Thursday, January 30, 2014

Slice of Indian Life

Beautiful and loving tribute to India and the varied cultural population living there. This is a book about a group of friends. It's the story of their lives from the time they attend college. Each one comes from a different cultural group, but they are united with their love of food and cricket, the national sport. It has a folksy, 1950, naiveté quality to the writing. The characters are innocent, young, eager to learn about new lifestyles, yet proud and respectful of their own. When India is rent by a civil war, each is affected in some way, much like our own civil war. Neighbors fight neighbors, and what was once a peaceful and loving community, now becomes fragmented, their differences dividing rather than unifying them. While the writing was clearly translated from another language, and small explanations interrupted the flow of the narrative, I didn't mind. It read a bit like a documentary to me. I enjoyed this book, and learned that while India may have been divided geographically, it's soul remained whole. Like it was stated in the book, "You can take the Indian out of India, but you can't take the India out of the Indian."

Happy Reading!
Carole P. Roman

Friday, January 24, 2014

FREE BOOKS!

Free downloads Sat. Jan. 25!!!!!!!!!!

If You Were Me and Lived In...South Korea
If You Were Me And Lived In...France
Captain No Beard
Captain No Beard Strangers on the High Seas...

I Want to Do Yoga
 
Visit my page on Amazon and download them for your children!
 

New Giveaway On Goodreads!



Goodreads Book Giveaway

If You Were Me and Lived in... Turkey by Carole P. Roman

If You Were Me and Lived in... Turkey

by Carole P. Roman

Giveaway ends February 24, 2014.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
Enter to win

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

My Guest Post On The Children's Book Review Blog

 
 

My cousin’s daughter just had her first baby and besides buying something from the registry, I always send new parents a bunch of books to begin a child’s library.  Our family has dozens of favorites that we read over and over again. I have kept many books from my own childhood to share with my children and now my grandchildren—all of us have really beautiful home libraries. Sadly, many of my books are so old and out of print, I will concentrate on the books I share with my grandchildren.

Want to know which books I recommended? Click here to find out and check back this week as I highlight each book!

Monday, January 20, 2014

Sensitive and Insightful look at life and death



Theresa Caputo writes a sensitive and insightful book about being a medium an all that comes with it. She answers questions about the afterlife, souls, angels and God in layman's terms making it easy to understand. She is not preachy, and her approachable and friendly style; here I am, take or leave it attitude, is refreshingly candid. She anticipates all the potential questions and has put out a well thought out book, delving into many different topics on the subject. The book reads as though you are sitting and having a conversation with Theresa. While some may find it fantastical, I did not. I have been to mediums and most of what she says rings true and valid to me. Caputo demystifies death and the subject of souls, making it appear as mundane as white bread, thus relieving the great cloud of grief and fear that comes with it. She supplies answers to many questions that transcend all religions- but makes a lot of sense. While she is respectful of peoples' losses, respectful of all their beliefs, and feels much of the pain of her clientele, her intuitive remarks puts us at ease with the knowledge that we are never left by our love ones. If we could only calm down and listen, or open our eyes and mind, we would see the signs as well. I like Theresa and I enjoyed this books and will buy copies for my kids. If more people read her messages, the world just might be a happier place.

Happy Reading!
Carole P. Roman

Saturday, January 18, 2014

BEST. GIFT. EVER !



I got this for one of my first Christmas's as a grandmother. It just happened to be one of my favorite bedtimes books to read my grandchildren. I sat in a quiet room and recorded it for them, and on the last page ended with saying how much I love them. I bought another copy and decided to have my grandson read it to me as well, so I could record his little three year old voice- he knew the whole book by heart. So, my grandson read "Goodnight Moon" with all of my inflections and closed the book saying how much he loved me ( just like I tell him). Now, he is such a big boy at five, I love to share listening to it together. It is next to my bed, and I know that when he is listening to my voice, I am listening to his, and everybody is enjoying their goodnight book. I have just purchased a princess recordable book that I think my granddaughters will enjoy as much as I enjoy reading it to them! What an absolutely beautiful gift.

Happy Reading!
Carole P. Roman

Friday, January 17, 2014

Concise accounting of a day that changed lives



Excellent account of the Battle of Stirling Bridge. Wonderfully retold, filled with excellent details, this is an great way to read about days that changed the history of the world. Told without choosing a side, the authors describes the battle with as much detail as possible. He captures the entire day, from the light bouncing off their helmets, to the mounting feelings of the participants, from soldier to key player. He describes the battle in vivid detail and gives the reasons for its importance. Great way to really capture the feeling of the day. I hope he does other special events that changed the shape of the world.

Happy Reading!
Carole P. Roman

Monday, January 13, 2014

Winner Winner!

2013 ERIK Award Winner Announced

It's hard to believe that we've finally reached the crowning of the first ERIK Award winner.  What started off as a bit of a lark (mainly in the award naming process) ended up turning into something I hope gains more traction every year and eventually becomes one of my lasting legacies.  I guess when I really think about it, it makes a lot of sense for a guy with third party political views who also supports historically media-ignored sports franchises to want to aid underdogs in the publishing world...

But before I reveal the title that will walk away with a prize package that includes a $200 stipend and the trophy pictured below, I want to take a second to recap some of the most memorable moments of 2013. [Self-published authors: consider it food for thought if you plan on applying for the award in future years.]




Captain No Beard is the first entrant in the ERIK Award Hall of Fame! 
Read more here!

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Reads like an old fashion fairy tale



Sweet story of wishing for the stars and then reaching them. Joel is a fish with a dream. Many of his companions make fun of him. He wants to fly, and only Hosea his best friends seems to support him. One day, he sprouts wings and is able to achieve his dream. However, it is not perfect, but that's okay- because he has at least experienced his hopes.
Wonderful little book about hopes, dreams and the ambition to make them come true. It's nice to read a real old fashioned fairy tail of sorts. A wealth of discussion can be opened up after reading this book from; be careful for what you wish for, to if you want something bad enough, and don't lose faith, it may just happen. This book brings me back to the innocent days of wishes coming true.


Happy Reading! 
Carole P. Roman