Sawcat's Book Blog

Soon!

noreply@blogger.com (sawcat) — Tue, 17 Dec 2013 06:59:00 +0000

Between work, book clubs and hockey, I've been running around like a crazy woman. I intend on taking a few days over the holidays for me, so will finally finish up Pin it Do It. I just decided to extend it for the season because of work. I will also get back to books, too.

Pin it Do It :: October

noreply@blogger.com (sawcat) — Fri, 04 Oct 2013 02:51:00 +0000

I did this before, but I kinda forgot to do the actual write up for what I pinned and did. So going to try this again, since I'm working on a few Christmas projects. I'm going to do Timid Pinner: 1-3. My Boards are here, the Craftyness to Do and Things to Try are the ones I'll be using.

The things in progress are the Chevron Scarf, Scalloped Ribbed Socks, Mary Jane Slippers and Beloved Santa. Potential projects are the Santa Scarf and Apple Butter. I'll get some pictures of the in progress when I have better light.

Today in History :: The Battle of Antietam

noreply@blogger.com (sawcat) — Tue, 17 Sep 2013 21:19:00 +0000

The Cornfield

One hundred fifty-one years ago today, the battle at Antietam occurred near Sharpsburg, Maryland. In the days prior Confederate General Lee is leading his army out of Virginia through Maryland, after the second battle of Manassas/Bull Run, heading towards his supply lines. A Union soldier found Lee's Lost Order, which laid out General Lee's plans for the campaign. This told Union General McClelland key strategy, allowing the Union troops to attack the retreating confederate forces, ultimately leading to the Battle of Antietam.

Monument to the Philadelphia Brigade

The battle began near the Dunker Church, North Woods and the cornfield. Fierce fighting took place, starting in the early morning, with fighting around the church and confederate soldiers hidden by corn.

The Sunken Road, or Bloody Lane

As fighting moved to the south, a small group of Confederate troops held their ground against a much larger Union force, in a sunken farm road. Both sides faced heavy casulaties around the Bloody Lane.

Burnside Bridge

The decisive battle was when Union General Burnside's troops were able to take the now Burnside Bridge, and cross Antietam Creek. However, the union forces were unable to take full advantage of the gained ground, as both sides fought to a stand still by the end of the day. The following evening. General Lee withdrew his armies back into Virginia.

Antietam National Cemetery

Antietam was the bloodiest single day battle of the Civil War with an estimated 22,717 casulaties. More than both battles at Manassas, and a thousand shy of the battle of Shiloh. It provided Lincoln with a needed win to bolster the Emancipation Proclamation, announced the following year. This is also where Clara Barton earned her nickname "The Angel of the Battlefield."

If you find yourself near Maryland, go out and visit the battle field and remember the fallen. You get a three day pass, so you can tour the grounds at your own speed. You can hike trails, or just drive the auto tour, as I did.

Sources:
Photographs: Sarah Williams (Me!). Antietam National Battlefield
Antietam Battlefield

Top Ten Tuesday::Fall TBR List

noreply@blogger.com (sawcat) — Tue, 17 Sep 2013 05:14:00 +0000

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by Broke and the Bookish. This week's subject are books on our Fall 2013 TBR list.

In no particular order,

1. Antigoddess by Kendare Blake :: I loved Anna Dressed in Blood. Antigoddess is a twist on Greek Mythology, and I'm a sucker for mythology retellings.

2. The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey :: Our next book for the YA book club, and I'm looking forward for it.

3. Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein :: Code Name Verity was fantastic, and I've been hearing this is just as fantastic.

4. Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas :: Loved Throne of Glass, so I ran to the launch party for this the day I got back from vacation. Unfortunately I haven't been able to read it yet.

5. Deception by C.J. Redwine :: Loved Defiance, so I can't wait to get into this as well.

6. Bones of the Lost by Kathy Reichs :: I'm a sucker for the Temperance Brennan series, so I usually try to read them soon after release.

7. The White Queen by Philippa Gregory :: I am in mood for fluffy historical fiction that might play a bit fast and loose with history. Do not judge me.

8. The Bat by Jo Nesbo :: I really enjoyed The Devil's Star when we read it for book club. This is the first book in the series.

9. The Plantagenets: The Warrior Kings and Queens Who Made England by Dan Jones :: Between the discovery of Richard III's grave, and the White Queen, seems like a good time to brush up on the history of the period.

10. A Feast for Crows by G.R.R. Martin :: I've been spreading these out because of reasons.
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Mailbox Monday- Vacation Edition

noreply@blogger.com (sawcat) — Tue, 03 Sep 2013 03:59:00 +0000
I recently went on vacation to Gettysburg and Pennsylvania, so let me show you the bookish things that came home with me.

Widow's Weeds and Weeping Veils: Mourning Rituals in 19th Century America by Bernadette Loeffel-Atkins
Amazing Women of the Civil War by Webb Garrison
Now The Drum of War: Wal Whitman and his Brothers in the Civil War by Robert Roper
The Gettysburg Story: Battlefield Auto Tour by Gabor and Jake Boritt, performed by Stephen Lang

Pilgrim Places: Civil War Battlefields, Historic Preservation, and America's First National Military Parks, 1863-1900 by Richard West Sellars
The Red Queen Dies by Frankie Y. Bailey (won via Goodreads)

I can't wait for Amazing Women of the Civil War. The first chapter is about Sarah Edmunds, who is featured in A Soldier's Secret that I have from Arcycling, so I will pair those two together. And if you are planning on going to Gettysburg to tour the battlefields, I highly recommend this audio tour. It is the most expensive offered, but the narrator is great and the script does a good job on directing your attention around the stops. Plus it is made in the USA (A+++++). Therefore, I splurged. That Gabor Boritt helped creat the Lincoln Prize and is the battlefield tour guide of presidents doesn't hurt either. The booklet has photos, maps, blurbs and quotes in it. If there was a comparable one for Antietam, I would have gotten one, but there wasn't.

Since I had to watch the weight of my suitcase, I binged on bookmarks instead of books. Yay for each park selling bookmarks.
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Trying to get back

noreply@blogger.com (sawcat) — Thu, 01 Aug 2013 18:16:00 +0000
I'm going to try to get back into regular posting here this month (regular as in, maybe once a week. Baby steps, ya know...). Here is my read shelf on Goodreads. If there is something you would like to see a review of (stick with things from this year), let me know.
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Review: Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

noreply@blogger.com (sawcat) — Mon, 15 Jul 2013 02:07:00 +0000

Of Poseidon by Anna Banks
Hardcover published 2012
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Arc received through ARCycling/Purchased finished copy

Synopsis:
Galen is the prince of the Syrena, sent to land to find a girl he's heard can communicate with fish. Emma is on vacation at the beach. When she runs into Galen—literally, ouch!—both teens sense a connection. But it will take several encounters, including a deadly one with a shark, for Galen to be convinced of Emma's gifts. Now, if he can only convince Emma that she holds the key to his kingdom...

Told from both Emma and Galen's points of view, here is a fish-out-of-water story that sparkles with intrigue, humor, and waves of romance.
Thoughts:

I went to the local Fierce Reads tour stop when this book was being publicized, and being soon after the Festival of Books and a lack of reviews from trusted sources, I couldn't fit it into my budget. But everyone, Anna in particular were hilarious. She has this great, deadpan humor. So when I came across an arc on offer for ARCycling, I jumped at it.

Anna's humor most definitely comes through in Emma's character. Very funny, Emma's first encounter with Galen is quite memorable. From the description of the novel, I worried that it would be too much of a romance swing, but those fears were unfounded. As with nearly all YA, romance is a strong plot point, but Emma is not a sort to sit and moon over a boy, or forget about her life prior to meeting with some guy who pays attention to her. I found Emma to be a good, strong character, with lots of humor throughout the book. I ended up really enjoying the book, and had to check with the bookstore which hosted the event as to if they still had signed copies left (which they did) as soon as I finished. The worst thing I could say is, since it is a trilogy, it ends with a cliff hanger.

Verdict: Read It
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Quick admin thing

noreply@blogger.com (sawcat) — Thu, 02 May 2013 17:00:00 +0000
Ok, so remember when some of you had trouble commenting on the new disqus format, and I had to revert to the older, more friendly version? Well, they've forced the new one onto everyone now. Have they fixed any of the issues for those of you who had trouble before? I'd been toying with switching to Wordpress, so I may move that up if they didn't fix anything.
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Pin it- Do It May

noreply@blogger.com (sawcat) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 05:19:00 +0000
Hey, 'sup there? If you hadn't noticed, I hadn't been here in a while. February was monitoring month (which is me watching construction teams dig holes), making for long days and not always much reading time. Add getting back into crafting, with a dash of not sure how to put bookish thoughts into review form and we come to today. Yup, pretty much sums it up for me. So I'm trying to slowly work my way back to my blog and reader (will probably have to purge subs there). But I digress.

Since I'm doing more crafty things, I'm going to try to do Pin It Do It with Trish of Love, Laughter, and a Touch of Insanity. I'm going to do Timid Pinner 1-3 pins. I store pins for things I want to try in Things to Try and Craftiness to Do boards. I will try to post pictures on Ravelry too.
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Jump Cut by Ted Staunton

noreply@blogger.com (sawcat) — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 04:18:00 +0000
Jump Cut by Ted Staunton
The Seven Series
Orca Book Publishers
Arc recieved from LibraryThing Early Reviewers giveaways
4 stars

Synopsis

Spencer loves movies, but real life is boring, right? When his late grandfather's will reveals the tasks he wants his grandsons to undertake, Spencer thinks he got screwed. He's not going to France or Spain or Africa. He's not even getting a cool tattoo, like his younger brother. No, he's going to Buffalo to get a kiss from an ancient movie star. Gross. And he's supposed to film it. Grosser. But Spencer hasn't bargained on Gloria Lorraine, star of the silver screen back in the day. Gloria has big plans--plans that involve her granddaughter AmberLea, a gun, a baker who might be a gangster, some real gangsters and a road trip to Nowheresville, Ontario. After being shot at, jumping into an icy lake and confronting some angry bikers, Spencer finally realizes that real life can be as exciting (and dangerous) as reel life.
Thoughts

First off, this doesn't seem like a series you need to read in any particular order. Each of the seven books tell the story through one of the grandsons, and the novels overlap each other in time. You'll get more if you read several, especially if you read ones about siblings. Spencer is Bunny's brother, so he gets quick messages about Bunny's task (Ink Me).

This was a very fast, middle grade read. The story is gender neutral, which is great. There are elements that will probably attract boys more, and some that will draw girls more. But it was the gangster part of the story line that really kept the story moving along. One thing I liked most was that Spencer seems to be more of an introverted character, and not the stereotypical boy who likes sports and showing off. If you are looking for a contemporary middle grade novel that is not romantic in nature, you should check this out.
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Snapshot Saturday- Stitchery

noreply@blogger.com (sawcat) — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 07:59:00 +0000
Snapshot Saturday is hosted by Alyce of At Home With Books. You can head to her blog to check out the linky list to see what others are posting.

This year I am trying to do more of my needle work. I have countless patterns, kits and a few long suffering in progress pieces. So around New Years I pulled out one of the kits, intended as a possible generic Christmas gift, and got cracking. I've been working on this while I've watched tv in the evenings, so my reading progress is not so quick. I aim to get a couple reviews. Completely forgot that I needed one for Classic's Club book.
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Pride and Prejudice Bicentenary Challenge 2013

noreply@blogger.com (sawcat) — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 03:32:00 +0000

So, sue me. Another one. But read and watch Austen is something I do regularly, so doesn't seem like a stretch.

The Thing
Austenprose is hosting The Pride and Prejudice Bicentenary Challenge 2013 to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the publication of this classic novel.

Details
It runs through December 31, 2013 and has three levels of participation.

I will do the Aficionada: 9-12 selections

You can read the full details at the Austenprose blog, linked above.

My list
Not sure on what order I'll take yet, but I'll start with a reread via the audiobook, and probably aim for one a month. Some might change, if something more interesting crosses my path.
Books:

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen ~ Audio narrated by Lindsey Duncan

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame Smith

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dreadfully Ever After by Steve Hockensmith

Fitzwilliam Darcy, Rock Star by Heather Rigaud

Darcy and Fitzwilliam by Karen Wasylowski

Movies:

Pride and Prejudice (2005)

Pride and Prejudice (1940)

Pride and Prejudice (2005)

Bride and Prejudice (2004)

Bridget Jones's Diary and Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2001 & 2004)

Pride and Prejudice: A Latter Day Story (2003)

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2012 Challenge wrap ups.

noreply@blogger.com (sawcat) — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 03:20:00 +0000
End of the year. I guess I did pretty well on my challenges. Mount TBR was a wash. I didn't get all 50 States for Where are you reading, but I wasn't really planning ahead to get all the states (and too many duplicate states).

Mt. Vancouver - Completed:
1. The Kingmaking by Helen Hollick
2. Princes of Ireland by Edward Rutherfurd
3. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
4. A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin
5. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
(eta)
6. The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan
7. Kindred by Octavia Butler
8. The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht
9. Naked Heat by Richard Castle
10. Delirium by Lauren Oliver
11.
12.
13.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.

1. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
2. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
3. Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor
4. Wither by Lauren DeStefano
5. Across the Universe by Beth Revis
6. Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini (in progress)
7. The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan
8. Legend by Marie Lu
9. Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
10. The Restorer by Amanda Stevens

1. Across the Universe by Beth Revis, audiobook
2. Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld, audiobook
3. Tithe by Holly Black, audiobook
4. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater, audiobook
5. Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor, audiobook
6. Wither by Lauren DeStefano
7. When She Woke by Hillary Jordan, audiobook
8. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer
9. The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly, audiobook
10. The Postmistress by Sarah Blake, audiobook
11. Lady Macbeth by Susan Fraser King, audiobook
12. The Bonesetter's Daughter by Amy Tan, audiobook
**completed**
13. Room by Emma Donoghue, audiobook
14. The Descnedants, Kaui Hart Hemmings
15. Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain
16. The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh, audiobook

See my Where are you Reading? map
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Winner of the Historical Holiday Blog Hop giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (sawcat) — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 23:33:00 +0000
a Rafflecopter giveaway Congrats, Ileana A.! I've already emailed you, so just reply back with your choices and address.

Thanks everyone who stopped by!
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2013 Challenge- BINGO!

noreply@blogger.com (sawcat) — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 04:58:00 +0000
The library challenge I did this year seems to be DOA, and this one sounds, crazy, evil, and fun. So, check it out.

Hosted by Reading in Winter and Creativity's Corner. Check out the full rules HERE.

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Mailbox Monday

noreply@blogger.com (sawcat) — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 14:00:00 +0000
Mailbox Monday is a weekly meme hosted this December by Suko's Notebook.

I haven't done one of these in a while. Its not that I haven't gotten anything, but got in a bit of a funk about not wanting too. Which is the story of the last month or so. I got sick the week before Thankgiving, one of those pesky lingering cold. Worst part last about a week, screws with your sleeping habits kind of cold, with a lingering cough. Sorry, TMI. But the point of the story is it also screwed with my reading habits, and having trouble starting anything new that isn't an audiobook since.

So, the book for review I wanted posted already (At Drake's Command by David Wesley Hill will be a little later, sometime this month.

From Sawcat's Book Blog

These lovelies I found at a neighbor's yard sale: Labyrinth by Kate Moss (looks unread); Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton (same publisher & era as my Great Gatsby); One for the Money by Janet Evanovich; and for my nephews, an early reader of The Bravest Dog Ever: The True Story of Balto by Natalie Standiford; and Classics Illustrated (ie. Classics turned into comic books) editions of A Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne and The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper. I am determined to get at least one of my nephews into reading, so I figure these comic book versions might draw them in a bit more.

So what did you get?
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1st Annual Historical Holiday Blog Hop

noreply@blogger.com (sawcat) — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Welcome to my stop on the First Annual Historical Holiday Blog Hop, hosted by Passages to the Past.

For my giveaway, I am using Better World Books, who helps fund literacy projects around the world, and for each book purchased, they donate a book to someone in need. Good works! And all books ship internationally for free! So that means, this is open internationally! *confetti*

The winner will get to pick 3 books from the Bargin Bin sections of Historical Fiction and/or History.

Note: BWB gets their used books from donations from individuals and libraries. Conditions vary. Hardcovers may not have their dust jacket, some may have the various treatments done to them by libraries, some have bookcrossing stickers. The best available condition will be chosen. The books I've received have been in great condition, other than what has been noted.

Browse Historical Fiction
Browse History

Some of my favorites found in the Bargin Bin

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Plus, Amy is hosting Grand Prize drawings at her blog. They include:

Historical Holiday Blog Hop Grand Prizes

- $25 Amazon or Barnes & Noble Gift Card

- Prize package(s) of historical novels (titles will be added as authors sign up)

1. Oleanna by Julie Rose (pb)
2. The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn by Robin Maxwell (pb)
3. Jane: The Woman Who Loved Tarzan by Robin Maxwell (Audio Books)
4. The King's Daughter by Barbara Kyle (pb)
5. The King's Concubine by Anne O'Brien (pb)
6. Royal Romances: Titillating Tales of Passion and Power in the Palaces of Europe by Leslie Carroll (pb)
7. The Darling Strumpet by Gillian Bagwell (pb)
8. The September Queen by Gillian Bagwell (pb)
9. The Kingmaking by Helen Hollick (pb) *w/signed bookplate
10. The Forever Queen by Helen Hollick (pb) *w/signed bookplate
11. Sea Witch by Helen Hollick (pb) *w/signed bookplate
12. Claude & Camille by Stephanie Cowell (pb)
13. Marrying Mozart by Stephanie Cowell (pb)
14. The Queen's Vow by Christopher Gortner (pb, UK edition)
15. Into the Path of Gods (Book 1, Macsen's Treasure Series) by Kathleen Cunningham Guler (pb)
16. In the Shadow of Dragons (Book 2, Macsen's Treasure Series) by Kathleen Cunningham Guler (pb)
17. The Anvil Stone (Book 3, Macsen's Treasure Series) by Kathleen Cunningham Guler (hc)
18. A Land Beyond Ravens (Book 4, Macsen's Treasure Series) by Kathleen Cunningham Guler (hc)
19. Pale Rose of England by Sandra Worth (pb)
20. The Rose of York: Love & War by Sandra Worth (pb)
21. A Dance of Manners (A Regency Anthology) by Susan Flanders, Cynthia Breeding, Kristi Ahlers, Gerri Bowen and Erin Hatton (pb)
22. The Book of Lost Fragrances by MJ Rose (hc)
23. The Sumerton Women by D.L. Bogdan (pb)
24. Mistress of the Sun by Sandra Gulland (signed pb)
25. The Master of Verona by David Blixt (hc)
26. Before Versailles by Karleen Koen (pb)
27. Four Sisters, All Queens by Sherry Jones (pb)
28. At the Mercy of the Queen by Anne Barnhill (pb)
29. What You Long For by Anne Barnhill (pb)
30. Cascade by Maryanne O'Hara (signed hc)
31. The Lady's Slipper by Deborah Swift (pb, UK edition)
32. The Plum Tree by Ellen Marie Wiseman (signed pb)
33. The Secret Keeper by Sandra Byrd (pb, with Tower of London Tea Sachets)
34. The Mischief of the Mistletoe (2 copies - 1 pb, 1 hc - both signed)
35. The Sister Queens by Sophie Perinot
36. The Secret History: A Novel of Empress Theodora by Stephanie Thornton (pb w/bookmark)
37. The King's Grace by Anne Easter Smith (pb)
38. Illuminations by Mary Sharratt (hc)
39. Selene of Alexandria by Faith L. Justice (2 copies - 1 pb, 1 eBook)
40. A Thing Done by Tinney Sue Heath (2 copies, pb)
41. Rebel Puritan by Jo Ann Butler (pb)
42. The Bird Sisters by Rebecca Rasmussen (audio cd's)
43. By Fire, By Water by Mitchell James Kaplan (2 copies, pb)
44. The Painted Girls by Cathy Marie Buchanan (ARC, courtesy of Penguin Publishing)
45. Above All Things by Tanis Rideout (ARC, courtesy of Penguin Publishing)
46. The Fever Tree by Jennifer McVeigh (ARC, courtesy of Penguin Publishing)
47. Movement of Stars by Amy Brill (ARC, courtesy of Penguin Publishing)
48. Teaspoon of Earth and Sea by Dina Nayeri (ARC, courtesy of Penguin Publishing)
49. The Queen's Daughter by Susan Coventry (hc)
50. The Virgin Queen's Daughter by Ella March Chase (pb)
51. Three Maids for a Crown by Ella March Chase (pb)
52. Mistress of Rome by Kate Quinn (pb)
53. The Forgotten Queen by D.L. Bogdan (ARC)
54. The Sign of the Weeping Virgin by Alana White
55. A Place Beyond Courage by Elizabeth Chadwick (pb)
56. The Crown by Nancy Bilyeau (signed pb)
57. Second Lisa by Veronica Knox

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Top Ten Tuesday: Under the Tree

noreply@blogger.com (sawcat) — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 08:00:00 +0000

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week's topic: Top Ten Books I Wouldn't Mind Santa Bringing Me.

1. Frozen Heat by Richard Castle - I love the tv series, and the books are just as fun as the show. I showed great restraint in only getting the Season 4 dvds this fall.
2. Froi of the Exiles by Melina Marchetta - I loved Finnikin of the Rock when I listened to it this year. And since for some bloody reason the audiobook has not made it across the Pacific, I need this in print.
3. Reporting the Revolutionary War: Before it was History, It Was News by Todd Andrlik - I always loved the book of NY Times front pages we had as a kid, stealing dad's magnifying glass and reading as much of the articles as I could. This shouldn't be a surprise to my family.
4. The Iliad and The Odyssey by Homer - I feel deficient for not having read either of these yet.
5. Nefertiti and The Heretic Queen by Michelle Moran - I've loved Ancient Egypt since the fifth grade. I made elaborate tomb with a mummified Barbie for a school project. And I loved Moran's novels that I've read so far. I'd like Cleopatra's Daughter also, but I've read that and not these two, so they are more of a priority.
6. Firefly: A Celebration by Joss Whedon - Oh how I loved Firefly. I called home when in grad school to get my parents to record an episode (they were in a different time zone), because I missed it where I was (the horror!).
7. The Chronicles of Downton Abbey: A New Era - Love the series, and The World of Downton Abbey is just gorgeous.
8. The Time Traveller's Guide to Elizabethan England by Ian Mortimer - Loved the medieval one, but for some reason this has not been published this side of the pond D=
9. Queen of the Conqueror: The Life of Matilda, Wife of William I by Tracy Borman - this sound fascinating when discussed in the BBC History magazine some months ago.
10. Lionheart by Sharon Kay Penman - I loved how she wrote Richard in her Henry II/Eleanor of Aquitaine series. I think I've had a long enough break from the bad experience with Devil's Brood to pick up another of her books.
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Challenges for 2013

noreply@blogger.com (sawcat) — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 05:23:00 +0000
I'm going to join a few challenges in the next year. I've started a page up top that will be for tracking progress, but this will be for joining announcements.

Where are you reading is hosted by Book Journey. I did pretty well this year (for not really aiming for specific states), so am giving it another go.

Witches and Witchcraft Reading Challenge is hosted by Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf. I will be aiming for the Initiate level (1-5 books).

Audio Book Challenge is hosted by Teresa's Reading Corner. Since I've read over 40 audiobooks this year, I'll be aiming to the Married (listen to more than 25 audiobooks) level.

Mount TBR Reading Challenge is hosted by My Reader's Block. I didn't do too well on this this year, so am going to try again. I'll be aiming for Mount Blanc: Read 24 books from your TBR pile/s.

Historical Tapestry hosts the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge every year for a few years now. I'll be trying it this coming year, at the Renaissance Reader level (10 books).

That's it for right now. Will probably look out for a library challenge also.
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Last Minute Read-a-thon

noreply@blogger.com (sawcat) — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 06:10:00 +0000

Vonnie of Vonnie's Reading Corner is hosting the Last Minute Read-a-thon, to take place in one month's time. Spend the final days of December reading with us.
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Clear your shelves Giveaway Winners

noreply@blogger.com (sawcat) — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 20:31:00 +0000
Congrats to Kylie and Jennee! Emails await you regarding your wins. Thanks for everyone who stopped by! a Rafflecopter giveaway a Rafflecopter giveaway
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The Hobbit post delayed

noreply@blogger.com (sawcat) — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 22:15:00 +0000
The last post for the Hobbit discussion won't go up tomorrow. After the busy that was the start of last week, I've come down with a cold this weekend and haven't been able to do any reading, let alone write the post.
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Clear Your Shelves Giveaway Hop- US & US/Can

noreply@blogger.com (sawcat) — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 06:30:00 +0000

This giveaway hop is hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer. I have been doing a bit of a purge and reorganization of my books and have a few titles I'd like to send along to new homes. One giveaway is US only, the other is open to US and Canada.

Giveaway 1: The Guenevere Trilogy by Rosalind Miles
US Only

I purchased the first book new (Guenevere, Queen of the Summer Coutnry), and it has been read once. I purchased the other two used. The Child of the Holy Grail is in like new condition. The Knight of the Sacred Lake has some minor water damage on the cover, and about 50 pages. The four small thumbnails show the water damage (click for larger view)- not too bad, as you can see. And it definitely does not impede your reading of the book. And plus, free for you! Due to weight, this is open only to US readers.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway 2: Arc of The Philosopher's Kiss by Peter Prange
US or Canada

I recieved this through the Goodreads First Reads giveaways. It's been read once. You can read my review here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to visit the other blogs participating!

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Review: This Republic of Suffering by Drew Gilpin Faust

noreply@blogger.com (sawcat) — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 15:00:00 +0000

This Republic of Suffering: Death and the American Civil War by Drew Gilpin Faust
Publisher: In print: Alfred A. Knopf, division of Random House, Inc./ Audio: Blackstone Audio
Narrator: Lorna Raver
346 pages / 10 hours, 55 minutes
Checked out from the library

With its cloud of skirmishers in advance,
With now the sound of a single shot snapping like a whip, and now an irregular volley,
The swarming ranks press on and on, the dense brigades press on,
Glittering dimly, toiling under the sun- the dust-cover'd men,
In columns rise and fall to the undulations of the ground,
With artillery interspers'd the wheels rumble, the horses sweat,
As the army corps advances.

An Army Corps on the March

Walt Whitman

We are currently in the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War (1861-1865), so reading This Republic of Suffering right now is a timely read. I had read her Mothers of Invention: Women of the Slaveholding South in the American Civil War in grad school, which was well written and very informative. So when I noticed the CROAH group on Shelfari had read this, I put it on my tbr. I am also fascinated by the culture of death- mourning traditions, mourning jewelry, cemetery art, etc. So yes, the word death caught my attention.

It is estimated that at least 620,000 soldiers died from battle or disease during the Civil War, which "is approximately equal to the total American fatalities in the Revolution, the War of 1812, the Mexican War, The Spanish American War, World War I, World War II and the Korean War combined" (p.xi). These numbers are staggering, and for a time when people were more used to death than we are today, they weren't ready for this.

Gilpin Faust discusses the notion of dying well, and how soldiers had to justify trying to kill others, even though it was against their beliefs. But then she goes into some subjects that were a bit surprising to me. Today, soldiers killed in combat or on the job, their remains are returned home to their families, and there are numerous National Cemeteries for them to be buried in. But many of these practices grew out of the Civil War. There was no formal method of identifying soldiers, no formal system for burying the fallen, or transporting them back to their families.

Gilpin Faust does a good job presenting the similarities and contrasts to the ordeals of those from the North and those from the South. There are lots of primary source materials, and a great deal of information in the end notes as well. There are a great deal of images in this rather short history book, but some people will likely find some of the photographs disturbing. This was the rise of photography, and people like Mathew Brady served as early photo-journalists, photographing camps, battlefields shortly after battles ended, or even sometime afterwards. So there are photographs of the dead- some lying where they fell, some along the process of burial, and one being embalmed before being sent to his family. These photographs, while squeamish, are necessary to demonstrate the various points she makes throughout the book.

A well written and documented book, I found it fascinating. If you would like to read up on a not often discussed social issues coming out of the Civil War, I highly recommend this book. This fall, the PBS program American Experience aired an episode entitled "Death and the Civil War", which is based on this book, which I would also recommend.
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The Hobbit post delayed

Clear Your Shelves Giveaway Hop- US & US/Can

Review: This Republic of Suffering by Drew Gilpin Faust