Book Review Times Two - Brandon Sanderson

I've just finished a couple of books I really enjoyed, both by the same author.

"Elantris"

and
"Warbreaker"


both by Brandon Sanderson.  Both of these books fall into the Sci-Fi/Fantasy category which is not usually my thing.  (I'm a huge mystery/suspense/thriller fan.)  BUT, I love anything with good writing, a good plot, and at least a little suspense.   So I make exceptions.  (A lot.)   My other stipulation for giving a book a big thumbs up is that the writer doesn't rely on gratuitous s-e-x to fill the pages or swear too dang much.  (A book I absolutely hate for this reason:  "The Pact" by Jodi Picoult)

These books fit the bill.  Both sucked me in from the very first page and kept me reading.  (Too much, too fast!)  Both have strong characters and well crafted plots and what I call "artistic unity" (which means that everything in the book is in there for a reason) and although they both include swear words, they're made up swear words in a made up language.  So not offensive to me at all!

Now, I must say that "Warbreaker" does include some s-e-x.  Nothing graphic but it is part of the plot: since two characters get married and are supposed to make a baby.  To me, that excludes it from the "gratuitous" category so I don't get all het up about it...but it is in there.

One other thing I don't enjoy in all Sci Fi/Fantasy in general?  Made up nouns.  I like being able to pronounce things and I have no idea what the proper pronunciation is for "T'Telir" or "Susebron".  But, I can never have everything I want.  Even my perfect husband likes Country music, after-all...!  So I try not to be too bugged.

When I started "Elantris", Doug told me I'd be sorry there is no sequel.  He was right.  I was sad to finish it.  Which is why I started "Warbreaker" soon after.  That's my idea of a good story.

Therefore, I highly recommend these books.  Especially "Elantris".

Have you read these books or any others by Brandon Sanderson?  What did you think?
Read anything else I'd love lately?

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

Congrats Mel!!!  
You're the Winner of the Sea Glass necklace!!!!!
Hooray!  I'll be in touch.

Everyone else, ease your personal pain by going to JapanSeaGlass.com and buying something.  On-line shopping always works for me!

Thanks for entering everybody.  Thanks for the beautiful necklace Misti.

And let's not forget:  The world has enough leaders...be a FOLLOWER!!!!


:)

Sea Glass Jewelry - Giveaway!!!

Because it's been awhile and because I love all two of my loyal readers, and because Mother's Day is approaching and I'm anticipating breakfast in bed, (which makes me feel extremely magnanimous) it's time to do a giveaway!!!

Two of my very good friends here in Japan, Kendra and Misti, have a passion.  A passion for BEACH COMBING and SEA GLASS!

They've turned that passion into an awesome business making beautiful jewelry.
Please give a warm welcome to...
K and M Creations!!!

AND...
(wait for iiiiiiiitttttt.....)
Misti gave me a necklace to give to one of YOU lucky readers!!!

(It looks similar to this one below:)

Here's a little info about their jewelry:

Featuring 100% Beach combed sea glass, surf tumbled to perfection - not artificially enhanced! Design your own piece or check out our gallery for one of our original designs! Custom designs using your own sea glass also available!

So!  Here's how to enter for your chance to win:
Leave a comment and get one entry.  (I'm going to need your name if you want your entry to count.)
Become a "Follower" of this blog (right side bar) and get four extra entries for a total of FIVE!!!
(I KNOW, I'm AWESOME, right?!?!?!  And maybe I want more than two followers.  It's a pride thing.)

The contest will end in four days.  Monday night/Early Tuesday your time.
(Tuesday night at 10ish my time.)

Got it?  Good.

Make sure you're Following or Subscribed to this blog to find out if you're the lucky winner!

Not a winner?  Don't worry.  I still like you.  Oh, and you can always go to:
www.japanseaglass.com
and buy something for yourself.  And your sister and your mom.
That way we all win.
But mostly you and your sister and your mom.

Good luck!  And may the best entrant be selected from a random number generator!!!

---
FYI: I am not being compensated in any way for this review.   I'm just a big fan of sea glass!!!

A Toy I Hate, A Toy I Love...just because!

This is probably a moot point since we bought this toy almost two years ago, but every time I see this toy it bugs me and I want to TELL THE WORLD! Or, the three people who read this blog...just to warn you in case there is still one hanging out on the shelf at your local Target.

So here it goes. I hate this toy. This toy? Yes. This toy.

But it's cute, right? Backyardigans, a pirate ship, a tub toy! What's not to love?

The design, that's what.

First of all, everything deck-up comes apart. Handy for storage I suppose. But it comes apart too easily and doesn't go back together easily. (Not for toddlers, anyway.) That means the mast and sail, which Gabe could never "fix" himself, were a constant source of frustration, and eventually (fortunately) got lost/thrown away.

But here's the worst, most horrible-terrible-no-good part. The first time we put it in the bath tub, The bottom cavity filled with water. Maybe this is required for it to maintain proper buoyancy. I dunno. The problem is, the bottom cavity is the only part that DOESN'T come apart! It's SCREWED TOGETHER! With (now rusty) metal screws!!!

That means, this toy is filled with nasty, moldy, two-year-old water and it can't be cleaned without the use of a tiny screwdriver!!! (And my OCD hasn't taken me that far. Yet.) It's amazing I haven't tossed the dumb thing! (But we have a dirth of tub toys so it's gotten lucky.)

And THAT is all I will say about that.

Moving on.

A toy we love:

THE PLAYSKOOL BALL POPPER!!!

We got this toy a few years ago from my in-laws. The toy pictured below is actually the next generation design so not exactly like the one we have. (But ours is still kicking, sooo...props for quality!)

Basically, the genius of this toy is that it contains a suped-up hair dryer. A little motor blows air through the toy which pops the balls out the top. Then they fall back down and roll down the ramp for another spin. Oh yeah. And it plays music.

Now, you may think the motor noise/song combination would get annoying. But the popping balls are so mesmerizing, you forget the noise and just stare. And when I say "you" I mean "YOU", me, and children of all ages. Everyone loves staring at this toy. Babies through big kids.

Yes, bigger kids are always dropping matchbox cars, blocks and other toys into the Ball Popper to see if they pop out. They don't, but it's easy to pop the ramp off, and dump out the offending toy if it happens to get stuck.

When our Ball Popper bites the dust, I'll buy another one. For the kids, of course!

TWO THUMBS UP!!!

I'm glad I have a place where I can get these things off my chest! Gotta love blogging!

SHANDLEous

Dear Shandle People,

Thank you for sending me a free "shandle". Unfortunately, I wont be able to review your product at this time.

I DID recieve your Shandle and it DOES seem like a good idea: a little antimicrobial handle that you stick to the toilet seat so "you'll never have to touch the seat again."

I WAS really hoping it would encourage my oldest to put the seat back DOWN after peeing and the middle child to put the seat UP before peeing.

I also appreciated that mine came with a pro-hand-washing message.

UNFORTUNATELY, when I went to install it on the bottom of the toilet seat, I found that all the toilet seats in the house have a half inch thick lip running around the edge. To give the appearance that the seat is thick and not cheap and thin like it is.

So I thought, "well, I'll just stick it to the lid. At the very least, maybe it will remind the boys to wash their hands." I stuck it to the lid and washed my own hands. So far, so good.

10 minutes later, Sam went into the bathroom, ripped the Shandle off the lid, and then came to ask me, "What's this Momma?"

The thick foam adhesive was ripped to shreds half on/half off the toilet.

And that was the end of our Shandle.

And this review.

Thanks anyway,

Emily

And the Winner is...

#18 (total stranger to me) Becky!!!

CONGRATULATIONS, Becky!!!  You're gonna love it!  Please send me your mailing address to emilydeon(at)gmail(dot)com.

  

The rest of you, SORRY CHARLIES!!!  You'll have to beg, borrow, or steal your copy.  (I suppose you could also buy it.)

But whatever the case, make sure you READ IT!  You wont regret it!!!!!

Dear Kris, 

Now that I've made your book an international sensation with my blog, please use the money that is surely pouring in to visit me in Japan.  Post haste!

Thank you for your immediate cooperation!!!

xoxoxo

Em

Hard Times and Holy Places - Book Review and Giveaway

"Trials and difficulties can, if we let them, become holy places — places where we can feel the power of the Atonement in our lives. Our struggles can be consecrated to our good and growth, and you and I can become more like Christ." — Kris Belcher

A few months ago, I received an autographed copy of "Hard Times and Holy Places" written by none other than Kristen Belcher.  MY sister-in-law.  I was extremely excited to read it and devoured it in an afternoon. 

 
My immediate next thought was "I need to do a blog review of this book!"  But then I thought "...but Doug hasn't read it yet.  I should let him read it first.  Cause I want to be able to talk to him about it n' stuff."  So I gave it to Doug and commanded him to read it.  And he did.  Over a period of about two months.   And again I thought "I need to do a review of this book."

THEN I thought, "...but hey, I'm going to Utah in another two months.  I'll wait until I'm there, get a few copies autographed by Kris and do a giveaway!"

Then I went to Utah.  

And saw Kris.  

But I didn't have any copies for her to sign.  

Then I DID go to the bookstore and bought three copies of her book...

but didn't see her again!  

SO, I have a book to give away, but it is NOT signed by the author.  
(sigh)

Now, about the book.  This book...is incredible!!!  It is life changing and thought provoking and funny and spiritual.  I like it even though she left out the chapter all about me.  (I'm sure her editor made her leave it out.)

In case you think I'm biased because I'm related to Kris and I'm just hoping to get another free copy of her next book, here are a few unbiased reviews:

Fabulous Photographer Jen:  "i meant to tell u that i just read ur sis in laws book... kris belcher's hard times and holy places. i LOVED it. since my mom got diagnosed with ALS i have been reading a lot of church books and this was my favorite. i went and bought 2 more and gave one to my mom and one to my friend who just had to give her adopted baby back to total loser parents after having her for almost a year, and then her house burned down a couple weeks ago. she said the title even made her cry. ur sis in law is amazing and i would luv to meet her one day." 

Sister Dahl:  "Kris's book was such an inspiration to me that I read it twice in one weekend!  And it really put into perspective the health issues I've been worrying about.  Kris is my hero!  She must be one of Heavenly Father's very elect to have weathered all her storms with such grace and dignity.  I highly recommend her wonderful book of faith and acceptance and love."

Kim:  (I found this one on the Deseret Book website.)  "This book was so amazing! It gave me the strength to look back at my life and find my own personal Holy places that I didn't realize existed. The author beautifully weaved adversity and testimony into an inspiring and entertaining book. She shows you the way to see your life for what it truly is. A difficult and trying test, yet a rewarding journey. I laughed, I cried and I will certainly read it again."

For more info about the book or Kris, here's her website: 

hardtimesandholyplaces.blogspot.com

WANT A FREE COPY???

LEAVE A COMMENT!!!!!

I'll pick a winner on Sunday August 9th.

The rest of you, BUY A COPY!  

You can thank me later!!!