TSS: September ‘09 wrap-up post

September was a good reading month for me. I finished 21 books. Yes, 8 of those are Tintin albums but then those are not speedy reads either. I have reviewed 15 of those and I will post mini reviews of the Tintin Albums soon. I am very pleased with my reading too. I have already finished one book in October and hope I manage to read lot more in the coming days.

Tintin & The Crab with the Golden Claws
Tintin & The Shooting Star
Tintin & The Secret of the Unicorn
Tintin and King Ottokar’s Sceptre
Tintin and The Broken Ear
Tintin and The Blue Lotus by Herge
Lonestar Secrets by Colleen Coble
A House of Bottles by Robin Merril
The Locked Room: The New York Trilogy by Paul Auster
The Sister Pact by Cami Checkett
Someone Else’s Daughter by Elizabeth Brundage
Humpty Dumpty Was Pushed by Marc Blatte
A Note From An Old Acquaintance
Ghosts: The New York Trilogy by Paul Auster
Tintin: Cigars of the Pharaoh by Herge
Tintin in America by Herge
Nightshade by John Saul
Heart of Courage by Kat Martin
Almost Heaven by Judith McNaught
Alvor by Linda Bingham
Thornyhold by Mary Stewart

And I read the following for October:

After You by Julie Buxbaum

Weekly Geeks: Blogging tips

Most of you know that I lost my Reading Room blog to malware. Yes, I did create this blog named Everything Distils with Reading. But I lost my links, ranking, readership and lot more which I had built over three years.

I explored and found a very simple rules:

1) Have a back up. I find importing blogger blog to WordPress easy. Create a wordpress blog of the same name and import it, comments and all. You can do it on bloggers too but I found it cumbersome. Do whatever is easy and works for you. (Important update: Importing to wordpress doesn’t affect your blog posts in blogger!)

2) Submit your blog to Google webmaster tools or Yahoo Site Explorer. I have added meta tags from both the sites. Either works. They search your blog for any kind of malware and inform you. Keep checking regularly.

3) Don’t clutter your blog. Keep it simple. More widgets you add, more chances of malware. Avoid animations, music, graphics unles you have specific blogs for those. It also affects loading and results in lesser number of visitors. I avoid visiting those blogs which are filled with all kinds of gadgetry. It takes away the pleasure of reading, let alone commenting. Of course I do read them on my google reader.

4) If you have to have a site counter, go for well known ones. Statcounter or sitemeter work well. I had put good counter which was the culprit for Malware.

5) Add Google Analytics. That way you can learn more about your visiters. Adding something like Feedjit works too.

6) Internal linking in your blog posts works great. That way you get more visitors, which might bring about more commenters.

7) To keep in touch with more and more blogs, use google reader. Believe me it works very well. You can have RSS feed links too. However, the old cut/paste system works wonders.

Explore the net as how to protect your blog. Blogs are extension of our creativity. Losing it is painful. Ask me how. I almost went insane.

After You by Julie Buxbaum

Let’s pretend things are different. That in the last couple of days, I haven’t become the kind of person who resorts to wishing on eyelashes, first tears of the night, and the ridiculous 11:11, both a.m. and p.m., in earnest and with my eyes closed.

Title: After You
Author: Julie Buxbaum
ISBN: 9780670066834
Publisher: Viking, Canada/2009
Pages: 336

When Ellie’s best friend Lucy is murdered in London, Ellie rushes there from Boston, to be with Lucy’s eight-year-old daughter, Sophie. After greeting Ellie, Sophie stops speaking. Meanwhile, Lucy’s husband has withdrawn into himself and the charge of taking take of Sophie falls on Ellie. Sophie had seen her mother mugged and killed while they were going to school. Ellie loves Sophie and will go to any length to get her back on track.

Sophie, like Ellie is a book lover. Ellie thinks she has the right book to share with Sophie and that can help both deal with their feelings. Hence, both starts on the journey of reading The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. In the process of sharing the secret of that beautiful book, the healing process for both starts in the right direction.

Ellie too has certain issues to deal with in her personal life. Even though her marriage is disintegrating and she doesn’t want to go back to her home and husband Phillip, leaving behind Sophie. For a while now, their relationship has gone down the hill. Ellie doesn’t know how to deal with it. Sophie and Ellie deal with their griefs in the company of each other. Sophie has nightmares, misses her mother yet loves Ellie and can’t think of letting her go. Ellie too can’t leave the child even though she knows her marriage will disintegrate. Greg and Ellie become friends, what with Lucy and Sophie being the common bond. When Ellie discovers some secrets about Lucy, she is deeply shocked, about the secret and also about the fac that Lucy didn’t trust her enough to share those with her. Lucy knew Ellie would disapprove.

Ellie is the narrator of the story and she understands the value of friendship, and being there at their times of need. She also knows her own deficiencies, although she doesn’t know how to deal with it. The sadness is balanced out by the funny, witty moments. The sardonic manner of the narrator is not repelling as that is directed towards herself. And when she away from home, she understands the real value of home and belonging.

The colourful characters of Ellie’s parents too take us in, along with her very straight brother. Her husband Phillip, too comes across well. A novel, which totally grips us, the sadness, the funny quirky moments, Gregs’ idiosyncrasies, Sophie’s childishness, the death of Lucy hanging in the background. And most important of all, The Secret Garden can and does heal Sophie. As it helps Ellie find home finally.

Lonestar Secrets by Colleen Coble

Title: Lonestar Secrets
Author: Colleen Coble
ISBN: 9781595544872
Publisher: Thomas Nelson/2008
Pages: 316

Shannon Aster, a vet, comes back to West Texas. She had left it as a single mother five years back. Her uncle has left her the farm and she wants her daughter to have a better life. Despite the betrayals of the past she thinks that West Texas is home for her daughter Kylie.

When she sees Faith, the daughter of Horse Trainer Jack MacGowan, she is amazed. Faith looks exactly like her daughter Kylie and both the girls take to each other instantly. Shannon has to get to the bottom of it. Reluctantly Jack too has to agree. Both find themselves in the midst of mystery about the resemblance of the girls, a lost spanish treasure, and a black stallion who loves Shannan. Somehow down the way, they unite their strengths to get into the bottom of it all.

Someone has kidnapped Mary Beth, Shannon’s best friend and is asking for 8 million dollars from Shannon, who doesn’t have that kind of money. Although she fears for her friend’s life, but she doesn’t trust Jack enough to tell him about her problems. What with her daughter’s father to coming into the picture, it becomes very difficult for Shannon to fight alone.

The mystery about the girls is solved early enough and both Sannon and Jack try to find the best solution. But who is blackmailing Shannon and what is he after, is not revealed until the end and it comes as a complete surprise. The countryside is beautifully described. With other interesting characters like Allie and Rick (of Lonestar Sanctuary), it is an extremely readable novel. Shannon is a strong individual who makes something of herself even though she has no support and has a young daughter. Jack feels guilty about falling in love with her because he thinks he betrays his dead wife’s memory. But both love the little girls, Faith and Kylie, are instantly bonded as soon as they meet.

The book does get repetitive at places but it is easy comfortable read, which gets finished fast. There are so many secrets to be revealed and that is what keeps one hooked. I liked Coble’s writing and will look out for more of her books.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson for the copy.

Friday Finds: Rapacia: The Second Circle of Heck

Rapacia: The Second Circle of Heck by Dale E. Basye

Product Description

Welcome to Rapacia, where the greedy kids go.

When Milton escapes from Heck in a soul balloon made of old clothes, Marlo is the only Fauster child left to take the blame. Bea “Elsa” Bubb, the Principal of Darkness, sends her straight to Rapacia, the circle where greedy kids are tormented by glimpses of a just-out-of-reach, glittering shopper’s paradise called Mallvana. Marlo soon falls under the sway of Rapacia’s assistant principal, a grinning metal rabbit known as the Grabbit that seems to have plans of its own.

Meanwhile, back on the Surface, Milton has his own problems. He is determined to get in touch with Marlo and help her find a way out of Heck. But it’s hard to concentrate when his body and soul don’t seem to hold together the way they used to. Will Milton ever reach Marlo? And if he does, will they both end up as pawns in the Grabbit’s mysterious game?

Booking through Lies

Two-thirds of Brits have lied about reading books they haven’t. Have you? Why? What book?

I don’t remember lying about a book that I haven’t read. I have left a lot of books midway and never even thought of returning. But to lie about it, no.

However, I do remember fibbing to my dad that I finished all three volumes of The Feynman Lectures on Physics, when I had not. He caught me out when he set it on himself to quiz me! My brothers had a wonderful time guffawing while I was being blasted by my gentle dad!

Boy, can I ever forget that! And I think that curbed my lying about anything. Books, notwithstanding!

Wondrous Words Wednesday

Wondrous Word Wednesday is hosted by Kathy of BermudaOnion

The first two words are from The Sister Pact by Cami Checketts

1) Conniption (page 4): Her husband would have a conniption fit—-a justified conniption fit.

n. Informal

A fit of violent emotion, such as anger or panic. Also called conniption fit.

2) Putz (Page 101): “But if you’re into the sellout, smooth-talking, rich putz don’t think that I give a crap.”

n.

1. Slang. A fool; an idiot

intr.v. Slang, putzed, putz·ing, putz·es.

To behave in an idle manner; putter.

The third word is from a poetry book, A House of Bottles by Robin Merrill

3) Reveille (Page 2): I didn’t recognise myself that morning,
Waking up to in Africa, to a reveille
requesting prayer.

n.

1. 1. The sounding of a bugle early in the morning to awaken and summon people in a camp or garrison.
   2. This bugle call or its equivalent.
   3. The first military formation of the day.
2. A signal to get up out of bed.

A-Z Wednesday: House of Bottles by Robin Merrill

Title: House of Bottles
Author: Robin Merrill
ISBN: 9781615394494
Publisher: Moon Pie Press/2009
Pages: 29

It is a very short poetry book. That doesn’t lessen that impact of the poems. The poems take us into various journeys, some real, some inside the mind. Playful too and with a such a depth that can’t be fathomed. Sometimes funny, others sad. She openly shows the wounds and healing process too. The beauty of the poems comes from the realist way of portrayal. The troubling life of the people all over the world. It might have been written for American way of life but has universal appeal.

The vulnerabilty of the poetry touches us. The creativity of the poet surprises us. A collage of life depicted in poetry. With a such a range of feelings.

Here I share a poem, Hangman’s Tree (page 10):

Not in the middle of the field
like on a stage
but on the edge
like a half-kept secret

One man dead a tragedy
Two in the same tree is folly.
What is three?
The third man

half-drunk early morning
trembled as he flung the rope
over the second-lowest branch
He had no second thoughts.

His last words,
curse this town of Manistee.
His last prayer,
someone cut down the tree.

The Sister Pact by Cami Checketts

Wesley Richins dimmed the lights, inching to a stop across the street from his target’s two story house. The Hummer was loud. To loud. He cut the motor and peered out of his windshield.

Title: The Sister Pact
Author: Cami Checketts
ISBN: 9781599552675
Publisher: Bonneville Books/2009
Pages: 229

Allison Mendez goes into coma from a fall. She had been talking to her sister Savannah Compton, some minutes prior to that when the doorbell rings. When Savannah does not get the callback as Allison had promised, she goes to her place and finds her sister on the floor and calls 911. Someone already had placed that call but had not left a name or cut off the phone.

A detective Noah Shumway arrives on the scene and finds himself suspecting Savannah for Allison’s state. He makes it a point to watch her 24 hours a day and moves into Allison’s house where Savannah, her father Frank and Allison’s toddler son Josh are staying. Allison doesn’t come out of the coma and after some tests it is discovered that someone is injecting drugs so that she doesn’t come out of it sooner. Again Savannah is a prime suspect for spending alone time with her comatose sister.

Savannah has a past and no witnesses and doesn’t know how to save herself. She knows that someone is involved but has no way of knowing who. Meanwhile Wesley Richins hires her as his trainer. He is handsome to boot and is the son of a senator. He is attracted to her and can go to any length to get her. Even though she is a suspect in his mind, Noah too is attracted towards Savannah.

Savannah and Allison share a deep bond. They have made a pact that each would always be there for the other. Savannah too knows that she has to find the culprit or her family is in danger. The police or Savannah and her family may not be aware of it, but for the reader, the mystery element is not there as we know right from the beginning who is responsible for Allison’s state.

It is an easy read with no much complications and I finished it at one go. I won’t call it a masterpiece but it sure is a feel good read. It speaks about family support in times of crisis. When one is in the light reading mood this book works. I did like the writing style. For Christian fiction reader, this book will work very well as it speaks of hope and faith in all situations.

Mondays: Musings/Mailbox/whereabouts

Do you keep a book wishlist, either on paper, Amazon/etc, or via a book database site (Shelfari, GoodReads, LibraryThing)? If yes, do you share this list with others (especially coming up to Christmas)?

I jot down my wishlist in my journal, which I carry everywhere. That way if I go to bookstore I can check what I truly wish to buy. I have not tried to keep a wish list in Amazon, Shelfari, Goodreads etc etc. Frankly I never thought of it. Maybe now is the right time to start one. Maybe if my friends see my wishlist, I might get books as gifts.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Monday Mailbox is hosted by Marcia, In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren and New Crayons is hosted by Color Online. Check all three which are related to books you receive in the past week.

I received 3 books:

1) Night of Flames by Douglas Jacobson

Painting a vivid and terrifying picture of war-torn Europe during World War II, this tale chronicles the lives of Anna, a Krakow University professor, and her husband Jan, a Polish cavalryman. After they are separated and forced to flee occupied Poland, Anna soon finds herself caught up in the Belgian Resistance, while Jan becomes embedded in British Intelligence efforts to contact the Resistance in Poland. He soon realises that he must seize this opportunity to search for his lost wife, Anna.

2) The Sister Pact by Cami Checkett

After a tragic fall leaves her sister in a coma, Savannah becomes the prime suspect in the investigation. Desperately hoping to prove her innocence, she convinces detective Noah Shumway to stay by her side at all times. But the close quarters prove too much for them to handle. Can Savannah find the proof she needs to show Noah she s not a monster? And how can she rely on her faith and keep her family safe when it seems all hope is lost?

3) Defenders of the Scroll by Shiraz Baboo

When Alex “the Axeman” Logan is pulled from his world to help young princess Dara save her kingdom from the Shadow Lord, he thinks there has been a mistake. He’s a teen guitar player close to failing 11th grade, not some defender of the realm. All he has are some school books, his wits, and his love of fantasy movies. Overnight his life is history. Alex must confront the Shadow Lord and his minions when he is thrust into a land that has changed from a magical paradise to a barren, hopeless, helpless realm invaded by a dark army. But Alex is not alone. He has the help of Dara, a magic scroll, and a band of unlikely companions drawn from his own history books: a hardened Roman Legionnaire, a swift Japanese Samurai, a mighty African Warrior, a fiery Amazon Archer, and a spirited Shaolin Monk.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading This Week? is a weekly event hosted by J. Kaye of J. Kaye’s Book Blog, “to list the books completed last week, the books currently being read, and the books to be finish this week.”

I read the following:

A House of Bottles by Robin Merrill (poetry)
The Locked Room: The New York Trilogy by Paul Auster
The Sister Pact by Cami Checkett
The Crab with the Golden Claws
The Shooting Star
The Secret of the Unicorn
Humpty Dumpty Was Pushed by Marc Blatte
A Note From An Old Acquaintance

I am currently reading:

The Cleopatra’s Daughter by Michelle Moran
City of Glass by Paul Auster

Plan to read:

More Tintins
And whatever takes my fancy!

Posted reviews of:

Someone Else’s Daughter by Elizabeth Brundage
Tintin: Cigars of the Pharaoh by Herge
Humpty Dumpty Was Pushed by Marc Blatte
A Note From An Old Acquaintance
Ghosts: The New York Trilogy by Paul Auster