Teaser Tuesdays

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

I got my best education early on eavesdropping at Mama's feet while she talked to my aunt on the telephone.

Review: Heads in Beds by Jacob Tomsky

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

In the tradition of Kitchen Confidential and Waiter Rant, a rollicking, eye-opening, fantastically indiscreet memoir of a life spent (and misspent) in the hotel industry.

MY TAKE:

I really liked Kitchen Confidential so I decided to give this book a try.

Heads in Beds is billed as a book that is in the tradition of Kitchen Confidential and Waiter Rant. That is, it's an inside look at a service industry and all the nitty-gritty stuff that goes on.

How does this compare to the other books? Well, I haven't read Waiter Rant but I have read Kitchen Confidential. While this book is good and the self-deprecating style and no-holds barred look is very similar to Kitchen Confidential, I prefer Anthony Bourdain's book just a little bit more.

Jacob/Thomas is funny and he does have some good stories. You really get a glimpse at the lives of the people who serve you at hotels. You also learn a few secrets about hotels and amenities. First off, while I knew that yes, some rooms are better than others and that those who get discounted rooms won't get the better rooms, I had no idea that you actually had a choice in the matter. It never occurred to me to ask the front desk agent to give me a room with a nice view. I guess it makes sense, though. Why shouldn't you get to choose a room if there are a lot of available rooms?

He gives a lot of tips that people can use to get upgrades and other stuff for free from hotels. I don't know if I'd use any of it, though. I'm not comfortable slipping people money to get better rooms or whatever. I don't feel comfortable getting food from the minibar either. I would feel too bad about it.

Overall, though, there are some very interesting and useful things that are described here. Frequent travelers should try reading this.

Thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday for the e-ARC. Publication date of Heads in Beds is on November 20, 2012.


THE GOOD:

1. You can learn a lot of tricks you can use when you visit a hotel.
2. There are a lot of interesting hotel stories.
3. Jacob/Thomas is quite a storyteller.

THE BAD:

1. Some people might not be comfortable with using the tips he suggests.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

Can you imagine how it feels, as a human, to be part of someone else's efoort to multitask?

READ IT IF:

1. You're a frequent traveler.
2. You wonder what it's like to work at a hotel.
3. You wonder how to get free stuff and upgrades at hotels.

RATING: 



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In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.

FROM NETGALLEY:

Shadows on My Wall by Timothy Young
Hailey's Halloween by Lisa Bullard
Uncle John's Fully Loaded 25th Anniversary Bathroom Reader by Bathroom Readers' Institute

Review: Princesses, Pirates, and Cowboys by Karen Poth

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

For ages 4-7
Come join the VeggieTales gang as they learn about how to live like God wants us to. This three-book collection of VeggieTales I Can Read stories provides young readers with an ideal gift they will enjoy for years to come.
This collection includes:
Who Wants to be a Pirate?
The Fairest Town in the West
Princess Petunia's Sweet Apple Pie

MY TAKE:

This book is a really cute book that is a great way to teach really young kids things like sharing and being true to yourself.

Princesses, Pirates, and Cowboys is composed of three short stories. The first story is Princess Petunia's Sweet Apple Pie wherein there's a pie contest to find out who the host of the next fair will be. The second story is Who Wants to be a Pirate wherein three pirates wonder what else they could do besides their usual activities. The third story is The Fairest Town in the West wherein one town tries to stay the nicest in the west.

The strongest story for me is the first one. Out of the three, I found this one to be the most fun and entertaining. The third story was actually okay, but I didn't find it as interesting as the first two stories. The second story was cute, but I'm not too sure about the ending because it felt like it was encouraging not doing anything. Obviously that's not what the lesson of the story is, but I think the message would have been stronger or clearer if the pirates' identity was something else like they were musical pirates or something.

The illustrations are really nice, though, and will really appeal to kids.

Thanks to NetGalley and Zondervan for the e-ARC.

THE GOOD:

1. The illustrations and coloring is perfect for the stories.
2. The stories are short but feel complete.
3. There are a variety of stories for children to enjoy.

THE BAD:

1. The Bible quotes at the end of the stories might not appeal to some parents.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

So the knights worked on their pies.
Starry Knight made a shepherd's pie.
Knight Owl made a black forest pie.
Hard Days Knight made a beetle pie.
Yuck!

READ IT IF:

1. Your kid likes princesses, pirates or cowboys.
2. You want to teach your child about things like sharing, loving who he or she is, and being nice.
3. You want to get your kid to start reading more.

RATING:


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Review: Saving Moby Dick by L.L. Samson

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

For ages 9-12
This Character Could Be One Whale of a Problem
In Saving Moby Dick, Linus, Ophelia, and their friend Walter think they can control the powers of the Enchanted Attic, and they plan to bring Captain Ahab from Book World into Real World-on their own terms. But even the best-laid plans go awry sometimes, and their adventures take a wild turn. Captain Ahab is far crazier than they realized, and bookstores aren't really the best places to find whales, white or otherwise.

MY TAKE:
I read the first book in this series so I was definitely interested in seeing what Linus, Ophelia and Walter would do next.

In Saving Moby Dick, Linus, Ophelia and Walter have brought over Captain Ahab from Moby Dick into the real world. They didn't anticipate just how obsessed Captain Ahab is with Moby Dick, though, and a series of misadventures begin.

I actually enjoyed this book more than the first one. Captain Ahab seemed more likable to me than Quasimodo. Also, as the kids are older now, they are more mature with their decisions and so the book moves along at faster clip and there are less moments when the main characters annoy you.

The real star of this book, though, is Captain Ahab. He is humanized here, and you get to see how his mind works and why he does what he does. He becomes less a man who is obsessed with revenge so much as a man who feels emasculated and empty.

Thanks to NetGalley and Zondervan for the e-copy.

THE GOOD:

1. The characters have matured since the last one.
2. You get to see what Captain Ahab is like beyond what you see in Moby Dick.
3. The concept is interesting.

THE BAD:

1. The narrator's style of always interjecting with his thoughts or the definition of words could be distracting to some.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

Corn. Summer squash. Yukon Gold potatoes. Macaroni and cheese.

READ IT IF:

1. You liked the first book.
2. You've wondered what it would be like if you could talk to your favorite book characters.
3. You liked Moby Dick.

RATING:


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Fiction Feature: The Midas Tree by Dr. Lesley Phillips

For this Fiction Feature, we have a guest post from Dr. Lesley Phillips, the author of The Midas Tree.

GUEST POST:

The Midas Tree, a Book of Light by Dr Lesley Phillips

Joshua lives in the Garden Of Color and Light, an idyllic paradise where he is always playing and having fun. Each day is like any other, until he finds a magical golden acorn that enraptures him and propels him on an incredible adventure.

After being guided to chase the acorn as it flies through the garden, Joshua discovers a door at the base of a tree; and once he enters his life changes for ever.

“Now it is time for you to go on a journey.
You may forget the garden for a while.
Follow this golden acorn wherever it takes you.”

Joshua is transported into a mysterious realm within “The Midas Tree.”

Desperate to return home, he sets about exploring this unfamiliar environment. He encounters sticky situations and meets wily characters along the way. Fortunately he does not have to face them alone. His guides are the mystical creatures that live inside the tree, called Devas. They are keepers of ancient secrets that can help Joshua to cope with the obstacles he encounters and the challenges he meets.

Joshua learns from the Devas that if he wishes to return home, he must first transform himself – and “The Midas Tree”.

The Devas of the Midas Tree

The Devas are fairylike nature spirits, who love “The Midas Tree” and live to keep it happy and healthy. Each Deva presides over a different realm within the tree and tends to an aspect of the tree, such as its roots, leaves, branches, flowers and fruit. Each Deva also is the holder of an ancient secret, which they lovingly pass on the Joshua to help him on his journey.
Each deva has a name beginning with “Dev” and their name has a meaning that refers to their role within the tree and this also relates to the guidance this deva is able to give.
The word deva is taken from a Hindu word meaning divine being or good spirit. The Devas in the Midas Tree are good spirits, although some maybe tricksters. The main devas have physical bodies, and they help guide Joshua through his life’s lessons. Each Deva also presides over a group of fairy-like spirit helpers, which don’t have physical bodies, but appear as wisps of different colored energies.

Joshua’s Quest

Joshua’s quest is to uncover the spiritual secrets of the tree, overcome challenging situations and oust his inner turmoil to finally fulfill his destiny. He is taught different techniques and skills that help him cope with the trials he encounters. The processes the Devas expose him to begin a path of revelation where he learns the truth about himself.

This spellbinding story overflows with challenges, magical creatures and mystical superpowers, which you too will discover along the way.

“The Midas Tree” is a spiritual adventure novel aimed at a middle grade to Young Adult audience; although all the adults who have read it like it too.

The Midas Tree is a Spiritual Adventure Novel
The more mature readers that have read the book say it reminds them of “Illusions” by Richard Bach, or “The Celestine Prophesy” by Michael Redfield, but with the flavor of a fairy tale.

Children who have read The Midas Tree say it is reminiscent of “Alice in Wonderland” and other well known children’s books. They enjoy all the funny characters, which include talking animals and insects, and each selects a favorite deva.

The Midas Tree has many teachings. It is an adventure story, a guidebook for personal spiritual unfolding and even includes lessons about biology and nature.

It is a book that parents can enjoy reading with their children or that teachers can share with their classes to introduce them to internal self awareness.

The Midas Tree is a book of light that offers techniques that can help all people cope when they are going through difficult times in their lives; as well as illuminating the path to personal enlightenment in a fun and entertaining way.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

The Midas Tree is a mystical realm where spiritual beings and animals live together in relationship to one another and their environment.

Our hero, Joshua, is drawn into this amazing realm from his home in the garden of color and light. The book follows Joshua’s adventures in the Midas Tree as he grows and learns about his life and destiny in this new world, as he searches for a way back home to his spiritual parent Morfar and the garden of color and light.

Joshua and his journey are analogous to each human’s journey toward spiritual enlightenment. The Midas Tree is planet earth and the creatures and spiritual beings who live there are teachers and guides. They teach Joshua how to meditate and use other spiritual techniques to help him on his mission to return home.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I am a Meditation Teacher, Spiritual Counselor and Energy Healer.

I have many years experience providing meditation and healing classes and workshops, as well as intuitive readings and healing to hundreds of satisfied clients. I focus on helping people increase their self awareness so that they are empowered to consciously take charge of their lives. I also paint and write for fun. I am the creator of Portico Soul Essence Cards, a card deck meant to help open the intuition and creativity of its users. I’m also the author of a spiritual novel, called “The Midas Tree.”

I am at my happiest when I am being of service, whether at a speaking engagement, teaching a meditation class, giving a healing or providing a reading or intuitive counselling session to a client.

www.themidastree.com
Lesley@themidastree.com
http://www.facebook.com/themidastree
Twitter: @DrLesleyP
www.drlesleyphillips.com
http://www.facebook.com/drlesleyphillips

Review: The Admiral The David Robinson Story by Gregg and Deborah Shaw Lewis

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

For ages 9-12
Disciplined Life, Determined Athlete, Devoted Christian
Kids will be inspired by the compelling story of David "The Admiral" Robinson, who went from the Navy to the NBA, becoming MVP center for the San Antonio Spurs. When David Robinson became MVP center for the San Antonio Spurs, he seemed to have it all-fame, success, wealth, and a wonderful family-but he didn't feel complete until he found his faith. This is the true story of one man's disciplined life, how he excelled in academics and sports, and who isn't afraid to share his utter devotion to God.

MY TAKE:

Kids today might not be familiar with him anymore, but people my age and older may remember David Robinson, one of the more talented and well-known NBA players back in the Michael Jordan era.

In The Admiral, we get a glimpse of the life of NBA superstar David Robinson, starting from his childhood up to today.

The book was able to pack in a lot of interesting anecdotes as well as some basketball history that even those who grew up today would be able to appreciate. However, this book really shines when we get a glimpse of David's personal life. Stories from his childhood and his struggles in college and in the NBA illustrate that David, for all his talent and selflessness, is quite human. What makes him extraordinary, however, and what makes this book so valuable to kids is how it shows that David is very generous and how he puts God first. Kids, especially young athletes, will be able to learn from his story.

Thanks to NetGalley and Zondervan for the e-copy.

THE GOOD:

1. It makes David seem more normal.
2. Kids will be able to see how it's possible to balance work with other important things.
3. Kids learn more about one of the best players in NBA history.

THE BAD:

1. Kids may not know who David Robinson is.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

When photographers wanted a picture of him kissing the championship trophy, he refused saying, "I'm not kissing anything that doesn't kiss me back."

READ IT IF:

1. You're a David Robinson fan.
2. Your child is an athlete.
3. You want to show your child how athletes can balance their different priorities in life and still be successful.

RATING:


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