Sunday Salon, June 29th...Don't Miss.. "The Forbidden Tales: Sword"

Hello to all my Sunday Salon surfers.....
Here is a review of a soon to be released book for children from Harper Collins (Grades 5-8). If you are a media specialist and purchase books, purchase two, you'll need them. This would be a great choice for a book club also. The book is due out September 1, 2008, just in time for BTS.

Forbidden Tales: Sword, by Da Chen

Da Chen is a gifted storyteller. I loved this book!!! There is no doubt in my mind that you will too, after reading this exciting adventure of a daughter's journey to avenge the death of her father. Miu Miu's father was a sword maker par excellence. He crafted for everyone including the emperor. On Miu Miu's fifteenth birthday, her mother reveals to her the brutal manner in which he died. Her mother sends her away to seek revenge, but before she leaves she gives her a sword. Of course it is not just any sword,it was made by her father, it fits her perfectly, it is thin and it is delicate giving off a sparkling blue hue of light. During her trip, by chance she meets the man who is intended to be her husband. Not knowing this beforehand, she battles with him. Miu Miu is an accomplished martial arts expert and wins the battle over her opponent Tong Ting. When they discover their fate they team up to fight the emperor together. Miu Miu and Tong Ting do not have an easy task, but they are a clever team and their love for one another holds them together. Family honor is most important to Miu Miu's mother, but not to Miu Miu. The conflict has a surprising resolution when the story draws to a close and life begins anew. Da Chen's fantasy world is complete with dragons, magic transformations and poisons, ghosts, expert martial arts battles and so much more will keep you on the edge of your seat. Honestly, you will think you are in the theater. All that is missing is the popcorn.


Hello to all my Sunday Salon surfers.....

Wow!!! Take a look at this stack of books I purchased this week. Anyone want to guess how much I paid for this pile of future pleasure? I'll let you know next week, but here is a hint. Total cost was under $15.00 so then what do you think? I was dropping off a donation at my local Goodwill store and decided to stop in and take a look. I was with my friend, who wandered through the housewares and I immediately went to...well, where would you go? Of course, the aisle of books for sale. This was not an ordinary Goodwill store, it had recently opened with claims of being a superstore. You know the ubiquitous superstores that pop up everywhere, but a Goodwill? Surely, they were kidding, I thought to myself with a chuckle.

When I found the books, I realized I hit a goldmine. Truly, there were rows and rows of bookshelves teaming with great books. Yes, you had to weed through the chaff, but as you can see from my pile it was well worth the effort. So, who wants to guess how much I paid for the lot? I will post my answer next week. In the mean time, if you have a second hand store around, it might be worth a look.

The List:
The Poisonwood Bible, Barbara Kingsolver (paperback)
Trying to Save Piggy Sneed, John Irving (paperback)
Sea Glass, Anita Shreve (paperback)
The Pilot's Wife, Anita Shreve (paperback)
Rousseau's Political Writings (paperback)
The Bluest Eye, Toni Morrison (hardcover)
The Crossing, Cormac McCarthy (hardcover)
The Shelters of Stone, Jean M. Auel (hardcover)