2011 Futuristic/SciFi Reading Challenge -- my sign-up post

Tasha over at Book Obsessed says:
The goal of this challenge is to read novels that take place in the future or on an alternate planet. Your books can be of any format (ie. paperback, ebook, audiobook, etc.). No short stories. Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are fine. You can list your books in advance or list them as you read them. 

I'm going to aim for the "dweller" level -- 12 futuristic/sci fi novels by the end of 2011.  In some ways, I feel like this is a genre I read frequently and yet I also feel like 12 might be a stretch for me.  This challenge will give me a chance to see how often I really do read books that fall into this genre.

1. the first in the Ender's Game series (which I also hope to count for the 1st in a series challenge)
2.
3.
4.

Friday 56 & Book Beginnings -- Dangerous Neighbors by Beth Kephart

Welcome to The Friday 56, now hosted by Freda’s Voice.
Here’s how it works:
Rules:
*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56.
*Find any sentence that grabs you.
*Post it
*Link it here...




"I hate the Pop Goes the Weasel, and the polka."

Both quotes today come from Dangerous Neighbors by Beth Kephart.  It is a YA novel set at the time of the 1876 Centennial Fair in Philadelphia.  I'm just starting it.



How to participate: All you have to do is share the first line (or two) of the book you are currently reading on your blog or in the comments. Include the title and the author so we know what you're reading (and can go pick up a copy if it sounds good!). Then, if you feel so moved, let us know what your first impressions were based on that first line and whether or not you liked the sentence(s).

"From up high, everything seems to spill from itself."

1st in a Series Challenge 2011 -- my sign-up post

This challenge is hosted by Katy over at A Few More Pages.

I think I'm going to for for the Series Fanatic Level, which means I am supposed to read 20 books that are the first in any series.  Any genre counts.

The challenge runs from January 1 through December 31, 2011 and can join anytime.

Some of my preliminary ideas:
1.  Whatever the first Sookie Stackhouse is called -- my friend Cathy is after me to give them a try.
2. a re-read of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
3. Whichever is the first 32 Clues book, because it seems like I should at least have a basic idea of what they are about.
4.Whatever the first Ender's game book is -- I'm thinking Ender's Game?  :)  One of my oldest friends loves Orson Scott Card and I really should give him a try
5.Secrets of the Black Box (The Silver Lining Trilogy)by Amanda Wolfe (I know I'll read this one as it was sent to me to review.)
6. ?

It seems like I should have a more complete list than that, but I'm pretty confident that I'll read at least 20 firsts in 2011.

The Simple Woman's Daybook -- December 1, 2010

Hosted by Peggy.

FOR TODAY

Outside my window... A sunny, mild start to a Colorado December.

I am thinking...about what the next two weeks will look like -- two weeks from today I will be in Indiana for a visit to family and friends.

I am thankful for... my housemates' return and how excited Fiona, Mark, and Lilly were to see each other.

From the learning rooms... a new cross-stitch technique, when I start a present for Fiona. 

From the kitchen... lots of clean dishes and hopefully trying some recipes from the Five Ingredient Fix cookbook I have out from the library.

I am wearing... the same clothes I wore yesterday.  I'll probably take a shower eventually and fix that.

I am creating... a better tomorrow.

I am going... to try to make it to Art Night on Saturday. 

I am reading... Journey to the Center of the Earth (by Jules Verne) with my daughter.

I am hoping... mediation goes well on Friday.

I am hearing... "Prove It All Night" by Bruce Springsteen, playing on my Pandora station and a quiet rest of the house.

One of my favorite things... eggnog.

A few plans for the rest of the week:  Maybe book club tomorrow night, mediation on Friday morning, maybe some scrapbooking on Sunday.  Still pondering my plans for Friday night.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...I just love The Extent of Silence's Etsy shop.  You can find this picture, "Before the Winter Sun Sets," here.

Teaser Tuesdays -- November 30, 2010 -- Sabotaged by Margaret Peterson Haddix

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! 
  Cover of Sabotaged (Missing)

"But . . . but . . I could start a fire with a magnifying glass," Jonah protested. "Or, I saw this thing online, where you use a Coke can and a chocolate bar --"  

~p.117, Sabotaged by Margaret Peterson Haddix

I really really like Margaret Peterson Haddix's work.  Her target audience ranges from 4th grade to high school, depending on the book.  This is the third in (what I believe is) newest series, The Missing.  I'm not sure they are my favorite of hers, but I am enjoying them.  In this scene, Jonah, his sister Katerine, and Andrea (a.k.a. Virginia Dare) have traveled back in time to what they think is the original colony of Roanoke.  

Healing the Hurt, Restoring the Hope: Take V

From Chapter 6, Becoming a Compassionate Companion:

"Often, children try to ignore or deny the pain of loss, rather than admit to and deal with it.  They usually do so for one or more of these three reasons.

• They are determined to be strong.  Therefore they 'stuff' their pain and feelings inside, put on a stoic face, and stalwartly go on with life, much to the relief of family and friends.
• They are simply too afraid of these unfamiliar feelings to say them out loud.
• No one has asked the child how she is feeling.  Subsequently, she thinks there's something wrong with herself and tries to push away or deny her feelings.

. . . these 'coping' responses only delay a child's healing and his return to feeling better." p.170

"No matter how friendly their parents act during a divorce, in their heart of hearts, the children are distressed.  They don't want their mom and dad to dissolve the marriage; they don't want to settle for seeing one parent on a part-time basis." p. 171

"Remember that to emotionally survive a death, separation, divorce, or family crisis, children need:

• Sufficient time to mourn the profound change that has occurred
• Permission to cry
• Knowledgeable, caring adults who reach out and support them." p. 177  

Stay With Me Tonight -- Emma Wallace

Very fun.  Haven't heard Emma Wallace before, but I may be a new fan.