Boo to You from 43 Old Cemetery Road

Hi there!

How are you doing today?
Fine I hope.  This intro started out WAY different when I was initially writing this review.  Why?  Well...

...that was before the WONDER that is HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 2 was out in theaters and before I saw the midnight showing of it in 3D.  Yep.  It was SO worth the 3D for this one.  It was great, it was stupendous, it was...the end.  -sad face-  But I digress....we can always revisit that wondrous world in books and movies, that's the beauty of it all.  If you've seen it, share your experience...just avoid spoilers (well, not that there are spoilers story wise, I mean come on....we've all read it, right?)!  If not, you are in store for greatness.  Now, back to the review.  Where was I?  Oh yes.  I was tired....

I'm on the tired side of things but it could be worse, right?  Just taking things one day at a time, after all we have the advantage of change being just around the corner when others...aren't quite so lucky.  How so?  Ah, now to answer directly would spoil the surprise, but if you allow me to introduce today's book of choice...I'll see what I can do.  Deal?  Good!  Without further adieu, today's book of choice is....

43 Old Cemetery Road:
Til Death Do Us Bark
by
Kate Klise
illustrated by
M. Sarah Klise

In this third installment of the 43 Old Cemetery Road series, the fate of Mr. Noah Breth (get it?) is our main event.  He has joined the ranks of Ms. Olive C Spence (I love the play on words in the names), that is to say he has passed on to a better place and now the fortune he left behind is left to be claimed by his two undeserving and spoiled children....Kitty Breth and Kanine Breth (I kid you not, those are their names).  To make certain that only the best of these two non-optimal choices gets their hands on the dough, he's hidden it in a secret place. and left clever limericks all about the town to guide them to his most prized possession. 

Mean while, the old homestead (43 Old Cemetery Place that is) has a new arrival in the form of a beloved but lost dog named Secret.  As all good people do, Seymour Hope (the young lad and illustrator residing at this house) is instructed to seek out the dog's owners but until claimed...he is there's.  Seymour couldn't be more happy....though the neighbors may not be quite as thrilled with all the barking.  It seems like everything is falling into place and another happy ending is in sight....at least until secrets of another sort start rearing their ugly head.  Will Secret find his way to a happily ever after?  What of Kitty and Kanine's fortune?  My suggestion, find a quiet reading nook and settle in for a little mystery you'll want to read all about.....

I discovered this series a year or two ago thanks to NetGalley (the first one I read being book 2...review seen here) and wouldn't you know it...that's where I discovered the third installment in the series.  Gotta love it, right?  I have always been a fan of letter books such as The Jolly Postman ...you know, where you read the story but there are also fun pull outs along the way of actual letters written by the characters?  Yeah, they are too much fun (and if you haven't seen them, I DEFINITELY suggest you do regardless of your age, they are a blast).  This book series combines those elements into one with the actual STORY being told through people's letters, posts, menus, newspapers and the like.  Any form of the written word is fair game and that's literally how the story progresses.  Sound interesting?  It is, trust me.

You see, the resident ghostly author of 43 Old Cemetery Road, one Olive C. Spence, has passed on (well, that actually happened in book one I believe, but I've not had the pleasure of reading that one unfortunately, so I can only assume) and her preferred method of communication...you guessed it, writing.  It's not only her authorial nature that makes this a natural choice but also her desire to preserve this art form that seems to be slipping by the wayside with the advancement of all forms of technology...and aids in creating a wonderful series.  The author's (and illustrator's) way of sharing the details of the events happening keeps things fresh and creative inviting readers to use their imagination to fill in the blanks and showing you that pictures can speak a thousand words (because they are included as well from none other than the character by the name of Seymour Hope) but 1000 words sure go a long way too.

Despite having missed books one in the series (which I need to remedy some day), I continue to be right on top of the story as it progresses.  I'm left neither lost nor disconnected from the events taking place, leading me to believe that no matter where you are when you start the series, you'll be just fine.  Did I mention I love the word play employed throughout?  Especially when it comes to the names!  Seymour Hope....don't we all want to see that?  Noah Breth....describes his current state quite well.  Kitty and Kanine Breth....no comment (*grabs box of mints*).  Just try not to laugh as you uncover each citizens name as well as their matching profession....good luck with that.  ^_^

All in all, the story is simple enough, but not so much so that it's enjoyable to those outside the target age group.  You'll laugh.  You'll smile.  You'll have a great time and be ready for more....I know I am.  Review copy courtesy of Houghton, Harcourt, Mifflin and read via NetGalley.  (Thanks!)  For more information on either publisher or promoter, be sure to check out their sites and follow along on Twitter!  This book is now available at a bookstore near you so be sure to keep an eye out for it as well as the next installment of the series due out later this year.   As I understand it, it deals with phantoms.... 0_0

Until next time...happy reading!

The Roving Reader

Okay.

So first...this is TOTALLY not the post I planned for today.

What?  You don't think I planned one?

Pfft!

I did...promise....but as luck would have it I'm running low on time (HP7 part 2 midnight premiere is fast approaching...woo hoo!) and rather then haphazardly finish my review post, I saw this book in store and thought...PERFECT!

The Celery Stalks at Midnight

by

James Howe

Loving the title on this one...and for that matter the tease on the front!

"Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of artichokes? "

...too funny....not to mention I'll be lurking along with a lot of other folks at midnight tonight.

So how about you?

What caught your eye when out and about....or for that matter are YOU attending a midnight premiere for this long awaited movie?

Do tell!

BLOG TOUR: Pump Up Your Book Presents, Borneo Tom

Good morning everyone!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.  It's Wednesday and you know what that means.  We've reached the halfway mark for the week AND only about 31 hours and 40 minutes until Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2 is released.  Oh so excited about that although sad too....I mean it is the LAST movie and all but cie la vie, his character and the world J.K. Rowling created will live on forever in her books.  But I digress....let's get back to today's featured title.

Our guest today comes to us from a land far FAR far away and is a memoir...of sorts.  Without further adieu, courtesy of Pump Up Your Book promotions, today's book of choice and blog tour guest is...

Borneo Tom, In Story and Sketch:

Love, Travel, and Jungle Family in Tropical Asia

by

Tom McLaughlin

From Pump Up Your Book....

The story of ‘Borneo’ Tom McLaughlin, a US expat now living in Borneo and sharing his stories of life in a vastly different country. All the proceeds from his books go toward supporting the Matang Wildlife Center, which is a place that rehabs orang-utans and other amazing wildlife.

This could easily be called the life and times of a man with jungle fever....or a serious case of cabin (condo?) fever.  We journey with Tom from the shores of Erie (okay...Maryland) to the wilds of Borneo.  Native cultures and thriving wildlife are just two of the many interesting aspects explored within the book.  When we're not looking back at his life with the Peace Corps, we're looking around at the myriad of adventures just waiting outside his door.  Readers are exposed to his varied experiences in the workforce, his journeys into nature on both an ecological mission as well as self serving (at one time he gathered and collected insects for pay), and his greatest adventure of all....life, complete with family and a second marriage.

For me, it was when he met his "soon-to-be" wife that my interest in the book kicked in....up til that point, not so much.  I mean, it's not that his life wasn't interesting until then because with the amount of traveling he did, gleaning information from both places visited and cultures encountered was both enjoyable and convenient for all parties.  I think what really struck me about the first half of the book was the lack of connection from thought to thought.  It's almost like it was written using journal entries with each thought encapsulating a new paragraph but never quite picking up the torch.  Then we have the awkward size of the book.  It's true, the size allows for the illustrations to be an integral part of the series, while still letting everyone investigate who's who and what's what....but it's definitely not one you can take anywhere with you. 

In short, a look back on all the craziness that is life with a love story at its heart.  Though a younger audience may be hard to come by due to the subject matter and level of interest, this is certainly one for those that enjoy biographies as well as other works of non- fiction, but also the armchair traveler.  It's a great way to see a bit of the world for better or worse without ever having left your house.  Was it for me?  Not so much....but that doesn't mean it won't work for you.  One thing I do know, but I'm packing my bags and getting ready for the next adventure...*glances at book shelves*...hmm, where shall we go today?

Review copy courtesy of Jaime at Pump Up Your Book and author Tom McLaughlin.  For more information on the book promoter and their upcoming tours as well as the author's whereabouts, feel free to click on any of the links I've embedded above and you'll be whisked away in no time flat. 

Thanks for taking the time out of your busy day to make SFIR a part of your routine.

Until next time....happy reading!

READ ALL ABOUT IT: Upcoming E-chat!

Here ye, here ye....

...READ ALL ABOUT IT!

There's a NEW event coming up that YOU need to know about. Brought to you by the great folks at BookTrib.com....here's the SCOOP!

That's right!

A live e-chat with best selling author Elin Hilderbrand. Pretty cool, right?

Mark your calendars and be sure to stay tuned to BookTrib.com for more information on this event as well as those forth coming.

Until next time....happy reading!

The Roving Reader

Whoa.
Now that's not your average substitute teacher.... 0_0

Substitute Creacher
by
Chris Gall

What caught your eye when out and about?
Do tell!

WAT!: Nikolas and Company: A Creature Most Foul by Kevin McGill

Hi there, insatiable readers!

It's Friday....woo-hoo!

Here's hoping your weekend plans are all in order and everything comes off without a hitch.  Times here have been crazy busy, but what's new right?  Blog wise, we saw a few varied posts this week including a tour from Chronicle Books for their recent YA release, Spinning Out by David Stahler Jr.  Be sure to check it out becuase...well A)  it's good; B) there's a chance for you to win a copy all your own!  So just check out yesterday's post or click on the 'Current Contests' link in the right hand side bar.  Moving on....

I was lucky enough to partake in a recent 'First Look' event for a new children's title coming this September to a bookshelf near you.  It's a fantasy type adventure with creatures galore but enough human heart to reach a wide audience....in my opinion of course.  ^_^  Hmm...I think I feel a post coming on...because really....

 

WAT!

 

The WAT! MEME stands for 'What A Tease!'.  It exists to showcase those samplers and book excerpts that you've read and wish to highlight to some degree on your site...yet you have not had the chance to read the entire book for a review....thus, the "tease" aspect.  Have you run into this problem as well?  Feel free to "borrow" this MEME and post away!

Now on to today's feature...

 

Nikolas and Company:

A Creature Most Foul

by

Kevin McGill

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Wow.

What to say about this one?

It seems the city of Huron is calling for its protector, its steward...to stop the Rones from committing a peril to one and all.  Sounds ominous, right?  What if I told you that message was being conveyed mentally, ESP-ish if you will, to a 14 year old boy....from another time...on Earth....the former brother of Mon?  Yep....things just got a bit more interesting.

With Merrows and scuccas and all other manner of fantastical beasts and devices, you are in for a wondrous adventure to say the least.  I was skeptical at first, given my penchant for disliking high fantasy novels at times, but this one keeps it grounded enough for the likes of me  The cast of characters is wonderful.  From Nikolas to Grand (his grandfather), Tim (his disbelieving brother) to the Wendell sisters (comprised of a shopper, protector, and chef in the making)....even Xantheus and Daniel (fantasy gamer and grand-high science geek respectively) bring their own flair to this motley crew.  The chapters transition the story between character voices and time frames smoothly, never leaving you behind in the stardust.

Final thoughts...what a tease!

I can't wait for the full book release this September.

If you're on the edge of your seat and simply can't wait to get a taste of this one for yourself, problem solved!  The author is sharing the 'First Look' experience with readers round the world now on the book website, so go ahead!  Download the first 100 pages and see for yourself.

Special thanks to author Kevin McGill for the sneak peek.  Be sure to check out the book's website for more information (and don't forget to follow on Twitter!) and mark yor calendars for the upcoming book birthday.

So what have you been teased with of late?

Our wish lists are ready...do tell!

Until next time....happy reading!

BLOG TOUR: Spinning Out by David Stahler Jr

Hi there readers!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today I have a special treat for you, courtesy of the wonderful folks over at Chronicle Books.  (Hi guys!)  What kind of treat?  Good question.  It's actually a two part treat to be exact, so let's get to part number one....the blog tour! 

That's right!  Today, I get to play host to a blog tour for a title that just celebrated its book birthday a few weeks ago and features a unique story indeed.  It's made for the young adult sect (though certain to be found enjoyable to those beyond this age group.... *raises hand*), geared for male readers (with a predominantly male cast, it was bound to be....but rest assured there's plenty for the female audience as well....*keeps hand raised*), and will have you curious to find out what's really going on behind the bright lights right up til the end.  Ready for the big reveal?  Thought you might be.  Todays' book of choice and blog tour guest is....

Spinning Out

by

David Stahler

Frenchy and Stewart.  Stewart and Frenchy.  If peas in a pod are close, this duo is the human equivalent.....or at least until recent days.  Allow we to illuminate the situation.  Every morning starts the same.  Stewart picks Frenchy (whose real name is Gerry....but looks the part of his nickname, so it stuck) up for school and they head down to their favorite spot....to "clear" their heads (read those quotation marks as "smoke pot"...yep, there is drug use here).  Dually ready to face the day, they head out with a smile and a laugh in their signature carefree style.  This camaraderie, this bond is what helps them through life's ups and downs, its tragedies and triumphs (and despite their seemingly carefree demeanor, they've each got troubles of their own). 

It carries them into trouble and right back out.  This time...it's carrying them into the spotlight as Stewart convinces Frenchy to try out for the school musical with him.  Frenchy thinks it's a big joke, but goes along with him....after all, what are friends for?  Funny thing is though....Stewart seems to have been planning this theatrical interlude for a while and just how long becomes apparent with the school's performance selection; Man of La Mancha.  Stewart is aiming for the part of Cervantes aka Don Quixote; Frenchy (as can easily be gleaned), will try for Sancho.  (Art imitating life and all that.)  Friends til the end, do or die.  Supporting each other in their own way through thick and thin....but this time, the supporting role is taking a serious turn as the line between fantasy and reality is blurred beyond recognition.  It's gonna take more than "the wild winds of fortune" to carry them onward from the obstacles ahead.  Let's hope it does though....before it's too late.

There are so many layers to this story, even more so than at first glance.  It's being toted as a GLEE-like mashup with a serious look at the bonds of friendship.  They are not far off course with that description, but it really is just scratching the surface.  First, let me warn you of a few things....for those sensitive to them or younger readers, there is drug use, swearing, suicide and mental illness within this story.  It's a fictitious look at something that could happen in real life to you, to me....to your best friend George down the street.  In fact, a lot of what occurs is probably happening in one away or another in your neighborhood right now....that's the scary reality of a story like this.  It hits "home" whether you have actually experienced the situations first hand or not.  Now back to the other story aspects....

It deals with all those off colored items mentioned above, but it also takes a look at family and friendship...with the realization that often they become one in the same.  If not for Frenchy, Stewart would have been beside himself....but the same could be said of Frenchy in his times of need and there have been plenty especially with the recent passing of his father (and certainly with how he passed away).  Then take the relationship between Stewart and his hippie parents.  It serves its purpose for allowing him free reign of his life, but we also see how that lose approach can create other problems (such as trust, and hesitance to step in when it suits the situation verses their needs) that may not be anticipated at first.  Move to Frenchy's Mom, a dedicated woman of today that works long hours to provide for her family, but loves them all the same.  Enter Ralph, potential love interest and local drug dealer...sorta.  Even though he's the supplier for most of the area, you'll find it hard to really dislike him....much as Frenchy chastises himself about from time to time.  Suffice it to say that person to person bonds are explored to their fullest.

Aside from the story, readers also get a bit of a culture lesson from the smarty pants side of Stewart and courtesy of Cervantes.  Never heard of Man of La Mancha?  Don't know who Don Quixote is?  Sancho is not ringing a bell?  They will be by stories end.  It's a great way to expose readers of all ages to the classics and instill that seed of curiosity to investigate the work further.  Just try to escape this story without singing the infamous "I, Don Quixote" song (which I conveniently linked to a video of the performance, or if you'd like to hear a GREAT rendition by Ronan Tynan, check this link for a sample)....betcha it won't happen.  It's the perfect play for the leading men in our story.  In fact, the events that occur pretty much play out like a modern day Quixote-type adventure....in its full rainbow of colors.

In short, the characters are easy to relate to, the story believable, the ending unimaginable....all of which add up to a great reading experience waiting for you beyond the greenish haze from the Smoking Rock (which by the way, isn't what you think....you'll have to read it to find out more).  Recommended read for older teens through adults for the very reasons mentioned previously (no worries, I won't re-hash it....get it?).  ARC for review courtesy of Laura at Chronicle Books. (THANKS!)  For more information on this title as well as their full catalog of bookish goodness, feel free to check out their website or follow along on Twitter. 



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Now, it's time for part TWO of the surprise....the CONTEST!

Here's the scoop!

The prize:

(1) copy of Spinning Out by David Stahler, Jr

How to enter:

Fill out THIS FORM.

Rules:

* Open for entries Thursday, July 7th, 2011 through Friday, July 15th, 2011 at midnight CST.

* US addresses only, no P.O. Boxes please.

* Winner will be contacted via email by Sunday, July 17th, 2011 and have 48 hours to respond with their mailing information.  Failure to send the requested information will result in another winner being selected.  That's the breaks!  BUT, if you include your mailing information with your entry, that chance of missing out is erased.  POOF.  Your choice, but I promise after the contest, your information will be deleted.

* Winning name and mailing information will be forwarded to Laura at Chronicle Books for prize send out and then discarded.

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So there you have it!

Another book adventure has come and gone with the wind...so to speak.

Good luck to those that enter....and happy reading to one and all!

Taste Testing Tuesdays....on a Wednesday!

Good morning (or whatever time it is where you are), everyone!

Welcome to another installment of Taste Testing Tuesdays here at Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers!  Taste Testing Tuesdays was inspired by 'Teaser Tuesdays', a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. 

 

On the menu this week...two books that are soon to be finished and another I'll be cracking the spine on later today..

Ready for a taste?

 

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"I never wanted this for you, Michael.  I thought that when it was your time that you would be the one to hold the strings...Senator Corleone...Governor Corleone."

-- pg 101, It Came From the 70's by Connie Corcoran Wilson

If you haven't guessed where the movie quote (above) came from.....you DON'T know your classic films!  It's from The Godfather in a memorable scene between Al Pacino and Marlon Brando....and is used here as an excerpt within the author's reeview of the first two films in this trilogy.  Pretty good stuff....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Everything my brother writes is a lie, including the words 'Dear' and 'Sincerely'.

-- pg 60, 43 Old Cemetary Place:  Till Death Do Us Bark by Kate Klise

Okay, so I know that's a small share, but to give too much of this one would ruin a good thing.  I've read the first in thise series, missed the second and this is the third.  So far, it's lost none of its charm despite the fact that I'm reading it electronically.  Definitely recommend this series....you'll love the story as well as the puns.  For example, the above excerpted letter is written by "Kitty Breth" about her brother "Kanine Breth" to "Rita O'Bitt".  Sides hurt from laughing yet?  ^_^

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We negotiated mud by walking on palm leaves through trash cluttered areas.  The ladies, sitting on the front porch, worked hand looms and performs a repetitive back and forth motion making the cloth longer and longer.

-- pg 42, Borneo Tom by "Borneo" Tom McLaughlin

Grant it, probably not the best quote, but one nonetheless as it is the first time I'm opening the book.  It looks like it's going to be interesting with the combined text and illustrations working their magic.  Can't wait.  Watch for the blog tour next week featuring this title....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

*Open to a random page

*Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

*Share the title & author, too, so that other participants can add the book to their TBR.* 

 

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Until next time....happy reading!

 

 

 

In My Shopping Bag (82)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.

Through her guidelines, your post does not actually have to be named the same and thus my post shall be..."In My Shopping Bag".  (just fits with the "foodie" theme a bit better in my humble opinion)

Let's take a peek inside my shopping bag this week....

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Review

 

It Came from the 70's by Connie Corcoran Wilson

(courtesy of Teddy at Premier Virtual Author Book Tours)

I'm about half way through this one right now.  Learning a bit about those movies I've yet to see, and some great facts I didn't know about some of the classics I've seen a thousand time.  Look for the book tour swinging through later this month!

The Familiars:  Secrets of the Crown by Adam Jay Epstein & Andrew Jacobson

(ARC courtesy Arianna at Harper Collins and the Familiars authors)

Looks good, no?  Scheduled for release September 6th, 2011.  Join me as I read through book 1 in the coming weeks and then....discover the wonders that await in this sequel!

Damned (Crusade, Book 2) by Nancy Holder and Debbie Vigiue

(ARC courtesy of Erin Underwood, the authors, and Simon & Schuster)

Totally thrilled when I was tapped to be on the upcoming tour for this book of potential fabulous-ness.  Very curious to see how our lead characters are taking their new roles, how the little sister is holding up with her new "changes" and just what is waiting for this whole group this time around.  It's gonna be good.... ^_^  Watch for the book tour to swing through in the coming months....along with your chance to win!

A Storm Called Katrina by Myron Uhlberg

(courtesy of Peachtree Publishers)

This one was a surprise when it arrived on my doorstep, but a happy one indeed. I had just seen it in their new catalog and was wondering what it might be like to see this devestating event through the eyes of those that experienced it first hand.  Will be delving into this one soon....

That Day in September by Artie Van Why

(courtesy of the author)

I received this one after being contacted by the author regarding a potential review.  This work is about the author's first have account of what occurred on that fateful and frightening day nearly 10 years ago.  Will be reviewing this September as we remember all of those who lost their lives, their family, and their true selves during this tragedy.

Now this one required a few pictures, not merely because of the book either....but where it came from and the awesome postage stamps on the packaging!  Take a look.....

....and another.....

...and finally, the contents!

Borneo Tom by "Borneo" Tom McLaughlin

(courtesy of the author and Jaime from Pump Up Your Book)

What can I say?  The book actually came from Borneo, hence the delay in receiving it.....but it will be read and reviewed for its tour date coming up fast.  Stay tuned!

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Sweet Love

The Sleeping Beauty Proposal

by Sarah Strohmeyer

(2) sets of page flags with nifty little patterns just perfect for flagging a page while reading for an easy look back later

(2) packages of magnetic bookmarks featuring little book covers of a few Southern titles

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That's it for this week.

What did you get?

Do tell!

Until next time...happy reading!