Due to limitations with Xanga, I am moving my blog to

http://raymentsreadingsrantsandramblings.blogspot.com/

Jen

I have signed up for the Early Reviewers program at Library Things. http://www.librarything.com/er/list

 Each month you have a chance to win one of the listed books and than all you have to do is post a review of the book.  I have never really written a review before, so please be kind



The Little Known
Janice Daugherty
BelleBooks, Inc. (February 1, 2010)

Book Description:

A good-hearted boy. A segregated town. A stolen fortune.
When twelve-year-old Knot Crews, an African American boy growing up in the segregated south Georgia town of Statenville, discovers a bag of bank-robbed cash in an alley, he is nearly overcome with happiness and terror. All that money – a hundred thousand dollars – could be the ticket to everything he’s ever wanted, but he knows he can’t spend it, not only because his conscience won’t let him, but for fear of being caught.

Jennifer's Review

A beautiful written moral tale set in the south during the turbulent 60's. A young black boy, Knot, discovers a bag full of stolen cash from a botched bank robbery. Since he cannot use the money himself due to moral and practical reasons, he decides to share small amounts with his needy neighbors, both black and white. Most of the neighbors don't use it wisely and Knot learns that the money doesn't help them change their lives for the better.

Janice is a wonderful storyteller who writes of characters and landscapes that leap from the page and make you feel that you are right there with them in the story. The story deals with Social Issues, forgiveness, racism and poverty. A very Human story with authentic people that showcases the good and evil in all of us.It is touching, gripping, tragic, and yet somehow hopeful.

Now that being said I want you to know it wasn't my sort of thing. I found it slow at times and too overly descriptive for my taste. However, it is an outstandingly beautiful story and most will enjoy it. I think it would be a fantastic addition to a public schools English curriculum. It would bring up thousands of moral discussions and many teachable moments.

Also the copy that I was given was an ebook, and I find them extremely challenging to really get into. The ebooks I find have a less personal feeling to them and I often lose my place and feel disjointed from the story. I think this particular story would be better suited to an actual physical book which would help you to become more emotionally invested in the story

So the very few people who read this should know by now that I ADORE books (I know I'm a library worker, it is a required skill for one to have).  One of my favorite things to receive are books and book gift card. I read for at least 15 minutes a day no matter what or where - and please lets not tell Jeff or the kids that half of the time when I say I am "going to the bathroom" it really means I am going there to read.  Well, thanks to Natasha A. who introduced me to blogs in which you can win books, I am now even more obsessed with books and authors.  Just this week I have won 3 books from various blog sites. One is even by one of new favorite authors (also introduced to me by Natasha A). I have even started agreeing to review books in order to get new books.  This is not a bad thing as I am reading new authors and trying new genres. Not to mention it keeps my brain active (sometime gets numb from hanging out with 16 mth and 8yr old boys) and I am challenging myself to write, which as you can tell, isn't really my strong point.

I have now become quite the eclectic reader. I used to only read "historically accurate romance novels" and some paranormal romance's.   Now I am reading pretty much anything fiction.  Please also remember I am not reading a lot of non fiction right now because I have a 16mth hellion and an 8 yr old with Spina Bifida -- the brain really has no room or energy to process anything intellectually stimulating.  That being said I am re reading Romeo Daillare's Shake  Hands with The Devil since he is speaking at the OLA conference in February that I am attending.   I'm really enjoying quite a few new authors and trying all sorts of genres. Its fun, I recommend jumping out of your usual genre and trying something new.

These are just a few of my favorite authors and blogs.  And if you are interested you can win stuff too at some of them.

Authors

Julie Kenner:   Writes mostly romance and the fantasy/paranormal genre.  Her books are extremely funny and the characters are unforgettable.  My favorites so far are her Demon Hunting Soccer Mom series and her  Blood Lily series. I read most of her books in one night because I just don't want to put them down and get quite sad when the book is done and have to wait until she writes again.
http://juliekenner.com/index.php

J.K. Beck:   Julies other writing name.  Her books are not for sale yet, but the excerpt I read for The Shadow Keepers: When blood kills is outstanding. I cannot wait for this series.
http://jkbeck.com/

Bertrice Small:  Historical romances and fantasy/paranormal romances.  I have read everything she has ever written and really enjoy her.  She tells a good tale and her characters are almost always strong women. One thing I love about her is that she does her research well and is very historically accurate. 
http://www.bertricesmall.net/

Jennifer Estep: Fantasy/Paranormal.  Lots of fun, quirky characters in interesting predicaments.  Tells stories that you don't want to put down, since you are having so much fun.
http://www.jenniferestep.com/

MaryJanice Davidson: Fantasy/Paranormal.  Wickedly funny writing and fun stories that you want to keep on reading even after the book is done.  Great Undead series about a new Vampire called Becky. As MJ says "Betsy Taylor turns 30, gets laid off, is killed by an SUV and wakes up dead all in the same week."  How can you not love her.
http://www.maryjanicedavidson.net/

Jeaniene Frost: Fantasy/Paranormal. Unusual and likeable characters, witty dialogue and just really different stories.  Her series of Night Huntress novels were recommended once again by Natasha.  Again one of those authors that you just want to keep reading and look forward to everything she publishes.  A little darker than any of the authors I have mentioned so far.
http://jeanienefrost.com/

Mitch Albom: An internationally renowned and bestselling author, journalist, screenwriter, playwright, radio and television broadcaster and musician.  His stories both fiction and nonfiction are inspiring and I have cried while reading all of them. Makes you think of the simple things and that we should enjoy them everyday and always tell those you love, how much they mean to you. 
http://mitchalbom.com/

Bruce Campbell: Actor, writer and one cool dude.  I have loved this actor since I first saw the evil dead series back in high school.   He just seemed to me like the kind of guy who doesn't take himself too seriously. His books are self deprecating and just damn fun to read.
http://www.bruce-campbell.com/

Kevin Smith: Director, Writer, Actor(?), Honorary Canadian. Extremely funny but I am warning you seriously vulgar.  I have loved most of his movies and his writing is just fresh and fun.  When you read his stuff you really feel that he is talking to you.  Also a guy who doesn't take himself too seriously and you know isn't full of merde.  He's in Toronto right now and I wish I would get the chance to sit down and chat with him.
http://www.viewaskew.com/

Tobias Tinker: Musician and Author and my 1st crush.  Had to put him here since he is extremely talented and well I followed him around like a little lost puppy, so I totally owe him.
http://aeosrecords.com/symetrk

Blogs

Vampire Reader:  http://vampirewire.blogspot.com/
Bibliophilic Book Blog:  http://www.bibliophilicbookblog.com/
Sci-Fi Guy:  http://www.scifiguy.ca/
Libby's Library News:  http://libslibrary.blogspot.com/
Good Reads:  http://www.goodreads.com/
Library Thing: http://www.librarything.com/er/list
Book Junkie: http://myfoolishwisdom.blogspot.com/
Dark Fairie Tales: http://darkfaerietales.com/

Love to Read: http://lovetoreadforfun.blogspot.com/

Cougar Tales: http://cougar-tales.blogspot.com/

All Things Urban Fantasy: http://allthingsurbanfantasy.blogspot.com/

Tartitude: http://tartitude.blogspot.com/

Oh yeah and the books I have won are as follows

Jennifer Estep's Spider bite from http://vampirewire.blogspot.com/
Knight of Pleasure by Margarat Mallory from http://libslibrary.blogspot.com/
The Little Known by Janice Daugharty http://www.librarything.com/er/list

http://www.librarything.com/er/list