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



Adriana Trigiani has a Valentine title

VERY VALENTINE that would be a marvelous Valentine’s gift for wife, friend, mother, grandmother neighbor… you get the idea that likes to read.  VV is the start of a trilogy so if your recipient loves this character you are a shoe in for future gift ideas. 

Adriana just appeared on the today show in the fourth hour with Hoda and Kathie Lee and she is so much fun. If you missed her she will be on the Weekend Today on Saturday, February 7th.  You will definitely want to come out to one of her book promotions coming up in your city, http://www.adrianatrigiani.com/dates.html, or if you are not in one of these cities pick up one of her books after you see her cause she is just so much fun. 

More exciting news as well from Adriana, 24/8 will be staying tuned for the updates.  In April 2009 (date TBD) she will host a new book event called: THE WORLD’S BIGGEST BOOK CLUB— a first, with you as my guest(s) for a fabulous lunch and book discussion with me about Very Valentine—or whatever else you have on your minds!

As the details are promised today, which is the publication date of Very Valentine. It will take place in Greenwich Village, NY.  But don’t despair if you live far away, there will be a drawing for one club to fly to New York City to join the fun.

Additional news announced on Ariana’s site as well if you are a fan:

The movie version of Big Stone Gap—is casting and we plan on being in production in 2009 in Virginia. Thank you for your patience- and keep the faith- it’s all coming together. The divine Rosanne Cash is composing the score- Whoopi Goldberg, who will star as Fleeta Mullins, gave me a lovely shout-out.



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.



Popular Turkish Delight Mystery Author Coming to America

Turkish author, Mehmet Murat Somer author of the popular Turkish Delight Mystery series will be at Centuries & Sleuths in Forest Park on Thursday, January 29th at 7:00 pm.   Mehmet’s  hero/heroine is a computer security expert by day that channels Audrey Hepburn at night when this unnamed transvestite becomes as hostess at a club that she has a small ownership interest in.     

The Kiss Murder, the second in the series that are bestsellers in Turkey, is bringing Mehmet to the US.   If you like something on the edge but with humor these are the books for you.  It takes place in Istanbul and it is lesson of geographic and social culture. 

Details regarding the appearance go to Memhet’s page on the Penguin website,  http://us.penguingroup.com/nf/Events/EventSearchProc/1,,sapid_1000074171,00.html or Centuries & Sleuths, http://www.centuriesandsleuths.com/NASApp/store/IndexJsp;jsessionid=bacyx0D_kBDTA4PrZAq8r?s=storeevents.

24/8 is proud to be a partner with Penguin and will be giving away books this week to celebrate the series arrival here in the US.  Please check under Blue Plate Specials for the details.



Author Brook Noel Is Giving You The Chance to Change your Life

The Change Your Life Challenge  is a way to make those resolutions come true in 2009.  But that’s not all, starting next week Brook is hosting a virtual tour, where she’ll be giving a week-long FREE workshop beginning Monday, January 26, that take the ideas and tips to make a change in your life, and help you put them in action.   

Brook has tools to share to help women manage their time, get organized, decrease stress, live by their priorities, and get 2009 off to a balanced and exciting start. For more info and to register for the free program, visit http://www.maketodaymatter.net/tour.htm, or Brook’s Facebook page: http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=54952104896&ref=nf.

 

Additionally, anyone who buys her book at Target or Costco stores nationwide can submit their receipt and in exchange they’ll receive a free month-long membership to Brook’s Make Today Matter Life Coaching System!  It is a win win proposition you have nothing to loose, and so much to gain.

   

By leaving a comment, you have the chance to win a copy of Brook’s book, The Change Your Life Challenge! Let us know what you think of your own resolutions, or what has helped you change your own life over the years. Thanks to our friends at Source Books, One Lucky Commenter registered at 24/8 mail, will win a copy of the book and can jumpstart the challenge to make today matter! 



Calling all wimpy kids

Author Jeff Kinney joined Al Roker’s Today Show Kids Club today.  Jeff is just a regular guy that wrote his first installment of this very popular series for adults.  He worked on this for nine years and when it was sold to the publisher the good news was it was sold, the bad news was it was sold as a kids book. 

It has changed many kids lives to date with more to come.  Jeff is unique in that he does both the illustrations and the writing himself.  The third book in this series, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw was just released a few days ago.  Your children, both boys and girls will love this series so pick up the original Wimpy Kid Diary or the lastest one today.

To see Jeff on the Today Show go to:  http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/18424824#28691810.

Be sure to visit Jeff’s website, it is adorable, http://www.wimpykid.com/. There is also news and a link about how to try out for the lead character, Greg, for the upcoming Twentienth Century’s Fox picture.



THE LACE READER is the feature book selection at Barnes and Noble this month

24/8 is in good company as we started our year featuring THE LACE READER and Barnes and Noble has done the same.  According to the author Brunonia Barry,  “…this means that I’ll be online every day this month discussing the book and answering questions.”   Be sue to visit Barnes and Nobel and you can ask a question yourself.  
To join in go to:
http://bookclubs.barnesandnoble.com/bn/board?board.id=NewReads&.



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.



Stephanie Kallos has a second book SING THEM HOME
January 9, 2009, 9:32 am
Filed under: 24/8 Musings | Tags: , , ,

Stephanie’s first book BROKEN FOR YOU which was her debut novel and a Today Show Book Club pick.  This is her second novel and she is being compared to a cross between John Irving and Anne Tyler for her characters featured in her books.

 She is embarking on a nationwide tour and chances are she will be in your neck of the woods. It is important to support your favorite and authors that could become your favorites and not to mention the bookstores that host them. To view the tour details visit, http://www.stephaniekallos.com/calendar/dates.list.html.

SING THEM HOME was inspired by a childhood experience with a tornado.  In this story the Jones family survives a terrible tornado tragedy but they loose their mother in this weather event.  Visit small town Emlyn Springs, Nebraska, and meet the Jones children whose lives have been undone by this disaster.