Book Reader's Traverse Unabashed Newsletter--July 2008

Hello Readers:

We at Book Reader's Traverse have been enjoying the lazy, hot days of summer and reading a few good books.

Tracey has been our most productive reader this session. She read fiction selections, of which some will certainly catch the eye.

For fantasy reading, Tracey picked two titles: Maia by Richard George Adams, and The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova.

Maia:

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/maia.htm

The Historian, a vampire story:

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/historian.htm


Of course, Tracey did not leave us hanging on the historical fiction front. She read The Russian Concubine by Kate Furnivall. Tracey says this book is worth a read.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/russian_concubine.htm


Tracey also picked a romantic Christian novel, Child of the Mist by Kathleen Morgan.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/child_of_the_mist.htm


Finally, Tracey read The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein, which promises to be a cute story about a dog and his owner--and car racing, of course.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/art_of_racing_in_the_rain.htm


Joel of Book Reader's Traverse claims to have been stuck in a novel this time: one by Fyodor Dostoevsky called The Brothers Karamazov.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/brothers_karamazov.htm


Joel read She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb, and has a differing opinion about this book than Oprah's Book Club.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/shes_come_undone.htm


Jane of Book Reader's Traverse read two excellent non-fiction books this time. The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman is a true story about a Polish family during World War II.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/zookeepers_wife.htm


Jane also read Harvest for Hope: A Guide for Mindful Eating by Jane Goodall.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/harvest_for_hope.htm


We hope you will find at least a book or two to read from our selections this time around.

We are still looking for guest reviews from our readers who are interested in writing one. We can be reached at bookreaderstraverse@insightbb.com. We like to include a brief "bio" or personal statement, as well as a picture if the writer wishes. Visit our Traversing Guest Station for guest reviews. We appreciate the contributions of our readers. Please feel free to forward this e-mail to anyone who may be interested in our selections.

Thank you for visiting our site and reading our newsletter. From all of us at Book Reader's Traverse, have a pleasant summer!

Happy reading!

Jane of www.bookreaderstraverse.com

Book Reader's Traverse Unabashed Newsletter--April 2008

We at Book Reader's Traverse have had the pleasure of reading many good books, wrapping up the winter months nicely, and on into the spring. Most of our books this time are fiction selections. We hope you will find at least a book or two to read for yourself from these selections.

Tracey of Book Reader's Traverse is back, supplying us with fiction and historical fiction. She read The Last Wife of Henry VIII. by Carolly Erickson, a book about Catherine Parr.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/last_wife_of_henry_viii.htm


Also from Tracey's historical fiction is Mademoiselle Boleyn and The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn, both titles by Robin Maxwell.

Tracey enjoyed picturing Anne Boleyn portrayed as a child in Mademoiselle Boleyn.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/mademoiselle_boleyn.htm

The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn is told through the eyes of Elizabeth I as she reads her mother's (fictional) words.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/secret_diary_of_anne_boleyn.htm

Tracey also reviewed a historical novel, A Thread of Grace by Mary Doria Russell. This selection was also reviewed in "book on tape" form by Jane of Book Reader's Traverse. This story is set in Italy during WWII and tells of the flight of Jewish people and the protection they received from Catholic families.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/a_thread_of_grace.htm

Tracey reviewed I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb about two brothers, and one is paranoid schizophrenic. This book was also reviewed by Joel of Book Reader's Traverse.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/i_know_this_much_is_true.htm

Joel of Book Reader's Traverse reviewed Quincunx by Charles Palliser, a book he claims transports the reader to Victorian England. Still, Joel was not exactly sold on this title.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/quincunx.htm

Jane of Book Reader's Traverse read Full Scoop by Janet Evanovich and Charlotte Hughes, a suspenseful comedy.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/full_scoop.htm

Jane also read The Disappearance by J. F. Freedman, a murder story.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/disappearance.htm

Jane says The Echo Maker by Richard Powers was a good read, with lots of medical references to a brain disorder, Capgras.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/echo_maker.htm

Jane finally read A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khalid Hosseini, and now wonders what took her so long to pick up this title.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/a_thousand_splendid_suns.htm

As for non-fiction, Jane of Book Reader's Traverse read The Diana Chronicles by Tina Brown.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/diana_chronicles.htm

The Lost Painting by Jonathan Harr was an interesting book that read like a historical novel.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/lost_painting.htm

Finally, Born Standing Up: A Comic's Life by Steve Martin is a memoir of Steve Martin's stand-up comedy days and, according to the local librarians, is enjoying quite a bit of popularity at the library.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/born_standing_up.htm

The web site has been going through a few changes, which we hope will allow for better navigation and aesthetics. We enjoy putting the site together for our visitors and readers. We hope you will be encouraged to visit more often, now that we have our picks more organized. You will be able to go through the home page and find a current read of ours, and can pick from previous books by surfing through the new navigation bar. We changed the pages of our reviews slightly, hoping to attract more people deeper into the site. If you can think of any more adjustments that we can make, please feel free to e-mail us at bookreaderstraverse@insightbb.com.

Visit the new site at www.bookreaderstraverse.com.

Thanks for visiting our site and keeping up with our latest and greatest picks.

Happy reading!

Jane of Book Reader's Traverse.

Book Reader's Traverse Unabashed Newsletter: February 2008

Dear Readers,

We at Book Reader's Traverse have some selections to share with you this time that we hope you will enjoy. Most are non-fiction selections.

Winter months provide a good opportunity to read personal accounts. Joel of Book Reader's Traverse selected two for us.

In the Wilderness: Coming of Age in Unknown Country by Kim Barnes was selected by Joel, and Kim Barnes is a poet who pulls you into her (true) story.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/in_the_wilderness.htm

She Got Up Off the Couch by Haven Kimmel is similar in that it is also a personal account written by the daughter of a woman who suffered from and overcame depression.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/she_got_up_off_the_couch.htm

Joel of Book Reader's Traverse chose a fiction title by one of his favorite authors to share with us: Christopher Moore, A Dirty Job.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/a_dirty_job.htm


Jane of Book Reader's Traverse read a challenging non-fiction selection, The World Without Us by Alan Weisman.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/world_without_us.htm

The Secret by Rhonda Byrne left Jane of Book Reader's Traverse with a lesson in positive thinking and the forces that create positive experiences in life.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/secret.htm

Jane reviewed a fiction title, Women of Magdalene by Rosemary Poole-Carter.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/women_of_magdalene.htm

We hope that you will find at least a book or two to read for yourself out of the selections above. If you peruse the library, The World Without Us and The Secret took a little time for Jane to get on order.

We are still interested in book reviews for Traversing Guest Station, if you or a friend would like to get a published article. We hope you enjoy reading about titles that our readers select.

Happy reading until next time!

Jane of www.bookreaderstraverse.com

 

Book Reader's Traverse Unabashed Newsletter--December 2007

We at www.bookreaderstraverse.com are working on updating the site to include Kindle selections. Kindle is the new reader from Amazon, which promises to be a catch. You can read selected newspapers, magazines, and even blogs with the Kindle, as well as order their offered book selections, of which there are over 90,000 so far available. They download in seconds, and the Kindle looks and reads like paper, with no backlighting! There is no additional charge for the wireless access. The New York Times Best Sellers and new release books are selling for $9.99 per title at this time. The Kindle provides a nice way to carry your reading with you, as it holds up to 200 books. You don't need a bulky computer for the downloads, either.

We are not planning on changing the character of Book Reader's Traverse and of course will offer the regular titles as usual. Our main goal is to have fast access to your reading selections, and to provide the opinions we have on some of the titles we've read. Note, not all titles we review are available in Kindle. Visit our homepage at www.bookreaderstraverse.com for the Kindle selections that we will highlight for our next newsletter.

Another change: We have decided to take out the Requests section of the site because it does not fit well with the scope of providing the opinions of the selections of readers. We felt we were trying to cover too much ground with the Requests section. We are still actively and enthusiastically seeking reviews for our site, however, for the Traversing Guest Station section.

Speaking of Traversing Guest Station, we have updated our page to show a review by Jan for The Children of First Man, a historical novel by James Alexander Thom. Mr. Thom is another Indiana author highlighted by Jan for our guest spot. This is Jan's second review for Book Reader's Traverse.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/traversing_guest_station.htm


Now, a peek at upcoming titles (linked to Amazon).

Next month, Joel has picked In the Wilderness by Kim Barnes; A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore; She Got Up Off the Couch by Haven Kimmel; and In Our Time by Earnest Hemmingway. Jane has one selection that has come in from the library: The World Without Us by Alan Weisman.

On to the reviews.

Joel has some extra good selections to share this time. These books come recommended by Joel--some highly recommended.

Joel reviewed Storm of the Soul, a fictionalized account of a missionary's wife in Africa.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/storm_of_the_soul.htm

Joel also reviewed a fictionalized account of a woman who wrote of her childhood as a lighthouse keeper's daughter on San Juan Islands--The Light On the Island by Helene Glidden.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/light_on_the_island.htm

Joel has discovered Amy Tan, and reviewed The Hundred Secret Senses for our web site.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/hundred_secret_senses.htm

As for non-fiction titles, Joel contributed a review for Almost a Lifetime by John McMahon, an account of a World War II veteran.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/almost_a_lifetime.htm


Jane read Tracking Down Coyote by Mike Helm, an account of a hiking trip in Oregon.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/tracking_down_coyote.htm

Jane also read I Am What I Ate . . . and I'm Frightened by comedian Bill Cosby.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/i_am_what_i_ate_and_im_frightened.htm

Jane read a fiction title, The Maytrees by Annie Dillard.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/maytrees.htm


We at Book Reader's Traverse would like to thank you for your continued support of our web site. Please peruse our site at your convenience. If you have any comments or suggestions for our e-mail newsletter or our web site, you can contact us at bookreaderstraverse@insightbb.com.

Happy reading!

Jane of www.bookreaderstraverse.com

Book Reader's Traverse Unabashed Newsletter--September 2007

Hello readers.

This time, we were contacted by Author Jack Revalle, who wrote Fish Stew. We reviewed his first edition and an update for the second edition is in the works for our next e-newsletter. See what Tracey and Jane had to say about the true stories of a person facing drug addiction and recovery.

Page no longer available.


Tracey read The Princes in the Tower by Alison Weir, a true account of the sons of Edward IV. We now have two books by this author on our site.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/princes_in_the_tower.htm


Tracey also read Russka by Edward Rutherfurd, who uses folk tales to tell the story of Russia.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/russka.htm


Darcy and Elizabeth by Linda Berdoll was one of Tracey's reads this time. Tracey reviewed Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife earlier by this author.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/darcy_and_elizabeth.htm


Tracey reviews Daughters of England, a fiction selection by Phillipa Carr. Tracey points out that this author also writes under Victoria Holt.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/daughters_of_england.htm


Tracy Chevalier wrote Falling Angels, and it is reviewed by Tracey. Our site now has four books reviewed for this author.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/falling_angels.htm


Joel reviews a classic--The Godfather by Mario Puzo. Joel says to read the book--even if you've seen the movie.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/godfather.htm


Joel reviews a biography of Yukio Mishima, Japan's most famous 20th century author, called The Life and Death of Yukio Mishima. Joel says this one is interesting, but not fun.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/life_and_death_of_yukio_mishima.htm


Jane has been watching her weight lately and reviews Perfect Weight by Deepak Chopra.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/perfect_weight.htm


Jane read a fiction selection, The Road, by Cormac McCarthy. This is an Oprah's Book Club selection. Jane says it would be a good discussion group book.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/road.htm


We hope you get good ideas for reading from the Book Reader's Traverse web site.

Any time you want to let a friend know about our site, feel free to forward this e-newsletter. If they want to sign up, they can visit the homepage at www.bookreaderstraverse.com or e-mail us at bookreaderstraverse@insightbb.com. Remember, we love to get suggestions to read.

We appreciate the growth our site has experienced and look forward to it continuing. Thank you for your support of the site.

Jane of www.bookreaderstraverse.com

Book Reader's Traverse Unabashed Newsletter--July 2007.

Hello Readers.

The best part about summer is that the summer months include a certain atmosphere that encourages reading. We at Book Reader's Traverse have been enjoying summer reading and taking some time to add to our collection of reviews.


Tracey of Book Reader's Traverse has been taking advantage of the summer months, as is evident by her reading list. Tracey read several fiction selections, including The Virgin Blue, which adds to our collection of books by Tracy Chevalier.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/virgin_blue.htm


Tracey read The Expected One by Kathleen McGowan, which is a novel about a woman who gets visions pertaining to the last days of Christ.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/expected_one.htm


By one of Tracey's favorite authors, Lords of the North is another installment of Bernard Cornwell's Saxon Tales.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/lords_of_the_north.htm


Tracey reviewed Dance of the Gods, a novel by Nora Roberts, which is a part of the Circle Trilogy.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/dance_of_the_gods.htm


Tracey also reviewed the novel, Border Music by Robert James Waller. Read what she has to say about the story.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/border_music.htm


Tracey also reviewed a non-fiction selection, Indiana Gardener's Guide by Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp and Tom Tyler, that she picked up at an antique mall in Madison, Indiana.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/indiana_gardeners_guide.htm


Joel of Book Reader's Traverse has been reading novels as well. Including is two books by Caleb Carr: Killing Time, a science fiction; and The Angel of Darkness, a thriller.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/killing_time.htm

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/angel_of_darkness.htm


Joel read I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb--a dramatic novel about two brothers, and also an Oprah's Book Club selection. Read what Joel has to say about it.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/i_know_this_much_is_true.htm


Jane of Book Reader's Traverse read the last in the series of Margaret of Ashbury--The Water Devil by Judith Merkle Riley. These books come highly recommended by Tracey, and Jane a fan of the books as well.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/water_devil.htm


Jane also read Dear John, a novel by Nicholas Sparks, who also wrote The Notebook.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/dear_john.htm


That's all the reading we've done for this time. Please check out the website for selections you may have missed. Our site is growing in the number of reviews we have.

We hope that you will make it back to www.bookreaderstraverse.com soon.

Thanks for reading.

Jane of www.bookreaderstraverse.com

 

Book Reader's Traverse Unabashed Newsletter--June 2007.

Hello Readers,

Due to Tracey's inquisitive nature, we discovered some missing reviews from our web site this month. They've since been added and will be included in this newsletter. Thanks again, Tracey!

Everyone has been involved in summertime activities, both at play and at work this month. We still have some reviews on the table.

Tracey reviewed some stories based on the Pride and Prejudice novel. These reviews were some of the reviews that we found. The first is Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife by Linda Berdoll.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/mr_darcy_takes_a_wife.htm

The other book is Mr. Darcy's Daughters by Elizabeth Aston.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/mr_darcys_daughters.htm

Tracey also reviewed Misfortune: a novel by Wesley Stace, who is the musician, John Wesley Harding.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/misfortune.htm

One of the deleted reviews was Post Office, by Charles Bukowski, reviewed by Joel.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/post_office.htm

Jane reviewed You on a Diet by Michael F. Roizen, M.D., and Mehmet C. Oz, M.D. which is an excellent diet and exercise book.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/you_on_a_diet.htm

From the deleted books, Jane reviewed Grace Hopper, Admiral of the Cyber Sea, a non-fiction selection by Kathleen Broome Williams which was about a woman who is still a hero of many.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/grace_hopper.htm


Please enjoy these selections while you are enjoying your summer months.

Do you have a selection you would like us to review? Would you like to provide a review for Book Reader's Traverse? Please send us an e-mail at bookreaderstraverse@insightbb.com. You can send a picture and a short "bio" to go with the review.

Do you know anyone who might be interested in this newsletter and the web site? Forward it along! If you've received this newsletter and would like to be added to the list, go to www.bookreaderstraverse.com and sign up on the home page. Any questions for Book Reader's Traverse can be sent to bookreaderstraverse@insightbb.com.

We are proud that our site is growing and are looking into upgrading. Of course, we will make any transitions as smooth as possible, and the upgrade should be a bit in the future. Thanks, and Happy Reading!

Jane of www.bookreaderstraverse.com

Book Reader's Traverse Unabashed Newsletter--May 2007

Hello Readers,

May is a good time to find yourself reading a good book. The team here at Book Reader's Traverse has been busy reading and would like to help you out with some interesting selections.

Tracey read a good variety of books this time. For fiction selections, she read:

Morrigan's Cross, which is the first in a trilogy by Nora Roberts, which promises to have a punch.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/morrigans_cross.htm

On another note, Tracey also read Mozart's Sister, a fiction account of Nannerl Mozart, who apparently was also gifted.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/mozarts_sister.htm

Tracey read some very interesting non-fiction selections this time.

Tracey found that George Washington's Rules of Civility is a quick read where the reader finds that most of the rules are still valid today.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/george_washingtons_rules_of_civility.htm


Tracey says The Goddess, the Grail, and the Lodge by Alan Butler--a book on the history of goddess worship and religion--is a fascinating read.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/goddess_the_grail_and_the_lodge.htm

Who Were the Celts? by Kevin Duffy gives a history on the Celts which Tracey--although she admits was dry in some spots--enjoyed learning about.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/who_were_the_celts.htm

Jane read two fiction selections this time.

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See was a story that followed two Chinese women through their lives and friendship. This book took quite a while to get from the library--Jane says it deserves its popularity.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/snow_flower_and_the_secret_fan.htm

Jane gave a mixed review to The Emperor's Children by Claire Messud, a book about a group of privileged adults living in New York.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/emperors_children.htm


Joel is busy working on some selections at this time and should be back next month.

Thanks for visiting our site. Until next time, happy reading!

Jane of www.bookreaderstraverse.com

Book Reader's Traverse Unabashed Newsletter--April 2007

Hello Readers,

April is here and it's a great time to bring a book outside and enjoy the sunshine! Maybe it is still too early for that in some areas, but it's coming soon!

It's time to see what our future holds at Book Reader's Traverse. We plan on providing a review for George Washington's Rules of Civility, which comes after the review for An Imperfect God: George Washington, His Slaves, and the Creation of America. We also will feature The Goddess, the Grail, and the Lodge by Alan Butler for non-fiction. For a fiction selection, we are working on Morrigan's Cross by Nora Roberts.

Thanks goes to Cat Stewart, of the Web, who wrote in about the classic, A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute. Cat says:
A story of an ordinary woman who makes the most of every situation in which she finds herself. The story starts in England, goes back to Japan and finishes in Australia. The most encapsulating story; very practical and yet absolutely gripping and wonderful.

We've a fun new guest review from Rourke that proves to be provocative. The review is on a classic--Dune by Frank Herbert--and is at Traversing Guest Station this month.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/traversing_guest_station.htm


There is a new review by Joel that also reflects the Dune story--House Atreides (Prelude to Dune) by Frank Herbert's son, Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/house_atreides.htm


Tracey reviewed two Jane Austen classical selections this time. She picked Persuasion and Northanger Abbey to review.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/Persuasion.htm

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/northanger_abbey.htm

Jane reviewed a non-fiction selection, Cesar's Way by Cesar Millan, about a different way to care for dogs.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/cesars_way.htm

We want to get the word out about our site. Consider sending a copy of Book Reader's Traverse Unabashed Newsletter to a friend.

If you received this newsletter from a friend and would like to sign up to receive your own copy, visit www.bookreaderstraverse.com and on the home page, click on the "Sign up for Book Reader's Traverse Unabashed" link to fill out our short form. We hope you enjoy our site.

Want to do a review for Traversing Guest Station? Send us an e-mail to bookreaderstraverse@insightbb.com. We will include a short bio about you and your picture, if you would like. Any suggestions for a book for us to read? Send them on to the above address. We appreciate your input.

Thanks for visiting our site, and happy reading!

Jane of www.bookreaderstraverse.com

 

Book Reader's Traverse Unabashed Newsletter--March 2007



Hello Readers,

Hope everyone is looking forward to some comfortable late Winter, early Spring reading.

We have quite a few good reviews this month for two reasons: Joel has been catching up with his book reviews, and Tracey has joined the fold again. We are happy to have Tracey reviewing again with her special style and delightful selections.

We do not have any future selections to share this time, as we are still catching up.

Tracey came back with An Imperfect God: George Washington, His Slaves, and the Creation of America by Henry Wiencek. Read what Tracey thought of Mr. Wiencek's theories about the first president's slaveholding practices.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/an_imperfect_god.htm


Tracey also reviewed another non-fiction selection, The Short and Bloody History of Knights, Spies, and Pirates by John Farman. It promises to be an entertaining read.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/short_and_bloody_history.htm


Tracey also reviewed a Southern novel, Charleston, by Alexandra Ripley, which sounds like a page turner.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/charleston.htm


Joel read the continued memoir for Frank McCourt, Teacher Man: A Memoir. These books are well worth reading.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/teacher_man.htm

Schindler's List by Thomas Keneally is actually a fiction work, and Joel reviewed it for Book Reader's Traverse.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/schindlers_list.htm

Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards has a questions for discussion at the end. Read what Joel thought of the questions as well as the book, which sounds good.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/memory_keepers_daughter.htm


Joel read The More Than Complete Hitchhiker's Guide by Douglas Adams. This collection of books is British comedy that is sure to create laughter.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/more_than_complete_hitchhikers_guide.htm



Jane read a somewhat complex story, but easy to follow. Saving Fish from Drowning by Amy Tan was an enjoyable read.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/saving_fish_from_drowning.htm


An Inconvenient Truth by Al Gore was a compelling non-fiction book, reviewed by Jane.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/an_inconvenient_truth.htm


We want to get the word out about our site. Consider sending a copy of Book Reader's Traverse Unabashed Newsletter to a friend.

If you received this newsletter from a friend and would like to sign up to receive your own copy, visit www.bookreaderstraverse.com and on the home page, click on the "Sign up for 'Book Reader's Traverse Unabashed" link to fill out our short form. We hope you enjoy our site.
Don't forget to visit Traversing Guest Station!

Happy reading!

Jane of www.bookreaderstraverse.com

 

Book Reader's Traverse Unabashed Archives

Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Subject: Book Reader's Traverse Unabashed Newsletter

Hello, Readers.

We've made a slight improvement to the Book Reader's Traverse web site by including a Coming Soon section on the home page. It may not always include everything we read, but we will try to get the books we are sure about. This time, we will be reading (linked to a related Amazon.com page): Amy Tan's Saving Fish From Drowning, Claire Messud's The Emperor's Children, and Lisa See's Snow Flower and the Secret Fan for fiction selections.

The non-fiction selections will include: Teacher Man: A Memoir by Frank McCourt, The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama, Cesar's Way by Cesar Millan with Melissa Jo Peltier, An Inconvenient Truth: The Planetary Emergency of Global Warming and What We Can Do About It by Al Gore, and Schindler's List by Thomas Keneally.


Joel reviewed two children's selections this time, which may or may not have hidden meanings for adults. One he did not particularly care for: Curious Lives: Adventures from the Ferret Chronicles by Richard Bach. Read what he had to say at:

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/curious_lives.htm



Joel enjoyed reading Watership Down by Richard Adams. This children's story was written originally for the author's own children, which is probably often the case with children's books.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/watership_down.htm


Joel also read The Traveler by John Twelve Hawks. See why Joel felt this book could be made into a movie on the same level as "The Matrix".

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/traveler.htm


Joel read a book that called itself fiction, but most likely was loosely based on fact about a postal worker. Post Office by Charles Bukowski is strictly for adults.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/post_office.htm


Joel read some tantalizing non-fiction selections.

In the Shadow of Man by Jane Goodall comes recommended by Joel.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/in_the_shadow_of_man.htm


Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies by Jared Diamond comes recommended, but Joel warns that it is a difficult read.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/guns_germs_and_steel.htm


Jane read a fiction selection, Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. This story was highly enjoyable, Jane said. The tale about a circus from the Depression era was engrossing.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/water_for_elephants.htm


Jane read The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief by Francis S. Collins. Dr. Collins is the head of the Human Genome Project and an interesting writer. Dr. Collins writes a book that allows for the belief in God and still accepts the truths that science is uncovering every day.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/language_of_god.htm


Would you like to review a selection for Traversing Guest Station? Send us an e-mail at bookreaderstraverse at insightbb.com. We will include a picture of you (if you want) and a bio. You can be mentioned at Traversing Guest Station if you suggest a book we read, as well. We will make every effort to read the books suggested to us.

Feel free to forward this newsletter along!

Happy reading!

Jane of www.bookreaderstraverse.com


If you would like to unsubscribe to our newsletter, please send an e-mail to bookreaderstraverse at insightbb.com with unsubscribe in the subject line.

Sent: Wednesday, April 26, 2006 10:14 PM
Subject: Book Reader's Traverse Unabashed Newsletter

Hello Readers:

Book Reader's Traverse is back with some reviews and an update to the now controversial book, A Million Little Pieces by James Frey. Joel amended what he said about the book, but you will have to click on the link for the details, but you will find the book listed in the fiction category of our site now.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/a_million_little_pieces.htm


Joel also reviewed some fresh non-fiction selections this time. Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong by James W. Loewen discusses the way American History is taught in the school system.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/lies_my_teacher_told_me.htm


He also reviewed a book about cadavers that he found interesting and quite entertaining, Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/stiff.htm


Jane reviewed non-fiction selections as well. The book, Freakonomics. A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner is a different slant on economics.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/freakonomics.htm


Another selection is similar in subject matter to the book Joel picked about Cadavers. Trail of Bones. More Cases From the Files of a Forensic Anthropologist by Mary H. Manhein deals with crimes and missing persons cases.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/trail_of_bones.htm


We expect Tracey to be sending in some more good fiction reads when she gets a chance.

You can always visit our home page and our picks pages for lists of books.

Home:

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/index.htm


Joel's Picks:

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/joelspicks.htm


Tracey's Picks:

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/traceyspicks.htm


Jane's Picks:

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/janespicks.htm


Enjoy your reading and please send any suggestions to Book Reader's Traverse at bookreaderstraverse at insightbb.com. Thank you for reading.

Jane of Book Reader's Traverse.

Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2005 7:07 PM
Subject: Book Reader's Traverse Unabashed--October 27, 2005

Book Reader's Traverse Unabashed
 
I usually keep up with my library books by setting my Hotmail calendar to send me an e-mail when my library books are due.  Well, usually is the keyword and unfortunately, I must have forgotten to set my calendar.  So now I need to bring in thirty cents when I pick up my books today.  We can all avoid library fines by buying books through Amazon at the links on Book Reader's Traverse.  Perhaps you will want to read one of the selections in this newsletter.  As always, if Amazon carries the book, then the review will have the link.  Another advantage to buying the book is being able to refer back to it.  If you really feel good about the book, you can pass it on to others.  Whatever you do, avoid those library fees!
 
Tracey has been busy working overtime at her job.  We are having a get-together this weekend and will catch up on the book news at that time.  Joel has been catching up on some reading, so he has reviewed four books for us.  Jane has a couple.  We are excited to introduce Uriah on the Traversing Guest Station this month. 
 
Uriah, our guest reviewer this month on Traversing Guest Station, reviews Seventy Times Seven and Beyond: Mystery of the Second Chance by Monty Christensen and Roberta L. Kehle.  This page-turning memoir about drug and alcohol use features a young man who finally turns himself around. 
 
http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/seventy_times_seven_and_beyond.htm
 
 
After learning of Uriah's selection, Joel wanted to share this memoir also about drug addiction:  A Million Little Pieces by James Frey.  It was honored as an Oprah pick.
 
http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/a_million_little_pieces.htm
 
 
Joel recently took a boat trip and stopped in Sydney, B.C., Canada to buy some books.  He said the bookstores were comparable to the bars you find in a Texas town: numerous and interesting.  He found two authors that he wanted to share with us. Finnie Walsh by Steven Galloway is one of them.
 
http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/finnie_walsh.htm
 
 
The other title is Acting the Giddy Goat by Mike Tanner.
 
http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/acting_the_giddy_goat.htm
 
 
It is hard not to enjoy the reviews Joel writes for books he doesn't like.  This is a book Joel just didn't have any patience for.  The Awakening Earth—the Global Brain by Peter Russell is a non-fiction book that Joel calls a mixture of pseudo- and real science.
 
http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/awakening_earth_the_global_brain.htm
 
 
Jane reviewed A Convergence of Birds. Original Fiction and Poetry Inspired by the Work of Joseph Cornell, which she had trouble liking, as well. 
 
http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/a_convergence_of_birds.htm
 
 
But Jane did get to review a book she thoroughly enjoyed, The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd.  This book is about a young girl who experiences racism and family problems.
 
http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/secret_life_of_bees.htm
 
 

We hope you enjoy our reviews for this time.  Any time you wish to contact Book Reader's Traverse, please e-mail: bookreaderstraverse at insightbb.com

 

 
We appreciate your suggestions.  If you know anyone who may be interested, please forward them this e-mail.  If someone sent you this e-mail, you can visit www.bookreaderstraverse.com and sign up for our newsletter or simply enjoy the site. 
 
Well, that wraps up this newsletter.  Happy reading!
 
Jane at www.bookreaderstraverse.com
 
 Thursday, September 08, 2005
Book Reader's Traverse Unabashed

Dear Readers:

We've improved the site this month by adding some features, such as a form to sign up for our newsletter.  We've taken out the links using the Flash, as they were hard to read, and just added some text links.  We've also simplified the graphics.  Most notably, we've alphabetized our selections by author and separated by fiction, and non-fiction.  Hopefully, this will allow our readers to easily find their books.  We especially wanted to do this before we started marketing the site more heavily.  For you hardcore Book Reader's Traverse fans, we added a hit counter to the home page.  This is not the most accurate way to keep track of visitors, but it adds an element of fun to the site. (As of this mailing, the counter was on 39 visitors!) 

The site has never looked so good!  Please see for yourself, then forward this newsletter on!  Now, it's time to develop a readership.  Thank you to those that have forwarded our newsletter to people who may be interested.  Our marketing team will be contacting libraries and asking them to link to us in this next phase.  We are also going to enter into forums and spread the word about Book Reader's Traverse.

We have some guest reviews in the works--hopefully ready for next issue.  Here's the picks:

Joel selected: Cadillac Desert.  The American West and Its Disappearing Water by Mark Reisner to review.  Joel points out that this book is a must-read for people who are concerned with the environment, especially water conservation. 

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/cadillac_desert.htm



On a more humorous note, Joel reviewed a Danielle Steel novel, The Ghost. I don't go to enough séances, because I had to look up  "intra spectral". But if that's what they do at those things, I better sit it out.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/ghost.htm


Jane reviewed two non-fiction selections.

Among Flowers.  A Walk In the Himalaya by Jamaica Kincaid documents a plant collecting trip taken by the author and three friends through the Himalayas.

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/among_flowers_a_walk_in_the_himalaya.htm


'Tis by Frank McCourt is a memoir of an Irish immigrant, noting his relationship with his family as well as his struggles in the US. This author is famous for Angela's Ashes, which won a Pulitzer Prize. 

http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/tis.htm


Tracey has been working overtime at her job and currently has some selections in the works.


If you received this newsletter from a friend and would like to sign up to receive your own copy, visit www.bookreaderstraverse.com and on the home page, click on the "Sign up for 'Book Reader's Traverse Unabashed'" link to fill out our short form.  We hope you enjoy our site.

Don't forget to visit Traversing Guest Station!  Want to contact us? bookreaderstraverse at insightbb.com

Happy reading!

Jane of www.bookreaderstraverse.com
Sent: Sunday, July 24, 2005 7:58 AM
Subject: Book Reader's Traverse Unabashed

Book Reader's Traverse Unabashed
 
Dear Readers:
 
We at Book Reader's Traverse have been busy updating the site for ease of use and reviewing books!  Because of the time spent on the construction of the site, our reading list is a little longer than usual. We hope you can save this e-mail and make it through these selections, if they appeal to you.  It almost reminds me of my open list at the library! 
 
Did you like a book reviewed by us in the past?  If you go to the web site, you will find that for each review, now you can take a poll. Let everyone who visits the site know how you feel about a book.  You can also leave a comment on the results page of the poll.  We think you'll like that feature.  We are also making sure to include a link to the book reviewed to www.amazon.com so you may easily purchase the book and support Book Reader's Traverse at the same time!  Sometimes, we find that a book we review is not carried by Amazon. (We have one rare gem that isn't--And Where Were You, Dr. Spock? by Mary Phyllis Riedley--an author local to Louisville.) 
 
http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/and_where_were_you_mr_spock.htm
 
We also have trouble finding audio books as well.  But we will try to provide you with an easy access link whenever possible. Other than these features, most of what was done to the site is housekeeping and navigation improvements.  We've combined "The Reading List" with the home page to make the site more concise.  We will be improving the graphics soon, but they have been freshened up a bit, as well.  
 
Here's a book reading challenge:  Read these reviews and choose the books you want to read.  Then, after you read the book, go back to the review and take the poll.  Have your say!  Here are the books:
 
Joel reviewed one book, Homage To Catalonia, and has some more on the way.  This one was written by George Orwell, which is what attracted Joel to the book.  Joel says this read may be a little tedious for all but the most hardcore history students, but it does shed some light on the author George Orwell's life, as it is taken from his experiences.
 
http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/homage_to_catalonia.htm
  
 
 
Tracey reviewed Bernard Cornwell's The Archer's Tale.  This book should prove to be a high adventure read like Bernard Cornwell usually dishes out.  This novel is yet another layer added to the mystic legend of the Holy Grail.
 
 http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/archers_tale.htm
 
 
 
Tracey found another historical novel to review for us.  It is The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory, which explores the life of Anne Boleyn's sister and strange family. This historical fiction sounds like a real page turner--read what Tracey has to say. 
 
http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/other_boleyn_girl.htm
 
 
 
Jane cannot wait to share this historical read with Tracey.  Nectar From a Stone is a novel from a new author, Jane Guill, about 1300's Wales--offering great scenery as well as characters and adventure.
 
http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/nectar_from_a_stone.htm
 
 
 
Jane found a book that helps explain how the Internet started.  Where Wizards Stay Up Late.  The Origins of the Internet by Katie Hafner and Matthew Lyon is a good collection of facts on politics, people, and events.  Not too technical, as well as clear and easy to understand, this book should fill the void lacking in common knowledge of the Internet. 
 
http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/where_wizards_stay_up_late.htm
 
 
So, check out the improved site: www.bookreaderstraverse.com and give us your comments at bookreaderstraverse at insightbb.com.  We would love your suggestions and input--you, the reader, are why we have this site!
 
We will be working on a form for newsletter sign-up soon, which will increase the ease of joining the newsletter for the visitor and for us.  If you know anyone who would like our newsletter, please forward this copy to them.  They can contact us at the above e-mail and we will add them. 
 
"The Traversing Guest Station" is still a feature on our site, and we would love to have your review!  We will use your photo if you wish, and a brief bio.  The review can be of any type of book you wish--fiction and non-fiction.  Let the world know what you think of that book!
 
That's all for this time.  Happy reading.
 
Jane of www.bookreaderstraverse.com

 

Sent: Saturday, April 16, 2005 10:22 PM

Subject: Book Reader's Traverse Unabashed Newsletter

Dear Readers:
 
We've been busy at www.bookreaderstraverse.com reading and writing reviews.  It seems there never stops being interesting things to read about.  I was in kind of a funk for awhile and didn't get very many books read, but now I'm making up for it with three reviews for this newsletter. 
 
Two were for audio books. 
 
A Thread of Grace by Mary Doria Russell is a historical novel about Jews and Catholics in WWII Italy.  This was difficult to listen to, in two ways:  it was complicated to keep up with the characters and some of the war scenes were ugly. A good story and worth the effort, though.
 
http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/a_thread_of_grace.htm
 
 
Lydia Cassatt Reading the Morning Paper by Harriett Scott Chessman is another historical novel based on artworks, which is similar to the books by Tracy Chevalier that Tracey introduced to the book club.  Lydia Cassatt is based around the time right after the (American) Civil War in Paris.
 
 http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/lydia_cassatt_reading_the_morning_paper.htm  
 
 
The next book I read and reviewed is Grace Hopper.  Admiral of the Cyber Sea by Kathleen Broome Williams.  Grace Hopper is one of those people who command respect and are great role models.  Like all of us here at www.bookreaderstraverse.com! Seriously, though, Grace Hopper was not only an Admiral in the Navy, she was a pioneer in the computer field.   
 
http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/grace_hopper.htm
 
 
Joel, the ever industrious writer at www.bookreaderstraverse.com, wrote a review on a very interesting science book this time.  The Seven Daughters of Eve--the science that reveals our genetic ancestry by Bryan Sykes promises to be an interesting DNA study, revealing archeological information about the past.  I'm going to have to read this one.
 
http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/seven_daughters_of_eve.htm
 
 
Do you have any suggestions for the book club?  Got a book you would like us to review?  You can be a part of the web site by e-mailing us at bookreaderstraverse at insightbb.com.  If we use your suggestion, we will definitely credit you in the review.  Would you like to review a book yourself?  You can be a member of the Traversing Guest Station at http://home.insightbb.com/~bookreaderstraverse/traversing_guest_station.htm by e-mailing us at bookreaderstraverse at insightbb.com with a review and a biographical paragraph, as well as a picture of yourself if you wish. 
 
Well, that wraps up this newsletter.  Happy reading! 
 
Sincerely,
 

Jane at www.bookreaderstraverse.com