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 a CRAZY week! I read so much that my eyes about had it and now we are out of town for a fun family reunion. Hopefully the coming weeks will bring some more fabulous books, and a little bit of rest, because boy do I need it!

Read/Reviewed (Just click on the title to see the Review!):
A Place for Delta by Melissa Walker and Illustrated by Richard Walker
The Lies We Told by Diane Chamberlain (Review for Chick Lit Reviews)
The Fixer Upper by Mary Kay Andrews (Review for Chick Lit Reviews) – LOVED this book!
Karma Bites by Stacy Kramer and Valerie Thomas (Review coming soon!)
Bogus by Karla Oceanak and Illustrated by Kendra Spanjer (Review coming soon!)
Go to Sleep, Russell the Sheep by Rob Scotton & Giveaway
Simple Steps Activity Book by Molly Smith and Illustrated by Tad Carpenter & Giveaway

Interviewed:
When I Was Young – Amused by Books

Giveaways:
Go to Sleep, Russell the Sheep by Rob Scotton
Simple Steps Activity Book by Molly Smith and Illustrated by Tad Carpenter
Pookster and the Unloose Tooth & Pookster and the Practically Perfect Pickle by Rhonda Funk (Ends June 30, 2010)

Events:
A Bit of Me(Me) – Your Favorite Word
Special Feature: Imagination in Focus
Coming Very Soon: Got Books? (Have you signed up yet?)

What’s up for the week to come:

Reading/Reviewing:
Good-Bye to All That by Margo Candela
Free to a Good Home by Eve Marie Mont
Tell Me A Secret by Holly Cupala

The Turkeybird and Littlebug are Reading:
First Words:Bright Baby by Roger Priddy (Review coming Thursday)
The Adventures of Precious the dog by Precious (Review coming Friday)
Toy Boat by Randall DeSeve and Illustrated by Loren Long

Giveaways Coming Up:
Stay tuned! We have something special planned for the Got Books? Event!

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.

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:

Another busy week here at There’s A Book! Quite a few reviews and if I have to pick just one for you to look at it would absolutely be The Secret Lives of Princesses, one of my favorite books of the year (even for adults!). I was also able to get most of my links added to my “Links” page, make sure to let me know if I missed you, it wasn’t intentional, I promise!

I was also able to go to lunch on Saturday with one of my favorite book bloggers, Jill from Fizzy Thoughts! We are actually going to start up a monthly get together now that we know we have another friend nearby as well, Gwen from Chew & Digest Books. It should be a blast and I can’t wait!

Besides that, we’ve had a house of sick kiddos, but slowly they’re getting back on their feet…just in time to go to grandma’s for the weekend for a family reunion of sorts. That’s what’s happening here, how about where you are?

Read/Reviewed (Just click on the title to see the Review!):
The Secret Lives of Princesses by Philippe Lechermeier Illustrated by Rebecca Dautremer
Keeper by Kathi Appelt Illustrated by August Hall
The One That I Want by Allison Winn Scotch (Review & Giveaway for Chick Lit Reviews)
Pookster and the Unloose Tooth & Pookster and the Practically Perfect Pickle by Rhonda Funk
Just Floating In: Lawn to Lawn by Dan Yaccarino
A Place for Delta by Melissa Walker and Illustrated by Richard Walker (Review coming tomorrow!)

Interviewed:
When I Was Young – Lale on Lit

Events:
A Bit of Me(Me) – Animals?
Friday Book Blogger Hop
Coming Very Soon: Got Books? (Have you signed up yet?)

Giveaways:
Pookster and the Unloose Tooth & Pookster and the Practically Perfect Pickle by Rhonda Funk
Go to Sleep, Russell the Sheep by Rob Scotton (Coming Thursday!)

What’s up for the week to come:

Reading/Reviewing:
Forget You by Jennifer Echols
The Lies We Told by Diane Chamberlain (Review for Chick Lit Reviews)
The Fixer Upper by Mary Kay Andrews (Review for Chick Lit Reviews)
Karma Bites by Stacy Kramer and Valerie Thomas
Bogus by Karla Oceanak and Illustrated by Kendra Spanjer

The Turkeybird and Littlebug are Reading/Reviewing:
Go to Sleep, Russell the Sheep by Rob Scotton (Coming Thursday!)
Simple Steps Activity Book by Molly Smith and Illustrated by Tad Carpenter
First Words:Bright Baby by Roger Priddy
The Adventures of Precious the dog by Precious

Giveaways Coming Up:
Go to Sleep, Russell the Sheep by Rob Scotton (Coming Thursday!)

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.

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 week has been another rip roaring crazy week here. Bloggiesta was this weekend and I was lucky enough to step in at the last minute for a Mini-Challenge all about figuring out your stats. It was really fun and I think I was able to help a lot of other bloggers out there! Besides that, I’ve been reading like crazy and running after kiddos constantly. I even managed to throw out my back mid-week at the park (Littlebug is getting a bit big to haul up the top of a slide, but not big enough to get up there herself). I’ve also been busy with Gina from Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers putting together a book event of Epic proportions! You will definitely want to check out the Got Books? event, it’s going to be fabulous!

New Event!!!

Also, I just wanted to mention one more time that I’ve started a new Meme here at There’s A Book! It’s called A Bit of Me(Me) and it runs every Saturday. After participating in Armchair BEA and getting to know a little bit more about some of the fabulous bloggers out there I wanted to take the opportunity to do a little more “meeting and greeting”. I also wanted something on the weekends that was a little more relaxing. This week’s participants were fabulous and I can’t wait for more to jump on board. So, take a look and try it out! I can’t wait to get to know everyone a little better!

Read/Reviewed (Just click on the title to see the Review!):
13 to Life by Shannon Delany
Beautiful Malice by Rebecca James
It Could Be Worse You Could Be Me by Ariel Leve (Review & Giveaway for Chick Lit Reviews)

Interviewed:
When I Was Young – A Novel Idea

Events/Memes:
Self-Nomination: Book Blogger Appreciation Week Awards
A Bit of Me(Me) – Movies

Bloggiesta:
Mini-Challenge: It’s All About the Numbers (A Stats Challenge)
My Starting Line – Let’s Go!
Day Two – Let’s Keep the Party Goin’!
Day Three – Just Checking In!

Giveaways:
Coming today: Pookster and the Unloose Tooth & Pookster and the Practically Perfect Pickle by Rhonda Funk

What’s up for the week to come:

Reviewing/Reading:
The Secret Lives of Princesses by Philippe Lechermeier Illustrated by Rebecca Dautremer
Keeper by Kathi Appelt Illustrated by August Hall
A Place for Delta by Melissa Walker and Illustrated by Richard Walker
Forget You by Jennifer Echols
The One That I Want by Allison Winn Scotch (Review & Giveaway for Chick Lit Reviews)
The Lies We Told by Diane Chamberlain (Review for Chick Lit Reviews)

The Turkeybird and Littlebug are Reviewing/Reading:
Pookster and the Unloose Tooth & Pookster and the Practically Perfect Pickle by Rhonda Funk (Coming Today!)
Go to Sleep, Russell the Sheep by Rob Scotton (Coming Thursday!)
Simple Steps Activity Book by Molly Smith and Illustrated by Tad Carpenter
First Words:Bright Baby by Roger Priddy

Giveaways Coming Up:
Go to Sleep, Russell the Sheep by Rob Scotton (Coming Thursday!)
The One That I Want by Allison Winn Scotch (Review & Giveaway for Chick Lit Reviews)

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.

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 week has been pretty relaxed, with the exception of reading of course! On Friday The Baker (my hubby) was sworn in as an attorney here in the state of California, which was actually a pretty neat experience. We went to the local courthouse and met with the Supreme Court Judge who talked to us a bit and then he was sworn in. It was a fantastic ending and beginning. We are absolutely excited to see what happens next!

New Event!!!

Also, I just wanted to let everyone know that I’ve started a new Meme here at There’s A Book! It’s called A Bit of Me(Me) and it runs every Saturday. After participating in Armchair BEA and getting to know a little bit more about some of the fabulous bloggers out there I wanted to take the opportunity to do a little more “meeting and greeting”. I also wanted something on the weekends that was a little more relaxing. This week’s participants were fabulous and I can’t wait for more to jump on board. So, take a look and try it out! I can’t wait to get to know everyone a little better!

Read/Reviewed (Just click on the title to see the Review!):
Tempted by PC Cast & Kristen Cast
From Head to Toe by Eric Carle
Coppernickel, The Invention by Wouter van Reek
My Name Is Memory by Ann Brasheres (For Chick Lit Reviews)

Interviewed:
When I Was Young – Live Green Mom

Giveaways:
One Copy of The Good Night, Sleep Tight Workbook by Kim West to one winner courtesy of the publisher Easton Studio Press. (Ends 6/11/2010)
One Copy of The Adventures of Daniel Boom aka Loud Boy: Grow Up! by D.J. Steinberg to two winners courtesy of Media Masters Publicity. (Ends 6/11/2010)

What’s up for the week to come:

Reviewing/Reading:
13 to Life by Shannon Delany (Review Coming today!)
Beautiful Malice by Rebecca James (Review Coming Thursday)
It Could Be Worse You Could Be Me by Ariel Leve (Review for Chick Lit Reviews)
A Place for Delta by Melissa Walker and Illustrated by Richard Walker
Forget You by Jennifer Echols

The Turkeybird and Littlebug are Reading/Reviewing:
Pookster and the Unloose Tooth & Pookster and the Practically Perfect Pickle by Rhonda Funk (Reviewing Coming Tuesday)
Numbers by Jane Smith and Illustrated by Jill McDonald
Jigsaw Farm Illustrated by Sanja Rescek

Giveaways Coming Up:
Go to Sleep, Russell the Sheep by Rob Scotton

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.

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:

Okay, so, the week before was relaxing, this week…not so much. It was mass craziness here, but so completely worth it with how the Armchair BEA event turned out. We ended up having more than 170 participants and more posts than I have been able to get to in their entirety just yet. I have a feeling I’m going to be doing A LOT of blog reading and catching up this week, but I’m definitely looking forward to it! Also, this may be why you see a bit of repetitiveness in my reading/reviewing from last week to this, it took up most of my time, so this week is back to the grind. How about you?

New Event!!!

Also, I just wanted to let everyone know that I’ve started a new Meme here at There’s A Book! It’s called A Bit of Me(Me) and it runs every Saturday. After participating in Armchair BEA and getting to know a little bit more about some of the fabulous bloggers out there I wanted to take the opportunity to do a little more “meeting and greeting”. I also wanted something on the weekends that was a little more relaxing. So, take a look and try it out! I can’t wait to get to know everyone a little better!

Read/Reviewed (Just click on the title to see the Review!):
The Summer of Skinny Dipping by Amanda Howells (Review for Chick Lit Reviews)
The Good Night, Sleep Tight Workbook by Kim West (Review and Giveaway)
The Adventures of Daniel Boom aka Loud Boy: Grow Up! by D.J. Steinberg (Review and Giveaway)

Interviewed:
When I Was Young – Erin from The World of Peachtree Publishers
Guest Post: D.J. Steinberg Author of The Adventures of Daniel Boom Series

Armchair BEA Posts:
Armchair BEA – Author’s How I Love Thee…
A Giveaway – Armchair BEA Style
The Author Blogger Connection – Good or Bad?
Armchair BEA Wrap-Up and Winner

Giveaways:
One Copy of each A Place For Birds & A Place For Frogs by Melissa Stewart to two winners courtesy of Peachtree Publishers. (Ends 5/31/2010, TODAY!)
One Copy of The Good Night, Sleep Tight Workbook by Kim West to one winner courtesy of the publisher Easton Studio Press. (Ends 6/11/2010)
One Copy of The Adventures of Daniel Boom aka Loud Boy: Grow Up! by D.J. Steinberg to two winners courtesy of Media Masters Publicity. (Ends 6/11/2010)

What’s up for the week to come:

Reviewing:
Coppernickel, The Invention by Wouter van Reek
Go to Sleep, Russell the Sheep by Rob Scotton
Tempted by PC Cast & Kristen Cast (Review coming tomorrow!)
13 to Life by Shannon Delany

Reading:
Burned by PC Cast & Kristen Cast
A Place for Delta by Melissa Walker and Illustrated by Richard Walker
Beautiful Malice by Rebecca James
My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares (Review for Chick Lit Reviews)
It Could Be Worse You Could Be Me by Ariel Leve (Review for Chick Lit Reviews)

The Turkeybird and Littlebug are Reading:
I Love You All Year Long by Steve Metzger and Claire Keay
Pookster and the Unloose Tooth & Pookster and the Practically Perfect Pickle by Rhonda Funk
From Head to Toe by Eric Carle

Giveaways Coming Up:
Go to Sleep, Russell the Sheep by Rob Scotton

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 Amazon.com.

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 an incredibly relaxing week, what with the huge weight lifted last week, things seem to be looking better and better everyday. That’s not to say I haven’t been busy, definitely not! I’m getting ready for the upcoming Arm Chair BEA that myself and a few others organized to gather together those of us looking to enjoy BEA (Book Expo America) from the comfort of our own homes. If you haven’t signed up, you still have time! Head on over to the main site and I’ll be seeing you around this week!

Read/Reviewed (Just click on the title to see the Review!):
Tempted by PC Cast & Kristen Cast (Review coming very soon!)
Leaving Unknown by Kerry Reichs (Review for Chick Lit Reviews) – Loved it!
One More Sheep by Mij Kelly Illustrated by Russell Ayto
Potty Animals by Hope Vestergaard Illustrated by Valeria Petrone
Cat the Cat Who Is That? by Mo Willems

Interviewed:
When I Was Young – Patty from Yay! Reads

Wish List:
Big Scary Monster by Thomas Docherty

Giveaways:
One Copy of each A Place For Birds & A Place For Frogs by Melissa Stewart to two winners courtesy of Peachtree Publishers. (Ends 5/31/2010)

What’s up for the week to come:

Reading/Reviewing:
The Good Night, Sleep Tight Workbook by Kim West
The Adventures of Daniel Boom aka Loud Boy: Grow Up! by D.J. Steinberg
Burned by PC Cast & Kristen Cast
The Summer of Skinny Dipping by Amanda Howells (Review for Chick Lit Reviews)
My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares (Review for Chick Lit Reviews)

The Turkeybird and Littlebug are Reading:
Go to Sleep, Russell the Sheep by Rob Scotton
I Love You All Year Long by Steve Metzger and Claire Keay
Coppernickel, The Invention by Wouter van Reek
Pookster and the Unloose Tooth & Pookster and the Practically Perfect Pickle by Rhonda Funk

Giveaways Coming Up:
Go to Sleep, Russell the Sheep by Rob Scotton
The Good Night, Sleep Tight Workbook by Kim West
The Adventures of Daniel Boom aka Loud Boy: Grow Up! by D.J. Steinberg

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 Amazon.com.

The Heart Is Not a Size by Beth Kephart

Published by HarperTeen (A division of HarperCollins)

Pages: 256

Ages: Young Adult

Publishers Summary: Georgia knows what it means to keep secrets. She knows how to ignore things. She knows that some things are better left unsaid. . . . Or are they?

When Georgia and her best friend, Riley, travel along with nine other suburban Pennsylvania kids to Anapra, a squatters’ village in the heat-flattened border city of Juarez, Mexico, secrets seem to percolate and threaten both a friendship and a life. Certainties unravel. Reality changes. And Georgia is left to figure out who she is outside the world she’s always known.

Beth Kephart paints a world filled with emotion, longing, and the hot Mexican sun.

“In a matter of pages Beth Kephart has you hooked, completely drawn in and begging to turn page after page of this beautiful novel. This is the story of Georgia and her good friend Riley as they travel to Juarez Mexico to discover where their hearts lie and how much they can hold. Somehow during this journey they discover that who they are is more than what others tell them, but how they care for the path they are given and those they meet along the way. Through this they find that the Heart truly is Not a Size.

“There is so much I could say about this book, because there are so many layers to it. Two of which would be first – the actual place, Juarez Mexico and secondly – the complicated relationships we have with those we care for. It’s amazing to me that Kephart can create such an incredible story in such a small amount of space. I quite literally devoured this book in a matter of two or three hours tops!

“First, I’d just like to mention Juarez. I’ve driven by this city at least half a dozen times on trips from California to Texas and every time it strikes me to my core. I still have images in my mind of the buildings next to the freeway in El Paso, how freely people drove from place to place and the luxury of it all. Yes, I know, El Paso is still not the most beautiful city to some, but it’s drastic difference with the city on the other side of the border is hard to forget. Just turn your head south and you immediately see the opposite, the disparity, the struggle and the poverty. It’s hard to believe that people could find joy in seeing what they lack so often by just looking to the north, but they do. Some of the happiest people my husband has ever met were those he met while serving his mission in Mexico in some of the most poverty stricken areas. People can find joy no matter their circumstance, it’s all how you approach your life and Kephart doesn’t fail to mention this.

“The second layer to the story are the people, the relationships, primarily between Georgia and Riley, and then with their own families. I related to Riley more than I think I’d like to admit. Her struggle for acceptance and approval is heart wrenching. She goes to the very most extreme, just have her mother reach out to her in a way that can help her understand she is happy with her choices in life. Georgia on the other hand has her own set of struggles and through Riley and Juarez she is able to step outside of her cage to discover her freedom.

“The beauty of this story truly rests with Kephart’s writing. There were some passages I found myself reading over and over again just to find the deepest meaning possible with them. It touched me beyond anything I’ve read in a very long time. A couple of my favorites:

“Silence defeats like nothing else does. There is no fighting it.” p.144

“You can want something more than you can say. That doesn’t ever mean it’s yours.” p.205

“The Heart Is Not a Size is a book everyone should read. Everyone. You will learn so much about yourself, about others and how you can reach out to others in some times extraordinarily simple ways. Truly the Heart is Not a Size and Kephart has captured that in this wonderful journey. A favorite of mine for years to come.”

The1stdaughter Recommends: Ages 12 and up. Everyone should read this book!

Make sure to take a look at The Heart Is Not a Size blog for more information about the book! As well as the Book Club and Contest!

This book was provided by HarperTeen for review purposes. Thank you!
Purchasing products by clicking through the links in this post will provide us a modest commission through our affiliate relationship with Amazon.com.

The fabulous J.Kaye hosts a weekly reading Monday post that I thought would be fun to get involved with. So every Monday you can come visit for a recap and a chance to see what’s coming up. Make sure to check back at J.Kaye’s Book Blog to see all the other great blogs participating and get involved yourself!

Last Week We Read:

The Turkeybird Reviewed: Little Pea, Little Hoot, Little Oink By Amy Krouse Rosenthal

The1stdaughter Reviewed: The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Littlebug, well, she just ate a few books.

We got to know Kara from Not Just for Kids and some of her favorites from her childhood.

What’s Up for This Week:

The1stdaughter is busy reading and writing for her upcoming participation in the TLC Book Tour for Winter’s Awakening by Shelley Shepard Gray.

Other titles in the reading pile for The1stdaughter are:

Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey

and

Love You Hate You Miss You by Elizabeth Scott

The Turkeybird is looking forward to reviewing:

I Love My New Toy! (An Elephant and Piggie Book) by Mo Willems

and

I Love You All Year Long (Padded Board Books) by Steve Metzger (Review Copy from Tiger Tales)

Littlebug will be busy celebrating her 1st birthday! So, we’re letting her by with one book:

Monster Faces (A Chunky Book(R)) by Tom Brannon

So, what are you reading this week? We can’t wait to hear all about it!