut novel I’m eager to share with young readers!

For the Comments: Do you keep secrets? Why or why not?

Take a look at the Virtual Blog Tour for some amazing (and hilarious) interviews with Holly Cupala and learn about how to win some great items related to the book:

The Tell Me A Secret Virtual Blog Tour from June 14 – July 30

This book was provided by Other Shelf Tours for Review. Thank you!
Purchasing products by clicking through the links in this post will provide us a modest commission through our affiliate relationship with IndieBound.

Sleepy Kittens by Cinco Paul & Ken Daurio Illustrated by Eric Gillon

Published by Hachette Book Group (An imprint of Little Brown & Company)

Ages: 4-8

Pages: 10

Publishers Summary:
An adorable board book with finger puppets based on a book featured in the animated movie, Despicable Me, coming from Universal Studios in Summer 2010. With gentle, rhythmic verse, little ones will love to snuggle up with these soft, cozy kitties at bedtime.

“Sleepy Kittens is exactly what the summary says, an adorable board book for little ones. There are little finger puppets attached to the top of the book that give you (and your little one) the chance to interact with the book. It’s a short and sweet little bedtime book about a mother kitty trying to coax her little kitties to bed for the night. She does everything from brushing their fur, giving them a drink and singing them a lullaby. All things I’m sure many of us can relate to at some point. Both Littlebug and Turkeybird are already enjoying this sweet book and I’m positive the little kitties will be a big hit in their upcoming movie debut, Despicable Me.”

The1stdaughter Recommends: Ages 1 and up. The perfect bedtime story for any little one, especially those with an affinity for kitties.

A Despicable Me Giveaway!

As I’m sure many of you have heard, Universal Pictures newest release Despicable Me comes out tomorrow, July 9th 2010! Our family is absolutely dying to go see it because not only does the story look amazing, but Steve Carrell is the voice of the main character, Gru. One of the reasons for breaking from the norm to promote a bit of a movie release is because, of course, it involves books! The title above, Sleepy Kittens, is featured in the movie and there is also a new line of books based off the movie. Exciting news for my readers, you have the wonderful opportunity of possibly winning a prize pack that includes all of the books (official Despicable Me book site)! Take a look below for details, as well as more info about the books & movie!

Movie Synopsis: In a happy suburban neighborhood surrounded by white picket fences with flowering rose bushes, sits a black house with a dead lawn. Unbeknownst to the neighbors, hidden deep beneath this home is a vast secret hideout. Surrounded by an army of tireless, little yellow minions, we discover Gru (Steve Carell), planning the biggest heist in the history of the world. He is going to steal the moon (Yes, the moon!) in Universal’s new 3-D CGI feature, Despicable Me.

Gru delights in all things wicked. Armed with his arsenal of shrink rays, freeze rays and battle-ready vehicles for land and air, he vanquishes all who stand in his way. Until the day he encounters the immense will of three little orphaned girls who look at him and see something that no one else has ever seen: a potential Dad.

One of the world’s greatest super-villains has just met his greatest challenge: three little girls named Margo, Edith and Agnes.

Genre: 3-D CGI Feature
Cast: Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Will Arnett, Kristen Wiig, Danny McBride, Miranda Cosgrove, Jack McBrayer, Mindy Kaling, Jemaine Clement and Julie Andrews
Directed by: Chris Renaud & Pierre Coffin
Written by: Cinco Paul & Ken Daurio
Produced by: Chris Meledandri, John Cohen, Janet Healy
Executive Producer: Nina Rappaport-Rowan

One (1) Winner will receive:

• Sleepy Kittens
• My Dad the Super Villain
• The World’s Greatest Villain
• Despicable Me: The Junior Novel
• Despicable Me T-shirt
• Despicable Me pencil

Details: One winner will be chosen at random after the contest closes. You MUST fill out the form below, comments will not count as entries. Only one entry per household. Must be a follower of There’s A Book. Giveaway is open to US/Canadian Residents only. The giveaway will run from July 08, 2010 until July 30, 2010 midnight EST.

This book and giveaway were provided by Big Honcho Media, in conjunction with Little, Brown and Company & Universal Studios, for review. Thank you!
Purchasing products by clicking through the links in this post will provide us a modest commission through our affiliate relationship with IndieBound.

Blog Name: The Lost Entwife
Blog URL: http://thelostentwife.net
Twitter Name: @lrpresley
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/50581

When did you start your blog and why? Give us a little info about your blog too.

I technically started my blog in November of 2006. When I started the blog I intended to just write about my day-to-day life.. but as time progressed my life started to change and I never had time to write. Then I started up on GoodReads and discovered that I loved reviewing books – it helped cement the books in my memory (I have a horrible time remembering names!), and it gave me something to send my friends and family to when they were looking for a good book to read.

Then one day last December I thought.. why aren’t I posting these to my blog? I considered starting up a new blog but couldn’t come up with any names that were unique and fit me as much as The Lost Entwife did. And.. being as an Entwife is a literary character written about by the great J.R.R. Tolkien.. I decided to stay put and I’ve been blogging since.

Tell us a little about yourself outside of your interest in books.

I’m a family girl. I’m the eldest of nine children, all from the same two parents. I’ve been playing piano since I was four years old and even went to college in pursuit of a piano performance degree. I also game quite a bit and have love exploring the lore behind some of my favorite games. Right now I get plenty of time to read because I am a full-time caregiver to my 7 year old nephew, Cole and my 5 year old niece, Grace. Since I’ve been living with them I’ve watched them grow from pre-schoolers to Grace now entering Kindergarten and Cole 2nd grade. My love of reading has always been apparent to them and I am having a blast introducing them to some of my favorite literature.

Your favorite book from your youth and the story behind it.

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. I have so many fond memories of this book. I’ve read it more than two dozen times in my lifetime and the first time the story was told to me was by my Dad. He said, and I believe this as well, that The Hobbit is a book to be read out loud and just this past year I read it to my nephew, Cole. More than once I found myself moved to tears watching his expression. To this day, he still talks about the story and talks about how he can’t wait to be able to read and understand it by himself.

“Lydia is one of my favorite book bloggers and just a fabulous person to chat with as well. Her reviews are awesome! I only wish I could read as much as she does in a week. One of the other fantastic things about Lydia is her obsession with Tolkien. Definitely a favorite in our home. His books were also my late Uncle’s absolute favorite.

“Also, at the end of this month, Lydia is starting a new feature called ‘Cross-Bloggination’. Each month a few of us book bloggers will be guest posting on other sites just to share something a little bit different than what we normally review to our audience. This month I will be posting on Lydia’s site and I can’t wait!

“If you’re a fiction fan of almost any variety you will definitely want to take a look at The Lost Entwife! There’s no doubt in my mind that you will find something fabulous to add to your growing list of books to read as well as a wonderful blog to subscribe to. Thank you so much to Lydia for stopping by and sharing her favorite childhood book!”

Interested in participating in the When I Was Young feature? Read about it here.
Purchasing products by clicking through the links in this post will provide us a modest commission through our affiliate relationship with IndieBound.

The amazing Mary Elizabeth at Ten Thousand Hugs has generously highlighted my site today! I’m so excited! Mary Elizabeth has two sites (Ten Thousand Hugs and A Novel Idea) and both of them are fantastic. Make sure to stop by, take a look around and get to know a little bit more about little old me.

Are you a fan of fairy tales and fairy tale retellings?
Then you won’t want to miss this event!

Among many of the activities planned for the week we will be doing a group read and discussion of Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce. I can’t wait!

Besides, who wouldn’t want to participate in an event with such a beautiful logo? Isn’t it gorgeous? The fabulous Juju from Tales of a Whimsy is responsible for the beautiful logo and the amazing NotNessie from Today’s Adventure is hosting the event. It’s going to be spectacular!

This fabulous weekly recap is hosted by Shelia of One Persons Journey Through a World of Books. Each week we recap what we’ve read and look at what’s coming up this week. If you’re interested head over to Shelia’s site and get involved! It’s a blast and I may even stop by to see what you’re up to!

Here’s what we’ve been up to this week:

Read/Reviewed (Just click on the title to see the Review!):
A Vintage Affair by Isabel Wolf (Review for Chick Lit Reviews) – I absolutely adored this book! Definitely make sure to check out the review if you have a minute.
Tell Me A Secret by Holly Cupala (Review coming this week!)
First Words:Bright Baby by Roger Priddy
The Adventures of Precious the dog by Precious



Giveaways:
Go to Sleep, Russell the Sheep by Rob Scotton & Giveaway
Simple Steps Activity Book by Molly Smith and Illustrated by Tad Carpenter & Giveaway

Events/Features:
Board Book, Hardback or Paperback?
A Bit of Me(Me) – Five People for Lunch
Wish List: How Rocket Learned to Read by Tad Hills
Coming Very Soon: Got Books? (Have you signed up yet?)

What’s up for the week to come:

Reading/Reviewing:
Nice and Mean by Jessica Leader (Review coming soon!)
Good-Bye to All That by Margo Candela (Still reading)
Free to a Good Home by Eve Marie Mont (Still reading)
Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella (For Chick Lit Reviews)

The Turkeybird and Littlebug are Reading/Reviewing:
Toy Boat by Randall DeSeve and Illustrated by Loren Long
Time to Sleep, Sheep the Sheep by Mo Willems
Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach by Melanie Watt
Dr. Seuss’s ABC: An Amazing Alphabet Book! by Dr. Seuss

Giveaways Coming Up:
Got Books? Event…a very special giveaway and event you won’t want to miss!

So, what are you reading this week? Have any suggestions I should add to my reading pile?

Purchasing products by clicking through the links in this post will provide us a modest commission through our affiliate relationship with IndieBound.