Don't Tell..It's a Secret Compartment Book

Here are a couple of fun videos about how to make a secret compartment from a book. I thought I would show you a couple and let you vote on your favorite. You must have one book that is ready to be torn to pieces. Haven't you sometimes wanted to throw a book across the room? Here's your chance to turn your book bombs into something useful.

Video #1




Video #2





Video #3





Here are my questions:

1. Which video did you think was the best?
2. Whould you spend the time to make a secret compartment book?
3. Does it really bother you to cut up a book for this purpose?
4. Any other comments?
5. How many of you already have a secret compartment book?....Remember, don't tell us the title...it's a secret.
6. If you wanted to make a secret book, which book would be a good one to destroy?


Have a fun Saturday...Wisteria

Friday Weekend Wishes and a late Booking on Thursday

First, I have to thank Naida at the Bookworm for kicking off the weekend with a great You Tube video of Aerosmith. You might want to check it out. I just love their music.

Happy Weekend. I happen to celebrate Easter. So I'm happy for that holiday and wish everyone a Happy Easter or Happy Bunny Day.

I've been finishing up Mrs. Lincoln, by Catherine Clinton. This is a very good biography so far. I'm also reading Tone Dear in Bankok by Janet Brown. I can't even express how her sentences read like poetry. Amazing! I will have reviews for these soon.



Speaking of reading multiple books at a time, here is my Booking Thru Thursday for this week.



From Booking Thru Thursday
Here’s the question:

Some people read one book at a time. Some people have a number of them on the go at any given time, perhaps a reading in bed book, a breakfast table book, a bathroom book, and so on, which leads me to…

1. Are you currently reading more than one book?
2. If so, how many books are you currently reading?
3. Is this normal for you?
4. Where do you keep your current reads?


Don’t forget to leave a link to your actual response (so people don’t have to go searching for it) in the comments—or if you prefer, leave your answers in the comments themselves!


I am reading three, actually four books right now. One I'm almost done with.
This is very normal for me. With taking a graduate course in history I always have one book I'm reading for that work.
My current reads are on my table next to my favorite place to read, and always one goes in my pocketbook to take along.

Review & Interview-The Disappearance

The Disappearance
by Efrem Sigel
Permanent Press (February 1, 2009)
264 pages











The Disappearance by Efrem Sigel's is a divergent story within a story. Joshua and Nathalie come home after a morning running errands and discover their 14-year old son Daniel is not at home. After a short while they realize he is missing and they are frantic with desperation, not knowing what to do. He has vanished without any clues. They must face the hours, days, weeks -- and perhaps more — of tortuous tension while they wait for any positive word about him. The story is a mystery of what happens to Daniel, but it is also a story about his parent's relationship.


What happens to a marriage when something so gut wrenching occurs? How does a couple cope with such dismal despair? As the weeks go by Nathalie and Joshua cope differently, isolating and insulating their feelings. No longer able to support each other, they aren't even aware of one another as they are hidden behind a victim's veil. Sigel uses densely polished poetic lyrical verse. His sensitive style is beautiful, and through his artistry and details you are able to empathize with Nathalie and Joshua as they face an uncertain future. The Disappearance is a rhythmic roller-coaster of emotions.

Here is an interview I recently had with Efrem Sigel about his book The Disappearance.

Wisteria: The disappearance of a child is such a tough subject. Were you afraid it would scare readers away from the book?



Efrem: The book begins with the disappearance of 14-year old Daniel Sandler, but my hope was always that The Disappearance would be more than just another “child disappears, who did it?” mystery. The mystery is there, of course, but it’s also a family drama, the story of a marriage, a story about how ordinary people can either surmount, or be defeated by, extraordinary and tragic events. If it works, it’s because in the end it’s more a love story on multiple levels than a tragedy.



The way you portray the parents, Joshua and Nathalie, seems to make their emotions so palpable to readers. How did you do this?

I knew that I needed fully fleshed-out and believable characters to make the novel work. Joshua and Nathalie are such different people, one impulsive and action-oriented, the other cerebral and withdrawn, that it was inevitable they would react to this calamity in very different ways. Out of these differences, and the spiraling tension caused by the mystery, I hoped to develop a momentum that would drive the story while enhancing the reader’s understanding of and identification with the characters.

A book about such an emotionally charged experience leads to the natural question: has anything like this happened to you?

No. But as a parent I know the fears that engulf you when a child is not where he or she is supposed to be, and I tried hard to get inside the heads of parents actually living through such an ordeal. By the end, I felt as if I were living through it myself.


Was the ending of the book what you had in mind from the outset?

Yes and no. I knew what had happened to Daniel, though not why, but the ending that I wrote early on quickly got discarded, and it took quite a while to find the ending that felt right.

What made you pick such a tiny town as Smithfield as a setting for the book?

It’s a setting I know well, a bucolic small town in rural Massachusetts, the kind of place where nothing ever happens. The contrast between the idyllic setting and the terrible event is another source of tension in the story, as is the fact that the Sandlers are outsiders in this town.



The Disappearance is your second novel, but it comes 36 years after the first. Why the long wait?

In between novels I started and ran a couple of business newsletter companies, wrote magazine and newsletter articles and nonfiction books, but was always exploring ideas for new fiction. Ten years ago I was able to return to fiction in a serious way, first with short stories and then with the idea that turned into The Disappearance. I’m hard at work on a new novel, and will do my best to see that it won’t take another 36 years for number three.



More information about Efrem Sigel and The Disappearance is available at www.efremsigel.com

Journal from Bookgirl's Studio

I have been looking at Iliana's beautiful journals week after week and so with her recent anniversary on etsy.com, I ordered one of her creations. What a wonderful surprise I had in my mailbox today. She is a talented artisan who made this exquisite journal that looks almost too special to use. However, I will definitely use it "write" away. Check out the photo to see how Iliana wrapped the journal. Tied with a ribbon over happy bright yellow paper, a colorful confetti treat that made me smile. I honestly felt like it was my birthday. Thanks Iliana, I love it.

Her blog is Bookgirl's Nightstandwhere she also keeps an amazing blog for sharing, reviewing and talking about books. Her Etsy site is called Bookgirl's Studio.

Congratulations on your anniversary Iliana----and to many more.

Wednesday's Child, Our Future

They say a picture is worth a thousand words....

I would be happy to hear your comments. I will share mine along the way.
Thanks, Wisteria

Tuesday, Quote it Time

A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
"I am doomed to remember a boy with a wrecked voice--not because of the voice, or because he was the smallest person I ever knew, or even because he was the instrument of my mother's death, but because he is the reason I believe in God; I am a Christian because of Owen Meany."



This is the first line from one of my favorite books of all time! It was so memorable that I named my cat after Owen Meany. If you have never read this book, please put it on your TBR list and read it. You will be happy you did!!


Do you have a favorite first line in a book? Do you have a quote from one of your favorite books you would like to share? I love quotes and would love to hear some of yours. Have a great Tuesday!!

Wisteria



________________________________________________________________________________________

Mailbox Monday- April 6, 2009

This picture was taken in 1899 of a mail carrier on a rural route. I thought it was funny to read that they carried a whistle to let owners know they had mail since many people lived some distance away. The carrier gave them a "heads up". They were paid $400 per year with the horse, however tolls and ferry crossings were extra.

From:http://www.bentonnews.net/Archive/jan/Jan08.htm





In my mailbox this week I received







1) The Shipwreck of a Nation, by Nennhaus
2) Jantsen's Gift, Pam Cope
3) After You're Gone, Jeffrey Lent
4) The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane, Katherine Howe
5) The Whittaker Family Reunion, Shirley A. Roe
6) The Glenn Miller Conspiracy, Hunton Downs
7) A Lucky Child, Thomas Buegenthal
8) Frankenstein, Mary Shelley
9) Dracula, Bram Stoker

I'm so grateful for all the reading and that I have Spring from teaching in 3 days.
Yippee!!!!

Yup I Won the Zombie Chicken Award!!

I have been awarded this cute and twisted award by my friend Desert Rose from Desert Rose Booklogue.

Now for the explanation of this prestigious Zombie Chicken Award which means:

"The blogger who receives this award believes in the Tao of the zombie chicken - excellence, grace and persistence in all situations, even in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. These amazing bloggers regularly produce content so remarkable that their readers would brave a raving pack of zombie chickens just to be able to read their inspiring words. As a recipient of this world-renowned award, you now have the task of passing it on to at least 5 other worthy bloggers. Do not risk the wrath of the zombie chickens by choosing unwisely or not choosing at all..."

So to avoid the wrath of the Zombie Chickens I am bestowing this award to the following outstanding blogs:

1. Musings on a Bookish Kitty

2. Write for a Reader

3. The Bookworm

4. Bookgirl's Nightstand

5. The Burton Review

Congratulations to all those receiving the Zombie Chicken Award including Desert Rose Booklogue. Thank you DR for sending it to me.

Sunday Salon-Ready for the Dewey Marathon?

It's that time again for the Dewey 24 Hour Read-A-Thon. For me this will start at 8:AM on April 18th. Am I crazy?




No, just love to read and be with blogger friends that share the same idea of fun. I'll admit to having an eccentric and loving personality. But crazy? Only about books and reading whenever I can. I saw a lot of my blogger friends have already joined up so I know we will have fun writing on our blogs with updates.





Hannah, Ana and Trish define the role of a reader:

What is the role of a Reader?

People who sign up to be readers are committing to reading books, posting updates in their blogs, participating in mini-challenges when they choose to, and, if they need breaks, visiting the blogs of other readers and encouraging them. The most hardcore among us will stay up the entire 24 hours and do nothing but read and update, even going so far as to skip showering and eat meals while reading. However, not all of us are that hardcore, and it’s OK for you to customize this read-a-thon to meet your needs. All I ask is that you be honest in your updates, and that’s about the only rule for readers.

Updating for Readers: This should be individually customized. If you want to spend 5 or 10 minutes updating each hour or every 3 hours, that’s great. If you want to update whenever you feel like you need a break from reading, that’s great, too. If you want to just read and read for 24 hours straight and then write one big update, that’s also great. You do what works for you, OK?

Another Challenge-Book Binge

Yes, I'm accepting a new challenge! I think this one will be fun.





This is hosted by "It's Not All Mary Poppins, so if you would like to accept another challenge, visit her site.




"Here are the “rules”:

1. For the month of April, keep track of the books you read.

2. On May 1, post your list on your blog.

Easy, no? You can write a review or reader response if you wish, but a list of titles and authors is also perfectly acceptable.

Three other points:

1. You may include books you re-read, so long as you re-read them in between April 1 and 30.

2. You may also include books you start but don’t finish, just note the page at which you gave it up. Something like, “Quit, page 47 of 322″.

3. Children’s books must be at least 125 pages long to be counted. (Books you read to your children, if they are at least 125 pages, would also count.)

Review-Hangman Blind by Cassandra Clark

HANGMAN BLIND
by Cassandra Clark,
Minotaur Books, 2008,
$24.95/C$27.95,pb,320pp,
978-0-312-53730-2






In the year 1382, England emerges from violent religious rebellion into precarious peace. It is during this time, Hildegard, recently widowed, and financially wealthy, becomes a Cistercian nun at the Abbey of Meaux. Her grief is deep and her husband’s death a mystery. It is here she discovers her life’s purpose: to set up a priory to help care for the sick, poor and homeless. Even though the countryside is unsafe, she undertakes an uncertain journey to Castle Hutton in York to ask the Abbot of Meaux for assistance. On the way she stumbles upon the gruesome sight of five hanging eviscerated corpses. Later, she discovers a slaughtered young boy and can’t help but wonder if the two incidents are connected.


Arriving at Castle Hutton, Hildegard reports her findings to Lord Roger. Murder follows her inside when during a celebration feast Lord Roger tumbles over into his plate of food. Assumed poisoned, his apparent death sets up a game of deception and intrigue to catch a killer. Hildegard the key crime investigator faces deceit, evil, lust, greed, and her own divergent feelings.


A debut author with raw nerve, Cassandra Clark places Hildegard, an independent women of means in an unheard of role during this age. This courageous nun is an anachronism I can only describe as CSI meets the 14th century. Hangman Blind, the first book in the Clark’s series, will delight historical crime fans who enjoy constant plot twists with clever subterfuge.


Wisteria Leigh

Wednesday's Child-Author Nick Butterworth

I recently received books from the Independent Publishers Group that included three written by the extremely creative author and illustrator Nick Butterworth. As a media specialist in an elementary school my knowledge of children's literature is keen, but this author was new to me. Here is a short bio from the Harper Collins UK website:



Nick Butterworth is the author of many internationally acclaimed children’s books including ‘Jingle Bells’, ‘QPootle5’, ‘Tiger’ and ‘The Whisperer’ which won the Gold Award at the Nestle Book Awards. He is best known for his stories about Percy the Park Keeper. Nick has also presented children’s stories on television, created a cartoon strip for The Sunday Express Magazine and worked for major graphic design consultancies. He has two grown-up children, and lives with his wife in Suffolk.

Tiger........................................

By Nick Butterworth, Illustrated by Nick Butterworth
New edition
9780007257720
$10.95
Paperback, including CD

Tiger is a small kitten who thinks he is a big tiger. This is an adorable picture book for ages 4-7. Butterworth's illustrations will draw young readers to this book. What little child doesn't like kittens and tigers, the perfect combination. There is an accompanying CD which is comprised of a Read Aloud version with sound effects, a poem, and a Read Along to help in differentiated instructions. Very cute and cuddly book.

Thud....................................................

By Nick Butterworth, Illustrated by Nick Butterworth
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 48 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins UK (April 1, 2009)
ISBN-10: 0006646468
ISBN-13: 978-0006646464

A great tale to use to teach diversity and acceptance. Basil the young bush baby had no sleep one night because he was disturbed by an ugly beast who appeared out of nowhere. Then when he woke up he was afraid of a loud sounding thud, thud, thud he guessed was from a huge monster. Basil asks and gets help from many friend and the ending will surprise you. Great details and expressive faces will keep kids starring as you turn each page. The illustrations are somewhat reminiscent of Maurice Sendak in Where the Wild Things Are. However, where Sendak's book often frightened children, Butterworth creates a huggable menagerie of friends that children will eagerly embrace.

Q Pootle 5..........................................

By Nick Butterworth, Illustrated by Nick Butterworth
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 32 pages with poster
Publisher: Harper Collins UK
Re-Isaue, Pub. Date: 05.01.09
ISBN-13: 978-000717235-1

On the way to a moon party Q Pootle 5 ends up on Earth with a broken rocket booster.
His first earthling is a frog who unfortunately can't help him. What will it take for Q Pootle 5 to blast off again? He really doesn't want to stay on Earth. The text is simple with easy to read print and vocabulary that is appropriate for the age. Dear Q Pootle 5 is an originally sweet and non-threatening creature. Butterworth's expressive faces are humorous with attention to crafting each with a human persona. No doubt you will hear, "Please, can you read it again?"