Ramblings-n-Writings

Archive for the ‘book related’ Category

As you can tell by the number of book reviews this past month, I’ve started reading a lot more books for review. I love being exposed to new authors and new stories. And I enjoy sharing my insight and opinions about the books.

I try to set aside time each day to do a little reading. Sometimes, even with the best of intentions, life just gets in the way, and my reading time disappears. If I miss a day or two, I know I have to make up that time by spending a morning or afternoon reading.

Once I finish a book, I often let the book germinate in my mind. I don’t write my review right away. Usually there’s one aspect of the book that stands out to me and that’s what I like to write about in my review. For some books, it’s the characters, others it’s the theme/message, and others it’s the storyline. When I initially finish a book, it’s hard to separate the wheat from the chaff, so I let the book germinate. In 2 or 3 days, the idea I remember from the book is what I emphasize in my review.

My favorite books are those that teach me something as an individual. Not teaching in a preachy way, but through example. When an author creates a character that I can identify with and then throws that character into a situation that causes an inner struggle that I’ve been through or am going through, I love it. (Yipes, that’s a wordy sentence.) Personally, I believe every book should teach something.

Okay, so that last paragraph is a rabbit trail…Going back to my finding time to read…

At times it is hard to keep up with my book schedule (publishers like book reviews posted during certain time frames). Sometimes I’m a couple of books ahead; other times I finish a book on the day of its tour. I try to not overwhelm myself with books, but the inevitable tends to happen.

I say all that to say that any book that is featured on Ramblings-n-Writings has been read by me. I know some book bloggers post the promotional material without reading the books. I’m not comfortable doing that. Personally, I’ve purchased and read books based on other blog reviews, and I’d like for my blog readers to know they can trust the books features here. If I don’t agree with a book or am uncomfortable recommending it, my review will say so. I believe in honesty and integrity. If you see the promotional material for a book without a review from me, consider the book recommended (life probably got in the way of my review).

Occasionally, I have the opportunity to create a book cover for a non-fiction book. My covers are always stock photography based, meaning they start with a photograph taken by someone else. I choose the specific photo because it reminds me of something in the book. Then I add graphical elements, fonts, and colors to make the cover unique. You can see some of my cover designs at Skala Creative.

Over at The Seekers, Janet interviewed James Griffin who has been creating book covers since 1976. Thirty-two years ago, he started creating covers, dare I say, the old-fashioned way … pre-computer. *gasp* Now his process includes a computer. Jump over to The Seekers to read how a man who can lay claim to 3,000+ covers creates them. And he makes those beautiful painting-like covers gracing the front of many fiction books!

The Faith ‘n Fiction question from My Friend Amy is:

The 2009 Christy Award Nominees were recently announced. Today’s assignment is to look at the list of nominees and share with us whether or not you have read any of them. If you haven’t read that particular novel, have you read anything by that author? Have you read all of the books in any category? What are your favorite books on the list? Are there any books you haven’t heard of?

Here’s the list of nominees:

CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Beyond the Night by Marlo Schalesky • WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group
Finding Stefanie by Susan May Warren • Tyndale House Publishers
Zora and Nicky: A Novel in Black and White by Claudia Mair Burney • David C. Cook

CONTEMPORARY SERIES, SEQUELS, AND NOVELLAS
Sisterchicks Go Brit! by Robin Jones Gunn • WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group
Summer Snow by Nicole Baart • Tyndale House Publishers
You Had Me at Good-bye by Tracey Bateman • FaithWords

CONTEMPORARY STANDALONE
Dogwood by Chris Fabry • Tyndale House Publishers
Embrace Me by Lisa Samson • Thomas Nelson
Tuesday Night at the Blue Moon by Debbie Fuller Thomas • Moody Publishers

FIRST NOVEL
Blue Hole Back Home by Joy Jordan-Lake • David C. Cook
Rain Song by Alice J. Wisler • Bethany House Publishers
Safe at Home by Richard Doster • David C. Cook

HISTORICAL
Shadow of Colossus by T.L. Higley • B&H Publishing Group
Until We Reach Home by Lynn Austin • Bethany House Publishers
Washington’s Lady by Nancy Moser • Bethany House Publishers

HISTORICAL ROMANCE
Calico Canyon by Mary Connealy • Barbour Publishers
From a Distance by Tamera Alexander • Bethany House Publishers
The Moon in the Mango Tree by Pamela Binnings Ewen • B&H Publishing Group

SUSPENSE
By Reason of Insanity by Randy Singer • Tyndale House Publishers
The Rook by Steven James • Revell
Winter Haven by Athol Dickson • Bethany House Publishers

VISIONARY
The Battle for Vast Dominion by George Bryan Polivka • Harvest House Publishers
Shade by John B. Olson • B&H Publishing Group
Vanish by Tom Pawlik • Tyndale House Publishers

YOUNG ADULT
The Fruit of My Lipstick by Shelley Adina • FaithWords
I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires by Cathy Gohlke • Moody Publishers
On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness by Andrew Peterson • WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group

MY ANSWER:

I haven’t read any books in the Contemporary Romance category, but I have read a book by Susan May Warren – The Perfect Match, which I thought was enjoyable. As far as the Contemporary Series, I’ve read some of the SisterChicks books (lighthearted, make you laugh, but drive home the message) and a book by Tracey Bateman that I don’t remember the name of. And in the Contemporary Standalone, I’ve not read any of those or the authors.

First Novel: I read Rain Song by Alice J. Wisler a couple of months ago and really enjoyed it. Wisler created amazing, believable characters, and to me, the characters make or break a book.

Historical, my all time favorite category, has two books that I’ve read. Until We Reach Home is a book that I struggled to “get into” at first. I’m so glad I finally did read it in entirety because now it’s one of my favorite books from the past year. I’ll even go so far as saying it’s a favorite out of all the books I’ve ever read. I really want to read it again (rare for me), however my mom has my copy. LOL Washington’s Lady is a book that I started reading quite awhile ago, but haven’t taken the time to finish (too many review books). I love how Nancy Moser weaves a tale around people from history that we’re familiar with. Her writing style is beautiful and makes me think I just finished a personal conversation with the character.  I’m glad I’m not a judge for this category because I’d have a really hard time choosing the winner!

Historical Romance has a book/author that I really want to read – Calico Canyon by Mary Connealy. (I’m not sure if this is the first book in her series or not.) I’ve heard great things about Connealy and her writing as well as rave reviews for this series. I plan to read it soon (if the local library ever gets their copies!). On the other hand, Tamera Alexander’s From a Distance is an awesome book! I adore her characters and walk away from her books a different person. Tamera is definitely one of my favorite historical authors. Personally, I hope From a Distance wins because it deserves the award!

For the final three categories (Suspense, Visionary, and Young Adult), I’ve not read any of those books or authors. Suspense is a “new” genre to me that I’m finding I like a lot. So, I think I’ll wait to see which book wins and pick up a copy.

The UPS man showed up today. The Farmer went out to meet him and do dog patrol (why do dogs always like the UPS man?). He brought back a nice size box … for me!!!

I hadn’t ordered anything recently. And the box was too big to be a blog tour book.

I looked at the return address – Zondervan. It was books!!!

Yep, books as in plural. 5 lbs of them. Three ARCs (Advanced Reader Copies) and a copy of Mary DeMuth’s Daisy Chain. I was quite excited.

I missed signing up for Daisy Chain’s blog tour, so I was hoping to snag a copy somewhere. Now I don’t have to. Guess what I’m reading tonight?

Did you get anything exciting in the mail or via delivery today?

This week’s Faith ‘n Fiction question from My Friend Amy is:

One of area of Christian fiction that is thriving is Biblical Fiction. Biblical fiction, in case you don’t know, is when an author takes a story from the Bible and imagines more of the details. Tosca Lee’s Havah would be a recent example of Biblical fiction.

What I want to know today is how you feel about Biblical fiction. Have you ever read any Biblical fiction? Did you enjoy it? Do you think Biblical fiction helps us to understand people who lived during Biblical times better or do you think that it’s unnecessary? Have you ever read any Biblical fiction that offended you?

In my opinion, biblical fiction is an acquired taste. I know some people love it, but others could live without it. I don’t go out of my way to choose biblical fiction, but I don’t mind reading it.

Perhaps the reason I don’t go out of my way is because I feel like the story has to be absolutely true to scripture. I realize the story will be fictionalized, but the facts that we do know from the Bible must be accurate. And as I read, I find myself wondering what’s true, what’s accurate, etc.

However, one of my favorite series of all time is a biblical fiction series – The Lions of Judah by Gilbert Morris (I wrote about the series here.)

Besides the Lions of Judah series, the only other biblical fiction I’ve read that comes to mind is the first couple of books in Brock and Bodie Thoene’s First Light series.

I don’t recall reading any biblical fiction that’s offended me. And after reading the Lions of Judah books, I definitely had a better understanding of the people in biblical times.