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

This has been a good and bad week. I’ve had so many things I wanted to get done, but just didn’t get to. I had on my list to read and read, but had a big project come up and the Turkeybird hasn’t been sleeping. So, needless to say, I was/am very grateful for the holiday weekend. I’ve already finished one book and I’m hoping to get a couple more finished up on Monday, then I’ll be right back on track!

On a very positive note I was notified about my shortlist nominations for BBAW (Book Blogger Appreciation Week)! I’m really excited and can’t wait for all the activities going on that week.

Read/Reviewed (Just click on the title to see the Review!):
Sticky Burr: Adventures in Burrwood Forest by John Lechner (Review and Giveaway)
Robot Zot by Jon Scieszka and Illustrated by David Shannon
J’Adore New York by Isabelle Lafleche (For Chick Lit Reviews – Review coming Saturday)

Interviews and Guest Posts:
Guest Post and Giveaway: Dee Garretson Author of Wildfire Run
Guest Post: Adam Jay Epstein and Andrew Jacobson “The Books That Got Us Started”
When I Was Young – Reading Through Life

Events:
Just Floating In: BBAW Awards Shortlists Announced!
Hodge Podge: Book Blogger Happenings
Just Floating In: Top Secret – The Aristobrats by Jennifer Solow
Hodge Podge: Brooklyn Book Festival
A Bit of Me(Me) – The Men Who Make Me Tick

Giveaways:
Mackenzie Blue (Book One, The Secret Crush, and Friends Forever?) by Tina Wells
Spaceheadz by Jon Scieszka and Illustrated by Shane Prigmore
Sticky Burr: Adventures in Burrwood Forest by John Lechner
Signed Copy of Wildfire Run by Dee Garretson

What’s up for the week to come:

Reviewing/Reading:
Guardians of Ga’Hoole: The Capture by Kathryn Lasky
Dangerous Neighbors by Beth Kephart
Delcroix Academy: The Candidates by Inara Scott
Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
I Heart New York by Lindsey Kelk

The Turkeybird and Littlebug are Reading:
Amazing Faces by Lee Bennett Hopkins and Illustrated by Chris Soentpiet
No Bows! by Shirley Smith Duke and Illustrated by Jenny Mattheson
1 + 1=5 and Other Unlikely Additions by David La Rochelle and Illustrated by Brenda Sexton
Who Said Coo? by Deborah Ruddell
Animals Talk and Animals Go by Emily Bolam

Giveaways Coming Up:
Guardians of Ga’Hoole: The Capture by Kathryn Lasky

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.

©2010 There's A Book. All Rights Reserved.

Today I’m pleased to have both of the authors from the soon to be released novel, The Familiars. I asked them to both share a bit about the books that got them started being interested in reading. So here’s what they had to say:

ADAM JAY EPSTEIN spent his childhood in Great Neck, New York, while ANDREW JACOBSON grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but the two met in a parking garage out in Los Angeles. They have been writing for film and television together ever since. The Familiars is their first book.

One day, Adam asked Andrew, “Are you familiar with what a familiar is?” And from that simple question, Vastia was born, a fantastical world filled with the authors’ shared love of animals and magic. They wrote every word, sentence, and page together, sitting opposite each other.

Adam Jay Epstein lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Jane, their daughters, Penny and Olive, and a black-and-white alley cat who hangs out in their backyard. Andrew Jacobson lives with his wife, Ashley, and their dog, Elvis, four traffic lights away.

THE FAMILIARS will be produced for film by Sam Raimi and Sony Animation.

Adam

“The Dungeons and Dragons Monster Manual” by Gary Gygax
Before I ever started reading novels, in third grade this was my introduction to fantasy. A friend’s older brother turned me onto it and after I purchased it and brought it home, I read it cover to cover. There’s no story, just a list of magical monsters in alphabetical order, but each one was like a story to me. And an excellent primer on mythology, both Greek, Norse, and Babylonian.

“Spell for Chameleon” by Piers Anthony
In fifth grade, my dad gave this book to me. Up until that point, I wasn’t really interested in novels at all. I’d rather read my dragon magazines and make up stories of my own. But on his recommendation, I started it, and couldn’t put it down. It was funny and the world of Xanth was like nothing I had ever seen. Plus with surprise twists and turns it got me hooked on the art of storytelling.

“The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien
The first Tolkien I ever read, and yes, still my favorite even over “The Lord of the Rings.” The classic hero’s journey tale and the book which all other fantasies are indebted, including mine!

Andrew

“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl

Notable not because it was the first book I ever remember reading, but because my 2nd grade teacher allowed us to keep a candy bar in our desk and take a bite each day during reading time.

“The Whipping Boy” by Sid Fleischman

A clever, twisty yarn that I returned to over and over again as a kid.

“Encyclopedia Brown” and “Two-Minute Mysteries” by Donald J. Sobol

I had a shelf full of “Encyclopedia Brown” books, and “Two-Minute Mysteries” take me back to family road trips and hours spent with my older brother trying to determine what happened to a man hanging from the ceiling over a puddle of water. (He stood atop a block of ice!)

You can learn more about “The Familiars” at www.thefamiliars.com where you can even “Find your own Familiar” and much more!

I want to say thank you so much to both Adam and Andrew for stopping by There’s A Book today! It’s always interesting to see all the different books that inspired us on our reading journey.

Make sure to stop by The Familiars site for more fun book info and don’t forget to pick up a copy when it releases on September 7th! I know I’m definitely looking forward to it!

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

©2010 There's A Book. All Rights Reserved.

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:

Crazy! If I could describe this week in one word, it would be crazy! So many reviews and so many books read. Plus, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend a writing conference with the wonderful Catherine Ryan Hyde, author of the well-know Pay It Forward as well as more than two dozen other books. It was the opportunity of a life time and I had an amazing time. I’ll be posting details in a few days once my brain settles a bit.

Read/Reviewed (Just click on the title to see the Review):
Mackenzie Blue (Book One) by Tina Wells (Review and Giveaway)
Spaceheadz by Jon Scieszka and Illustrated by Shane Prigmore (Review and Giveaway)
Wildfire Run by Dee Garretson
A Desirable Residence by Madeleine Wickham (For Chick Lit Reviews)

Interviews and Guest Posts:
Cross-Bloggination: Lydia from The Lost Entwife
When I Was Young – Bookish Blather

Events:
A Bit of Me(Me) – She Reads, Therefore She Is Brilliant
Just Floating In: Book Trailer for Ivy Devlin’s Low Red Moon
Just Floating In: New Improved Suessville
Just Floating In: New Releases in Children’s, MG and YA Books August 24th 2010

Giveaways:
Karma Doesn’t Bite for Book Bloggers
The Death (and Further Adventures) of Silas Winterbottom by Stephen Giles
Karma Bites Signed Book and $75 GC to Amazon Giveaway
A Desirable Residence by Madeleine Wickham (For Chick Lit Reviews)
Mackenzie Blue (Book One, The Secret Crush, and Friends Forever?) by Tina Wells
Spaceheadz by Jon Scieszka and Illustrated by Shane Prigmore

What’s up for the week to come:

Reviewing/Reading:
Dangerous Neighbors by Beth Kephart
Delcroix Academy: The Candidates by Inara Scott
Second Hand Heart by Catherine Ryan Hyde (For Chick Lit Reviews)
J’Adore New York by Isabelle Lafleche (For Chick Lit Reviews)

The Turkeybird and Littlebug are Reading:
Amazing Faces by Lee Bennett Hopkins and Illustrated by Chris Soentpiet
No Bows! by Shirley Smith Duke and Illustrated by Jenny Mattheson
1 + 1=5 and Other Unlikely Additions by David La Rochelle and Illustrated by Brenda Sexton
A Vampire Is Coming to Dinner! (10 Rules to Follow) by Pamela Jane
Who Said Coo? by Deborah Ruddell

Giveaways Coming Up:
Wildfire Run by Dee Garretson

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.

©2010 There's A Book. All Rights Reserved.

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:

This has been another fun week with more giveaways starting and most especially my get together with some other great book bloggers on Saturday. We’ve been busy, reading and trying to soak in the sun before it goes away with the end of summer coming up quick. At the end of this coming week I have the fantastic opportunity of meeting with Catherine Ryan Hyde (author of Pay It Forward) for a writing workshop. I’m so excited! I’ll keep everyone posted and give you all the details when I get back!

I was also featured over at Emily’s Reading Room in her new series titled “Blogger Confidential” along with some other fantastic book blogger. So check it out! Have a fabulous reading week!

Read/Reviewed (Just click on the title to see the Review!):
Karma Bites by Stacy Kramer and Valerie Thomas (Mini-Review and Huge Release Party Giveaway!)
Arson by Estevan Vega
The Death (and Further Adventures) of Silas Winterbottom by Stephen Giles
The Starlet by Mary McNamara (For Chick Lit Reviews)
Mackenzie Blue (Book One, The Secret Crush, and Friends Forever?) by Tina Wells (Review and Giveaway coming later today!)
Spaceheadz by Jon Scieszka and Illustrated by Shane Prigmore (Review and Giveaway coming Tuesday!)

Interviewed:
Heather from Capricious Reader
Stephen Giles author of The Death (and Further Adventures) of Silas Winterbottom

Features/Events:
New Releases August 17, 2010
Just Floating In: Letting You In On A Secret…
Hodge Podge: Blogger Confidential
A Bit of Me(Me) – Just the Three of Us

Giveaways:
Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten? by Audrey Vernick and Illustrated by Daniel Jennewein
Bob Books Sight Words: Kindergarten and Bob Books Sight Words: First Grade – 2 Winners!
Karma Doesn’t Bite for Book Bloggers
The Books of Pellinor by Alison Croggon Giveaway and Discussion Proposition
Karma Bites Signed Book and $75 GC to Amazon Giveaway
The Death (and Further Adventures) of Silas Winterbottom by Stephen Giles
A Desirable Residence by Madeleine Wickham (For Chick Lit Reviews)

What’s up for the week to come:

Reviewing/Reading:
Wildfire Run by Dee Garretson
The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff
Z by Michael Ford
Second Hand Heart by Catherine Ryan Hyde (For Chick Lit Reviews)
Katie Up and Down the Hall by Glenn Plaskin (For Chick Lit Reviews)
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (Like I could skip this one!)

The Turkeybird and Littlebug are Reading: (Yep, you read it right! Same books again, but that’s kids for you!)
Sticky Burr: Adventures in Burrwood Forest by John Lechner
Sticky Burr: The Prickly Peril by John Lechner
A Bird in a Bathing Suit by Dawn Mitchell and Illus. by Josh Will
Amazing Faces by Lee Bennett Hopkins and Illustrated by Chris Soentpiet
No Bows! by Shirley Smith Duke and Illustrated by Jenny Mattheson
1 + 1=5 and Other Unlikely Additions by David La Rochelle and Illustrated by Brenda Sexton

Giveaways Coming Up:
Mackenzie Blue (Book One, The Secret Crush, and Friends Forever?) by Tina Wells
Wildfire Run by Dee Garretson
Spaceheadz by Jon Scieszka and Illustrated by Shane Prigmore

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.

©2010 There's A Book. All Rights Reserved.

I’m completely flattered and honored to be a part of this. All of the other bloggers she interviewed are one’s I absolutely love and look up to. It’s definitely a series not to miss! The first in the series was up on Tuesday, all about how we Choose Our Next Books, and it will continue each week for the next few weeks. Check it out!

©2010 There's A Book. All Rights Reserved.