The Sunday Salon: Bookclubs, Reading Challenges & More…

Sunday, Jul 26, 2009

The Sunday Salon: Bookclubs, Reading Challenges & More…

A Busy Week

I have no idea why I feel so busy, currently remaining unemployed. But, this week I was able to get so much accomplished and, yet, there are still items on the “To Do List” that are carrying over into next week. I am narrowing in on the end of my summer school session and still have my fingers crossed for good grades in my classes. In addition, I’m starting to gather up all the goodies that the twins need for Girl Scout Camp. I’ve also applied for jobs and am keeping my fingers crossed for any positive news. We had our first mom/child book club meeting to discuss The Lightning Thief. I got my hair cut and the girls got their physicals and shots. I visited with friends and took time to get caught up on some book reviews. All in all, a busy week.

This Week’s Book Reviews

This week, I reviewed:

In My Mailbox for Review

I received Italian for Beginngers by Kristin Harmel, A Change in Altitude by Anita Shreve, and A Separate Country by Robert Hicks. THANK YOU, HACHETTE!

Oh, and I also received The Embers by Hyatt Bass and The PETA Practical Guide to Animal Rights by Ingrid Newkirk (that one comes with a giveaway copy for the review… cool!).

Contests

This week, we had a MUSIC giveaway! The prize was the My Sister’s Keeper Soundtrack (along with an autographed movie poster). I have some book giveaways coming up for Tour de Force, This Is Where I Leave You, and The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society. In addition, there will be a GREAT contest coming up for my 1-Year Blogoversary in the beginning of August. Stay tuned!

Reading Challenges

I finished J. Kaye’s 100+ Reading Challenge! I cannot believe it! My 100th book was The Angel’s Game, the review of which will be posted on August 15th. I’ve never accomplished anything like this in my life before and I’m just so thrilled that I can say that I’ve accomplished it.

After I get caught up on a few more ARC’s, I’m turning my focus on the Classics Challenge and the Book Awards III Challenge.

On TV

The Bachelorette

The Men Tell All Episode was fun and light. I am SO EXCITED to watch the season finale tomorrow along with all of the fun “After The Final Rose” goodies. If you’ve missed this week’s review, you can check out my wrap-up from this week.

So You Think You Can Dance

This week, SYTYCD celebrated its 100th episode. They brought back some old favorites and I really enjoyed it. Both Katie Holmes and Ellen Degeneres were guests on the show this week. I thought Ellen did a great job and enjoyed her immensely. My favorite routine of the week was one about a woman with breast cancer. If you missed it, it’s very moving. Please watch…

Other Reviews

This week’s The Score hosted an eccletic remake of famous songs by Glen Campbell. I really love this album and spotlighted a song originally by John Lennon.

And, for the movie lovers, this week’s Monday’s Movie was Push. All I can say is that the twins made me do it! Although several commentors seemed to have enjoyed this movie..

At Home

Nothing else to report that I haven’t already shared above. My hope for my blogging friends and readers is that you have a peaceful Sunday and that you’re not dying in the heat like we’ve been all week!

As always, my thanks to all of you for reading not only this post, but the others as well. Your readership means the world to me! AND, your comments are invaluable to me!

16 Comments

| Posted in Personal Blogs

16 Responses

Kelly B

July 26th, 2009 at 2:05 am

Good luck with those grades! I have to check out the review for Tori Spelling’s book.

Praying for employment.

Kelly
.-= Kelly B´s last blog ..Drumming Up Some Giveaways =-.
rhapsodyinbooks

July 26th, 2009 at 6:08 am

Congratulations on finishing the challenge! I’m still amazed no magazine has grabbed you up for your writing! But keep the faith – talent like yours doesn’t go unrecognized for long!
.-= rhapsodyinbooks´s last blog ..Sunday Salon – Review of “Hiding in the Spotlight,” by Greg Dawson =-.
Diane

July 26th, 2009 at 6:13 am

Still ALice was such a great book. I also loved My Sister’s Keeper and can’t wait to see the movie. Have a great week.
.-= Diane´s last blog ..114 – Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven; Susan Jane Gilman =-.
Kathy

July 26th, 2009 at 6:56 am

You have had a busy week! Congratulations on finishing J. Kaye’s challenge – I’m close to 100, but I’m not quite there.
.-= Kathy´s last blog ..An Evening of Stories plus a Giveaway =-.
Alyce

July 26th, 2009 at 9:25 am

Good luck with your schooling – I hope you get good grades!

I’m feeling really busy this summer too, and I don’t even have school going on like you do.

I hope you hear some good news on the job front soon!
.-= Alyce´s last blog ..The Sunday Salon – July 26 =-.
Marie Burton

July 26th, 2009 at 9:30 am

I had heard all about the Katie Holmes thing but no one mentioned Ellen was there too. I don’t watch TV for me, it’s controlled by the kids. So that’s one reason you don’t see me commenting much on your entertainment side, in case you were wondering. I have nothing to add in that area. But as far as your question on the BEST historical Book EVER.. LOL
SO MANY came to mind.
But .. for in your position as having NO CLUE about who is who which is very daunting to a newbie, I think a great intro to the Tudor Period is none other than Phillippa Gregory’s “The Other Boleyn Girl”. She is what started it for me. And the next after that is “The Boleyn Inheritance” by P. Gregory. There are many many HF books out there and some may disagree with my recommendation, but I think these will work for you.
Good luck with the schooling.. eeekkk my brain would NOT be able to handle all that. And there is now Honey in the house again. =)
.-= Marie Burton´s last blog ..The Sunday Salon~ Elizabeth Woodville On My Mind =-.
Darlene

July 26th, 2009 at 10:00 am

Good luck with your grades Sheri and the job hunt as well. I hope somtething happens there for you soon.

I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s Bachelorette show too; should be good. The dance routine dealing with breast cancer was very moving.

Have a great week!
.-= Darlene´s last blog ..Sunday Stuff, Buddy & A View from Here =-.
Menagerie

July 26th, 2009 at 12:59 pm

Marie: 2nd time that The Other Boleyn Girl has been mentioned to me in less than 24 hours… it’s on!

Dar: CANNOT wait for TV tomorrow night. It’s going to be a fun post to write!

Rhapsody: I have no idea where to even start with that. Any suggestions?

K: Thanks for prayers!

Bye for now, y’all!
Robin of My Two Blessings

July 26th, 2009 at 4:13 pm

Wowzer…congratulations on finishing the 100+ challenge. I just finished 100 myself, but looking forward to continuing on and seeing how many I can read for the year. Keeping my fingers crossed for your job hunt. Have a good week.
.-= Robin of My Two Blessings´s last blog ..Booking through Thursday on Saturday – Preference =-.
Ti

July 26th, 2009 at 8:35 pm

Way to go on completing the 100+ challenge. I am only at like #36 or so but there’s still time!
.-= Ti´s last blog ..The Sunday Salon: Delivery, Delivery then no Delivery =-.
Timmy

July 26th, 2009 at 9:42 pm

Congratulations for completing J. Kaye’s 100+ Reading Challenge. What was the timeframe for 100 books?
.-= Timmy´s last blog ..Finanzkrise und Cost Average Effekt =-.
Menagerie

July 26th, 2009 at 10:50 pm

From 1/1/09 until this week.
Beth

July 27th, 2009 at 5:17 am

I’ve given you an award! http://bethsbookreviewblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/awards-kreative-blogger.html
.-= Beth´s last blog ..Awards: Kreative Blogger =-.
rhapsodyinbooks

July 27th, 2009 at 3:48 pm

I asked a friend of mine whose daughter in law gets a lot of magazine articles published. My friend said she just started submitting pitches for herself to online magazines. Once you get one published, then you use that one as a reference, and it cascades. Or should cascade!!! :–)
.-= rhapsodyinbooks´s last blog ..Game On Diet Report & Guide to Help Resist Emotional Eating =-.
Trin

July 28th, 2009 at 3:02 am

Congratulations on finishing the 100+ challenge! What an accomplishment and in July!!!
.-= Trin´s last blog ..It is Tuesday, July 28, 2009 =-.
Serena (Savvy Verse & Wit)

August 3rd, 2009 at 8:57 am

Good luck with job hunting. Have a good week.