Welcome to Day 2 of Armchair BEA
For those of us who are unable to attend Book Expo America in New York this week, there is Armchair BEA, an online networking event for bloggers worldwide.
Yesterday’s BEA topic was an introductory post where participants provided a little information about themselves and their blog. I was busy most of yesterday and only got to visit a few of the many blogs, so I will be doing more of that today.
More Than Just Words
Today’s topic: Mediums that feature more than just words to enhance a story and a discussion of books that stand out in these different formats.
Illustrated Books
As a child, (many years ago), I remember having interactive pop-up and picture books, but once I learned how to read on my own, interaction didn’t seem necessary. The story itself came alive in my mind and transported me away.
Illustrations do go without saying in young children’s books, but I am also fond of whimsical illustration in adult books. Rather than use photos, The Wildlife-Friendly Vegetable Gardener includes plenty of cute drawings to highlight her organic gardening process.
Little Known and Seldom Seen Birds of North America, a humorous (and fictitious) bird guide, is filled with color illustrations to accompany the text.
I have stumbled across some good cookbooks that have used illustrations rather than photos, but I’m not a big fan of that practice. I’m not an inexperienced cook, but I still find a photo of the finished dish helps me more than a drawing of an ingredient, no matter how cute it may be.
Graphic Novels
I’ve only read a couple of graphic novels. This is a format I have yet to embrace. They remind me a little too much of comic books. If anyone has any fantastic suggestions, I would like to try a few more.
Audiobooks
I love audiobooks! Many times they are mostly words, but sometimes the production can be so much more. An excellent narrator can make all the difference (Hint: Anything narrated by Cassandra Campbell, John Lee or Neil Gaiman – even reading the phone book!).
Multiple Narrators
Multiple narrators are another way to enhance the production. When there are changing points of view it is much better to have more than one narrator rather than a single narrator trying to do both male and female voices. That rarely works and can quickly drive me crazy. Shotgun Lovesongs used five narrators and the result was a beautifully narrated audiobook that was both easy to follow and enjoyable to listen to.
Fortunately for listeners, audio productions are getting better and better, with more emotion, drama and passion in the narration. You only have to listen to a book from the previous decade – and the difference is stunning – to realize that previously books were just words being read.
Sound Effects
Some audio productions are now including sound effects and background noise. There is a fine line in being able to pull that one off, and too many times all the sounds get annoying. Recently I listened to a book that got it right. It was fantastic – better than the print version – and that book is William Shakespeare’s The Empire Striketh Back: Light sabers buzzing, R2D2 whistling, Chewbacca’s roar and Darth Vader’s booming voice and heavy breathing, plus a narrator giving stage direction all combined to create an entertaining production.
How about you? Which formats do you enjoy?
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Hannibal: Enemy of Rome, is the first installment in a new series from bestselling author, Ben Kane and releases in the US today. Historical fiction fans will enjoy this tale of Rome’s greatest enemy. This is Hannibal’s story, as his personal quest for revenge leads to the greatest conflict of the ancient world.
I enjoy a variety of historical fiction, and ancient Rome is a time period that has always fascinated me. I haven’t had a chance to read this yet, but I’m looking forward to diving into it sometime soon.
About the Book
Hannibal: Enemy of Rome
by Ben Kane
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Publish Date: May 27, 2014
The great Carthaginian general, Hannibal, has never forgotten the defeat and humiliation of his people by Rome. Now he plans his revenge and the destruction of the old enemy. While Hannibal prepares for war, Hanno, the son of one of his most trusted military commanders goes out fishing with Suni, his best friend ― and is washed out to sea. Captured by pirates, transported to an Italian slave market, one of the boys is sold as a gladiator, the other as a field slave. Both believe that they will never see home or family again.
Against all probability, Hanno strikes up a relationship with Quintus and Aurelia, his Roman master’s children. But trouble is never far away. As the Second Punic War begins, pulling the world into chaos, Hanno’s life is threatened by a cruel overseer, while his friend battles to survive as a gladiator. The destiny of all four young people ― Roman and Carthaginian ― is to be an extraordinary one. So too is that of their families. The devastating war unleashed upon Rome by Hannibal will change all of their lives ― and history ― forever.
[Read an excerpt.]
About the Author
Ben Kane was born in Kenya and raised there, as well as in Ireland. He studied veterinary medicine at University College Dublin, and after that he traveled the world extensively, indulging his passion for ancient history. He now lives in North Somerset with his wife and family.
Ben Kane is one of the best known historical novelists. A top-three bestseller in the UK, his previous five books have had strong sales in the United Sates, building a stable fan base. In fact, the paperback edition of SPARTACUS Rebellion is also being release in May to tie in with this new hardcover series.
Connect with Ben
Twitter | Goodreads | Webpage | Facebook
Praise for Ben Kane
“This historical yarn from Kane isn’t your grandfather’s Spartacus.”
–Kirkus on Spartacus: Rebellion
“Kane is a natural storyteller, merging suspense and intrigue with graphic battlefield scenes and historical color into a ripping story that will please series fans and new converts alike.”
–Publishers Weekly on The Road to Rome
“Lively…riveting…rich in accurate historical detail. The characterizations are finely drawn and set against a dangerous, cruel, but often thrilling landscape.”
–Booklist on The Forgotten Legion
“Epic… a gripping blend of history, battles, gore, ancient politics, betrayal, consummate and casual cruelty, and sex… a pleasure for those who like history and great adventure.”
–Library Journal on The Forgotten Legion
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© 2014 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
Source: Giveaway provided by the author and Atria Books.
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Welcome to Day 1 of Armchair BEA
For those of us who are unable to attend Book Expo America in New York this week, there is Armchair BEA, an online networking event for bloggers worldwide.
It’s ironic that when I was working full-time I was unable to get time off to attend BEA. Now that I’m not working, I don’t have the extra funds. But BEA is coming to Chicago in 2016, less than an hour drive for me, and I am looking forward to finally attending and meeting many of you.
An Introduction
Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging? Where in the world are you blogging from?
and have been blogging for about eight years. I started Under My Apple Tree as a place to discuss current events and, due to a lack of focus, I was mostly talking to myself.
In 2009 I deleted all the old posts and started over as a book blog where I soon discovered an entire community of book lovers. After a while I began writing about some of my other interests – cooking, gardening, nature, photography and my now weekend feature, Weekend Birding.
Describe your blog in just one sentence. Then, list your social details — Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc. — so we can connect more online.
Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook
What genre do you read the most?
What is your favorite blogging resource?
Thanks for Stopping By
Today is Memorial Day in the US and I will be hosting a BBQ in my backyard. I will be visiting blogs later this evening. Please feel free to leave me comment and I will stop by later.
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© 2014 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
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Welcome to Mailbox Monday, created by Marcia of To Be Continued, a place where readers share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week.
After several years of being on tour with different blogs as the monthly host, the Mailbox Monday Blog is now the permanent home for the meme.
Another busy outdoors week for me planting flower boxes, updating the perennial garden and hand painting the water seal on the wood deck – spraying it is too messy so I do it by hand with brushes and rollers. The last few weeks of May, my yard becomes a full time job! But that gives me lots of time to listen to audiobooks. Now I have a back log of reviews to write and blogs to visit.
Today is Memorial Day in the US – a federal holiday and a day of remembrance to honor all Americans who have died while in the military service. I’m having a few family members over for a BBQ and relaxing afternoon.
New Arrivals
Small Blessings by Martha Woodroof from St. Martin’s Press.
A heartwarming story with a charmingly imperfect cast of characters to cheer for, Small Blessings’s wonderfully optimistic heart that reminds us that sometimes, when it feels like life has veered irrevocably off track, the track shifts in ways we never can have imagined.
How to Tell Toledo from the Night Sky by Lydia Netzer from Amazon Vine.
George and Irene are on a collision course with love, destiny and fate. They have everything in common: both are ambitious, both passionate about science, both lonely and yearning for connection. The air seems to hum when they’re together. But George and Irene’s attraction was not written in the stars. In fact their mothers, friends since childhood, raised them separately to become each other’s soulmates.
A Blind Goddess by James R. Benn, a win from Soho Crime.
March, 1944: US Army Lieutenant Billy Boyle, back in England after a dangerous mission in Italy, is due for a little R&R, and also a promotion. But the now-Captain Boyle doesn’t get to kick back and enjoy his leisure time because two upsetting cases fall into his lap at once.
The Hundred-Year House by Rebecca Makkai from Viking.
The acclaimed author of The Borrower returns with a dazzlingly original, mordantly witty novel about the secrets of an old-money family and their turn-of-the-century estate, Laurelfield.
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New Giveaway
The Chronicle of Secret Riven by Ronlyn Domingue:
A spellbinding story, rich with vivid characters and set in a fascinating world, The Chronicle of Secret Riven explores the tension between love and hate, trust and betrayal, fate and free will.
Click the image for details.
To enter, fill out the form. US addresses only by midnight 5/30.
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© 2014 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
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Thank you to everyone that stopped by to enter this fantastic giveaway.
The winner was selected in a random drawing and has been notified by email.
Ladies Night Signed Book & Goody Bag
by Mary Kay Andrews
Winner: Rita Moffat
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© 2014 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
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A Snowy Egret has been sighted along the river where I monitor birds for the forest preserve, so I have spent more than a few hours trying to see this bird. While not a rare bird, it’s unusual to find one this far north. I did not find the bird this morning either, but it is a beautiful day and there was a lot of nature to appreciate.
Great White Egret
The Great White Egrets are gorgeous in their breeding plumage. Both males and females grow long, delicate and flowing plumes on their back that curl over the tail. Unfortunately this bird was not interested in displaying the feathers – he or she was hunting for fish – but you can see them if you look closely near the tail.
Young Buck
A young deer emerged briefly from the forest to see what I was doing there so early in the morning. The best time to see birds and other wildlife is shortly after sunrise. I’m not a morning person, but I force myself to get to the woods between 7 and 8am.
Barn Swallow
A male Barn Swallow practically landed on me while I was standing on the bridge over his river and then began singing.
Great Crested Flycatcher
It’s always a pleasure to see a Great Crested Flycatcher sitting out in the open. They are migratory birds and breed in the Eastern US during the summer. They live in the open woodlands and prefer to stay high in the trees, making them difficult to see among the leaves.
Flock of Geese
A small flock of Canada Geese were having breakfast. About a half hour later, they began honking and fighting. One of them flew into a tree. First time I’ve ever seen a Canada Goose land in a tree.
More to come
Although I never did find the Snowy Egret I was searching for, I was able to photograph a couple of birds that were not previously in my collection – Scarlet Tanager and Herring Gull.
Saturday Snapshot was originated by Alyce at At Home With Books. It is now hosted by Melinda of West Metro Mommy. Visit her blog to see more great photos or add your own.
© 2014 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
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Shotgun Lovesongs
by Nickolas Butler
Narrated by Scott Shepherd, Ari Fliakos, Maggie Hoffman, Scott Sowers, Gary Wilmes
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Publish Date: March 11, 2014
Format: Audio, 9 hours | 58 minutes
Audio Listening Level: Easy – Intermediate
Rating: 4 of 5
Publisher’s Synopsis:
Hank, Leland, Kip and Ronny were all born and raised in the same Wisconsin town — Little Wing — and are now coming into their own (or not) as husbands and fathers. One of them never left, still farming the family’s land that’s been tilled for generations. Others did leave, went farther afield to make good, with varying degrees of success; as a rock star, commodities trader, rodeo stud. And seamlessly woven into their patchwork is Beth, whose presence among them — both then and now — fuels the kind of passion one comes to expect of love songs and rivalries.
My Thoughts:
There are five narrators in the novel, all friends that grew up together in a small Wisconsin town. Now adults in their 30s, they look back on their relationships with each other, their decisions in life, and what might have been if they had done things differently. Each has their own story, but the stories overlap and we see the same events from a different perspective.
Lee is a successful musician, a rock star. He now travels extensively, sees the world, but still feels the pull back to his home town. He envies his friend Henry’s life running the family farm with wife, Beth, and their children. But Beth has a secret. She had a brief fling with Lee before she and Henry were married. They never told Henry and she still wonders what life would have been like if she had stayed with Lee.
Kip has recently moved back to Little Wing after a successful career as a stockbroker in Chicago. He bought an old, deteriorating feedmill with the goal of renovating it and turning it into a restaurant. But things aren’t working out as he planned, he is running out of money and doesn’t want to ask friends for a loan. Ronny worked the rodeo circuit until a drunken fall caused a head injury leaving him unable to work. His friends feel it is their duty to watch out for him and keep him safe.
The story was pleasant, flowed well and held my interest. I enjoyed the setting and the depiction of small town, rural life. There was not a lot of ‘plot’, no twists or big reveals. It was a slow and steady exploration of the friendship between four young men and their uniquely different personalities and life choices – and Beth, who had a relationship with each of them. And while I could not relate to any of the characters personally, their eventual realization that you can’t bring back or relive the past resonated with me.
Audio Production:
I’m a fan of multiple narrators, and in this book the use of a separate narrator for each of the five friends worked very well. They did an excellent job in giving a unique voice to each character with just the right amount of feeling and emotion. I recommend the audio to everyone – new and experienced listeners alike.
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Source: Review copy
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