Review - The Alchemist: A Graphic Novel by Paulo Coelho



TITLE:    The Alchemist: A Graphic Novel
AUTHOR/EDITOR:    Paulo Coelho
INFO:    Hardcover, Fiction,
PUBLISHED:   HarperOne, 2010
ISBN#:   978-0-06-202432-9
HOW'D I GET IT:   Received from TLC Book Tours for Review

FROM GOODREADS:  A beautifully rendered stunning graphic novel of the classic that continues to inspire readers worldwide.

   
Every few decades a book is published that changes the lives of its readers forever. The Alchemist has established itself as a modern classic, universally admired. Now for the first time, the phenomenal bestselller has been rendered as a graphic novel that will appeal to the millions of existing fans while also attracting a new generation of readers.


The Alchemist is the magical tale of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure as extravagant as any ever found. From his home in Spain he journeys to the markets of Tangier and across the Egyptian desert to a fateful encounter with the alchemist.The story of the treasures Santiago finds along the way teaches us, as only a few stories have done, about the essential wisdom of listening to our hearts, learning to read the omens strewn along life’s path, and above all, following our dreams.


“It was an old dream of mine to have The Alchemist as a graphic novel. I had
received several proposals but none of them came anywhere near the classical vision I have in my mind for a graphic format. When I saw Sea Lion Books’ proposal however it took me less than half an hour to make my decision.”--Paulo Coelho

MY TAKE:   Several people had recommended this book to me over the last year or so.  When TLC Book Tours asked if I was interested in participating, I gladly jumped at the chance. 

This was a very interesting tale of a young shepherd boy in search of himself.  This was one of the first graphic novels I've read and I must admit I really liked it.  I loved comic books as a kid and this is a fantastic way to introduce new or even reluctant readers to the joy of reading, as well as a treat for us "old-timers".  Re-publishing classic stories such as this one into a different format will bring many new fans to the table.

While the story was very simple and at times, very predictable, it was enjoyable.  The author used a gentle touch to deliver his message and thoughts.  I think fans of Paulo Coelho's and those looking for a book that could be shared with family members would find this to be a perfect fit.

I thought this was a quick and easy read with a lovely overall message.  I am looking forward to reading the full novel now as well and encourage others to give this book a try for themselves.  It would be a meaningful gift, especially during this holiday season.

Thank you very much to TLC Book Tours for including me on this book tour.

   
MY RATING:    3.75/5

WHERE TO BUY IT:   Amazon, IndieBound, The Book Depository, Powell's Books

 

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Winners - At Last, Again

Sorry folks, I've been remiss AGAIN in announcing the WINNERS here at One Book Shy.  Without further blathering, here they are:

The Wave: In Pursuit of the Rogues, Freaks and Giants of the Ocean

Our two lucky winners are Cheryl F. and Bethie. 

~~~~~

Montana Glory

The two cowboy-loving winners for this great book are Elaine and Alexa. 

Congratulations to all of the winners.  We'll have more winners to come in the next week as well as a FANTASTIC new holiday giveaway to announce on the 1st! 

 

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving

to

Everyone

Near and Far

 

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Review - One Night in Scotland by Karen Hawkins

TITLE:    One Night in Scotland (Hurst Amulet)
AUTHOR/EDITOR:    Karen Hawkins
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 245 pages
PUBLISHED:   Pocket Star, 2010
ISBN#:   978-1-4391-1758-7 
HOW'D I GET IT:   Received from Publisher for Review

FROM GOODREADS:  I New York Times bestselling author Karen Hawkins begins a sparkling new series with this thrilling tale of a desperate beauty on an urgent quest, a dark earl scarred by his beastly past—and the ancient treasure that binds their fates.

A mysterious abductor . . . Someone is holding her brother prisoner in exchange for a gold-and-onyx box covered in mysterious runes, so Mary Hurst boldly sets out from the family vicarage to find the priceless artifact. But the man who possesses it, Angus Hay, the Earl of Erroll, is less than sympathetic to her plight.


A forbidding stranger . . . Himself a prisoner of his dark past, Angus refuses to yield the box—or allow Mary to leave! Suspicious of the alluring lass’s mission, he vows to wrest a confession from her, but unearths a fiery temper and a will as strong as his own.


An unbreakable curse . . . Passion flares between them, but now there is more at stake: an unknown enemy is hunting down the precious box, and will stop at nothing. Risking all for love, Angus must solve the mystery behind the runes . . . and trust the only woman who can awaken his forgotten heart.

MY TAKE:  When I read and reviewed Karen Hawkins' Much Ado About Marriage earlier this year, I knew I'd found an author who I'd be reading a lot more of.  She has continued to entertain with this latest offering, the first in the new series about the mystery of the Hurst Amulet.

One Night in Scotland is one of those reads that I stopped everything else I was doing to complete.  I was hooked from the very start with the humor and adventure that was jumping off the first few pages.  I love it when a book pulls me in immediately and doesn't let go, even when it's over (although it's not really over when there's an exciting new book in the works...anticipation...is making me wait...)

Mary Hurst is an unusual woman of her time as she is extremely well-read and longs for adventure and travel.  She lives vicariously (in a vicarage...) following the expeditions of her brother, an Egyptologist.  That is until her brother is in danger and Mary is forced to go out on an adventure of her own to try to save him.  She's accompanied by a very colorful and mostly inappropriate maid who is good for several laughs.

Angus Hay is a scarred man, both literally and figuratively.  He is a reclusive Earl who is also an esteemed expert on antiquities, including those of Egypt.  He doesn't trust Mary, thinking that she is an impostor and a thief.  He decides to lock her up in his castle until he can decide what to do with her.  What follows is plenty of laughs and lots of intrigue.

I highly recommend this to lovers of romantic fiction, mystery and fun adventure.

Learn more about Karen Hawkins at her website.
   
MY RATING:    4.5/5

WHERE TO BUY IT:  Amazon, The Book Depository, Powell's Books, IndieBound

 

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Weekly Wrap 112110

This feature is inspired by The Story Siren's "In My Mailbox" posts.  Let me show you the books that I've come across in one way or another for the past week. 

Blood Prophecy

Thank you Gallery Books

The Alchemist: A Graphic Novel

Thank you HarperOne

One Night in Scotland (The Hurst Amulet)

Thank you Pocket Books

Thunder and Ashes

Thank you Gallery Books

The Sherlockian

Thank you Twelve/Hachette Books

 

~~~~~

Whoo Hooo!  Awesome stamped copy of Mockingjay & Swag

THANK YOU!!! to Nikki at Wicked Awesome Books

Photo from Nikki's giveaway post - my camera is still kaput :(

~~~~~

 

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Review - Secret for a Satyr by Dorothy Bodoin

TITLE:    Secret For Satyr (A Cressa Hannett Mystery)
AUTHOR/EDITOR:    Dorothy Bodoin
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 301 pages
PUBLISHED:   Worldwide Mystery, 2009
ISBN#:   978-0-373-26671-5
HOW'D I GET IT:   Purchased

FROM GOODREADS:  'SILENCE is DEADLY'   


When Cressa Hannett finds the body of her elderly neighbor, piano teacher Libby Dorset, drowned in her ornate backyard fountain, it's horrible enough. But shortly before she discovered the body, Cressa witnessed a cloaked figure lurking nearby. Did she see Libby's killer? Worse...did that killer see her?

Soon after the murder, Cressa uncovers an old scrapbook linking Libby with the thirty-year-old disappearance of a girl and her dog, and becomes intrigued by rumors of ghosts and haunted statues. Did the large, Gothic stone satyr lure Libby Dorset to her death? Not if the very real and dark secret buried in Libby's garden has any clues to share. Especially when it leads to a killer with too much at stake to dare let Cressa expose the truth.

MY TAKE:  I enjoyed this new installment in the Cressa Hannett Mystery series.  This is the first book I've read from Dorothy Bodoin.  She created an intriguing story that kept me guessing until the end.

Cressa is a very interesting character.  She is very intelligent and extremely curious, which could get her into more trouble.  Her love interest(s) in this story, Matt and Dalton, are both well written and very endearing.  I was leaning more towards one than the other, but I'll let you decide who you like better for yourself.

A quick read that made for an enjoyable afternoon.
   
MY RATING:    3/5

WHERE TO BUY IT:    Amazon

 

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Review - Songs of Love & Death by George R. R. Martin and Gardner Dozois

TITLE:    Songs of Love and Death: All-Original Tales of Star-Crossed Love
AUTHOR/EDITOR:    Editors George R. R. Martin & Gardner Dozois
INFO:    Hardcover, Fiction, 468
PUBLISHED:   Gallery Books, 2010
ISBN#:   978-1-4391-5014-6
HOW'D I GET IT:   Received from Gallery Books for Review

FROM GOODREADS:  In this star-studded cross-genre anthology, seventeen of the greatest modern authors of fantasy, science fiction, and romance explore the borderlands of their genres with brand-new tales of ill-fated love. From zombie-infested woods in a postapocalyptic America to faery-haunted rural fields in eighteenth- century England, from the kingdoms of high fantasy to the alien world of a galaxy-spanning empire, these are stories of lovers who must struggle against the forces of magic and fate.

Award-winning, bestselling author Neil Gaiman demonstrates why he’s one of the hottest stars in literature today with “The Thing About Cassandra,” a subtle but chilling story of a man who meets an old girlfriend he had never expected to see.


International blockbuster bestselling author Diana Gabaldon sends a World War II RAF pilot through a stone circle to the time of her Outlander series in “A Leaf on the Winds of All Hallows.” Torn from all he knows, Jerry MacKenzie determinedly survives hardship and danger, intent on his goal of returning home to his wife and baby—no matter the cost.


New York Times bestselling author Jim Butcher presents “Love Hurts,” in which Harry Dresden takes on one of his deadliest adversaries and in the process is forced to confront the secret desires of his own heart.


Just the smallest sampling promises unearthly delights, but look also for stories by New York Times bestselling romance authors Jo Beverley and Mary Jo Putney, and by such legends of the fantasy genre as Peter S. Beagle and Tanith Lee, as well as many other popular and beloved writers, including Marjorie M. Liu, Jacqueline Carey, Carrie Vaughn, and Robin Hobb. This exquisite anthology, crafted by the peerless editing team of George R. R. Martin and Gardner Dozois, is sure to leave you under its spell.


Discover the many realms of the heart with this extraordinary cast of acclaimed authors:


PETER S. BEAGLE
JO BEVERLEY
JIM BUTCHER
JACQUELINE CAREY
DIANA GABALDON
NEIL GAIMAN
YASMINE GALENORN
M.L.N. HANOVER
ROBIN HOBB
CECELIA HOLLAND
TANITH LEE
MARJORIE M. LIU
MARY JO PUTNEY
LINNEA SINCLAIR
MELINDA SNODGRASS
LISA TUTTLE
CARRIE VAUGHN

MY TAKE:   This book was a must-read for me as soon as I read that Diana Gabaldon had contributed a new story for this collection.  Her "A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows" was well worth the wait.  It ties up some unanswered questions about Roger Mackenzie's father Jeremy as well as opening up some more lines from "An Echo in the Bone".

Many other favorite authors added their all-original tales of star-crossed love for this happy, sad, tear-jerking, smile-making group of shorts.  While there were a couple of stories that I didn't really care for (as happens with any collection), most of them have reaffirmed my enjoyment of the authors' writing or introduced me to a few new-to-me writers that I will seek out in the future.

Two of my top picks along with Diana Gabaldon would be Jo Beverly with her inventive tale "The Marrying Maid" inspired by Tatiana and Oberon's continual toying with humankind and "Blue Boots" from Robin Hobb which follows the lingering love story of a minstrel and a kitchen girl.

I highly recommend this collection and I think it would be a great gift idea for the avid reader on your gift list.
   
MY RATING:    4.5

WHERE TO BUY IT:   Amazon, The Book Depository, Powell's Books

 

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Review - Clinton St. Baking Company Cookbook by DeDe Lahman & Neil Kleinberg

TITLE:  Clinton St. Baking Company Cookbook: Breakfast, Brunch & Beyond from New York's Favorite Neighborhood Restaurant
AUTHOR/EDITOR:    DeDe Lahman & Neil Kleinberg
INFO:    Hardcover, Non-Fiction, 224 pages
PUBLISHED:   Little Brown & Company, 2010
ISBN#:   978-0-316-08337-9
HOW'D I GET IT:   Received from Publisher for Review

FROM GOODREADS:  The Clinton St. Baking Company is one of the hottest brunch spots in a city obsessed with brunch. A tiny thirty-two-seat eatery on Manhattan's trendy Lower East Side, the restaurant draws long lines of customers who come from far and wide to sample fresh-baked goods, hearty omelets, sugar-cured bacon, and light-as-air pancakes with maple butter.



In the Clinton St. Baking Company Cookbook, owners DeDe Lahman and Neil Kleinberg share more than 100 treasured recipes that have made their restaurant a sensation. Learn the secret to their house-made buttermilk biscuits and tomato jam, irresistible muffins and scones, delicious soups and sandwiches, and their decadent, eye-catching desserts. Helpful techniques, like Neil's patented omelet "flip and tuck," and gorgeous color photographs throughout will have readers cooking like pros in no time, and sharing the delicious results.

MY TAKE:   This book is the newest addition to my "gift-worthy" list.  I got to test out a few of the recipes a few weeks ago when I made brunch for 7 of us.  Unfortunately, I don't have photos to show the yummies as my camera was out of commission during that time.  I will tell you what I used from the fantastic book:

Vanilla Buttermilk Waffles
Maple Butter
Crunchy Bananas with Cinnamon Chili Chocolate Sauce

I also made the required bacon and sausage with coffee and orange juice.  I am thrilled to report that it was a resounding success.  We've used the maple butter a few times since then. 

The recipes are very clear and easy to understand.  Lots of full color photographs aid in making these delightful dishes (as well as enticing you to hurry up and make it!)  The authors take the everyday cook into account with these scrumptious concoctions.  My next experiment will be their Split Pea Soup.  It's a long-cooking recipe that is making my mouth water just writing about it.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys trying great new recipes or collects fabulous cookbooks.  Very gift-worthy!
  
MY RATING:    4/5

WHERE TO BUY IT:   Amazon, The Book Depository, Powell's Books, IndieBound

 

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Review + Giveaway: Stronger Than Sin by Caridad Pineiro

TITLE:    Stronger than Sin (Sin 2)

AUTHOR/EDITOR:    Caridad Pineiro
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 317 pages
PUBLISHED:   Forever Books, 2010
ISBN#:   978-0-446-54384-5
HOW'D I GET IT:   Received from Hachette Books for Review & Giveaway

FROM GOODREADS:   Dr. Liliana Carrera nearly lost her life to Wardwell scientists. She won't let them harm other innocent victims, like her new patient, Jesse Bradford. The former pro athlete had the best hands in the NFL . . . until an injury forced him to undergo Wardwell's experimental gene therapy. Now Jesse's gorgeous body is superhuman-but his strength comes at a price.

With Wardwell threatening his family, Jesse can't tell Liliana all he knows. Yet he can't resist her compassion . . . or her healing, erotic touch. As their passion flares, Jesse's body becomes dangerous and volatile. For evil men are plotting to change the face of humanity-and will destroy whoever stands in their way.

MY TAKE:   Caridad Pineiro is a new-to-me author who has been receiving really good reviews for her first book Sins of the Flesh. When I read the blurb from the publisher about this new book, I jumped on the chance to review it and see what the excitement was all about.  I must say that I am glad I took the time to find out.

This is an action-packed story of a brainy but gorgeous doctor and an angry but hunky, ex-football player who are both trying to attain the same thing - a cure to devastating side effects from an experiment gone very wrong.  As soon as Liliana and Jesse meet, things start happening at a frightening pace - both personally and around them.  I couldn't put the book down as I just knew something was happening on the next page and I didn't want to wait.

The characters are well written and I found myself empathizing with both of Liliana and Jesse.  Both love their families beyond measure, but have different ways of expressing it.  They come from very different worlds but find a bond to connect them through all of the turmoil and danger.  The sparks fly between these two and there are some very steamy scenes that lit up the pages!

I haven't had a chance to read the first book yet, but plan to do so very soon.  This book can definitely be read as a stand-alone, but I really enjoyed this story and want to read the beginning and learn more about how the experiments began.

MY RATING: 4/5
   

You can learn more about the author and her other books at her website and be sure to enter the fun contests she has running there.  But FIRST, be sure to enter the drawing here at One Book Shy!

Caridad Pineiro and Hachette Books have generously offered to give TWO readers here at One Book Shy their very own copy of Stronger Than Sin!  Very cool..

• Be or become a FOLLOWER of this blog
• COMMENT on this post and tell me what NFL team you're a fan of, if any
• Open to US and Canadian residents
• NO PO Boxes
• Only ONE prize per household no matter how many different drawings you win
• Drawing closes on November 30th, 2010 at midnight PST.
• Winners will have 48 hours to provide their mailing info.

WHERE TO BUY IT:   Amazon, Powell's Books, The Book Depository, IndieBound
  

 

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.