Ellen Degeneres Seriously....I'm Kidding

Seriously... I'm Kidding by Ellen DeGeneres
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ellen Degeneres on Social Skills page 138...
" Think about what cavemen had to go through when they wanted to write something down. They had to chisel it into stone. It probably took hours just to write " Dear Krog. Going out for bread. Be back in twenty. Glok." If they made a mistake they'd have to go out and find another flat stone and start all over. Who knows if they ever even made it out for bread. I do know they used to club each other over the head a lot, so I'm not saying we should do everything like the cavemen. I'm just saying nobody writes letters anymore. "

They say laughter is the best medicine and if I wasn't laying on my bed, I would have been (rolling on the floor) ROTFLMAO! This book made my day and I felt better for having read it.
Thank You for making the world a much happier place Ellen . That was your intention anyway. right?

Anyway..................I ♥ Ellen!

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A Very Merry Month of Giveaways

JP @ Elle Lit is giving away her books making the whole month of December a very merry Christmas . If you would like to join in her Happy Holiday Giveaway, first decide which books you would like to giveaway and leave a comment on her website. I would like to offer 4 hardcover Christmas books in this giveaway. One winner will receive, NOT 1 but 4 BOOKS!

To show how much I appreciate everyone for entering my giveaway and leaving a comment and for following my blog I have a special surprise , regardless if you win or not, but it's a secret and you will have to wait until Christmas .

1. Finding Christmas by James Calvin Schaap
2.  Secret Santa by Robert Tate Miller & Beth Polson
3.  Christmas Presents by Jacquelyn Mitchard
4. The Christmas Thief by Mary Higgins Clark & Carol Higgins Clark

To Enter this Giveaway please follow the directions in the rafflecopter . Contest will begin Dec 2nd and end December 9th , 2011. Contest is open Internationally for a Very Merry Month of Giveaways . Happy Holidays!

This Guy's A Genius

via the Madpriest

The Christmas Thief Review

The Christmas Thief by Mary Higgins Clark
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Packy Noonan was a thief who stole a bunch of money and ended up in jail.

Twelve years later , he was released on parole ...he had a plan to recover some diamonds he'd put in a blue spruce tree 13 years ago and was anxious to get out of the country and live his life in Brazil for the rest of his life . His plan didn't turn out the way he had dreamed .....This same spruce tree was destined to be at the Rockefeller Center for the Christmas Tree Lighting in New York!

I thought it was a funny, suspenseful, adventure packed mystery that I would recommend to anyone for the holidays. I loved this book!

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I am committed to fulfilling my requirements to read 4-6 books for the holidays. Initially I had thought to read only 1-3 books but I decided to upgrade myself to a serial mistletoe'er

It's monday! What are you reading?

don't like Mondays----but this has been an interesting challenge and something to look forward to. This is where we share what we've read and what we've reviewed or what book we purchased last week , what we are currently reading , and what we intend to read.

Last Week ..... 

My mind was in bits and shambles thinking about what books to read . I made a wishlist for My Bookworm Santa and sent away my secret santas gift in the mail . I had no idea what genre of books I liked best because I feel I haven't read enough to know that; so my wishlist is based mostly on what others are saying or what I think I like. I don't think I've even read a YA book or any other funky new category to know what I'm missing. I'm basically choosing books by their cover and how well the reviews are . It's hard to know what to read but there is only one way to find out and that is to read more ...right? So anyway ....

his week I tried reading 'A Room Swept White' by Sophie Hannah but I couldn't get into it . I thought it was because of the length of the book but really , it's because I wasn't interested. I always thought I had a reading comprehension problem 'cause I found myself reading page after page not even aware of what I was reading . I hate those books and it happens a lot *I must be reading the wrong books*. It's for that reason I get turned off . It's the same with people who talk a lot . My brain just turns off and I don't even listen to them . I need to feel stimulated and interested to care about what I'm reading or what I'm listening too . My sister said it's because we're smart *idk about that* , she's the same way and I thought it was just me lol.

Are you like that?
Is it wrong to judge a book by the inability to comprehend it?
All I know is that not all books are boring ...

The following are two Christmas books I read and reviewed this week as part of my commitment to the Holiday reading challenge .

Texas Christmas Grooms by Pamela Griffin___this was a struggle at first but I'm glad I stuck with it cause I enjoyed it in the end :)
The Christmas List by Richard Paul Evans__Great book!
The Giver by Lois Lowry__ I forgot I also re-read the giver and it was just as intriguing the second time

“The worst part of holding the memories is not the pain. It's the loneliness of it. Memories need to be shared.”
― Lois Lowry, The Giver

Presently I'm reading....

The Christmas Thief by Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark. So far so good . I will finish my review sometime this week . UPDATE: I finished it, you can read my review HERE

I have to go Christmas Shopping and pick up a few more books :) I've also been adding to my stockpile for the 2012 reading challenges since I need 150 of 'em. Today I picked some free books up from my boyfriends work . They get books donated all the time .

What I plan on reading... is still a mystery

'The Christmas List'

The Christmas List by Richard Paul Evans

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

James Kier is a scrooge who embarks on a quest to turn his life around after seeing his own obituary . When he reads some nasty comments about him that were left online by his co-workers, it makes him realize that he didn't want to be remembered for what he was~evil . Only his soon to be ex-wife showed any sympathy at all.......

His Christmas List involves 5 people to whom he feels the need to apologize make amends for ruining their life.

It brought tears to my eyes when his wife Sara dies. I don't think this is a spoiler since we all knew as did Sara that she didn't have much longer.  If you liked the Christmas Carols' story of the scrooge and how he changed from being a mean old merciless grump to a caring simpathetic kind and compassionate human being then you will like this book. I found it to be well written , it easily flowed from one chapter to the next and I enjoyed it . It's a great book for the holiday.

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My New Domain

Seeings how I've been blogging since 2008 on blogspot it's about time I got my own domain name . It is now www.2jackies.com . It may take a few days for the transition but it's something init? Thanks to all the wonderful blogs out there I decided it was about time I got one and I'm happy ...picture if you will, my new domain with a new bookshelf to boot looking as simple as a ........clean , fresh, modern, classy, beautiful place with a chandelier hanging from a ceiling . I may be stretching it a little .

Follow Friday

ell as this is a new bloghop for me anyway, I expect to gain new followers and follow others like crazy -like I haven't before . The rules are that if you get a comment or a new follower , you must follow back. I follow a lot of blogs already but it would seem not many people visit and follow back. My blog keeps changing as the tide and today it's all about books and reading. Yesterday it was about my catholic religion. Perhaps tomorrow it will be about writing . That is one reason I can't commit to paying a lot for a blog design- because I can't make up my mind. Truth be told it's because I don't have a niche. There are some beautiful blogs out there and it makes me wish I had a beautiful blog design too.

: It's Thanksgiving Day in the U.S. so we want to know what you are Thankful for - blogging related of course! Who has helped you out along the way? What books are you thankful for reading?

Who I am thankful for the most are blog designers and that includes the host of this bloghop , Parajunkee  :h

An Amazing Marvel: Conception to Birth

via creative minority report. To learn more about this click here

Psalm 139:14 I will give thanks unto thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: Wonderful are thy works; And that my soul knoweth right well.

I think this amazing video gives scripture more depth and meaning to we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Truly profound.

What I Read today

Texas Christmas Grooms: Two Charming Tales of Don't-Tie-Me-down Men Who Are Each Lassoed by Unexpected Love by Pamela Griffin

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A pleasant holiday read . Both stories reminded me of the little house on the prairie as the year was set around 1882 .
View all my reviews

It's monday! What are you reading?

hosted by Sheila @ Book Journey

Welcome and thanks for visiting ! This monday meme is a fun way to see what others are reading and allows you to plan for what you're going to read . I'm wonderin what my followers think about all the name changes I've been making to my blog lately. I tried changing the look and feel of it too , but it's frustrating as hell and time consuming. I still haven't decided on what to name my blog either so please bear with me .

Last week I read and reviewed :

click for review

click for review

click for review

Currently I am reading Conceived without sin but I am disappointed it isn't at all how I remembered it . I think I'm going to lay it aside and come back to it when I'm ready .

What I plan on reading are more holiday stories to fulfill the holiday book challenge but I haven't decided which ones yet . You can read my to-read book list HERE. I have a lot of free ebooks on my PC, but I'm going to get a kindle soon so Yay!

I bought 3 books this week to further challenge me to read more.

The Nine Lives of Christmas review

The Nine Lives of Christmas by Sheila Roberts
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This cute little story is about a fireman named Zach who took a chance on love with Merilee, and a stray cat named Ambrose, who brought them together . Merilee loved cats and wanted to be a veterinarian . Zach, being a nice guy that he was found himself helping both of them even when he didn't want either of them . Cute story and it had me in tears a couple times .

It made me think of my own siamese cat I once had, Fonzie (yes after Henry Winkler the fonz) . I don't think that cat liked me .

Anyway, if I had to choose between a bad human being(Blair) and a cat I would choose the cat. If I had to choose between being homeless because of a cat , however, I would no doubt give the cat up so that I could have a roof over my head . No question.

View all my reviews

UPDATE: Esther Bochner saw my review and wanted to make me aware that the book is also available as an audiobook from Macmillan Audio. I know the 1st chapter is available to download for free in e-book format, but she offered an audioclip of Nine Lives of Christmas , to put alongside my review, and a possible chance to giveaway a copy of the audiobook. Is anyone interested in a chance to win an audiobook of the Nine Lives of Christmas?

Listen to the audioclip:

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Download mp3 - Free File Hosting.

All I Want For Christmas is You

All I Want for Christmas is You by Lisa Mondello

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I loved it but Lauren's apathy towards men was getting a little old and I wanted to knock some sense into her for being so hard, selfish and incredulous towards a love like Kyles. Kyle Preston was one hell of a guy and if Lauren was too stubborn to see that , then she didn't deserve him but fortunately for her , his persistence and hard work pays off when he planned to fulfill Kristen's desire of wanting a daddy for her mommy .

Kyle Preston had money, charm and persuasion. He dreamed of a beautiful woman to keep him warm at night and a family of his own . He owned real estate and played Santa at his own shopping mall . It wasn't always easy for Kyle growing up but his adoptive family changed him for the better.

Lauren had to learn to trust that he would never walk out on her. She also had to get over her own family abandoning her.

View all my reviews

this is how I picture Kyle and Lauren's new house

A Giveaway from the Magic Attic

Ambrose ! 

"Enjoy" by Joni Niemelä | RedBubble

This cat reminded me of Ambrose in the story Nine Lives of Christmas by Sheila Roberts . He is an old cat and is on his 9th life. I read the first chapter , which was free and thought it was a bit strange referring to reincarnation at first . I haven't got around to reading the rest , but curiosity killed the cat and I bought it lol.
UPDATE: I finished it and you can read my review here

Bree from the Magic Attic is hosting a giveaway . She's a very talented digital designer. Yup she makes blog buttons and backgrounds and she's really good at it . I, on the other hand, am not . Anyway to enter this giveaway ,we have to find an image that reminds us of the Holidays and make it our own . Check out her blog post for all the details or click on the button .

Here is Ambrose with a Santa hat tada! I added some text into it too. I told you I wasn't good at it !?
I don't know if I can even use this pic either but whatever . I gave credit to the photographer what more can I do?

photo credit Joni Niemelä 

Listen to an audioclip

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Download mp3 - Free File Hosting.

2012 Harry Potter Reading Challenge

Egads! Another reading challenge ! This time I plan on reading with or to my boyfriend , who so fortunately happens to own 5 of the Harry Potter series and......... none of us have read them.  We enjoyed the movies though; "Deathly Hallows" is the darkest and most evil of 'em all. The graphics were the best I've seen . There has been much discussion about how this film/book influences the minds of children and well most books and films do that. Anyway we got the Harry Potter books at a secondhand store that has sinced moved and I'm really disappointed about that .

Whether you have read the series 30 times, just once, or are--like me--hiding your ignorance in the closet, this challenge is for you. Don't let the spirit of Potter die with the last movie. Bring it back by reading the books! CLICK THE BUTTON AND FOLLOW THE RULES . It will open in another tab.

Our Father

Our Father by Matthew Kelly

Inspiring . Love-it . Read my post Matthew Kelly is a great speaker

The link above is my attempt of telling the story as I remembered it , but I will include the real story of the successful businessman from page 122 of the book Our Father in this review.

I believe God has gifted this visionary with powerful life lessons along with the ability to be one of the greatest public speakers the world has seen today. Matthew Kelly tells of how God spoke to him (page 93) and the stories he relays are full of wisdom and truth . I went to see him once when he came to Calgary about 14 years ago and he had my attention from start to finish. I particularly loved this story .

Excerpt :

There was a very successful businessman one day, who had a very large company, but business was not too good and his company was in a lot of trouble. From all external signs it appeared that his company was going to go down and his competitors were ready to pounce on his market share.

None the less this man had a plan that he knew, without a doubt, would revive his company.

It was Saturday morning and he was preparing a speech to give at his company's annual dinner for staff that evening. He wanted to show them the first part of the plan, but more than that he wanted to emphasize to them, that if his plan was to be successfully and speedily executed it was dependent on the individual response of each one of his employees.

He was writing his speech and his wife had to go out shopping. Within ten minutes of his wife being gone there was a knock on the study door, and there appeared his young seven year old son and exclaimed, "Dad, I'm bored.

And so the father half tried to amuse the child by playing a game with him whilst half trying to write and finish his speech at the same time. This went on for nearly two hours until he worked out that, unless he could find some other way to amuse his son, he was not going to finish his speech in time.

So he picked up a magazine, and flicked through the magazine until he found a large brightly colored map of the world and he tore the page out and ripped it into many pieces. Knowing his son was already influenced by his business initiative, the father threw the pieces all over the living room floor, with the words, "Son, if you can put the map of the world back together, I will give you a dollar."

The child rushed to the task and the father returned to his study believing that he had just bought himself two, maybe three hours to do his speech because the father also knew that his seven year old son had no idea what the map of the world looked like. But within ten minutes, there was a knock on the study door, and there appeared his son smiling with the completed puzzle.

The father in amazement said to the child, "Son, how did you finish it so quickly?"

The child smiled larger than ever and said, "Well, I had no idea what the map of the world looked like Dad, but there was a picture of a man on the back."

The child then continued saying, "I put a piece of paper down, I put the picture of a man together, I put another piece of paper on top and tuned them both over. I took the top piece of paper off and there was the world, complete and in order."

The father stood there in silence and amazement, and the boy continued once more.
"Dad, I figured, if I got the man right, the world would be right."

And this is what God is saying to you and I today.....

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Pierced By A Sword

Pierced By A Sword by Bud Macfarlane Jr.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book helps you understand and experience what Divine providence is like. It can help fallen away catholics or even protestants come back to the Church even if your faith is as small as a mustard seed. In fact the book is used by the Mary Foundation and St. Jude Media to evangelize. They are offered free to anyone interested at catholicity.com.

If you are into Marian Apparitions and the Catholic Faith you'll want to read the next in the series: Conceived Without Sin. It is purely fiction as one of Bud MacFarlanes character is an Irish Pope; Pope Patrick.

For someone who is only beginning to read more , I greatly enjoyed this book. I rated it amazing only because if Mary had anything to do with , it is.

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Discovering Advent

eBook Format

Mark D. Roberts, a former presbyterian, shares an encounter of God's Mercy and discovers Advent. His "December Miracle" happens while waiting in a crowded line at Costco during the busiest time of the year. Like a lot of us who are impatient , he never liked waiting . He explains how the certain family tradition that christians have always enjoyed can have a lasting impact but we have to discover it for ourselves .
Discovering Advent: How to Experience the Power of Waiting on God at Christmastime is an interesting piece on advent that will help prepare you to receive Jesus Christ into your heart and allow you to live the meaning of Christmas more deeply .

Holiday Themed Book Challenge

I just happen to have some Christmas e-books on my computer to read and am ecstatic it won't be long before I get a kindle . There was snow a blizzard today and now the air is clean as white . I ♥ snow cause it brightens up the dark .
I am going to choose the level of Santa's Helper and read 1-3 holiday themed books for this challenge. Ready? click on the picture to join in the Book Lovers Inc's first annual Holiday Reading Challenge!!

1. Discovering Advent: How to experience the power of waiting on God at Christmastime by Mark D. Roberts  (my review)
2. All I want for Christmas Is You by Lisa Mondello (my review)
3. The Christmas List by Richard Paul Evans (my review)
4. The Nine Lives of Christmas by Sheila Roberts (my review)
5. The Christmas Thief by Mary Higgins Clark (my review)
6. One Imperfect Christmas by Myra Johnson (my review)
7. Dustin's Christmas Adventure by Kimberly Irish-Tarbox (my review)
8. Any Given Christmas by Candis Terry (my review)

UPDATE: I might turn it up a notch and be a Serial Mistletoe'er.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

click the image to join

In order to participate in this meme , participants are asked to write about what they have currently read in the past week and what they are reading now and what they hope to read in the coming week. You'll find many avid book bloggers and readers , and they are quite awesome I might add, who share their reviews . I like it because it gives me incentive to read more and practice my writing skills. It can't get any better than that. 

A priest once gave me some advice . He told me that I should read more books and write about them . I don't know why it has taken me so long . Honestly, I have never read that many books before and I have next to no writing skills . My desire to write was sparked with sheer motivation and determination and has lit a fire deep in my belly but I realized that blogging wasn't that easy and in order to write words that made sense on a blank screen I needed inspiration . Trusting in the advice the priest had given me I ardently look forward to accomplishing the task , because I have found a venue that will help motivate me. This is 'My Book Journey' however small the steps might be.

You can only fail if you don't try.- Matthew kelly (Our Father)

On My Shelf

This week I finished Pierced By A Sword by Bud MacFarlane .

Now I'm rereading Conceived Without Sin .

Will read House of Gold . I hope to write my review on this book in the coming week :)

Ok so as you may have guessed these books are directly related and centered around Mary . The Mother of the Son of God and our mother also . You might surmise that I am Catholic. In the book pierced by a sword , there was a mormon character , John Lanning, who converted to catholicism and I kinda felt sad for him because of his former fellow mormons who were out to destroy him . I must admit this book doesn't portray mormons in a good way as I personally have known them to be beautiful people . Anyway , I had never heard the name they called fallen away non practicing mormons before; Jack Mormon . I would say rather reluctantly that I am a Jack Catholic , but I do hope no one is going to condemn me for that .

O I almost forgot to mention that I won the privilege of choosing an item from the Reading Cafe Grab Shelves! I picked The Miracles of Santo Fico by D.L. Smith for having visited 10 or more other monday meme participants . Yay! It has been an exciting week and I have a lot to be thankful for as I look forward to the weeks ahead.

 Peace

My Bookworm Santa

I want to decorate my blog for Christmas . Do you like swags? I do .

Michelle and Bree are book bloggers and they teamed up and created "My Bookworm Santa". It's the book bloggers version of secret santa! Sign up and get paired with another random entrant! The goal isn't about getting more books but hopefully make new friends . Are YOU in?

Click on the image(s) to learn more and follow the rules.

Do you like getting Christmas cards? Would you like to get a card from me ? I hope so .. cause it might be the only one you get this Christmas lol

hosted by Birdbrain(ed) Book Blog

I also signed up for the Broke and Bookish Secret Santa