Sunday Words of Encouragement September 29, 2013

Our sermon this morning was given by our Youth Pastor. He opened by reminding us how Superman came to Earth as a child, not knowing his history or his destiny. As he was growing up he experienced years of trauma trying to figure out his powers, never getting the girl because of complications, and learning to do good. Next Pastor directs us to David who was a man after God’s own heart and a boy who had a great destiny.  The message was entitled “A Season of Shadows.”

David experienced THE CALLING to his position as a youth when he was anointed by Samuel. 1 Samuel 16:13. But calling is only the beginning; David wasn’t prepared yet to become King. In 1 Samuel chapter 17 David faces Goliath and the Philistines. Then in chapter 18 he becomes a great warrior, celebrated by the people. Then troubles begin as Saul attacks in chapter 19. David is led into his Season of Shadows while he becomes a fugitive running from the enemy. (See Psalm 142: 1-3.)  During a season of shadow we are confused and experience emotional and sometimes physical pain. We don’t understand God’s plan and we question our faith.

To compare to today – we have no GPS to help direct us. We don’t see the bigger picture and we must rely and trust God to take us where He wants us. We need to learn that God knows the outcome as we go through our times of testing. David learned to wait for God’s direction. It was 20 or so years before THE FULFILLMENT when David was finally anointed as King. 2 Samuel 2:1.

We are each created with a special spiritual purpose and destiny. We will all have times of trouble, trauma and crisis – our Season of Shadows. Will we learn to trust God to guide and use us as He plans?

As I was choosing a different song I saw this title. This is perfect for this message!

When God Has Another Plan.

Verses for Today:
James 1:2-4 (NIV)
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Interestingly there was a message in tongues uttered near the beginning of the sermon. The interpretation was: “God is taking you where He wants you to be. Do not fear.” How fitting! Thank you, Lord.

Sharing Beyond Books #119 Comment Giveaway 9/28/13

Hello again on Saturday night and Welcome to SBB, Sharing Beyond Books.

I can't believe that it will be October this week! Wow - the year has run quickly.

The larger number of commenters prefer milk chocolate - 12. But 6 people like ALL chocolate and 7 prefer dark. No one chose while chocolate as first preference.

The greater majority do like to read series in a row - 16!  Only 4 prefer time in between and 5 like mixed - depends on the series or the length.

Thank you to all who shared last week.

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #118 comments is: #7 Llehn who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the ARC/Review titles, Christmas titles or Love titles - all linked near the end of the post.  Please let me know your choice by completing the (new) WINNER FORM.

WEEK #119

Q1. Abby (Nikki) asks:  Are you a book wrapper (wraps books in plastic) or just a leave-them-as-they-are person??

A: I do not use any covers for print books. However, my MP3 has a little rubbery cover to protect from scratches and I keep my old Kindle in a cover while in my purse or briefcase.

Image found at MirandaMade.

Q2. My nonbookish Question this week: Do you like and/or will you ride roller coasters??

A: There was a time when I would get nauseous on roller coasters so I would not ride. But when our kids were younger we often vacationed where we could spend a day at parks like Ghost Mountain (Maggie Valley NC), Disney Magic Kingdom (Orlando, FL), Universal Studios (Orlando), Busch Gardens (Tampa, FL), Carowinds (NC/SC line) and Six Flags (GA).

I finally learned to enjoy THE HULK with the kids!

Image found at Orlando Attractions.

Thanks to those who are sending in Questions. DON'T BE SHY! Surely everyone has a Q or two you'd like to ask. Input suggestions in this Suggested Question Form. At the end of each month I draw from the suggestions I used during the month and that person will get a book choice or GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions. Thanks for sending in questions! We are getting low on questions so hopefully you will send more in -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify to use.
THIS IS THE END OF SEPTEMBER AND THE Q CONTRIBUTORS WERE: Birgit, MaryP, Margaret and Abby. The Q winner is MARGARET -- Please pick a book or GC. 

Your turn to share:

Q1. Abby (Nikki) asks:  Are you a book wrapper (wraps books in plastic) or just a leave-them-as-they-are person??

Q2.My non-bookish Question: Do you like and/or will you ride roller coasters??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Valentine and "Love" books , the Christmas Giveaway Books, or the June 2012 Newly Updated ARC/Review List.

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on either of the two questions above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.

I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made by Friday, October 4, 2013 at 10 PM central.

Audio Book Review: Once by Morris Gleitzman

This is a remarkable story of occupied Poland lived through the eyes of a story telling young boy.
Once
By Morris Gleitzman
Read by Morris Gleitzman


Published by Bolinda Audio
Series: Once Series, Book 1 
Published:    August 01 2005 
Read by:    Morris Gleitzman 
Number of CDs / Tapes:    3 
Duration:    3 hours  
Available Date:    August 01 2005 
ISBN:    1740949021 

Genre:    Fiction; Childrens
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Description:
Felix lives in a convent orphanage in Poland. He is convinced his parents are still alive and that they will one day come back to get him. When Nazi soldiers come to the orphanage Felix decides to escape and make his way home.The journey to find his parents is a long and difficult one, as Poland is occupied by the Nazis and a dangerous place for a Jewish boy. Felix manages to live and look after himself and another orphan, Zelda, with the help of a kind dentist, Barney, who is hiding and looking after a number of Jewish children. When the Nazis discover them, Barney makes the ultimate sacrifice for the children – electing to go with them on the train to the death camps, rather than taking the option of freedom offered by a Nazi soldier, one of his grateful patients.

Review:
"Once I was living in an orphanage in the mountains and I shouldn't have been and I almost caused a riot." And so opens a surprising, fictional tale to paint a picture of the Holocaust as seen from the eyes of a child.

Felix is a young boy living in a convent orphanage in Poland. He is a great story teller creating "once upon a time" bright tales to cheer the other children. Felix believes that his parents, who owned a book store, will be returning for him any day. One day Nazi soldiers come and he sees them burning books in front of the building. This sets Felix on a frenzy to find his parents and save the books in their shop from the book-burning Nazis.

Felix leaves gifts, a whole carrot and a treasured storybook, to his friend in the orphanage and sneaks away. It is dangerous enough for a young child in the woods and along the empty paths but he doesn’t have any understanding how dangerous it is for him, a Jewish boy. Felix makes it to the town only to discover that his parents shop and the home above have been taken over by others. The books are gone and the new people are ready to turn Felix in to the Nazis.

Felix heads off to the city and along the way stumbles upon a farm where he hopes to find welcome and food. To his horror he finds dead chickens and dead people. But the little girl is alive and he runs off with her as his new charge to protect. Felix and Zelda see many people being herded into the city by Nazi soldiers. He doesn’t understand but tells Zelda they are going to city to find their parents.

In the city Felix and Zelda are hidden with other children by a brave dentist, Barney. They struggle along in the basement until Nazis discover them and push them out to the trains. Barney could stay to secretly treat the Nazi soldiers but he decides he must go with the children. In spite of the trauma and horribly cramped conditions, Felix finds a way to share. But are they all doomed to travel to the death camps or is there a chance for escape?

This short, quicl story is wonderfully and remarkably set out from the view of a young boy with a great imagination, a sweet naivety and an unsinkable determination. The horrors of the occupation are subtly told but visual enough to be chilling. I would say the delivery and story are 'delightful' except that is not an appropriate word for the gravity of the setting. I recommend this to those who like  history, especially told from a different perspective and with a child’s wonder.

Audio Notes: Morris Gleitzman does a marvelous job reading the story as the young boy Felix. He manages to express the myriad emotions of friendship, confusion, fear, tenderness, horror and more. His reading made the story even more poignant and alive.

I received this audio from the 2013 summer SYNC YA program. I am so glad for SYNC as otherwise I would not even know about this book.

Saturday Snapshot September 28, 2013 Bahamas Cruising - Day at Sea

Cruise Day 5 was at day at sea. Although it can get crowded because everyone stays on board, we still have a relaxing day. 

We were awake pretty early and I got some lovely early morning shots as the sun was rising.

Robert went out to the deck early while I was still dressing. 

He got some interesting shots not realizing that the camera had fogged over:

You can guess what this picture is and next week I'll post a clear one. :-)

Thanks to all who stop by and visit. I hope to visit around Saturday morning this week.

A big Thank You to Alyce of At Home With Books who has hosted this meme for a number of years. She is taking a summer hiatus at her blog and the new host will be Melissa at West Metro Mommy. Thank you to Melissa for picking up the responsibility.

To participate in the Saturday Snapshot meme post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky being hosted this summer by West Metro Mommy. Photos can be old or new, and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don’t post random photos that you find online.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway September 27, 2013

[** If you are new to Friday Pick Giveaway - Welcome!  Scroll down a bit (below book group #19) for instructions on how to enter.]

Happy Friday Friends!!  How is everyone doing this week? I am finally feeling better. 
Check out the new list today.

[UPDATED NOTE - US entrants I prefer, please, that you pick a book as that is the first purpose of this giveaway - to find new homes for books. The GCs are for the international entrants because postage has jumped up.]

Thank you to all who entered the September 20 Pick. There were FOUR Automatic wins this week - sometimes it seems like feast or famine! :-) (Automatic winners are those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks). There were three blocked titles with one won.
Di gets My Lady Midnight
Louisa gets The Clairvoyant Countess
Becky gets To Tame a Rebel
and
bn100 gets The Shadowed Heart

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from September 20 Pick:

Linda gets a GC

booklady gets the Jude Deveraux pair (won through a several weeks block.)

All winners please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me to confirm your win, send your snail mail address information and let me know if you would like bookmarks - sensual or sexy and I have a new supply of sweet bookmarks. {The form is new because Google changed their forms and the old one wasn't letting me print out the responses.}

See the fallen leaves? That is what our yard is beginning to look like.

Image found at Darling Magazine.

New Book Group #42 September 27, 2013

Pairs:
Linda Lael Miller:
     The Legacy and Here &Then
Susan Spencer Paul
     Beguiled and The Bride's Portion
Singles:
Whisper on the Wind by Joan Smith
Portrait of Dreams by Victoria Malvey
No Other Lover by Julie Anne Long
Deceptions & Dreams by Debra Deir (spine creases)
Wet & Wild by Sandra Hill
Fulfillment by Barbara Delinsky
Something Extra by Janet Dailey
Trouble Becomes Her by Laura Van Wormer
Dead Silence by Brenda Novak
Remember Me by Mary Higgins Clark
The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter by Sharyn McCrumb

New Book Group #41 August 2, 2013

Pairs:
Jude Deveraux
    Return to Summerhouse and Twin of Fire
Mariah Stewart
    Priceless and Brown-Eyed Girl
Singles:
The Shadowed Heart by Nina Beaumont
Hannah by Lori Copeland
My Lady Midnight by Laurie Grant
Wicked and Wonderful by Valerie King
The Door to December by Dean Koontz
Heart of the Storm by Lindsay McKenna
Crucfixtion River by Marcia Muller & Bill Pronzini
Tabitha in Moonlight by Betty Neels
The Nightingale's Song by Jo-Ann Power
Caught in a Bind by Gayle Roper
Cattle Rancher, Secret Son by Margaret Way
White Heather by Jaclyn Reding

New Book Group #40 June 28, 2013

Pairs:
     (Highlands) Highland Treasure by Amanda Scott and Highlander Unbound by Julia London
     (Angels) Not Quite An Angel by Bobby Hutchinson and An Angel for Dry Creek by Janet Tronstad
Singles:
What Sarah Saw by Margaret Daley (Cover has black line across where bookstore crossed it for clearance)
Her Last Chance by Terri Reed  (Cover has black line across where bookstore crossed it for clearance)
The Clairvoyant Countess by Dorothy Gilman
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes
Mission: Irresistible by Lori Wilde
Sin and Scandal in England by Melody Thomas
Dance With Me by Luanne Rice
A Mother's Day Anthology - three stories
Rising Moon by Lori Handeland
Star Light, Star Bright by Katherine Stone
Another View by Rosamunde Pilcher
Promise Forever by Marta Perry


New Book Group #39 May 31, 2013 - Plenty of "summer" titles!
Oops - I never added all the links last month so no promises on these either.

Pairs:
Hannah Howell
     Highland Hearts and Highland Destiny
Catherine Anderson
     My Sunshine and Blue Skies
Elizabeth Lowell
     Remember Summer and Too Hot to Handle
Singles:
Touched by Fire by Kathleen O'Reilly
Playing with Fire by Gena Showalter
Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
That Summer by Joan Wolf
Shadow of the Sun by Tammy Hilz
Dark Summer by Iris Johansen
Summer at Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs
Summer by the Sea by Susan Wiggs
Shadow Beach by Barbara Freethy
It All Began at Monte Carlo by Elizabeth Adler


New Book Group #38 April 20, 2013
Here is a group with many mysteries.  Links to be added as I get time.

Pairs:
Amanda Scott
      Abducted Heiress and Highland Bride
Sandra Brown
     Texas! Chase and Exclusive (spine wear) (not the covers as on the links)
A Murderous Yarn by Monica Ferris
Deadly Advise by Roberta Isleib
Dial Emmy for Murder by Eileen Davidson 
On Deadly Ground (Love Inspired Suspense) by Lauren Nichols
Happy Never After by Kathy Hogan Trocheck
Female Intellignece by Jane Heller
Improper English by Katie MacAllister
Sheer Dynamite by Jennifer Skully
Golden Chances by Rebbecca Hagen Lee
Caitlin's Guardian Angel by Marie Ferrarella
Burning Alive by Shannon K. Butcher
Awaken the Senses by Nalini Singh


New Book Group #37 March 22, 2013

As I am linking these titles it is clear to me why they were in my TBR boxes and it is really hard to let them go but I have soooo many. Better that they find good reader homes than sit on my shelves, or in a box, and collect dust. 
Pairs:
Singles:
Anthology: Something Borrowed, Something Blue - this book has spine creases and minor water damage...I thought I had read it and liked it but now I realize it was another anthology I read with Elaine Barbier.
To Tame a Rebel by Georgina Gentry
While Passion Sleeps by Shirlee Busbee
The Admiral's Bride by Suzanne Brockmann
Lady Ice by Joan Hohl



New Book Group #36 February 15, 2013

Pairs:
Tara Taylor Quinn
     Father: Unknown and McGillus v.Wright
Singles:
Timeline by Michael Crichton
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe


New Book Group #35 January 11, 2013
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books possibly suitable for international mailing 
Pairs
Singles-- I found a couple of boxes of romances (a lot of Harlequins) that I haven't gotten to read over the past 8 years so... I will send them off to others to read!

*Merger of Fortunes by Peggy Moreland

New Book Group #34 December 7, 2012--- (All gone)

New Book Group #33 October 27, 2012
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books possibly suitable for international mailing

SINGLES - CHRISTMAS TITLES (Better sizes for international) 
*Deck the Halls by Arlene James (slight spine creasing)
*A Holiday Prayer by Deb Kastner  (slight spine creasing)


New Book Group #32 October 5, 2012

- Oops upside down book! NOTE This book has dog bite damage; it is missing half back cover and the edges of pages in the back third of the book... it does not effect the text but I will understand if no one wants this one - A Courtesans Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley


New Book Group #31 August 31, 2012
I pulled some more books from several of my boxes.

An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)


New Book Group #30 July 27, 2012
This time I pulled some books from one of my older boxes.
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books possibly suitable for international mailing

The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Wild Escapade by Lisa Bingham
Dancing on Snowflakes by Jane Bonander (postage too much - replaced with GC)

New Book Group #29 June 29, 2012
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books possibly suitable for international mailing

Magic: The Gathering Distant Planes, An Anthology
*One is the Lonliest Number - Tom Clancey's Net Force

New Book Group #28 May 18, 2012 (All gone)

New book Group #27 April 13, 2012 (All gone)

New book Group #26 March 2, 2012--- (All gone)

New Group #25 January 12, 2012---(All gone)

New Group #24 Pick Books November 25, 2011---(All gone)

New Group #23 Pick Books October 14, 2011
I tried to pick some books that would be good for October -
Halloween or dark minded.
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser


New Group #22 Pick Books September 2, 2011---(All gone)

New Group #21 of Pick Books July 29, 2011
Mallory's Oracle (Kathleen Mallory Novels) by Carol O'Connell

May, 2011 New Group of Pick books Group #20
Luciano's Luck by Jack Higgins - Audio Cassettes

3/25/11 I did get to set up a new group of books: Group #19
Primary Colors - audio tapes
*Note of Peril (black strip on cover)

2/19/11 Book Group #18- Pairs!---(All gone).

I have finally updated the intro and Entry paragraphs here:

If you saw the pictures posted of my bookshelves and boxes you know I do have lots of books! And that doesn't include the other eight or so boxes at my office!! And more books as I find deals too good to pass up! I am sharing my book bounty by these Friday Pick Giveaways.

I started Friday Pick in November 27, 2009 and in three years I have posted 33 groups of 16 (528) books to find new homes! (as of November 2012)

I periodically update the lists - deleting those won. You can still go to the Friday Pick list link to see older posts and the older lists book pictures if you want! I am happy to say that so far about 556+ books (I forgot to update this number for a month) have found new homes! YAY. I have to update my print out to check the exact number sent out - a few were never claimed.

Note rules here regarding international entries.

Because postage to overseas can be prohibitive I am willing to give a $5.00 book certificate to international winners - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, ARe, TWRP, ClassAct Books, eTreasures, Desert Breeze, etc....you tell me where and I'll set it up. So for my overseas visitors your comment may indicate a smaller book and I'll check postage or note your choice of gift card.

I learned that The Book Depository does not ship to everywhere. The postage for some of the books to far away places runs between $5.00 $7.00 and $6.00 $10.00 and up. Since I would award $5.00 for The Book Depository to an international winner, as an alternative you may choose a smaller book and we will hope the postage will not exceed $6.00. If the postage is more, or if you want to pick a larger book and you are willing to pay any extra postage beyond the $6.00 I will work with you on that. This may not make a difference to many but if it helps one or two of you to give one of my books a home that will make me happy too. :o)

TO ENTER:

Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.
CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 10:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up past midnight to do the winner post!
I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post.
Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks.
WINNERS PLEASE CHECK THE WIN POST ON FRIDAYS AND fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me at mesreads@gmail.com. [I will confirm receipt of the addresses- well I realize I haven't always done this. But if you filled out the form and don't get the book within two weeks nudge me with an email please!] If I have the winners e-mail I will send a reminder in a week or so....

Thanks for helping these books find new homes!!

Repeating this helpful blog tip: You can right click on a link and you will be given the choice to open the link in a new window or tab so you do not navigate away from the screen you are on!! I use this all the time!

1/14/11 New List #17--- (All gone)

12/3/10 Book Set: #16
Sleight of Hand by Robin Hathaway
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown  (postage too much - replaced with GC)

List #15---(All gone)

List #14---(All gone)

Here is set #13 of Used books! ---(All gone)

Group #12---(All gone)

Group #11
Cat's Eyewitness by Rita Mae Brown
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester

List #1
Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo

Pick #2---(All gone)

Pick #3---(All gone)

Pick #4
Talking God by Tony Kellerman

Pick #5
See Jane Lead by Lois P. Frankel
Cold Hit by Linda Fairstein - Audio Tapes

Pick #6---(All gone)

Pick #7
Prey by Michael Crichton - Audio Tape
Princess Charming by Jane Heller (slightly creased)

Pick #8
(sc) = slightly creased on binding otherwise all in good shape
The Jury by Steve Martini - Audio Tapes
No Safe Place by Richard North Patterson - Audio Tapes

Pick #9
On Treacherous Ground by Earl Murray
Guardian by Dee Henderson - Audio Tapes
Time to Hunt by Stephen Hunter - Audio Tapes

Pick #10---(All Gone)