Archives for November 10, 2014

This month, Audible Studios released the audiobook version of FOG ISLAND MOUNTAINS by Michelle Bailat-Jones.

What if you could rewrite a tragedy? What if you could give grace to someone’s greatest mistake?

Huddled beneath the volcanoes of the Kirishima mountain range in southern Japan—also called the Fog Island Mountains—the inhabitants of small town Komachi are waiting for the biggest of the summer’s typhoons. South African expatriate Alec Chester has lived in Komachi for nearly forty years. Alec considers himself an ordinary man, with common troubles and mundane achievements—until his doctor gives him a terminal cancer diagnosis and his wife, Kanae, disappears into the gathering storm. Kanae flees from the terrifying reality of Alec’s diagnosis, even going so far as to tell a childhood friend that she is already a widow. Her willful avoidance of the truth leads her to commit a grave infidelity, and only when Alec is suspected of checking himself out of the hospital to commit a quiet suicide does Kanae come home to face what it will mean to lose her husband.

Narrating this story is Azami, one of Komachi’s oldest and most peculiar inhabitants, the daughter of a famous storyteller with a mysterious story of her own.

Here is a clip: https://soundcloud.com/audible/fog-island-mountains

Don’t forget to look for the review in January!

Self Disclosure: No compensation was received. I will be receiving a free download to review the book.

When Rebecca Webb Wilson’s parents gave their young daughter a Kodak Brownie Hawkeye years ago, they could not have known where it would lead her. While taking photographs of hawks along the expressway in her hometown of Memphis opened the gates to her passion for wildlife photography, her first job as a PanAm flight attendant fueled her wanderlust.

This avid traveler and accomplished nature photographer’s passions gracefully combine in Well Seasoned: Savoring Life’s Lessons (Inspire on Purpose), her new book that chronicles the seasons of life, illuminated by her unconventional and uplifting philosophy, in a collage of breathtaking photographs and inspirational essays. By pairing carefully crafted words with more than one hundred vibrant, full-color images, Wilson savors the clarity that time and experience make possible for all who journey.

Sprinkled with thoughtful quotations and fragments of poetry, her unique book shares the author’s abundant gratitude for the sudden surprises and unexpected joys revealed in nature’s seasons, and her own passing seasons – offering renewed hope to anyone hesitant about the aging process.

During her many travels, the author climbed and photographed Mount Kilimanjaro, the Swiss Alps part of the Haute Route, the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, as well as capturing on film so many other wondrous places. This exquisite collection pays tribute to Rebecca’s deep sense of adventure and desire to capture the moment for all time. For readers, it offers a temporary respite from everyday life – to be immersed in beauty and tranquility and to reflect on their own tender memories. Rebecca says it so well: Rethink. Remember. Renew.

I received a copy of this book and just love the beautiful photos! I couldn’t even pick my favorite season (which is Summer!) because each season had such beautiful words and photos. I also love the insightful questions. This would make a beautiful gift this Holiday season!

About the author:

After her time with PanAm, followed by a brief stint as a realtor, Rebecca attended law school at the University of Memphis and served several years as an Assistant United States Attorney. She later became involved with the Memphis Zoological Society in its efforts to remodel and revitalize its facility. She founded a youth leadership program in Memphis called Bridge Builders, which to date has had 21,000 participants from surrounding public, private, and parochial schools. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, she serves as a member of its Board of Trust, and also serves on the board of directors of Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation.

Named one of Memphis Woman Magazine’s ’50 Women Who Make a Difference,’ she also received the Legends Award from the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis in 2010. She lives in Memphis with her husband and they share their time between two sons, two daughters, and nine grandchildren.

For more information on this accomplished photographer, author and dedicated humanitarian, please visit: www.hawkeyenature.com.

Self Disclosure: I received a free book to facilitate this feature. 

Well…it’s that time of the year again! The holidays are here! SoCal City Kids love PBS Kids and are especially big fans of Curious George!

‘Tis the season for family favorites on PBS KIDS! On November 26, PBS KIDS will kick off the holidays with the return of CURIOUS GEORGE: A Very Monkey Christmas. In this fun-filled one-hour special, families can join their favorite monkey and the Man with the Yellow Hat as they count down the days until Christmas.

The holiday fun continues throughout December with new episodes from other PBS KIDS series. Viewers will help Otto and Olive solve a reindeer case in an all-new episode of ODD SQUAD, celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah with Peg and Cat in a one-hour PEG + CAT + HOLIDAYS special, spread cheer with new engine friends Gator and Reg on THOMAS & FRIENDS and go on a winter adventure featuring The Nutcracker Ballet with DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD.

Don’t miss these fun family shows on PBS Kids this holiday season!!

Self Disclosure: No compensation was received to post. Photo Credit: PBS Kids.