The Children's Book Review presents... Dover Books Great American Read Giveaway!

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're joining The Children's Book Review for a GIVEAWAY TOUR already in progress starring a few classic works available from Dover Books as featured in The Great American Read.  Recognize the name? You should, as we featured several of their titles in past round up posts, but if you don't, no worries...you'll be well acquainted by post's end. ^-^ First...a little about Dover Books....






"...Since our founding in 1941, we’ve built our reputation by offering remarkable products at amazing prices. Everyone in the Dover family wants you to be delighted with your purchase. When you shop at Dover, you may do so with complete confidence. We stand behind every product we sell with our unconditional guarantee..."



NOW, LET'S CHECK OUT THE TITLES FEATURED IN TODAY'S ROUND UP...

Looks good, right?

I mean, there are SO MANY classic titles there just waiting to be rediscovered and shared by you and yours.  Let's take a closer look...

Alice In Wonderland
Written by Lewis Carroll

One adventure follows another in this delightful tale as Alice changes size unexpectedly, attends a tea party given by the March Hare, visits a garden of talking flowers, and acts as witness at the trial of a thief who has stolen some tarts. Along the way, she meets such unforgettable characters as the Mad Hatter, the grinning Cheshire Cat, the tearful Mock Turtle, the hookah-smoking Caterpillar, the autocratic Red Queen, and other fanciful folk.

Alice in Wonderland is one of the world’s most-beloved works of fiction, charming children and adults alike with Alice’s adventures and Carroll’s audacious puns and wordplay — but at the same time it is a clever satire, lampooning Victorian education, literature, and politics. Now this enchanting fantasy, enhanced with all 42 original illustrations by John Tenniel, is ready to charm readers of all ages in this unabridged Evergreen Classics edition.

Anne Of Green Gables
Written by L. M. Montgomery

Life is forever changed at Green Gables, a tranquil farm on Canada’s Prince Edward Island, with the arrival of a redheaded chatterbox named Anne. The spirited, precocious 11-year-old orphan finds “scope for imagination” everywhere she looks, transforming the lives of Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, her elderly guardians, with her merry doings and misadventures. Anne — spelled with an “e,” as she gravely informs new acquaintances — builds a world of enchantment around Green Gables and its surrounding woodlands, lakes, and valleys. Thanks to the freckle-faced girl’s imaginative musings, the rustic region’s natural wonders blossom into a fairyland of endless romance. Anne’s inspired prattle, goodwill, and joie de vivre win her a warm circle of friends, just as they have won the hearts of readers around the world.

Since its first appearance in 1908, the novel has led generations of children to laugh and cry — but mostly laugh — along with this beloved story’s vivacious heroine. Now this inexpensive edition, complete and unabridged, introduces new readers to the ageless charm of a fanciful world made real by love and friendship. The inspiration for 2016 PBS movie and the 2017 CBC/Netflix Anne mini-series.

Reprint of a standard edition.

Little Women
Written by Louisa May Alcott

This American classic is as fresh and meaningful today as it was when it was first written in the 19th century. Largely based on the author’s own childhood, Little Women is a timeless tale of the four young March sisters — Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy — who grow to maturity in their mother’s tender but strong care. As different in their personalities as they are alike in their devotion to each other, the girls vow to support their beloved mother, Marmee, by behaving their best while Father is away, serving as an army chaplain in the Civil War.

Literary-minded tomboy Jo develops a fast friendship with the boy next door, and pretty Meg, the eldest, finds romance; frail and affectionate Beth fills the house with music, and little Amy, the youngest, seeks beauty with all the longing of an artist’s soul. Although poor in material wealth, the family possesses an abundance of love, friendship, and imaginative gifts that captivate readers time and again.

This inexpensive, complete and unabridged edition of this beloved novel is sure to delight a generation of new readers, as well as those reacquainting themselves with its warmth and charm.

Reprint of a standard edition. This classic was the inspiration for the May 2018 PBS three-part adaptation.

The Adventures Of Tom Sawyer
Written by Mark Twain

Like most boys, Tom Sawyer would rather play hooky than go to school. But Tom’s lively imagination and thirst for adventure lead him into the most extraordinary situations, from a search for buried treasure to the accidental witness of a murder in a graveyard. All of his exploits — tricking his pals into whitewashing a fence, sharing his medicine with the family cat, disrupting a church service with a pinching insect — are flavored with the humor for which his creator, Mark Twain, is justly famed.

In writing this great American classic, Twain drew upon his own memories of life in a small Missouri town before the Civil War. Since the book’s 1876 publication, generations of readers of all ages have laughed at Tom’s hijinks and taken him into their hearts, along with Huckleberry Finn, Becky Thatcher, Aunt Polly, and other memorable characters. This new Dover Evergreen Classics edition offers a fresh introduction to the lovable scamp and the enduring joys of his escapades.

Reprint of a standard edition.

The Call Of The Wild
Written by Jack London

This triumphant tale of survival, the greatest of Jack London’s works, relates the adventures of Buck, half-St. Bernard and half-Scottish sheepdog, who is forced into the brutal life of a sled-dog during the heady days of the Alaska gold rush.

Set in the harsh and unforgiving environment of the Far North, the story follows Buck as he grows daily in strength, savagery, and cunning, adapting to his hostile circumstances by responding to the stirring of his primitive ancestral traits. This unabridged edition offers young readers a fine introduction to the excitement of the classic adventure novel.

Reprint of the Macmillan Company, New York, 1903 edition.

The Story Of Frankenstein
Written by Mary Shelley

With his debut nearly two centuries ago, Dr. Frankenstein’s monster captured the popular imagination and never let go, haunting even those who have never read this classic of horror fiction. This specially adapted children’s edition retains all of the excitement of the original version yet makes the enduring Gothic fable accessible to youngsters.

The brilliant scientist Dr. Victor Frankenstein indulges his curiosity about the hidden laws of nature when he happens upon the secret to the animation of lifeless matter. Piecing together the detritus of butcher shops and dissecting rooms, the doctor fashions an eight-foot-tall creature whose loathsome appearance fills even his creator with repulsion. Abandoned by his maker, rejected with fear and disgust by everyone he encounters, the enraged and embittered monster goes on a murderous rampage, determined to destroy Frankenstein by striking at those closest to him.

Since its 1817 publication, this incredible and imaginative fantasy has held generations of readers spellbound. This new, specially abridged edition, enhanced with illustrations by Thea Kliros, will satisfy young readers’ appetites for gripping suspense and ghoulish thrills.

Original abridgment of a standard edition.

Adventures Of Don Quixote
Written by Argentina Palacio

“Once, there was a man who went crazy from too much reading. He only read books about knighthood; that was the problem.” So begins this charming retelling of Don Quixote de la Mancha, one of the most entertaining books ever written. Young people will delight in the hilarious adventures of the idealistic would-be knight and his “squire,” Sancho Panza, as they set out to right the wrongs of the world. Ms. Palacios, a talented storyteller, captures all the flavor and irony of the original as the two heroes ride forth to conquer evil. Along the way the well-meaning but addled knight-errand mistakes a miserable inn and its keeper for a castle and its lord; imagines an ordinary peasant girl to be the noble lady Dulcinea, perceives windmills as giants to be overcome, and gets enmeshed in other cases of mistaken identity. These, and many more incidents and adventures are retold here in a beguiling, easy-to-read version, enhanced by six new black-and-white illustrations by Thea Kliros. This edition is sure to delight today’s youngsters, just as the original has enchanted countless readers since its publication nearly 400 years ago.

Reprint of The Knight and the Squire, Doubleday & Company, Inc., Garden City, New York, 1979.

Five Great English Novels Boxed Set

Five volumes of landmark fiction by noted English authors include Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein,Joseph Conrad’s The Heart of Darkness, Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Charles Dickens’s Great Expectations, and Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights. Housed in an attractive slipcase, each of these classic tales is presented complete and unabridged.

Dover Original.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Like I said, there's some GREAT WORKS in the Dover Books line up this time around, and if you're itching to call them yours, KEEP READING!  Enter now for a chance to win a set of 7 titles from the Great American Read list, as well as the Five Great English Novels Boxed Set!

Two (2) grand prize winners receive:

A set of 7 titles from The Great American Read list:
Alice in Wonderland, by Lewis Carroll
Anne of Green Gables, by L. M. Montgomery
Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, by Mark Twain
The Call of the Wild, by Jack London
The Story of Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley
Adventures of Don Quixote, by Argentina Palacio
A Five Great English Novels Boxed Set:
Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen
Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens
Wuthering Heights, by Emily Brontë
Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley
The Heart of Darkness, by Joseph Conrad

Value: $51+

Three (3) runner-up winners receive:

A set of 7 titles from The Great American Read list (as above)

Value: $33+

CLICK HERE TO ENTER!

Giveaway begins May 23, 2017, at 12:01 A.M. PST and ends June 22, 2017, at 11:59 P.M. PST.
Giveaway open to residents of Canada and the fifty United States and the District of
Columbia who are 13 and older.
Prizes provided by Dover Books.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Special thanks to Bianca at The Children's Book Review for the chance to bring this tour to you. (THANKS!) For more information on these titles, the publisher, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above.  Be sure to check out the other sites participating in this tour for more bookish fun!

TOUR SCHEDULE

Word Spelunking	May 24
Confessions of a Book Addict	May 25
The OWL	May 29
Tales of A Wanna-Be SuperHero Mom	May 30
LitPick Student Book Reviews	May 31
A Few Words	June 1
Bites	June 2
The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow	June 5
icefairy's Treasure Chest	June 6
Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers	June 7
To Read, or Not To Read	June 8
ShootingStarsMag	June 11
The Fairview Review	June 13
Mommy Ramblings	June 19

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!



Decoding Edgar Allen Poe with Author Jeri Walker-Bickett!

Hi guys!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers...the place to be for a bookish break in your day because as we ALL know, it makes it that much sweeter.

Today, we usually partake of a teaser post...you know, where we share a line or two of our current reads to tease and entice other readers into the literary world we are partaking of.  It's fun, it's cool, it's gonna get skipped directly this week...but today's post sorta plays into that fun in a new way.  How so?  Keep reading my curious little bookish friends...

SO, when you think of the name EDGAR ALLEN POE, what comes to mind?

How about all of the above?

*nods*

Okay, so we have the symbolism his name invokes, but how about interest, enjoyment, and understanding?  Is the thought of reading Poe's work, enjoyable and enticing....or something akin to getting a root canal?

Whether your feelings fall to the former or most especially the latter, I just might have a solution for you.  It comes to us from an author that cut her teeth in the world of teaching, especially in the areas of English, composition, and Language Arts, so you know she's run across an assortment of students with varied understandings on the subjects covered...or in this case, authors.  She saw a problem...students struggling to understand the concepts behind Poe's classical works due to writing style and language....and formulated a solution, or rather a sort of study aid.  Which leads us to today's book of choice...

Popular Poe Stories in Plain English

Rewritten by

Jeri Walker-Bickett

If the title doesn't explain it all right there, I'm not sure what will...but I will try to expand on it.

Here we have a collection of FIVE of Poe's most popular tales, cut down to size.  Now, that's not to say the stories were changed or the meanings lost, just the maze of words and ramblings that Poe was known for, cut through into bite sized, student-friendly pieces.  Did it work every time?  Well...allow me to indulge in a brief overview of each if you will....

The Cask of Amontillado - Having not read this story first hand and only a faint notion of the story line in advance, I do believe it gets to the heart of the matter, or rather the deep dark sunk in the earth core, but I can't say I'm extraordinarily fond of it.  It's basically a man taking revenge on another avenging the wrongs he was dealt by the same said individual.  The only problem...the dude was uber smashed when the evil deeds were carried out....smart for the planned events, certainly as they'd give less resistance, but less satisfying I would think.  Anywho...

The Masque of the Red Death - Though I've not read this one previously either, I have seen the story visually and while not quite as creepy or stirring, it works.  You get the feel for the extravagant lifestyle presented for the benefit of the "guests" (or is it prisoners?) to escape their impending doom, while coming to understand that no one can truly escape their fate no matter how many gold gilded walls you build.

The Oval Portrait - A new story to me, but definitely engrossing.  Perhaps the shortest of the retellings, and yet one that will give you pause....reminding you that art imitating life is nice, life imitating art in it's most stringent sense is not.

The Pit and the Pendulum - This is the only one for me that really seemed to stick to the original pattern for most the story; that is the wandering story line and ability to still lose the reader.  Though about halfway through it rectify's it's approach, I still wasn't as fond of this effort.

The Tell-Tale Heart - Aw yes, now this one is another of his tales that I've actually read and while yes, the original can be a tangled web of delusion to work through, it still obviously works...as does this rendition.  We still feel his connection to his "boss".  We still feel his hatred of the eye.  We still feel his guilt creep mightily up his spine until he simply can't ignore the beating of that long dead but not to be silenced heart. *thump thump...thump thump*  Good stuff indeed.

In conclusion, a great way to introduce young minds to the works of Poe as well as assist student readers in understanding the basics of the tales before diving in head first.  There's no harm in asking for assistance if something is too perplexing, that's what study guides and group discussions were made for!  Take advantage of the resources at your disposal and discover an author you may have written off of your own "to read" list, finding a home there once again.

Author Jeri Walker-Bickett

Ebook for review courtesy of author Jeri Walker-Bickett.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title as well as her growing body of works, be sure to stop by her site, like her on Facebook, pin her on Pinterest, or follow along on Twitter.  This ebook is available now so be on the lookout for it on an eshelf near you...or you know, click HERE.  ^_^  

Until next time...happy reading!

BabyLit: Little Master Stoker, Dracula!

Vhy hello there.

Velcome to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers...the place that really knows how to take a bite out of reading and still save some for the vest of us.

Blah blah blah!

Hehe.

Sorry about that.  Couldn't resist.

Wondering why so corny or Transylvania-ish today?

Good question...to which I have an appropriately timed answer.

It's inspired by today's title selection that's once again celebrating the time of year with some spooky locations and a distinct inclusion of some rather pointy teeth, but for the wee little ones.  Yep.  You read that right.  Grab your not-so-sharp stakes (there are kiddos around) and a head of fresh garlic, it's time to greet today's board book of choice...

Little Master Stoker:  Dracula

A Counting Primer

by

Jennifer Adams

Illustrated by

Allison Oliver

BabyLit

978-1-4236-2280-6

As you might have presumed from the cover, it's a book starring creatures of the night, or rather one of the original night creatures, but for the set that would be WAY WAY WAAAAYYYY past their bedtime if they were roaming about at that hour.  No worries parents, guardians, and caretakers, this one won't keep the kiddos up later as the actual scare content is tempered, allowing the visuals and learning to take center stage.

Curious right?  I mean, how much actual learning can take place within a children's board book that seems to be story oriented?  A LOT actually.  First of course, the actual story included through both picture and word gets the wee ones acquainted (and older ones RE-acquainted) with the classic of yesteryear.  Well now, I suppose that was misspoken because it's just as popular (if not more so) today as it was back in the day, but I digress.  Each turn of the reinforced page reveals another glimpse into the tale as it progresses from innocent meeting to curious end, without the presence of so much as a drop of crimson to be seen.  A truly remarkable feat indeed as the story is still recognizable even as we track our progress mathematically.  Yes, here's where the other half of the learning equation comes in.

You're not simply reading this one for kicks, though you can if you like.  You're reading this one to learn your 1 - 2 - 3's.  Yes siree.  By the time you reach the end, you'll have counted everything from friends to heroes, wolves to boxes (*ahem*) and a few other surprising elements along the way.  Little ones will see not only visual representation of the numbers, but also have fun counting along the lushly illustrated canvas, something this series of kid's classics are well known for (and even have available for purchase as prints and more!  *squee*).

So, if you're looking for a holiday read to share with the WHOLE family including those perhaps still in diapers, seek thee out a copy of this title on a bookstore shelf near you.  Review copy To learn more about the BabyLit series, a trademark of Gibb-Smith, Inc, be sure to check out the series site (and shop!), the official site, the Facebook page, the Pinterest board, or follow along with the Twitter tweets.


Until next time...happy reading!

Oh Readers! We're not in Kansas anymore!

Hi guys!

Welcome back to the place that aims to please the reader in you, whether BIG or small or somewhere in-between it all....Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.  

It's Monday!  Whoop-de-do, right?  Wrong!  Monday is one of those days that's gotten a bad wrap simply because it falls at both the beginning and end, sorta like twilight but day-of-the-week wise in lieu of hour wise.  Not to worry, we're gonna get yours started off on the right foot with a great big dose of imagination and to think it all starts with a storm (*glances outside at gray sky*).  Today's book of choice is...

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

by

L. Frank Baum

Illustrated by

Michael Sieben

You know the story, a little girl wishing that she could make it over the rainbow to escape the gray tinged life she leads at present only to be confronted with the fact that life may appear greener on the other side (and the whole "technicolor" thing actually makes it so) but "there's no place like home" after all is said and done.  Good stuff...but if you've been nodding your head along in agreement to my brief synopsis there, you my friend have not in fact read the story.  *cue dramatic music*

I had actually read the story a few years back but when I saw this new illustrated edition hitting store shelves, I knew I had to check it out.  More on those pics in a moment, let's talk story.  The best thing I can say for those that have only seen the movie is you can keep the images of the primary characters in your mind's eye for placeholders in the story if you wish...but that's about it.  Yep.  True story.

The land of the Munchkins is far less munchkin-ny and Glinda sparkles WAY less than her supposed taffeta gown though she is still in fact a powerful and very good witch.  The infamous shoes are NOT red, the flying monkeys don't actually work for the Wicked Witch on a full time basis, in fact...the Wicked Witch herself plays a very small role in comparison to her betrayal in the movie though Dorothy's journey is still fraught with dangers at every turn.  Even the characters themselves are presented in different shades of their personalities.  Movie wise, they are weaker and seeking the wizard to actually gain what they lack; book wise, you can really see they've had each "thing" the whole time but merely needed something or someone to point it out (except Dorothy, unless she was hiding a balloon in her back pocket).  Quite the contrast but DEFINITELY worth the journey down the road of yellow bricks to discover all there is to see.  Now back to this edition in particular...

What makes this edition stand out from the rest?  The illustrations (and the hardbound packaging, which I
adore!).  It's not your typical lush images that we've come to expect from this story.  They are a bit more bleak, a bit more drab and yet they work well with all they depict.  From Dorothy's sunny face which is given an extra hint of color in an otherwise fairly monotone landscape to Toto's adorable little self with spunky attitude to spare, from the uncovering of the grand humbug to the reality of the poppy field not the fantasy (though this is a fantasy...right?  *-*) and all the way to the melting of the witch herself, it's a happy marriage between story and image.  I mean really, who would have thought that the limited color palate used would work so well and that despite the faces of our stout-hearted friends being something other than expected, they'd still be recognizable as themselves beyond a shadow of a doubt.

In conclusion, a worthy read indeed for the seasoned Oz visitor as well as those just journeying past the colors that arc across the sky.  It makes sharing the story with a new generation a grand adventure once again not only in text but also in visual aids.  Though read by both girls and boys for ages now, I can see this one garnering some additional attention from the fellas as the illustrator's style was developed originally in the skateboarding culture.  Definitely a great edition to add to your collection and one that will hold its own against the scores of others already out there.

Review copy received courtesy of Joel at It Books/HarperCollins Publishers.  (THANKS!)  For more

information on this title as well as their ever growing catalog , be sure to visit their official website, add them on Google+, pin them on Pinterest, like them on Facebook or follow along on Twitter.  This book celebrated its book birthday February of this year and should be available now on a bookstore shelf near you.

Until next time...happy reading!

Call Me...the Insatiable Reader

Hi guys!

Welcome back to the Sunday edition of Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers…the place where just because it’s the LAST DAY of the month, doesn't mean we’re slacking off on the posts.  ^_^

 Wow, can you believe it?  It is the LAST DAY of September.  Is it just me or did this year seem to blow by at times?  Anywho, not being one to let the days pass me by if I can help it, I bring to you today a curious bookish treat.  How’s it curious?  Well wouldn't you like to know!  Of course, BECAUSE you’d like to know is why I’m about to tell you…hehe…and that reason resides within the genre of the book, the delivery of the well known story, and the visual presentation.  All the mumbo jumbo boils down to the fact that it’s a Children’s Storybook take on a classic many know and some love, but the illustrations really make this one pop.  Ready to take a look inside?  Here we go. 

Today’s book of choice is….

Moby Dick:

Chasing the Great White Whale

Eric A. Kimmel

Paintings by

Andrew Glass

Told you it would be familiar!  Who hasn't heard of Moby Dick by Herman Melville?  Whether you've read it by choice, been forced into its pages by required reading lists and vindictive (just kidding!) teachers, or you've someone bypassed it in your bookish travels, you know the story…or at least the infamous opening line.

Call me Ishmael…

…so short and yet so recognizable, we are granted instant knowledge of what book is being referenced while being introduced to the main character if it’s your first time through.  Personally, I don’t believe I've ever read the original in its entirety (something I shall correct one day) but I have read bits in passing and certainly seen a silver screen take or two on the dramatic events covered.  For those not in the know, the book is about a young man and his adventure on the high seas aboard a ship named the Pequod, run by a man that could be pegged as the devil himself…or said to be chased by the devil himself because really his obsession turns PRETTY ugly and leads to some SERIOUSLY disastrous consequences.  So as not to spoil the story for those who've yet to explore it, I will refrain from revealing more…however there’s still MUCH to discuss on this one.

Obviously, this is not the original story (hence the author’s name being something other than Melville) but it has the charm of the tale it is wrought from with a twist that lightens the literary load both word and length wise.  I’m not afraid of BIG books but some younger readers are so what better way to make the gist of a hefty classic accessible than to put it in a storybook?  I can think of no other…especially since this one is creatively set to rhyme and meter.  That’s right!  A whale of a tale that puts men in small boats on the great big blue as a slightly demented captain seeks to right the wrong he was dealt so long ago.  The word pairings are clever and the overall story remains intact…a win win in my book!  Now the only thing that could make this any better would be pictures, glorious pictures of the men, the whale and the crew.  Oh look (glances at ARC)….

…they even thought of that!  But guess what?  These are not JUST pictures or illustrations though both are rather lovely, these are PAINTINGS…full fledged works of art that greet you wall to wall, err…cover to cover, page edge to page edge as you make your journey across the wild rough seas listening for that faithful call of “There she blows!”.  The images will have you turning through these pages at least another time or two even when you’re not in search of a story just to look at the art.  All the colors of the rainbow are present, each working with its neighbor to bring this story to life in a whole new way.  I’m amazed by the quality of each image as well as the time it must have taken to complete them!  Heck, it takes me long enough to draw a Pooh bear standing against the wind in a shower of fall leaves!  They are marvelous to behold and something that will make this classic into a more family friendly (aka all ages) read.

ARC for review courtesy of Ksenia at Feiwel and Friends, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group.  (THANKS!)  For more information this title as well as their complete and wondrous collection of books for the tall and the small, be sure to visit them online, like them on Facebook or follow along on Twitter.  This book released earlier this month and should be available now on a bookstore shelf near you.  One last note…to catch a glimpse at the artwork in a little more detail, be sure to check out the slide show now rolling over on the publisher’s website.

Until next time…go seek your own White Whale…and happy reading!

Twas the Night Before Christmas....Almost...

Hi there readers!

Welcome back to a late night edition of the site that aims to fill your Christmas stocking with reading joy….Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers. So, it’s almost Christmas Eve. Have you finished all your shopping and wrapping? Got the holiday food all ready to go? Yeah…if you do, raspberries to you. =0P Just kidding! But seriously, I’m happy for you. Me? Not so much. Been oh-so-busy with work that I haven’t had the time to finish out everything yet and seeing as how I work tomorrow morning (Christmas Eve no less…) looks like I’ll be finishing up tomorrow afternoon/evening. *le sigh* Not ideal, but better than NOT finishing, ya know? Anywho…

Tonight’s review is a quickie…in more ways than one! It’s a title that I try to read every year in one format or another and without even thinking about it what with all the other reading I have going on, I accomplished it yet again. TOO COOL! ^_^ So, what title is that? Why only the epitome of all holiday picks….today’s book of choice is….

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

By

Charles Dickens

Okay….so that’s NOT the actual cover over there. Sorry but try as I might, I couldn’t seem to find the match up for the one I read online and as I read it in preparation for story time at our store, I don’t have it in my actual home library, so we’re going off the actual experience right now as opposed to tempting you to purchase a particular copy. ^_^

So…the experience. It was much better than I expected. I wasn’t certain how much could be captured of the original story what with this particular edition being so very short and written in verse. Yep, that’s right. Think “Twas the Night Before Christmas” and add a touch of Dickens and TADA…you have your book. Anywho….the illustrations weren’t fantastical but they were present and for younger readers it would certainly supply the necessary visuals to get them involved in the story, one of the many reasons I was looking at it for the group event. As we all know, the classic tale does have a bit of a dark side with the possible death of Tiny Tim and Scrooge’s own impending doom, and though they aren’t entirely absent from the book….they handle it in stride with enough tact that even the wee little ones ears should be a fine audience.

In short (as promised), a surprisingly good read but then again…it IS Dickens after all. Though I don’t have the specifics on me about this particular edition (Sorry!), I can’t help but recommend the story itself to you in whatever format you may encounter it. It’s a classic that never grows old and with each new edition I add to me “read” collection, I find something else in the story to ponder or embrace. It’s stood the test of time with good reason and truly is a great reminder of what Christmas REALLY means.

So, be sure to share the love and joy of the season with those you hold dear…and those you simply meet in passing; there can never really be too much good cheer, after all. I’m off to start checking my list off once at least….

Until next time…happy holidays…and happy reading!

BLOG TOUR: Day 1: Surviving the Classics in a Whole New Way

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers….the place to get a taste of your next read (potentially at least). It’s Friday, it’s Friday…woo-hoo! Congratulations! You’ve made it through another week and for your reward, I grant thee…a weekend and THREE chances to win! Just check out the right hand sidebar for all the details. You’re welcome! ^_^ (Hehe…) Anywho…there’s plenty more reasons to celebrate the day that is today another of which will present itself right now….in the form of a blog tour!

That’s right! Today we play host to day one of a two day stop over for a blog featuring a children’s author that is taking the classics we know and love to a whole new level. How so? Read on my friend…read on.; for today’s feature is a review of the title, while tomorrow…let’s just say there’s a little surprise in store, so stay tuned. Without further adieu, today’s book of choice is….

Can You Survive?

Jack London’s Call of the Wild:

A Choose Your Own Path Book

By

Ryan Jacobson

From the publisher…

Stolen. Shipped. Enslaved.Can You Survive?


You find yourself in Alaska, a dangerous world of greedy men and savage dogs. Every moment, your life is at risk. Do you have what it takes to survive as Buck, literature’s most famous sled dog? Or will the freezing temperatures and rugged wilderness lead to your doom? Step into this adventure, and choose your path. But choose wisely, or else…

Okay, so as you probably ascertained from the title, this is a “choose-your-own-adventure” book…you know, like the ones from days gone by where you controlled your characters destiny? Yep….they’re BBBAAAACCCKKKK…with a vengeance and a few tricks up their proverbial sleeves. No sirree…this is certainly not your average book.

You start out in modern times as a young boy forced to endure a camping trip with dear old dad…and to make matters worse, you have to foot part of the bill. There goes your summer vacation of vegging around the house playing video games. Needless to say you don’t want to go which leads to a tantrum, an ill fated meeting with the family dog and a parent mad at you beyond compare. Good thing you actually LIKE being stuck in your room because that’s where you’re headed til a proper punishment is devised. At least it gives you time to think and ruminate on how your parents are ruining your life…or at least it would if those darn dogs would pipe down. I mean geesh! They sound like a pack of wolves they’re so loud….but wait, you’re not in the snowy northwest and that sound isn’t coming from outside your room but rather inside. O-O On the bottom shelf of the bookcase you discover something unimaginable…a paper copy (OMG…paper! Just kidding….) of Jack London’s timeless classic. Could a book POSSIBLY make all that racket…and if so, how? Only one way to find out…or to avoid it all, the choice is up to you….and so begins (or ends) the potential thrill (or not) of a lifetime.

I must say, I absolutely LOVED this read. Why? Well for starters, I was always a fan of the “choose-your-own-adventure” book format. I remember checking out several different ones from our school library as a child. I had the guilty habit of marking my spot so if something went wrong with my choice, I could always rewind the last scene. Second point to love….the way the book plays directly off of the classic story by Mr. London. It’s a great first exposure to the classic for little ones and a wonderful refresher for those that have read it previously. Trust me, the details are what’ll get you in the end. I speak from experience as I’m guilty of choosing the wrong option a time or two and dying miserably, but with the turn of the page, I was back again. By book’s end you’ll have a general outline of all the highlights in Buck’s life from innocent pup to dog of the wild from his point of view. The author did a splendid job of staying true to the original story and the imagery his words evoke truly transports you to the scenes taking place.

In summary, a familiar title with a new twist to shake things up a bit. You’ll learn the Law of Club and Fang. Make friends with John Thornton and enemies with Spitz as you journey through this harsh terrain. The path you take is in your own hands, but remember there is only one true way out, one way to survive. Do you have what it takes? We shall see….but at the very least you’ll pick up a skill or two along the way as well as the opportunity to immerse yourself in the classic from a whole new angle. Challenge your memory as you dive into the timeless tale or discover it for the first time. Either way, you can’t go wrong.



Ryan Jacobson

 Recommended reading for middle grade readers on up. This title just released this month so it should be readily available at a bookstore near you. Additional good news for fans of these adventure/classic combos….there’s ANOTHER book in the series being released in the early part of November dealing with none other than Sherlock Holmes! Exciting stuff!

ARC for review courtesy of Adventure Publications and author Ryan Jacobson. (THANKS!) To check out the publisher’s full catalog of titles, seek out their website. To learn more about Mr. Jacobson, feel free to visit his site, ‘like’ him on Facebook, or follow along on Twitter. Tomorrow’s stop on the blog tour, right here at Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers. Then on October 31st, the tour continues on making a stop off at Lost for Words. Be sure to check it out!



Until next time…happy reading!