24/8 Book Club


A full array of Mother’s Day book ideas
May 5, 2009, 1:45 pm
Filed under: 24/8 Musings, Book Notes | Tags: , , , ,

This list is courtesy of our friends at Gotham and Avery imprints, part of the Penguin Publishing family.  If you look at this list it is almost impossible not to find a match for your mom or a special person in your life. 

A book is a great gift and so appreciated, it takes you away, puts a smile on your face and can be enjoyed or shared over and over again.  Very few things in life have that pedigree and the amazing price point is too good to be true.

 For the Modern Mom:

For the mom on the go who’s clutching a loaded calendar, Amy Tiemann’s Mojo Mom (Gotham Books; On Sale: April 7, 2009; $16.00) is the perfect gift. Chock full of advice on how to balance the career, the husband and the kids, Mojo is the perfect companion for the mom on the run. 

For Any Mother Who’s Ever Had a Friend:

Wall Street Journalwriter Jeffrey Zaslow’s heartwarming true story of eleven longtime friends from Ames, Iowa will tug at the heart of any mother whose close confidantes may be far away or down the street. The Girls from Ames (Gotham Books; On Sale: April 21, 2009; $26.00) will remind any mother of her near and dear friends.

For the Mom With a Wild Side:

Hilarious NPR commentator Lauretta Hannon will have any sharp-tongued mother rolling on the floor laughing after they come in contact with their alter ego in Cracker Queen (Gotham Books; On Sale: April 16, 2009; $24.00). From tales of southern heathens to twisted sisters and anti-southern belles, Hannon’s inspiring and hilarious memoir will put a smile on any mother’s face. 

For the Curious Mom:

 Discover the fascinating facts behind your child’s development by reading about their play patterns in Stuart Brown’s latest Play (Avery Books; On Sale: March 5, 2009; $24.95). Covering everything from Legos to playground antics, Play is a truly engaging read that’s sure to bring every mother closer to their child.

For Mom, the Bookworm:

Engage your little one with the joy of reading by learning the importance of children’s literacy in Pam Allyn’s new book What to Read When (Avery Books; On Sale: April 20, 2009, $16.95). Everything from Dr. Seuss to J.K. Rowling, Allyn prescribes a book for every stage in your child’s development while simultaneously helping you become a better teacher for your child.

For the Fashion-Forward Mom:

Kick up your style with Kendall Farr’s Style Evolution (Gotham Books, On Sale: April 7, 2009, $22.50), the how-to handbook that shows how to transform your style well beyond your years. Leaving you feeling confident, immortalized and cool, Style is the perfect gift for the style-conscious mom.

For the Tennis-Loving Mom:

Learn the gripping true story of your favorite champion Monica Seles in her new memoir Getting a Grip (Avery Books; April 21, 2009; $26.00). Go beyond the net to an inside look at the star’s rise to fame at the young age of 16, her horrible stabbing by a crazed fan, a secret eating disorder and how she battled her demons and got back on top. Getting will remind every mother of what truly matters. 

For the Health-Conscious Mom:

Whip your body into shape with Lou Schuler’s The New Rules of Lifting for Women (Avery Books; January 1, 2009; $15.95). The ultimate guide to muscle toning, eating right and staying fit, New Rules will help every mother reach her goal of living a healthier life.

For the Elegant Mom:

Juice up your etiquette skills in more ways than one with The Real Housewives of New York Citystar LuAnn de Lesseps’s Class with the Countess (Gotham Books; On Sale: April 16, 2009; $24..00). Everything from the art of seduction to making others comfortable to the simple art of being yourself, Class will teach women everywhere how to become savvier moms.

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No. 1 Ladies Dectective Agency on HBO
April 4, 2009, 4:05 pm
Filed under: 24/8 Musings, Author Talk | Tags: , , ,

Carved out time today to watch the first episode of this series on HBO.  I don’t know how close it follows the book as I have not yet read the series but I really enjoyed it.  I thought Jill Scott did an amazing job with her performance and I just set the DVR to tape the second. 

It is wonderful when books are the basis for small or big screen productions, hopefully it ensures the future for authors and not just screenplay writers.  In my case, I was not sure about the books when I saw them.  I kept picking them up but they never really spoke to me, even with all of praise. But now I am going to start to read them as I am interested in the adaptation of these to the small screen.

What did everyone else think?  What about those of you few million that have read the books?  Bravo Andrew McCall Smith and thanks HBO.

Enjoy

Falise



The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency
March 27, 2009, 7:04 am
Filed under: 24/8 Musings

is set to premiere on HBO on Sunday, March 29th.  This Sunday is the two hour premiere so you won’t want to miss it.  New episodes will be shown on Sundays at 8:00pm with encore plays at 10:00pm. Be sure to check your local listings. 

Mma (aka Precious) Ramotswe, Botswana’s one and only lady private detective.  This book has been heralded by many for its entertainment as well as its highlight of the conditions in Botswana.  With a detective manual and Agatha Christie to guide her Mma Ramotswe is ready for cases.

Alexandar McCall Smith has been delighting readers with this series for years and many of the series fans hoped it would hit the big or small screen.  Well those wishes have been heard and HBO is the vehicle bringing this to life,  http://www.hbo.com/no1ladiesdetectiveagency/index.html.

To learn more about THE NO. 1 LADIES DETECTIVE AGENCY from the author himself you can visit this page on his website, http://www.randomhouse.com/features/mccallsmith/main.php.  Along with the HBO launch Alexander is back in the United States be sure to visit his site to see if you are able to catch one of his rare personal appearances, http://www.randomhouse.com/features/mccallsmith/main.php.



Acclaimed Author of EAT, PRAY, LOVE Elizabeth Gilbert
March 2, 2009, 8:15 am
Filed under: 24/8 Musings, Author Talk, Events | Tags: , , , , ,

is touring the nation.  For the first time every Elizabeth will be in Chicago on Monday, March 9th, just a week away at the Auditorium Theatre. Join Elizabeth at 7:30 pm to hear about her literary journey and a book-signing will follow.

eatpraylove

EAT,PRAY, LOVE has been optioned for a movie starring Julia Roberts.  Word is Julia Roberts wanted this role, not bad to have Julia Roberts looking to star in one of the stories of your life.

Join 24/8 in welcoming Elizabeth Gilbert to Chicago, okay she was here for Oprah but you know how hard to those tickets are to snag. These are easier, http://www.ticketmaster.com.



Confessions of a Shopaholic
February 9, 2009, 6:23 am
Filed under: 24/8 Musings, Author Talk, Book Notes, News, Posts at Other Sites

confessions-movie

 

Thanks to Hollywood Blvd. Cinema, Bar and Eatery in Woodridge , IL and my good friend Shari, I saw a sneek preview of the upcoming film Confessions of a Shopaholic.  The film stars Isla Fisher, Hugh Dancy and a great supporting cast. 

This film was inspired from the pages of #1 Best Selling NY Times  author Sophie Kinsella’s Shopaholic series.  Although, I have not had the pleasure of reading Sophie’s book prior to  the movie I am now a fan and can’t wait to get to them.  The fact that I hadn’t read the books did not diminish from my enjoyment of the movie.   I recommend this for a girls night out or a date night movie.

24/8 is going to be unveiling a book giveaway this week for the movie tie in edition.  Don’t forget to stop back if you want to read the book as much as I do and be sure to bring a friend.   A special thanks to our friends at Random House for making this possible.

There is a really creative movie site on Blue Fly for this movie you will not want to miss,  http://www.bluefly.com/media/promotions/flash/shopaholic/main/shopaholic.html.  Kudos to the designer of this page.   You can learn more about the movie and the cast and crew.  Shop for the lead character’s looks too. Remember Hollywood there is a reason you need authors to write these wonderful books because they are certainly the basis for many a blockbuster. 

For everyone else not lucky enough to see an early screening of the movie it will be at your local theater this coming Friday, February 13, 2009.

Falise



What’s up next at 24/8 Book Club
February 2, 2009, 1:06 am
Filed under: 24/8 Musings, Author Talk, News | Tags: , ,

 

The next book to be featured in our dueling  Oil & Vinegar reviews will be The Third Angel by Alice Hoffman.  We are thrilled to welcome Alice to the 24/8 world. 

If you have read this title we hope to hear from you.  It seems that most everyone has a favorite Alice Hoffman book when you ask them.  24/8 exists to remind everyone that we touch about the magic found inside of the pages of a book.  Alice Hoffman is never dull and you are sure to be moved by her stories and characters. 

Alice has a vast body of work that includes: Practical Magic, Here On Earth and Turtle Moon.     To learn more about these books and the many others she has penned visit her site, http://www.alicehoffman.com/hoffman-books.htm.  Extremely talented writer and now a member of the 24/8 family.



Newbery Medals and Honor Books are announced
January 27, 2009, 10:29 am
Filed under: 24/8 Musings, Book Notes, Posts at Other Sites

2009 Medal Winner

The 2009 Newbery Medal winner is The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Dave McKean, and published by HarperCollins Children’s Books.  You might recognize this name as he is the author of Coraline which is just about to open on the big screen. 

A delicious mix of murder, fantasy, humor and human longing, the tale of Nobody Owens is told in magical, haunting prose. A child marked for death by an ancient league of assassins escapes into an abandoned graveyard, where he is reared and protected by its spirit denizens.

 “A child named Nobody, an assassin, a graveyard and the dead are the perfect combination in this deliciously creepy tale, which is sometimes humorous, sometimes haunting and sometimes surprising,” said Newbery Committee Chair Rose V. Treviño.

2009 Honor Books

The Underneath by Kathi Appelt, illustrated by David Small (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing)

Underneath the canopy of the loblolly pines, amid the pulsating sounds of the swamp, there lies a tale. Intertwining stories of an embittered man, a loyal hound, an abandoned cat and a vengeful lamia sing of love, loss, loneliness and hope. Appelt’s lyrical storytelling heightens the distinguished characteristics of this work. 

The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba’s Struggle for Freedom by Margarita Engle (Henry Holt & Comapny)

The Surrender Tree utilizes compelling free verse in alternating voices to lyrically tell the story of Cuba’s three wars for independence from Spain. Combining real-life characters (such as legendary healer Rosa La Bayamesa) with imagined individuals, Engle focuses on Rosa’s struggle to save everyone–black, white, Cuban, Spanish, friend or enemy.

 Savvy by Ingrid Law (Dial Books for Young Readers, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group in partnership with Walden Media, LLC

This rich first-person narrative draws readers into a wild bus ride, winding through the countryside on a journey of self-discovery for Mibs Beaumont and her companions. Newcomer Law weaves a magical tall tale, using vivid language and lively personalities, all bouncing  their way to a warm, satisfying conclusion.

After Tupac & D Foster by Jacqueline Woodson (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, a division of Penguin Books for Young Readers)

This tightly woven novel looks back on two years in a New York City neighborhood, where life changes for two 11-year-olds when a new girl joins their game of double Dutch. Bonded by Tupac’s music, the three girls explore the lure of freedom and build a friendship that redefines their own identities.

To learn more about the Newbery Awards and Honors visit, http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/newberymedal/newberymedal.cfm.



Meg Cabot in conjunction with Avon are teaming up with Greenpeace Princess Mia whom we have all gotten to know over the years in the books and on the big screen is going to be featured for the last time in  Meg Cabot’s latest book, Forever Princess.  Alas, do not fret, the clever folks at Avon and Meg have found a way to give Mia her own voice.Ransom My Heart  is a new book penned by the princess herself.  As the princess has had so many romantic notions and adventures it is only fitting her new book is a romance.  Meg and Princess Mia care about the environment and that is why they have chosen to team up.  But it is not enough for Meg and Mia to talk about Greenpeace they have really stepped up and are paying it forward by donating the advance and royalties from Ransom My Heart to Greenpeace.  Additionally, if you go to the  Greenpeace website you can find Meg Cabot e-cards, an exclusive Q&A with Meg and Princess Mia, info on what you can do to help, and much more.

PS According to Meg’s website, Princess Mia will continue to blog even though she is not going to be the subject of a book. 



Fans of Susan Elizabeth Phillips jump up and down

because she is all over the stacks.   Glitter Baby, is on sale right now, and mark your calendars for Susan’s new hardcover, What I Did for Love, on sale later this month!

To start the party Avon is throwing a  Susan Elizabeth Phillips sweepstakes.  Enter for a chance to win copies of both of her new books, one of two exclusive signed Glitter Baby bibs!  You have nothing to loose so enter the sweepstakes today,



The Book Fool is having a give away that you still have time to
January 10, 2009, 5:38 am
Filed under: 24/8 Musings, contest, Posts at Other Sites | Tags: ,

enter today.  The next drawing at the Bookfoolery will be held on January 11th.  so don’t delay. 

This is a wonderful book blog site and definitely one to book mark and check back with.  It sounds like the bookfool does giveaways throughout the year and we can also use a good read and one that comes from a fellow book lover.  Visit the post on the bookfool blog site and enter to win the 15 romance books today.  http://bookfoolery.blogspot.com/search?q=giveaway.