MVL Book Club #7: The Diviners

It's been a long time since I suggested a book here on Mod Vintage Life.

I just don't have time to read these days....

But I was contacted by the promoters of this book asking if I'd like to read a preview copy

and offer up a copy for one of my readers to win also.

Here's a trailer for the book...

and a little about the book.

******

Do you believe there are ghosts and demons and Diviners among us?

Evie O'Neill has been exiled from her boring old hometown and shipped off to the bustling streets of New York City--and she is pos-i-tute-ly ecstatic. It's 1926, and New York is filled with speakeasies, Ziegfeld girls, and rakish pickpockets. The only catch is that she has to live with her uncle Will and his unhealthy obsession with the occult.

Evie worries he'll discover her darkest secret: a supernatural power that has only brought her trouble so far. But when the police find a murdered girl branded with a cryptic symbol and Will is called to the scene, Evie realizes her gift could help catch a serial killer.

As Evie jumps headlong into a dance with a murderer, other stories unfurled in the city that never sleeps. A young man named Memphis is caught between two worlds. A chorus girl named Theta is running from her past. A student named Jericho hides a shocking secret. And unknown to all, something dark and evil has awakened....

Libba Bray’s New York Times bestselling Diviners is now in paperback.  And we hear there’s going to be a second book next August so stay tuned!

******

My plan was to have read the book by the time I posted this...but 

I just have not had the time. 

I did start reading it and it was enjoyable immediately. 

I'm looking forward to a quiet snowy day on the sofa to fully enjoy it.

Wouldn't you like to spend a snow day reading this book?

I was hooked when I read that it was about a flapper in the 1920's in New York City

solving a super natural crime!

To win a copy and the tote simple enter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Enter by Dec 14th to win.

Buy it here at Amazon.com
Learn more about it at TheDivinersSeries.com
Visit the author's site at LibbaBray.com

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MVL Book Club #6: A Spear of Summer Grass

A Perfect Summer Read

and you can win a copy!

Well, it's been quite awhile since I had a Book Club entry.

Reading books for pleasure has slipped to the wayside of late.

Too many other things to do.

Given my choice...I'd have a book going all the time.

I recently was sent a copy of the new book...

"A Spear of Summer Grass"

This book was just released this month.

It was described to me as a mix of "The Great Gatsby" and "Out of Africa"

Well, Yes to that! 

And it is just that and more!

I am thoroughly enjoying it.

It's author, Deanna Raybourn is a New York Times Bestselling Author. 

I'm wondering where I've been that I haven't read her before?

Here is a little info about her:

A sixth-generation native Texan, New York Times bestselling author Deanna Raybourn grew up in San Antonio, where she met her college sweetheart.  She married him on her graduation day and went on to teach high school English and history.  During summer vacation at the age of twenty-three, she wrote her first novel.  After three years as a teacher, Deanna left education to have a baby and pursue writing full-time. Fourteen years and many, many rejections after her first novel, she signed two three-book deals with MIRA Books.

Deanna’s novel Silent in the Grave won the 2008 RITA® Award for Novel with Strong Romantic Elements and the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best First Mystery. The Lady Julia Grey series has been nominated for several other awards, including an Agatha, three Daphne du Mauriers, a Last Laugh, four additional RITAs, and two Dilys Winns. Dark Road to Darjeeling was also a finalist for the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best Historical Mystery as well as a Romantic Reviews’ finalist for Best Book of 2010.

Check out her website here.

I'm anxious to read all her books after reading this one.

This novel follows the adventures of free spirit and flapper Delilah Drummond in the wilds of Africa!

She is sent to Africa by her family after creating a scandal in Paris.

Off to Africa she goes!

She is originally from New Orleans, currently living in Paris and has traveled the world.

She is a widow twice and divorced once.

Arrival in Africa brings another romance amidst the beauty which is Africa and 

the danger that is Africa.

I have to say that I do love a good historic novel.

And this book is irresistible.

Also, I"ll say "The Great Gatsby" is just about my favorite book

and "Out of Africa" one of my favorite movies. (I never read the book)

Another favorite book of mine is "Gone with the Wind" 

This book reads like you plopped a flapper version of Scarlet O'Hara down in the middle

of Out of Africa where she meets her Clark Gable/Robert Redford man.

(or would it be Leonard DiCaprio?) 

I can't wait to see the new Gatsby.

I'm only half way through this book. 

It's a very quick read and I planned to finish before my review

but I decided I was enjoying it far too much to rush through it.

So I'm halfway through and recommend it very highly.

Now...how would you like your own copy to read?

I'm giving away two copies to two lucky readers.

You have two ways to win...

1. comment telling me you'd like to win

and 

2. comment telling me your favorite book of all time.

I'll choose a winner randomly May 17, 2013.

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MVL Book Club #6 - Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

A Haunting Tale?

Not so much....

I was so excited when I first read about this book release.

I first learned of it because Joni of Cote de Texas shared this

fascinating video shot by the author when he traveled to find the perfect

spooky house for the book trailer.

This is the video she shared...

Then I quickly found the actual book trailer and I was hooked.

I had to immediately order it from Amazon.

I read it last week. I do think its a clever idea but I was not very impressed.

I think most likely a preteen would enjoy but I did not find it very compelling.

I've read the movie rights have already been sold and I can imagine it becoming

a series of books and movies.

(The New Harry Potter, I'm sure, they hope.)

There are many eerie, strange actual old photographs used throughout the book.

And all these photos turn out to be characters in the book.

I think this is a very good idea for spurring an author's imagination when 

he can't think of interesting characters on his own.

I felt although a few of these characters seemed thought provoking and inspired from the photos -

some seemed like a real stretch.  Just a forced reason to include a creepy photo.

The central character in the book is Jacob, who seems to be a spoiled sixteen year old boy of means

in America.

He has spent his childhood hearing the unbelievable stories his grandfather tells him of

a place in Wales where he was kept safe during World War II.

He loves his Grandfather dearly but as he grows older he begins to think none of the things he said

could possibly be true.

Early in the book he witnesses his Grandfather's death which seems to be caused by an evil monster 

lurking in the woods by his house.

His dying Grandfather manages to whisper a last message to him.

It is from his dying words that Jacob sets out on his adventure to learn about his Grandfather's childhood.

Although Jacob is suppose to be sixteen at the beginning of the book and seems so...

I felt like most of the time I pictured him much younger and I'm sure he will be in the movie.

I thought the dialog lacking and not very interesting.

I didn't feel the characters were fleshed out very well. 

An interesting detail would be told and then it seemed like nothing much came of it.

I do think there were a few characters I liked.

The invisible boy and the floating girl were my favorites.

I truly felt this book is just a set up or introduction for all the other books and movies 

to come in this series.

I think it might be the perfect scary book for a child of eight to fourteen but for an 

adult, it falls short of any suspense and fright.

Still I am sure the author Ransom Riggs (could that really be his name?) will become 

a very rich man from this franchise. I just wish it had been written like a real book

instead of like a movie pitch. 

But then what do I know? I read the first Harry Potter and was unimpressed too.

I never read another.

Oh...and I can't stand the Twilight books. 

I think they are very dull and I normally love vampire stuff. 

Although I did read the first three Twilight books because all my friends were reading them.

Two of them were given to me.

If I remember correctly, I liked the second one best but not very much.

The third one I barely got through because it was so boring.

The fourth I refused to read and made a friend tell me what happened.

When she did I exclaimed, "Thank goodness I didn't waste any more time on that." 

"That book sounds even worse than the other three!"

But most will disagree with me. 

Want to read a really scary book? 

The Witching Hour by Anne Rice.

That first one in the series had me enthralled right to the end.

Anybody else looking forward to Tim Burton's Dark Shadows with Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter? 

I loved Dark Shadows so much when I was a kid...Barnabus was so sexy which seems impossible to 

imagine now. 

Now that is scary! 

I'm sure Johnny Depp will add the sexiness quotient needed for the modern version.

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MVL Book Club #5: Tina Fey - Bossypants

I actually read this last month but didn't get to share. 

I love Tina Fey, she is smart and funny.

30 Rock is the funniest show on tv and has been since the first day it came on the air.

Plus I have a real thing for Alec Baldwin.

Those look like his chubby arms and hands above....don't they?

I wonder if they are?

Loved him in "It's Complicated".

I love him so much I even read the book he wrote about his divorce.

Bought for $3 on the discount shelf.

Love him...but he's probably no fun to be married to. 

His book was more about how to protect yourself from scummy lawyers during a divorce than about his ex wife.

He tried not to say anything negative about her and succeeded, mostly.

Oh...

but this review is about Tina's book - "Bossypants".

It's very funny as to be expected.

She was truly a nerd growing up and gives many examples.

But she has great insights into human nature.

She tells about how she made it big...with lots of hard work.

She says that she doesn't look like her photos. 

That they are photoshopped to death and that is just the way it 

is in our modern media.

She tells that when she went to work at SNL, she was told that you couldn't have just two women alone 

in a sketch together because women just are not funny without men in a sketch.

I was really shocked to hear that not so long ago such prejudices existed.

I don't know why I am so surprised because so many prejudices against women happen every day

in the work place. 

If you think in our modern age, it's an equal work environment....it's really not.

It's suppose to be equal but it still is far from it.

And I'm not even talking about equal pay.

I've given up on that idea.

The following words from Tina really hit home with me when I read them. 

They are true in most businesses not just television.

Although, to be honest...I've been working in radio and perhaps that is the problem.

Although, after talking to other middle aged female friends, 

they are experiencing it in their jobs too as they age.

Tina has many funny and yet wise things to say in this book but this one really hit home...

When talking about her own insecurities as to whether she will be working in five years 

and be successful and respected....she says..

"Let me clarify. I have observed that women, at least in comedy, are labeled 

"crazy" after a certain age.

(example)

FEMALE WRITER: You ever work with __________?

MALE AGENT: (dismissive) She's crazy now.

FEMALE WRITER: You know who I loved growing up?

__________.  What about her for this part?

MALE WRITER: I don't know. I hear she's pretty batshit.

FEMALE WRITER: I got a call today from _________.

MALE PRODUCER: Ugh. We had her on the show once.

She was a crazy assache. She wanted to see her lines

ahead of time. She had all these questions.

I've known older men in comedy who can barely feed and clean themselves, and they still

work. 

The women, though, they're all "crazy."

I have a suspicion - and hear me out, 'cause this is a rough one - I have a suspicion that the definition

of "crazy" in show business is a woman who keeps talking even after no one wants to sleep

with her anymore." 

(although she did not say sleep....I'm trying to keep this clean)

Hate to tell you this Tina but that is not only in show business...its in ALL business.

Anyway...this is a great book...that part just hit me in the face. 

There's lots of this book that's sweet and many parts hysterical.

She tells things about herself that I would not tell anyone in a million years.

And I consider myself a very open person.

I always say you can gossip about me as much as you like because there is not anything I have done

that I don't care if you talk about or know. 

Make stuff up about me...I don't care...it just makes me sound more interesting.

I always think the people worried about being talked about are the ones doing stuff they shouldn't.

Well...the jist is....I highly recommend Tina's book. 

I'll even admit it was better than Alec's.

I'm just anxiously awaiting Alec's next book.

The next book I'm reading is 

I'm anticipating it being a good Halloween - read.

Read anything great lately? 

I have like twenty books waiting for me to read on my shelves.

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MVL Book Club #4

So I just finished reading Summer Rental by Mary Kay Andrews.

I won an autographed copy from The Lettered Cottage.

Wasn't that lucky? I was so looking forward to reading this because

it was about an old house at the beach and a bunch of girlfriends.

Well, this book is the perfect day at the beach book.

It's a very quick read. 

Three girlfriends that grew up together in Savannah get together to 

spend a month at a North Carolina beach in a big run down beach cottage.

They each come to the beach trying to leave behind personal problems and 

difficulties in their lives. 

They have an exciting month at the beach in which all their problems are

magical fixed as these things happen in books and movies.

Too bad real life doesn't go like this. 

In real life you go to the beach with a bunch of problems and when you get home 

from the beach you have even more problems.

I have to say this book was light and fluffy and slightly entertaining.

I'm sure a lot of people would love it.
It was very predictable. Everything I thought might happen, did.

It was not my sort of book.

I liked the premise for this book...I just wish it had been more.

I like my books a bit darker and more serious and or more quirky.
I did enjoy the setting. I could almost imagine staying at the shore in the big old house.

I am not saying don't read it because lots of you might enjoy it.

But myself....I kind of wish I had back those hours I spent reading it.

Don't forget to enter my Uprinting giveaway here.

I'm so excited about the canvas printing that Uprinting offers and can't wait to try it myself.
And they offer it in many different canvas sizes.

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MVL Book Club #3

Killer Stuff and Tons of Money

June's selection for the

I was asked to review this book by TLC Book Tours and it was sent to me to preview.

I agreed, thinking it sounded interesting. 

But I will admit when it arrived and there were no pictures, I wasn't that excited about reading it.

Now, I am not a person that must have pictures in my books to enjoy them but I thought a book about antiques 

and flea markets would surely need them.

I was wrong.

This book reads like a novel. I've been reading a bit at bedtime each night and find that I can't wait to get 

back to it to find out what is the next thing the book's hero is going to buy or sell.

The book's author, Maureen Stanton, follows Curt Avery, the books central character around from show to show, even 

camping out with him in his pickup at the major antique shows.

For anyone that thinks the antique business is glamorous, this book lets you know it's not.

But it is exciting, risk taking and lots of hard work. 

Curt Avery is a gambler. A well educated gambler.

In the antique world, its all about what you know. 

If you know an items value but the seller doesn't, then you have the advantage.

I was trying to hurriedly finish this book for I was schedule to review it today, but then I had a revelation.

I'm well over half way through...but I don't want to rush it and read it all in one sitting.

Because I'm enjoying it too much. 

So I decided to review it half way done. 

Like I said, this book is non fiction but it reads like a novel and anyone interested 

in the antique business will be fascinated by it. 

This book talks about the ups and downs of the antique business...much is said

about big retailers ruining it by buying antiques, copying them and then having them mass produced.

The popularity for true antiques has waned because of this. 

People are buying the copies instead of searching for the real thing. 

The book is full of interesting characters and situations. 

The descriptions of the big back east antique shows and auctions have made me feel like I've been there. 

These are places I've always wanted to go.

Fascinating stories are included of fake antiques being sold for thousands as real, fooling even those who curate museums. 

Another thing this book points out - it doesn't matter how much a thing is worth...

if you can't find a seller for it. 

The excitement of the business is that your next buy might be that thing worth thousands 

and that you'll have a buyer for it. 

But the main character in this book, Curt, obviously just loves the business.

He travels tirelessly and educates himself on as many facets of it as he can.

It's more than money driving this man.

So....my conclusion on this book is that its a great read. 

So many of you enjoy the things I enjoy and I'm guessing you will enjoy this book also.

And I will say, I was fully prepared to give it a less than stellar review but nope, I truly am enjoying it very very much. 

It's available right now on Amazon.

Killer Stuff on Amazon

author: Maureen Stanton

I'll talk about it some more after I finish reading it. 

I can't wait to find out if Curt Avery scores the big find!

Mod Mix Monday is still going on here.

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MVL Book Club #2

Romantic Prairie Style

I almost let the month of May get past me without a Book Club selection.

I actually won my copy of Fifi O'Neill's Romantic Prairie Style.

(it's autographed and everything)

This book is full of gorgeous images.

I love those layered mirrors.

A few of the homes we've seen here on the blogs.

But you haven't seen them like this...

They've all been photographed stunningly.

Showcasing every little detail.

In her forward for the book Fifi says:

"This is much more than a decorating book - it's a way of life. 

One that reconnects us with what truly matters; family, home, and the earth.

Honest materials, artisanal goods, and time-honored objects are once again valued

and create homes, not just shelters."

Don't let the name of this book fool you. 

It's not just for those living in little houses on the prairie

but for all of us that wish to bring time worn and loved surfaces into our homes.

All of these rooms would look just as good in a little house in the city.

Tell me...have you picked up a copy of Fifi's book?

Has it inspired you? 

My copy is going on the shelf next to my favorite design books.

This is a book to be savored. 

One to be looked through over and over again and I will....I have.

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MVL Book Club #1

Undecorate

I fell in love with this image from the book

as many of you did when I showed it on my blog last week. 

written by Christiane Lemieux of 

I had every intention of writing up a review and beginning the MVL Book Club yesterday, Wednesday.

But....that was because I thought this book would be like most decorating books I buy.

I buy them because of the photos and glance through them and toss them aside after a few minutes.

So when I finally had a moment to pick this one up to actually browse...

I was surprised that four hours later I was still engrossed.

I read every bit of it. So that delayed my review.

There are many homes examined in this book and the narrative is very interesting. 

Each home owner tells about how they came upon the design decisions they made or created 

the spaces they inhabit.

That image of the girlie bed with the log wall background is from an actual log house in Nashville.

I never thought I could see myself living in a log house but the way this one is put together, I so could.

It's rustic, it's modern, it's vintage, it's friendly, it's girlie....it's just wonderful.

And a space that is very personal to the homeowners.

Log walls, vintage and modern furniture, modern art plus a little toile. 

A very eclectic mix.

The homeowner built this pink credenza for his little girl's room. Isn't it fab?

This book is all about creating very personal spaces.

It's called "Undecorate" because these homes were not professionally decorated or designed.

But....I do have to say that the people who put these homes together are very artistic and creative.

This book is all about how their homes evolved. How they took things that were important to them 

and included them in their living spaces. They took what they loved and made it work.

As example: one home is a very large urban loft that the owner bought to house 

his collection of six vintage jaguars.

He and is wife live in a large open concept with the jaguars as the centerpiece.

They sleep in a vintage airstream trailer that has been brought inside the building.

They have a vegetable garden on the roof.

Talking about conventional decorating books, Christaine (the author) says -

"Most real people don't hire a decorator and then expect to move into a flawlessly furnished 

house six months later. The most stylish people these days understand this fundamental 

aspect of good living; it's always evolving. 

Great style isn't necessarily a finished product so much as it is an ongoing process."

" Undecorating isn't haphazard style; it's not thought free. It's about being guided by something other 

than the traditional constraints – whether it's your commitment to the environment, or your love of 

polka dots, or the fact that you want to feel like you're in Paris when you live in Peoria."

There are a wide variety of styles of homes shown in this book.

But even if your style is very traditional, there are great ideas you can take from the modern spaces shown in the book too.

This image from the author's own home. 

 So the theme of the book is

"The No-Rules Approach to Interior Design"

It's about doing what feels right to you and not following trends. Incorporating the things you love 

and letting your interior spaces evolve. Spaces that are specific to the way YOU live.

I highly recommend this book. I don't know that I would say that this book is really about Undecorating....

I think it's very much "Decorating" but just doing it in your own way...

not someone elses.

Have you read this book yet? Let me know what you think.

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Undecorate {MVL Book Club}

The No-Rules Approach to Interior Design

s e l e c t i o n

Recently a friend suggested I check out the book, "Undecorate" 

by Christiane Lemieux. She is the creative force behind "Dwell Studio".

So I hurried over to Amazon.com to take a look. 

I'd already heard a little bit about it but I was surprised by the preview images I found at Amazon.com.

These images represent my kind of decorating. 

Decorating that is as individual as the person that lives in the space.

A mix of items that compliment but are very unexpected.

Many of these photos are from Andy Newcom's home which was recently showcased 

in Lonny as an excerpt from "Undecorate".

These are not rooms that could easily be duplicated.

They show the homeowners individualism. 

But that doesn't mean they aren't very inspiring.

Gosh! I love this house.

This image from the book is from the home of my friend and blogger 

Visual Vamp - Valorie Hart!

Although, in true artistic style...her home has evolved from this look. 

She is always mixing things up.

I just have to share a little of the text written by Christiane.

This paragraph appears early on in the book...

********

But with the proliferation of design websites and personal blogs, a whole

new window has opened up: I get to see how people are actually living, 

whether it's with the bedding, tabletop, and home accessories we design at DwellStudio 

or with the stuff they've turned up while trolling Ebay. 

I used to turn to the experts - the fashion and interior designers of the world. 

These days, I much prefer to go to the amateurs. 

The Internet offers so much proof  that the most vibrant style ideas 

are coming from the minds of real people. 

********

Well, Halleloo!

A foreword by Deborah Needleman former editor of Domino states:

********

This is decorating that is passionate and particular. 

Each of the homes featured could only be the home of the person who made it, 

so much does each reflect and enhance the individual lives it contains. 

********

Anyway....this book is a must read for me and a copy is on its way.

It celebrates a constantly evolving space; a space that is completely your own; a creative space; 

not one that has been dictated to you by a designer or furniture showroom.

I'll tell you what I think of the book after it arrives or you can order your copy from Amazon 

here

and we'll discuss...just like Oprah's Book Club but this will be the

***********
You still have time to enter my Shabby Apple Giveaway...

You get to choose which dress.....

I'll choose a winner on April 15.

Just go to this post to enter.

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