New Book Discovery

Mili Rathod has been bound by marriage since she was four years old. But when her husband shows no sign of claiming her after twenty years of waiting, Mili grabs the chance to leave India and come to America on a scholarship. 

Playboy filmmaker Samir ''Sam'' Rathod is Bollywood's favorite bad boy. He'll do anything for his big brother - even travel halfway across the globe to take care of the ''wife'' who just crawled out of his brother's past. Yet Mili isn't the simple village girl Sam expected. She's a whirlwind who sucks him into her roommate's elaborate elopement and soon has him drowning in her onyx eyes. And though Mili fancies herself in love with his big brother, the husband she has never met, Sam is hoping for a very different ending. 

From the desk of yours truly <3

Dear Bookish Friend, 

Fall is a fantastic time of year for book lovers; we have more excuses  be hold up in our warm reading nooks with our favorite books. For me fall has a particular fondness because some of my all time favorite books where introduced to me during the autumn months. I became friends with Fern and Wilbur and the gang at Zuckerman's farm when I was 8. I traveled to Narnia shortly there after. At 12; I was just finishing a short visit with my friend Anne as she was held up in the Secret Annex in Amsterdam. At 16; I was learning that I was just another girl interrupted and by my 21st autumn I had been to Japan and experienced the life of a very famous Geisha. Fall has introduced me to some of the best and most beautiful stories I have ever encountered. I hope that as the years pass and the seasons turn that we all continue to carry our favorite stories with us; and that we pass them on to those we love. 

Happy Fall Fellow Word Nerds,

Hugs and Lots of love,

The Bookbabe of Delaware 

Happy Fall Book Lover Season

FREE YOUR MIND....READ BANNED BOOKS....

For more information on book challenges and what libraries are doing to battle censorship

visit the American Library Association at www.ala.org 

What Fahrenheit 451 can teach us about protecting the Freadom to Read !

As a junior in highschool I was assigned Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 and I can honestly say without a doubt that that book changed my view on what it means to be able to read what I want when I want. For those of you that have never read the book let me give you a little overview. Guy Montag (the main character) is a "fireman" who burns books. In Montag's society reading and independent thinking are discouraged and just the act of owning books can lead to imprisonment, scorn and your books being burned. It is custom in their society to watch lots of television and listen to their "seashell radio's". Does this sound familiar to anyone? When one reflects about the society in which Montag lives you can see the similarities to our current society. I think it is safe to say that Bradbury was way ahead of his time; the book was published in 1953. When you fast forward to 2014 the children of today are more interested in electronics then books and will spend more time mimicking celebrities than being themselves. In the book there is one scene in which an elderly woman; once she is caught with her books so refuses to leave them and opts to be burned alive. Of course, this is a little extreme but this lady did not want to live without access to knowledge. I can definitely identify with the old woman. I grew up in a family were reading was not the "in" thing to do. I was always the kid that was seen with a book in her hand and from age four until now I have never stopped yearning for knowledge. This yearning led me to college and graduate school and got caught up in a spirit of wanting to share what I love and know with others (and so the Bookbabe was born). So as someone that loves to read and has a healthy appetite for learning it boggles my mind that people would want to ban books. Especially books that are geared towards children. Books like The Diary of Anne Frank, The Wizard of Oz, Captain Underpants and the Harry Potter Series. When I read the challenges to these books I am always amazed by why there are challenged; and it always makes me wonder if the people that challenged the books ever really read them. A majority of the time (at least from what I have encountered from those dead set against Harry Potter or the Davinci Code) the answer is no, they haven't. So if you never read the book then how can you be against it. Honestly; Ray Bradbury gave us a real prophetic look at what the future would look like. Its rather sad and heart breaking; but, that does not mean that things have to stay this way. So book nerds here is your challenge (and you must accept it) reach out to friends and family and talk to them about these amazing books your reading. Give away copies of Fahrenheit 451. Talk about the importance of turning off the electronic devices for a few hours and getting comfy with a book. Suggest books you love and most importantly share your love for knowledge. Always, Always celebrate the freadom to read.

Top Banned Books of 2013 and Why They Where Banned....

All information listed below is from www.ala.org (American Library Association)

1. Captain Underpants (series), by Dav Pilkey
   Reasons: Offensive language, unsuited for age group, violence
2. The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison
   Reasons: Offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group, violence
3. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie
   Reasons: Drugs/alcohol/smoking, offensive language, racism, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group
4. Fifty Shades of Grey, by E.L. James
   Reasons: Nudity, offensive language, religious viewpoint, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group
5. The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins
   Reasons: Religious viewpoint, unsuited to age group
6. A Bad Boy Can Be Good for A Girl, by Tanya Lee Stone
   Reasons: Drugs/alcohol/smoking, nudity, offensive language, sexually explicit
7. Looking for Alaska, by John Green
   Reasons: Drugs/alcohol/smoking, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group
8. The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky
   Reasons: drugs/alcohol/smoking, homosexuality, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group
9. Bless Me Ultima, by Rudolfo Anaya
   Reasons: Occult/Satanism, offensive language, religious viewpoint, sexually explicit
10. Bone (series), by Jeff Smith
    Reasons: Political viewpoint, racism, violence

Review of Jesus Wants to Save Christians: Learning How to read a Dangerous Book by Rob Bell and Don Golden

Wow. All I can say is Wow. What an amazing book. Rob Bell really hit one out of the park with this one. I don't even know where to begin with this book. I will say that Rob Bell's examination of the Exodus and what it means for those the follow Christ. What really blew my mind is how Bell shows us that God is doing a "new thing" when Christ comes into the world. That Christ is ushering in a new Exodus. He is here to do what Moses did with the people in Egypt but on a much grander scale. Moses was just saving one group of people; through Jesus God is saving all of Humanity. I also was very taken with how Bell explains the role of the modern church and how we have lost our way. As the people of God we have some how become comfortable and so "blessed" that we are indifferent to the cries of those that are hurting. Just as the Bible teaches us; Bell explains that Christ is a servant to humanity. He was born to serve and so are we. That through serving others we are worshiping God because God tells us to "listen" to the cries of those that are needy. I would definitely have to agree with Bell; the modern church often misses the plot of the Jesus story and has become to comfortable with not sharing their faith with those that need it to most. As one once said; sometimes we are the only bible that anyone will ever see. This book is definitely now one of my favorites. One that I will be talking about for months and months.

Here are a few quotes that I loved
"God who is defined by action on behalf of the oppressed. God is about giving the good gift. Jesus is God's good gift for the healing of the world. The church is Jesus's body, a good gift for the healing of the world"

"A Church is an organization that exists for the benefits of nonmembers...this blessing extends even to our enemies"

"Everybody would understand their role as priests. That everybody would worship God by serving each other. That those wouldn't be two things, but one. This is why God continually mentions the widow, the orphan, and the refugee. Remembering them, caring for them, serving them is worshiping God"

I just had to say a few things about Jesus wants to Save Christians: Learning to read a dangerous book by Rob Bell and Don Golden

I am only 40 pages away from being finished and I can honestly say that this is one of Rob Bell's best books. As always he just gets right down to it and he is not for pussy footing (used for lack of a better term) around anything; he takes a direct stab at the evangelical right and american Christians who have just become  to comfortable with their lifestyles. So much so that they turn their backs on the suffering of others. Which means that they are missing out on the central themes of Jesus message. As a wise woman once said "once you know better, you'll do better" ( Maya Angelou)....this book is now one of my all time faves.

We have hit a milestone...

Thanks to my fellow book nerds for loving and following me on tumblr. The blog hit 1000 followers earlier this week. I am truly blessed to do something I love. Stay tuned for a giveaway coming at the end of the month ;)! 

Review of Johannes Cabal: The Necromancer by Jonathan L. Howard

Johannes Cabal The Necromancer by Jonathan L. Howard is a hilariously daring read. It is witty and funny and at times way over your head; and exactly what you need if you are in a bit of a reading slump. Which I found myself in recently after starting and not completing another book. The past thing about this book is its premise. A necromancer goes back into hell to confront Satan and to get his soul back. In order to get the soul back Johannes must run a demonic carnival; and he works along side his charming vampire brother Horst. As they go about from town to town collecting the souls little side stories begin to develop among the town folk that visit the fair. One of the creepiest had to be Trixie the doll. A young (and abusive man) named Ted ends up winning her for his girlfriend and he instantly becomes transfixed by the doll. At one point the way that the author describes the way Ted is touching and caressing the doll is down right creepy. As the story goes along you get the feeling that Johannes is a bit of an ass. He does not really explain himself, he is going about getting his souls because necromancy just has not worked out for him. He has learned all he can and nothing has changed. We never learn why he decided to sale his soul in the first place; and this is the point where I think I the author drove me mad. I wanted and needed to know why. Of course, its not until the end of the book that we find out that he was trying to bring back someone that he loved and that he was willing to move heaven and earth and sell his immortal soul to get her back. There is also a character that is introduced (a little more than half way through the book) that resembles the woman that he loves. I know that she will play a big part in the next two books (well at least I hope).

Favorite Quote from the book:
"We're supposed to be doing the devil's work and you've gone and contaminated it all with the whiff of virtue. I really don't think you've quite got the hand of being an agent of evil" - Johannes
"...early days yet, Johannes...Practice makes perfect" - Horst.

For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/ When the Rainbow is Enuf by Ntozake Shange

This is now one of my all time favorites. Why??? Because of its fluidity and emotion. I have several favorite passages, and some of which will be written in my journal, writing diary and book log for years to come. I would definitely gift this book to friends and family or re-read it too.

Book Haul for September 7th, 2014 (the first but not the last for this month)

These are four of the books that I purchased today (unfortunately the other pictures would not load correctly). I was very lucky to have found these books at very reasonable prices. All four were purchased at an Ollie discount store. Here are the synopsis and prices for each book. (The synopsis are from www.goodreads.com).

Promises for a Jesus Freak (devotional) by D.C. Talk ($1.99)

Promises You Can Stake Your Life On 
Throughout history, Jesus freaks have valued God's Word above food, water, clothing, comfort, safety--their very lives. Why?
They understand the power of His promises to comfort them, strengthen them, correct them, inspire them, and transform them into the person God wants them to be. 
Are you ready to be a Jesus Freak? Then you got to know God's Word. 
And here is one small place to start. Discover God's wisdom and promises for your life when you need strength to overcome temptation, the power to face persecution, the words to testify for Jesus, the faith to continue your walk with Jesus when others have fallen away. Jesus Freaks know that they can stake their lives on God's promise.

Jesus Freaks: Stories of Those Who Stood for Jesus, the Ultimate Jesus Freaks by D.C Talk ($4.99)

Jesus Freaks by dc Talk and The Voice of the Martyrs, is a companion volume to dc Talk's album of the same name. It is a book for teenagers about martyrdom, containing dozens of profiles of figures ranging from Stephen, whose martyrdom is described in the Book of Acts, to "Anila and Perveen," two teenage Pakistani girls and Christian believers. In 1997, Perveen was killed for running away in order to avoid marrying a Muslim man; Anila was imprisoned for helping her friend escape. In an introduction to the book, Michael Tait explains its purpose: "In a world built on free will instead of God's will, we must be the Freaks. While we may not be called to martyr our lives, we must martyr our way of life. We must put our selfish ways to death and march to a different beat. Then the world will see Jesus." The book's design is hip and easy to read, and its summary of Christian persecutions that continue today is useful--and frightening.

Burn by Ted Dekker ($3.99)

She escaped the fire--but not the effects of the burn.Janeal has long felt trapped in her father's Gypsy culture. Then one night a powerful man named Salazar Sanso promises her the life she longs for--if she will help recover a vast sum of money tied to her father.When the plan implodes, Sanso and his men attack the gypsy settlement and burn it to the ground. During the blaze, Janeal is faced with a staggering choice."The impact of that moment changes her forever. "As her past rises from the ashes, Janeal faces a new life-or-death choice. And this time, escape is not an option.

Immanuel's Veins by Ted Dekker ($3.99)

This story is for everyone--but not everyone is for this story. It is a dangerous tale of times past. A love story full of deep seduction. A story of terrible longing and bold sacrifice. Then as now, evil begins its courtship cloaked in light. And the heart embraces what it should flee. Forgetting it once had a truer lover. With a kiss, evil will ravage body, soul, and mind. Yet there remains hope, because the heart knows no bounds. Love will prove greater than lust. Sacrifice will overcome seduction. And blood will flow. Because the battle for the heart is always violently opposed. For those desperate to drink deep from this fountain of life, enter. But remember, not everyone is for this story. "A heart-wrenching journey of redemption and hope that left me sobbing, laughing, and clinging to every word."--Donna McChristian, 44, Environmental Chemist

My life right now....

These are 9 of the 13 digital galleys I received today. The publishers I requested them from have very strict guidelines and I am super blessed to have been given such an awesome chance to read these for My blog, goodreads and tumblr. So big thanks to Tyndale, Random House, Thomas Nelson, Kensington Books, Poisoned Pen Press and Oxford University Press.