The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo

I have loved elephants for as long as I can remember. My mom use to read Babar the Elephant stories to me as a toddler and I loved the Babar series. I use to ask her to read these books to me repeatedly as a youngster... Not that I can remember any of this now.

I was also a fan of the Disney movie Dumbo as a child and slept with a stuffed Dumbo that my parents had bought from Disneyland before I was even born.  
Needless to say I love elephants. Earlier this year, I came across a used copy of The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo and illustrated by Yoko Tanaka. It's a children's book, but I bought it as I was intrigued by the title and the storyline... And, of course, I couldn't pass up a story about an elephant! So in an effort to channel my inner child, I read The Magician's Elephant.

After I finished reading The Magician's Elephant, I was kind of feeling so-so about it. I actually have mixed feelings about this novel. For the most part The Magician's Elephant is going to be a forgettable read for me... It's a quick read, with some finer points to it that make it a sweet read. But overall, I wouldn't go recommending this novel to others. My favorite lines from The Magician's Elephant are the the questions "What if? Why not? Could it be?" that are sprinkled throughout this novel. I took the questions to mean that a person should be open to the possibility that some sort of miracle or something magical might happen if only we were open to it happening in the first place.

The following is a summary for The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo from Goodreads:

In a highly awaited new novel, Kate DiCamillo conjures a haunting fable about trusting the unexpected — and making the extraordinary come true. 

What if? Why not? Could it be?

When a fortuneteller's tent appears in the market square of the city of Baltese, orphan Peter Augustus Duchene knows the questions that he needs to ask: Does his sister still live? And if so, how can he find her? The fortuneteller's mysterious answer (an elephant! An elephant will lead him there!) sets off a chain of events so remarkable, so impossible, that you will hardly dare to believe it’s true. With atmospheric illustrations by fine artist Yoko Tanaka, here is a dreamlike and captivating tale that could only be narrated by Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo. In this timeless fable, she evokes the largest of themes — hope and belonging, desire and compassion — with the lightness of a magician’s touch.

I'm giving The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo a rating of 2 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!

Cat Daddy by Jackson Galaxy

Unabridged Audio Version

I am an animal lover at heart. I've had various pets throughout my life and have loved them all.

It's been many, many years since I've been a cat owner... I do love cats quite a bit. However, small dog breeds have been a big part of my life since 2003... More specifically, I am a Pomeranian lover! But dogs are a topic for another time and blog post.

I first became acquainted with Jackson Galaxy in the last year or so after watching a few episodes of the Animal Planet television series, My Cat From Hell. Jackson Galaxy is a cat behaviorist who helps people connect with their pet cats. He helps to troubleshoot and resolve issues people are having with their cat's behavior and vice versa. It's remarkable how just well Jackson Galaxy helps play advocate to both cat and human by helping to solve whatever problem seems to be going on at the time. Mr. Galaxy seems to be a true cat whisperer!

Last week, I visited the Audible website and discovered that the unabridged audio version of Cat Daddy: What the World's Most Incorrigible Cat Taught Me About Life, Love, and Coming Clean by Jackson Galaxy was the Daily Deal for $2.95 (regularly $24.49). I didn't even know that Jackson Galaxy had even written a book. I was definitely intrigued with the book title and what Cat Daddy was about, so I downloaded it right then in there.

I practically devoured listening to Cat Daddy: What the World's Most Incorrigible Cat Taught Me About Life, Love, and Coming Clean by Jackson Galaxy!! Cat Daddy is quite a memoir... It's as much about cats as it is about Jackson Galaxy's life and how cats helped him overcome his many addictions.  

The following is the publisher's summary for Cat Daddy: What the World's Most Incorrigible Cat Taught Me About Life, Love, and Coming Clean by Jackson Galaxy from Audible:

Cat behaviorist and star of Animal Planet's hit television show My Cat from Hell, Jackson Galaxy, a.k.a. “Cat Daddy,” isn't what you might expect for a cat expert (as the New York Times noted, with his goatee and tattoos he “looks like a Hell's Angel”). Yet Galaxy's ability to connect with even the most troubled felines-not to mention the stressed-out humans living in their wake-is awe-inspiring. In this book, Galaxy tells the poignant story of his 13-year relationship with a petite gray-and-white short-haired cat named Benny, and gives singular advice for living with, caring for, and loving the feline in your home. When Benny arrived in his life, Galaxy was a down-and-out rock musician with not too much more going on than a part-time job at an animal shelter and a drug problem. Benny's previous owner brought the cat to the shelter in a cardboard box to give him up. Benny had seen better days-his pelvis had just been shattered by the wheels of a car-and his owner insisted he'd been “unbondable” from day one. Nothing could have been further from the truth.

An inspiring account of two broken beings who fixed each other, Cat Daddy is laced throughout with Galaxy's amazing “Cat Whisperer” advice for understanding what cats need most from us in order to live happier, healthier lives.

By the way, I should add that Cat Daddy is narrated by Jackson Galaxy. I love it when authors narrate their own books.

Also, listening time for Cat Daddy is approximately 6.5 hours. There is some profanity in the book, but nothing that would hinder someone from listening to Cat Daddy in the slightest. 

I loved learning  several tips that help our feline companions from Jackson Galaxy. These tips are given at the end of Cat Daddy in good detail.

I am giving  Cat Daddy: What the World's Most Incorrigible Cat Taught Me About Life, Love, and Coming Clean by Jackson Galaxy a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars. It is a really good book to read or listen to.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Run by Ann Patchett

I listened to the unabridged audio version of Run by Ann Patchett and narrated by Peter Francis James. This is the first time that I've read anything (or rather listened to in this case) by Ann Patchett.

I thought that Run was well narrated by Peter Francis James. 

As far as the novel itself goes, I felt that Run was simply okay... Not great, not bad, just middle of the road. Run deals with family and politics. And making family with those that aren't related to you by blood. The characters were interesting in Run. Kenya, an 11 year old girl, was probably my favorite character in Run. She was smart, strong, fearless, and athletic! Otherwise the rest of the characters in Run didn't really stand/pop out for me.

My favorite part wasn't the novel itself, but the interview with the Ann Patchett after Run had ended. Hearing Ann Patchett's thoughts about writing and her novels was enlightening. I enjoy hearing the stories behind the writing.

The following is the publisher's summary for Run by Ann Patchett from Audible:

Since their mother's death, Tip and Teddy Doyle have been raised by their loving, possessive, and ambitious father. As the former mayor of Boston, Bernard Doyle wants to see his sons in politics, a dream the boys have never shared. But when an argument in a blinding New England snowstorm inadvertently causes an accident that involves a stranger and her child, all Bernard Doyle cares about is his ability to keep his children, all of his children, safe. 

Set over a period of 24 hours, Run takes us from the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard to a home for retired Catholic priests in downtown Boston. It shows us how worlds of privilege and poverty can coexist only blocks apart from one another, and how family can include people you've never even met. As in her best-selling novel Bel Canto, Ann Patchett illustrates the humanity that connects disparate lives, weaving several stories into one surprising and endlessly moving narrative. Suspenseful and stunningly executed, Run is ultimately a novel about secrets, duty, responsibility, and the lengths we will go to protect our children.

Don't miss our free Ann Patchett interview. Patchett is an Audible CelebrityListener - find out what she's listening to here.

I am giving Run by Ann Patchett a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars. Until my next post, happy reading!

Friday Finds #84

Friday Finds is a book meme hosted by Jenn at A Daily Rhythm. Friday Finds is a chance to share and show off the books you discovered during the week and would like to add to your reading list... 

Or a place to simply feature the books you've actually purchased throughout the week and have added to your to be read pile!

I love Audible's Daily Deals!! Not every audiobook listed as one of Audible's Daily Deals is one I'd want to listen to mind you. I only purchase the Daily Deal if it's one I truly want to listen to... And the discounted prices of Audible's Daily Deals are pretty darn awesome.

Earlier this week, I ended up purchasing a copy of Cat Daddy: What the World's Most Incorrigible Cat Taught Me About Life, Love, and Coming Clean by Jackson Galaxy through Audible as it was their Daily Daily on June 4, 2015 for $2.95 (regularly priced $24.49). 

I've watched Jackson Galaxy on a few episodes of the television series My Cat From Hell on the Animal Planet channel and liked his advice on understanding cats.

So, what have you added to your reading stack and/or wishlist this week?

June is Audiobook Month!!

Celebrate Audiobook Month by listening to a few audiobooks this month!!

I'm currently listening to the unabridged audio version of Run by Ann Patchett. I plan to listen to a few more audiobooks this month myself in order to celebrate Audiobook Month.

Join in on the fun of listening to the spoken word and listen to audiobooks... Happy listening!

35 Pieces of Jewelry Inspired by Books!!

Books and jewelry are couple of my favorite things!! So, when I came across an article on Buzzfeed titled 35 Impossibly Clever Pieces Of Jewelry Inspired By Books by Mallory McInnis, I couldn't wait to check out what jewelry I'd find! 

I thought the jewelry pieces shown in Mallory McInnes's article, were creative, interesting, and very book inspired. Chick on the link above and tell me what you think of the jewelry!!

11 Ways Reading Books By Judy Blume Changes You!

Judy Blume's latest novel, In the Unlikely Event, was published earlier this week on June 2nd. So, I was excited to come across an article on Bustle titled 11 Ways Reading Judy Blume Changes You, Because The Author's Books Impart Some Major Life Lessons by Rachel Simon. In her article, Ms. Simon writes the following:

Blume’s new novel, her first for adults since 1998’s Summer Sisters, lives up to its sky-high expectations. It’s classic Blume, smart and funny and incredibly relatable, even with its ’50s-set plot and references to Nat King Cole. And, like all the beloved author’s books, it’s filled with plenty of thought-provoking statements and smart pieces of advice, bound to last in readers’ memories long after they turn the last page. With her latest novel, Blume proves, once again, that she’s one of the wisest and impactful authors out there.

Ms. Simon goes on to give us the eleven ways Judy Blume imparts major life lessons to her readers. Go ahead and click on the above link and read on!

Ever Wonder Why Famous Authors Chose Their Fake Names?

I sometimes wonder why some authors have chosen their pen names. So, when I came across an enlightening article on the Huffington Post titled, Here's Why Famous Authors Chose Their Fake Names by Sara Boboltz, I wanted to share it on my blog. In her article, Ms. Boboltz writes:

Writers have chosen pen names over the centuries for reasons almost as varied as the names themselves. (We're looking at you, "Dr. Seuss.")

While some changed their names simply for easier English pronunciation, others had to worry about readers' perception in the days before, you know, everyone realized women could write good books. Still others wanted to escape their past or suggest an alternate, more badass identity for themselves. Reasons abound.

Take a look below to find out why some of our favorite published authors chose the names they did. And when you're done, create your own nom de plume here.

Click on the top link to learn why famous authors chose their fake names. Happy reading!

Bay Area Book Festival!!

Woot, woot, exciting news for all of you literary folks!! The Bay Area Book Festival is happening this upcoming weekend in Berkeley, California on Saturday, June 6 & Sunday, June 7, 2015!! I am attending this event with my hubby this weekend and am looking forward to attending the festivities both days.

I came across an article titled Experience the Bay Area Book Festival on the SF Gate website. In the article, I learned the following information about the Bay Area Book Festival:

The inaugural Bay Area Book Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, June 6, and Sunday, June 7, in downtown Berkeley. Admission to the festival is free.

The event takes place both indoors and outdoors, with a large Children’s Arena & Stage and a Teen Stage with author presentations and performances outdoors, while author keynotes, interviews and panels also take place in indoor auditoriums.

The locations of these indoor sessions are marked in the peach areas on the festival map. To manage crowds, all indoor author sessions are ticketed, though tickets are available for free. Here is how to obtain tickets:

Highly recommended: Get your tickets in advance because many sessions will fill up! Go to our sortable schedule page at www.baybookfest.org,and reserve via the Eventbrite link next to the session you would like attend.

Click on above links to learn more about the Bay Area Book Festival!

Until my next post, happy reading!! 

Books About Women Don't Win Awards!!

I came across an article on the Fusion website titled Books about women don’t win awards, and that’s a huge problem by Kelsey McKinney. In the article, Ms. McKinney writes the following:

Sometimes the winners of big literary prizes are female writers, but often their books center on the stories of men and boys. Stories about women and girls, written by either gender, rarely win prizes, and that reinforces a subtle but dangerous notion that the stories that should be told, written and rewarded are stories about men. 

Novelist Nicola Griffith had a hunch that this theory was true. “I’ve been counting, subconsciously then consciously, for 20 years when I was first published and started to see how skewed the playing field was,” Griffith told me over email.

What she found, though, is pretty appalling. In the last 15 years 0 books about only women and girls have won the Pulitzer Prize.

“For the prize that recognises “the most distinguished fiction by an American author,” not a single book-length work from a woman’s perspective or about a woman was considered worthy,” Griffith wrote on her blog. “Women aren’t interesting, this result says. Women don’t count.”

Essentially, the article goes on to say that we need stories about everyone.  Ms. McKinney goes on in her article to add:

“Stories matter,” Griffith said. “If more than half human perspective isn’t being heard, then we are half what we could be. Stories subtly influence attitudes… If women’s perspectives aren’t folded into the mix, attitudes don’t move with the whole human race — just half of it.”

How do you feel about books about women not winning awards?