Guest Author Pesi Dinnerstein

CMash February 2, 2012 1 Comment

Robyn and Jodi, the ladies at WOW, have done it again! They are introducing us to another inspirational writer today. So without further ado, please welcome Ms. Pesi Dinnerstein!

ABOUT PESI DINNERSTEIN

Pesi Dinnerstein (a.k.a. Paulette Plonchak) has written selections for the best-selling series Small Miracles, by Yitta Halberstam and Judith Leventhal, and has contributed to several textbooks and an anthology of short stories.

Dinnerstein recently retired as a full-time faculty member of the City University of New York, where she taught language skills for close to thirty years. She has been an aspiring author and self-acknowledged clutterer for many years, and has spent the better part of her life trying to get organized and out from under. Despite heroic efforts, she has not yet succeeded; but she continues to push onward, and hopes that her journey will inspire others to keep trying as well.

Author’s websites:

www.aclutteredlife.com

www.sealpress.com

GUEST POST

I’M IN HERE SOMEWHERE:

Finding Me in My Mess

by Pesi Dinnerstein

I ran into my old friend Ruth the other day as I was rushing down the street between errands.

“How are you?” she asked, pausing briefly after each word. This was not a casual greeting to be met with a “Great!—And how are you?” response. We hadn’t seen each other in quite a while, and she obviously wanted to know how I was feeling on a deep and honest level.

But, for some reason, I couldn’t seem to come up with an answer.

“How am I?” I repeated out loud. “I don’t know, Ruth. It’s been so long since I’ve thought about it . . . I really don’t know.”

I promised to call her when I had more time to talk. But her simple question continued to disturb me for quite a while.

How did I feel? . . . and why didn’t I know?

The first part was a bit more complicated—I wasn’t quite sure how I felt. But it didn’t take much to figure out the second part. The reason I didn’t know is that I had clearly lost touch with myself. And, sadly, this was not an uncommon occurrence in my life.

Things slipped away from me all the time—my keys, my ATM card, the phone number I had just scribbled on a piece of paper . . . . There seemed to be an endless stream of items lost or misplaced or put in the wrong pile—a common side effect, no doubt, of living with a mess.

But, still, to lose myself . . .

I decided it was time to step back and look at the situation from a broader perspective.

I had just finished writing A Cluttered Life; and after years of reflecting on the subject, I had no shortage of insights. I had even managed to acquire some pretty effective techniques for creating order. Why, then, I wondered, had I become so overwhelmed once again that I didn’t even know how I was feeling?

Suddenly, it came to me that it’s not about insight or action; it’s about being present. I may now understand many of the psychological and spiritual dimensions of my relationship with clutter and even do what I should to keep my life under control; but until I’m actually living in the moment—and paying attention to what I experience in that moment—losing myself is still just as easy as losing my keys.

Just A Thought …

If you’re approaching the New Year with plans to finally ____(fill in the blank), this book will give you a good dose of humor before you set to task!

Author’s Websites:
www.aclutteredlife.com

www.sealpress.com

ABOUT THE BOOK

Synopsis:

A Cluttered Life: Searching for God, Serenity, and My Missing Keys tells the story of Pesi Dinnerstein’s touching, quirky, and often comic search for order and simplicity amid an onslaught of relentless interruptions. When a chance encounter with an old acquaintance opens her eyes to the extent to which disorder has crept into every corner of her existence, she begins a quest to free herself of the excess baggage she carries with her and finds—to her great surprise—that the answers she has spent a lifetime searching for lie within her own piles of clutter.

Dinnerstein’s battle with chaos takes her on an odyssey of self-discovery that leads from the mess spilling out of her closets and the backseat of her car to the more subtle forms of disorder in her everyday life and, finally, to the most hidden expressions deep within herself. In the end—with the help of devoted friends, a twelve-step recovery program, and a bit of Kabbalistic wisdom—her struggle with the things of this world is transformed from a distraction along the way into its own journey of healing and personal growth. At turns insightful, unsettling, and wildly funny, A Cluttered Life describes how one woman found her true self—and spiritual clarity—while trying to make sense of her muddled world.

THANKS TO THE AUTHOR, PESI DINNERSTEIN
I HAVE ONE BOOK OF HER MEMOIR TO GIVE AWAY

CLICK HERE TO BRING YOU TO
THE GIVEAWAY ENTRY PAGE

DISCLAIMER

I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me,

in exchange for my honest review.

No items that I receive

are ever sold…they are kept by me,

or given to family and/or friends.

Book Giveaway, Giveaway

GIVEAWAY ENTRY PAGE “A CLUTTERED LIFE by PESI DINNERSTEIN ENDED

CMash February 2, 2012 24 Comments

FEBRUARY 2nd to FEBRUARY 16th, 2012

A CLUTTERED LIFE

by PESI DINNERSTEIN

SYNOPSIS:

A Cluttered Life: Searching for God, Serenity, and My Missing Keys tells the story of Pesi Dinnerstein’s touching, quirky, and often comic search for order and simplicity amid an onslaught of relentless interruptions. When a chance encounter with an old acquaintance opens her eyes to the extent to which disorder has crept into every corner of her existence, she begins a quest to free herself of the excess baggage she carries with her and finds—to her great surprise—that the answers she has spent a lifetime searching for lie within her own piles of clutter.

Dinnerstein’s battle with chaos takes her on an odyssey of self-discovery that leads from the mess spilling out of her closets and the backseat of her car to the more subtle forms of disorder in her everyday life and, finally, to the most hidden expressions deep within herself. In the end—with the help of devoted friends, a twelve-step recovery program, and a bit of Kabbalistic wisdom—her struggle with the things of this world is transformed from a distraction along the way into its own journey of healing and personal growth. At turns insightful, unsettling, and wildly funny, A Cluttered Life describes how one woman found her true self—and spiritual clarity—while trying to make sense of her muddled world.

THANKS TO AUTHOR, PESI DINNERSTEIN

I HAVE ONE ( 1 ) COPY OF THIS
MEMOIR TO GIVE AWAY.
HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO WIN.

*ALL COMMENTS TO BE SEPARATE*
AND INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
SO THAT I CAN CONTACT YOU IF YOU WIN
*LEAVE COMMENT: DO YOU FEEL THAT

YOU HAVE A CLUTTERED LIFE?*

*EXTRA ENTRIES*

*LEAVE SEPARATE COMMENT IF YOU PUBLICLY FOLLOW THIS

BLOG (IF NOT, GOOGLE FRIEND CONNECT ON RIGHT SIDE).

*LEAVE SEPARATE COMMENT IF YOU FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK.

*LEAVE SEPARATE COMMENT IF YOU FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER.

*REMEMBER TO INCLUDE EMAIL ADDRESS FOR ALL ENTRIES.

*U.S. AND CANADA RESIDENTS ONLY*
*NO P.O. BOXES*
**HONOR SYSTEM**
ONE WINNING BOOK PER HOUSEHOLD
PLEASE NOTIFY ME IF YOU HAVE
WON THIS BOOK FROM ANOTHER
SITE, SO THAT SOMEONE ELSE MAY
HAVE THE CHANCE TO WIN
AND READ THIS BOOK.
THANK YOU.

*GIVEAWAY ENDS FEBRUARY 16th AT 6PM EST*

WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN BY RANDOM.ORG AND NOTIFIED
VIA EMAIL AND WILL HAVE 48 HOURS TO RESPOND
OR ANOTHER NAME WILL BE CHOSEN

DISCLAIMER / RULES

Giveaway copies are supplied and shipped to winners via publisher,
the giveaway on behalf of the
above. I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me, in
exchange for my honest review. No items that I receive are
ever sold…they are kept by me, or given to family and/or friends.

I am not responsible for lost or damaged books that are shipped
from agents. I reserve the right to disqualify/delete any entries
if rules of giveaway are not followed

Continue reading “GIVEAWAY ENTRY PAGE “A CLUTTERED LIFE by PESI DINNERSTEIN ENDED“ →

Booking Thru Thursday

Booking Through Thursday

CMash February 2, 2012 3 Comments

HUGE FAVOR TO ASK: Due to the move to WordPress, I had to re-register my account with NetWorkedBlogs. If you are interested in following me in that manner, please join (right sidebar). Especially since GFC, from what I hear will be no longer, within the coming months. I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you.

http://btt2.wordpress.com

Today’s question
A while ago, I interviewed my readers for a change, and my final question was, “What question have I NOT asked at BTT that you’d love me to ask?” I got some great responses and will be picking out some of the questions from time to time to ask the rest of you. Like now.
heidenkind asks:
Have you ever read a random book left in a waiting room or on a park bench, etc., and did you like it?

My answer:
Great question. However, I can’t say that this has ever happened to me, at least that I remember.

Guest Author

Guest Author Allan Topol

CMash February 1, 2012 Leave a Comment

Do you like thrillers? Do you like series? Well, Erin from Media Muscle is stopping by to introduce us to today’s guest as he tells us about the first book in his newest triolgy. Welcome Mr. Allan Topol!!

ABOUT ALLAN TOPOL

Allan Topol is the national bestselling author of six novels of international intrigue, including Spy Dance, recently translated into Chinese. He is a graduate of Carnegie Institute of Technology, who majored in chemistry, abandoned science, and obtained a law degree from Yale University. A partner in a major Washington law firm, and an avid wine collector, he has traveled extensively, researching dramatic locations for his novels. You can join him on Facebook. Please let him know if you would like to receive his free newsletter. Allan is available for speaking opportunities on subjects of international affairs, dealt with in his novels.

You can visit his website here.

ABOUT THE BOOK

National bestselling author Allan Topol returns with a thrilling new trilogy of international intrigue. THE CHINA GAMBIT(Vantage Point; $14.95; January 2012) introduces Craig Page, a daring and resourceful former CIA agent, now fighting terrorism in Europe after being unceremoniously fired from the agency. After his daughter Francesca — a New York City reporter investigating the biggest story of her young career — dies in an “automobile accident,” Craig is instinctively convinced that she was murdered and sets out to find answers…and vengeance.

Joined by Francesca’s editor, the gutsy and equally resourceful Elizabeth Crowder, Craig soon begins to peel back the conspiracy layer by layer, eventually learning that Francesca was just collateral in a much larger ultimate target: The United States.

With a worldwide conflict that revolves around oil, money, weapons, and greed, THE CHINA GAMBIT raises the stakes by presenting frighteningly real consequences. The action races around the globe, jumping from Canada to Tehran, Beijing to Washington, and finally to Aspen, with Craig and Elizabeth narrowly escaping the deadliest of obstacles in their attempts to prevent impending catastrophe at the hands of Chinese General Zhou. Yet the rogue general is not the only twisted mastermind, and Craig soon learns that this conspiracy is a “three-headed monster”— one Chinese, one Iranian, and one American, led by a traitorous CIA director with whom Craig has a tumultuous past.

Timely, fast-paced, and relentless, THE CHINA GAMBIT is the pulse-pounding breakout thriller that Allan Topol has seemed destined to write.

THANKS TO ERIN FROM MEDIA MUSCLE
I HAVE ONE (1) COPY OF THIS BOOK TO GIVE AWAY.

CLICK HERE TO BRING YOU TO
THE GIVEAWAY ENTRY PAGE.

DISCLAIMER

Giveaway copies are supplied and shipped to winners

via publisher, agent and/or author. This blog hosts

the giveaway on behalf of the above.

No items that I receive

are ever sold…they are kept by me,

or given to family and/or friends.

Book Giveaway, Giveaway

GIVEAWAY ENTRY PAGE “THE CHINA GAMBIT” by ALLAN TOPOL ENDED

CMash February 1, 2012 27 Comments

FEBRUARY 1st to FEBRUARY 15th, 2012

THE CHINA GAMBIT

by ALLAN TOPOL

SYNOPSIS:

National bestselling author Allan Topol returns with a thrilling new trilogy of international intrigue. THE CHINA GAMBIT(Vantage Point; $14.95; January 2012) introduces Craig Page, a daring and resourceful former CIA agent, now fighting terrorism in Europe after being unceremoniously fired from the agency. After his daughter Francesca — a New York City reporter investigating the biggest story of her young career — dies in an “automobile accident,” Craig is instinctively convinced that she was murdered and sets out to find answers…and vengeance.

Joined by Francesca’s editor, the gutsy and equally resourceful Elizabeth Crowder, Craig soon begins to peel back the conspiracy layer by layer, eventually learning that Francesca was just collateral in a much larger ultimate target: The United States.

With a worldwide conflict that revolves around oil, money, weapons, and greed, THE CHINA GAMBIT raises the stakes by presenting frighteningly real consequences. The action races around the globe, jumping from Canada to Tehran, Beijing to Washington, and finally to Aspen, with Craig and Elizabeth narrowly escaping the deadliest of obstacles in their attempts to prevent impending catastrophe at the hands of Chinese General Zhou. Yet the rogue general is not the only twisted mastermind, and Craig soon learns that this conspiracy is a “three-headed monster”— one Chinese, one Iranian, and one American, led by a traitorous CIA director with whom Craig has a tumultuous past.

THANKS TO ERIN AND THE TERRIFIC

PEOPLE AT MEDIA MUSCLE

I HAVE ONE ( 1 ) COPY OF THIS
BOOK TO GIVE AWAY.
HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO WIN.

*ALL COMMENTS TO BE SEPARATE*
AND INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
SO THAT I CAN CONTACT YOU IF YOU WIN
*LEAVE COMMENT: FROM READING THE SYNOPSIS,
WHAT MAKES YOU WANT TO READ THIS BOOK?

IS IT BECAUSE OF THE ESPIONAGE, THE THRILL, THE

VENGEANCE, THE GLOBAL CONSPIRACY,ETC?*

*EXTRA ENTRIES*

*LEAVE SEPARATE COMMENT IF YOU PUBLICLY FOLLOW THIS

BLOG (IF NOT, GOOGLE FRIEND CONNECT ON RIGHT SIDE).

*LEAVE SEPARATE COMMENT IF YOU FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK.

*LEAVE SEPARATE COMMENT IF YOU FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER.

*REMEMBER TO INCLUDE EMAIL ADDRESS FOR ALL ENTRIES.

*U.S. AND CANADA RESIDENTS ONLY*
*NO P.O. BOXES*
**HONOR SYSTEM**
ONE WINNING BOOK PER HOUSEHOLD
PLEASE NOTIFY ME IF YOU HAVE
WON THIS BOOK FROM ANOTHER
SITE, SO THAT SOMEONE ELSE MAY
HAVE THE CHANCE TO WIN
AND READ THIS BOOK.
THANK YOU.

*GIVEAWAY ENDS FEBRUARY 15th AT 6PM EST*

WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN BY RANDOM.ORG AND NOTIFIED
VIA EMAIL AND WILL HAVE 48 HOURS TO RESPOND
OR ANOTHER NAME WILL BE CHOSEN

DISCLAIMER / RULES

Giveaway copies are supplied and shipped to winners via publisher,
the giveaway on behalf of the
above. I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me, in
exchange for my honest review. No items that I receive are
ever sold…they are kept by me, or given to family and/or friends.

I am not responsible for lost or damaged books that are shipped
from agents. I reserve the right to disqualify/delete any entries
if rules of giveaway are not followed

W.W.W. Wednesdays

W.W.W. Wednesday

CMash February 1, 2012 1 Comment

I’m posting about this early, just in case you are like me. I saw this on Lori’s blog, Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book, yesterday and thought perfect!!! I know that there’s this big football game this weekend, however, I am not a sports fan. We used to host Super Bowl parties and my family only tolerated me because I lived here lol. But usually I’m not allowed in the family room (where the big TV is) or even to talk during the game lol. So I’m joining another party!!!

The hosts for the wickedly wonderful weekend of reading are
Rebecca From Kindle Fire
and
April of My Shelf Confessions.

The Read-A-Thon is from Feb 3rd to Feb 5th. Click above for more details.

Hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish reading?

What do you think you’ll read next?

Doubleday Giveaway, Giveaway

GIVEAWAY ENTRY PAGE “MAY THE ROAD RISE UP TO MEET YOU by Peter Troy ENDED

CMash January 31, 2012 35 Comments

JANUARY 31st to FEBRUARY 14th, 2012

MAY THE ROAD RISE

UP TO MEET YOU

by PETER TROY

SYNOPSIS (fom Doubleday):

An engrossing, epic American drama told from four distinct perspectives, spanning the first major wave of Irish immigration to New York through the end of the Civil War.
Four unique voices; two parallel love stories; one sweeping novel rich in the history of nineteenth-century America. This remarkable debut draws from the great themes of literature—famine, war, love, and family—as it introduces four unforgettable characters. Ethan McOwen is an Irish immigrant whose endurance is tested in Brooklyn and the Five Points at the height of its urban destitution; he is among the first to join the famed Irish Brigade and becomes a celebrated war photographer. Marcella, a society girl from Spain, defies her father to become a passionate abolitionist. Mary and Micah are slaves of varying circumstances, who form an instant connection and embark on a tumultuous path to freedom.
All four lives unfold in two beautiful love stories, which eventually collide. Written in gorgeous language that subtly captures the diverse backgrounds of the characters, and interspersed with letters, journals, and dreams, this unforgettable story, rendered in cinematic detail, is about having faith in life’s great meaning amidst its various tangles.

THANKS TO JOE, AND FANTASTIC

FOLKS AT DOUBLEDAY

I HAVE TWO (2 ) COPIES OF THIS
UNFORGETTABLE STORY TO GIVE AWAY.
HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO WIN.

*ALL COMMENTS TO BE SEPARATE*
AND INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
SO THAT I CAN CONTACT YOU IF YOU WIN
*LEAVE COMMENT: FROM READING THE SYNOPSIS,
WHAT MAKES YOU WANT TO READ THIS BOOK?*

*EXTRA ENTRIES*

*LEAVE SEPARATE COMMENT IF YOU PUBLICLY FOLLOW THIS

BLOG (IF NOT, GOOGLE FRIEND CONNECT ON RIGHT SIDE).

*LEAVE SEPARATE COMMENT IF YOU FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK.

*LEAVE SEPARATE COMMENT IF YOU FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER.

*REMEMBER TO INCLUDE EMAIL ADDRESS FOR ALL ENTRIES.

*U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY*
*NO P.O. BOXES*
**HONOR SYSTEM**
ONE WINNING BOOK PER HOUSEHOLD
PLEASE NOTIFY ME IF YOU HAVE
WON THIS BOOK FROM ANOTHER
SITE, SO THAT SOMEONE ELSE MAY
HAVE THE CHANCE TO WIN
AND READ THIS BOOK.
THANK YOU.

*GIVEAWAY ENDS FEBRUARY 14th AT 6PM EST*

WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN BY RANDOM.ORG AND NOTIFIED
VIA EMAIL AND WILL HAVE 48 HOURS TO RESPOND
OR ANOTHER NAME WILL BE CHOSEN

DISCLAIMER / RULES

Giveaway copies are supplied and shipped to winners via publisher,
the giveaway on behalf of the
above. I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me, in
exchange for my honest review. No items that I receive are
ever sold…they are kept by me, or given to family and/or friends.

I am not responsible for lost or damaged books that are shipped
from agents. I reserve the right to disqualify/delete any entries
if rules of giveaway are not followed

Mailbox Monday, Monday Memes, Musing Mondays

Monday Memes

CMash January 30, 2012 9 Comments

Hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading

Today’s question:
How far along are you in your current read before you start thinking about what you’ll read next?
My answer:
Usually the Wednesday following I start my current read since I participate in Miz B’s W.W.W. Wednesdays, which asks the question, “What do you think you will read next?” So I start to peruse my TBR piles of requested reviews that are in my bookcase, and those on my spreadsheets for my Kimmy Kindle and Sunny Sony and see which one is calling me to please “pick me”. From there I pick 2, however, if for some reason a book gets delivered that needs to be read as a priority, that system goes right out the window.

January is being hosted by At Home with Books

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of A girl and her books and is now on tour.

According to Marcia, “Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.”