Five books: In honor of Book Blogger Appreciation Week #BBAW

I’m not officially participating in Book Blogger Appreciation Week ‪#‎BBAW‬ but here are five books very important to me, which was the theme for Day 1. I promised Emma of Words and Peace I’d come up with some!  (Follow this link to read her choices!)

1. Merton & Hesychasm: The Prayer of the Heart–The Eastern Church ed. by Bernadette Diecker and Jonathan Montaldo. This book on Thomas Merton’s embrace of the Prayer of the Heart (or prayer of quiet) led me to a wonderful trail of reading on this ancient and still vibrant way of prayer.

2. Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. Still my favorite “classic” novel, and Jean Valjean is one of my personal favorites on my Fictional 100.

3. The Mahabharata–one of the two great epics of India, and again a special favorite when I had the chance to write about its multifaceted characters and story.

4. Novena by Barabara Calamari & Sandra DiPasqua. I keep this book close by, for its beautiful way of prayer, and for the utterly gorgeous images it contains. I became a collector of prayer cards, old and new, after this book touched me.

5. Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier. This was one of the first fantasy novels I read. This author and this genre are still a regular part of my reading. This novel also represents my great love of fairy tales from all over the world. It’s based on my favorite fairy tale, “The Wild Swans,” and I cry whenever I reread it (the novel, and probably the fairy tale too!)

Thanks, Emma, for getting me to participate, even a little, in this fun way to learn about our fellow bloggers and friends!

Christmas Joy and Traveling the World in Books

This week seems to be the perfect time to give thanks for the lovely books and book-related gifts that I received from our October Travel the World in Books Readathon that will help send me on more traveling the world in books!   I am so happy and grateful to have this collection of bookmarks from Isi Orejas and the very special bookmark she created for her Readathon mini-challenge: The balloons on strings are tethered by the banner Travel the World in BOOKS–it makes me think of Around the World in 80 Days, Phileas Fogg, and Jules Verne, and all the reading adventures ahead in 2016. I need to get back in my own balloon and read some of my planned voyages!  She also included her bookmarks inspired by Alice in Wonderland (see the Rabbit peeking out?) and The Princess Bride–both of these are favorites of mine as well! Gift tags, tree ornaments, and a beautiful card completed the lovely package.

And what are some of those planned voyages? First of all, I am grateful to have received three books that will send me to India for delicious cooking and family memories (My Mother’s Kitchen from the author, Meera Klein), to New York and London for mystery and a healing encounter (Close to Destiny from the author, Adria J Cimino), and to England and France during World War I (A Pattern of Lies by Charles Todd, from Tanya of Mom’s Small Victories, who donated this ARC and who keeps the #TTWIB ship afloat for all of us!).

I will be reading these as my Christmas gift to myself, and I wish everyone joyous holidays, stimulating and comforting reading, and beautiful bookmarks to mark the places on your reading voyages! ♥♥♥♥

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Children’s Book Week Giveaway Hop–And the Winner Is…!

I’m happy to announce that Hope C., who blogs at HopeToRead.com, is the winner of two lovely illustrated books, Pinocchio and Nelson Mandela’s Favorite African Folktales.  I see that Hope’s blog features many Book Tours and Giveaways, so do stop by!  Thanks to everyone who entered and participated in this event to celebrate kids and reading (perfect together!).

Children’s Book Week Giveaway Hop–Giving Away Two Illustrated Books!

For Children’s Book Week, I’m delighted to participate in the Children’s Book Giveaway Blog Hop hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings.  I’m giving away BRAND NEW paperback copies of two illustrated books I’ve reviewed previously here at The Fictional 100 (each title is linked to my review):

• Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi, illustrated by Sara Fanelli.
• Nelson Mandela’s Favorite African Folktales, illustrated by various artists from Africa.

Both books seem to me to be perfect for all ages.  School Library Journal suggests Grades 1 to 5 for Nelson Mandela’s folktales. These books have gorgeous, innovative illustrations enhancing the delightful texts.  I am giving away one gift package containing both books. Follow the instructions on the giveaway link below, which will be open May 4 to May 10 for entrants from the US or Canada.

Entry-Form

I will notify the winner by email on May 11th. Please respond within 48 hours, if possible, so that I can send you your books! Thanks for entering and supporting Children’s Book Week! I thank Sharon at Faith Hope & Cherrytea for letting me know about the Giveaway Hop.

Please CLICK the blue linky button to visit the other participating blogs offering more great giveaways, and have fun sharing books with children!

My First Dewey Readathon + Spring Into Horror! = Lots of Reading!

Beautiful Dewey’s Readathon button, created by Michelle of The True Book Addict, who always finds terrific pictures of women reading!

In celebration of the good side of peer pressure, I’ve just signed up for my first Dewey’s Readathon! I will be doing this in tandem with Michelle’s Spring Into Horror Read-a-thon, which is already underway this week and ending Sunday night (in the US).

This is also created by Michelle, for her blog Seasons of Reading, where she hosts her seasonal Read-a-thons.

I have already described my Read-a-thon reading list, which includes Dan Simmons’ new take on Sherlock Holmes, The Fifth Heart, as well as the original stories of the Brothers Grimm.  I will probably add some Outlander, specifically Book 2, Dragonfly in Amber, and I know I’ll be taking a break in the evening to watch the next installment of the “Outlander” series on STARZ! 🙂  I’m looking forward to visiting blogs and checking in with folks all day on Twitter (@Fictional100)!