Blog Tour and Book Giveaway: A North Shore Story by Dean Economos and Alyssa Machinis

A North Shore Story

By Dean Economos, Alyssa Machinis

Published on: 2016-01-19

Released on: 2016-01-19
Format: Kindle eBook

3 out of 5 stars

The first book of the year to be completed was A North ShoreStory. Even though I do not read a lot of YA books, I enjoyed reading this one. 

Based in Chicago, A North Shore Story illustrates the lives of a group of teenagers, who face with very adult situations.  From the very beginning, I was fascinated with the lives of the church-going teenagers.  Their maneuver through the labyrinth of life is quite intriguing to say the least.

Wrapped in a tangled web of lust, greed, deceit, and envy, each teenager has a secret that needs to be exposed.  Taylor’s insecurity spirals down a path of tragedy.  Michael’s taste of greed gives him unimaginable pleasure and satisfaction.  Joseph’s infidelity proves to be more than a betrayal, but the beginning of his life changing forever.  Kristin’s loyalty to her friend is truly unbelievable.  All the teenagers, including Alexander, James, Nichole, and Stephanie, experience real life situations at a young age.  I found myself being annoyed with Kate, who was ultimately a spoiled brat.  Peter and Stephanie's good intentions ended in the worse way possible. I questioned could it have ended in a different way, but I do not think that it could.  Based on Michael's behavior at the end, I think that could be a sequel to the book.  Check on the questions and answers from the authors about this possibility. 

As I read this book, I began to think about my own budding teenager.  From a parental standpoint, this book enlightened me about what my own son could possibly face in his teenage years.  Adults tend to forget that teenagers face important issues, too.  Reading this book made me aware of the possibilities and brought to my attention how important my role as his parent is.

Who Should Read This Book?

·         Young adults

·         Parents of teenagers

·         People who like drama

Alyssa Machinis

Dean Economos

 

Author’s Question & Answer

Dean Economos

What were the events that inspired this book?

The book was inspired by different experiences growing up.  Those key events and experiences were then intertwined with the more current events of our church’s media coverage.

Do you anticipate a sequel?

 I’ve thrown ideas around in my head, and I’ve talked about it with Alyssa.  We’re open to it, but haven’t started writing anything yet.

Alyssa Machinis

What was the most difficult part about writing this book?

The most difficult part of writing the book was helping it come alive.  The content was there, and the story was strong, but fostering the story from a passive standpoint into an active point of view was a challenge.

What do you think the most important lesson from the book is?

The most important lesson from the book is to be confident in who you are.  Don’t worry about what other people think because the fear of judgment can turn you into a person you don’t want to be.

Book Giveaway

Giveaway ends January 22, 2016.

Five readers of my blog will receive an eBook copy of A North Shore Story.  Entering is simple.  Winners will be notified in the newsletter and on my blog.

1.      Sign up for the newsletter.

2.      Leave a comment about the cover of the book and the author’s question and answer or the synopsis.

3.      Follow me on Twitter: @chawkinswilson

 The winner will be announced January 25, 2016. 

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Check out my other blog: Transitioning to Me: Life after Divorce.

Book Review: A Lesson Before Dying By Ernest J. Gaines

"I was crying."

As I read the last sentence of A Lesson Before Dying, my heart ached for Jefferson, for Ms. Emma, for Reverend Ambrose, for the people in the quarter, for myself, for my children, for the world...

I started reading A Lesson Before Dying to determine if I would use it for my class this summer.  I knew that this was a popular book.  However, I decided not to research about the book and just began with the first page. The first line started...

I WAS NOT THERE, yet I was there.

Was Gaines predicting how I would feel once I read this book? I now know Gaines knew that I would feel this way.

Set in the 1940s, Gaines wrote about a common trend during this time.  A common trend of executing African Americans based on association and based on being at the wrong place at the wrong time.  Similar to the story of George Stinney, Jr, Gaines followed Jefferson's life from the moment it took a drastic turn until the sealing of his demise.

Gaines ability to place you in the novel transformed my desire to just read and finish the book into a defined desire to understand the numerous lessons entangled within the words written on each page.

I zoned in immediately to figure out the significance of title.  Why is the book named A Lesson Before Dying? My first assumption was the lesson that the Professor was assigned to teach Jefferson. Yet, I soon discovered that Jefferson's lesson was not the only one.  So many lessons can be taken from this book.

Furthermore, this book forced me to start to think of my role as an English instructor.  What lessons do I want my students to gain beyond "reading, writing, and 'arithmetic," and what lessons do I need to gain from my students?

I am left wondering exactly what happened in the quarter after the major event took place.   Even though this book is fictional, the unfolding of the novel seemed so real.

I definitely will be reading this book with my students this summer. I hope you add this book to your "To Be Read" pile. This book is definitely an amazing and riveting PIECE OF WORK.

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my currently-reading shelf:

Check out my other blog: Transitioning to Me: Life after Divorce.

Happy Friday!!

Let's connect on Goodreads.

Connect with me on Facebook.

Follow me on Twitter.  

my currently-reading shelf:

Check out my other blog: Transitioning to Me: Life after Divorce.

Book Review: The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

Title: The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger  
Paperback: 546 pages 
Publisher: Harcourt (May 27, 2004)
Rating: 3 out of 5



I started reading "The Time Traveler's Wife" on my trip to Chattanooga, TN.  I was traveling in the early morning, so I did not read the summary nor the reviews on Scribd.  I chose the audiobook because of the cover.  The front cover includes an image of a little girl from the waist down. This little girl is standing in a grassy field, next to a man's worn shoes and clothing.  I do not know what I was expecting from the book, but this book was unlike anything that I have ever read. I was drawn to finish it.

Audrey Niffenegger writes a love story that makes you want to experience the complicated, but unconditional love of Henry and Clare.  The way that Henry and Clare are able maneuver through life, while dealing with Henry's genetic disorder that causes him to time travel, is amazing.  The unpredictability of Henry's time travel becomes fascinating as the story unfolds.  Henry's delinquent past is both sad and hilarious. Clare's inability to keep a pregnancy from resulting in a miscarriage becomes so disheartening.

Niffenegger draws you deep into the world of Clare and Henry, which is full of love, death, happiness, sorrow, and randomness.  The whole nature of Henry's time travel puts a strain on their relationship, but it manages to last in spite of his disorder  Clare's dependency on Henry is often frustrating, but realistic.

Overall, the books was definitely one that I will not forget anytime soon.  The end of the book left me angry and disappointed.  For the sensitive reader, this book does contain sexual content, as well as other adult topics.

Have you read the book or seen the movie? What did you think?

Currently Reading: A North Shore Story

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2016 Reading Challenge and Bookmark Giveaway

2015 is almost over.  I am happy to report that I was able to complete my Goodreads challenge. I have completed 14 of the 10 books that I wanted to read.  I am hoping to finish The Time Traveler's Wife before the year ends.  I am listening to it via audiobooks through my Scribd subscription. I get one full credit each month.  I am looking forward to writing a review about it.  

In 2016, I will be doing a reading challenge that will be probably the hardest challenge ever.  I am going to participate in the POPSUGAR 2016 Reading Challenge. 
The Popsugar 2016 Reading Challenge intrigued me because of the variety that it encourages in my reading.  Thanks to PR By the Book, I have been reading a variety of books.  The list is about 41 books.  I am really excited about this challenge.  As a reader, I will grow more trying to follow the guidelines of the challenge.  `I will be using Goodreads to keep up with the books that I read.

 You can DOWNLOAD the printable.  I have placed the printable in my Erin Condren Life Planner to make sure that I stay on track.  I used washi tape and stickers from my penpal to decorate it.  I placed it on the lined sheets at the end of January.  I think it looks pretty festive and encouraging.   I am really into decorative planning to get things done.  I love it. 

Looking at my year in review on Goodreads, I didn't realize that I had read so many pages of books that were not related to school.  I was very surprised.  I am hoping to read many more with the Popsugar Challenge.  

Bookmark Giveaway:
As an added incentive,  any of my blog readers that participate and keep up with their books read on Goodreads will receive a free bookmark made my me.  The rules of the giveaway:  

1. Comment your reading goal for 2014. 
2. Subscribe to my blog.
3.  Add me as a friend on Goodreads.

Stay tuned for more giveaways in the near future.  I am giving away books next year. So, you need to make sure that you subscribe to my blog to know when those giveaways are happening.    

Now here is what you can do since you have read thus far!!! If you really enjoyed reading about this book, share this post on Twitter or Facebook. Make sure we connect. Don't forget to share you thoughts and comments below. 

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