Mailbox Monday was created by The Printed Page. It is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their home last week. Currently on tour, it is hosted by a different blog each month.
The October host is Book Dragon’s Lair.
I can’t believe it’s October already. The leaves are changing color and the summer blossoms have all faded away. My mini pumpkins all turned bright orange last week and for the first time the squirrels left them alone – no chew marks.
Last week was a slow reading week – I’m still reading the same two books. My mailbox received a couple of wins and one audiobook.
Print Books:
The Forgetting Tree by Tatjana Soli, a win from Bookreporter.
A breathtaking novel of a California ranching family, its complicated matriarch, and the enigmatic caretaker who may destroy them.
Disgraced: A Play by Ayad Akhtar, a win from Little, Brown and Co.
In dialogue that bristles with wit and intelligence, Akhtar puts contemporary attitudes toward religion under a microscope, revealing how tenuous self-image can be for people born into one way of being who have embraced another.
Audiobooks
Rivers by Michael Farris Smith
An audiobook download from Simon & Schuster Audio.
Eerily prophetic in its depiction of a southern landscape ravaged by extreme weather, Rivers is a masterful tale of survival and redemption in a world where the next devastating storm is never far behind.
What are you reading?
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© 2013 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
Friday I made a quick trip to my local Jewel-Osco grocery store to pick up a few things for dinner. Not much, just a few bags of stuff. Not an overflowing cart or very heavy items. So I was a little surprised at checkout when the cashier said the bagger would help me carry the groceries to my car. I politely refused and she insisted. I refused again and she insisted again. It went something like this:
Cashier: “I’ll have the bagger take the cart out to your car”.
Me: “No thanks, I’m ok.”
Cashier: “He’ll come out to the car and load them for you”.
Me: “No, really, I can do it myself. It’s not necessary”.
Cashier: “Ok, but he’ll walk out to the car with you anyway and bring back the cart.”
Me: [Speechless]
As I walked to the car – pushing my own cart – the guy follows me! I tell him it’s not necessary and a waste of his time. If I had bought a 50 bag of bird seed I’d accept help, heck I’d ask for help. He said he had to do it. Seriously? Was I being punked? Nope, I was not.
Forced Friendliness
Using Google, it didn’t take me long to discover this is a recent marketing strategy to promote more personalized service at Chicagoland stores. I appreciate the offer and if I need help I don’t hesitate to ask, but forced friendliness makes me uncomfortable and being stalked to my car after saying no was a little unnerving.
I think someone forgot to do their market research. What I want are lower prices and faster checkout. Compulsory cart to car service is way down on my list. Not only do I prefer to load my own car, I also like to bag my own groceries in my own tote bags.
Anyone else experience this? What do you think?
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© 2013 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
The Kingfisher is a unique looking bird with a distinctive rattling call and can be found across most of North America. They are often seen perched or flying along rivers, steams, ponds and lakes looking for fish. This is a fairly large bird at a little over a foot (30 cm) tall and an almost two-foot wingspan. If one flies past they are difficult to miss.
I often see them along the DuPage River usually well out of camera range. Imagine my surprise when I saw one at the small pond in the park a few blocks from my house. My zoom lens will just barely shoot the far side of the pond where she was perched, but I was finally able to get a photo of this elusive bird.
The two rusty colored bands on the breast of the bird tells me this is a female. Males have an all white breast. This is one of the few species where the female is more brightly colored than the male.
Expert Fisher(wo)man
She put on a nice show for about five minutes diving into the pond in search of a meal. She was successful. In the photo above she has a small fish in her mouth which she promptly swallowed whole and then flew off.
Range
The Belted Kingfisher can be found in most parts of the US year-round. They will remain during the winter as long as open water is available as their diet consists mainly of fish.
They will breed as far north as Alaska and Canada and will migrate south in the winter. Some will migrate as far as Mexico and Central America.
An unusual day…
As I was leaving the park a Great-horned Owl flew out of one of the trees along the wooded path. I’ve never seen or heard an owl at the park before. I rarely see them anywhere during the daytime hours. It was an unusual day.
Saturday Snapshot was originated by Alyce at At Home With Books. For the summer it will be hosted by Melinda of West Metro Mommy. Visit her blog to see more great photos or add your own.
© 2013 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow
by Rita Leganski
Narrated by Maggi-Meg Reed
Genre: Fantasy / Magical Realism
Publisher: Harper Audio
Publish Date: May 14, 2013
Format: Audio, 11 hours | 23 minutes
Audio Listening Level: Easy – Intermediate
Rating: 4 of 5
Publisher’s Synopsis:
Bonaventure Arrow didn’t make a peep when he was born, and the doctor nearly took him for dead. But he was listening, placing sound inside quiet and gaining his bearings. By the time he turns five, he can hear flowers grow, a thousand shades of blue, and the miniature tempests that rage inside raindrops. He also hears the voice of his dead father, William Arrow, mysteriously murdered by a man known only as the Wanderer.
Exploring family relics, he opens doors to the past and finds the key to a web of secrets that both hold his family together, and threaten to tear them apart.
My Thoughts:
The story is set in New Orleans in the 1950s, a mystical tale that revolves around the young Bonaventure Arrow, his mother and his grandmother. Bonaventure, a truly likable character, doesn’t speak but he can hear and he can communicate. He hears and knows more than most people realize.
I enjoyed this book a lot but I’m having trouble putting the “why” into words. I’m not always a fan of magical realism and am fussy about what types of fantasy I’ll read, but something about this book captured my attention from the start. The writing was poetic and the story flowed in an almost hypnotic fashion as the answers to my questions unfolded. There was a mysterious murder, voodoo and mysticism woven into an engaging stoy.
I listened to the audiobook which was beautifully read by Maggi-Meg Reed. The pacing was perfect, her voice enchanting, setting the haunting feel of New Orleans. The audio was an excellent choice and one of the reasons I enjoyed this book so much.
Those who appreciate a rich historical setting, magic, mystery and a little voodoo will want to give this book a try.
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Linked to the R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril, VIII event.
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Source: Review copy provided by Harper Audio.
© 2013 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
Almost wordless: In a shady area on a wooded path just enough light was streaming through to illuminate the berries. I’m pretty sure this is some variety of Viburnum.
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More Wordless Wednesday. © 2013 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
Join Layton Green, author of the suspense/mystery/thriller novel, The Diabolist, as he tours the blogosphere October 1 – October 31, 2013 featuring the newest book in the Dominic Grey series plus the opportunity to win a $100 Amazon gift card and signed copies of all three Dominic Grey novels.
Book Spotlight
The Diabolistby Layton Green
Genre: Suspense/Mystery/Thriller
Publisher: Thomas and Mercer
Publish Date: June 4, 2013
Format: 388 pages | ISBN-13: 978-1611099843
About the Book
In this gripping thriller, the bizarre murder of a Satanic priest in San Francisco draws Dominic Grey and Viktor Radek, private investigators of cults, to the scene. Witnesses claim a robed figure, seemingly able to appear and disappear at will, set fire to the priest. When the leader of another Satanic cult in Paris dies under similar circumstances, the case only grows stranger… and more dangerous.
Convinced that a charismatic New Age prophet is behind the murders, the investigators undergo a perilous journey into the world of the occult as they try to penetrate the prophet’s inner circle. From the catacombs of Paris to London’s nefarious East End, from the haunted walls of York to a monastic fortress in the Sicilian wilderness, the case plunges Viktor and Grey into a vortex of black magic, ancient heresies, and the dark corners of their own pasts.
The Diabolist is a chilling novel that not only pulsates with action and suspense, but also mines a trove of fascinating historical, philosophical, and paranormal research to probe some of our closest held beliefs. From the opening pages to the astonishing conclusion, this latest installment in one of today’s most original new thriller series is not to be missed.
About the Author
In addition to writing, Layton attended law school in New Orleans and was a practicing attorney for the better part of a decade (even though he still resents having cut his hair for that first interview). He has also been an intern for the United Nations, an ESL teacher in Central America, a bartender in London, a seller of cheap knives on the streets of Brixton, a door-to-door phone book deliverer, and the list goes downhill from there.
He has traveled to more than fifty countries, lived in a number of them, and has a burning desire to see every country, city, beach, moor, castle, cemetery, twisted street and far flung dot on the map. Religion and cults, as well as all things spiritual and supernatural, have also been a lifelong interest. Combine the travel and the religion with fifteen years of Japanese Jujitsu training, and the Dominic Grey series was born.
His latest book is The Diabolist.
Visit his website at www.laytongreen.com.
Connect & Socialize with Layton!
Giveaway
Pump Up Your Book and Layton Green are teaming up to give you a chance to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card and signed copies of The Diabolist, The Egyptian, and The Summoner!
Click the logo below to enter the giveaway.
Twitter followers of Under My Apple Tree receive an extra entry.
By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive one $100 Amazon Gift Certificate
This giveaway begins October 1 and ends October 31, 2013.
Winners will be contacted via email on Friday, November 1, 2013.
Winner has 48 hours to reply.
Read what others have to say about the Dominic Grey series:
Praise for The Diabolist
“Part international thriller, part philosophic treatise on good and evil, part intricate, unforgettable nightmare-inducing fever dream, THE DIABOLIST has everything you want from a thriller. Layton Green is a master of intellectual suspense. This one’s a killer.”
— JT Ellison, bestselling author of EDGE OF BLACK
“Layton Green kicks things up a notch and delivers a novel that should, if there’s any justice to be found upon the shelves, make him a household name. The Diabolist is a dark, intelligent, spellbinding novel . . . I cannot recommend this one highly enough.”
— Beauty in Ruins Reviews
“Green’s The Summoner proved his great talent. The Diabolist ensures his place at the top of crime fiction: his number 1 place. Unbelievably good, unbelievably intricate, unbelievably Green.”
— The Review Broads
“The Diabolist by Layton Green brings together ancient religions, New Age cults and heroes with dark pasts in a top-shelf novel . . . It was hard for me to put this book down at night simply to sleep.”
— Night Owl Reviews
“Dan Brown is pretty good at what he does and I don’t begrudge him his success, but when it comes to interesting characters embarking on a thrilling exploration into the dark world of cults, religions and magic Layton Green does it SO much better.”
— Nylon Admiral Reviews
“A well-crafted and exciting thriller with a pair of interesting protagonists . . . and a charismatic villain who makes our skin crawl.”
– Booklist
“[A] story that will move you to the edge of your seat.”
– Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Praise for The Egyptian
“Stirring and imaginative, with an engaging premise that is briskly paced. Both the characters in the story and the reader are in for a wild ride.”
– Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling writer of The King’s Deception
“[If] James Bond and the X-Files had a love child, this book would be it.”
– Keryl Raist, To Publish or Not to Publish
“Wow. Layton Green has become the new master of gripping, chilling, and suspenseful stories.”
– Two Readers Reviews
“[A] fantastic thriller that leaves the reader breathless and on the edge of their seat. Green’s writing reminds me of Michael Crichton’s works with the mysteries, thrills, and the life-changing scientific discoveries.”
– Cherie Reich, Surrounded by Books
“This is what you get when you combine Indiana Jones with Ludlum’s Jason Borne . . . A must read for all you lovers of conspiracy theories, thrillers and mysteries alike!”
– Baffled Books
“I do believe Layton Green has moved into my top 5 author category – not an easy feat to attain!”
– A Novel Source
“Green’s debut The Summoner was such a great read, I was hoping that he’d duplicate his literary excellence. In his second book, The Egyptian, Green did not disappoint me, he exceeded my expectations.”
– BookPleasures.com
“Layton Green is an absolutely brilliant writer.”
– Everything To Do With Books
“Never short of climactic events and supernatural thrills, Layton Green twists and turns you in your seat, unraveling a tale so multi-dimensional even the most leery will be attracted.”
– Luxury Reading
Praise for The Summoner
“The Summoner is one of those books that make you want to turn on all the lights in your house and lock the doors . . . The settings are authentic and you can feel and smell the countryside . . . This is a wonderful read for those who enjoy both suspense and action stories.”
— Seattle Post-Intelligencer
“Mystical, complicated, completely believable and terrifying . . . [w]ith an ending that will catapult you out of your reading chair. Riveting.”
— The Review Broads
“Favorite book of the year so far.”
— A Novel Source
“An awesome read . . . The writing is polished and evocative, the subject matter fascinating, the characters intriguing, and the pace non-stop. Spooky and occasionally metaphysical, The Summoner harkens back to The Serpent and the Rainbow in its ability to convincingly portray seemingly paranormal events in a realistic (and therefore even creepier) manner.”
— Blood Writes, Mystery Pick of the Week
“I moved a little outside my comfort zone with The Summoner, and I am glad I did. A blend of action, history, anthropology, thrills, and chills, all delivered with a mature, polished voice. I am eager for more from this author.”
— Scott Nicholson, Bestselling Author
“Layton Green has written a tale with supernatural and political undertones that unravels with ever increasing suspense . . . The book is plain terrific.”
— Richard Marek, former President and Publisher of E.P. Dutton
“Layton Green is a gifted writer.”
— Readers Favorite
“Green writes like a dream, and Dominic Grey is a fascinating protagonist . . . . The next installment of Green’s suspenseful storytelling and Grey’s next journey can’t come soon enough!”
— Melody Moezzi, Award-winning Author, War on Error
“[T]his book is above and beyond in its narrative, its cohesiveness, the depth of its characters and the quality of the writing. This is one of the best books I’ve ever read for Odyssey Reviews.”
— Odyssey Reviews
“Yes, I did put TWO Five Stars up there . . . giving Green’s The Summoner Five stars and Five stars alone downplays how I felt about this book . . . BUY THIS BOOK.”
— 1000 + Books To Read
“[C]alls to mind such series as Jason Bourne and Indiana Jones, with supernatural/religious overtones thrown in.”
— Bookhound’s Den
“Wow. This book, it packs a walloping punch . . . What a truly original story this was.”
— Tiffany Harkleroad, Book Blogger and Amazon Vine Voice
“Truly a captivating novel. The excitement travels from page to page and this is one story that will stay with you way after you turn that last page.”
— Socrates’ Book Review
“This is a complex, chilling story, with a lot of depth. It will make you think and it will make you feel.”
— Bea’s Book Nook
“Fascinating . . . intriguing . . . stunning . . . one of the most thought-provoking novels you will ever read!”
— Book Reader’s Heaven
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© 2013 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
Spotlight information provided by Pump Up Your Books.
Mailbox Monday was created by The Printed Page. It is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their home last week.
Mailbox Monday is currently on tour, hosted by a different blog each month. Today’s linky is hosted at Beauty in Ruins.
Last week I received a fantastic selection of audio books from Penguin Audio.
Audiobooks
Bleeding Edge by Thomas Pynchon
Thomas Pynchon brings us to New York in the early days of the internet.
The Mayan Secrets (Fargo Adventure #5) by Clive Cussler
Husband-and-wife team Sam and Remi Fargo are in Mexico, when they come upon a remarkable discovery—the skeleton of a man clutching an ancient sealed pot, and within the pot, a Mayan book.
Command and Control: Nuclear Weapons, the Damascus Accident, and the Illusion of Safety by Eric Schlosser
A myth-shattering exposé of America’s nuclear weapons.
Who Asked You? by Terry McMillan from Viking.
“Who Asked You?” casts an intimate look at the burdens and blessings of family and speaks to trusting your own judgment even when others don’t agree. McMillan’s signature voice and unforgettable characters bring universal issues to brilliant, vivid life.
Dark Lycan (Dark Carpathians #24) by Christine Feehan
The erotic, gripping series that has defined an entire genre” (J. R. Ward) continues as #1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan links the fates of two strangers bound by a secret in the shadows of the Carpathian Mountains
.
Roald Dahl children’s books:
Even as an adult I know I will enjoy listening to these books.
The Witches.
Fantastic Mr. Fox and Other Animal Stories.
Boy: Tales of Childhood
Going Solo.
Danny the Champion of the World.
Revolting Rhymes & Dirty Beasts
The Twits, The Minpins & The Magic Finger
George’s Marvelous Medicine
What are you reading?
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© 2013 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
Under My Apple Tree 