Saturday, January 30, 2016

Film on Friday #46 - Greater

I love being entertained by a movie. But the ones that stay with me are those stories that are true. The ones that make you think long after the final credits roll.

Greater released yesterday in theatres. Greater is the story of Brandon Burlsworth - 'The Incredible True Story of the Greatest Walk-on in the History of College Football'.

Greater opens in 1999 Arkansas, where a young, awkward, clumsy Burlsworth declares that he is going to play for the Razorbacks one day. And then cuts to a road with a semi barreling down it, facing an oncoming car. So we know the beginning and the end. But it's the stuff in the middle that will have you laughing, crying, cheering and wishing you could have met this incredible young man....

Chris Severio stars as Brandon and veteran actor Neal McDonough as his older brother. Severio was great as Brandon - physically he looks very much like Burlsworth and his quiet, gentle, steadfast portrayal of this determined young man seemed to embody the spirit of Brandon. McDonough often appears as a 'bad guy' in movies  - it was refreshing to see a different side - as Marty, Brandon's caring and devoted brother. I also thought Leslie Easterbrook did a great job with the role of Brandon's Mom - personifying her steadfast belief in her son and her resolve to help him reach his dreams.

This is a movie about faith - faith in yourself, but most of all faith in God's plan. Brandon has no doubts, but his brother does. Director David Hunt sets up a nice visual of good and bad/God and the Devil using an old man and a young man on the sidelines of the football field to illustrate this.

Brandon's faith never wavered - he believed. Despite the odds, the setbacks, the cruelty and derision, rejection and dejection, he believed. And in doing so, others believed.....

Just an excellent, excellent movie - entertaining, but with a great message. It's rated PG, so it would be great family viewing as well. (But have some tissues ready...) Take a sneak peek at the trailer below.

"Do it the Burls Way". A saying coined after Brandon's death that means do it the right way, even when no one is looking - a good way to live life. I loved one of the last lines.....'Have Faith. This is My Road'. So....what's your road?

Friday, January 29, 2016

You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover # 90

- You can't judge a book by its cover - which is very true. 
 But you can like one cover version better than another.....

US cover
UK cover
I'm a sucker for the phrase 'psychological thriller'. Lisa Lutz's upcoming novel, The Passenger, has been described as such, and so has landed on my TBR list.The US cover is on the left and the UK cover is on the right. Well, an easy decision for me this week - US. It seems more 'adult' if you will and more ominous. The road headed into the darkness has me wondering - and wanting to open the book. For me, the UK cover is too 'cheesy'.
 And I think I've seen too many 'girl's eyes through blinds or mirrors or looking backwards over their shoulder' covers lately.
Any plans to read The Passenger? Which cover do you prefer?
You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover is now a regular Friday feature
at A Bookworm's World.

Thursday, January 28, 2016

The Evening Spider - Emily Arsenault

Emily Arsenault's newest book, The Evening Spider, has just released.

Two women, both new mothers, living in the same house - 130 years apart - Frances in the 1800's and Abby in 2014.

Arsenault employs a story telling technique that I quite enjoy - alternating chapters of past and present. The past is told from Frances's viewpoint and noted in her journal. That same journal lands in the hands of Abby in the present.

Arsenault uses a slow building tension to keep the reader engaged. Are the doors really closing on their own? Is it the wind or is someone or something trying to calm the baby with a gentle "Shhh'. Is it truly gentle or threatening? Or is it simply Abby being exhausted? Perhaps postpartum depression? And what of Frances? She is a curious woman, with interests not quite befitting the social mores of her time. Her lawyer husband repeatedly quashes her spirit. Is she truly delusional? Or is she too suffering from postpartum illness?

I found it fascinating that Arsenault based the past in part on a real historical crime. And I really enjoyed Abby's digging into the past through historical society records and old newspapers. (I've done this myself - it's addicting and so interesting.) Arsenault has utilized journals, books and visiting the past to solve the present in previous books to great effect.

The slow building question of what is really happening in the present is mirrored by the slow reveal of what has happened in the the past. I did find the additional storyline added to the present - a death in Abby's past - to be extraneous. It just didn't feel like part of the story for me. I was much more interested in the past and Frances's life. I liked the  creepy 'haunted house' aspect of the novel. The ending was not quite what I had expected - good, but not as satisfying as I hoped - I found I still had questions after I turned the last page. A good, but not great read for me.

"Emily Arsenault is also the author of The Broken Teaglass, In Search of the Rose Notes, and Miss Me When I’m Gone. She lives in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts, with her husband and daughter." You can connect with Emily on her website and find her on Facebook. See what others on the TLC book tour thought - full schedule can be found here.

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Over the Counter #299

What books caught my eye this week as they passed over the library counter and under my scanner? A pair of memoirs this week - on land and sea.....

First up is 438 Days: An Extraordinary True Story of Survival at Sea by Jonathan Franklin.

From the publisher, Simon and Schuster:

"The best survival book in a decade” (Outside magazine), 438 Days is the true story of the fisherman who survived fourteen months in a small boat drifting seven thousand miles across the Pacific Ocean.

On November 17, 2012, a pair of fishermen left the coast of Mexico for a weekend fishing trip in the open Pacific. That night, a violent storm ambushed them as they were fishing eighty miles offshore. As gale force winds and ten-foot waves pummeled their small, open boat from all sides and nearly capsized them, captain Salvador Alvarenga and his crewmate cut away a two-mile-long fishing line and began a desperate dash through crashing waves as they sought the safety of port.

Fourteen months later, on January 30, 2014, Alvarenga, now a hairy, wild-bearded and half-mad castaway, washed ashore on a nearly deserted island on the far side of the Pacific. He could barely speak and was unable to walk. He claimed to have drifted from Mexico, a journey of some seven thousand miles.

438 Days is the first-ever account of one of the most amazing survival stories in modern times. Based on dozens of hours of exclusive interviews with Alvarenga, his colleagues, search-and-rescue officials, the remote islanders who found him, and the medical team that saved his life, 438 Days is an unforgettable study of the resilience, will, ingenuity and determination required for one man to survive more than a year lost and adrift at sea."

Next up is The Midwife's Sister: The Story of Call the Midwife's Jennifer Worth by her sister Christine Lee.

From the publisher PanMacMillan:

"Our childhood came to an end when our parents parted and from then on Jennifer was placed in the impossible position of having to be a parent to me, her sister. I shall always be grateful for her protection . . .'

Millions have fallen in love with Jennifer Worth and her experiences in the East End as chronicled in Call the Midwife but little is known about her life outside this period. Now, in this moving and evocative memoir, Jennifer's sister, Christine, takes us from their early idyllic years to the cruelty and neglect they suffered after their parents divorced, from Jennifer being forced to leave home at fourteen to their training as nurses. After leaving nursing Jennifer took up a career in music, her first love, and Christine became a sculptor, but through marriages and children, joy and heartbreak, their lives remained intertwined. Absorbing and emotional, The Midwife's Sister is testimony to an enduring bond between two extraordinary women."

(Over the Counter is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World. I've sadly come the realization that I cannot physically read every book that catches my interest as it crosses over my counter at the library. But... I can mention them and maybe one of them will catch your eye as well. See if your local library has them on their shelves!)

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

The Last Witness - Denzil Meyrick

The Last Witness by Denzil Meyrick is the second book in his Detective Daley series. Now, I haven't read the first book, but didn't feel lost at all in The Last Witness. (although the first one sounds cracking good) The Last Witness is the first book in the series to be published in North America.

The series is set in Scotland. James Machie was a criminal kingpin in Glasgow. Five years ago he was assinated in the back of a transport vehicle. Then how in the world is on camera today killing those who testified against him? His former right hand man Frank MacDougall, has been in the witness protection program for the last five years. Jim Daley is stunned to find out that Frank has been living on his patch for the entire time. And that he now responsible for the safety of Frank and his family.

I liked Jim as a character, but I have to say that my favourite is his Sergeant, Brian Scott. His irreverent attitude is great fun and the perfect foil against their Superintendent, John Scott. (who's a piece of work) Daley plays peacemaker between the two.

Meyrick's dialogue is written as it would be spoken - Scottish brogue and all. I found it easy after a few pages, but some may not. There's also a fair amount of swearing and lots of drinking. Again, it fits the tone of the book, the characters and the setting. But some may be offended.

Meyrick has penned an imaginative plot, filled it with lots of action and created characters I would revisit again. He also has a dark sense of humour that mixes well with the noir feeling of The Last Witness.

Meyrick is writing what he knows, in settings, characters and plotting. "Denzil Meyrick was educated in Argyll, then after studying politics, joined the Strathclyde Police, serving in Glasgow. After being injured and developing back problems, he now works as a freelance journalist in both print and on radio. Denzil lives in Scotland." His prose absolutely have the ring of authenticity and accuracy.

And although the ending tied up things nicely, there's one or two questions about Daley's personal life that will hopefully be answered in the next book - one I'll be reading. Fans of Stuart MacBride would enjoy Meyrick's writing.  Read an excerpt of The Last Witness.

Monday, January 25, 2016

Giveaway - No Ordinary Life - Suzanne Redfearn

I really enjoyed Suzanne Redfearn's first book, Hush Little Baby. (my review) Her new book, No Ordinary Life, releases February 2/16 - and I have a copy to giveaway to one lucky reader!

From Grand Central Publishing:

"Suzanne Redfearn delivers another gripping page-turner in her latest novel, a story about a young mother's fight to protect her children from the dangerous world of Hollywood.

Faye Martin never expected her husband to abandon her and their three children . . . or that she'd have to struggle every day to make ends meet. So when her four-year-old daughter is discovered through a YouTube video and offered a starring role on a television series, it seems like her prayers have been answered. But when the reality of their new life settles in, Faye realizes that fame and fortune don't come without a price. In a world where everyone is an actor and every move is scrutinized by millions, it's impossible to know whom to trust, and Faye finds herself utterly alone in her struggle to save her family.

Emotionally riveting and insightful, No Ordinary Life is an unforgettable novel about the preciousness of childhood and the difficult choices a mother needs to make in order to protect this fragile time in her children's lives." Read an excerpt of No Ordinary Life.

"Suzanne Redfearn is a summa cum laude graduate from California Polytechnic University and is an architect, in addition to an author. She is also an avid surfer, golfer, skier, and Angels fan. She lives with her husband and children in California. No Ordinary Life is her second novel." You can connect with Suzanne on her website, touch base with her on Twitter @SuzanneRedfearn and find her on Facebook.

Sound like a book you'd enjoy? Enter for a chance at a copy using the Rafflecopter form below. Open to US and Canada, no po boxes please. Ends February 6/16. 

Friday, January 22, 2016

You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover #89

- You can't judge a book by its cover - which is very true. 
But you can like one cover version better than another....

US cover 
UK cover
Carol Goodman's new book River Road is on my (ever growing) TBR list. The US cover is on the left and the UK Cover is on the right. Similar colours this week with the deep blue and also a similar tone with the bare trees and snowy road. That little yellow arrow sign on the US cover drew my eye. But this week, I'm going with the UK cover. I like the way the trees seem to tower over the road and the blue is just a little deeper and darker - a tad more ominous. And of course, I always like the UK tag lines. Any plans to read River Road?
Which cover do you prefer?
You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World.

Thursday, January 21, 2016

The Prairie Girl Cupcake Cookbook by Jean Blacklock

There's much to be said for the cover of a book. Does it make you look twice? Make you want to open it to see what's waiting inside you to discover? Make you hungry? For a cupcake?

The Prairie Girl Cupcake Cookbook by Jean Blacklock does all of the above! And I love the tagline....Living Life One Cupcake at a Time.

Prairie Girl Bakery is a sought out bakery, known for having the best cupcakes in Toronto. Prairie Girl is a scratch bakery - they use real eggs, real chocolate and real butter, milk and fresh ingredients - no premade mixes or shortening. And if you can't make it to TO to pick a sweet treat from Prairie Girl, here's the next best thing - their recipes have been compiled into a just released cookbook.

The first few chapters explains those basic ingredients - and why they make a difference as well as tools.

PGB uses five basic recipes for their fifteen everyday cupcakes. Same for the icing recipes. Honestly, I was kind of stunned when I realized how easy they were. And that the PGB mantra works - good ingredients and follow the recipe - you can't mess up. And I didn't!

The treats of the week are a little more involved, but look so very good. I haven't managed to try them yet, but the Lemon Cheesecake Cupcakes are calling to me. There are so many choices in this section - perfect for holidays or special occasions. I know what I'm taking to the next pot luck, birthday, office celebration!

Blacklock has included gluten-free versions AND vegan versions of all the basic recipes - cake and icing. The last chapter touches on presentation and gifting cupcakes.

Each recipe can be used to make either 36 minis, 18 regular or 12 large. The one thing not included is the nutrition information. But really, just go ahead and enjoy one without worrying about calories - or two.....

The Prairie Girl Cupcake Cookbook is printed on lovely, heavy stock and is filled with lovely colour photos that will have you salivating. The layout of the book is great and recipes are clear and easy to follow. Blacklock's love of baking and engaging personality shines through all of the chapter introductions and tips in each recipes.

If you love cupcakes, this is definitely a cookbook you want to own.

Oh, and the name? " The owner, Jean Blacklock, is from Saskatoon and proud of her Prairie roots even though her former careers in law and banking took her to Calgary and Toronto."

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Over the Counter #298

What books caught my eye this week as they passed over the library counter and under my scanner? Clever food books with black covers this week.....

First up is Game of Scones: All Men Must Dine: A Parody by Jammy Lannister.

From the publisher, Harper Design:

"A spoof recipe book that pays homage to the smash worldwide bestselling novels and record-breaking HBO series Game of Thrones.

Dinner is coming . . . and it's sure to be unforgettable and delicious with this witty, must-have baking guide featuring pun-tastic jokes and clever, creative recipes inspired by key moments from all five seasons of Game of Thrones.

Complete with such unforgettable delights as Red (Velvet) Wedding Cake, Joffrey's Jaffas, Jaime and Cersei's Family Mess, Bran Muffins (Hodor!) and Oberyn's Smashing Head Surprise, and lavishly illustrated with color photos and step-by-step instructions throughout, Game of Scones is the ultimate cookbook and gift for Game of Thrones fans and every adventurous baker. As every GOT aficionado knows, all men must dine; Game of Scones adds flavor and fun to watching this groundbreaking show."

Next up is Mug It!: Easy and Delicious Meals for One by Pam McElroy.

From the publisher, Zest Books:

"Dinner for one can be a lonely, tasteless prospect. But when dinner (or lunch, breakfast, or a snack, for that matter) is made in a mug, it suddenly becomes a whole lot more interesting. From blueberry muffins and quiches to mac 'n cheese and chocolate peanut butter cake, Mug it contains 60 delicious recipes for every taste and craving. Perfect for after-school snacks, dorm room dinners, quick lunches at the office, and more, this book will change the way you think about mealtime."

(Over the Counter is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World. I've sadly come the realization that I cannot physically read every book that catches my interest as it crosses over my counter at the library. But... I can mention them and maybe one of them will catch your eye as well. See if your local library has them on their shelves!)

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Orphan X - Gregg Hurwitz

I've enjoyed a number of Gregg Hurwitz's previous books - he has penned quite a few page turning thrillers.

His latest book, Orphan X, has just released. It's the first in a planned series - and I'd say it's off to a great start!

Evan was plucked from an orphanage at twelve by a shadowy arm of the US government - a covert group runs The Orphan Program. Their mandate? To train assassins.

Evan was one of the most successful 'graduates' of the program - until he'd had enough and decided to disappear. Now, he uses his skill set to help those who can't help themselves - he's The Nowhere Man. And that was working - until his past decided to catch up with him. Now, someone has turned the tables and is trying to kill him....

Evan is a strong protagonist - skilled, resourceful, driven - all the characteristics that an action driven lead should possess. But there is a flip side to Evan - he does have a conscience and is determined to protect 'innocents'. It is this flip side that allows the reader to like Evan and hope that he escapes whoever is pursuing him.

And what a pursuit! Action and more action! And all of drawn and depicted so clearly that I could easily picture it in my mind. Hurwitz has done his research as well - there were numerous technological tools and obscure skills used that were well detailed. The story isn't straight forward though - who he can trust is a problem for Evan. Are the innocents he's trying to protect really what they claim? Or are they the assassins sent to kill him? The twists of the plot kept me guessing until the final chapters. The book ends on a nice little unexpected scene that just whets the reader's appetite for the next in the series. If you enjoy the Jason Bourne  and Jack Reacher novels, will enjoy this one.

Read an excerpt of Orphan X. The movie rights to Orphan X have already been snapped up  - Bradley Cooper to produce. You can connect with Gregg Hurwitz on his website, find him on Facebook, and follow him on Twitter.

Monday, January 18, 2016

Giveaway - The Hundred Year Walk by Dawn Anahid MacKeen

I've got an amazing book to giveaway today......The Hundred Year Walk: An Armenian Odyssey by Dawn Anahid MacKeen.

From the publisher, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt:

"An epic tale of one man’s courage in the face of genocide and his granddaughter’s quest to tell his story

In the heart of the Ottoman Empire as World War I rages, Stepan Miskjian’s world becomes undone. He is separated from his family as they are swept up in the government’s mass deportation of Armenians into internment camps. Gradually realizing the unthinkable—that they are all being driven to their deaths—he fights, through starvation and thirst, not to lose hope. Just before killing squads slaughter his caravan during a forced desert march, Stepan manages to escape, making a perilous six-day trek to the Euphrates River carrying nothing more than two cups of water and one gold coin. In his desperate bid for survival, Stepan dons disguises, outmaneuvers gendarmes, and, when he least expects it, encounters the miraculous kindness of strangers.

The Hundred-Year Walk alternates between Stepan’s saga and another journey that takes place a century later, after his family discovers his long-lost journals. Reading this rare firsthand account, his granddaughter Dawn MacKeen finds herself first drawn into the colorful bazaars before the war and then into the horrors Stepan later endured. Inspired to retrace his steps, she sets out alone to Turkey and Syria, shadowing her resourceful, resilient grandfather across a landscape still rife with tension. With his journals guiding her, she grows ever closer to the man she barely knew as a child. Their shared story is a testament to family, to home, and to the power of the human spirit to transcend the barriers of religion, ethnicity, and even time itself." Read an excerpt of The Hundred Year Walk.

Q and A with Dawn Anahid MacKeen:

Why did you feel compelled to write this book? 
"Ever since I can remember, my mother has been telling me about what happened to her father. Still, the story was relayed in fragments, and I couldn’t grasp how extraordinary it was until I could finally read it for myself as an adult. (This was thanks to a relative who translated his account, which was published in the sixties by a small press, from Armenian into English.) After reading it, I couldn’t believe that he survived, and the ripple effect that my entire family was alive. My grandfather Stepan believed he lived in order to tell the world what happened, and shared his ordeal with my mother throughout her childhood. She then passed it onto me. This is our family’s heirloom. Other people inherit fine china. I inherited this story, along with it the responsibility of retelling it.

Would you have survived this?
"I ask myself this all the time. At each turn, what would I have done when faced with the same near-impossible odds? Would I have made the same decisions as my grandfather? Or would I have given up? My grandfather did everything to reunite with his family again, transforming himself constantly, and pushing his own physical and emotional limits. He was level-headed, and always tried to plot his next step, escaping from one of the worst killing fields of the genocide. He donned the uniform of a Turkish soldier, dressed like Lawrence of Arabia, and became part of a clan to escape the Turkish gendarmes who were trying to kill him. He learned Arabic. Later in the war, he became a translator to a German officer later, using his basic French. This was a man who only had a third grade education, but the survival skills he picked up as a child after his father died helped him to persevere. He was also a kind man, which ingratiated strangers to assist him. And, of course, there’s the luck factor; he was extremely fortunate, too, to have been able to escape so many times when others didn’t have that opportunity.

But if I am honest with myself, I know I’m not as clever or as strong as him. I have long ago decided that I wouldn’t have lived."

How did you discover more of his journals?
"I had just moved back to Los Angeles from New York and was quickly finding out how difficult it was to report on this subject. I had the journals from the small press, but they only told part of the story. Of course, this is a genocide and most people didn’t survive, and even if they did, it’s a century later. Almost everyone involved was long gone. Suddenly, I was living at home at age 35, and feeling like a complete loser. My mother and I had a huge fight about me quitting. She didn’t want me to stop. Just to be flippant and to state the impossible, I blurted out: “I cannot help you unless you raise your father from the dead, and have him tell me what happened to him.” Two days later, my mother found two of his notebooks. After that, my uncle searched his garage and unearthed two more. After finding those, I felt almost as if I had a mandate to complete this project."

"Dawn Anahid MacKeen is an award-winning investigative journalist who spent nearly a decade on her grandfather’s story. Previously she was a staff writer at Salon, Newsday, and Smart Money. Her work has appeared in the New York Times Magazine, Elle, the Los Angeles Times, and elsewhere. She lives in Southern California." You can connect with Dawn on her website and follow her on Twitter
@Dawn MacKeen.

Enter to win a copy of The Hundred Year Walk using the Rafflecopter form below. Open to US only, no PO boxes please. Ends January 30/16.

Saturday, January 16, 2016

Coming Soon to the Big Screen - Greater

The best stories in life are the true ones - the inspirational ones. Greater - the story of Brandon Burlsworth is one of those stories. Greater releases in theatres on January 29/16 - and it's one I'll be watching.

"Brandon Burlsworth is perhaps the greatest walk-on in the history of college football. Brandon dreamed of playing for the Arkansas Razorbacks, but was told he wasn’t good enough to play Division I ball. Undeterred, Brandon took a risk and walked on in 1994. Written off by fellow teammates and coaches, Brandon displayed dogged determination in the face of staggering odds. The awkward kid who once was an embarrassment to his teammates and an annoyance to his coaches, ended up becoming the most respected player in the history of the program, changing the lives of all he touched.

Greater stars Neal McDonough (the CW’s Arrow, Band of Brothers) and newcomer Chris Severio as lead character Brandon Burlsworth, the unlikely star football player at the University of Arkansas whose inspiring life and legacy taught family, friends and fans about the greater purposes and lasting impact of a life lived for God."

Check out the trailer below.....and watch for my review.

Friday, January 15, 2016

You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover #88

- You can't judge a book by its cover - which is very true. 
 But you can like one cover version better than another.....

US cover
UK cover
The 12th book in Jeffery Deaver's Lincoln Rhyme  releases in The US cover is on the left and the UK cover is on the right.
March.  Although I find the yellow on the US cover eye catching, the image itself makes me think of construction equipment. (But upon reading the synopsis, I can see the reasoning behind this picture.) As always, I like the tag line on the UK cover. The red font seems fraught with danger as does the deserted cement walled room. So, for me it's the UK cover this week. Which cover do you prefer?
Any plans to read The Steel Kiss?
You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover is now a regular Friday feature
at A Bookworm's World.

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Over The Counter #297

What books caught my eye this week as they passed over the library counter and under my scanner? I am fascinated with old forgotten things and places that are uncovered and unearthed after many years. So this week it's trips and things lost then found.....

First up is Barn Find: Road Trip by Tom Cotter, photography by Michael Alan Ross.

From the publisher, Motorbooks:

"Great collector cars are still out there--just waiting to be found!

Sadly, there is very little reality in reality TV. That wouldn't be so bad except for the fact that these shows are the only TV shows for the barn-find collector car aficionado.

Barn Find Road Trip is the antidote to all the manufactured collector "reality" shows. It's a real-world, barn-find banzai run in which auto archaeologist Tom Cotter, his car collector pal Brian Barr, and photographer Michael Alan Ross embarked on a 14-day collector-car-seeking adventure with no predetermined destinations. It's barn-find freestyle! Roaming the Southeast, they documented their day-to-day car search in photos and through stories and interviews. This trip is absolutely real and the same kind of junket any gearhead with the skills, knowledge, and time can undertake.

Sadly, there is very little reality in reality TV. That wouldn't be so bad except for the fact that these shows are the only TV shows for the barn-find collector car aficionado.

Barn Find Road Trip is the antidote to all the manufactured collector "reality" shows. It's a real-world, barn-find banzai run in which auto archaeologist Tom Cotter, his car collector pal Brian Barr, and photographer Michael Alan Ross embarked on a 14-day collector-car-seeking adventure with no predetermined destinations. It's barn-find freestyle! Roaming the Southeast, they documented their day-to-day car search in photos and through stories and interviews. This trip is absolutely real and the same kind of junket any gearhead with the skills, knowledge, and time can undertake.

Cotter and company hit the road in Cotter's 1939 Ford Woody, the kind of car that opened doors and started the conversations that revealed where interesting cars were squirreled away. The result? The discovery of over 1,000 collector cars and some of the most amazing barn-find stories Cotter has yet unearthed, all accompanied by Ross' evocative photography. If you love stories of automotive adventure, this is the book for you!" (DH loved this one!)

Next up is Franklin's Lost Ship: The Historic Discovery of HMS Erebus by John Geiger and Alanna Mitchell.

From the publisher, Harper Collins:

"The greatest mystery in all of exploration is the fate of the 1845–1848 British Arctic Expedition commanded by Sir John Franklin. All 129 crewmen died, and the two ships seemingly vanished without a trace. The expedition's destruction was a mass disaster spread over two years. With the vessels beset and abandoned, the crew confronted a horrific ordeal. They suffered from lead poisoning, were stricken with scurvy and, ultimately, resorted to cannibalism in their final days. The mysterious fate of the ships, HMS Erebus and HMS Terror, has captured the public's imagination for seventeen decades.

Now, one of Franklin's lost ships has been found. During the summer of 2014, the Victoria Strait Expedition, the largest effort to find the ships since the 1850s, was led by Parks Canada in partnership with the Arctic Research Foundation, The Royal Canadian Geographical Society, and other public and private partners. The expedition used world-leading technology in underwater exploration and succeeded in a major find—the discovery of Erebus. News of the discovery made headlines around the world.

In this fully illustrated account, readers will learn about the exciting expedition, challenging search and the ship's discovery. Featuring the first images of the Erebus, this stunning book weaves together a story of historical mystery and modern adventure."

(Over the Counter is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World. I've sadly come the realization that I cannot physically read every book that catches my interest as it crosses over my counter at the library. But... I can mention them and maybe one of them will catch your eye as well. See if your local library has them on their shelves!)

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Beside Myself - Ann Morgan - Review AND Giveaway

I went to high school with a pair of identical twins. It was darn near impossible to tell them apart. They did have different personalities and interests and as time progressed it was quite easy to tell which was which. But, they did like to play games. They would occasionally attend each other's classes, with the teachers being none the wiser and would find great fun in pretending to be the other in social situations.

And that's the premise behind Ann Morgan's new book - Beside Myself. Helen and Ellie are twins. Helen is seemingly more intelligent than than Ellie. One day, Helen decides that it would be fun to switch identities for a day to fool people. But when the day is done...Ellie decides that she has no intention of switching back. And no one believes a word Helen says when she insists she is Helen, not Ellie. Turns out Ellie was a little smarter than Helen gave her credit for.

But...."If I keep just keep being Helen, I tell myself, then sooner or later the truth will be there for everyone to see." Or will it?

When I first saw the synopsis, I was intrigued - I love psychological twisty thrillers. But Morgan's story unfurled in a way I hadn't predicted. The driving force and voice behind Beside Myself is that of the original Helen, now an adult. We are treated to flashbacks of childhood and of original Helen's life as the years go by, told in an erratic timeline.

Helen has lived her life as Ellie - the twin not expected to amount to much, with her limited intelligence and her emotional and mental instability. Now living life as her twin, Helen manages to fill Ellie's shoes, descending into a life of drug abuse, mental illness and poverty completely alienated from her family.

In the present day, original Ellie is in a coma and her husband is desperate to find her sister, hoping that will help to wake her up. And so the twin's lives will cross paths again. Will the truth ever be revealed?

Beside Myself isn't really a thriller, but instead is a exploration and descent into the madness and mind of a severely damaged woman. I found many of the scenes and circumstances difficult to read. Helen is not the only damaged person in her family - Mom has her own issues. This is a dark read, with language and situations that suck the reader into the murk that is Helen's mind and world - a truly scary place.

Readers will have to be on their toes in the beginning of the book to keep straight who is talking - it it Helen - or is it Ellie? And you might need to take a break from the intensity of Helen's madness - I had to. But I'm in awe of Morgan's writing and depiction of a mind in chaos. Morgan throws in a nice twist at the end that was unexpected.

And if you'd like to own a copy of Beside Myself, I have one to giveaway, courtesy of Bloomsbury Publishing. Open to US and Canada, no PO boxes. Enter using the Rafflecopter form below.

"Ann Morgan is the author of The World Between Two Covers, based on her year-long journey around the world via books from every country. She continues to blog about her adventures with world literature at ayearofreadingtheworld.com. Morgan’s writing has also appeared in The Independent, The Financial Times, The Scotsman, BBC Culture, and The Guardian, among many others. She lives in London." You can also connect with Ann on Twitter and like her on Facebook. See what others on the TLC book tour thought - full schedule can be found here.

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

After You - Jojo Moyes

Friends kept telling me that I would really enjoy Jojo Moyes's books. I would nod and add them to my ever growing TBR list. I finally got to them last year. And you know - they were right!

Moyes is a wonderful storyteller, creating wonderful characters that I became totally engaged with and cared about, humorous situations and dialogue, and a storyline that captivates me. And the depth of the storylines caught me off guard initially - Moyes tackles some heavy topics. But she does it really, really well.

Her latest is After You, a follow up to the bestselling Me Before You. Do yourself a favour - read or listen to Me Before You first before this latest.

*Spoiler ahead - stop now if you plan to read the first book.*

For Louisa Clark, life continued after the death of Will. But this isn't the spunky, spirited Louisa we came to love in the first book. She's depressed (and rightly so) working in a dead end bar job in the airport, living away from her family and is just simply existing. Until a knock at the door brings a most unexpected visitor. That visitor, Lily, wakes up Louisa and shakes up her life.

Lily was a hard one for me. I think she had a lot of the same spirit as Louisa, but I found her somewhat annoying for the first bit of the book. And I must admit, I got a little annoyed with Lou for letting her walk all over her. My patience would have given out long before Lou's. But Lily redeems herself as the book progresses.

And it is all about progression and moving forward. For everyone, not just Lou. The families from the first book are also part of this story. (I love Lou's crazy family) And there are some new characters brought in that are just as engaging.

And again, Moyes tackles some hard issues - love, loss, grieving, families and more in her trademark fashion, with insight, empathy and humour.

Did it live up to the first book? For me, not quite, but pretty darn close. There was one too many yes, no, maybe so, will she, won't she situations. And although the ending is 'right', it's not what I envisioned.

I chose to listen to After You. Anna Acton was the reader. I just plain liked her voice. I thought she interpreted the story well and did justice to Moyes's work. Listen to an excerpt of After You.  Read an excerpt of After You.

You can connect with Jojo Moyes on her website, on Twitter as well as on Facebook.

Monday, January 11, 2016

The Crossing - Michael Connelly

Michael Connelly is one of my favourite crime novelists. I've read every one of the Detective Harry Bosch series. Connelly has another series - the 'Lincoln Lawyer' - featuring defense attorney Mickey Haller. (As well as some stand-alones)

At the end of the last Bosch book, I wondered where Connelly would take things, as Harry quit the force before they could fire him. He's hired his half-brother Haller to sue the department.

Connelly's new book is The Crossing. Haller has a client accused of murder that he truly believes is innocent. And he needs an investigator. Harry 'crosses over' from the prosecutorial side to the defense - with reluctance. But he's intrigued by the case.....

And so was I. Connelly's mysteries are always good, but Harry's crossing over to the 'dark side' was just as interesting. The cop skills are all there, but there's no badge or authority any longer, so Harry has to change the way he pursues a case.  We've seen interaction between Mickey and Harry in past books, but there's much more this time. I really enjoy Mickey's courtroom maneuverings. I did find the college and trip planning for their daughters somewhat extraneous, (and honestly I find Maddie just plain annoying), but it does add a personal note to both characters.

Connelly has kept this series fresh by dropping Harry into a new, uncomfortable situation. Will he stick with it? Stick with Mickey? This reader will be eagerly awaiting the next entry.

I chose to listen to The Crossing. Titus Welliver was the reader. He has a lovely little gravelly edge to his voice that suits the mental image I've created for Harry. His voice is easy to listen to, well articulated and modulated. And Welliver plays Bosch in the television series of the same name.  Listen to an excerpt of The CrossingRead an excerpt of The Crossing.

Saturday, January 9, 2016

Coming Soon to the Big Screen - 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi

13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi from Paramount Pictures, releases in theatres on January 15/16. I've seen the promos for it, and it's one I would like to see. And - it's a true story.....

The film, directed by Michael Bay, stars John Krasinski, Max Martini, and Toby Stevens.

"The movie depicts the courage and sacrifice of the men who fought to save the lives of their fellow citizens in Benghazi against overwhelming forces. They knew they were headed into a doomed battle, but their honor and bravery committed them to protect as many lives as possible."

Check out the featurette below and meet the real-life heroes who fought in the Battle of Benghazi. The video recounts what was most important to them as they headed to battle – their faith, their belief in God, and their conviction to do the right thing always – even if it meant sacrificing their lives.

“Faith teaches you how to live with courage, how to live with honor, gives you something to strive for. To me, that’s the American spirit.”

“I’ve always had that strong relationship with God. And that’s what’s gotten me through in life.”

 

Friday, January 8, 2016

You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover #87

- You can't judge a book by its cover - which is very true. 
 But you can like one cover version better than another....

US cover
UK cover
Beside Myself is Ann Morgan's debut novel. It's a psychological thriller about twins who switch identities..... The US cover is on the left and the UK cover is on the right. The mirror image on the US cover is definitely creepy and seems to promise a thrill of a read. But I kinda like the UK cover better - there's something about the stick figures with the dripping water that is quite ominous. So UK for  me this week. Which cover do you prefer?
Any plans to read Beside Myself?
You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover is a regular Friday feature
at A Bookworm's World.

Thursday, January 7, 2016

Turn Over A New Page With DK Canada!

So...did you make any resolutions for 2016? I prefer not to call them resolutions - instead I like to look at it as changes I'd like to make - or continue. I made some major changes to my diet at the end of last year - and it's still a work in progress....

DK Canada has put together a great selection of titles in their Turn Over A New Page boutique to start off 2016. "The prescription for joy is to learn something new! Start the new year by stirring up your brain juices - tackle a craft project, master a new skill or enrich an existing talent."

Energy Bites: High Protein Recipes for Increased Vitality and Wellness is one selection that immediately caught my eye. I've given up sugar and am working on processed foods as well. "All natural, plant-based, no refined sugar, superfood" is what I want I'm looking to eat. My afternoon snack has been granola bars, but I think these little protein balls would be a better alternative.

Many of the twenty top ingredients that form the basis of the bites are ones I had already had in my cupboards - quinoa, oats, almonds, walnuts, chia etc. The properties of these ingredients and why they're so good for you is also listed. The next few pages include another fifty items that can be incorporated into the basic energy bite formula.

And that formula is easy- simply choose one ingredient from each category, pop in the food processor, shape into balls and chill. "Nuts+Dried Fruit+Powder+Sticky Stuff+Coating=Energy Bite!" These are the basic no bake bites. Recipes are also included for savory bites made of veggies and lentils that require a bit of cooking. Each recipe has a different target - nutrient booster, instant energy, anti-oxidant etc.

I had all the ingredients on hand for Superfood Granola Balls, so I tried those first. They were easy to make, tasted great and the DH liked them as well. Nutrition information is included for each recipe - pay attention to these - the bites pack a nutritional punch in a small package. The Granola balls were 125 calories each. Next up for me in the Tropical Immune Boosters - mango and cashews at 55 calories each.

The recipes are indeed vegetarian, gluten and dairy free and free of refined sugars. Have a look for yourself - here's an excerpt of Energy Bites.

***DK Canada's I Love DK promotion started on January 1st as well. This is DK's annual tradition where they ask readers use the #ILoveDK hashtag to nominate a favourite DK book on Twitter or on DK Canada's Facebook page about their favourite DK book of all time and why you love it. Submit your fave by January 31/16.***

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Over the Counter #296

What books caught my eye this week as they passed over the library counter and under my scanner? Things that go bump in the night this week....

First up is Monster Hunters: On the Trail with Ghost Hunters, Bigfooters, Ufologists, and Other Paranormal Investigators by Tea Krulos.

From the publisher, Chicago Review Press:

"Do ghosts exist? What about the Bigfoot, or Skinwalkers? And how will we ever know? Journalist Tea Krulos spent over a year traveling nationwide to meet individuals who have made it their life's passion to hunt down evidence of entities that they believe exist, but that others might shrug off as nothing more than myths, fairytales, or overactive imaginations. Follow along with Krulos as he joins these believers in the field, exploring haunted houses, trekking through creepy forests, and scanning skies and lakes as they collect data on the unknown—poltergeists, Chupacabras, Skunk Apes (Bigfoot's stinky cousins), and West Virginia's Mothman. Along the way, he meets a diverse cast of characters—true believers, skeptics, and hoaxers—from the credible to the quirky. And in the end, Krulos leaves it to the reader to decide: are these people tilting at supernatural windmills, or are they onto something?"

Next up is Deep Dark Fears by Fran Krause.

From the publisher, Ten Speed Press:

"A devilishly funny collection of comics that explores our most gruesome, hilarious, and bizarre fears – and the dangers lurking around every corner.

We all have strange, irrational fears—from seeing ghosts in the bedroom mirror to being sucked into a mall escalator or finding yourself miles below the ocean’s surface on the deck of a sunken ship. In Deep Dark Fears, animator, illustrator, and cartoonist Fran Krause brings these fears to life in 101 vividly illustrated comics inspired by his wildly popular web comic and based on real fears submitted by online readers. Deep Dark Fears reveals a primal part of our humanity and highlighting both our idiosyncrasies and our similarities."

(Over the Counter is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World. I've sadly come the realization that I cannot physically read every book that catches my interest as it crosses over my counter at the library. But... I can mention them and maybe one of them will catch your eye as well. See if your local library has them on their shelves!)

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Giveaway - The Dirt on Ninth Grave

Oh, have I got a great giveaway for you today! The Dirt on Ninth Grave is the newest entry in Darynda Jones' Charley Davidson series, releasing on January 16th. And I have two copies to giveaway!

From the publisher, St. Martin's Press:

"In a small village in New York Charley Davidson is living as Jane Doe, a girl with no memory of who she is or where she came from. So when she is working at a diner and slowly begins to realize she can see dead people, she's more than a little taken aback. Stranger still are the people entering her life. They seem to know things about her. Things they hide with lies and half-truths. Soon, she senses something far darker. A force that wants to cause her harm, she is sure of it. Her saving grace comes in the form of a new friend she feels she can confide in and the fry cook, a devastatingly handsome man whose smile is breathtaking and touch is scalding. He stays close, and she almost feels safe with him around.

But no one can outrun their past, and the more lies that swirl around her-even from her new and trusted friends-the more disoriented she becomes, until she is confronted by a man who claims to have been sent to kill her. Sent by the darkest force in the universe. A force that absolutely will not stop until she is dead. Thankfully, she has a Rottweiler. But that doesn't help in her quest to find her identity and recover what she's lost. That will take all her courage and a touch of the power she feels flowing like electricity through her veins. She almost feels sorry for him. The devil in blue jeans. The disarming fry cook who lies with every breath he takes. She will get to the bottom of what he knows if it kills her. Or him. Either way." Read an excerpt of The Dirt on Ninth Grave.

"Winner of the 2009 Golden Heart® for Best Paranormal Romance for her manuscript First Grave on the Right, Darynda can't remember a time when she wasn't putting pen to paper. Darynda Jones lives in the Land of Enchantment, also known as New Mexico, with her husband of more than 25 years and two beautiful sons, aka the Mighty, Mighty Jones Boys." You can connect with Darynda on her website, find her on Facebook and talk to her on Twitter and join her Goodreads Fan Group where you'll find tons of discussions, giveaways, and Q and A's.

Sound like a book you'd enjoy? I have two hardcover copies to giveaway. Open to US and Canada, no PO boxes please. Enter using the Rafflecopter form below. Ends January 23/16. Good luck!

Monday, January 4, 2016

Humans of New York: Stories - Brandon Stanton

Brandon Stanton's Humans of New York is a daily fix for me. I usually follow HONY on Facebook. There are now over "fifteen million people who follow the blog everyday." In case, you've not heard of HONY....it started as a project to "photograph thousands of people on the streets of New York." Moving along, quotes were added to the pictures. And those quotes morphed into stories......

Humans of New York: Stories released at the end of last year, but I was holding off reading it 'til 'the right time' - a time where I could sit and ponder, enjoy each photo and the bits of life strangers chose to share.

New Years Day seemed like the right time - a perfect first book for 2016.

And it was. Stanton is a talented photographer, capturing people of all ages, genders, races and gamut of circumstances , conditions, relationships, life, work and more. I enjoyed the photographs on their own in the first book, but Stories is simply amazing. Each and every page, I started by looking, really looking, at the person and only then reading their story. Then back to the photograph. Stories will take you on an emotional ride - they're sad, joyful, uplifting, thought provoking, inspiring, moving and oh so addicting. If you're an online follower, you also know how connecting and powerful the blog is. The comments, the changes and the challenges inspired by this project are astounding. It took me most of the day to make my way through the 400 plus pages. As I turned the last page, I wondered what story I would tell......

Humans of New York: Stories is a book I'll read again. Absolutely a powerful way to start a New Year. See for yourself - read an excerpt of Humans of New York: Stories.

Friday, January 1, 2016

You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover #86

- You can't judge a book by its cover - which is very true.
 But you can like one cover version better than another.....

US cover
UK cover
If it has Harlan Coben's name on the cover, I'm reading it! His new book, Fool Me Once, releases in late March 2016. The US/Canadian cover is on the left and the UK cover is on the right. No question for me this week - I prefer the US cover. I'm not a fan of the UK 'damsel in distress' cover, although I appreciate the tagline. The US cover just says suspense to me, with both the colour and the broken glass. Which cover do you prefer? Do you plan to read Fool Me Once?
You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover is now a regular Friday feature
at A Bookworm's World.