Freda's Voice

BOOKS: 1. The Little Giant of Aberdeen County - Tiffany Baker (recommend) 2. Turnaround Summer - Paul Hansen 3. Alice in Wonderland and Philosophy - William Irwin 4. DK Biography: Princess Diana 5. To Kill A Mockingbird - Harper Lee (recommend) 6. Web of Secrets - Ernesto Patino 7. Body Parts - Janet Cameron Hoult (poetry) 8. The Secret Keeper - Paul Harris (recommend) 9. Staring Into The Sun - Joshua Fields (poetry) 10. Audubon Practical Naturalist 11. Do No Evil: An Artemis Agency Novel - Kymberly Goltermann & Ashley L. Goltermann (recommend) 12. My Little Red Book - Rachel Kauder Nalebuff 13. Bug Zoo - Nick Baker (children) 14. Once Wicked Always Dead - T. Marie Benchley (recommend) 15. The Power of the Middle Ground - Marty Babits LCSW, BCD 16. A Summer Secret - Kathleen Fuller (recommend) 17. The Vatican - Father Michael Collins 18. The Little Brainwaves Investigates... Human Body (children) 19. The Dark Divine - Bree Despain (HIGHLY recommend) 20. Tattoo

Synopsis: From a fresh and exciting new voice in women's fiction, The Language of Secrets unflinchingly examines the lifelong repercussions of a father's betrayal. Justin Fisher has a successful career as the manager of a luxury hotel, a lovely wife, and a charming young son. While all signs point to a bright future, Justin can no longer ignore the hole in his life left by his estranged family. When he finally gathers the courage to reconnect with his troubled past, Justin is devastated to learn that his parents have passed away. And a visit to the cemetery brings the greatest shock of all—next to the graves of his father and mother sits a smaller tombstone for a three-year-old boy: a boy named Thomas Justin Fisher. What follows is an extraordinary journey as Justin struggles with issues of his own identity and pieces together the complex and heartbreaking truth about his family. With great skill and care, Dianne Dixon explores the toll that misunderstandings, blame, and re

Synopsis: When Sean Aiken graduated from college, he had no idea what he wanted to do with his life—so he decided to try everything. Thus began the one-week job project, in which Sean would work a different job each week for a year. Sean's remarkable journey took him across North America working as a bungee jump operator, tattoo artist, aquarium guide, advertising executive, brewmaster, and cancer fundraiser. In each new job, he learned not only about himself but also about the people around him, finding out what drives people to choose a certain career, what makes them successful, and, more importantly, what makes them happy. Over the course of his year on the road, Sean learned more about work, friendship, love, and life than he ever imagined. This honest, hilarious, inspiring account is a must-read for anyone who’s ever asked themselves, “What should I do with my life?” ©2010 My Opinion: This is one of the coolest books I have ever read! The idea behind it is what fa

Synopsis: Here is an original and exciting new guide to the fascinating civilizations of North American Indians. Superb, full-color photographs offer a unique and revealing "eyewitness" view of this rich culture. See a necklace made of bear claws, a model of a Blackfeet teepee, a false face made from cornhusks, how fish were trapped in a basket, and a Cheyenne feathered war bonnet. Learn about the kachina ceremony, why love dolls were important, how turtle shells made music, what's stored inside a parfleche, and how pemmican was made. Discover the meanings of carvings on a Haida totem pole, what's inside an Iroquois longhouse, what medicine men carried in their medical kits, how a bow drill works, and much, much more. ©2005 My Opinion: I love this book, especially since I'm a North American Indian, from Canada though. And there's where the problem lies with this book, for me. No real content pertaining to Canadian Indians, it focuses on America. With

Synopsis: In this lyrical, exuberant follow-up to "The Bastard of Istanbul," acclaimed Turkish author Shafak unfolds two tantalizing parallel narratives--one contemporary and the other set in the 13th century--that together incarnate the poet Rumi's timeless message of love. ©2010 My Opinion: This was a great story! One that is still resonating through me since I just put the book down. How the story of love and its universal hold on us all, and how we need to see the value of love for what it is, is simply beautifully written. I admired the words I was reading more than once throughout this book. The author has such an eloquent way of telling a story. Definitely one I would mention to my lady friends, but my manly ones, not so sure it's for you. If this book was a movie, it would be considered a chick-flick. I'm a chick though, so I can dig it! (4/5) ~I received a copy from Penguin Canada. I was not compensated for my opinion.~

Bill Walker is the author is A Note From An Old Acquaintance . It was a book I thoroughly enjoyed, read my review here . Today the author contacted me, to let me know, the Kindle edition of this fantastic story is on sale at Amazon for $4.99! That is super cheap!!! Here is the amazon link. (It says $6.99 on the website, but Bill stated me $4.99) Point is, get a copy! It's worth it either way!

Rules: * Grab the book nearest you. Right now. * Turn to page 56. * Find a teaser sentence. * Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of Story Time With Tonya. The Forty Rules of Love - Elif Shafak Page 56, Line 5: "So there you are, you little rascal!" yelled the cook as he ran toward me with a broom in his hand. "You are in big trouble, son, big trouble!"

Synopsis: In 2003, after winning six of the twelve majors from 2000 to 2002, Tiger Woods struggled with his swing, leaving him lagging behind the field at both the U.S. Open and the PGA Championship. With Woods out of the picture, the stage was set for a newcomer to claim the top position. Nobody expected that four virtually unknown players would rise to become first-time champions. In his debut appearance in a major, Ben Curtis became the only player since Francis Ouimet in 1913 to prevail on his first time out. Mike Weir--who was considered a good player but not a great one--triumphed in The Masters, becoming the first Canadian to win a major. In the U.S. Open, Jim Furyk was victorious, and the PGA Championship was claimed by the unknown Shawn Micheel. But after each player's history-making season, the four have had little further success. 2008 is the first year since that unexpected year, when it will be possible for the four golfers to qualify for the

Host * Grab your current read. * Let the book fall open to a random page. * Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12. * You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from…that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given. * Please avoid spoilers! My Teaser: When darkness settled, I went to the tavern. The table by the window happened to be occupied by a scar-faced man who seemed to be in deep sleep. ~ Page 19, The Forty Rules of Love - Elif Shafak

Synopsis: Following on from the award-winning Brainwaves books for older children, DK introduces a brand new series for younger kids, featuring the Little Brainwaves. In each book, the illustrated Little Brainwaves characters poke, prod, and peer at their photographed subjects, providing an appealing and original way for kids to learn about an amazing variety of topics. In The Little Brainwaves: Animals, join the Little Brainwaves as they explore the world of animals, climbing around on a wide variety of creatures to see how they work. ©2010 My Opinion: This is a must have book in every child's life, because it really teaches them a lot about animals. It is so informative and thorough, that I think it is a perfect teaching tool, or book just for a child's entertainment and enjoyment. Definitely one I am going to recommend to all the mom's I know! (5/5) ~I received a copy from DK Canada. I was not compensated for my opinion.~

Synopsis: Writing these poems began as a therapeutic process which turned into words that supported me during a very tumultuous period in my life. The poetry that unfolded manifested itself as an inspirational source that further comforted me during this difficult season. Ironically, the poems were able to transcend my own personal experiences and can be applied to anyone's life as an inspirational thought that can be carried through out your day. Then it becomes my hope for you my reader, that the poems found within these pages bring you the same amount of solace, inspiration, and contentment, that it provided me as I created them just for you. ©2010 My Opinion: I love poetry, it has to be one of my favorite things of all time. So whenever I can be offered a chance at reading it, I jump on it. Always unprepared for what will arrive. I feel that this poet, Veronica, really poured her emotion into these stanzas. I empathized with her on many levels. From the sadness to hap

Synopsis: Can summer be truly summer without Cousins Beach? It used to be that Belly counted the days until summer, until she was back at Cousins Beach with Conrad and Jeremiah. But not this year. Not after Susannah got sick again and Conrad stopped caring. Everything that was right and good has fallen apart, leaving Belly wishing summer would never come. But when Jeremiah calls saying Conrad has disappeared, Belly knows what she must do to make things right again. And it can only happen back at the beach house, the three of them together, the way things used to be. If this summer really and truly is the last summer, it should end the way it started--at Cousins Beach. Author Bio: Jenny Han has her master's degree in Creative Writing for children from the New School. Her previous books include Shug and The Summer I Turned Pretty. She lives in New York City. ©2010 My Opinion: Once I sat down, and really gave the book a chance, I found it easy to get through. It was a n

Synopsis: As a scrawny college freshman in the mid-1970s, just before Arnold Schwarzenegger became a hero to boys everywhere and Pumping Iron became a cult hit, Paul Solotaroff discovered weights and steroids. In a matter of months, he grew from a dorky beanpole into a hulking behemoth, showing off his rock hard muscles first on the streets of New York City and then alongside his colorful gym-rat friends in strip clubs and in the homes of the gotham elite. It was a swinging time, when "Would you like to dance?" turned into "Your place or mine?" and the guys with the muscles had all the ladies--until their bodies, like Solotaroff''s, completely shut down. But this isn't the gloom-and-doom addiction one might expect--Solotaroff looks back at even his lowest points with a wicked sense of humor, and he sends up the disco era and its excess with all the kaleidoscopic detail of Boogie Nights or Saturday Night Fever. Written with candor and sarcasm, THE BOD

Rules: * Grab the book nearest you. Right now. * Turn to page 56. * Find a teaser sentence. * Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of Story Time With Tonya. It's Not Summer Without You - Jenny Han Page 56, Line 4 & 5: She'd sing it right along with the mice. Cinderbelly , Cinderbelly .

Synopsis: Kerry is chosen by the coolest clique in school and so she thinks life has finally begun. But then it seems all over when her three friends are killed in a shocking car accident. Or are they? Only weeks after the accident, Kerry receives a text from one of the girls: We're all 3 here at my aunt's in the city. Take the 3:50 train. B there. Exhilarating, terrifying suspense is crossed with a thought-provoking examination of peer pressure in Richard Peck's return to his contemporary teen- and ghost-story roots. This is a master author's gift to the Gossip Girl/Twilight generation: his own smart, stylish, and fun take on the paranormal. Author Bio: Richard Peck lives in New York City. His extensive list of honors includes the Newbery Medal, the Edgar Award, the Margaret A. Edwards Award, and the National Humanities Medal. He has twice been a finalist for the National Book Award. AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE OCTOBER 2010 ©2010 My Opinion: I was so angry w

Synopsis: The Periodic Table is one of man's crowning scientific achievements. But it's also a treasure trove of stories of passion, adventure, betrayal, and obsession. The infectious tales and astounding details in THE DISAPPEARING SPOON follow carbon, neon, silicon, and gold as they play out their parts in human history, finance, mythology, war, the arts, poison, and the lives of the (frequently) mad scientists who discovered them. We learn that Marie Curie used to provoke jealousy in colleagues' wives when she'd invite them into closets to see her glow-in-the-dark experiments. And that Lewis and Clark swallowed mercury capsules across the country and their campsites are still detectable by the poison in the ground. Why did Gandhi hate iodine? Why did the Japanese kill Godzilla with missiles made of cadmium? And why did tellurium lead to the most bizarre gold rush in history? From the Big Bang to the end of time, it's all in THE DISAPPEAR

Synopsis: How do you fight despair and learn to meet the world with a loving heart? How do you overcome shame? Stay faithful in spite of failure? No matter where people live or what their circumstances may be, everyone needs boundless, restorative love. Gorgeous and uplifting, Tattoos on the Heart amply demonstrates the impact unconditional love can have on your life. As a pastor working in a neighborhood with the highest concentration of murderous gang activity in Los Angeles, Gregory Boyle created an organization to provide jobs, job training, and encouragement so that young people could work together and learn the mutual respect that comes from collaboration. Tattoos on the Heart is a breathtaking series of parables distilled from his twenty years in the barrio. Arranged by theme and filled with sparkling humor and glowing generosity, these essays offer a stirring look at how full our lives could be if we could find the joy in loving others and in being loved unconditionally. Fro

Synopsis: Grace Divine, daughter of the local pastor, always knew something terrible happened the night Daniel Kalbi disappeared—the night she found her brother Jude collapsed on the porch, covered in his own blood—but she has no idea what a truly monstrous secret that night held. The memories her family has tried to bury resurface when Daniel returns, three years later, and enrolls in Grace and Jude's high school. Despite promising Jude she'll stay away, Grace cannot deny her attraction to Daniel's shocking artistic abilities, his way of getting her to look at the world from new angles, and the strange, hungry glint in his eyes. The closer Grace gets to Daniel, the more she jeopardizes her life, as her actions stir resentment in Jude and drive him to embrace the ancient evil Daniel unleashed that horrific night. Grace must discover the truth behind the boy's dark secret...and the cure that can save the ones she loves. But she may have to lay down the ultimate sacri

Blog entry: Saturday. Decided to do a little detective work. Headed over to the hospital and queued up at the front desk to ask about visitor’s hours. The nurse told me they’d just started. “Great,” I said. “Can I just walk in?” “You can,” she said. “Who did you want to see?” “A Mr. Miller. Mr. Joseph Miller. He was brought in two days ago.” The nurse consulted her computer, frowned, then shook her head. “No, I’m sorry,” she said. “Mr. Miller’s dead. He died late last night.” She looked up from her screen. “Would you like to see somebody else?” “What? No! I really need to talk to Mr. Miller. Are you absolutely sure he’s passed away?” “I can recheck if you want.” She typed away. “Sometimes this program mixes up some of the… ah, I see what I’ve done now.” She gave me an apologetic smile. “Stupid little me,” she said. “I had the stats of several files mixed up.” I breathed a sigh of relief. “So, he didn’t pass away?” “Oh, no,” the nurse said, shaking her head, “he’s still dead, b

Synopsis: Laurie Sandell grew up in awe (and sometimes in terror) of her larger-than-life father, who told jaw-dropping tales of a privileged childhood in Buenos Aires, academic triumphs, heroism during Vietnam, friendships with Kissinger and the Pope. As a young woman, Laurie unconsciously mirrors her dad, trying on several outsized personalities (Tokyo stripper, lesbian seductress, Ambien addict). Later, she lucks into the perfect job--interviewing celebrities for a top women's magazine. Growing up with her extraordinary father has given Laurie a knack for relating to the stars. Thank you to Anna & Hachette Book Group for the giveaway! I have 5 copies up for grabs! Here is what you need to do to enter: OPEN TO US & CANADA NO P.O BOXES Mandatory Entry: Comment on the book, and leave an email address. Additional Entries: +1 Follower via Google Friend Connect, on sidebar (MUST be public profile to count) +1 Facebook like Freda's Voic

Host * Grab your current read. * Let the book fall open to a random page. * Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12. * You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from…that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given. * Please avoid spoilers! My Teaser: She'd looked me right in the eyes and told me in this real serious tone that secrets were wrong and no one had the right to ask me to keep one. I wish she'd set the same rule for promises. ~ Page 18, The Dark Divine - Bree Despain

Synopsis: Following on from the award-winning Brainwaves books for older children, DK introduces a brand new series for younger kids, featuring the Little Brainwaves. In each book, the illustrated Little Brainwaves characters poke, prod, and peer at their photographed subjects, providing an appealing and original way for kids to learn about an amazing variety of topics. In The Little Brainwaves: Human Body young readers can explore the world of the human body, shrinking down to a truly tiny size to examine us inside and out. ©2010 My Opinion: At what age should we talk to our kids about the human body and where babies come from? I say, maybe 7-9, and by this book, I'd say I'm close. This book is a fascinating look at the human body, including sexual organs and where babies come from. It focuses more on the actual insides of the body, and not sex. A fantastic illustrated book, and very informative too. There were many things that I had not known, and if I hadn't

Synopsis: Written by a Vatican insider and accomplished church historian, this book is a unique behind-the-scenes look at the world’s smallest nation and the spiritual center of the Catholic Church. Produced with the full cooperation of the Vatican, this is a beautifully illustrated insiders guide into the 2,000 year long history of the Vatican and papal influence, daily life and governance of the world’s largest religious body, and the art collections and other priceless treasures rarely seen by the public. In addition to a unique photographic tour, the book includes personal interviews with various Vatican employees and insiders who make their home there, from a Swiss Guard to a singer in the Sistine Chapel choir. This book is an unparalleled look into life inside the Holy City. ©2008 My Opinion: One of the best photo journeys I have ever been on. There was so much I thought I knew about the Vatican, and then after reading this book, I learned so much more. I was unprepare

Buy Read Synopsis: In the Mysteries of Middlefield series, readers will be immersed into exciting mysteries and authentic Amish culture. With a twin brother and five younger brothers, Mary Beth Mullet’s house is in constant chaos. Her parents don’t seem to mind the noise, but she needs a break from all the pestering and babysitting. It’s the summer before eighth grade, and Mary Beth plans to escape to her secret place as much as possible. The old barn in the neighboring field is dangerous, and her parents have forbidden her to go there, but she escapes to it as often as she can. Mary Beth soon discovers she is not alone in the barn. Someone is living there; someone who needs help. Can Mary Beth help the stranger without losing her secret place? And what if the barn is as dangerous as her parents say it is? Readers will identify with Mary Beth’s struggles for peace and independence and be engrossed in the excitement and danger of A Summer Secret. ©2010 My Opinion:

Synopsis: The Power of the Middle Ground explains as no other self-help book does why and how the inherent difficulties entailed in the change process itself are daunting. Author Marty Babits, a seasoned couples therapist and educator, explains strategies and provides tips for grappling successfully with the challenges that change presents. This key aspect of working through relationship difficulties has, until now, been given short shrift in the popular and academic literature. Despite the central place of divorce in our culture, he teaches couples how to achieve a much greater impact in solving difficult interpersonal problems than is often thought possible. Babits helps couples envision a place that brings their potential for love and compassion alive. This place, which neither partner can dominate and in which each learns to approach problems productively, he calls the middle ground. Through a series of exercises, he equips couples to appreciate and actualize what is positive an

Rules: * Grab the book nearest you. Right now. * Turn to page 56. * Find a teaser sentence. * Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of Story Time With Tonya. A Summer Secret - Kathleen Fuller Page 56, Line 4 & 5: She read the hurt on his face. "I'm sorry, Johnny. I really am."

Synopsis: Molly Madison's life is shattered with the sudden death of her beloved parents and the revelation of her husband Phillip's affair--with another man. Molly heads west to Montana, resolved to run the family ranch, the Ghost Bear, and to move on with her life. Her attraction to Clayton Leatherbe, the ranch foreman, is instant, but before a romance can blossom, the ranch falls prey to sabotage by wealthy land developers determined to drive Molly out, and Clayton learns of a family secret that could put the ranch--and Molly's life--in jeopardy. A sharp mystery that deals with the themes of family secrets, betrayal, love, and loss, Once Wicked Always Dead is a strong debut from an author with literary blood in her veins. AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE SEPTEMBER 1, 2010 ©2010 My Opinion: This was another really great way of spending my time, reading this awesome story! I was drawn right into the life of Molly. She quickly became a favorite character and I wanted to

Synopsis: A guide to building your very own zoo of bugs, worms, and other creepy-crawlies! Written by Discovery Channel's Nick Baker, Bug Zoo shows children how to turn backyard bugs into fascinating pets and create a "zoo" of insects, spiders, worms, and other common creepy-crawlies. Learn to build an ant farm, spider house, bee box, wormery, and more! ©2010 My Opinion: I'm not so crazy about the idea of owning a bug zoo, but if I was, this is the perfect book to use as a resource. It shows you everything you need to know about owning a critter zoo, from feeding to up-keep. I may not want a bug zoo, but I love the idea of the book. This would be great for school age children doing Science projects. So if this sounds like you, or your child, get a copy! (2.5/5) ~I received a copy from DK Canada. I was not compensated for my opinion.~

Synopsis: Nineteen-year-old student Rachel Kauder-Nalebuff spent the past five years collecting stories about first periods for this moving and funny anthology about a transformative time in the lives of girls. The current edition of this New York Times bestseller has been updated to include new stories, including Judy Blume's! My Little Red Book describes the experiences of girls of all ages, races, faiths, and cultural backgrounds, ranging from the light-hearted (Rachel got hers while waterskiing in a yellow bathing suit) to the heart stopping (a first period discovered just as the author was about to be strip-searched by the Nazis). With an engaging mix of true tales, My Little Red Book is uniquely poised to break down social taboos surrounding menstruation and to provide educational support and entertainment for women of all ages. It is the perfect gift for a young woman who has just gotten, or is about to get her first period. Whatever she experiences or expects, from disp

Synopsis: Three years ago, Phineas Nobul was at the top of her game as a defense attorney in Los Angelos. When the Lair, New York native returned home for the holidays, she was surprised to find herself willing to give it all up for love. Now brokenhearted, nearly penniless, and once again unemployed, Phineas finds herself partnering up with her sister to take a second shot at success. Phoebe, the eldest and more responsible Nobul daughter, envies her little sister's free spirit and loathes her unreliability. this is never more the case than when Phoebe finds herself dumped on her wedding day and her little sister nowhere to be found. When Phineas resurfaces and much wine has been consumed, she presents the heinous idea of Phoebe quitting her career in publishing to team up with her as private investigators. Phoebe rejects the idea at first but then sees this as a chance to start over. Business is barely up and running when a corpse is left in the newly established Artemis Agen

Synopsis: Whether the natural world is at your doorstep, in the heart of a concrete jungle, by the sea, on top of a mountain, or in a cabin in the woods, The Practical Naturalist gets readers outdoors and shows how to experience the wonders of the world, and shows what is living in each habitat. Inspirational, informative, and educational, The Practical Naturalist is perfect for anyone interested in learning more about their surroundings and looking at their world in a brand new light. ©2010 My Opinion: I really love this book. For being a person of the Earth, nature, animals and even insects, I thought this was one of the best books I have ever had the pleasure of reading. It would be perfect for children while studying certain subjects, like animal species, or different rocks. You name it, this book contains it! A fabulous book, that any parent would love their children reading! (5/5) ~I received a copy from DK Canada. I was not compensated for my opinion.~

Synopsis: The wondrous Aimee Bender conjures the lush and moving story of a girl whose magical gift is really a devastating curse. On the eve of her ninth birthday, unassuming Rose Edelstein, a girl at the periphery of schoolyard games and her distracted parents’ attention, bites into her mother’s homemade lemon-chocolate cake and discovers she has a magical gift: she can taste her mother’s emotions in the cake. She discovers this gift to her horror, for her mother—her cheerful, good-with-crafts, can-do mother—tastes of despair and desperation. Suddenly, and for the rest of her life, food becomes a peril and a threat to Rose. The curse her gift has bestowed is the secret knowledge all families keep hidden—her mother’s life outside the home, her father’s detachment, her brother’s clash with the world. Yet as Rose grows up she learns to harness her gift and becomes aware that there are secrets even her taste buds cannot discern. Thank you to Judy & DoubleDay Books for the give